Liberation Day in Holland... 67 Years

Today marks 67 years since the Liberation of Holland in 1945, and 2 years since we were there to celebrate the 65th anniversary. I've decided that this would be a good time for me to finish my blog post about our trip there then.
I've already covered Monday and Tuesday, and our trips to the war cemeteries in Holten and Groesbeek. On Wednesday May 5th, which was National Liberation Day, we stayed in Bathmen to enjoy Liberation festivities, which included lighting the Flame of Freedom.

The famous man in the tree.

And of course a parade. This float is about a bomber that went down quite close to Bathmen, we visited their graves on Friday.

On Thursday we were treated to a boat ride up the River IJssel. We saw several points where many Canadian Regiments crossed the river, in heavy fighting, which in turn was the prelude to the final liberation. Here is one point.

What is Betty looking at? We were suddenly treated to a surprise airshow.

 
This fellow got amazingly close to us.

Then a wonderful meal miraculously appeared, right up through the floor. We ate and drank before returning to Deventer.

That evening we were back in Deventer for a Concert for Freedom put on by the Dutch Royal Military Band.

Friday was a free day, so we all hopped in Jaap's car and went on a road trip.

Our first stop was the small graveyard in Bathmen, where the bomber crew was buried. Then a stroll through the town of Holten.

The reason we went to Holten, was that another family was staying on a dairy farm. So we were anxious to visit, especially as they had just put up a new barn with Lely robot milkers.

One thing I found neat was the use of cobblestones everywhere. No frost, so they stay really well. Here he is building a new bunker silo. Excavate out all the good soil, replace is with sand, cover with cobblestones, and pile your silage on top.

Friday evening was our farewell dinner. Again, more good food and drinks.

Saturday morning. Canadian Club. Secret day planned for us by the Deventer Rotarians. So we get on a bus and head up the road. We stop and walk into the woods. You know it's going to be a good day when you get in the middle of a forest at 10:00 AM and there is a table full of bottles of Holland's national drink, Orange Bitter. And raw herring!

We toured one of many bunkers that had been built after the war, in a top secret project, for the defense of the country in the event of another war. This project also involved massive flooding, and was unknown to the local people.

And then another parade, through another town, again reenacting the arrival of the Canadian troops in 1945. Grandma rode in a troop carrier and we rode in a truck. And we ended up at the quaint little country home of one of the Rotarians. 

We had a great little meal in his garage, many bottles of red wine, and Grandma was recognized as a widow of a veteran.

Sunday took us to Apeldoorn, another parade and the 1st National Liberation Festival.

Our last supper with Fia and Jaap. Sarah ordered something that she wasn't really sure how to deal with.

Then the emotional Goodbyes.

After a delay waiting for an Icelandic ash cloud, we headed for home.

Greenland

Although we were late arriving, we had made plans to visit with our cousin Steve's wife, Traci Mo. She came over to the Best Western where we were staying and we introduced ourselves for the first time, and had a great visit.

Happy Birthday Emma!

Today our first grandchild, Emma turned 10. One decade old. Happy Birthday Emma!
And here she is with her cake!

 I hope she doesn't mind sharing the birth date. Emma was born at 12:07 AM, and today at 12:09 AM, Dan and Katelyn welcomed little Sophie into the world. So that makes her exactly 10 years and 2 minutes younger than Emma. Congratulations!

Happy Birthday Sarah!

Little Sarah turns the big 04 today! This picture was taken back in the winter, when we had the privilege of looking after for a few days. She always has her funny face on for a picture. She had her birthday cake last night, so I've already got a picture of her with her cake, Madilyn, and Emma.

I wonder which one had that beer can in the front of the picture? I also have a cute picture of Chloe and Hailey, reunited again. Hailey spent the last half week with Tanya and family, while Chloe was over at the IWK in Halifax again for a check. All news is positive, so that is good to hear.

Got some Manure Out

We started spreading manure today. The below average precipitation this past winter and spring may turn this crop year into a disaster, but it did allow us about a month extra storage in the pit. Jesse had been going at it since mid afternoon, and already has the pit down 2 feet.

