2010

We welcomed in 2010 with good friends, Marion and Mike, Fiona and Walter and their children, Josh, Mikayla and Zoe. Fireworks, a Mexican spread, and of course, the traditional Dutch Olliebollen were enjoyed by all.

This is what the Dutch municipality spend their new year's day cleaning up. Just about every street in The Netherlands looks like this after all the gun powder has settled. And within true form, Holland is transformed into its spotless state by January 3rd. Amazing.

At midday, we (all the crazies willing to brave the cold) congregated at Schevenigen Beach in The Hague for a traditional New Year's Dip in the North Sea. Isn't this the craziest tradition? Below zero temps, a howling wind, numb limbs, stripping down to thin lycra, exposing lilly white bods, and diving into ice water, all in the name of a fresh new year's start and a cup of Unox soup and an orange beanie. A cool little something to tell the grandchildren oneday, I guess. Next year, we may just join the dippers!