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

Taking it Over!

On Friday our tenant is leaving and we are knocking down walls to take over the upstairs. I'll be posting some 'before and after' pictures so 'stay tuned'. For all you curious people who have clued in that we will now have many bedrooms in our house-NO, we do not plan on filling them all-at least not too quickly! Ha, ha. Left you hanging on that one!

Christmas Tree

Thanks to Megan we have a Christmas tree this year! At least Taun won't be rolling on the floor laughing at it!...let me explain: The first Christmas tree we ever had was a real tree cut down from Dad VanDyk's tree lot. Dan thought the top of one of the trees looked best so he lopped it off and brought it home. I did my best to decorate it but it still looked like a 'Charlie Brown tree'. Taun couldn't stop laughing at it and I've been scarred for life! It's been about 3 years and I finally have the courage to display another tree-but not a real one!

Life at the VanDyk's

Well, no pics for a while folks. We are just surviving these days. For the past 8 weeks the girls have had colds, fevers, and earaches. Just when we thought we were through, they both ended up with another earache! Poor kids. Then on Sunday night I went to emerg for some serious tooth pain and was given some anitbiotics and pain killers. I went to the dentist at 9:00 Monday morning and was home by 10:00 with one less tooth. There was a chronic cyst under a molar and boy did it hurt. So, Mia, Ksena, and I have been vegging on the couch all week like zombies hoping to get better. Dan has been very busy at work this week and is in need of some sleep too. I should mention, that we would not be getting through this with ease without the help of faithful Nana and Papa. They have babysat numerous times and we truly appreciate it! You spoil us with care!

Oh so Wrong!

Well, Ksena's bumbs were not blistering like chicken pox do, so off to the clinic we went. Apparently she is reacting to antibiotics that she had for an earache. Mia is also illergic to penicillin but she only had two hives when she was on it. This was a tricky one to figure out since Mia reacted while taking the meds and Ksena didn't break out until she was done them.

Oh So ITCHY!!!

Looks like our Ksena has caught chicken pox!! So far she's cheerful but she's scratching. Poor little thing!

Daily Conversation

Mia has to say 'hi baby' at least once a day! She can't wait till the baby is born. 12 more weeks to go.

A Peek at Rob & Taun's Reno's