Dawn and Tom's excellent adventure

Remember that time when I convinced my mom to fly to the Netherlands to visit me and stay for 3 months?  Yeah, that was fun.  Obviously my mom went with us on our summer vacay, which was super handy and loads of fun.  So when my dad came out to join her so everyone would be here for Kaydree's baptism, we had to take him around and at least show him a portion of what my mom got to see.  I still cannot believe that I convinced them both to come.  My parents are Californians (turned Texans) thru and thru.  They are perfectly content to stay in Texas, make the occasional beach trip, church history trip through the midwest, or trip up to Utah to visit my Grandma.  They never thought life would bring them to Europe, and I never expected them to actually come visit for so long.  I mean, this was my Dad's longest vacation from work (2 consecutive weeks) in probably 30+ years.  Not to mention, this was the most time I've spent alone with my parents probably ever.  It was so so fun.  Here's the breakdown.

Kinderdijk - a quick tour of the windmills near our home.

Delft - pottery tour, cheese tasting, and obligatory clog picture.

Paris - this one was just me and the 'rents.  This is the first trip I've been on alone with my parents.  In fact, I figured this was the most alone time I've spent with them ever!  I was practically Caitlin.

Versailles

Arc de Triomphe

Climbing the arc - I made him do that...hehe.

Notre Dame

Waiting to climb to the top of Notre Dame while eating an exceptionally fresh croissant in front of my diabetic dad.  I'm such a jerk.

The view from the top

They don't need a lock...their love is a done deal at this point.  No turning back now.

Refining the palate with some french cuisine

Doing some thinking with the thinker

Nighttime visit at the Louvre

Trying not to get our pockets picked at the Mona Lisa.

Napoleon's Tomb

No trip to Paris is complete without THIS

AND the nighttime view from the top!

My dinner cost w-What?!?

Brugge

Belgian waffles baby!

Postcard view

My mom's two favorites in one - shoes and chocolate!

Another postcard view - they were all over the place.

The Hague NL Temple

Back in Rotterdam

Leave it to my parents to know a missionary serving in Rotterdam.  Dinner was a little taste of home for both of them.

Thanks Mom and Dad for the unforgettable trip!  Now I know I can move to China 'cuz you'll come visit me anywhere.  Okay, maybe we'll stick with Holland for now.