We're here!
We arrived at about 8:40 am. What an early flight!! The kids were soooo good! We went to my parent's house and had a nice nap, so that made up for the early-ness. My brother Kevin came with my mom to pick us up at the airport, and no we did not bring him a monkey. (Don't ask.) Later on that day, my sister came over and I got to meet my new niece, Kylie for the first time! She's 8 weeks old and so tiny, she made my tot look ginormous! The kids had fun playing with cousins and uncles (which we are not in short supply of) and just lovin' playing with the fam.
This is a snowflake ornament that my grandma made for my mom. This is a big part of my Christmas memories. I remember when my mom opened them for the first time one Christmas morning many years ago. They were so special to her and still are. They were always the last ones up on the tree. We (probably only me) would watch in awe as she pulled them out of the box one by one and gently hung them on the boughs. They aren't sparkly anymore but they are still beautiful and full of happiness and love.
My Hunter boy with his new cousin, Kylie.
Ashley and Corrine.
Sweet Kylie babe.
Sinterklaas came to Omee and Opa's house because he knew that we would be visiting here! Sinterklaas is the Dutch version of Santa. He rides a white horse and arrives in Holland from Spain by boat in November. He has an elf or helper named Zwarte Piet. According to Dutch legend (my dad) a piet is someone who is a helper, so his name is Black Helper or Black Pete. Zwarte Piet is black because he works in the coal mines in Spain, and also because of the many travels down the chimneys. The legend goes something like this: On December 5th everyone puts their shoes out by either their fireplace or front door. Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet come and leave treats in the shoes. A traditional treat is a chocolate letter, the first letter of the child's name. If the children have been naughty, Zwarte Piet leaves a bundle of sticks or a small bag of salt. If the children are really naughty, it is said that he takes the children with him back to Spain in his bag to work in the coal mines for a year. We were never naughty enough for this. The thought of working in a coal mine for a year scared the crap out of us!
Hunter in the snow. I love this picture! The pine tree is everything I imagine snow to be like.
Corrine preparing to chuck a snowball in Hunter's general direction.
This is a snowflake ornament that my grandma made for my mom. This is a big part of my Christmas memories. I remember when my mom opened them for the first time one Christmas morning many years ago. They were so special to her and still are. They were always the last ones up on the tree. We (probably only me) would watch in awe as she pulled them out of the box one by one and gently hung them on the boughs. They aren't sparkly anymore but they are still beautiful and full of happiness and love. My Hunter boy with his new cousin, Kylie. Ashley and Corrine. Sweet Kylie babe. Sinterklaas came to Omee and Opa's house because he knew that we would be visiting here! Sinterklaas is the Dutch version of Santa. He rides a white horse and arrives in Holland from Spain by boat in November. He has an elf or helper named Zwarte Piet. According to Dutch legend (my dad) a piet is someone who is a helper, so his name is Black Helper or Black Pete. Zwarte Piet is black because he works in the coal mines in Spain, and also because of the many travels down the chimneys. The legend goes something like this: On December 5th everyone puts their shoes out by either their fireplace or front door. Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet come and leave treats in the shoes. A traditional treat is a chocolate letter, the first letter of the child's name. If the children have been naughty, Zwarte Piet leaves a bundle of sticks or a small bag of salt. If the children are really naughty, it is said that he takes the children with him back to Spain in his bag to work in the coal mines for a year. We were never naughty enough for this. The thought of working in a coal mine for a year scared the crap out of us! Hunter in the snow. I love this picture! The pine tree is everything I imagine snow to be like. Corrine preparing to chuck a snowball in Hunter's general direction.
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P.S. Your blog isn't stupid