Merry Christmas!

Well, here it is almost New Year's and I am finally writing about Christmas! We had so much fun! The kids are at such fantastic ages when it comes to this time of year. They were really excited about Santa and Rudolph and, especially, Jesus' birthday! Scott and I do a good job of teaching them about Jesus, but I must say that Mars Hill's Kids Ministry team does such an amazing job! I am thoroughly impressed with their work. Olivia and Ethan come home every week singing a new song and retelling Bible stories. Then Scott and I can reiterate what they have learned at home and introduce more songs and stories.

So this year we had an early Christmas party when Angie was here in November for the Nave family (Scott's mom's side). Earlier this month we got together with Scott's dad and sisters, Mary and her daughter Christina and Marianne. On Christmas Eve morning we took care of Marianne while her mom was working and Mary and Mike were at a doctor's appointment. Then we headed to the Laug family Christmas party at Uncle Bill and Aunt Nita's. It's always so nice to see everyone and catch up. Olivia and Ethan liked playing with their cousins, especially Ella (18 months). Notice Olivia's new "friend" - GIANT Barbie.

On Christmas Eve night the kids put out food for Santa and the reindeer. Olivia dictated a note that we left for him also, as she does every year. They also put hay in the front yard for the reindeer and reindeer dust to help them find their way.








Christmas morning the kids were up bright and early as usual and jumped out of bed to see what Santa had brought! We had a wonderful morning opening presents and playing with their new toys before heading off to Papa and Grammy's house. Ethan got new trucks, a digital camera, and books. Olivia got Barbies, books, and a trip to Build a Bear.











At my dad's house we enjoyed a delicious meal and had a great time with everyone. I especially like playing air hockey with Kaitlyn who we don't get to see very often. I got to play Santa's helper with my brother Scott and pass out gifts (in case you were wondering why I am wearing a Santa's hat).

Christmas night Nana came over and the kids loved her gifts. We also Skyped with Gigi on the computer and the kids loved her gifts too! Nana gave Ethan a Cars camping set that included a tent and Olivia received a doll that she saw on tv and just had to have - it goes potty, no. 1 and 2. Gigi gave Ethan a Mickey train set and Olivia a guitar. The guitar was quickly fought over. It was a long, fun day filled with warm memories.

A couple of days after Christmas we went to Rivertown so the kids could pick something out with the money they received from Great Grandpa Nave and so Olivia could go to Build a Bear. Ethan found a guitar and microphone - yay, no more fighting over the Cheetah Girls guitar - and Olivia chose Hello Kitty at Build a Bear. She actually chose all Hello Kitty clothes also (dress, slippers, bows). When we got home she said ever so sadly she should have gotten her (Hello Kitty) a purse too.

The Nutcracker

We celebrated Scott's birthday this weekend with a dinner out with Scott's mom at On the Border where our adventurous little boy was trying everything in sight. After Olivia's rather particular appetite, it was surprising to us to see Ethan dipping into guacomole and salsa! We also had lunch at our house with Scott's mom and had fudge brownie cheesecake as the birthday cake. Birthdays are so fun for little ones, they loved picking out cards and a balloon for Daddy.


Olivia and I had the privilege of seeing The Nutcracker at DeVos Hall on Sunday afternoon. Grammy (Joyce) took us and it was so amazing! First we walked around the Amway Hotel and looked at all of the beautiful Christmas decorations then we had lunch at Bentham's. Olivia loved looking out at the river. There were two men in a boat fishing. Grammy commented, "that doesn't look fun to me" (it was rainy and windy)and Olivia responded enthusiastically, "well it does to me!" She really is so sweet, but not as girly as some think. She did start out the event with a necklace and bracelet on but those were off before lunch was over. She did want to bring her own purse to be like Mommy and Grammy. It was a purse that Nana had given her - not a kid's purse but a real purse. She was so cute lugging that thing around. Grammy bought Olivia two ornaments that she chose: a Nutcracker and a fairy mouse (her favorite). We had fantastic seats, about the 8th row and right in the middle. It was so exciting to watch Olivia waiting in anticipation, not quite sure if she should be nervous or thrilled so she was a little of both. Olivia did a great job, near the end I was bit unsure if she was going to make it. But nope she did it, all 2 hours with no nap. It was a very special holiday treat and we were so happy to share it with Grammy!

Photo Fun

Here are just a few more pictures that I think are really cute. The kids with the Santa hat, Scott and the kids playing outside, etc. and some pictures that Olivia took (our budding photographer).

Babysitting Cobie

The kids and I had so much fun babysitting my beautiful niece, Jacoba (Cobie). Olivia and Ethan just adore any baby, but Cobie is so sweet, easy going, and just plain content that you can't help going gaga over her. Our job was extremely easy! Olivia took a lot of pictures with her new awesome camera, and I did too, of course. Take a look for yourself and just see how beautiful this girl is!
















And here are some great shots that Olivia took...

