Goodbye, 2018

We are ready for a new year. 2018 has been a tough one. Naomi hasn't been able to work. The girls are wonderful but a lot of work. I had to settle into a new job after a rocky start. We had a necessary and fun summer in Michigan. Things seem to be looking up though. Naomi is starting to feel better although now she is dealing with a broken shoulder. She is getting over her burnout though, and that is most important.

Our holiday has been a busy one thus far. Claire and Matt are with us and that has been a lot of fun. We have also been tackling some administrative tasks that will save us some money and simplify and improve our lives. Our lawyer is really helpful when it comes to Naomi's shoulder.

We found out that the big tree in our backyard needs to be taken down. That is another big job. First we have to get permission from the city council, and that will probably take a couple months. We have someone lined up to cut it down, but we will have to figure out where to store the firewood, and all the branches and such will need to be taken out through the neighbors backyard, otherwise it would have to go through our house.

I am also working on updating the bathroom sink/cabinet in our main bathroom and the sink up on the top floor. No surprise, the sink we ordered came with a defect, so that needs to be replaced. Good thing Naomi can't work. She still hasn't had time to do those video tapes, and that was one of the main 'burnout projects'.

We hope that 2019 will be our first peaceful year together.

Had to replace the bathroom dimmer - 120 euros just for the internal switch!?

Santa came!

Coloring with giant sidewalk chalk in the sun on Christmas day.

Naptime.

Yes, a real live sunflower at a latitude of 52 degrees north on Christmas Day.

Christmas dinner.

Fun with Matt.

Stocking up the freezer.

Their first climbing adventure - Amélie wouldn't put on the harness. She won't put on her backpack for school either. What is that about?!