During a open day at the country club in our estate we had pictures taken by a professional photographer, they turn out to be great, here are a few:
Friday, September 22, 2006
Our Chinese girls
During a open day at the country club in our estate we had pictures taken by a professional photographer, they turn out to be great, here are a few:
August 13: Jelle is Baptized and Femke gets first communion
On August 13 it was a big day for the Henzen family as Jelle was baptized and Femke received the first communion. It was a beautiful day. Via my sister we got permission to do this with a young Father. Father Lemmens, he made a very nice service and Femke looked beautiful, she was very proud. Femke could go and take the communion before everybody else and there was a "lang zal ze leven" song by the whole church (average age is 70, so imagine) after the normal service a special service was held for Jelle, where the whole family and many friends were there.
Robert Birnstingl became officially the Godfather and Cindy Looy the Godmother. Although Cindy was not there she had a good replacement by Ivo.
Cindy is our Long long term friend from highschool still, now living in USA and Robert became a close friend during our time in Austria. Both are perfect fit for the job.
Femke Song a solo song in the church 'one little candle burning bright' and Lotte read a poem special for Jelle. The whole church was in tears (at least I was and could not see anything else).
After the ceremony we had a nice lunch and party in the local (Casteren) restaurant, it was great, people from Eindhoven, Hong Kong, Austria and other parts were there. The kids were spoiled and overloaded with presents (how would the go back in our suitcases, was different problem) it was a great and special day because it was with all the people we love and are close to us.
Robert Birnstingl became officially the Godfather and Cindy Looy the Godmother. Although Cindy was not there she had a good replacement by Ivo.
Cindy is our Long long term friend from highschool still, now living in USA and Robert became a close friend during our time in Austria. Both are perfect fit for the job.
Femke Song a solo song in the church 'one little candle burning bright' and Lotte read a poem special for Jelle. The whole church was in tears (at least I was and could not see anything else).
After the ceremony we had a nice lunch and party in the local (Casteren) restaurant, it was great, people from Eindhoven, Hong Kong, Austria and other parts were there. The kids were spoiled and overloaded with presents (how would the go back in our suitcases, was different problem) it was a great and special day because it was with all the people we love and are close to us.
Our Summer Holidays
Hi,
Its been an aweful long time since we wrote anything on this site, but now I promise to do better. so many things have happend over the last 6 months that we cannot capture in one post.
Erna and the kids spend 8 weeks in Europe, the months July and August. They had a good time. Europe is still the best place to spend holidays. Femke en Lotte went on Summercamp in Austria. On 'Pack' they spend a wonderful two weeks (well Femke two and Lotte one) in the mountains and in the woods. It was very hot those week so they went swimming a lot (1 hour walk). Some of her friends from Austria were also there, so it was great. Crying for two days when she came back because it was soo much fun. Next year they want to go again, lets see how it works out.
After two weeks in the mountains, the spoke again perfect German, wel more Steirisch, the local dialect. They had great time with camp-fires and games. It was for them the holiday we wanted when we were young.
Erna in meantime was in Hotel in Graz, visiting all our wonderful friends there. They had a great time, as the weather was very nice, and there finally was enough time to spend with all of them. Of course only after many wines and 'Jause' (snacks) she was allowed to go back to the hotel.
Where was I in all this time, well good question. I was working in Asia, i saved a lot of travels and have been on the road most of the time. Beijing Shanghai, Taipei mainly and had to miss the family for about 5 weeks before I saw them again. this was very long but knowing they had a good time it was still good, and with Skype and MSN everybody is close right ?
After alsmost three weeks of Austria my dad flew to Graz (he is a good lad :-) ) to drive together with Erna and the kids to Netherlands as alone this was a bit too much of a stretch. So after 12 hours of driving they all arrived safe in Netherlands and Grandma and Granddad Stoop could see their youngest grandchild for the very first time, after 8 months, A very emotional moment.
Its been an aweful long time since we wrote anything on this site, but now I promise to do better. so many things have happend over the last 6 months that we cannot capture in one post.
Erna and the kids spend 8 weeks in Europe, the months July and August. They had a good time. Europe is still the best place to spend holidays. Femke en Lotte went on Summercamp in Austria. On 'Pack' they spend a wonderful two weeks (well Femke two and Lotte one) in the mountains and in the woods. It was very hot those week so they went swimming a lot (1 hour walk). Some of her friends from Austria were also there, so it was great. Crying for two days when she came back because it was soo much fun. Next year they want to go again, lets see how it works out.
After two weeks in the mountains, the spoke again perfect German, wel more Steirisch, the local dialect. They had great time with camp-fires and games. It was for them the holiday we wanted when we were young.
Erna in meantime was in Hotel in Graz, visiting all our wonderful friends there. They had a great time, as the weather was very nice, and there finally was enough time to spend with all of them. Of course only after many wines and 'Jause' (snacks) she was allowed to go back to the hotel.
Where was I in all this time, well good question. I was working in Asia, i saved a lot of travels and have been on the road most of the time. Beijing Shanghai, Taipei mainly and had to miss the family for about 5 weeks before I saw them again. this was very long but knowing they had a good time it was still good, and with Skype and MSN everybody is close right ?
After alsmost three weeks of Austria my dad flew to Graz (he is a good lad :-) ) to drive together with Erna and the kids to Netherlands as alone this was a bit too much of a stretch. So after 12 hours of driving they all arrived safe in Netherlands and Grandma and Granddad Stoop could see their youngest grandchild for the very first time, after 8 months, A very emotional moment.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
After 6 months in Hong Kong
Hello friends and family,
Well we are now about half a year in Hong Kong, so its time for a little review. After we arrived in August until November we have been very busy with just settling in, and preparing for the birth of Jelle, Jelle is now 3 months old and doing just great. With both our other kids we moved close after the birth of them, with Femke after 1 month and with Lotte after 4 months and that caused a lot of stress on the family, this time we moved before we got the baby and this is clearly the better scenario. So next time..........(Just kidding).
Settling in has been relatively easy in Hong Kong, although it is lots of work to get utilities, bank-accounts, driving licenses, visa, cars, houses etc. It was made easy with the help of many people here. This country is used to foreigners coming in. Many people here move in and out each year and there is a sense of compadre-ship. So in our area there are quite a few other Dutch families and they are really helpfull. In the first days they all come to introduce themselves and share all the do and don'ts with you. You are included in as many activities as you basically want yourself.
Also on the school it is the same, Both Femke and Lotte are now fluent in English and Femke is catching up on reading and writing. The school is fantastic, good educations and lots of activities and social outings. So both Femke and Lotte have busy schedules. they go swimming, ballet, Giutar class, choir and Tennis. They already made lots of friends and play with them all the time. Femke is having quite a few sleep-overs already which we all know she loves. Lotte made her own friends now, and does not have to share Femke's friends anylonger, for both this is a real improvement.
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