Oude en Niewe

I think that's what it's called... "old and new" or "happy new years!"

A few days ago I heard something that sounded like a gun shot... then a few hours later I heard another one.  Martin informed me that it was fireworks.  Martin says they're illegal, but a lot of young(ish) boys like to play with them... especially in December.  Yesterday there were a LOT more, and so far today (it's 3pm), there hasn't been a period of 10 minutes where I haven't heard one.  It's more like 5-10 a minute.  I'm guessing that this a signal of New Year's Eve.  This morning, I got to witness this "normal activity".  They're really more like little pieces of dynamite than they are fireworks.  I love fireworks!  But it's a bit strange to hear single pops of them, during the day, and not see anything.

As we were sitting, watching an episode of our favourite Dutch TV show, Martin started naming off the different kinds of fireworks that we heard... with a grin.  Haha.  I think I can picture him 17 years ago.

These are videos I took from our front bedroom window.  Notice the smoke in the second video.

But before all of that, I got to taste Martin's famous pancakes this morning.  So good!