Getting Ready for the Holidays...

Ashlynn was in charge of putting the tree together, while Veronica helped with the lights along the banister.

It was so nice that we had the space so our tree wasn’t just squeezed into the room and that we could actually decorate all around it. Our ornaments aren’t fancy, but many of them have special memories of places visited.

We don’t have a fireplace, but found a good place to hang our stockings.

I took a class with the British Club to make this lovely holiday centerpiece. I was so impressed with the instructor — she found the greens and pine cones in the forest, baked the salt dough stars and dried some crabapples and oranges. I was so proud when the girls asked where I bought it.

Getting Into the Act...

Before everyone left the party, Jimmy had to get into the act, too. 

Once Jimmy stopped goofing around, it was time to take a photo that could be used for a holiday card. Here was the winner!

What a Great Group of Girls!

We are so impressed with Veronica’s group of friends and were happy to have them over for a party. In addition to being really good students, they are really sweet to each other. I think they all enjoyed the party complete with a squish pic session. These are some of my favorite shots.

The girls all brought junk food and sweets, which filled up the dining room table. We served homemade tomato cream soup, which was eaten on the floor.

Preparing for Veronica’s Party...

Veronica was excited about being in our new house in time to host a holiday party again for her friends on the night before the final day of the term. This year, she wanted to take advantage of our large living room to be able to do a photo shoot. Luckily the painting railing was strong enough to support the big photo backdrop.

Veronica looked lovely in a sundress her grandma bought her in California.

Ashlynn was again lucky that her big sister let her join in on the festivities, which included a gift exchange.

First Snow of the Season...

After record high temps in November, it was surprising that we got a dusting of snow as early as December 7. This is the view from my desk looking out the back windows.

 And this is the view looking out our front door.

Veronica took this great photo of the school, which ended up on the school’s official Facebook page.

Along the Bike Path...

My cycle ride into The Hague to get to the American Women’s Club might only be an extra 5K further since our move, but most of that 5K is across open fields which can be horrible to cross because of the powerful winds. Early on December 5, I came across some Zwart Piets (Sinterklaas’ helpers) on the bike path. Luckily I had my camera along to capture this unique sight.

Further along on that same morning, I came across a field with over a dozen storks.

Apple Time in the Fall...

Just found these photos on the girls’ computer that Veronica took during October break. Sally took the girls along with her boys to a farm outside of Haarlem to go apple picking (unfortunately, there wasn’t enough room in the car for me to go).

While Ashlynn and Veronica came home with one bag of apples to use for school lunches and apple pie, Sally, David and Andrew took home three bags which they will store so that they will last for several months.