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.

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.