New Year's Eve Extravaganza!

Margriet and Christian Swinkels hosted a fabulously fun, traditionally Dutch New Year's Eve bash, complete with LOTS of champagne, midnight fireworks and early morning dancing, along with a very non-traditional "van jam" thanks to the Hamlins.

Julie, Samantha and Antony while the night is young

Sarah and PipSydia, Sarah, Pip, Julie and Sam
After MANY attemps, Joey used Christian's Dutch Navy sword to open a bottle of champagne!

Joey and Christian Margriet, Julie and Sarah led the crowd in a farewell song for the Hamlin FamilyThe kiddos really got into the farewell songSurprise, surprise....we made Sydia cry!
Sydia and Julie give the party a double "thumbs up"
Joey and Syd toast their friendship Claude and Syd
At midnight, we all gathered outside to watch a fabulous fireworks display. The kids were mesmerized and perhaps a wee-bit exhausted!

Somehow, after the firworks, Sydia and Joey had the hilarious idea that we all should try to"jam" into their rental van as a joke. Since the adults had plenty of champagne at this point and since the kids are always game for crazy suggestions, we did it....over 40 of us.

Sydia, giving us instructions on how to pile into the vanAlexander, Alexandra and Hubert were some of the first to pile in

Sydia, Sam and a host of other crazy party-goersSome of the guys, starting to look a wee-bit uncomfortable
Joey LOVED it!! Alicia and Nick. Like Father.....

Like son :-)

After the "van jam," the party really took off.

Margriet and Christian, cutting the rug

Annina and Matilda

Shane (above) and Alys (below) were inspired to break-dance around 1am
Lulu and Simon Simon, Pip and Henry Simon and Tom
Pip and Sydia's hug at the end of the night says it all... it is very hard to say goodbye to such dear friends.

HAPPY NEW YEAR from Julie and Syd