Christmas in a Nutshell

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Despite a few hiccups in our holiday celebrations, the VanDusseldorp Family Christmas was so much fun! It took Abigail a few days to fully understand what the Christmas tree and Santa Clause were all about. Eating her daily advent candy helped her along! Elizabeth didn't need any convincing at all! In fact, I think that she was ready to celebrate Jesus' Birthday as soon as Easter had passed!

We kicked off the holiday season the day after Thanksgiving. We went to the Englewood tree lighting and froze!

There was a very large hill of snow. Abby struggled to the top but eventually made it.

Elizabeth must have climbed and slid down the hill 20 times.

In the days leading up to Christmas, there was shopping, baking, crafts, and holiday programs.

The kids at Christ Community sang Away in a Manger.

Elizabeth was invited to play Mary in her pre-K Christmas program. She says that the baby Jesus was a little too heavy for her.

The Annual White Elephant Christmas Party was a blast, as always! This year, we decided to change things up a little bit and host the party at The Celtic Tavern. We had a great private space with couches and a fireplace. It turned out to be a great party.

Dan and Julie VanDusseldorp.

Cara models her White Elephant gift.

Jeremy and Lindsay VanDusseldorp.

After our "Christmas vacation" to Grand Lake, it was time to get serious. There was shopping to finish, cookies to bake, and wrapping to be done. It was a hectic time, but the product was well worth the effort.

Grand Lake is always beautiful, but it's so quiet and peaceful in the winter time. I can't imagine a better retreat to spend time with friends and relax. (Thanks again, Dana. You and you're family are so generous.)

Christmas Eve finally rolled around. Elizabeth was about to bust with anticipation! Unfortunately, she had another episode (similar to the one she experienced over the summer) and we had to take her to the emergency room. We were in the ER for an hour and Elizabeth was discharged to go home. We were still able to read The Night Before Christmas and get to bed at a decent time.

Abby must have ran around in circles all night long! Where does she get all of her energy?

Nathan and I pose for a Christmas photo.


Christmas Eve at Great-Grandma Sandy's has always been a tradition. Elizabeth was pouting because we had to eat dinner before we could open presents.

Such a sweet face! I adore how eager and innocent the kids are. They love Santa and Jesus and Christmas. It's an innocence lost and found again when you have children!

After a great night's sleep (not for Nate and I, we were up all night worried about Elizabeth), Christmas morning finally arrived! Elizabeth woke up early and came running into our bedroom. It took us a little while to make our coffee, put the cinnamon rolls in the oven, and get the camera all set up (a painfully daunting experience for children, as I recall from my youth).

Daddy (a.k.a. Santa Clause) picked out a guitar for Elizabeth. She wants to learn and be able to sit in on Dad's banjo lessons.

The girls also received a big wooden train set.

Two is a great age at Christmas. Abby enjoyed opening gifts and sincerely enjoyed the contents of each and every package she opened. She often said, "I love it!" while hugging the gift!

Christmas day brought us to church and then to YaYa and Pops' house to visit with all of the family and to exchange more gifts.

Abigail opening gifts at YaYa's. She looks exhausted, but that didn't stop her.

Both of the girls were spoiled rotten. They were showered with gifts from YaYa and Pops, Great-Grandma and PawPaw Hebert, Aunt Sharon and Uncle Ron, and Great-Grandpa and Grandma Kavadas!

Then, it was off to the VanDusseldorp Family Christmas. The girls were in dire need of a nap, so we took them home to nap for 45 minutes before heading over to Grandpa and Grandma's house.

Caleb was also at a really fun age for Christmas. He doesn't quite understand all of the themes of Christmas, but the kid loves to tear into presents! He had a blast!

This was Jude for most of the evening. He got to sit back and watch while his parents opened his gifts for him! That's the life.

All four of the kids had a great time together. Elizabeth and Abigail loved to help their baby cousins open their gifts.

I think that Caleb and Abby are going to be great friends!

All in all, it was a great Christmas. We wish you and your family a very, very happy new year, with hopes that 2012 will bring you happiness and health.

God Bless!

Love,

The VanDusseldorp Family