Belgium Day 2

On Sunday it was a Belgium holiday because the new King and Queen were taking their thrones.  So we weren't sure what was going to be open.  Kellee did some research and found an abbey that made their own beer, works for both us and the boys so we could see the beautiful chapel and they could taste beer.  :-)   It was the Maredsous Abbey, they are a community of Benedictine monks.  They follow the rule of life composed by St Benedict.  This one was built in the 19th century because after the French Revolution, monasteries and religious houses were destroyed or sold.  The surviving monks worked hard to buy back this land.

 

The first view of the church

 

The front of the church - I am still amazed at how beautiful they are over here. 

 

Don't the boys look so excited to be looking at another church.  ;-)  I am glad they put up with us, though we always make sure there is something fun for them to do during the day also.

 

The stained glass windows, they were extra vibrant with the sun coming in directly!

 

I couldn't help it - look at the organ!!!  Oh how I would love to play it!

 

 

This was down stairs and locked - but it is where the monks come to pray and learn.  I am just thankful for Kellee's work with the camera because it was almost pitch black in there and she got this!

 

 

The main part of the church, there is more off to the right of this picture that is for the monks.

 

The boys over at the college for the monks.

 

 

Speaking of fun for the kids - they had a playground up a little higher on the grounds.  And of course, as in Germany, in Belgium they like the zip lines and so do my boys!!  Michael is fearless and standing up yet again!

 

The boys enjoying the beer brewed by the monks here.

 

Enjoying spending time together and with great friends!!!

 

And of course - you have to get your ice cream fix for the day!

 

AJ being such a wonderful big brother and helping out Michael!!

 

The four boys on the playground just having a ball!!!

 

After that we went to Falaen which was real close to Maredsous.  Here they had rail bikes that you could either ride up 30 minutes and back or take a two hour trip.  Our men decided the 30 minutes was the best.  LOL

 

 

So David and Steve decided to do it Belgium style - beer in hand while biking!!!  :-)

 

AJ and David took the first round of biking, it was all up hill and if the other person didn't pedal at all it was really, really difficult for the other person as I found out later on during the ride.

 

AJ was a champ!!  He pedaled much of the way!!!

 

 

Michael was working really hard - but the seat didn't go down quite far enough so he had a hard time of it.

 

 

My turn at the pedals!

 

Here both boys relaxing - look at those faces they are saying, yeah we have Mom and Dad pedaling our plan is working!!

 

Having so much fun as a family!!!  Though the men said they didn't sign up for this - it was a long bike up hill all the way there!!  And it was really hot, up to almost 100 degrees by the time we were finished.  But they were really good sports!  We did stop at the halfway point for some refreshments and the boys had some Belgium waffles.  It definitely rejuvenated them! 

 

 

Our friends, who LOVE the Steelers, biking behind us on the way back down.  Joey, Kellee, Steve and Jack

 

This was my view on the way back down, just relaxing while David and AJ pedaled!  Luckily it was so much easier on the way down.

 

Michael kicking back and enjoying the ride!!!

 

And we made it!!!  Woo Hoo!!!  It was really a lot of fun and I had never heard of them before!!  It was a great afternoon and a wonderful weekend!!  That is one thing nice about being military, you will have to move away from wonderful friends, but you never know when the army will bring you back together again!!  I am so glad the army brought us back together again!!!