Family Project

Our toy population seemed to double in the month of December. :) Things got a little crazy around here. We have one big room downstairs that has our couches, TV, kitchen table, computer, and all the girls' toys. It's a multi-functioning room and sometimes it drives me crazy. I am definitely excited to head back to a house with a playroom. Anyhow, after much debate we decided to purchase a toy organizer (bookshelf with baskets) from Ikea. We were going to hold off for a few more months thinking it might be cheaper in the U.S. Everything seems to be more expensive in Europe. But we did some research online and realized that it was actually cheaper to purchase the furniture here. Go figure! So, if we were die-hard Ikea fans we'd have to stock up before heading home. But I don't think we are, but a toy organizer from Ikea is the way to go. If it gets banged up, scratched, and whatever else no one's going to get upset.

Anyhow, so last Saturday afternoon we had a fun family project of putting the toy organizer together. Let me just say that I'm glad the movers get to take apart and put everything back together in a few months... But we did have fun having a family project and Rachel loved every minute of it. Audrey got tired of being stuck in her high chair, so she soon joined the fun as well. Here are some pictures of the fun we had:

And of course, the finished product! I love it and wish we had purchased this two years ago. What were we thinking??? I guess we weren't...

All Seasons

We try to celebrate and enjoy any season, whatever time of the year it is:

Home Leave - Part II

The second part of our home leave was spent in Texas. Andy was there a little over a week and the girls and I enjoyed 3 weeks. We were definitely spoiled while we were there and enjoyed the time we were able to spend with family. Paul, Cristy, Aaron, and Ashlyn drove down from Indiana to spend Christmas and New Years with us. It was so much fun to have all of the cousins together for Christmas - who knows if that will ever happen again as the family keeps on growing and spreading out. Here are a few of the highlights of Texas:

First thing first, a birthday celebration for Audrey. Rachel enjoyed helping me frost and decorate cupcakes. I think she enjoyed the leftover frosting the most! :)

Christmas morning 2009:

I think everyone got what they wanted, plus some. We are excited to hang the map up that my mom put together and put pushpins in on all the locations we've been while living in Europe. I got some much needed snow boots that are getting used and enjoyed! And the girls were spoiled with lots of fun new toys that we even managed to all get back to Holland. :)

In Texas we finally took the time to take pictures of the girls in their Christmas dresses. It worked out quite well this year. They were able to wear their dresses the whole month of December and each week it was at a different ward! The cousins definitely had a good time together. It was so much fun watching Ashlyn and Rachel play together. In March they didn't interact much, but this time they had a ball together! Best buds:
One thing that all of the grandchildren look forward to are tractor rides, even if it's freezing cold outside. :) Twice Rachel fell asleep on the tractor rides. Papa had lined the trailer with blankets and she just made herself at home!

Bonding time with Aunt Cristy watching Persuasion: One cold sunny day we attempted to take some pictures of the cousins all together. We thought it was really fun this year how they were 1, 2, 3, and 4 years old. We tried and tried, but unfortunately never came out with that "one perfect one". Maybe next time we're together... Here's a cute one of just our girls that Cristy caught on her camera:
I just love the next two of Aaron and Rachel. You can tell they were having fun. They won the award of being the most cooperative. Ashlyn and Audrey weren't so cooperative...

We had fun one afternoon making a Michaelson classic - chocolate crinkle cookies. The kids loved rolling them in powdered sugar!

Grandma Michaelson made everyone matching Christmas hooded towels. Thanks Grandma - the kids loved them! :)

Audrey enjoyed her first ice cream cone while in Texas. Although, she really enjoyed decorating the high chair tray more than she enjoyed the cold ice cream.

Audrey became quite the fan of Oreo cookies - basically the yummy white stuff in the middle. I thought for sure we'd be able to get her to drink some cow's milk with an Oreo - no such luck! :)

Audrey loved exploring a different house, here she is underneath the kitchen table:
In a basket:
In the toy box:
And just a cute picture:

Rachel and Audrey both enjoyed some mischief when they found in a cupboard some of that stuff that you put under rugs so they don't slip and slide. Sorry, don't know the name of it... Anyhow, the girls had fun playing around with this red stuff:

Our last Sunday there we got some pictures in front of the tree. Papa with his girls:

And then all the girls together:

We definitely enjoyed our time in Texas. It's always fun to go and visit family. I'm glad the girls and I had the opportunity to stay a bit longer. We were spoiled and enjoyed every minute of it! In case you're wondering the girls were absolute gems on the 9 1/2 hour plane ride back home. I was a bit nervous, but all went well with just the girls and I. And as we were struggling through the jet lag as we returned home, I just kept on reminding myself only one more time of dealing with jet lag and little ones... only one more time... :)

New Year's Day Dutch-Style

While Audrey, Rachel, and I were sleeping away in Texas; Andy went with some friends to take a dip in the North Sea today. He actually flew back to Holland on New Year's Eve. Once he landed, he dropped his suitcases off at home and headed out to join his friends. The crazy things you'll do when you're suffering from jet lag! Here's some pictures of his adventure...

Bundled up before the dive (it's pretty cold!):

The mass of crazy people:
Giving each other pep talks:
There are no pictures to be had of after the dive. I guess they were all a bit too cold to want to pose for pictures. After a very long flight and a very cold dip in the sea, Andy enjoyed a nice afternoon nap on New Year's Day...