Christmas in Amstelveen 2023

I really loved being home for Christmas this year. We've only spent one Christmas in our house, 7 years ago when we first moved in. There is so much to do during the holiday season and not rushing off to US gave us time to do it all without stress. We were mentally prepared to be here alone so were thrilled when Pete's family offered to all come over. We had four nights all together around the holiday and it was really special. Lots of games of euchre, Christmas movies, and feasting. 

Endless Sudoku and Spelling Bee

MKA wanted to visit the Van Gogh Museum, but it was sold out for this busy holiday time. I learned that our museum night bracelets would grant us free entrance without a reservation so I asked around and gathered enough bracelets from friends for us all to go! 

We did the special painting workshop with the kids. A good lesson in growth mindset for the Maeve when things weren't going the way she planned... 

From the special exhibit of Van Gogh's work along the Siene. 

We walked through the packed Christmas Market on Museumplein, through the Rijks museum, and down fairy-lit streets to a wonderful dinner at Al Bacaro. 

Sleepover back at home

Scones and the kids' gingerbread house creation

A quiet Christmas eve day at home. We prepped roast chicken with Thanksgiving fixings, a redo for our failed Thanksgiving this year! 

The kids were highly anticipating opening a present on Christmas Eve and chose their gifts with care. 

Getting close to 100% of gifts wrapped in my reusable cloth bags! 

The kids did another sleepover Christmas Eve and it was an early morning. Once we'd woken up enough it was present time and then brunch. Afterwards, nearly everyone took a Christmas day nap- the best. 

Maeve showing her awe at the gift of hair coloring chalk Jude picked out for her. 

We stretched our legs on a long walk through the polders.

Addy turned our kids onto Taylor Swift and we all enjoyed a disco dance party in Jude's room.

Pete made slow-cooked pork ragu over orecchiette for Christmas dinner.

Losing their minds over a Key & Peele sketch

The day after Christmas, the gang took the train to Brussels for a few days before MKA flew home and Oma and Opa returned to spend another week with us.