Pond Hockey

In our neighborhood, we have access to frozen ponds behind our house and across the street. It is a great winter outdoor activity that Grant actually enjoys...especially when his cousins come over to play too. I honestly am very impressed with his skating ability and think he probably would do very well on a team, but not sure I'm the hockey mom type. If he asks, we would look into it, but mostly we have only heard "I don't like sports"...yet he continues to do them. We'll see. Of course my older son, also known as my husband, loves to play ice hockey. They have adult men's hockey games from time to time, and he LOVES it!

Family Christmas #2

Family Christmas at my parents house. Ice hockey, lasagna, presents, white elephant, basement games competition, around-the-world ping pong, and of course...poker. Good times.

Hey look, a picture of me...with Binks.

Peter and Stel-Belle

Lissa and Ryan

Ryan and Grant...Best Buds

Papa reading the Christmas story

Mags wearing her white elephant pick

Matt's a little too excited about his win...what a prize.

It's Christmas time all over the world...

Christmas was so fun this year. We really enjoyed watching the kids! We hope you all had a joyous Christmas as well, as we rejoice in the birth of our Savior!

Before Christmas Eve service

Christmas Morning...waiting on the steps

Pillow Pet!

Grant's Fav...DSi

Pillow Pet!

Plasma Car. Mols and Charley rode these around the house for days

Moon Dough

Baby Alive

Elefun!

Family Christmas #1

Christmas at Matt's parents was a wonderful time! Yummy food, presents for everyone, movies for kiddos, and a roaring game of Apples to Apples. So much fun.

More Presents!

Lily and Mols

Evy

Scary Santa

Wade and Bethany

C and Daddy

Grandpa and Grammie

Charley Clause

Big helper

7

Seven. I have a seven year old. That makes me feel old. I remember seven very well.

Grant has come a long way in the past year. We still have our moments of anger and frustration with our lovely strong-willed child, but he really seems to be growing out of his fits. And as we've watched Molly grow, we have realized that perhaps his behavior is not so unusual all the time. He has been doing great in school and is in the accelerated reading program. Unfortunately, Grant does not care for school all that much. Too bad he has a long way to go. He enjoys art the most and his art teacher says that he has some definite ability there. Not to my surprise...he has always been a lover of the arts. He sang wonderfully in the Christmas program this year, and we loved watching him sing his heart out. He is starting basketball at school soon and will be doing soccer again in the spring. He really can show love to his sisters if he chooses to, and he can be so polite and charming to others. His favorite things to do these days are playing his new DSi and building legos. He has such a great mind for putting things together. He says he wants to be an artist when grows up, but I think he'd be an amazing architect. Praying for my little buddy every day, and so thankful that we were given this child with such a full and vibrant personality! Love you so much Grant!

Good morning Grant! It's your birthday! You were born at 3:11 am on 12/23/2003!

Opening presents

WooHoo!

Lovin on Molly

December birthday celebration. Six birthdays.

December babies (13th, 19th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd, 30th)

SEVEN THINGS I LOVE ABOUT GRANT TODAY

1. His outgoing personality. He is not shy at all. Always willing to give a smile or a handshake to someone new.

2. His toothless smile. Wondering if those top teeth are ever gonna come in.

3. His singing voice. Always in tune and full of enthusiasm.

4. His hugs. Such a good warm embrace.

5. His desire to want me around. Still wants me to scratch his back at bedtime and cuddle. I know that will stop someday.

6. His mind. Always working. Always thinking more than I realize.

7. His love for the Lord. He really truly has a heart for Jesus.

Randoms

Beautiful snowy day

Our (my) fort that we (I) built. :)

Cheese...you like my baby-mullet (pronounced...mullay)

Snuggy time

First time on skates

Pond is ready

How we found them one night. Sweet.

Christmas in the Garden

I love Frederik Meijer Gardens. It really is one of my favorite places to go throughout the year. So if you have not been, you need to go. I love love love Christmas there. They have trees decorated from all around the world inside. It has the coolest train and the most amazing little replica of the city of Grand Rapids made out of sticks and acorns and such. The kids love it. I love it. But what I really love is the Santa there. He sits in the big red sleigh right when you walk in and I can take my own pictures. He rocks. (We also saw Santa at Breton Village. He was not cool. He was icky.) Anyways, I wish I had time to go back because they also decorate the outside gardens and have horse drawn sleigh rides with caroling. I love that place. It's like a winter wonderland.

Telling Santa what they want this year. No tears.

Watching the train above

Whoa mom...look

My kiddos

Checkin out GR and the trolley

Binks

Life is so much better when everyone is smiling

Mols