5 dinners, 4 families, 3 languages, 2 shopping days, and a partridge in a pear tree

So a lot has happened and I’ve been too busy to write anything.  So I figured, I’d do a quick rundown of the last few days to let you know what I’ve been up to…

December 23^rd

Where - Noordwijk, Main House

Dinner With – Mags and Ester

Dinner of – Glazed Ham, Roasted Red Potatoes, Orange Juice Carrots, Green beans, pumpkin soup, and the infamous Pumpkin Pie (with fresh honey whip cream)

Dinner Made By – ME!!!!

Presents – Ping Pong Balls from Mags and Ester for us to practice and go play (and win) this strange “American Drinking Game” we’ve heard so much about

Best Part of the evening – Fien getting to see Mags and Ester again

December 24^th

Where – Amsterdam

Dinner with – Lily

Dinner of – stir fry and way too many cookies

Dinner Made by – stir fry - Waka-mama, cookies - Erika

Presents – Oprah’s Holiday Magazine with Ellen on the Cover

Best Part of the Evening – Waking up to a WHITE CHRISTMAS!!

December 25^th

Where – Noordwijk, Oma Ria's House

Dinner with – Rogier’s Family

Dinner of – Turkey, scalloped potatoes, carrots and broccoli

Dinner made by – Oma Ria

Presents – I got to give my presents to the family!

Best part of the evening – Skype with family in California at end of night

December 26^th

Where – Edam

Dinner with – Suzan’s Family

Dinner of – mushroom soup (politely declined), fresh fish platter

Dinner Made by – the fisherman of Volendam

Presents – Lots from Pere Noel (French Santa Claus) for the kids!! Calendar of Holland for me!!

Best Part of the Evening – Listening to Suzan and Rogier speaking Dutch, Suzan’s sister and brother-in-law speaking French, Oma and Opa speaking both, and me sitting in the middle watching Mickey Mouse clubhouse with the kids in English

December 27^th

Where – Noordwijk, My House

Dinner with – Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, and George Wendt

Dinner of – Pasta with chicken, brussel sprouts, and green beans

Dinner Made by – me!

Presents – From me to me at Holland’s version of Black Friday

Best Part of the Evening – Talking with family in Arizona on skype later tonight!!

So there you go.  I know it's quick and there's not a lot of details, but you now have all the needed information to deduce that my Christmas was AWESOME!!!  Although I did miss my family at home, I'm glad that I was able to be a part of another family for the time being.

Word of the Day - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas (in french)