New Year’s...

We were disappointed to learn from our neighbor that our village would not be hosting an official fireworks show. Luckily, that likely spurred the locals into further action on their own as there was no lack of big fireworks shot off at midnight.

Ashlynn went into The Hague with friends, so it was just Veronica and Billy with us celebrating the end of 2017. 

The following evening, we hosted Sally, John, David and Andrew for a New Year’s dinner and the kids lit up some long sparklers.

Jimmy did some long exposures so they could make some light art.

There was no Sherlock for us to watch as in previous years, but we enjoyed being together to start the New Year.

Escape Room for Billy’s 23rd...

Veronica really wanted Billy to experience a Dutch New Year’s Eve. He arrived on the 29th and the following day was his 23rd birthday. It was conveniently a Saturday, so we headed into Leiden to go to the market and then to our favorite restaurant for lunch. Veronica presented him with a word scramble as a clue to her gift: a gift certificate for a cocktail-making workshop for the two of them.

We then walked to the Gunpowder House, the only remaining medieval tower in Leiden of the original 33 that were built in 1485 as part of the city wall.

When we had run past this tower at a hash, I realized that what was inside would be a perfect way to celebrate Billy’s birthday: Escape Room Leiden.

The kids had all done an escape room before, but it was Jimmy’s and my first time. We were briefed downstairs and then had one hour to get out of the tower, which was set up to be Rembrandt’s mysterious workshop.

We worked well as a team and made it out with three minutes to spare, but did need one hint. We loved the historic setting and appreciated the creativity in designing the challenging puzzles that entertained us all.

Time Warp...

Whole Hole was by far our favorite installation.

It was designed by two Dutch artists to simulate entering a wormhole or a parallel universe.

Our small boat was completely surrounded by big tour boats...

...except for this row boat.

Amsterdam Light Festival...

It was cool getting to see the Amsterdam Light Festival from the water for the first time.

This year’s theme was Existential to stimulate visitors to think about what connects people and what part light plays in this.

Some of the installations were pretty basic...

....while some were more creative...

...and others were huge. 

It was also cool seeing Amsterdam at night from the water.

Boating in Amsterdam...

We were thrilled when we got an invite from Derek and Abbie to go boating with them while Veronica was in town. Rather than just heading up to Amsterdam in the evening, we suggested that they meet us at Micropia, a museum about microbes. Ashlynn loved the place so much that I was surprised that she was willing to leave voluntarily; I’d thought we’d have to drag her out.

It was a beautiful night...

...to be cruising the Amsterdam canals with good friends.

In fact, it was the first time we’d ever been on a boat on the canals in the dark.

I was happy to finally have the perfect vantage point to shoot the reflections from the lights around the many canal bridges. 

Derek’s 13-year-old daughter, who lives in Switzerland with her mom, was also along with our two girls. 

It was funny seeing a hash mark from the Canal Bike Hash in 2009 in one of the tunnels.

Festive Markthal....

The day after Christmas, Jimmy, Veronica and I went to Rotterdam to see the Markthal decorated for the holidays.

It was very festive!

A White Family Christmas...

Despite no mantel, Ashlynn figured out how to hang up our stockings by the fireplace. 

On Christmas Eve, we had dinner at Carlin and Kent’s. As you can see, the girls’ nut roll had some problems, but it was still yummy as was everything that Carlin made.

We all agreed that our tree looked better in our new house.

On Christmas morning, the Vegan Princesses made cinnamon rolls.