Christmas Day

Christmas Day was spent at David's parents. 
Here are the eight cousins on that side.

Poor Dylan has had enough picture taking already...and there are still more parties to go.

Daniel usually has a super cute, melt your heart smile in photos, so I thought this face was funny!

That's more like it!

Giant Racetrack!

Caleb and Josie

Grandpa V.

 Silhouettes of all the grandkids for Grandma V.

Joel, Daniel, Nathan and Shontel

Shontel helping Jamie make her cool safety pin bracelet from them.

The next morning, the kids made a gingerbread town with all their houses.

Peter supervised

Daniel

Shontel constructing the houses

Nathan

Dawson and Jamie's completed houses. (I forgot to take one of the whole town.

Dylan sleeping during the construction

Tigers Game With Nathan, Daniel, Joel & Shontel



Win number 8 in a row for the Tigers! (Courtesy of Inge and an amazing bottom of the 9th home run that no one expected.) 



Eat 'Em Up Tigers

Daniel had a pretty good time. (Although, I am not sure if he ever doesn't have a good time.)

It turned out to be a pretty hot and sunny afternoon game, even though it was cloudy and rained all morning.  Jamie and I needed to escape the sun (frequently) to cool down.

The wave (check out Daniel in the green).

  

It was Star Wars night...which made Dawson very excited.

Next morning...after a late night, all rested.

Christmas With David's Family

We had a fun couple days at David's parents house over the Christmas weekend....

Cookie Making

 

Stratego Playing



This is just a reminder to myself (and others maybe) not to throw away any of the kids handmake ornaments, no matter how junky they seem now.  Look how cute this one from young David is, that I found on his parents tree!



Josie, Jamie, Daniel, Dawson, baby Peter, Nathan, Caleb

Just the Boys

Treasure hunt to get to the big gifts.

Two of Jamie's favorite gifts: princess earmuffs and goldfish.

Beach, Sun, Lake Michigan, Eating, Biking, Snacking, Family, Drinking, did I say eating...could any thing make for a better vacation?

The Vacationers

I think I could take sunset pictures everyday and not get bored with it.

It is only a matter of time, until it isn't cute to take pictures of sandy bums. But for now, I can.

A lot of 'soup' making happening during the week.

My favorite quote of the week from Rachel: "Uuggg what a disaster!"

No comment on the naked kids all in one pool.

Daniel chillin.

These 2 decided it would be a good idea to get married.

Grandpa taught Dawson how to sand surf.

We celebrated Josie's 1st birthday on vacation also. Happy Birthday Josie!