A Week in the Hague

We've now been in the Hague for a little over a week and we love it here already. Despite harsh winds and rainy days, we've been able to venture out and do and see a lot already. Our first Sunday the Branch President's family had us over for dinner and we drove through the beautiful Dutch countryside.

Dutch sheep.

The sunrise from our balcony.

Lincoln had some trouble getting over his jet lag, but he's doing better now and is almost back to his regular schedule. He's still just as hilarious as ever.

Reading a book to his sister.

Pasta just happens to be his favorite food.

Daddy, take my picture!

It's in Dutch, but we're pretty sure it says "Cute toddlers
will be towed!"

Lincoln does some funny things. This week he played fetch with a dog in the park and we realized that a dog would be the perfect way to keep him occupied. He's also had some funny moments in the bathroom (our toilet is separate so it really is the bathroom). One morning Lincoln came up to Emily crying "wet!, wet!". His hair and clothes were all wet because he had gotten into the shower and turned it on by himself while standing underneath. Another day he was taking his bath and Emily called out to him to make sure he was OK and Lincoln forcefully responded "No, I'm not OK!" Also, before Church Lincoln had one of his little meltdowns and threw his toy car. Chad took the car away and put it in his pocket. After he had calmed down, Lincoln went up to Emily and said, "Daddy took away Porsche. I was a little sad."--This kid is a riot.

2 dozen roses for 4 euros. The
advantages of being in Holland.

Chad started his work this week and gets around on the "intern bike." Good thing he biked to Duke the past 2.5 years because he fits right in. Emily and the kids went on daily walks. They found the library and made friends there (but then Lincoln emptied numerous shelves of books and made a mess so we had to leave). They also found fun shopping centers and a great park.

Yesterday we bought our Museumkaart (it allows us free entry into tons of Museums all over the Netherlands) and decided to put it to good use by going to two museums within a stone's throw of our apartment. First we went to the Panorama (one of four worldwide still existing panorama paintings from the 1800s). It is still in its original location and is beautiful. Pictures don't do it justice. Then, after a brief interlude of thrift store shopping and taking a nap, we went to see Mesdag's art collection. It wasn't quite as cool as his Panorma that he painted, but still.

Outside the Panorama.

Emily liked this.

Standing in the center of the Panorama,
or, in Lincoln's case, running.

A section of the 120 meter circumference Panorama.

Just chillin' at the canal in front of a royal palace.

A study for the panorama.

Lincoln refining his artistic tastes.

Emily is definitely liking having a pretty little girl to dress up and Chad is always amazed to see how many photo-shoots are on his memory card. As usual, most of Zalie's clothes are Emily creations.

A special thanks to Stephanie
for this beautiful skirt.