Tree Up

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  Everywhere we go!

All things Christmas come out in Amsterdam after December 5th, the last day of Sinterklaas.  We were very excited to walk down the block, buy our tree in the neighborhood square, and carry it home.  We stayed home all day last Saturday, decorating the tree and playing games.  It was our first full day together as a family in six weeks.  Six weeks!

We'll be celebrating early this year (uh, like tomorrow) because we're in the middle of moving across town (a bit of a pain) and then head to France next Friday for the holiday.  Soooo, Saturday is the big day, although it's rumored Santa Claus can still find us in France.  Shh!

In the meantime, we've been getting our holiday spirit ON!

We've made cookies with good friends.  (I apparently left the XMAS cookie cutters in permanent storage back in Seattle, so we made due with letters, hearts, stars and tulips.  Still in the spirit, I think.)

And, boy oh boy, have we been ice skating.  It's a real treat living so close to such a cool ice rink, right in the middle of the city. It is by far my favorite winter highlight in Amsterdam.  In fact, we'll be even closer to the rink when we move to our new house next week.

'Tis the season to appreciate our loved ones.  We will be saying goodbye to our sweet pup, Fiona, next week.  We moved Fiona to Amsterdam because she is a wonderful, integral part of our family.  She's been with us since she was 8 weeks old.  Reese was just 15 months, Abby 2 1/2 years.  We couldn't imagine not bringing her with us.  But the move was hard for her, and we are living an urban lifestyle without a true yard.  It's been a major change for Fiona, and with the demands of school and jobs, Fiona  certainly got the short end of the stick.

With an extremely heavy heart, Doug and I made the decision to do what's best for Fiona and find her another home.  She is headed back to the US on Tuesday to live with dear friends who generously offered to take her in.  We feel so grateful that she'll be with wonderful people who've had lots of dogs in their lives, who have lots of love to give, and who have a huge yard in the woods.  Fiona will be happy.  That I know.

And we are just a bit less sad knowing that she's not disappearing with strangers, but is safe and loved with a family that we love.  We will always feel connected to her because of their compassion.  In a strange way, it is the best Christmas present I could have hoped for.

Today, is Fiona's birthday.  She's four. Fiona is Abby's best friend (and vice versa); she adores her dog.  As is typical, Abby is handling the situation with grace and a maturity that is beyond her years.  May my little girl always understand our decision.

We love you Fiona.  Happy Birthday.

I think we all miss our backyard back on Bainbridge Island . . .