Last updated: 02/01/01

Welcome to our family web page. We thought it was about time to tell and show you how we are, as of the end of the year 2000. Our apologies that this page is currently not available in Dutch. We reckon most of the audience understands some English, whereas some of you don't know (how to pronounce) a word of Dutch.

In July We went to France by car. First we spent a week camping in the Loire valley, and then we went on to the south coast of Brittany, sharing a cottage with Huib's parents. It was remarkably good weather and we spent many days on the beach. On the left you can see Toine flying his kite. It were two very enjoyable weeks, with a good mix of things the children liked (the camp ground play-yard, the beach and the sea) and things parents like (wine tasting, sightseeing, the beach). Even so, a lot of things went wrong as well: the car broke down, Toine had an eye-infection and the day of the 1000km return drive was the hottest of the two weeks; Phebe threw up within 30 minutes after departure. Still it was a perfect holiday.

Below is a picture of the last restaurant visit before departure. The kids had adjusted to the French dinner hours and behaved very well for most of the meal. Toine however pinched a French waitress under her skirt! They also did eat some of the seafood. But, as you can see, there was still enough for Lisette.

Toine turned 3 in September. He got this red kart (a skelter in Dutch) which he is shown here riding in our street. The street we live in is a very quiet dead-end, and a lot of kids play outside the whole summer. Toine is going to a "play school" two half days a week. He also goes to toddler gymnastics. He is very verbal for his age and very popular with the older kids in the street.

A month later Phebe turned 5. The picture on the right shows her after being surprised in bed with presents. She was delighted. As a 5 year old she is now in group 2 of the "basis-school" which is basically kindergarten. She is very eager to learn and wants to be able to read very soon. At the moment she goes to school every morning and 3 afternoons. The school she attends is almost walking distance and sometimes Phebe goes on her own bike. But of course she cannot go unattended yet. The school is a public (openbare) school and so far we have been quite impressed by the care and attention. Phebe also takes swimming lessons every Wednesday, and next summer holiday she can probably swim.

As part of the festivities we went to the fair, which came to Hoogeveen during the autumn break. As you can see below the kids really enjoyed this! Hoogeveen is a town of quite reasonable size, but to our taste it misses some city atmosphere. Yet is very convenient for families with young kids. It has a wide variety of schools and shops, which are all very easily accessible (this means they are in cycling distance, but you can also find a parking spot for your car). Another advantage is that within minutes you are in the countryside; biking is very popular in the summer. Also nice is that reasonable size houses are still affordable.

On her birthday Phebe got a camera (with a flash). So besides daddy and grandpa we now have a third photographer contributing to this page. It also gives you a rare view on Huib at the other side of the camera. Here with Toine just after a won volleyball match in the local sports hall. This year Huib is playing league volleyball again if travel permits. Fortunately the kids are (still?) very interested to come and watch.

We still need to tell you how Lisette is doing. She has recently started working again. From October 1 she goes twice a week to Groningen where she has joined the University. She is a "policy-maker" at the research department of the medical faculty. This was quite the opportunity she was looking for. A job in Groningen means a one hour commute, so on Tuesdays and Thursday she leaves home quite early. We have found a great "nanny" for those day, who looks after Toine and takes Phebe to and from school.

In this picture, you can see three of us enjoying the Dutch Sinterklaas celebration. We got wonderful presents traditionally accompanied by a rhyme.