Where to begin?

Happy New Year!
We realized early evening yesterday that while we sat quietly on our sofa thinking about dinner plans, the Netherlands was already experiencing the new year. We are certain that Gronausevoetpad was awash in color, light, and PLENTY of noise. To be perfectly honest, we were not too sad to miss trying to get a 4 month old baby to sleep though a miniature local firework display. Our neighborhood on James Island, South Carolina was nothing in comparison-- a few fireworks here and there around 10PM and we were not woken up at midnight.

We have been in a daze the last few days as we unpack, organize, etc. This is our first move with a child-- not to mention children. It certainly changes things. I am accustomed to staying up super late one night and cranking out the whole move-- all the unpacking. Not possible when a 2 year old and a baby are in the picture. Nevertheless it is probably healthier and wiser to pace ourselves through the unpacking phase.

We spent a week in Atlanta after making the journey across the sea, then spent a week in Valdosta. We saw lots of family and had many great meals. Too many, we think now.

A few days after Christmas we made the drive to Charleston with Kat in the van and Mike in the "big truck" or UHaul rental. As we approached Charleston in the van Keska started jumping about as soon as the sea air reached our noses. She knew she was coming back home. We took both pups (and the boys) to the beach on Monday and had a beautiful walk in the sun. It has been warm and sunny and we are loving it. Cold weather is predicted for next week, but we imagine it will seem like nothing in comparison to a Dutch winter.

Our new place is great. Mike calls it Pleasantville, as it is a neighborhood of row after row of identical houses. Our place has plenty of room, and best of all-- we don't own it-- so none of the problems are our responsibility. Sorry no photos yet. We fear we lost our new digital camera during the move. We think we may have left it on the van that was supposed to take us to the airport. Our older digital camera is working fine-- but we have yet to find the cord that allows us to load pictures onto the computer. Be patient and you will be greatly rewarded.

We are hitting the ground running in 2008. Kat is preparing for her class and new job, oh-- and finishing up a certain important document about wetlands policy implementation. Mike is searching about for a short term job that thrills and inspires him. James is going to get potty trained, which is surely going to be an experience for the whole family. Will has been eyeing our food quite closely lately, and we imagine it won't take long for our little meatball to try his first solids. All in all it seems like a typical plan for us-- a little ambitious but with the promise of growth and excitement for the whole family.

Happy New Year