Looking up!

Every year at this time we look up to our Father in heaven from whom all our gifts come from. We thank Him for time to spend with one another on this Thanksgiving holiday. We thank him for our family and all those we care about. We will try to live our lives for God and His glory. We remember that the next generation is looking up to us and is watching us as try to be like Christ.

Friday - shopping in Saugatuck

Sarah and Hudson

Sarah and Hudson spending time together on Thanksgiving Day!

Aunt Pam and Uncle Tim

Aunt Pam was playing with Hudson while Unky Tim thinks his furry friend, Jake poses better for pictures.

Hudson and Aunt Jenni!

Hudson had fun getting to know his Aunt Jenni!

Chillin'

Sarah, Allie, Megan and Bob watching a movie after Thanksgiving Dinner!

Thanksgiving Day!

We all gathered at Aunt Pam and Uncle Tim's for our Thanksgiving feast. We were missing Emily and Ben who were spending Thanksgiving in Austin, Texas. As always, the table was set like a picture in Better Homes and Gardens. Tim opened our feast with a wonderful devotional. We all felt and knew that Thanksgiving was different this year - without mom and grandma. As we felt her absence, it was very emotional - but as Tim prayed, it was time to "have a good cry and then have a good time". Our Thanksgiving feast was delicious as always. Hudson was there and he added the extra "life" to our dinner. He was having his first taste of mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie. After dinner and watching the Lions get beat by the Packers, the family settled into playing a game of Trivia, boys vs girls, and the girls won!! As our day always ends, we eat our famous hot turkey sandwiches, with chips and leftovers! God was definitely with us on this Thanksgiving Day! We praise God for his faithfulness!

Grandma babysits Hudson!

What a wonderful day Hudson and Grandma had! We played really hard -with toys, danced to music, and crawled all over the house. Grandma didn't get any of her Thanksgiving cooking and preparation done - but being with Hudson was worth every minute. Nate and Brooke spent the day at Birch Run buying lots of new clothes for Hudson (he just keeps growing)!

Nate and Brooke and Hudson are here from Texas!

The Holtvluwers from Texas arrived on Sunday night to stay with us and celebrate Thanksgiving! It was so wonderful to see them and to spend some time together. Hudson is getting so big. He is crawling and pulling himself up by furniture. He'll probably be walking by Christmas! He is such a good baby - he is a great eater and sleeper and always is ready with his contagious smile!!

Christmas shopping with Irene and Julie

Yesterday Irene, Julie and I started our annual Christmas shopping! The malls are all decorated for Christmas and it was really crowded with shoppers. We had to stop for some lunch as always - I didn't get a lot of shopping done, but it is always nice to have nice friends to shop and spend the day with.

Girls decorating for a snow day!

Marissa and Bethany decorated by office with WOODTV 8 Snow Day magnets. Mr. Bonnema didn't like it though, so I had to take it all down. It won't be long and we'll have a snow day - winter is coming!

Wacky Day at Legacy

Friday was Wacky Day at Legacy Christian Middle School. The kids all dressed very wacky. It was a fun day to see them all in a new light. Most of the kids took this day very seriously. 8th hour was spent playing "The Price Is Right"! Luke and his beauties did an awesome job! I keep thinking about how wacky my kids were in middle school?! I know of one kid who probably did more than her share of wackiness!! Love ya, Emily!

Breakfast at Sandy's

Every week Beth, Jan and I meet for breakfast at Sandy's at 6:30am. It used to be every Friday, but now our waitress, Bonnie isn't sure if we will be there on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday - it will be one of these days (which ever works for all of schedules). I treasure my friendships with Beth and Jan.