Holiday Update

The girls are both in bed and I finally have a few minutes to update the blog! We hope that all of you had a wonderful Christmas season and are looking forward to a new year with new opportunities.

We have spent the month of December preparing for our first Christmas with Danica and for our first Christmas with a child who understands what Christmas is all about. Emily was a joy to be with this year as she was excited to celebrate Jesus' birthday (we sang happy birthday on the way to church on Christmas morning) and also to have Santa visit our house.

We had our van Leeuwen Christmas celebration the weekend before Christmas as Greg's sister Janelle, our brother in law Dale and nephew Bennett came into town from Iowa. The kids had a blast opening up presents together and tobogganing. We spent Christmas Eve with Greg's extended family at his Auntie Tina's house. Dinner was amazing as usual - Auntie Tina outdoes herself every year (its the meal that I look forward to all year long). Christmas morning we headed off to church and then to a quick lunch with Greg's mom (unfortunately, Greg's dad had to work during the day). After that, we headed off for the Hodgkinson Christmas celebration. We spent the afternoon with my mom and dad and had a blast opening our gifts and watching Emily open hers. After that, we went to my cousin's house for dinner and spent the evening with my extended family.

We were all very spoiled this season and were grateful for the time spent with family and friends. Here are a few pictures from the past month:

Emily had an eye infection - she looked like she had been punched in the face!

Playing in the backyardBennett helping Emily open her presents
The kids in their pajamas from Auntie Janelle and Uncle DaleGrandma Barb's idea of funny
Putting cookies out for Santa - Danica was not impressed
Opening up presents from Santa
Keizer enjoyed his present
Daddy helping Danica open her presents
All dressed up for church Christmas morning
Greg's prize possession this holiday season
Cousin Christine with Danica
Can you tell our family likes to eat - how big is that turkey!!
Emily's first skating lesson with Daddy

Dancia watching Emily's skating lesson

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from all of us! We have been so busy that blogging has fallen behind these days but we will be posting pictures of our holiday season shortly! We wish everyone God's blessing as we prepare to enter into another new year!

Love Greg, Julie, Emily, Danica and Keizer