Christmas 2009

Christmas was fabulous--as usual. The kids are so fun and so excited, and apparently they have been very good. The whole family got a Wii from Santa.
Annie with her pink guitar. She is soooo into music and instruments.
Thys got a camera because we knew Anna was getting one later in the day from her cousin--trouble if they don't both have one. You parents understand, I'm sure.
Better than the camera and the Wii, was the little jet that Santa picked up for a couple of dollars and threw in Thys's stocking. He hasn't put it down in three days!
Santa also left Thys some too-big Spiderman underwear, hoping to instill the desire to wear them, perhaps, on a regular basis. Didn't work. He thinks they are shorts--and cool ones at that. In fact, talk about comfy--he wore them all day--even to Christmas dinner at grandma's. Dad put him in the car before I could get a hold of him. . . Here is his Wii action shot.And little Soph--she likes the Wii too. Lucky for her, because that's what she got from Santa--just like the rest of us. She did get some rubber duckies for the tub, but these days I don't think it's wise to post pictures of your kids naked in the tub, even if they are cute as can be! So just know Soph loves her duckies. She can even say "duck" according to Mel, and we have all heard her quack like a duck several times. It is quite a quack/grunt/scream from such a little girl.

More Holiday Entertainment

Becky's shows are always good entertainment. If you think Thys and Anna's outfits are entertaining, you should have seen Becky in her red union suit with a jingle-bell belt and full Santa beard and hat. She is a nut, and we love her and what she does for the kids. They sang so cute!

Sophie lucked out this year--no elf costume, but watch out next year, Soph!

Sophie and Anna dressed up for church in Christmas attire. Thys didn't dress up, if you are wondering where he is, nor did he want his picture taken. I've given up on some things--they aren't worth the fight.


Christmas Eve. As you can see, Sophie is the only one I dressed. Thys is into "comfy" and always wants pajamas, and Anna. . .well, she wears what she wants most days--including Christmas Eve. We were just lucky to get us all out the door to grandma's before it was time for bed!


Making cookies for Santa
These are the cookies Santa was hoping for. I have been wanting to try "royal icing," you know the kind the bakeries use, so I finally did it. Not bad for a first try. . .
These are the cookies Santa got--he especially loved the black star decorated by Thys (see far right of picture)

Traditions!

We love traditions, and the kid make sure we keep them. The Sinter Klaas, put up the tree, sleep under the tree day just about wears us out--maybe we have to rethink that one--but it is fun for the kids--and for us!?!? In any case, it is fun to be together as a family!
Anna accidentally decorated herself!

Mel and I decorated our first gingerbread house when we were dating--we've done it ever since, and of course, it is one of the kids' favorites!


We are big adventurers--all the way to Lowe's for a Christmas tree!

FINALLY, we get to open the long-awaited package from Mimi, Bupa, and Sinter Klaas! And it was worth the wait. We found so many fabulous things inside! Thanks Mimi, Buba, and Sinter Klaas! (The package came about 10 days before Sinter Klaas, and we made the kids wait to open it--pure torture!)
New PJ's from Sinter Klaas and chocolate coins from Holland. Thys loves chocolate--he was in heaven! (Don't tell anyone he ate his entire chocolate advent calendar in one day!)
New doll from Mimi, Bupa and Sinter Klaas
Pop's new Netherlands shirt, PJ's, and my cool new Dutch food book!
Sleeping under the tree reading the new Christmas books.

And finally, our very own Smarte Piet (also known as Swarte Piet in other parts of the world).