Boppa's Birthday

On Tuesday we celebrated Boppa's birthday. He chose to go to the museum downtown and out for dinner. We had a fun time checking out the DeVinci exhibit and taking a ride on the carousel. We enjoyed dinner at their favorite Italian place and then went home for dessert.

Fikkerts Come to Visit

We were blessed to have Sharon and Emily, Visalia friends, come for a visit yesterday. We have been able to see them each year since we moved to MI around Kamryn's birthday when they come to visit family in Holland. Sharon moved out to CA to come teach for me after Kamryn was born so I could be home with her for awhile. Sharon and I taught together for several years and Kamryn was the flower girl in her wedding. Now we get to enjoy watching the Fikkert family grow with Emily and a new little one on the way.

Emily remembered where the toys were from her last visit.

Sharon challenged Troy to a Mario Kart match.

Kamryn Celebrates the Big 1-0!

We had a great time celebrating Kamryn's 10th birthday on Dec. 21st. She is good at making her wishes known and this year we gave in and let her have a slumber party. She got to open a couple of presents from us in the morning and we spent the rest of the day preparing for 6 of her friends to come over later that evening. We went to a local pizza place for dinner, opened presents, had cake, played the wii, made a craft, did nails, watched a movie, had popcorn, and finally got ready for bed! It was a great party and fun to get to know Kamryn's friends better. They are a sweet bunch! Here are the highlights...

Kam on the morning of her birthday.

She got a Jack Johnson CD!

Out for pizza.

The whole group.

Opening presents.

More presents.

Blowing out 10 candles.

Enjoying chocolate cake.

Katie's friend, Rachel, helping "do" nails.

Katie doing nails.

Preparing for bed!

Special Visitors

I've had a great birthday week. Two of my best friends from California flew out (through a blizzard no less!) to come wish me a happy birthday and experience life in Michigan for a few days. We've had great fun with Lori and Lisa and will be sad to see them leave Sunday. We have been hit by quite a big storm this week and so there has been lots of snow. They are adapting well to putting on all the heavy clothing, boots, etc. We did have some nice sunshine today and they were commenting on how much warmer it seemed. (I don't think it got out out of the low thirties all day!) We have enjoyed eating out, showing them around the city, attending the kids' basketball games, having dinner with some Michigan friends and going to Katie's band concert tonight. I continue to thank God for his blessing of wonderful friends and am thankful that even though many miles separate some of us, our friendship continues!

Dinner at Ada Grill with Michigan and California friends.

Birthday cake

Another dinner shot.

Troy had his last basketball game today.

Lori and Lisa cheered him on.

Kam goes up for a shot.

The three amigas outside the school.

Freezing for a photo op.

Lisa and Lori challenged the kids to a snowball fight.

I'm not sure who won. No one was badly injured, thankfully!

After pulling off wet coats and boots Lisa called in to the house, "Kristin, what do we do now?!"

We have missed three days of school due to all the snow. Hopefully we will be back on track next week!

Christmas Candids

FFM Christmas Party 2009

Last night we hosted our third and final Christmas party for Scott's small (FFM) group at Seminary. It was a fun night of sharing food and fellowship. These guys have been through much together over the past two and a half years and will continue their friendship after Seminary, I'm sure. Their professor and his wife were also able to join us. It's fun to hear the stories and laughter when these guys are together. We have been blessed to share the Seminary experience with them!

The group-formal picture.

Showin' some love.

Practicing for ordination!

Let's not forget the children-minus Katie.

Sitting around listening to Brian play. He was playing the guitar he and some others picked out as a Christmas gift for Scott when he was their Youth Pastor in Visalia. So cool!

Contemplating life. They weren't always this serious!

Toward the end of the night. We looked over and saw little Anna sprawled out on the hardwood floor! Of course we had to take a picture for the blog!

Winter Wonderland!

What a difference a night makes. This morning we looked outside to find snow! Some snow was in the forecast, but much more fell than was predicted. Scott and Katie headed out to school, but found it to be deserted. They called home and we checked the tv to find most all schools were canceled. (Except for Calvin that is!) So we hauled out snow pants, boots, gloves, hats, and everything else necessary for snow and the kids headed outside (before 8 AM!) to play with friends in the neighborhood. It's been a nice year in that the snow didn't come too early. Now I think winter is here to stay for awhile. I'm already tired of all the clothing changes that come with wet clothing!

Katie tackling the driveway.

Kamryn and Troy taking a break inside. (Love the rosy cheeks.)

All suited up.

Our driveway and deck. (Yes, I should have taken the cushions in!)