Christmas Day

Christmas morning we woke up and let the kids have their Santa gifts.  After a delicious breakfast, we hung out until Matt and Sarah joined us.  After the traditional Dutch meal of husput, we opened presents.  It takes awhile as we go around one at a time (youngest to oldest) but it's so fun seeing and enjoying what everyone got.  We let the kids go first and then Sophie wanted to help everyone open their gifts.  Jackson went to bed about halfway through (:  It was a wonderful Christmas and in a little over a week we're off to Kansas to celebrate Christmas with my family!

snuggling with Opa

yummy toes

the "look" when she saw what Santa had left them

so happy about her dancing Dora doll!

trying out their new chairs

talking (aka grunting) into his microphone

trying on her new hat from Aunt Kathy

not sure what this big present could be!

snuggling with uncle matt in his new sleeping bag

matt and sarah's bear vault for camping

making a birthday cake for Jesus with uncle Jake

talking with daddy

some down/quiet time (there wasn't much of this)

I love this smile!

he now likes to go "night night" while he's eating...he thinks it's hilarious!

Christmas Eve

After church on Christmas Eve, we decided to load everyone (dog included) and everything and head over to Oma and Opa's house.  A snowstorm was hitting us and we figured we might as well just stay the night instead of trying to drive home that night and then back the next day.  And, then we ended up staying until Sunday (:  It was fun having everyone under one roof!  The kids loved having so many people to play with them (which we loved too!) and a lot of Wii was played!  Oma cooked delicious meals...which is why we probably all decided to stay (:

checking out the presents

every once in awhile, we're able to capture a good picture of the 2 of them!

family pic

and of course, one with Oma and Opa!

Jake decided to be Santa...they weren't so sure about it

then Opa had a turn

grunting at the TV

"I didn't do it"

Sophie's letter and snacks for Santa

Santa came!

12 month checkup

Jackson had his 12 month checkup today.  Even though we were there FOREVER, the kids both did so well and Santa even stopped by (Sophie was in heaven!).  He's a growing, healthy little boy.  Since his 9 month checkup he has gained 3 pounds and grew 2 inches.  He weighs 23 lbs 9 oz (63rd %) and is 31.5 inches tall (93rd %).  This comes as no surprise looking at his dad and uncles!  He wasn't thrilled with the shots but didn't care about the finger prick.  What a trooper!

Jackson's birthday party

It's taken me so long to post about Jackson's party because I had way too many pictures to chose from. So, I gave up trying to pick and just made collages.  We had his party at a local community center as we like to celebrate first birthdays big (:  We know he won't remember it but it's fun to have people get together!  There wasn't really a "theme" but my mom, sister and I made lego cakes. It was a bit tedious and involved sending Mike on a late night cake mix run but I love how they turned out.  It's always fun for us to have people come together from different areas of our lives.  We really had a good time and I think the kids did too. They were TIRED and slept in the next day even!

p.s. if you'd like a better look at the pictures, if you click on them you should get a larger version (hopefully)

getting everything ready

cake time!

opening presents

just a FEW of the fun friends and family that joined us!

Jackson's first hair cut (trim)

While Jackson's hair has been growing in nicely, he definitely had the beginnings of a mullet.  So before his big party, my sister trimmed it up.  He did fine, except for when she sprayed water.  He did NOT like that at all.  But, we got through it with the help of his nuk & blanket, youtube videos, my cell phone and letting him chew on the water bottle.  And, now he's got a cute, trimmed up head of hair.

comforting him after the first sprays of water

he could go from this...

to this...all because of a spray bottle

but look how cut it turned out...thanks Aunt Becca!

Macy's 8th floor

Friday morning we went to see the display on the 8th floor of Macy's downtown with Kari and Addy.  Luckily we got there before the crowds...when we left, the lines were CRAZY.  As always, we love our time with Kari and Addy!

he was mesmerized by the display and grunted a lot at the elves!

these 2 were also caught staring at the displays!

one of the displays had letters that had been written to Santa everywhere...these drove Jackson nuts (they were on the floor too) as he wanted to get them!

Jackson's birthday dinner

Off to Maxwells we went for Jackson's birthday dinner, the night of his birthday.  Even though they don't have a kids menu, they luckily have a nice big bowl of macaroni and cheese that is enough for both of them to have for dinner and lunch the next day!  They love it!  We were also celebrating Oma's birthday as their birthdays are only 2 days apart (with MK in the middle!).  It was a fun night with well-behaved kids and another celebration at the greatest place!

time to eat!

Sophie with her Oma and Opa (yes, she's wearing her Christmas dress...this was the day of her preschool program and there wasn't a prayer that dress was coming off without a fight!)

because of his go-go Gadget arms his cookie bar and candle had to be as far away as possible, and yet, I'm still holding him back!

the birthday duo

this is one of his Zoolander looks

modeling his birthday shirt

is he a Verdoorn or what (notice Mike in the background staring at the tv as well!)...they are watching the Gopher volleyball team play in the Final 4

the whole crew...it keeps getting larger and larger!

having fun together before bed...I love these moments!

preschool Christmas program

And, then last Thursday was Sophie's Christmas program at her preschool.  It's hard to believe that we're already starting to go to "programs."  It was adorable though!  They sang quite a few Christmas songs and Sophie was really into it (unlike the little boy next to her who faced the back throughout most of the program).  We are so happy with her preschool.  She loves going and loves her teacher, Ms. Kelly!

class picture

adorable picture of Ava, Lauren, & Sophie (thanks to Lisa!)

singing He's Got the Whole World in His Hands...notice the little boy behind her...and of course Jackson's grunts a couple of times (: