Merry Christmas - parts 1 and 2 :)

This holiday season, we were nailed with sickness. I'll spare you all the details, but Ellie, Sam, Brian and I got a stomach bug 2 weeks before Christmas, Sammy got bronchitis 1 week before Christmas and Ellie got a nasty virus that gave her an alarmingly high fever for 5 days...oh yeah, that started the day after Christmas.

It was tough, BUT I should note that there are so many reasons we are thankful despite all of that...A) we were ALL healthy on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and were able to celebrate our Lord's birth with our family and Brian's family, B) we could have been dealing with much more serious illnesses and C) the babies stayed healthy throughout it all.

Traditional Christmas cookie baking/decorating.
This is one of my favorite activities with the kids, despite the mess! :)

Part 1

Christmas morning tradition, reading the story of Christ's birth...this year out of the children's Bible.

New beach towels (now, if only we could use them somewhere warm right now!)

 I'm guessing next year will be VERY different...the babies weren't too sure about all of the commotion. I'm sure they enjoyed their new giraffes as much as anyone would. :)

Down in Chicago for the rest of the day at Grandma and Grandpa Giere's condo...
ALL 10 grandkids on the Giere side!

Peter and Hannah hanging out, as usual. :)

Beautiful Aunt Chris and Nolan

Part 2

We were able to enjoy 2 super fun days with the Nederveld families in IL. 

We raided the little pool at the hotel they all stayed at...

good thing there wasn't anyone else swimming, b/c it got crazy!

Next day, bowling! Sam's first time was a success, although he only lasted about 5 frames. The vending machine nearby became entirely more interesting. :)

Hannah was a pro (with a little help from the bumpers!)!

Papa and Sammy

The super bowlers (Ellie was under the weather, so stayed home with Grandma)

Papa somehow scored a ton of tickets at a game and the kids enjoyed spending them on some junk, I mean, prizes. :)

It was a super fun Christmas...and super fun to relive a month later!