Christmas 2008 - Grandpa Phil

Christmas began with a visit from Grandpa Phil in early December.

Avery and Irelyn waiting to open gifts...

The girls with Grandpa...

Look at me Grandpa...I can crawl!

I LOVE MY NEW TEDDY!

Sisterly love!

Crazy Aves!

Avery's Dance Recital

The Dance Recital(s)

After a couple months of dance class on Saturday mornings, it was finally time for the dance recital at Wealthy Elementary, December 4th. We had rehearsal in the morning, and then the recital was at 3pm. Arlene and I got a sneek peak of how "crazy" these recitals can be, as parents slowly came in throughout the morning "taping" off seats for the show. We had planned on just getting there early but being newbies to the whole scene, we followed suit and taped off some seats. We arrived, to seriously hundreds of cars and people...I shuffled Avery in, and got her changed into her costume. I could tell that her anxiety was rising...but lead her off to where her class was to sit. There group was doing a dance to the Sound of Music's Favorite Things. I left her to take my seat, but was definitely unsure if she would make it up on stage...

Waiting for the show to begin...

Yeah!!! She did make it up on stage...but wasn't the happiest of campers :-)

Ok, started to do some of the dance moves..but still not quite sure she wanted to be up there...

Oh, mom, why are you making be up here...? She did do a great face for the line "when I'm feeling sad.... "!

Ok, now I am getting comfortable...

Go Natalie!!!

Showing off her beautiful flowers she received at the end of the show...

They also performed on the following Wednesday at a retirement home. This performance went much better and she was way more at ease! Waiting with the girls for the show to begin...

Lily, Avery and Rachel.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving 2008! We once again did our normal routine-head out to Grandma Vicki's on Wednesday night, have dinner at OBI, eat with the Bergsma clan on Thursday and then head down to Kalamazoo for bowling night!

More Turkey and Mash Potatoes please....

The beautiful sky as we left for Kalamazoo...now
on to bowling and bumper cars!!!! Work off some
of that delicious turkey dinner.

kissing cousins...

Halloween part II

Halloween night! Every year the Dekams come and join us for a little trick or treating as there are not too many homes out where they live, to trick or treat. This year, we were also joined by the Curries, Roelofs, and eventually the DeYoungs as well as Grandma Vicki and Grandma Marlene!!!! It was a beautiful night, definitely not the norm for Halloween in Michigan and we had a great deal of fun!


Avery the Snow Princess

Irelyn the Butterfly

Josh and Avery

Grandma and Irelyn

Gracie and Rowan trying to keep up with the pack...

Karie, Gracie and Steve

Tina and Rowan

After a good time trick or treating, re-fueling with pizza...

Happy Halloween!!!!

Until next year!....

Halloween part I

Happy Halloween 2008! Our neighborhood association held a halloween party at Collins Elementary the weekend before Halloween. Avery dressed up as a snow princess and Irelyn was the "hand me down" butterfly :0). There was donuts and cider, arts and crafts, and lots of fun games.

The Whole neighborhood gang


Avery and Jared


Searching for worms...


Found it!


YuMMy!

Dance class

This fall, Avery and Natalie signed up for dance class, Creative Combo with Miss Amy. Although, it sometimes take Aves a little bit to get out into the dance class, when she finally gets out there, she has a blast!

This Saturday, they were able to wear their halloween costumes to dance. As you can see, the going costume for the 3-4 year old definitely has "princess" attached. Avery was of course, a snow "princess".

Lauren, Claire, Natalie, Hope, Avery, Lily and Rachel....missing Natalie DeYoung.