Alexis, Jacques and I were very lucky this year to get the opportunity to celebrate the holidays with both the de Kerchove family and the Schreiber family. It made for a bit of traveling on our parts, but it was definitely worth every second of it. We juggled everything by spending the weekend before Christmas in Belgium with Alex's family. We then flew to the states to spend a week over Christmas with my family, and finally returned to Europe in time to celebrate New Years together with family.
Unfortunately, but should have been anticipated, our trip got off to a slightly rocky start due to a very rare snowstorm in Brussels, which closed the airport for many hours over several days. Our 21h flight ended up taking off in the wee-hours of the morning...and we eventually crawled into bed near 6h. Luckily for us, Jack took it all in stride (he was still young enough to be able to sleep in most any place), but unluckily for us he was up and smiling before 9h. We had to deal with similiar delays traveling to the states, but for some reason it all seemed easier with the sun still shining.
Who can find Jacques?
Since there are just too many things to write about our trip to put in one blog post, we decided it was best to compile a list of our fondiest memories of the holidays. Considering the fact that Alexis's and my memories aren't the best though, if anyone feels like we left out anything...just let me know!! I can say that the most special part about our holidays with both of our families was that it was the first time the de Kerchove family and the Schreiber family (individually...) were all together for quite some time...complete with all of the new family additions (welcome Jacques, Olivia and Thomas!!)! Since everyone seems to be starting their own individual families (including ourselves) coordinating time together is difficult...but well appreciated when successful!
Christmas with the de Kerchove Family
1) A real white Christmas...I wish I had a pictures, but seeing the snow falling all during the afternoon was quite spectacular (especially coming from BCN)
2) Sledding and snowman building with Mark & Sylvia's Family...also no picture, but take my word, the snowman was almost bigger than Alexis
3) A wonderful day of Christmas celebration with lots of quality time with everyone
4) Staying our very first night in Natacha & Alexandre's new house...thanks guys, expect us back! This also meant Jacques spending his very first night alone without his parents (Thanks Nanou & Daddy)! (Granted we were practically next door, but still it's difficult for a Mama...Jacques seemed quite content though)
The de Kerchove cousins (without the babies...group shots available in albums, but were a bit more challenging) 
Noa and Olivia
Everyone is a bit tuckered out New Years with the de Kerchove and Jacobs families
1) Celebrating New Years together with the Jacobs family, and finally getting to spend some more time together with their newest addition, Victoria (born one month before Jack)
2) Taking a very cold, brisk walk along the beach in Kamperland New Years day...followed by some yummy hot chocolate
3) Seeing the lake starting to freeze over...the first time in some time...
4) Getting an evening all together with Alexis's cousin Celine and her family visiting from Brazil
The new Papas, Alexis and his cousin Christophe, with their babies, Jacques and Victoria
A beautiful New Year day morning in Kamperland
Christmas with the Schreiber family
1) First time that most of the Schreiber family, and my extended family, got to meet Jacques!
2) Staying for a few days with the Holovachuk family in their new house in Philidelphia and spending a cozy Christmas eve and morning together
3) For me, celebrating Christmas with all of my family and with all of my familiar traditions...and hopefully for Alexis, getting to experience Christmas with the Schreibers for the first time
4) Sledding!!
5) Taking advantage of the woods and nature around Mt Gretna...and being able to do so with one of our good friends, Allegra, who managed to make some crazy travel arrangements to be able to see us for a few hours before heading home to DC
Jack a little rosy from the cold...
Sammy sledding 
The Schreiber cousins together at last
Gram Bear and Jacques
Hiking in the woods
Allegra & Co taking a walk around the lake
Jacques turned out to be quite the little traveler...he took everything in stride and usually with a smile on his face, although i have to admit that sometimes it was a pout. He took to meeting new people very well...and being passed around in many new arms of many new faces. Hopefully he'll continue to be such a relaxed kid! He did manage to catch his first cold on our travels, which I guess should have been expected...but after one sleepless night, he seemed to adapt quite nicely to having limited breathing capability out of his nose.
Since this was such a long voyage on our part, we of course managed to accumulate tons of photos...we chose the ones that we liked best and put them into albums below. Just click on the photos below to be taken to the albums!
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| xmas 2009: de Kerchove Family |
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I hope you all had great holidays as well!!
2 comments:
Yay! Thanks for sharing all the great pictures from your holiday. Can't wait to see more recent photos, too! :)
Hi Kids,
Great pictures; wonderful holiday. I am so glad you were able to spend time with us and share all of your pictures. May there be many more!
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