Christmas 2023

I think what set this Christmas apart was how much family fun we fit into a few long days! With Christmas on a Monday, we went to school right up to the final days before Christmas. That made it tough to get everything ready, and as the kids said, to get in the Christmas spirit. Mary and Annie also got sick the week before school got out, which threw everything in flux. (Though it also proved useful, since Annie is an excellent gift wrapper and with everyone else at school and work, she was very productive.) But finally, we all made it to break and jumped in with two feet!

As has become a tradition, we spent the first night of break in Kalamazoo for pizza at Bilbos, a walk through Bronson Park, coffee at Water Street, last-minute shopping at Rocket Fizz, and Hallmark movies with Aunt Pam!

Then we headed home (bringing Pam with us) for a long afternoon of baking treats. Just in the nick of time, because the next day was Christmas Eve! I am loving the Sunday Christmas Eve, with church then a Christmas party, then church again. 

Christmas Day was delightful. The kids were so happy and excited, and seemed to love giving their gifts (almost) as much as opening them. We stretched out the gift-opening to two solid hours, which is just how I like it. Then it was time for the Christmas Waffles party, which eventually blended into dinner of Swedish meatballs and homemade pasta. We got to host lots of family and friends, including a few happy surprises - later, we figured out that we'd had 20 people over throughout the day! 

The celebration continued into the next day with the Wacyk party at Erin's. It was so warm that we spent most of the time sitting outside around the campfire! The party included an informal concert with the kids and parents playing piano, flute, guitar, and ukulele. 

The next two days were filled with birthday celebrations and more houseguests! John came to town and we grilled out for Kevin's birthday and to enjoy a last visit with Genny and Jason. Our days of partying came to a close with our semiannual donut party to say goodbye :( to Dave, Laurel, and Roger, then birthday fun with DJ's friends. 

We are so grateful for these fun-filled days, but we are also delighted to have a long stretch of break still ahead of us. I have big plans for reading and reflecting on the year in my new robe and slippers.

Rainy night at Candy Cane Lane

Cookie decorating marathon ft. Ethan

Christmas Eve service

Christmas morning!

Jason and Genny taught the girls how to make pasta

Surprise cousin visits!

DJ, age 12

I don't know why, but having a 12-year-old boy in the house seems like a whole new parenting adventure! Everything's a competition. :) This year, DJ's birthday was filled with family, friends, and sports - some of the things he loves most!

This is a guy who always wants to do the right thing, and wants everyone around him to do the right thing, too. With his love for sports, we think he will make a great referee someday! He's deeply thoughtful, pretty serious (but not always!), and likes to be organized. He plays soccer, basketball, and baseball, he's learning the saxophone, and he's in the middle school math club. Though he's growing fast, some things never change - this time of year, you can most often find him watching football and playing catch in the house with whoever will throw him the ball. 

Lansing Christian Middle School is a great place for DJ to be; he's learning a ton, has had lots of opportunities to try new things, and has great friends. I am thankful every day that he's surrounded by people who know and encourage him. We can't wait to see what this next year holds as he continues in middle school!

Some favorite presents Christmas Eve

Birthday morning

DJ had a crowd to wish him happy birthday in the morning!

Rainy football with friends

What was your favorite memory from the last year?

When we went to Disney - the car ride there and back, and The Guardians of the Galaxy ride.

What is one way God's been working in your life this year?

Helping me not get injured in sports and do well in school by helping me pay attention and listen.

How do you feel about being twelve?

Good. I feel older and I can do more stuff, like say that I'm twelve.

What are you most looking forward to in the next year?

Seeing if the Lions can be in the Super Bowl and trying out my new baseball mitt.

Who are your best friends?

Wesley, Ira, Caleb, William, Otto, Eddie.

What are your strengths?

I'm a good athlete, I'm smart, I'm funny even if it's just in my head, I'm good at including people.

What careers are you considering?

Soccer/basketball/football/baseball player, a pastor, a policeman, a football referee, or a baseball announcer. 

Why are you interested in those fields?
I love sports and mom said I would make a really good ref because I always make the calls when I'm watching football. Policeman because we can always use more policemen.

What’s your favorite song or type of music?

Music by the Beatles.   

What's your favorite food?

Chicken pot pie, green bean casserole, and those really good carrots.

Current favorite movie?

Ooh, The Sandlot or Back to the Future, and Cool Runnings.   

Current book you're reading? Or should I say books?

The Last Kids on Earth, Heat by Mike Lupica, and I just finished reading Operation Do-Over. The best book I read this year was The Unteachables.

Favorite color?   

Forest green.

Favorite place to be?

Home, Taco Bell, and Comerica Park.

What are your favorite things to do? 

Play baseball, play basketball, play soccer, play football, do Legos.

Is there anything else you want us to know about you?

I'm awesome, even more awesome than Eddie, even though he claims to be more awesome.