The Mighty Mouse was attacked

We have this cool new computer and wireless keyboard and wireless mouse. I guess the indicator said it was time to change the batteries in the mouse. Tom tried to unscrew it to change the batteries, ONLY he took the screwdriver at the 'eye' of the mouse, instead of simply popping the back open. Basically he broke our mouse. It goes ballistic everytime you try to use it. So now I'm looking at Tiger Direct to buy a new mouse. Hmmmm. I would laugh at him but I keep remembering that I had my wallet stolen in Rome and I have no room to laugh at someone else.

Numbers, specifically 08/08/08

Today it was finally sunny and a tad warm. Dad I and decided to go to Tervuren for our morning walk. On the way home, the digital clock in the car read "11:11" so I said, "make a wish!" and then Tom said, "my birthday this year falls on 08/08/08." Now that's pretty cool! We'll be in Charlotte for his birthday. We'll have to have a wild celebration, right Mel and Jake?

Nan, here are the last of the pictures on my camera

Natalie didn't have her camera with her in Belgium because Noel had it in India....she didn't get to see the last ones I had on the camera. So here you go Nan.

What? It's March 24th!

Brussels had their first snow of the...winter? Well, technically it's already Spring! It was beautiful to wake up to, but I do think the flowers are totally confused. But look how pretty it is! I also really like the green green grass next to the white snow. It's a great contrast between Spring/Winter. Steve and Dad are going to make a snowman instead of going to work and school. Now that's keeping your priorities straight!

gotta love the hat

Just fun to compare this one of the mom and the next one of her kid! This is from 1987.

Dancin' on the kitchen floor

There is something about the kitchen floor that makes dancin' so fun!

Seminary in Rome

It was the annual trip to Rome with the Seminary kids...but it probably will be the last. I doubt they will let me keep the Seminary class since this is Steve's last year. It's a peach job and I love it, but it has been 13 years afterall. It was fun to have Bryn and Natalie and Dad along. I did have my wallet lifted, I think in the crowded metro. The bottom line is that I was just too casual about it all. I left too much cash, had too many identification documents that I shouldn't have been carrying around. I had all kinds of advice for the kids, but didn't take it myself. How dumb is that!!! I've been beating myself up. It's hard to keep it all in perspective. But onto more happy thoughts...
We had sunshine for two glorious days. It's been raining really hard here in Belgium since Natalie arrived. We were more than ready for some sun! We ate lots of gelato and pizza, in fact, I'm pretty sure that's the real reason the Seminary kids like to go there.
You guys will all recognize most of the shots...Blue Ice for gelato and the Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon, and the Piazza Novona, and the Vatican and the Coleseum. Just the usual stuff. Dad arranged for a personal tour for himself of the Paletine and saw the newly opened house of Augustus. He was in history heaven.

I hope everyone has a good week, and keep your wallets safe!!!

Happy Birthday Zaner Baner

Zane,
Pop and Grammie and Uncle Steve and Aunt Natalie and cousin Bryn all wish you a very happy birhday. You will be a fabulous 4 year old. How did the hunting party go? What did you catch? We love you lots!

Guess who popped in for a visit?

Natalie and Bryn are here for 10 days or so. Noel had to go to India for 2 and 1/2 weeks. "Mom, I'm lonely and bored and it's only the first day!" I remember once when Tom left me for 3 weeks. Longest 3 weeks of my life. But then we are wimps b/c lots of people do it for months at a time! Nonetheless, I was on the arrival level of the airport this morning. Much happier! It's 1:46pm and both of them are still sleeping. It's a heck of a long flight, but this time no delays, so it was easier to handle. Natalie said she managed just fine all alone. It wasn't fun, but she did fine.
So I have to say, this has been a great winter...The Portugals and Nicole come for Christmas and Nicole stays on for another 2 months, then Dan comes for work and stays here for a a week, and now Natalie and Bryn are here! And Steve thought he was an only child! Not this winter anyway!
I'll bet you can guess where we are going for dinner tonight! Domus here we come! Again! and Again! and Again!

Europeans, Colie's farewell,Dan to Nato,luncheon

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Just a few pictures from the past couple of weeks. First a few of Steve at Europeans in Wiesbaden Germany. Next Colie getting set apart as a missionary and the farewell at the airport. Then a few of Dan and Tom going to work at NATO. Dad is having a ball with Dan. They have cutsie name tags and a dandy little NATO bag, all for Industry Day. Lastly, I hosted a luncheon at our house today and I took a few pictures. (Lara, did you see Emily???)