Alexander's first birthday in the Italian riviera...

Pictures from the drive through the Swiss Alps...

 We arrived in Rapallo, Italy the night of Alex's birthday...

More pictures of Rapallo...

view from our beach

more views from our beach

Our apartment is the first tall building in the second row (4th floor, no lift!)

Bastogne, Belgium

"The Mardasson Memorial was built in 1950. It stands as a token of gratitude by the Belgian population for the liberation of the country by the American Army and the allies. The construction of the memorial was suggested by the Belgo-American association (a panel of several eminent Belgian personalities). By erecting this monument they wanted to remember the young Americans who came to liberate Belgium at the cost of their own lives."

My cooking class in Istanbul...

Yayla corbasi (hot yogurt soup with dried mint)

Karniyarik (eggplant stuffed with minced meat)

Incir tathsi (walnut stuffed figs in syrup)

Turkish coffee

Gita and I replicated the soup and eggplant back in Gent and it turned out sooooo delicious!

Turkish food...

Meatball in flat bread with yogurt

Apple tea

Pistachio baklava & Turkish coffee

Bread shop in Kadikoy

Kofte kebab

More Turkish pastries & delights

Just a taste of Istanbul...

Blue Mosque

Stumbled across this Mosque off the beaten path

Gita, Jeff, and I on our hotel roof top (St. Sophia in background)

whirling dervish

Call to Prayer recorded from the bridge connecting the European sides of Istanbul...

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Oh the beautiful lamps...

Turkish bakery

Grand Bizaar

Loads of pictures...

Bronwen preparing Easter brunch

 Took the kids to the Seattle aquarium...

Bronwen trying to take over Grandpa's chair

Aunt Jean & Uncle Dave's visit

Aunt Jean pretending to be at the royal wedding:)

Alex & I at Alki beach

Cousin Sam & B had a blast

We asked Sam and Bronwen to kiss and they started but ultimately decided not too.  Meanwhile, they held this pose for a while during their decision making process...

Sam growling at B

Cousins Ben, Maddie, & Sam

"Auntie" cousin Sue :)

My Pacific Northwest Girl in the freezing Alki waters, just like mamma used to do:)

The Bennets, Michelle & Pat, & Karen...good times!