Sytsma Family Christmas

Christmas with the Sytsma's was so FUN. With 10 little ones under the age of 6 there's always a bit of craziness.... but it's so fun. We're thrilled to share that Rob & Lisa will add to the numbers with their 3rd baby a GIRL!! WooHoo. With Santa's visit, a fun family game (with a little friendly competition - okay a lot sometimes not so friendly.....), kids to the movies, boys afternoon out, girls night out..... all that in 3 days, plus a lot of LOVE, FOOD and FELLOWSHIP. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful family. We praise God for the gift of family, and at this time of year for the gift of His son - the baby born in a manger that first Christmas in Bethlehem. Merry Christmas to all.

Christmas with the Hills

On Sunday we celebrated with the Hill's Uncle James is always a big hit. The boys run around like crazy men just itching to get Uncle James going..... Of course Julianna already loves her Uncle James too - he kinda looks like Daddy! I missed taking a picture but on Christmas day we had dinner with Aunt Mary and Uncle Bernie and the gang... the Houwers, the Boonstras, the Tigelaars, the Slumps, Beppe and Grandpa, the Hemricas and us, well over 40 in total. BUSY, but so fun. It's always great to see all the extended family and to re-connect. Sometimes it's the full 2 years between seeing eachother!


Juliaan making eyes at Uncle James

Mason "cuddling" with Daddy.....

Faster, Uncle James, Faster

Saturday December 22, 2007

We decided we would like to open our family presents with the kids BEFORE the true busyness of the season began. The boys were sooo excited, for their presents for Julianna's presents, for every thing. I was excited too!! It is so fun to watch their eyes light up with excitement! I love it. Darren surprised me with an exciting present too this year - a cell phone.... wow we live in the 'dark' ages with no cell phone. Well this past year I was stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire, 8 months pregnant and NO PHONE.... I think all my complaining sent Darren directly to Bell!!! We had a great night together and look forward to all the coming days of family, food, and fun!


Mason & Mommy made a Gingerbread house.


Reuben was very interested in Mason's goods too!!

Even Julianna got into the whole gift opening fun!!

Snowy Sunday

Today certainly was a Beautiful Snowy Sunday, we had a complete SNOW day, church was even Cancelled this morning.... wow that never happens. So we all slept in Mommy & Daddy's bed until 5 in a bed was too much for Mommy!! Reuben & Mason helped Mommy shovel the driveway and then we played in the fort until lunch time!! We also had a birthday party to go to today, Alex is 3 too!! Wow, it's hard for me to believe that Mason and Alex are already 3.... time flies. Now all the kiddies are warm and cozy in their beds and I'm looking forward to getting into my bed too, altough I still have a few Christmas Cards to finish up. Who ever thought of MAKING cards...

I decided that it might be fun for my kids to have a journal of the everyday things in life. It's always fun to look back and remember things that if they aren't written down might be lost forever. I've tried starting books for the kids, but I don't find the time to sit down and write in them individually. Typing is quicker and it can be a combined effort. I look forward to recording the activities of family life and looking back on things with the kids as they grow up. To Reuben, Mason, and Julianna - Mommy and Daddy love you and hope you enjoy this record of the memories we are making in our every day life. With Love, Mommy