VanDyk Family Christmas

Cozy with U.Erik
The dinner table

Joe, being...Joe.

What's inside?

A new book!

Boxing Day

Well, it's another renovations day for Dan. He has help from his brothers today since they are coming for the VanDyk Christmas party at Mom & Dad's later this afternoon. You know, sometimes you hear a woman say 'Man, I wish my husband could be a woman for a day just to know what it feels like!'. It's days like today that I'm thankful I'm a woman! For all the hours men spend taking care of the home and all the knowledge they need to do it I'd rather be changing diapers! God bless the men in our lives! Maybe I'll post some goofy pics of the brothers working later...

Luiting Family Christmas

A bucket full of markers and crayons! :@)

The girls were spoiled with a stocking stuffed full of treats! I can't seem to convince my Mom that I'm still young enough for a stocking!

Eating Grandma's delicious meal. Mmmm..

Pics Done...

We got some pictures done yesterday morning at the Super Store. I wanted to get it done before the baby comes or else it wouldn't get done. Nesting instinct?

Zuidema Christmas Party

Giving Grandma Zuidema some Dutch bakery treats.

Ksena had more fun checking out the empty bags.

Grandpa & Ksena

Tiana soaking it up with U.Derek.

Mia and Tiana both received beautiful pink house coats from Grandpa & Grandma Zuid.

Cookie Exchange

Ok, Marlene, here's the 'homey' side! I baked all day for a cookie exchange. I used my Grandmother's Jan Hagel recipe which she gave to me when I got married. I decorated the cookies with white chocolate and butterscotch chips.

When Daddy Vacuums...

It’s a Jungle in There!

By: Mel VanDyk

This baby inside I’m sure has a grin,
As it climbs up my ribs and moves within.
My belly has become a park full of rides,
My back starts to ache and there is pain in my sides.

The grin on my face turns to a look of disquiet,
As the relentless activity irritates my diet.
But my smile returns when understanding dawns,
That motion inside signals life and I suppress some yawns.

So, baby move on, and continue to play,
I will be patient and look towards the day,
When your movement within becomes movement without,
And you’re no longer in the safe place you wiggle about.

I praise God for your strength and the energy you exert,
Why would I complain about the pain or the hurt.
For you are a gift from my Father above,
A display of His wonder and of His great love!

House Update

Well, Tim and Dan are working upstairs today. (Thanks Jannyne for Tim's help...hope this doesn't delay your bathroom drastically!) Don't think I'll be posting any pics cause they are doing electrical work and you all probably aren't interested in pics of wire and outlets etc. Time for a nap.

What Could be Better?

I found my girls reading this morning in Mia's room. What a great way to spend a Winter day! This is much better than how the day began...I went outside to shovel the sidewalk and porch for the mailman and Mia wailed the whole time. I'm sure all the neighbors could hear her since I could! Yikes. Quite the pile of snow out there! Beautiful.

Warming Up

After some time out in the snow, Mia warmed up with a mug of hot chocolate and her Frog.

Snow Much Fun!!

Finally! The day has come for Mia to shovel snow. She has talked about shovelling snow all summer long. Last winter all she wanted to do was 'shubble nose'. She is having a ton of fun while Ksena and I stay warm inside.

Before and After Pics of the Duplex Becoming a One Unit Home

Mia's playroom before...

Emptying the room

The front door

Plastic to keep out the dust(Thoughtful husband eh!)

Crazy Erik came to help Dan bang out the wall and tile the floor. He entertained the whole neighborhood with his lovely singing (if you can call it singing).

The old playroom is where the light is. This gives a little perspective of the old vs new entrance.

Being like Daddy

Tiling the floor