Lunch with Friends

Christmas lunch with Beth and Jan - complete with wine and Eastown shopping!

Sand Castles in the winter?

Jack and I were walking along the beach and witnessed another interesting way the beach was formed into little sand castles! Between the ice, sand, and the wind the beach was full of miniture sand creations. It was something to see!

Holland State Park on Christmas Day!

Jack and I took a drive to Holland State Park while the kids were resting. There were people kayaking down the channel.
This is a view looking out toward the lighthouse. 'The rocks were ice covered and sparkling in the sun!
We had had a lot of wind the last couple of days, and the winds did amazing things to the ice on the walkway to the pier.
Anyone want to take a walk on the pier? No thanks - it was a sheet of ice with handrails of ice also.
The rocks along the lake glistened when the sun shone on them. It was really amazing!

Sickness on Christmas

What a difference a night can make! Ben and Emily both came down with the flu on Christmas Day! They spent the whole day sleeping and being very sick. Fevers and trying to keep food down was the order of the day for them. What a bummer! It wasn't a nice way to spend their first Christmas day together. They were feeling better this morning to go to spend Christmas time with Ben's family in Indiana. We want you better!

Christmas Eve Celebration!

Aunt Wilma always joins our family on Christmas Eve. We usually begin our evening with many wonderful appetizers and wine. Traditions are great!
Megan and her fiance, Bob were ready to celebrate the joys of Christmas! They are in the midst of planning their June 7 wedding. We are very excited to have another wedding in the family!
Pam and Tim taking time out for a picture. This year was hard for us because Grandma (mom) was not with us. She was celebrating her first Christmas in heaven! We missed her very much! Pam gave each of the grandkids a memento of Grandma along with a devotional book. We all know how much Grandma loved her Saviour and that she spend much time in her personal devotions and journaling.
The Koeze kids always liven up the party! By the time we were done eating and opening presents - it was time for our traditional pizza time. The pizzas were great - although we were all pretty full from the appetizers! Dessert was definitely out of the question!
Ben and Emily spending their first Christmas Eve celebrating with the family! We are very thankful that everyone could spend Christmas with us. We of course missed Jenni, Nate, Brooke, Hudson, and Uncle Tim! We plan on celebrating later in the week with Nate and Brooke and Hudson when they come to Michigan on Friday!

Preparing for Christmas

Nick flew in to Grand Rapids on Friday night. We went out for breakfast and then did some shopping. Jenni stayed in Florida preparing for her family to arrive on Monday evening. The Levan family will be spending Christmas in Florida with Nick and Jenni for the holidays. Nick left for Florida on Christmas morning.

Jack and Nick picked up Ben and Emily in South Bend on Sunday evening. It was a blustery, windy night. They made it home safely on the slippery roads. We are thankful for safe travel for them. Monday morning after a big breakfast, Jack and Emily dipped pretzels in chocolate while Ben shoveled the driveway.

Ben volunteered to shovel the driveway. We had about 4 inches of snow and most of it had drifted over the driveway. Thank you, Ben!

Adella and family

Adella and her family were thrilled to receive the gifts that my Bible Study and Brenda Kwekel were able to give to her. The boys were excited about their new boots, snow pants, and clothes. Mileana was happy with her new shoes and clothes. I sure appreciate all who were able to help her out with some must needed things for her kids. It always is more blessed to give than to receive! Thank you everyone!