Year In Review

Okay, I figured since this is my first attempt at a blog, and I haven't been doing this for a year yet it would be hard to reflect on my blog a year ago so I thought what better thing then to highlight some of the highs in our family!

1. My mom is doing much better and on the road to recovery!
2. Emmah lost her first teeth!!!
3. Jake is potty training!!!
4. Emmah started Kindergarten, is it possible I have a 5 year old?
5. We are all happy and healthy.

I know kinda lame, but hey what can we say! Hope everyone has a happy and safe new year!

Christmas in a nutshell!

Okay well of course Santa came to our house and brought many happy smiles to two very lucky and loved little children! This year was one of the best so far since Jake and Emmah both truly understood the whole Santa thing and are beginning to understand the true story of Christmas. Emmah was most excited about her Princess Wii game, which is just for her and daddy to play with (this I will have to see...and don't worry I will also take pictures!) and for Jake his Batman book! We made some truly wonderful memories this Christmas that I plan to continue. I have also had the chance now to sit down and really reflect on the past year and how many things have changed and how we have grown and changed there are many things to be thankful for and many more lessons to be learned. I hope that all of you had a wonderful Christmas and were able to enjoy some time with family.

A Bloemers Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is the night we reserve every year to celebrate Christmas with the Bloemers family. A good time is always had the this year was no exception. It is always nice to sit down and just talk to everyone, share in some really good food, and of course play a rousing round of BINGO. I think it is one of the highlights for everyone, and this year was no exception. Emmah even got to be the caller for a short time, during dirty BINGO (where people can steal the gifts you have won!) It is great to see everyone, not that we don't see them often, but it is always nice to get together this time of year and reflect on all the wonderful memories of years past and present.

Making Cookies

Well, I decided that since Christmas is fastly approaching that maybe we should make some cookies for Santa. I was a little nervous about taking on this project since a friend of mine had a series of complicating events occur when she attempted, but I pulled up my sleeves and decided to dive it. Besides what else were we going to do, we're SNOWED IN!!

It was a good time. The kids loved deciding what cookie cutter to use, and really wanted to sample them when they are finished. We are going to attempt to make some gingerbread boys and girls later today, and then decorate. That I am waiting for Toby for, things never go well with frosting and a 5 year old and a 3 year old!!

Kid's Christmas Party

Together with our friends we got together and had a Christmas Party. It was a BLAST!! Even Santa showed up....and boy were the kids surprised! We hung out, ate some pizza, and then headed to the ice rink to do some skating.

This was the first time we had taken the kids, and it has been awhile for me as well. We had a ton of fun! Emmah took to skating really well. She even did some skating without any help. Jake needed some help, but he had fun anyway. He even asked later when were going skating again! It was definetly a time to remember and will have to be an annual event.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Saddle Up

Tonight we went to Zeeland and rode on a horse drawn wagon through the city. It was so much fun! We didn't tell the kids where we were going and they LOVED it! On our short journey we sang Christmas carols (and yes all of us sang!) and enjoyed the lights as well as the big Christmas cards. The kids enjoyed the ride and loved petting the horses too!

Go Scots!!

On Saturday we took the kids to see Caledonia basketball, Cousin Todd is the coach. We have taken Emmah, but this was Jake's first time. Jake kept yelling at Todd from across the court, during the game (he tried so hard for him to hear him, but he just wasn't loud enough over the game!) We had a great time. The kids were AWESOME cheerleaders and if team spirit could have won the game the Scots would have had it. They did a great job and put forth a great effort.

I have a feeling we have many more games ahead of us!

Trimming the Tree

Tonight we finally trimmed the tree. We have had it up since Sunday, but just have been crazy busy to actually decorate it, besides the kids kinda wanted to wait for daddy to get home. So tonight was the night. It was a blast explaining all the ornaments, when and where we got them, and what they stood for. Jake got super excited about the Michigan football ornament, it was pretty funny! (I'll add pics later)

The kids are hoping to head outside with daddy tomorrow to make a "Snow Emmah" and a "Snow Jake". I will be sure to post pics if they do!

Birthday Bash

Yesterday we celebrated Grandma's and cousin Drew's birthday. We started the afternoon off with a show. Tessa (another cousin) is performing in a musical at a local church so we all went to check it out. It was great! The kids really liked it, and loved all the singing! Afterwards we went out for dinner. It was a fun time laughing, joking, eating, and of course watching a little basketball, GO BLUE!!!!

Once we finished dinner we headed to Mimi & Papa's for some cake and ice cream. Yummy!!! We hung out and just had a great time with each others company. Playing some fun games in the process! Overall a good time was had by all! My favorite moment of the night was when Jake sang his own solo of "Happy Birthday" to GG! Emmah eventually joined in, but boy was it so cute!

Parade of Lights

Tonight we braved the cold and went to the Parade of Lights in downtown Holland. It was cold!!!! But the kids had fun and that is what counts. We even had to have some hot chocolate when we got home, because what else do you do when you are cold??

They loved all the lights and waving at all the people, I am not sure how much of the parade that Jake saw, his hat was covering his eyes most of the night! Oh well fun was definetly had.

I have to add a little extra comment on here about Blueprint sketches, it's a blog where I find some of my scrapbook inspiration. Andrea, who writes the blog is giving away a calendar, it is so cute, I hope I win!!!!! So wish me luck.....