Around the World in Two Months!

Looking back at 2011...what a year! There were some really big challenges like finding a new flat near the boys' school and finishing up all the studying for exams. Some really hard moments. But we definitely ended the year in great style when a promise came true. I told the boys I would take them around the world one day and 2011 proved to be the year to live the dream!

Thanks to Papa's support, the three of us flew from Singapore to New Delhi. Our flight was ten minutes late and despite a rep from Jet Airways waiting for us upon arrival, we missed our flight to Brussels. We got re-routed through Milano and made it to Brussels two days later. Better late than never!

We enjoyed a great week of catch-up with most of our wonderful friends and we walked down memory lane so many times but didn't get sore feet. We went to the Grande Place for waffles, to Le Pain Quotidien for lemon tarts, Marcolini for our favourite chocolate covered marshmallows and Le Guignol, one of our favourite restaurants. We visited Chant d'Oiseau School and St. Luc where Pit was born and walked around Woluwe Park like old times.

After a week, minus the two days which we lost in transit, we flew up to Edinburgh to meet our new little cousin, one year old Katie. Rob and Viki were wonderful hosts as usual and we had fun spelunking at the coast, hiking outside the beautiful town of Garvald and even doing some whiskey tasting (just for grown ups) at the nearby Glenkinchie Distillery. One of the highlights was our day at the Edinburgh castle where we went on a really neat scavenger hunt. The boys were enthralled!

From Edinburgh we took the train down to London to catch up with our Canadian friend, Kirsten, her British husband, Eggy, and their three year old, Freddy. We explored a bit of London, hiked near their home in Teddington to Hampton Court and I took the boys to the Battleship near the Tower Bridge. Another outting which completely captivated the boys attention. They learned so much and had fun exploring every nook and cranny of the ship.

After a few days, we took the Eurostar through the chunnel back to Brussels and flew home to Toronto. Gramma and Grampa had very kindly set up our home so there were enough comforts to make a very enjoyable stay and for the next month, we relaxed and loved being in the Beach with family and friends. We did get some snow up at Uncle Chris' in Uxbridge and went ice skating with him. Tim Hortons was a highlight throughout our visit with TimBits being a usual hit! Lick's for $1 kids burgers was a hit too! Just being with everyone we love for an entire month, the sweetest treat of all.

I was very proud of Frunty and Pit as they did two sleepovers at the Nonni's which was a big step for them and they did it with flying colours.

On the 21st, we flew with Zia Lidia and the Nonni to Oahu to celebrate Christmas with Papa and the Wiaceks. What a beautiful place and we chose the same week and same vacation spot as the Obama's. Kailua Beach was a bit windy but we still had fun and went to our first Luau on our wedding anniversary on the 27th. Island Snow was cool for ice cones! We really had fun meeting Uncle Andrew's girlfriend, Charlene, and the boys could not get enough of their cousins, Matthew and Daniel. What a fun week in the sun with Papa's kite!

We spent New Year's Eve on the plane and the flight attendant gave us two cans of champagne called Gingerale. We had a great flight back to Singapore via Manila and voila! We went all the way around the world! Yipee!!! Stay tuned for our next act...never a dull moment with the Bello Boys! Happy 2012 everyone and thanks for all the wonderful hospitality we enjoyed and the Christmas spirit that we felt with all of you. We miss you already but look forward to the next time we make it your way! Cheerio!