Random pictures

We have already been posting much more recent stuff, but I still had some pictures from the Netherlands trip to post on here. These are some random ones:

Winter atire....

enjoying the forest and winter weather

Our favourite restaurant 'de Zeven Wouden'


JJ and her favourite ball, which we found in the house

My old '66 Kreidler motorcycle (partially restored), which we are trying to import to Botswana

J1

U2 concert

this is Jill posting for once -

we went to the biggest concert of our lives this Valentine's weekend - over 100,000 other concert-goers joined us in South Africa's biggest stadium (what was once called "Soccer City" in Soweto, now which is called "FNB Stadium") to watch U2 play their first show in Africa in about 10 years. Here are some photos.

(Below: at dusk, as the stadium starts to fill up)

(Above: friends Greg & Abigail - far left, and Don & Heather - far right, who went with us)

(Below: us just before U2 takes the stage)

(Above: really complicated stage gear, really awesome setup)

(Below: the stage had such massive screens that it didn't matter if you were 568 rows back)

We were blown away by what a spectacular show they put on (we, who are a little bit more used to the old hole-in-the-wall juke joint kinda venue that our favourite blues/rock/non-world-famous bands are more suited to playing in), and also by the fact that we (along with 100,000 others) were serenaded by Bono with "our song" - which happens to be a rather "B-side", obscure U2 song and which we never in a million years would've imagined they would play at a mega-concert! But there we were, in the country where we met almost 11 years ago (when it became "our song") hearing the actual band play the actual tune we had our first dance as husband & wife to on March 2, 2002. It was really special.

Botsalano (J1)

We did a little camping trip to Botsalano game park, just accross the border in South Africa, during one of the last weekends in January. Some nice pictures of this little trip.

JJ inspeacting the camp

Out at the hide looking over the water

is that toddler for dinner?

the famous 'loo with the view'

and this is the actual view, as seen from the toilet

there were loads of animals as usual, such as this nice springbok

or this lone buffalo bull

some nice meals cooked over the fire...

before the fire got a little too big...

J1

Pre-school (J1)

Of course the big news (and big change) since the new year is that our little J3 has started pre-school. She is going mornings only, but five days per week. She has really been enjoying her time there so far, and has been quite active in the afternoons at home, probably lots of new stuff to process. Some pictures taken during the first days:

The pre-school entrance.

This is the side of the school with J3's class

With a really nice play area between the rooms

First day at the class

Arts with the teacher

The school has a nice playground, a petting farm and also a swimming pool for swimming lessons, which she is all going to enjoy. It of course means that our time working from home is over (or at least for the mornings), but is is nice to be at the office again together.

J1

Farm pictures (J1)

Of course there was the excitement of all the animals for JJ (and for us), she thought their were all 'puppies' though.....

My parents had this very nice wagon to take her around, and took some of these pictures.

Telling them stories....

Staring contest with one of the cows...

and Pake with a tractor (which I would have been much more interested in that JJ appears to be)

There were also goats

and JJ was not the only one posing with the animals, J2 also did her part...

and also with the goats

This picture was taken from the frozen Ijselmeer lake, behind the farm

There is many more holiday pictures of friends, our trip to Texel, winter and other holiday stuff, but I may upload some recent stuff of camping and first days at pre-school before continueing with the last holiday pics.

J1

Christmas pictures (J1)

I realize it is almost a full month ago already since Christmas, but I suppose that means that there are only 11 months to go until the next one.....

Here are some pictures of our Christmas day in the Netherlands.

J3 unwrapping a present during breakfast (which was not hers....)

Chrismas dinner at my parents

This was her present, back at our house that evening

What is that?????

Oh, a puzzle with numbers....

Nice family picture under the tree

J3 particularly liked the BALLS in the three, we liked the smell of a real tree (instead of our plastic one in Botswana)

And a present for J2

J1

iceskating (J1)

During our time in the Netherlands, we even managed to get an afternoon of iceskating in. Or more like an hour, as it was pretty difficult to get going. First time for myself in over 15 years, and first time for J2 on 'hoge noren'

Some pictures as evidence......

J1

post holiday eating (J1)

After our splurge during the holidays in terms of eating cakes, breads, droge worst, Christmas dinners, boerenkool, Indonesian food, beer etc there was need for a serious detox and discipline....Such as fruit salad for dinner (below) and soup. J2 has really become a champion in making healthy and filling soups.

J1

family (J1)

Of course there was a lot of opportunity for all of us to spend some time with family.

JJ and her aunt

JJ playing with her cousins

Beppe with the four granddaughters

JJ with uncle and aunt.

Undecorating Pake and Beppe's Christmas tree

learning to share

Cuddle with beppe

All four girls together

Cake and icecream after christmas dinner

J2 with little niece

Me and my sister (on the ice)

JJJ and Pake

a visit to newlyweds at their new house.

J1