Rodeo Parade

The annual Rodeo has started again in Houston. It is kicked off with a Parade. Each year in preparation of the Rodeo and to honor tradition people take off from all over Texas to drive 13 different historical trails to Houston. These trails originally where created by the Pioneers in search of their settling place and by cowboys to bring cattle to the market. So each year the weekend before the Rodeo some major streets are blocked for the arrival of the hundreds of trail riders and their horses.

The Parade starts with drum bands, floats, the Police & Fire Department, the Rodeo Board etc etc. 

Rick proves to have the American flag waving enthusiasm gene...Good Texan Boy!

 Kaat had not yet made up her mind about her patriotic loyalties and gave her flag to Rick (who needed a few as they broke quickly -;)

 Then finally came the real horsies (as Rick calls them) and the trail riders

 The carriages and moustaches where also worth the wait.

 I looked infinitely better as a spectator then during the 1/2 marathon 3 weeks earlier.

 The Parade did give a little insight in what things would have looked like in Texas around a century ago.

Pakjes avond

Pakjes Avond normally takes place on December 5th when Sinterklaas drops by, or for the non Dutchies it would be Christmas, in our case when Oma Marijke comes over after a new baby is born in our household the effect appears to be much the same!

We opened copious amounts of presents from everyone for all of us and of course Rick was not left out at all. He got some new rubber boots, a chefs outfit AND.....a Circus tent. So dad tried to put it together under the watchful eye of Rick.

 Once done we ALL had to get in to the tent one by one leading to some hilarious situations.

I guess you should have been there...

Another Philosopher's Pose?

Kids in the Kitchen

 and this is how Rick eats his 'Beschuit met Muisjes'  - pick it up and then turn it over 180 degrees towards you to take a bite every time. Or maybe it is just a butter test -;)

Dresses

We finally got Kaatje into a dress...

 and another one

 Rick was so happy about it he did a little dance

 and decided to call some friends to tell them about it

 and a few more

 turns out though that she'll need to wear trousers with all her dresses if she keeps on sleeping like this

Shooting

There was a shooting last night at the junction in front of our house. Somehow we missed it all,....the shots, the ambulances, the police etc etc. And we are on any side of the house only 20m or so removed from the junction. Could it really be that because we started watching CSI right at that time that we did not hear the gunshots fired outside our house and only noticed the shooting on TV? Really? Rick sleeps even closer to the scene at the front of the house and loves trucks with noise. He never woke up either. Bizarre! 

Cannot find out more about it yet. Rumor has it it was an escalated disagreement. No damage anywere or blood on the street.

3 weeks & a bit

So I think she will be a philosopher

Can you see her socks yet?

 The family watching TV

 Rick is up to something and Kaat is in on it.

 Kaat loves to have her arms around her face.

 On skype: Rick showing off his Lego, Eelco talking and Kaat is not quite sharing her views on it all. Have you noticed how everyone appears to be sitting in my chair these days?

 Kaat & Papa sharing nap time.

Rijkeluisdroom

We have been receiving heaps of cards and quite a few of the Dutch ones refer to the above - telling us how we have 'achieved' literally translated the 'rich people's dream' by having a boy & a girl now. So here are our riches:

 

 Rick in Mama's chair. As Mama puts a pillow on her lap to feed Kaat, Rick puts pillows on his lap too.

Oops

A driver for one of the local building projects had a little miscalculations earlier in the day.....Waverly blocked for a good few hours. Took to long for someone to show up and do something about it so did not stick around to see how it unfolded - Kaat was calling!

'Sleeping' Beauty

As soon as it is time to go to bed Kaat appears to be wide awake. 

Quietly Kaat watches us fall asleep...or we her

Kaat quite likes being wrapped up like a sausage in a roll 

 If not wrapped up her hands are very very busy.

Playful Piglets

Rick had his class' picture taken the morning after Kaat was born. As you can see Joost & Marlouke took excellent care of him during his sleepover as he has the biggest and brightest smile of them all and he had not met his brand new sister yet by then so he was most likely still blissfully unaware of her existence.

Top row: Ms Elizabeth (his main teacher) with Stephanie on her lap, Anna, Rick, Sarah & David (on lap). Bottom row: Colby, Emma, Roderick, Paige and Joshua. All the boys, except David, and Sarah and Paige were in Rick's group also last (school) year. As you can see the picture was taken BEFORE Rick's hair was cut.

Family Portraits

Rick, Kaat & Me - Yesterday

Rick decided yesterday he did not want to go to bed if Kaat got to stay downstairs - by then it was 9pm and Papa & Mama were also kind of ready to call it a day

 Fortunately he did not manage to stay awake very long so we could all retire to bed!

 Rick reading to Kaat - Today

 Oma Joke, Rick & Opa Sjoerd just before their departure on Sunday

Rick & Mees, Mees & Rick

Last weekend Dirk & Sietske finally got to meet Kaat as due to bad planning from our side they were in NL when the big event happened. Whilst we were  having dinner Rick & Mees had a blast together. They were actually giggling and laughing loads because they had so much fun to the point were Rick had tears running down his cheeks. If only we could understand what their play & conversations were about.