Yesterday we finished beating the hedge back. I think we have taken 5 or 6 ft. off it since last fall. Now I hope it grows back in a little. Marty has been out grading our roads and filling in ruts. If anything will make the heavens open, that will. Every time we level out a road, it rains so hard it all washes out again.

Jesse got a cute picture yesterday. We wanted to blow out a water line with our air compressor. The closest tractor was the big one. So we have a 125 hp. tractor running a 50 kw. generator, with a little pancake air compressor plugged into it.

Vicky sent us some pictures the other day. Chloe seems to be responding positively to her treatment, and we are happy for that.

 As expected, Hailey had a second birthday party with her family. Lucky girl!

And in this picture of Hailey, I see little Sarah.

And while I was looking for a picture of Sarah, I found this picture of Jack. I could be here all night if I keep doing this. This is the first picture Tanya sent me with her new IPhone 4S. Cute, huh?

Happy Birthday Hailey!

Hailey Lynn turned 2 today. I'll remember her birthday forever because Tanya called us in South Carolina, at some ungodly hour, to announce it.

Hailey has enjoyed the past 8 days with her Aunt Tanya and cousins, and of course Uncle TJ, while Victoria and Brad were in Halifax at the IWK with her sister Chloe. So I'm thinking she is going to celebrate her birthday twice. Today in Glassville with her cousins, and tomorrow with her family at home in Fredericton. But she deserves a few extra pictures for her birthday, as she has been such a good house guest for Tanya.

Firstly, I must apologize for the laundry piled up on the couch in the background of the last picture. One would think that a woman on maternity leave, with 5 children in her care, would have her husband better trained to have the laundry done and put away. But more importantly, Chloe has seemed to have had an improvement, and we are excited about that, and we are all appreciative of Tanya and TJ for the care they have given to Hailey.

Happy Birthday Hailey!!!

Got some Cows Out

We got an early start on the spring work this year. Last weekend we put some dry cows and heifers out. Actually Jesse got 2 out when we were in Bangor, then a few on the weekend, and a few more Monday. So that means we had cows out in March. Wow. And he spent several days this week spreading ash. This is a few of the piles, we have them everywhere, about 500 tons worth, about 25 tons per pile.

Also needed to put up a picture of our new tractor. We got it just after New Years. A new 7330, to replace our old 7420. 125 HP, which is 10 more than the old one. And we added weight so it would have more traction, over 18000 lbs.

And while I was looking, I found some random pictures. George the cat, Emma playing hockey in Saint John on March break, Carrie, Mariah, and Daniela acting to fool on the icy driveway with the Gator and a tube, and Jessica checking out a picture of Silas on my phone.

Bangor

On Wednesday, Sarah and I drove down to Bangor, for her Thursday appointment at the Eastern Maine Medical Center. She is supposed to get an ultrasound of her veins every so often, to see if they are remaining open after her CCSVI procedure. We had a few extra minutes, so we went and visited with Paul Bunyon. It's been awhile, we remember visiting with him when we stopped overnight in Bangor on our honeymoon.

So we thought we had a few spare minutes. Truth was, we had that and an extra hour, as we hadn't changed the time in the car. We were plenty early for the appointment. And the good news was that her veins were still 100% open. So a nice meal was in order. And although Tanya had begged me to go to the Texas Roadhouse, Sarah chose the Longhorn Steakhouse. And supper was great! We had it all polished off before our waitress had a chance to take our picture.

On another note, we will all be thinking of, and praying for Chloe this week, and Victoria and Brad, as they head for Halifax and the IWK. Sarah, Grandma, and I went up to see them last Sunday. Chloe is one happy baby!

Good luck Chloe! And let's not forget Hailey. She is going to stay with Tanya and family for the week. Good luck Hailey!

First Bonfire of 2012!

With a few spare minutes today, we went back at trimming up the hedge. That only went as far as the last of the chainsaw gas let us go. But we did have enough trimmings to make a mighty bonfire.

So tonight we had a bonfire. Carrie is still out there with Jessica and Mariah. Also I should mention that seeing as the outside temperature almost reached 28 C today, we tried out the AC option on the heat pump. Brrr.It worked.