Trading families

Here we are in Switzerland - sledding and snowshoeing with Oma and Opa Verschuuren! We spent the xmas holiday together and enjoyed the most beautiful snow we've seen in a long time. It was great to play in the snow every day or just look at it through the window - we couldn't get enough. Also, it was wonderful to spend time with Els and Harry in their home near Zurich, something we hadn't done since 1997!
After spending 18 years in the U.S., Stijn and I both agreed it was time to reconnect with his side of the family. Two of Stijn's 3 siblings have children (3 nieces, 1 nephew) that are close in age to ours. Now they enjoy each others company and love playing together, but if we waited much longer, that might not be the case. Plus, our kids are young enough to learn new languages easily, so the timing seemed right.

Being closer to Stijn's family, however, meant being farther away from mine, and I knew it would not be easy. I also have 3 siblings with children (7), two of which are goddaughters of ours. When they all get together for the holidays or a reunion, it makes it that much harder. But thank goodness for technology, because it melts away the distance and brings you home again, even if it's just for a moment.

So come on family - skype is just a download + headset away! Can we do it - YES we can!