Emily celebrating her 8th birthday at home with friends. 

Emily's 8th birthday party. Here she is trying to smack the Sponge Bob pinata into pieces.

 

Eileen brought Ivar and Derek to join me after my conference. We spent the day at Inner Harbour. Took them to Morton's Steakhouse and the boys loved the steak. The dessert was to die for. We had chocolate lava cake which had warm chocolate in the center of this rich creamy chocolate cake with a chocolate crust. 

At the girl scout kite flying contest - Emily's Kite was one of the biggest, however, it didn't fly much and she ended up dragging it on the ground. She won the "Kite who wouldn't fly contest" 

I didn't recognize Emily at first. Ting Ting put makeup on her when she visited the clubhouse with the big girls. 

Halloween 2005 

Relaxing on the cross bridge. 

We walked around the back garden of the Notre Dame. It was a wonderful day to be out. 

On our way back to the bus after visiting the Louves. 

Derek and I still had a lot of energy and we took an evening cruise along the Seine River where we froze ourselves half to death. The scenary was beautiful. We also saw the Eiffell Tower all lite up. It was an evening to remember. 

Derek and his pony tail. Posing on the bus. Two ladies on the bus got into a flight over the purple curtain behind Derek. Apparently one lady wanted it more on her side while the one who sat one row ahead of her wanted it more on her side. They pulled the curtain back and forth and then started yelling at each other. They make themselves look like fools - ruining their vacations over such silly things. After yelling, one started crying and her friend gave her some tissues clean herself up. 

Derek demonstrating that he really can fly. 

Belgium main square with Emily. The weather was incredibly good and we had our very first "real Belgium Waffles". It was so delicious - with fresh whipped cream, strawberries. The waffles were doughy, chewy and very crunchy on the outside. 

Goofing around during one of the stopovers where we literally ran around to stretch our legs. 

Bill and Emily on the way to see a windmill close up. 

Just outside a wooden shoe workshop in Holland. This was a quick stopover en route to Amsterdam. We got to go up a windmill. I loved the cheeses, however, I'm the only one in this who likes cheese so didn't buy anything. We bought a few souvenirs (and a pair a cloggs for Emily). 

Posing in front of the old Cathedral in Cologne, Germany. The Cathedral is being restored, I'm sure the next time the kids see this, it will be restored to its former glory. 

Derek's 12th year party - his first dance party with friends from WAB. 

Bill, one of my favorite colleagues from work came to visit and spent Chinese New Years with us. I took him to eat hot pot at Ding Ding Xiang, then passion fruit smoothies at Bellagio and off to a party at John and Paulas! Kids like Bill a lot. For this meal, Beverly fixed seared salmon with vegetables and sheppard pie. 

Derek and I both made par at hole #8 at Mission Hill Golf Resort. Emily was our designated driver and nearly drove the cart into the water! The resort was very empty and we were one of the few people on the course. We even had cheeseburgers between the nine holes! Our room backed to a private swimming hole with a large jacuzzi. It was a great way to top off a wonderful vacation!