Christmas 2009

We left in the afternoon of Christmas Adam (Dec. 23) and headed over to the Grand Rapids, MI area. Around 6:30 p.m. we arrived in Hudsonville where we spent a few hours with Aunt Kelli and cousins Caleb and Hannah. Gift opening began that night with gifts that Aunt Kelli had brought back from her trip to OK. The girls had gifts from Gramma and Papa Bill, Uncle Kirk and Aunt Tamra, and from Aunt Kelli and kids. It was fun BUT UNFORTUNATELY I DIDN'T HAVE MY CAMERA AND AUNT KELLI TOOK ALL THE PICS.

Christmas Eve we attended Christmas Eve service at the church Kevin grew up in as a child. We went with Grandpa Sheck, Uncle Jim and his family, Aunt Kerri and her family, and Uncle Paul.

After the service we went over to Uncle Jim and Aunt Sunde's house for chili, pie and games. Cousins Jimmy and Christina joined us. Unfortunately Uncle Tom and family weren't able to make it due to the very icy roads.

Christmas Day the girls woke up to finding stockings filled by Santa. Thankfully this year they were more thrilled about being with family then opening gifts. Sofia actually slept until 10 a.m. that morning and was in no hurry to check her stocking. We had a fun-filled day with most of the family coming over to Grandpa's for a ham dinner and gift opening.

After-dinner activities included lots of game playing and for some...a winter's nap. Sofia "taught" her uncles Glen, Bruce, Paul, and cousins Aaron and Ben how to play Creatures & Features. Selah enjoyed playing with cousins Jordyn and Hayley.

Late Christmas night we made the 4 hour trek back to Illinois. Saturday morning the girls woke to find the gifts Santa left at our house. Sofia couldn't believe she really got a Barbie doll. It was fun watching the girls play together with their new toys. They also had a special time of eating pancakes on the couch and watching a Christmas show.

More than anything this Christmas we enjoyed being able to share with our girls the true meaning of Christmas. It is a gift to us to see them act out the Nativity during their own play time and to gain a step of understanding in knowing that Christmas is a time for us to celebrate the birth of Christ!!!