January 2025

I'm still processing the horrors of January (the unimaginable LA wildfires, 47th's inauguration and subsequent reign of terror, the commercial airline crash in DC). 2025 is not off to a good start for the world. But January always brings me joy with my birthday and the love I feel from friends near and far. 
Focusing on all of the positives, not the least of which is our decision to stay in the NL for the foreseeable future, and hoping that the resistance will be strong in the US. And partying. A lot of partying! 

Nature walks

We welcomed our first pet, Albus (Dumbledore), a Chinese dwarf hamster who wakes around dinner time and loves running on his wheel. 

I chaperoned Jude's field trip to the Dutch Resistance Museum. They have a special exhibit for kids, which shares the stories of 4 children who survived the war- A Jewish girl who survived the camps, the son of a Resistance worker, a girl who joined the Dutch Nazi group, and a civilian boy with a fascination with the war. At the end, we watched a current video where the "children" (then in their 80s and 90s) shared messages of peace and damn if the tears weren't flowing. Feeling the weight of current world conflicts and feeling anxious about the future (across the globe). 

A great weekend celebrating my birthday. My school mom friends planned a dinner out at Barca, which was lovely. 

I love how the city keeps the holiday lights up so long. 

Molly, Mary, and Alison continued to party with me until way too late in the evening. Loved all the compliments of the young people not believing our ages ;) Could definitely used some better music though!

A visit to my hairdresser for cuts for Maeve and I. She got the pixie cut she wanted and is thrilled with it! Girl knows what she wants and how to get it. 

Pete took the kids to Sir Winston's while I got my haircut and then we saw Mufasa. 

Friends over for drinks Saturday evening. 

Birthday brunch on Sunday with the family at Staring At Jacob's. 

Picked up my painted plate- happy birthday to me! 

Cake at home

Almost twins from behind now! 

Maeve and friends selling hot chocolate for the World Wildlife Federation at de Poel. 

ISA is celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year and had its staff bash at Hasta La Vista, Baby, the highest place I've been in in the NL (19th floor ;) ). Teachers know how to throw down! 

Jude and friends at all all day hang at Josh's

Took Maeve to the new exhibit on Greenland and Climate Change at the Wereldmuseum (don't tell 47!)

Maeve loves the Rebel Girls books and her teacher from last year shared that they are doing a new book, Rebel Girls Just Like Me (You?) and are looking for girls ages 8-13 to apply. She applied in the fall and was apparently selected! She answered interview questions through email and a photographer came to our house for a photo shoot. How fun for her! The book should be available for purchase this October! 

Jude as Macbeth in his class drama performance. 

The PTA put on a parent's night out at Papa's Loft House. There was a buffet dinner, open bar, and chaotic team jeopardy. We were promised dancing, but sadly, that did not come to pass. I'll still take a night out with these ladies anytime! 

Pete's childhood friend is in the NL with his family for 6 months while his partner does a fellowship in Leiden. They live in Oslo, but we missed seeing them on our trip there. Fun to meet their kids. Jude did such a good job taking care of their baby!

After a year hiatus, Fred and Sophie threw their January Champagne Soiree, this time with an island theme! Last time was Apres Ski themed and we were burning up from dancing our faces off, so wearing short sleeves was a welcome change. House dance parties are the best! Also love a party where we are the only Americans. 

Good friends of our sister-in-law Krista moved to Amsterdam with their two tween/teenage kids this fall and it was really fun to connect with them over dinner at our house. Erin works in the costume department of the National Opera so I was definitely fan-girling! 

Hilary brought us into her Chinese New Year tradition of dim sum wearing red at Hoi Tin in Chinatown. I took the bakfiets in so I could be sure to make it home in time to start working in the afternoon. It always amazes me that I can make it all the way into downtown Amsterdam in less than 30 minutes by bike! 

And Jude lived his best life at a sleepover party with a new friend

Christmas in Williamstown 2024

We arrived late in Albany and were warmly greeted by Oma and Opa. We were not in Miami anymore! Freezing temps and snow on the ground! The temps were set to rise, so we went sledding first thing before the snow melted. The kids went to two different slopes in the morning and again in the afternoon when Matt, Krista and Addy had arrived. The hill at the golf course was no joke and I could see how happy it made Pete to watch his kids sled where he grew up going. 

We celebrated a belated Christmas morning with the Durnings with more heartfelt and homemade gifts shared. 

The following day we were treated with a visit from Nonni, Cathy, Dave, and kids! Fun to have a full house, sharing a yummy lunch, some gifts and hilarious games of Werewolf. Wish we could have gathered like this with all of the family this year! 

Oma and Opa's neighbor, Amanda Jones, a renowned pet photographer, offered to take some family portraits for us. Nice to preserve these memories. 

We said goodbye to Matt, Krista, and Addy and spent the following day, New Year's Eve Day, on the move. First stop, South Deerfield to meet one of the newest Durnings, Ruth! Pete was happy to share some of his beer with his beer logo creator, Aaron Dana. Loved our lunch with Steve, Dawn, Laurel, Aaron and sweet Ruthie. 

Next, we drove up the road to meet college friends, Chris and Anne. We hadn't seen them since their wedding nearly 11 years ago! Nice to catch up after all that time, meet each others kids, and share som delicious beers at Treehouse Brewery. 

And then we raced up to Brattleboro to meet Oma and Opa for the Amidon's annual New Year's Eve concert. I loved seeing them all together and seeing the next generation step up the mics as well. Only brief hellos between their sets, but still glad to have been there. We went for New Year's Eve dinner out in Brattleboro after the concert. We thought of taking Jude out to a local bar to ring in the New Year (he wanted to stay up, Maeve didn't), but our day of travel had worn us out and we happily spent the evening on the sofa watching the ball drop. 

We took a nice walk through the golf course on New Year's Day. The snow had all melted! 

And spent the late afternoon at Adam and Laura's Hanukkah party. Really fun catching up with them and getting to know their kids better. 

Sadly, the following day, it was time to go home. First, a trip to Walmart to stock up on American essentials. Then, a cozy day watching movies as the snow fell. The kids were really bummed that we had to leave for the airport just as a good amount of snow was on the ground to play with. It made for a very pretty drive to the Hartford Airport where we had one final American delicacy (Papa Ginos) and then boarded our red eye bound for home. 

Stay Strong, America! Thanks for the great visit home!