New Years Eve in Amsterdam

Happy New Year 2010

Make a Smilebox greeting

Christmas 2009

We had a nice Christmas just the 4 of us at a CenterParcs in Holland (but we sure did miss all our family and can't wait to see them in January). It was a nice little vacation for a few days. We brought all the presents with us and celebrated Christmas there Friday morning. Tyler was very excited because we actually had a roof and fireplace so Santa could come down the chimney and bring us presents!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas 2009

More Snow in Amsterdam - lots of it

Snow in Amsterdam

NHR Christmas Party

Snow in Amsterdam

Out and about

Breakfast with Santa

St. Martin's Day Lantern Parade

St. Martin's Day (or Martinstag or Martinmas) is November 11, the feast day of Martin of Tours, who started out as a Roman soldier. He was baptized as an adult and became a monk. It is understood that he was a kind man who led a quiet and simple life. The most famous legend of his life is that he once cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar during a snowstorm, to save the beggar from dying of the cold. That night he dreamed that Jesus was wearing the half-cloak Martin had given away. Martin heard Jesus say to the angels: "Here is Martin, the Roman soldier who is not baptised; he has clothed me."

Children go through the streets with paper lanterns and candles, and sing songs about St. Martin. Sometimes, a man dressed as St. Martin rides on a horse in front of the procession (though not in the Netherlands). Music is played and fun is had by all. Afterwards the kids go door to door singing songs and receive candy in return (sort of like Halloween in the States).

St. Martin Day Lantern Parade

Start of Christmas 2009

Start of Christmas 2009