Christmas Joys

Our Christmas with the Haveman family was via Skype and webcam. It worked out really well! We even got to see Grandma F. :) We were really spoiled there with sweets, great gifts and many smiles. James uses his drill... just to hear it whir, I think. He even snuck it into bed tonight while I was in the shower. The whirring gave him away, however:)

I've read "Smash Crash" over and over again, but had to put it away for now 'til I get some tape to fix the tear that can only happen to a book well read!

I had to take a photo of the boys with their blankets that Aunt Marie made, because James, when he sees the blanket, will give Lucas his and run to find his own. I thought it was darling how he cozied up next to Lucas that morning. I hope they always get along this well :)

Chrismas

We had a loverly family Christmas this year :)

Jerry almost had to work through the whole holiday, but the Lord was gracious and he was able to be home with us. So Christmas Eve we slept in, had a great breakfast and shared gifts with eachother. It was fun to see James understanding the idea of presents better and to watch his smiles and excitement.

VeggieTales!! James loves them. When the flyers were coming around pre Christmas he would study the toys and noticed the "Tales" from the Christian Bookstore flyer. So it begins.

Our best gifts ever are our little boys.

Little Lucas got a ball popper and James LOVES it! :) As of now, Lucas just loves to chew on the balls or anything else he can wrap his little fingers around.

Jerry got a pair of gloves, just in time for working long hours in the cold, cold weather.

On Christmas Day we were able to have dinner with the Bakker family after church. We got home at about 4pm and the apple cider wasn't even hot before Jerry got the phone call to go into work. He worked 'til 7am, then worked another 16 hour night on Saturday. Thankfully he was able to be home Sunday night, but is again working 16 hours today (Monday). I'm thankful for the overtime and the simple fact that he has a job... but I miss his company for sure! It made me realize how much I depend on him when I was 15 minutes late for church on Sunday :)

This is me happy happy because Jerry got me Romance for Christmas.

The perfume you silly! :)

Snow Snow Snow!

Jerry and James headed outside after Jerry got home today and built a snowman!

Lucas stayed in with me and enjoyed the warmth :)

Christmas Snapshots

James is my official schlicker. When I start to cook and pull out a spoon... there he is "lick? lick?" So in this photo... he's licking some sour cream:) We decided I need to make him a more manly apron, though, if he's going to be helping in the kitchen ;)

We finally put up our Christmas decorations and I think they are B-E-A-U-tiful!

There's my men. Do you like our little stocking stuffer?

Christmas in Canada

We headed up to Canada a couple weekends ago to celebrate Christmas with the Hanemaayer family. I love going up, but then... I'm a wee bit partial :) All my life my family has avoided exchanging gifts at actual Christmas time. The tradition in Holland has "Santa Claus" on December 5th. St. Nicholas visits the children with his helper, Black Peter. He rides on a horse and the children would leave carrots and such for the horse in their wooden shoes by the door. So, because everyone has other families to share Christmas with, my family has opted to stick to the 5th for our gift exchange and feast :)

My parents were able to clean up a good portion of the basement (obviously not finished) so all could eat around a table.

James sporting an eggnog mustache... Mmmm!

James receiving his gift on St Nick's lap.

Lucas receiving his gift.

A Beautiful Fall Day

Lucas enjoying the swing.

James, our little monkey, climbing high!

I'm hoping next spring James will totally get the concept of pedaling. He pedals a wee bit, but still depends on my push.

Lucas and his new "ride" :) James was a bit too excited to push him onto the grass.

Lucas and his Jump&Go

This is what comes of too much jumping, too early in the morning. The poor boy never complained a bit... just settled down for his morning nap.

Moving up in the world :)

James was promoted to the "Big Boy" chair, complete with telephone books and Daddy's belt.

Lucas was promoted to the highchair. Spoons provided for entertainment. We want happy for the duration of our meal :) Good luck, eh?

The Little Boys

From various boxes of hand-me-downs come two darling look-alikes

Check out that smile by James... but Lucas isn't too sure

Lucas is sitting... unassisted, by himself! Sure he starts to bend in half from the waist after a only a few seconds, but until then he's doing pretty darn good!

...and quite proud of himself too, I'd say ;)

Random Shots

James loves to bounce Lucas in his chair, so much so that we're afraid he'll break Lucas' chair! Not so worried about Lucas, 'cause he seems to love the extra bounce :)
Everytime I ask James to smile he gives me this goofy grin. :) Mouth open, teeth showing and eyes squinty.

Me and my smiley Lucas

I'm trying to get a good wall photo shot... what do you think?

Our week here has been great, but we're homebound. I keep waiting and waiting for the red spots of chicken pox to appear... but they're not! I'm afraid to take him to church functions though, because tomorrow may be the day they decide to show their ugly faces.

In other news... the weather has been great... 50s and 60s with the rain falling mostly at night. We managed to go for a walk today with Lucas in the sling and James in the stroller. It worked well because Lucas is able to hold his head up so well! I guess I no longer have an excuse not to go out and get some exercise ;)

Family Portraits, 2009

The one and only... Jerry and Bernice Haveman!! Thank-you, thank-you very much :)

The ladies of the Haveman clan. Their beauty knows no description :)

And our stalwart men!

Our family portrait.

James loving on Lucas under Grandpa's watchful eye.

And here's the whole family. It doesn't get much better than this! And I mean that in all senses of the phrase :)

Poor Tys was over it. Doesn't matter how much you pay him, modeling is not in his future :) At least it wasn't that day.

Tys is trying to get away. And Trenton is tired of listening to it all :)

Now, from all three family portraits, I'm hoping people out there will give me their top choice so I'll know better which one to hang on the wall. I'll be anticipating your replies ;)

Our Swell Time in California!

A morning in the pumpkin patch, searching for just the right pumpkin.

Have you ever seen so many giant pumpkins in one place? We sure had our pick! Once all the pumpkins were loaded in the back of Dad's pick-up, we were off. The only problem was all the vines that got caught up under his truck. We were clearing a whole row out! So, just because we all like a little excitement in our day, Casey hooked his suberban up to Dad's pick-up and dragged him out. Where was Jerry's pick-up when we needed it, eh? :)

Here's the boat I've heard so many things about. Finally the boat of memories became reality. And what fun it was! We'll most certainly have to do that again. A day at the beach is fun anyway, but throw in a boat and it's fabulous!!

Casey catching some air.

Jerry, zooming side to side.

Marie in action :)

James wishing he could ride too.

Here's our little Trent... enjoying the sand and shade.

Tys wasn't always quite sure about it all, but ask him if he was having fun and he'd give a firm nod... "yes".

Miss Katie loved the water and watering the sand :)

James had a great time too, and now knows what a boat is!

( I love this photo sequence)... Tys, can you reach it?

Just a little further...

Grandma and her grandkids

I think I missed the punchline, but these boys thought something was awfully funny!

Playing at the splashpad in Ripon.

Katie kicking the water around.

Little Lucas hanging out

I think the Haveman men just have a thing for vehicles :)

We were able to celebrate James' second birthday while visiting Mom and Dad. I think by the time he got his cake he was pretty much done and in need of sleep :) But I know I enjoyed it :)

The visit to California was great. It was wonderful to see family and hang out everyone together. The memories are lasting and we hope to make many more next year... and the next year... and the next year... well, you get my point :)