Rejoicing!

Rejoice with those who rejoice!

We've had the privilege of doing just so on several occasions lately - it's so good.

My dear, and lifetime friend, Anna recently tied the knot with Mike. What a lovely celebration for a very lovely couple!!

First, a little personal shower fun! :)

And then a beautiful 1.7.17 wedding - love the numbering! :)

Next up I had the joy of hosting our church shower for the lovely Jenn and her new baby Ryan. 

So happy!!!

These two events, both related to our church, reminded me yet again how lovely the body of Christ is when we encourage, celebrate, and give generously to those faithfully walking the paths God has prepared for them.

University of Cookie

Don't you hate it when the best laid plans fall through? Yes. Hate it. 

Except when that means Heather gets to come and job shadow me and make cookies instead!

Chelsea was home on break so she came too :)

Miss M loved having so many friends around, especially when they Millenialize her with their beanie ;) #hipster

Bunnies! Doing as bunnies do...multiplying!

Then she went home and made these the next week - amazing! Lessons learned!

Now THAT'S a great J Term class!

Hi! I'm TEN months!

Wants to participate with everything especially food

Talks and coos ALL her waking time

Had her first Christmas

Became a big cousin

Loves avocado

Stands at my legs

Mimics

Pats everyone and everything

Picks things up without sitting

Uses her index finger

Lots of choir directing with her arms

Lays on her belly and holds a toy like a kid

Squeeze pouch success!!

Makes Mama and dada and baba sounds

Walks holding on to furniture

And now for outtakes because there were MANY! 

Christmas at the Gardens

Sometimes I feel like the Meijer Gardens are just an extension of our yard. 

Which is fine by me, it's a great looking yard!

Arie wanted to play in the afternoon which lead to realizing that Santa would be there to play later that night, perfecto!

Ho Ho Ho! All I want for Christmas are my two front teeth!

Happy Christmas and now New Year!!

A weekend of Christmas

 and nothing but Christmas! 

What a weekend for Baby's First Christmas!

Happy elf on Thursday afternoon

Thursday nights are for selfies and Home Alone...ya filthy animal!

 Friday mornings are for fun! and delicious breakfast!

I'll now take a moment to highlight this year's wrapping style: dashing (through the snow) I'd say :)

 Time for gifts! I spy with my eye three darling ones!

Playtime with Ginny and Grampie - little missy just loves both of them!

 CHEESE(R)!

Someone else little missy just loves; believe it or not, the feeling is more than mutual :)

 Friday night = Christmas jammie night!

And snugs with Grammy before bed.

We decided to open our gifts at home on Christmas Eve.

I love my presents! But I REALLY love wrapping paper! :)

 Kitty slippers from out east! Too fun!!

I enjoyed the evening service at church; I look forward to this service throughout the year. It's calm and bright and full of beautiful music to usher in our new born king.

Merry First Christmas baby girl!

 Finger puppets in her stocking; she loves playing with her dad!

 We spent a lovely afternoon with Aunt Lois and my grandma.

My Christmas triumph! it was delish too.

The last gift of Christmas!!! Unless you count exhaustion, in that case, I'm still basking!

Merry Christmas to all! and to all a good night!

A Kalamazoo Christmas

We had two engagements the Kalamazoo way last weekend. 

Friday evening was the office Christmas party and then family Christmas all day Saturday. 

It was a high flying time! the Air Museum provided a very cool atmosphere and we enjoyed chatting the evening away too.

Saturday was Little Missy's first foray into gift opening. She had absolutely no idea, and as predicted, far more interested in the packaging :)

All other photos turned out to be those moving ones, therefore videos, therefore quite incompatible with this blog

Note to self... :(