Christmas in Miami

We had spent the last two Christmases in the Netherlands so we knew it was time to spend one states-side. We were looking forward to seeing family, but dreading the long travel, anticipated jet lag and challenges packing for warm weather, cold weather and Christmas. We had such a wonderful three weeks though, so it was all worth it! 

We wanted the direct KLM flight to Miami, but that meant a 10 hour daytime flight, which was a little brutal. Think we'll do our best to stick to red-eyes from now on.

We left this in the morning:

 And around 4pm EST we had this!

Jude hadn't been to Nana and Pops' house since our Christmas there 3 years ago and Maeve had only been once when she was 9 months old! They had fun discovering all of the toys and Christmas decorations. We filled our week with the science museum, playground visits, pool time, library, a trip to the beach (that Jude was into, but tired Maeve was NOT!).

Jude loved the Banyon trees

Jude had asked for a time machine for Christmas and Pops didn't want to let him down. So he created a design using bamboo and palm fronds from their backyard and enlisted Jude's help. Such a special grandad-grandson project. 

Meanwhile, the ladies made some cookies

The kids found some fallen coconuts on their walk around the neighborhood. Pete managed to hack them open and the kids enjoyed trying the juice. 

One of the best things about being home with the grandparents is all of the free babysitting! My parents gave us their ACLU On the Basis of Sex Premier Tickets complete with drinks and bites at the Diane von Furstenberg boutique. #NotoriousRBG!

They took the kids out to see the lights while we were out. 

And a few hours at Crandon State Park where we sat and read books in peace on a nearly empty beach!

Leslie and Peyon came down for the weekend for some pre-Christmas celebrations. It was so great to see them and watch the cousins play together!

Santaland was a hit except that the big man decided he was going to take a break when we arrived so we didn't get any Santa photos.

We made it through a pizza dinner out with all of the kids and let them run off their energy at Giralda under the stars- stunning display of shimmering strips.

Modeling the gifts from Aunt Leslie (well, they may have switched :))

Christmas cupcakes. SO green!

We all enjoyed a very elaborate performance by Jude and Peyton. Part Frozen, part improve, part ??!??

We spent Christmas Eve morning at the beach before saying goodbye to L&P. Jude and Peyton were adorable playing together: see below! Maeve was a little more into the beach, but preferred her place in my arms. So many young families arrived at the lagoon and all were inviting us to come and play, but our kids were still not over their jet lag so they needed to leave early to rest. That is one thing I miss about America, families with children who speak English!  

 

We were greatly anticipating the children's Christmas Eve service at my parent's church. 3 years ago, Jude stole the show when he walked onto the stage during the choir's performance and followed along (minute 32 of this link). Well this year, my mom secured him a bona fide spot in the choir even though he was a bit too young to participate. He attended two rehearsals in the week leading up to the service and did great! It meant that he spent the whole service sitting with the choir so we missed him with us. We wondered how Maeve would react to the whole thing. Well, the girl behind her had a lollipop so she spent most of the service crying about not having a lollipop. Poor thing.

Serious performer. 

And a link to one of the songs of the performance is here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seJD49ghphQ&feature=youtu.be

Our big Christmas present was the kids sleeping in for once all week (and by that, I mean around 7-7:30am). A lot of excitement about Santa coming and the presents he brought.

Wow, Santa brought Maeve a lollipop! How did he know?!

Nana and Pops cooked us a feast and the kids loved the crackers and toys inside.

On our last day, we went to Fairchild Tropical Garden, where the kids enjoyed a nature scavenger hunt and running around one last day in shorts and t-shirts!

The butterfly house was a little terrifying for Maeve. 

While Pete and I were working our butts off trying to pack our belongings up for the next leg of our trip, Pops was hard at work putting the finishing touches on the time machine. I was content with the experience Jude had just helping to cut and line up the bamboo, but Pops is not one to give up on a project, no matter how long it may take. The end result was magic, with Jude going in and out of the future and all of the adults acting the part. And the controller for the time machine? A painted coconut of course.

Pete got a gift card for a local brewery so lucky us got another date afternoon/night, first at the brewery and then in Wynwood, bar hopping and indulging in great food.

Give us all the tacos!!

Thank you Nana and Pops for hosting a very special Christmas! Wonderful memories with everyone!

The Making of our Traditional Dutch Christmas Card

The Christmas cards have been sent so I can reveal the fun we had making them!

I was inspired by a friend's photos that I learned she had taken at a photo studio in Volendam, a touristy fishing village North of Amsterdam. I'd wanted to do this for a while now and the family Christmas photo seemed the perfect opportunity to create this keepsake. 

In mid November, we made the drive to the studio. I had booked us in early, but a tour bus of 20 woman beat us in so we had to wait a while for our turn. The clothes were placed over what we were already wearing and then we had to find clogs that fit. The final touch- choosing our accessories! Pete appropriately chose a vintage bottle of genever (Dutch gin) and a long smoking pipe. Jude choose a pipe and a wooden fish. He also sported a fishing net over his shoulder. 

The boys were dressed in a separate area and man did my heart melt when this dapper dude came around the corner! He was like tiny Tim! 

Maeve found the whole thing overwhelming and initially resisted being dressed in the costume. Nothing like modern technology mixing with the past! She really perked up when she was handed the teddy bear and we were so pleased that she was smiling in most of the photos! I had the accessory options of a bouquet of flowers or a very large fake wheel of cheese. Choices, choices! 

A few other good ones. Pete had hoped that we would do some serious ones, but it went by in a blur. I also would have loved some of just the kids. 

 

After the photos, the kids earned their treats of lollipops and poffertjes along the harbor.

Jude was psyched when a Piet rode into town.  

We also loved all of the cards that made their way across the Atlantic to us- thank you to those who took the time to find the international stamps!  It makes me smile to see all of the envelopes addressed to "The Durneys." Though for the record, we have kept our own last names :)