The Big December Update!

Wow!! It looks like I haven't posted since November. What a crazy end of 2010 it has been! Our holidays were tons of fun, filled with family, parties and lots of presents! :) This year was fun because Rylee really was in awe of everything Christmas. Her favorite thing was (and still is) to look at lights. We're having a hard time explaining (and getting her to grasp) the fact that after Christmas, the lights go away until next year. She keeps saying in a disappointed voice "Christmas Over, Mama" Maybe we can find some of those houses who leave their lights up all year long. :)

Here's a quick run down of our holiday festivities.

Early December (I can't remember the date) -- D's work party. Darrin and I went to D's work party this year and had SO much fun. It was great to get really dressed up and feel like adults again. We hung out with D's friends, dined and danced all night long! It was also fun to be introduced to everyone he works with. I hear so many stories and now I can finally put faces with all the names! Here's a photo of me and Michele - the wife of one of Darrin's best friend's on the dept. We love hanging out with them - such a fun couple! And then, of course, a photo of Darrin and I! :)

December 18 -- Schroyer/Hooper Christmas Party -- complete with Santa...who, in a surprising twist, was loved by Jake and hated by Rylee.

December 22 -- Darrin's Grandma Offringa from Oregon came down for Christmas and we had dinner with the whole family! What a joy it was! A favorite toy Rylee recieved was Mr. Potato Head from Aunt Linny and Uncle Rod. The perfect addition to Mrs. Potato Head she already had at home. :)

December 24 - Christmas Eve with the Schroyers/Wahlquists and Oma and Opa. Darrin had to work so he wasn't able to come, and Andy ended up getting sick, so he had to skip too. Lana and I both missed our men but had a great time watching the kids open presents. Let me tell you though, having a 2 and a 3 year old tearing into a mound full of presents while an almost-one-year-old tried to get some grabs in too = CHAOS! At least Leif had a good time sleeping! :) It was fun but it was crazy!!

December 25 - Darrin worked in the morning so we didn't do "Christmas Morning" with the kids. Instead, while he slept, I took the kids to my parents for brunch. Darrin's mom joined us and then took the kids for a couple hours. I think she really enjoyed having them on Christmas day.

That night, we had the Offringa/Gerhart Christmas. We also gave the kids their presents from us during this time too. The exciting part of this Christmas is that Darrin's brother Will, wife Sam and their little boy William came down from northern Cali! We miss them SO much and were so excited to have them here for the weekend! Sadly, we didn't get a photo with them. :( So here's a great one of Papa John and both kids. I love it, don't you?

December 26 -- De Jong Christmas Party -- This was a fun way to finish the weekend. We all gathered at Darrin's aunt and uncle's home in Westminster. We ate, watched football, played with the kids and played a fun game for fast food gift cards! Darrin and his cousin, Nick, (who's also a cop) fell asleep on the couch. :) Those boys work hard -- crime doesn't stop for the holidays!!


And here's a photo of Grandma De Jong with Jake and William. Aren't they cute? William and Jake had a great time playing with each other. We're heading up later this month to visit them for William's 1st birthday! We can't wait!

December 28 - Jenn's high school friend's reunion. I have a fantastic group of girlfriends. This is my group of friends from highschool and even though we're spread out all over the WORLD - Christmastime is the one time we're all able to come together for a night and catch up. We all got dolled up and had a cocktail party. So much fun! We did take a photo of all of us together..but someone else has it. Sorry....no photo for you today. :(

December 29 -- Adema Christmas party -- We got together with Darrin's mom, Jeremy, and Michelle. The kids got lots of presents from their Grandmama and uncle and aunt. They were quite spoiled! :) No wonder Rylee's upset that Christmas is over! :)

WHEW -- and that was our Christmas. Like I said, it was CRAZY busy but also really really fun. I love spending time with family and friends and that's basically all we did during the month of December. Here's to 2011! I can't believe it's already a new year. Cheers!