Extended Family Christmas

We took a day trip over to see my grandparents on the east side of the state. So nice to be able to see them and bring the kids too!

This year we also celebrated Christmas at Matt's aunt's house on the east side as well. So great to have some laughs with the fam!

Bethany and I

Me, Matt, Bethany, and Matt's cuz Kim

Bethany, Matt's mom, Matt

Matt's Grandma Dot

Dancing to Beer Barrel Polka

Eddie providing the music

Second cousins...or is it third?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

So this is the only picture I got of decorating the tree this year, since I was pretty much chasing Charley around trying to help her put ornaments on the tree (read: make sure doesn't throw them ALL on the ground...good thing they are shatterproof). This picture cracks me up though.

So I have to admit, I thought about putting the top on...good thing they have that picture on the lid that has a baby with a slash through it. Phew.

Betcha Bottom Dollar

Mommy and Molly Night Out! I recently took Molly to see Annie at Grand Rapids Christian High School. It was a lot of fun. My sister came with her daughter and my mom brought my niece...and my dad decided to tag along too. It was so fun to watch her face light up and her little hands clap so fast after each scene. It was very long, but she managed to make it all the way through until the end at about 10:30. Yikes.

Mols and I

The girls, Maggie, Sofia, and Molly

So exciting!

Showtime!

Art Class

Just some pics from our fabulous art class that we do on Fridays in Lowell. For only $1 a class, my girls can enjoy some fun craft time for an hour...and I don't have to clean it up!

Thankful

I am so thankful for my family...all of them. We were blessed enough this year to be able to participate in both family Thanksgiving dinners; Hassenriks on Thursday and Sheldons on Friday. We were stuffed to the brim with delicious food! Thanks to everyone for working around us this year, and thank you for all of the wonderful family time and yummy food. Some pics from our Thanksgivings this year.

Turkey Time

My sister-in-law Bethany

Grandpa makes a good pillow

Evy and Molly

Grant and Lily

Uno!

My favorite people

Nona and Papa with all 9 grandkids

My Siblings: Lissa, Peter and I

The original five

Girls Vacay!

I went on a vacation! Without children! Without my husband! With my girlfriends! It was A-MAZ-ING! I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to spend some much needed girl time in Naples, Florida with my girls Jen and Carrie! It was the most relaxing vacation. Although a bit chilly (the coldest its been in Naples in 8 months), we still laid out next to a beautiful pool in a beautiful home (thanks to Jen's parents!). It was so nice to sleep in, not have to feed anyone, or wipe anyone's bottom, to get a massage, to lay by the pool and actually close my eyes, and to read a book. Yes, you read that right, I read a book...a whole book! Well, to be honest, I didn't finish it until I got home, but I did read most of it there. I am apparantly a very slow reader. It was an awesome trip and I loved hanging out with my girls. Thanks again Jen!

Carrie and I on the plane. Probably one of the scariest flights I have ever been on!

The Best of Everything

Dinner Out without children!

Love my girls.

Jen and I

Carrie and I

A Moment of Peace

To be honest, my kids don't usually get along very well at this point in their lives. Someone is usually crying (Molly), screaming (Charley), or teasing (Grant) someone else. So when I get a few moments of peace and happiness, it has to be documented!

Sisters loving each other is so nice

Love her

Starting to look more like each other

I told them to put their heads together. This makes me smile.

Stinker

Fall craft. Leaf Placemat. Grant said his was Jesus and his disciples. Do you see Jesus in the middle with his arms out. Precious.

Can't believe it's been ten years...or one hundred

This year marked our ten year college reunion. Whoa. I can't believe how fast those ten years went. A bunch of us made it back to Hope College for the celebration. It was also our sorority's 100 year celebration. So we had a WHOLE weekend to hang out at Hope. Just like the good ole' days. So fun to hang out with my girlies.

Me, Jen and Carrie (these girls stood up in my wedding!)

Dinner at the Curragh

Lit meeting that actually was more fun than we had anticipated...Delta Phi Dear Gold and Blue.

Jen and I at the Park Theater

Tina and I

Carrie and I

And...back to the Curragh. Carrie, Tenille, Jen and I

Outside the house, that used to be blue, that we all lived in Junior Year. Good times.

Our paddle making its way up the stairs.

Delphi House Open House

Jen, Me, and Carrie at our 10 year reunion dinner. Table for six!

With our hubbies

Carrie and I