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A certain little girl became a bit bigger again…
And she’s very happy with her ‘big’ present!


There were also some smaller presents, of course! Which were unwrapped early in the morning… Beware of bedheads…


There were veggie fries to hand out in class…

And there was a party! With 6 of her friends, Hannah decorated cupcakes and had a laugh!





All in all, a successful week! Time to get the bunting down, I think…

So close…

But no Elfstedentocht again this year… But we did our best and skated until our toes dropped off…

Last Wednesday, we spent the afternoon skating in Dokkum. It was great to be back there, as Ammerins spent many an hour skating around the city here.

Getting on the ice…

Skating into the beautiful center of Dokkum, to where the Elfstedentocht turns around again and goes back to Leeuwarden for the ‘home stretch’.

Even the Moss boys were out on the ice! And they did so well!!!

And some action…

On the way back we drove past a section of the Elfstedentocht route, and really, it would have been soooo cool if this ice had been this good everywhere…

On Thursday, Hannah had her last skating class in the Ice Hall. I went along as a driver and of course also stretched my legs a bit:

Then on Friday, we had a glo-ri-ous day here in Leeuwarden! So, after Hannah had finished school, we jumped in the car and went to the Prinsentuin. In the summer, this is full of little pleasure boats, but now it was full of skaters.

The very official looking people of the ‘Golden Ball’ committee, a skating race which was to be held the next day. For the first time again since 1997!

Smile!

Glorious sunshine weather. And yes, why not skate behind your pram? That’s quite normal here…

As are crazy hats.

Our helmet boy. Yes, both our kids wore helmets. Maybe we’re overreacting, but two nights in hospital with a cracked skull is plenty. We don’t need more silly accidents…

Total posers (and badly at that)

Proud daddy…

And just because she is so lovely… That big leaning tower, the Oldehove, behind Hannah, with the Pier Pander chapel.

And another handsome couple.
Afterwards, we definitely earned something nice. So we fired up the ‘barbecue’ and roasted some marshmellows and sausages.

Sau-sa-geeeeees!

And today, Sunday, we enjoyed our (probably) last day of skating…
Can we go skating????
Again, with lots of antics of little Mister Angenent…

Ice, ice, baby….

While Steve flew off to Northern Ireland to see his granny and mom, we enjoyed some winter antics. After several days of frost and even some snow on Friday, the weather was perfect for ice skating and going about on the sled.

Friday:
First day without Steve, an after school, we take a quick scoot around the area on the sled.

The back garden on Friday morning

Gymnastics

Bright snow angels

Watching the water brigade at work, practicing on how to get people out of the ice

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Saturday:
The roads are clear enough to drive out to the Grote Wielen, a huge nature reserve close to Leeuwarden, where the ice is lovely! A large lap has been set out where the ice is deemed safe enough to skate on. There is a huge crack running all the way across the lake, but no problems where we are. Unfortunately, Sam’s skates don’t really work, so Amy ends up pulling him on the sled. The entire way. Muscles are still sore

Out on the big lake: Grote Wielen

What happens when you cut across the snow where it's NOT safe...

He's quickly pulled out, but cold and wet!

Sunday:
Staying closer to home, skating behind the houses a street away. Our back neighbour was nice enough to shovel away the snow and there were lots of kids having fun! Hannah impressed us with her speed skating skills again and Sam is trying very hard to get the hang of it (or double skates, which makes it easier).

Staying closer to home...

Look at them go!

Lots of kids joining in!

Super Bowl Sunday… waiting for Steve to come back home… What a difference with last year… Remember?

65

A few weeks ago, Amy’s mom turned 65. And as she is feeling so much better (and looks great!), that meant there was plenty of reason for a big party!
Pictures!!!

Coffee and cake

Having a laugh with big sis Rensje

The 'Young Ones'

And after that lovely party, with yummy food, the weekend after, we went away with the family to a lovely farmstead close to Doetinchem.

With skelters...

Horses...

Goats...

Colouring in...

Food...

Fun stories...

A cosy fireplace...

Puzzles and lots more fun

There are some more photos on other cameras, but it was so much fun, I bet we’ll be doing it again!