We had so much fun when the kids were here over the holiday. We all had fun on New Year’s Eve. I think I have told most everyone about it but it is an experience I don’t think anyone of us will forget. Down on Museumplein is where most of the action for the night was. In front of the Rijksmuseum there is a huge grassy plein where the city set up a large stage with jumbotron screens, food and drink booths and toilets. Around 9:00 pm the area was open to the public and since we were in the middle of the beautiful snowmelt, it was quite muddy and slippery so made for a fun night to watch people too! I think the six of us headed down about 9:30 pm and after bundling up for the weather we started on the approximately 12 block distance. Which is nothing after you’ve been here a while. Here in Holland, New Year’s Eve is the only day that civilians can set off fireworks and they can purchase fireworks of all sizes. So shortly after the sun set the fireworks slowly began. On our walk down to the plein we were watching and hearing fireworks on every block we trekked. As we got closer to the plein, more and more people, children and fireworks were everywhere. As we entered the plein, there was a local DJ playing music and videos of various scenes of Amsterdam being shown on the jumbotrons, it was very entertaining but as I said watching young and old walking trying to stay away from mud puddles and having fun was entertaining also. Joaquin had a blast just dancing to the music, watching fireworks all around and being out late at night with us. Uncle Gabe took some fun video and we were just waiting for Joaquin to take the wrong step and end up in a mud puddle – but to our amazement it didn’t happen! Gabe also took some fun video of all the fireworks that were non-stop in every direction you looked. The big kids were amazed that they could get good, European beers for 2 euros a piece, so they began partying! About 10:45, Poppi, Grammi (me) and Joaquin decided we would head back to the apartment. So much fun just walking back to the apartment, as I have said, fireworks were everywhere you looked. We got back to the apartment and settled in and at midnight – you would have thought we were in the middle of a warzone and it did not let up until about 1. Joaquin and I watched for a while just outside our balcony window in our bedroom and watched a full on fireworks show being displayed right in the courtyard behind our apartment. We then climbed in bed and Dave and Joaquin began snoring as I laid there and listened until about 1. The big kids got home about 1:30 and the next morning said what a great experience it was. Rachel said it is more fun and even with a plane ticket probably less money than the cost of a party, drinks, new clothes, shoes, etc. that she would have paid in the states for New Year’s Eve. I think I neglected to say that the evening was free other than food and drink. She wants to come back next year! 
The following week we had fun going to Street Markets, Anne Frank’s house, Rembrandt’s house, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, the big kids to Heineken Experience, Joaquin ice skating, eating out and eating warm profiterjes (small Dutch pancakes) and Belgian waffles with butter and powdered sugar at the holiday stands in the town squares. Much fun was had by all!
On Friday, January 7th, Gabe and Michael headed back home, the next day Rachel, Joaquin and I headed home and then the following day Dave followed us. Back to reality for the kids – work and school, Dave to the NAMM show and I tried to see as many friends as possible and headed up to the NAMM show on Saturday the 14th. It was so good to see most of our CA friends while home enjoying dinner with some and just special moments with others.
On Sunday after I left the NAMM show I drove over to Ontario to meet up with Joel, Tiffany and the girls. So much fun to see them and hug and kiss my little munchkins – Audy London was a little cranky and Ella was just her happy self, but I loved every minute of it. I’m hoping we can get their family over here before we come back to the states. I also enjoyed picking Joaquin up from school and spending the afternoons with him and helping him with his homework. I stopped by my workplace and I think they actually want me to come back to work when I get back. That makes me happy – I really enjoy where I work and the people I work with.
On Sunday after I left the NAMM show I drove over to Ontario to meet up with Joel, Tiffany and the girls. So much fun to see them and hug and kiss my little munchkins – Audy London was a little cranky and Ella was just her happy self, but I loved every minute of it. I’m hoping we can get their family over here before we come back to the states. I also enjoyed picking Joaquin up from school and spending the afternoons with him and helping him with his homework. I stopped by my workplace and I think they actually want me to come back to work when I get back. That makes me happy – I really enjoy where I work and the people I work with.
On Thursday, January 20th Dave headed back to Amsterdam and on Friday I headed to Florida to visit family. I had so much fun with my mom, sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew. I’m sorry I didn’t get to see any of my Florida friends this trip. Even though I was there for a week it seems it went by just too fast. Mom had some business stuff that I needed to help her with along with buying a couple of new appliances that had died and I did my best hooking them up. I can get around a computer doing word processing or spreadsheets but ask me to hook up a DVD – mmm – I’m a little techno-challenged! But after looking at the directions and plugging wires in and out for a bit – it worked and the TV still worked so I figured I did OK! My last day in Florida we went out to Clearwater Beach and enjoyed Conch Fritters and Grouper Sandwiches while sitting right on the beach – all I can say is the weather was absolutely gorgeous, the food delicious and the company perfect. It was the perfect ending to my trip.
Now I am back here in the beautiful city of Amsterdam and I am going to treasure every minute I am here. Dave and I originally thought we would be here at least a year if not longer but on this last trip to CA he found out we will probably be heading back to the states in May – and there is so much I want to do and experience while here so I have to get busy! And I have made some wonderful friends that I will miss dearly but I plan on coming back to see them.
My last note – most of you have seen on Dave’s blog that he has picked out his belated Christmas present and will bring him home in two weeks – an absolutely adorable Bernese Mountain puppy. And yes, we know how big they get – bigger than Tank, if any of you can imagine! But it’s a breed Dave has wanted for quite a few years so now he will have one. You will all get to meet him when we get back home! I will post a photo later as Dave has them all on his computer (and he has it with him at work today!)
Hugs to all til next time!
