Several months ago, Ivo’s parents told us to reserve this weekend for a family vacation, destination unknown. Participants: Ivo’s parents, his sisters and their partners and kids, his aunt and uncle and cousins and us. A few weeks back, they warned us to bring our identity documents, which for me meant my passport. It’s funny, there are no border controls, but if I leave the Netherlands, my residence permit card is not enough.
On Friday morning, we packed everything up (a lot to carry with all of Liam’s stuff), took the train down to Eindhoven and then to Ivo’s parents, where the mystery destination was revealed. Belgium. Little Liam would get his second country before he was a month old. Less than two hours later, we were there, here.
La Dolce Villa in Francorchamps in the Belgian Ardennes
We tried to go in, but they weren’t ready for us yet, despite having said they would be.
We looked up the street. There’s no planning in Belgium, so towns are sort of willy-nilly spread in a ribbon along the roads.
And down – and in the distance saw a hotel, restaurant and bar, where we repaired to spend the time until we could go in.
Most of the rest of these pictures were taken by Leo, Ivo’s father, or at least on his camera. This is Ivo’s cousins Ischa and Jesse (pronounced Yah-suh) playing with Ivo’s nephew Mika and a local (French-speaking) girl, while Cyrille’s boyfriend Nicky and Evian look on.
Ivo’s nephew Niek (neek).
All of us.
Eventually we went back up and into the house – we got to choose our rooms – there were more than enough and they all kind of looked like this.
We chose this room (taken by me as we were leaving).
Because of the view. I kept thinking about how this is where the Germans surprised everyone by invading here to get to France.
The swimming pool. Alas, a little too cold to have it up and running.
Ivo’s sister Evian and her son Niek – he’s just about one and a half.
The study and smoking room, with Ivo’s uncle Joost (yohst), his aunt Evian, his mother Marijke and his cousin Ischa (ee-sha).
Evian: See, Ivo, you change him like this.
Marijke and Nicky heating up dinner.
Evian and Cyrille debating.
Mika handing out presents. Marijke couldn’t resist getting us all warm socks.
Mika handing the presents to his dad, Johan (yo-hahn), Ivo’s sister Evian’s husband.
Celebrating Cyrille’s birthday on Friday night (it’s really very close to Christmas).
Ivo’s sister Cyrille and her boyfriend Nicky.
Ivo’s dad, Leo (lay-oh), Mika and Cyrille.
Ivo’s aunt Evian (yes, having two Evian’s is confusing) and her husband Joost holding Liam.
Niek.
Oma Marijke holding Liam while Niek looks on, no longer the youngest grandkid.
Aunt Evian holding Liam
Brothers Mika and Niek playing in their fort.
Ivo and me and Liam hidden under the blanket having a meal.
On Saturday night we celebrated Sinterklaas, only a month late. Each couple drew another couple’s names and prepared an inexpensive but creative present for them, along with a poem or other creative presentation method. This is Nicky and Cyrille receiving their presents.
Ischa and Jesse watching their gift being opened.
And opening their gift.
And saying cheers (my photo).
Marijke and Leo reading their poem
And opening their present
Ivo holding Liam to watch the festivities (my photo)
Joost with Niek
Ivo and Liam taking a nap
Marijke and Evian having a smoke and a chat
Sister Evian and Ischa keeping Aunt Evian company.
Sunday night was our turn to cook. I took full advantage of having a great kitchen to work in – I love having two ranges and two ovens.
Opa Leo took care of Liam while I was cooking.
It was a very nice, relaxing weekend, and it was lovely to be able to have other people to help care for Liam. Ivo and I even escaped to go grocery shopping on Saturday, leaving Liam with Oma. And, we got to have a hot tub and sauna! It was also nice to spend time with Ivo’s family – they are all very warm and laughing people.