Why we Love Microsoft

Why the Visit: In between his London and Cannes business trips, Case squeezed in Amsterdam for the weekend. (Thanks Uncle Bill for setting up Microsoft offices all over the globe.) His Seattle living prepared him to jump on bike in the rain....with zero complaints.

What's the Connection: Casey and I went to Westmont together and he happens to be married to one of my best friends Kelly. Father of 2 beyond adorable kids Finley and Brady, he's promised me Kel and Fin will be making a visit next Spring. (Well, I figured if I write it, it'll happen.)

European First Timers

Why the visit: Because everyone has "see Europe" on their Top 10 list. After checking Amsterdam off the list, they were off to Germany and Czech Republic.

What's the connection: Rob and Sarah Fry are friends from grad school who now live in Colorado. Their visit also got us reconnected with Angela, another friend from grad school who now lives in Amsterdam.

California girl comes to town

Why the visit? Summer break! Amy is a brave and fabulous teacher of 1st graders in good 'ol Reedley and clearly deserved a little European adventure. You'd never know it was her first time in Amsterdam with the expertise in which she tore through the city on a Dutch bike. More adventures included a cozy boat tour on the canals, Haarlem and the famous Dutch beaches.

What's the connection? Amy and I go way back ... to nearly the womb. She was my first friend from back in the Reedley days, we have the baby pics to prove it.

Seattle brings sun

Why the visit? Being the adventurous new parents of 10 month old Grant, Liz "Foster" and Steve extended their big Italy vacation for a weekend in Amsterdam. And much fun was had ... including a 6 hour meal at a swanky new restaurant called "Super Club". Meanwhile, Grandma and Grandpa got plenty of quality time hanging out with Grant back in Seattle.

What's the connection? Liz "Foster" and I roomed together at Westmont College for 4 years ... and she is personally responsible for getting me to move to San Francisco, thus changing my life forever. Her and her husband Steve took their high tech skills to Microsoft, where they are now working for Uncle Bill.

Georgia Peanuts in the 'Dam

Why the Visit? A break for the Sibley's from baby diapers and daily life in London. For Claude, it was the last segment of a European trip, and a chance to explore dutch delicacies like the Scrumpy Jack canned brew.

What's the Connection? Clark "Claude" Tate, and Holden & Katie Sibley .... both are longtime buddies from growing up in Atlanta, which means plenty of communal counseling regarding the Dirty Birds. Holden and Katie made an earlier blog appearance after hosting us in London. Clark, a former roommate in San Francisco, a fine banjer and guitar picker, a talented artist, and one of my only friends who actually measures up in height to the Dutch.

Lil' Love from Ma & Pop Jacobson

Why the Visit? While my mom claimed she wanted to show my dad Amsterdam (first time for him), the truth for their visit was quickly revealed: She wanted to see first hand that we weren't living in a city where every other person was walking around high and red lights weren't hanging from the neighbor's windows. It worked, she can now rest easy. Despite the rain that welcomed them during their entire stay, they fell in love with the city and even got to experience our first roadtrip to southern Holland with us. (Yep, first time driving in 4 months) Overall, excellent time, even more special that we got to celebrate Mother's Day with a real live mother!

What's the Connection? This one is fairly straightforward ...

Our first backpackers

Why the visit? Fellow Oregonians Amy and Max spent over 3 weeks traveling around Europe ... and they swore that Amsterdam was #1 on their list of favorites. Amy spent the past 4 months living in Madrid teaching English to 3 kids.

What's the connection? Amy and I worked together at Chalkboard in Oregon. She started for a summer back in college nearly 4 years ago and somehow we convinced her to come back after graduation. She basically was an angel from heaven.

And Aaron's off and riding

Why the Visit? Aaron got to be the solo rep for the Pempel family while in town for Nike business. He shocked us all with his ability to hope off the plane, rally for dinner AND ride our bike to get there just like the locals. (photo as proof)

What's the Connection? Met Aaron and Kristen back in Portland, some of the first crew of friends to welcome me to the city while Geno was off at grad school. They're especially high on our list of cool kids since they also saw the benefit in getting married in Mexico ... their wedding goes down in the book of dream weddings.

Jackson Hole comes to Amsterdam

Why the visit? Alex and Macye were touring Europe and their last stop was Germany to visit the little town that Macye's grandmother "Oma" grew up in. "Oma" (now 80ish and living in USA) and her sister (she's like 90 years old) and other family from Germany all toured Amsterdam together - they walked everywhere - very impressive.

The Connection: Gene went to college (University of Richmond) with Alex and Macye ... who now live in Jackson Hole, Wyoming (heaven to Gene). The four of us spent New Year's in SF back in '02 when we first started dating.

Surprise Visitor: Angelica "Angie" Elizondo

Our first visitor! Technically my first visitor since Angie arrived when Gene was "working in South Africa".

Why the visit? She was working the previous week in Spain ... and booked a flight for the weekend... because why not? (and I begged)

The Connection: Best of friends since age 15, we lived in Spain together in '02. Angie lives in San Fransisco, and works overtime spreading the word about Leapfrog educational toys to the Spanish-speaking market (that's my plug, all you parents out there, buy Leapfrog). Details not needed regarding our Amsterdam activities, but pic above in our 'temp' apartment.