So Many Little Blessings....

Today we got together with all of my highschool friends. There is a total of 8 kids. We were so thankful that all of us were finally all in town at the same time. Although most of us live either in Kalamazoo or Grand Rapids, Kate lives in Texas, and Natalie lives in Chicago. From L to R; Kaden and McKenna (Emily Bareman), Brayden (Kristin Slater), Josie and Caleb (Rachel Kuipers), Chloe (Katie Case), Owen (Me), and David (Natalie Ritzema).

The Many Faces of Owen

Owen was a disaster after dinner tonight......I got a new camera for Christmas and was testing it out. Owen decided to show off and this is the results....I personally like the hair sticking straight out in the pictures......:-)

Christmas in the UP

This year we traveled to the UP to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Jon's family. We had made the 6 hour drive before with Owen but that was when he was 3 months old and he pretty much slept the whole way. This time we were a bit concerned about how he was going to travel. He traveled great! We occupied him with Praise Baby dvd's, snacks and lots of book reading. We had a wonderful time up there and Owen loved seeing his Great Grandma and Grandpa and Grandma P!

Family Christmas picture before we left for church

Playing with his new Leap Frog table from Grandpa and Grandma!

Trying out his new riding to from Uncle Eric and Aunt Nicole

Lots of smiles :-)

Opeing up presents...

Playing before church

Loving his Great Grandma

Owen loved to look out the window at the river. Usually we often see the deer but did not see too many this year.

Christmas at Papa and Meme's House

We celebrated Christmas with my side of the family (Huizinga) a little bit earlier this year because we were going to be traveling to the UP this year to celebrate with Jon's side of the family. Owen was not all that interested in gifts this year......just eating the paper. Seeing how he pretty much tries to eat anything and everything it did not surprise us in the least. Each year Santa stops at our house to visit with all of the kids and gives them some small gifts. We were not sure how Owen was going to take him.......but he smiled and laughed away!

First time meeting Santa!


His new walking toy from Meme and Papa

Playing with his cousin Maia

Alexa helping Owen open up his gift from her.....or just Alexa opening the gift :-)

Watching movies with his cousins

Our Christmas Tree

This year we did not put up our normal tree...I opted for a smaller one that I had. Why?......

This is why.....our little wrecking crew knocked it down like maybe 20 times :-)

Playing in the Snow -- Downtown Condo Style

So Owen had his first experience with snow today. I think we spent more time getting him ready to go outside than we actually spent outside...but I think he had fun anyways. I could tell he was not 100% sure about the snow. It was more or less a picture opportunity for mommy :-) We travel to the UP for Christmas this year and his Grandpa and Grandma have a sled waiting for him up there.....so we are excited to try that out! SO stay tuned for some more snow pictures!