As part of the McCulloughs leaving in a matter of months - they have been asked, that when planning a vacation - book for 2 families =) We are enjoying every second of their final excursions through out Europe. This one included a 9 passenger van and road trip through some amazing breweries (and monistaries) In Belguim.
Its Friday afternoon and off we go!
Wonderful idea to have a van that could fit all of us as we are perfectly matched. The boys stayed up front running the Navi. Farrah and I stayed blissfully unaware, Shane and Macy had blanket wars while Tate and Nick enjoyed several iterations of Super Friends.
Here's what a piece of chocolate can do. Macy ate hers. Shane used it to clean his face...
We stayed in the town of Dinat a 10th century city - WOW The saxaphone was invented MANY years later in the 19th century by Adolphone Sax.
bet that road took a lot of carving...
The first night was a beer sampling coupled with Muscles - yum yum. I think Brian used everything on the table to 'mop' up any of his remaining sause. We all sampled the beer and the excitement grew with regards to the breweries we would be exploring.
Final stages of dinner entertainment
Saturday started the tour. We saw it all, meaning the first stop looked possibly like a retirement home. We pulled up around 10am, van full of kids, trying to ask in our best french if they served beer..... I think they looked at us like we were absolutely crazy.... that's when we need that 'we are American Tourists' sign - it explains everything right?? Here is Chris checking out another one.
Success!! A brewery with cheese and a playground - the most beautiful one yet!
Our accomodations were amazing - we were in a renovated convent.
(they just opened in May of 2010)
I am hoping Brian has a better picture of the WinoTecch - but this is from their website. I want to capture this because the boys could not get enough of this place. The BEST part of the entire hotel and possibly weekend. They would stay there for hours just chatting on this 20' long couch. They barely remembered to come back up to check in with the rest of the family. Boy, is the beer good in belguim =)
Shane and macy enjoyed some closet time
Here is the view of Dinant from our hotel = super cute town. we could have spent the weekend just exploring this town.
The saxaphone bridge
The last place we ate was just YUMMY and had special seating for us.
A table for the boys,
The babies
And the big kids!
The final stop was the Orval brewery - a beer favorite for Farrah and Chris. Before we toured the grounds Farrah gave a little teaching lesson - she has more tricks up her sleeve than any mom I know - kids are constantly entertained
The first monks arrived to the area in 1070 - however it was left empty for centuries and recently re-inhabited. The brewery was reinhabited in 1931. Money raised from the sale of the beer went to reconstructing the monastery which was completed in 1948
After all that Beguim beer we pointed the van in the homeward direction. We hoped to make it all the way home - however after 3+ hours of driving realized there was a Hooters right off the highway. Wings and fried pickles sounded awesome to everyone in the car - especially the pregnant lady!! Yum Yum. As we were walking by the Hooters windows Nick comments, 'they are all in their underwear'! We had to explain that they are wearing shorts, but I tell you, he might be right!
Love this photo
Shane's face says it all (but really, he is just happy to be out of the car!)
Thanks to the McCulloughs for a beautifully planned weekend. We enjoyed every second with you guys and you are wonderful for letting us tag along. You guys are the true definition that everything is better with friends!
More photos from the McCulloughs
Here are some more of the hotel we stayed at
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