Christmas with Grandpa and Grandma

Last weekend, yes I am behind a bit, we celebrated Christmas a little early with Grandpa (Scott's dad) and Grandma (Mary). It was nice to see Scott's sisters, Ashley and Brittney, and spend time together. Olivia and Ethan had a blast with Marianne and their new toys. For Olivia: a super cool Disney Princess digital camera (that will come in handy at Disney World), Barbies, art supplies, a doll, and lots of fun stocking stuffers. For Ethan: a super cool remote control four wheeler guy, two remote control race cars, a cash register with microphone and play money (cha-ching!), art supplies, and lots of fun stocking stuffers. I'm probably forgetting things they received. The remote control cars and Disney camera are proving to be fun for the whole family! Here are some pictures of the festivities...

Christmas Parade

Last night we went to the Coopersville Christmas Parade. Everyone got bundled up in their snowsuits, hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, and boots and walked downtown. Ethan and Olivia had so much fun "skating" in the street on the way there. Ethan, our little daredevil, kept running and saying he was "skate boarding." First we stopped off at the Farm Museum to see the gingerbread houses on display. I went to school with Olivia the other day and helped her put her house together. It looks really great! Then we headed straight for the reindeer! Olivia was a little apprehensive and I couldn't blame her, how often do you see real reindeer?! I really wish I had brought my camera because Ethan just adored them! He really couldn't get enough of petting them and letting them smell his mittens. That child truly has a bleeding heart for animals. While waiting for the parade to start Ethan and Olivia had a riot rolling around in the snow. Scott and I just stood there laughing at them! They acted as if the piles of snow were a big bubble bath. I must say, winter weather is so much more fun with children!

O Christmas Tree

I love getting a real tree every year. Scott wouldn't have it any other way even if I did want a fake tree. I love how the fragrant pine smell fills up the house and sets the atmosphere for Advent. Guess it's a good thing I married an arborist! Putting up the Christmas tree was a lot of fun this year. Olivia had squeals of excitement at each ornament she unwrapped and wanted to know why it was special, because every one is you know. Her delight was absolutely contagious! Ethan calls the tree "Christmas" and is fascinated by the lights. Olivia helped Daddy put the star on top and Mommy strung the lights. Ethan will probably want to help more next year and not just want to chuck the bulbs.

One Fell Off and ...

In our house, one fall out of your crib and onto your head means no more baby bed. So Ethan scared the daylights out of us all by leaning a wee bit too far out of his crib and tumbling out landing LOUDLY onto his head. After spending a great deal of time trying to comfort him and calm down Olivia, Scott and I decided it was about time for Ethan to get a big boy bed. Scott also put together Olivia's pink head board that Nana got for her. So it was a long day of putting beds together, rearranging furniture, washing old and new bedding, kids with No naps, eek. It all came together nicely, and fortunately everything fit into the snug little room that they share. Ethan's first night in his big boy bed was also Mommy'd first night in the big boy bed. Like I said he didn't have a nap and he was extremely tired and out of sorts when he woke up in the middle of the night. After about 3 trips downstairs to comfort him, I decided to just crawl in. The second night Ethan and Olivia decided to sleep in the same bed. They were so cute - little sleeping angels - but I wasn't going to take a picture and chance them waking up. Needless to say, we are all still trying to catch up on our sleep. This adjustment period reminds me of trying to get a baby to sleep through the night. Here are some adorable pictures of the kids in their beds.






And a couple of Ethan, finally, sleeping...

Dinner Dates

Olivia is the sweetest thing. She loves the idea of weddings, marriage, dancing, princes...fairy tales. She likes to dance with Daddy and calls it "getting married." Well, she really wanted to go on a date with Daddy and Mommy go on a date with Ethan. So the couples went out to dinner and then to the grocery store - separately. Really, it was very exciting for them. Sasha (my Aunt Cheryl) had sent them gift cards to our local grocery store so they could pick out their "favorites." Ethan and Mommy went to McDonald's then at the store Ethan chose juice boxes, fruit snacks, donuts (one for every one on the family - such a sweetheart), and gummy savers. Olivia and Daddy went to Burger King and at the store Olivia chose a Hello Kitty coloring book, a teeny tiny diary key chain with stickers, and rainbow Twizzlers. They were so cute and had so much fun on our little excursions. I think in later years our dates are going to want more say in where we go and what we do, but until then...

Thanksgiving

We had a delicious Thanksgiving meal at Dad and Joyce's house. They really go above and beyond with scrumptious food and a beautifully decorated table. How they manage to get all of that together for so many people I will never know. I love walking in to see them in their aprons. (In case you can't read them they say "Grandma - I cook" and "Grandpa - I clean"). Olivia and Ethan had a wonderful time playing with all of their cousins, so much so that we didn't see them or hear from them for quite some time. I love seeing family and spending a leisurely day with everyone!









The evening continued with a visit from Nana and a couple of very tired kids. As a family we have so much to be thankful for. God has blessed our lives in an endless number of ways. We continue to sing His praise and stand in awe of how He touches our lives every day.