Touring the Canals

It's officially (or so I've heard) the hottest July on record...but finally....the weather broke...the sky opened up and it rained! Unfortunately, we rented a boat on Sunday with some friends and it was during our outing that the weather turned. We actually had a really nice time touring the canals in the center of Amsterdam and then going down the Amstel (yes, the beer and Amsterdam are both named after it).
"Captain Hannah"
The weather stayed pleasant with only intermittent sprinkling here and there during most of the 5 hours we were on the boat. It was only in the last 30-45 minutes that it started pouring. Luckily I had brought 2 umbrellas and there was 1 on the boat, so most of us stayed somewhat dry while Mike and Joe dealt with the boat. Hannah was amazed by the rain and helped me hold the umbrella over us.

The best part was trying to ride our bikes home in the rain with all of our stuff. Joe had almost everything, including Hannah, and still managed to hold an umbrella over her head during the ride while I rode carrying Hannah's car seat...no hand to carry an umbrella. We were both drenched by the time we got home...Nothing a hot shower couldn't help.

Beating the heat in Museumplein

We spent most of the weekend trying to stay cool. Inactivity usually works but gets rather boring, especially when you have a 10 month old that doesn't understand the joys of doing "nothing" when it's hot.

On Saturday we walked to Museumplein (museum square, so named because the main museums of Amsterdam are located here...Van Gogh, Rijksmuseum, the Concert Hall [not a museum but you get the idea]) and just relaxed...Much needed rain (never thought I would say that here) was expected and finally started to fall. We walked home in the rain and were home by the time the lightning and thunder started. Hannah was napping when it hit and I went to go check on her to find her standing up in her crib looking out the window...

Picnic in Vondelpark

Joe was in the States this week so Hannah and I kept busy (and cool) with our friends in Amsterdam....staying home as little as possible as the temp in our house is 83 F....HOT!!

Here are a few pictures from our picnic in Vondelpark with "aunties" Meghan and Tara.

Brushing her tooth!

The latest Red Sox fan!

Check out the Red Sox outfit! Thanks Aunt Polly and Nana (Daddy loves it!)
Too cute!Sammy in dangerous territory! (he usually stays as far away as possible but I think he just needed some attention too!)

1st bike ride

Riding with Daddy on his bike...

Best Friends...

Edam

Today is Hannah's 10 month birthday. To celebrate, we went to Edam. OK, it really wasn't to celebrate Hannah's birthday, but rather for Grandma Molon to get some yummy cheese before she leaves on Thursday.

The Weigh House (for cheese), now just a tourist attraction that sells cheeses.So hot and tired!

Today was another scorching day. For the Netherlands, that is between 85-90 F. Now before you think we are wimps, we do not have air conditioning and since our apt. is on the 4th and 5th floors, it is HOT! Luckily, it is supposed to start cooling off in a day or two, in which case we will probably complain that it is too cold! A typical Dutch summer.

Of other news, Hannah's first tooth has finally broken through! And I couldn't pass on a picture of her Buddha Belly.

3 July

As usual, we've been keeping Miss Hannah very busy. She continues to grow by leaps and bounds every day. She's now crawling (look out) and loves to "walk", that is with the help of any innocent bystander (usually mommy, daddy, or grandma, but any person will do). And she continues to eat anything and everything we give her! We have yet to take her to the doctor (this week's agenda hopefully) but by our scale, she has already gained 2 lbs.
This past weekend, we went to Gent, Belgium for an overnight trip. The town was beautiful and she was a great little traveler. We barely had to slow down at all except for a stop in the park for a nice nap...
The coolness of stone churches and cathedrals were another great place for naps in the stroller. She still has a hard time napping in the stroller as there is just so many new and exciting things to see but churches seemed to do the trick! She also had the taste of the good life...ice cream on a hot day!

Still wanting more!