Day OneHundred-SixtyFive

80 degrees, clear blue skies, Beaumont, and a Saturday afternoon = perfect combination for washing a car.  I still remember when my dad taught me the RIGHT way to wash a car.  And yes, there is a right and wrong way.  I can't say that Cakes was following the rules, but it was a first in her life.  Something as simple as washing a car... I just love seeing those firsts in Moe and Cakes lives.  

Day OneHundred-SixtyFour

Nothing says Texas like this spread.  Mamasita's is a family favorite and often where you will find the Finkel clan on a Friday or Saturday night.  Can you blame us?  Chips, queso, and rita's... yes, please, keep it coming.

Day OneHundred-SixtyThree

We thought by stopping over in Amsterdam the jet lag wouldn't be so bad.  It's half way between here and there - splitting the 12 hour difference.  But for whatever reason, it's been misery!  Asleep by 5 and up around 3 day in and day out.... Makes for great morning runs for me, but long, long days.  Looking forward to being back on track.

Day OneHundred-SixtyTwo

It's time to play a little bit of catch up.  And let's blame it all on this.....HOME.

There isn't much better a feeling to me then driving down the familiar streets of Middlebrook Dr., onto Glenshannon Dr., hitting the cul-de-sac, and seeing this.  The house I grew up in.  It's a sense of comfort, safety and just a sigh of complete peace.  It's home.  And I love it. 

MoeCakes is home.

Day OneHundred-SixtyOne

Not five steps away from standing in this guy's spot to grab the same picture, completely wrapped up looking through his own lens, he took my spot.  At first I chuckled b/c I'm sure I've done it to some innocent bystander more than once, but then as I waited I noticed a slightly different perspective.  Of course I would have loved to have no people in the background, but it's not really practical at 1:00 in the afternoon on a clear day and who really wants something so posed anyway?  Next time maybe I'll get up at 3 am to grab the "perfect" picture....maybe.

For more pics of the last three days check out MoeCakes latest ArtOfLife - Sessions&Such

Day OneHundred-Sixty

Today was spent exploring the streets and canals of Amsterdam Center - basically the heart of Amsterdam.  Another day filled with gorgeous weather, canals, buildings full of character (see above), lunch and drink relaxing at a cafe, kids chasing pigeons, style, and history.... I think I fell in love.  Maybe I'm actually part Dutch, yea, I'll go with that.  Beautiful city.  Can't wait for more tomorrow.

Day OneHundred-FiftyNine

On our way to our "new life" back stateside, we decided to make one last stop to visit some great friends  for a few days that we met while living in Jakarta, who now live in Amsterdam.  We arrived to an afternoon of perfect weather, clear blue skies, open fields, and the beginnings of Spring.  The city is built for outdoor recreation, and the people were taking full advantage.  We decided to take the crew to the Amsterdam Forest (or Bos) where the kids enjoyed feeding the goats and chickens, playing on the playground, running around a huge maze, and just exploring -- basically just enjoyed being kids!  The parents got to bask in the glorious sun and catch up.  Wonderful way to make our back across the globe.