christmas celebration...van wingerden style

For our Van Wingerden Christmas celebration this year, we met at Uncle Todd & Aunt Helen's house a few days before Christmas.We had a lot of fun...appetizers, desserts, presents, and each other. Here is Daddy & me...he is my favorite person in all the world!

And, Mommy & me...

Daddy & Mommy let me take a picture of them as well. I think they were surprised at how it turned out...I LOVE taking pictures. Guess I get that from my Mommy? :)

Before exchanging gifts, all of us (grandkids) went to the basement and played. During that time, Oma gave everyone a box of some childhood memories...and a few things that were Opa's. Daddy & Mommy (& everyone else) loved looking through baby books, old report cards, newspaper clippings, letters, and more. Such wonderful memories. Such a wonderful childhood. In the box was also a pack of yellow golf balls in memory of Opa (he only played with yellow golf balls...), a few other special goodies...and a Christmas tie that Opa wore. Daddy thought it would be fun to put it on and wear it all night, so here he is...with Oma...and the Opa Christmas tie that he received!

Daddy & Brady Boy

Mommy & Brady

And, 3 generation of "women" ~ Oma, Mommy, & me

Then, it was time to exchange gifts. All the uncles and aunts draw names, and Uncle Michael & Aunt Courtney drew Brady's name. So, his first gift...a puppy pillow pet. He loved it!

He loved opening up all his gifts...

...and seeing what was inside!

Along with his Tag Junior, a few books, and a dumptruck, Brady also LOVED his John Deere tractors. He was all smiles when he opened that!

Uncle Abe & Aunt Cindi drew my name. Unfortunately, they were out of town visiting Aunt Cindi's side of the family, so they couldn't join us that night. But, Oma gave me their presents for me to open...

...and I love opening presents!

They got me some crafts supplies, a table top easel, a few books, and a dollhouse to color, but my favorite thing Uncle Abe & Aunt Cindi got me was a dolphin pillow pet. I screamed very loudly when I got it. I was so excited! I sleep with it every night.

Even Lexi (Uncle Thomas & Aunt Lindsey's dog) got to join us for the fun. So, here are Aunt Lindsey, Brady, & Lexi May.

Then, Oma gave us a few gifts as well. Brady loved his smart cycle bike...and the other goodies that Oma gave him.

Brady & our cousin, Grant

I also loved my goodies from Oma, especially my cupcake kit. Oma also gave each of us a bag of "Opa stuff" as well. One of the things my bag had in it was Opa's driver's license, and I thought that was the coolest thing.

Oma also got me some jewelry...which I loved!

And, Brady's favorite thing in his "Opa bag" was Opa's Panther hat. He wore it a lot that night saying "Go Panthers."

We had a fun night together as family. We are so blessed to be able to celebrate together and give thanks to God for His greatest gift to us...His Son!

1 year ago...

1 year ago...our Opa went to Heaven. He got to meet Jesus face to face...

...and while we miss him so very much here on Earth, we know Opa is healthy and happy in Heaven with Jesus. We are so thankful for the wonderful memories we did share with him..we talk about them a lot! And, we are also so thankful for God's peace and strength, the prayers and support of others, and the love our family shares! We love you and miss you so, so much, Opa! But, we know you are with Jesus...

"The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace." ~ Psalm 29:11

a preschool Christmas...

Brady & I love going to preschool. We have so much fun! Right before Christmas break, we had our Christmas program. It worked out really nice for Daddy & Mommy...they were at the same time. We sang "Jingle Bells," ""Happy Birthday, Jesus," and " We wish you a Merry Christmas." I was an angel...singing so sweetly...

...and Brady was a king, who spent most of his time on stage waving to Daddy (pictured below) or watching me sing.

After the program, we each had a class party. Daddy went to Brady's and Mommy went to mine. Afterwards, Daddy & Brady met us at my party...and played Bingo with us.

It was fun.

We will miss being at preschool, but we are so excited to be home every day for about 2 weeks!

swimming with santa...

For our 2nd year in a row, Daddy & Mommy took us to "swim with Santa" at Ray's Splash Planet in Charlotte. (It's an indoor water park that we love!) We had so much fun. Right when I saw Santa (who I also see this same Santa at our church! :)), I climbed on his lap and hugged him. He even knew my name! I was impressed! So, here we are...Santa and me!

He even let me play with his beard while we chatted about how "good" I've been!

Then, it was Brady's turn. He really likes Santa, but from about 10 feet away. Mommy put Brady on Santa's lap, but he wasn't too thrilled. Brady didn't cry, but he didn't talk to Santa either. I think he finally warmed up to Santa by the end of the evening, but Brady sure loved him from a distance!

Brady loved swimming in the water...

...especially with Daddy!

I loved going down the big water slide.

Mommy & me...with Santa! He was swimming, too!

I also love the "toddler" area...with slides and water sprayers everywhere!

Brady loved it, too. He even went down the slide by himself...we haven't been in about 8 months, and he wasn't sliding by himself then!

So fun!

Our family went with Aunt Helen, Carter, Kaitlyn, & Stephanie. I loved having my cousins there!

Having a great time!

Stephanie didn't want to sit with Santa, so I offered to sit with her. Then, she did it. He was making us laugh a lot!

Meanwhile, Brady is still sliding...and just content to wave at Santa!

Brady also liked the fountains.

What a fun night we had...swimming with Santa.

playgroup christmas party

This past Friday, we had our annual playgroup Christmas party. We had so much fun at my Aunt Helen's house. We played, ate lunch, and exchanged gifts. Here is our annual attempt on a group picture. (The oldest pictured is 5...the youngest pictured is 18 months!) Can you find Averie and me?

Averie had fun opening her gift from her friend, Tucker...

...glow explosion and a Littlest Pet Shop cat!

I had fun opening my gift from my friend, Lillie...

...monster trucks...wahoo!!

We sure had a fun party, and we are very thankful for such a great group of friends!

just like daddy...

I love watching my Daddy...and copying everything he does. One of the things I love watching him do is shave. I call it "ho, ho, ho" since Daddy says that once he puts on all his shaving cream. One morning, I asked him, "Me do it too, Daddy"? and he said yes. So, I got all ready...bar stool, mirror...ready to shave...just like my Daddy!

I start by rubbing my hands together...and then putting it on my face...

I keep doing this until the cream is all over my face.

Still rubbing...

"Me like Daddy"

I had so much fun...and I sure love spending time with my Daddy.