To my Children, their Spouses, and all 17 Grandchildren

Today is Aug 25th.  A 'normal' day.  And I realized it is the last one.  I am in our apartment with a 'to do' list, and Dad is at work.  His last day to get there on time and leave at the end of the day.  He will box up his office and have farewell drinks (after a total of almost 40 years of employment).

First I wanted you to know how grateful I am to each of you for making the effort to come to Belgium this year.  EVERY single child, EVERY single spouse, EVERY single grandchild.  (at this writing Cora is the youngest).   It is monumental.

I know it took loads of money, all of your leave, most of you had to miss school and do tons of make-up work.  THANK YOU one and all.  Didn't we have a blast though?  We all got to take marvelous family vacations together.   For record keeping:  Egypt, Berlin, Venice, Paris, Sicily, French Riviera, Mosel biking, Peloponnese Greece, Loire biking, Northern Spain, Lake Como:  all the places we either took as a family holiday or as a couple get-away while we babysat.

We had time to chill, to talk, to be together and eat together, to go out for dinner, to be tourists, to visit old haunts and relive memories.  I watched each of you say your 'good-bye' to Belgium, at least for the way we know it now:  home.   I hope we all come back, but as one grandchild aptly put it:  "It won't be the same without Grammie and Pop here."

I know that we might not have been the parents or grandparents around the block, but we have had an amazing journey, this family of ours.  I just wanted you to feel my heartfelt gratitude that we had this opportunity.  The fact that the apartment at 40 Ambiorix Square was available for a 6 month rental does not go unnoticed by me.  The Lord certainly made this past 6 month gathering happen in style.

I am very reflective, and I have to get it out of my system.  What a run.  What a blessing.  Natalie said it best:  "You can take us out of Belgium but you can never get Belgium out of us."  It's part of our family legacy.  As I said, today is really the last of the normal days:  where we have a Belgian ID, where we have our home, where we have employment.  It is all ending.  I can barely hold my emotions together.  After nearly 28 years here, why do we like it so much?  The diversity, the food, the travel, the place where we raised our family, the place where we have served and loved.  It is not easy to say good-bye.  I know that new doors are opening, and I welcome them.  But just for today, just for now, I am very sad to leave and I can't stop the tears.

Okay.  Deep breath.  I'm good.  The Lord is good to us and has much in store for us in the future.  I just had to document this moment in our lives.  Feelings are bursting and I had to share, hoping I could get it out of my system somewhat.

We love you all, so very very dearly.  Each of you are the most important, top priority, never want to lose and always hold sacred and dear to our hearts, people!(to me/Grammie and to Dad/Pop).   We still have you and never have to stay good-bye as long as we all keep our covenants.  Now that is something to make me smile!  xoxo

Natalie's Family July & Aug 2016

The Portugal Family in Oviedo Spain

Bryn and Isa performed their dance all over the city, in many different times and locations.  I can't wait to see the video.

The hotel in Oviedo was a 5-star and it was classy.  The central veranda was enclosed by porticos and balconies.

Cool Lobby Shot

The Hotel de la Reconquista in Ovieda

Next stop was Ribadesella.  Beautiful setting with the Picos de Europa in the background.

Only in Spain can you afford an ocean front room during the peak season.  One morning Tom and I climbed the hill that you can see in the background.  The view was awesome of the mountains and sea.

Santillana del Mar.  Obviously I am getting a kick out of the panoramic feature on my phone.  Early morning is the best time to capture the scenes without tourists clogging it all up.

Pedestrian only, right?  Wrong.  Tom drove the oversized van down this street.  It was a nail biter but he managed (afterwards making it clear that we never do that to him again)

Just beautiful morning sunlight streaming through the old city

The church in Santillana del Mar

We all wish Tori was more amenable to taking pictures.  Luckily Bryn and Isa will accept bribes.

Thank goodness I have children who will humor me with card playing!

The most inviting beach we have ever visited.  Can you get an idea how wide the beach is?  Noja Spain and we stayed at the Maritime Ris Hotel.  Incredible low tide that leaves behind tide pools and seemingly unlimited walking.  We spent 4 glorious days here and wished we had longer.

Playing around in Tervuren Park

Aug 6 (Bryn) and Aug 8 (Tom).  Lucky ducks were able to celebrate BIG b.days together.  Bryn hit double digits and Tom hit retirement and 65!  

Girls Getaway to Budapest Hungary.  Lots of raspberry soup, walking, swimming and lounging at the thermal baths,  biking, and the mandatory non-stop card playing.  Fabulous and too short but grateful to have that time together.  Shout out to Noel and Tom for taking care of the famous 'gals'.
We took an overnight trip to Bonn all together as well.  No pictures but I want to remember that we went to the pool, rented bikes, ate at the Bier Garden, took the ferry to the Drakenburg and Drakenfels and had spaghetti ice cream.  That is Tom's 'happy place' and that is where we spent his 65th birthday!!!

Flower Carpet 2016.  I took this from a cafe.

Dang fabulous shot of the City Hall with the Flower Carpet.  Just sayin'

Last night on the Grand Place.  The end of the family visits for 2016.  "I never can say good-bye, no no no!"

Thank you Portugals for making the trip, for staying as long as you possibly could, for loving Belgium, for hanging out, for making memories!  I truly hated to see you go.