Family Time

This week we are going to a cabin park here in Holland to have some family time before things get busy with Christmas and ministry with the church. I will be back to blog next week. See you then!

Washing Machine!

Today was a happy day at the Kramer house! The new washing machine came! The great thing about being a renter is that the owners pay for it and I get a new washer. I guess the one that was replaced was 35 years old! I think this is one of the few times that I have had a washer and dryer before. For some reason it hasn't worked out to have one. I went to a laundromat when we were in the states which happened to be conveniently located next to a Starbucks. I just washed a load of towels tonight which is so much better than hand-washing your clothes! I think the washing machine is one of the best inventions man has ever made. The soft hum of it running is like music of a perfect melody...can you tell that I'm excited to have a washer!

"Bites, Bites, Bites!"

This kid loves to eat! I think it is a growth spurt. In the morning for breakfast Kees will eat 2 pieces of French toast, fruit, and milk only to be saying, "Bites" a few moments later. The other afternoon he said one of his first almost sentences....he said, "Mama more bites please." It has been so fun to listen to him trying to say new words. The latest word is peanut butter only Kees says, "Pe boo." So cute! I have been speaking English to Kees and Steve speaks some Dutch to him. On Sunday at church his teacher and the other kids all speak Dutch and he hears me speaking it at church so he has started to pick Dutch up as well. I have been teaching him to tell his teacher, "Dank je wel" when she gives him his snack....I would love to be a fly on the wall in his class and see how he speaks and interacts in Dutch. I know one thing he loves his Sunday school class! It has really been great for him to have a consistent place to play and make friends.

Special Card from Great Grandma Fram!

Welcome Caleb Elias Fowler

Congratulations to Jeremy and Kelly (Kelly is my cousin) on their beautiful baby boy born November 20th!

Sinterklaas!!

He is here! Sinterklaas has arrived in Holland! He made it all the way from Spain on his boat. Sinterklaas day is celebrated on December 5 but Sinterklaas arrives in Holland and our city of Delft on November 20th. On the 5th of December is when you give each other gifts and also write a poem to go with your gift. We are looking forward to starting this fun tradition with Kees!
Looking for Sinterklaas.....
I think the whole city came out to greet Sinterklaas today! It was packed! Kees got a front seat to the action in his stroller and enjoyed every moment!
Zwarte Piet (Black Piet) Sinterkaas' helper gives little cookies called pepernoten to all of the kids. Kees could not believe that cookies where being piling up on his lap! He held them in his hand for a long time and kept saying, "cookie, cookie!" He wasn't so sure of black face paint on black Piet but once he realized that he was the one giving out the cookies he was okay with him.
Thumbs up from Sinterklaas! Let the Christmas season begin!!

Amsterdam

Our fellow Oregonian and good friend Kathy Varis and her daughter Shannon had a layover in Amsterdam so we were able to spend the day with them. Shannon is an amazing photographer. She has a website at redcouchphoto.com. Here are a few of the pictures she took in Amsterdam.

You never know what you might see in the city. Maybe even a boat that looks like a castle with a real life horse on top.....yes it can happen....

Papa Teaching Kees to Catch.

Pumpkin Cranberry Bread

Somehow it just doesn't feel like the Fall season until I have made Pumpkin Cranberry bread. It is a family tradition! Nothing like the leafs falling from the trees in bright colors, a cup of tea with a warm slice of pumpkin cranberry bread!

Here is how to make it.

Pumpkin Cranberry Bread:

2 slightly beaten eggs

2 cups of sugar

1/2 cup oil

1 cup Libby's solid pack pumpkin

2 1/4 cup flour

1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped fresh cranberries

First step:

Combine eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin. Mix well.

In a large bowl combine flour, pie spice, soda, and salt.

Second step:

Make a well into the center of the flour mixture. Pour pumpkin mixture into well and stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in cranberries.

Last step:

Spoon batter into 2 greased and floured aluminum loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. (or until toothpick comes out clean).

Enjoy a warm slice on a beautiful fall day with a cup of tea!

Bike Decor

Elmo Box Car

This afternoon it was just a little too cold to go outside so Kees and I made a car out of one of our many moving boxes we have in the house. Kees wasn't so sure about having a car made out of a box until I made a Elmo on the front and called it "The Elmo Car."
This picture just makes me laugh every time I see it. I think it is so funny how his legs are coming out the front! The mismatched socks make it even better....haha

Card from Opa and Oma!

Kees was excited to get a pumpkin card in the mail from Opa and Oma. He liked it so much at bed time he was saying, "pumpkin, pumpkin" so the pumpkin card is now nestled up next to kees in his bed. :)

Here are a few pictures of Kees' new new room!

We are renting so it is limited on what you can hang on the walls so I found these great stick and peel stickers for Kees wall.