It was again a memorable year, with many beautiful moments to remember. We had a lot of visitors here in Ammerland. Something we always really appreciate.

We had this year several anniversaries. We had the 50th anniversary of Grandpa Piet and Grandma Willy. Dirk-Jan (Viv’s Brother) and her niece Nikki turned both 50 years. And Grandma Willy also turned 75 years in 2008! That day however was not really Jack’s Day. He was kicked out of the airplane. He supposedly did not have the right UM papers and was asked to leave the plane. There he was 13 years old left behind in Stuttgart by the KLM. To make a long story short, he arrived a few hours later in Amsterdam with a very stressful experience in his baggage! 

During our fantastic holiday with Sanneke, Guus and Joe-Ann in the States Rob received a phonecall from Heineken that they had another job for him. Lousy timing of course, just after the new schoolyear has started. Rob is now Finance Director for Belgium and is now working in this cute place called Waarloos (roughly translated as Worthless)!

He started working in Oktober, 3 days a week in Belgium and 2 days a week in Munich We have decided that Vivienne and the children will move in the summer of 2009. We have a lot going on here in Germany, also the kids are really happy here en that is why we thought it would be unwise to move under the schoolyear. We simply have to go through this phase. But it has to be said that for Rob this is really heavy. He is travelling back and forth and works his ass of. He is really looking forward to be able to focus only on 1 job per the end of January. He has an apartment now in Brussels (Woluwe-St Lambrecht), so he can leave his stuff behind now and can also cook for himself, amongst others.            

The children unanimously have decided for the Internation School St.John in Waterloo. So this will probably be the place where we are going to live. We want to be living close to the school, because after 8 years, the children want to further develop there independence and go by bike to school. Help! Viv’s Job as taxi-driver is in jeopardy!! We all are looking forward to move to Belgium. Off course there will be tears, but the general mood is very positive. Robin is very proud on her French proficiency, she already has 8 years of French at school. That is more than we ever had!. So they will be in the end real European Children, the Kleinjan kids!!

 

So if you want to still admire the beautifull Bavaria, than you have to rush it! Our last ski-season has started. Saturday we will have our first trials racing down the slopes. 

 

From behind our laptop, we wish you all a happy Christmas and a very good, happy and healthy 2009.