Christmas with the Van Essens

Fay bought the grandkids coordinating outfits for Christmas...so before they could open anymore of their gifts - they had to get their picture taken. Look at all those GRANDKIDS! 13 of them standing so nicely!



This is more often what it looks like with 13....


We took the opportunity to snap some family photos too.

Rachel and Matt with kids Isaac, Levi and Hannah


Rebecca and Joel with kids Jaclyn, Samantha, Noah, and Courtney

Ruth and Tom with baby Lydia

And I couldn't resist to post a better picture of Ruth and Tom with their lovely coordinating Christmas sweaters!

And sweet Lydia in her adorable Christmas dress with her mommy.

...now that the photos have been taken....lets open some more gifts!

The Christmas Story

It has always been a family tradition for Grandpa VE to read the story of Jesus' birth from the Bible at Christmas. When the kids (ours and all their cousins) were small - they each got a character from a nativity set and as that character was mentioned in the story they had to add it to the nativity. Well a few years ago (since the kids were getting a bit older) aunt Rachel put together some costumes for the cousins to act out the Christmas story. Now, when we get together for Christmas - it has become a tradition for the kids to dress up and act out the story - while Grandpa reads from the Bible. Sometimes, if the kids have memorized a section of the story - they may also recite it during their part.

Taken from Luke 2:1-20
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world....and everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this ting that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Taken from Matthew 2:1-12
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all of Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: "But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least amoung the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who wil be the shepherd of my people Israel." Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said "God and make careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herold, they returned to their country by another route.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from us to you!!!

Candy Cane

Shaylee was looking festive for school for Christmas....dressed up sort of like a candy cane!

Gingerbread House

Shaylee got to make a Gingerbread House (actually a Graham cracker house) at school. She could invite one person to come and help. Shaylee chose Miss Fay to join her. They had a great time and made a really cute house....of which was pretty much eaten the same afternoon after she brought it home from school! Kids just can't resist candy!

Thanksgiving at the Cabin - Meeting Baby Lydia!

Jeremy's sister Ruth and her husband Tom were blessed with their first baby - a girl - Lydia Jane Clark on October 24. We were all very excited to meet her at Thanksgiving. She was just 4 weeks old and oh so sweet!

Silas with his new baby cousin....She has long arms and legs (just like her dad)!


Lydia was all snuggled up and sleeping for cousin Sydney.

However, Lydia was a bit fussy when Shaylee wanted to hold her...so she tried a few positions to see what would make her happy...looks like the pacifier will do the trick.


Lydia was again very content and wide awake while with Uncle Jeremy....

I'm sure Jer is smiling due to some comment about him and changing diapers.....

Lydia is beautiful and we loved getting to spend time with her and Ruth and Tom over Thanksgiving. Can't wait to see her (and her parents of course) at Christmas too!

Thanksgiving at the Cabin - Cracking Walnuts!

We celebrated Thanksgiving at the cabin with two of Jeremy's sisters and their families. We carried on the tradition of cracking walnuts. Many memories over the years have been made at grandma greats house cracking walnuts....by adults and children alike. The kids had a great time hammering away with their cousins. Jer had to keep an eye on Shelby - she really likes the hammer!

That's better...a plastic one....but I'm sure you can imagine that she wanted the real one back.

Shane, Sydney and cousins Isaac and Levi.

Silas working diligently...watch your fingers!

Shaylee is holding up one that looks like a heart...I love you too sweetie!

Busy working.

We even saved some of the walnuts so we could do it again at Christmas....get ready Bec and Joel and kids....we've got some fun times a comming! Oh I love making memories!

Snow!

A few weeks ago we had our first dusting of snow...and it really was just a light dusting, a few flurries. But it was enough to get the kids super excited. So excited that we had to go down to the basement and dig out all the snow gear. They bundled up in boots and snowpants and hats, gloves, scarves, and anything else that would keep them warm and out they went. They had a great time - but unfortunately I didn't take any pictures that day. Soooo when it snowed on Saturday afternoon - I pulled out the camera and got some photos of the kids enjoying the snow. We got a bit more than the first time...but I'd still consider this a dusting and not any significant accumulation...but it was enough for them to enjoy.

Riding bike in the snow is great - a bit slippery and you can leave tracks! But most of all because big brother is doing it too!

Shelby LOVES, LOVES, LOVES to be outside - no matter how chilly it might be - she wants to be out there with the rest of them.

She spotted on of our cats by the barn and off she went...then she saw the cows through the fence...she tried to get up for a better view.

Shaylee got out a sled. Shane was going to try and figure out a way to pull her behind his bike...but I don't think it worked out too well. I'm pretty sure that soon enough we'll have plenty more snow - and then we'll pull out the 4-wheelers or the snowmobiles and do some real sledding!

Sydney did go out for awhile too - but wasn't around when I was taking photos....just in case you were wondering where she was.

Cuddle Time

Shelby having cuddle time with her dolly....isn't that sweet!

Little Pipsqueak

I think it is about time for an update on our little pipsqueak, Shelby. She is 18 months old - and just full of surprises! She definately keeps us on our toes - and keeps us smiling too!

She found this hat the other day - put it on - and away she went...she is such a hoot!

Last week I had her in for her checkup. She is such a little pipsqueak at only 18 pounds 9 ounces. Which is like .2 percentile!! She's always been small - fortunately she is still growing, just doing it on her own curve at her own rate. She is definately little miss pipsqueak!

Some of her antics include climbing in cupboards, standing on her toy car or on her rocking chair (yes, I know, real safe)! And thanks to her brother - she also thinks jumping off furniture is fun....um NOT!

Here she is with big sister Syd - if you saw in Syd's birthday post - Shelby looks a lot like Syd did when she was little!

Shelby also likes to play with her baby dolls - she carries them around, hugs and rocks them, and lays down on the floor with them and a blanket. It is so sweet to see.

She loves to play with the i-touch or the remote control for the TV. She thinks she is "big stuff" when she has either one in her hand (as she knows she NOT suppose to have them). Fortunately she is also content to play with an old cell phone we have...she walks around with it making all her important calls! She doesn't have many words. Basically "Hi Da" is heard most from her mouth. She does babble a lot - and I'm sure before long she'll be talking our ears off! She understands all commands and responds to most anything you ask her to do...except for when you tell her "NO" - then she simply smiles and turns away...I'm sure she is thinking "ha, I'm not about to listen to you tell me no...lets see what I can get away with!"

She isn't the best sleeper at night yet. Just ask Uncle Tom and Aunt Ruth about that when they stayed with us at Thanksgiving. Baby cousin Lydia (4 weeks old) sleeps better than Shelby! I must admit that as I write this - she has been sleeping through the night again for the past week....but I'm honestly not sure how long it will last. It seems as if she starts cutting teeth (which she has done on and off and on and off again for months) - her sleeping gets all messed up. And honestly I'm such a softy that it's easier for me to just get up with her than listen to her try and cry it out! She's my youngest and a little cuddle-bug...so I spoil her!

She is a pretty good eater - can feed herself. She can drink out of a cup by herself, but after a few sips prefers to blow bubbles...so mostly she still uses a sippy cup. Often when she's done eating she will try and climb out of her highchair. Always need to keep an eye on this one!

All in all she continues to be a joy! We love you little miss pipsqueak!

Happy Thanksgiving

Count Your Blessings

Words: Johnson Oatman, Jr., in Songs or Young People, by Edwin Excell (Chicago, IL:1897).

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

Refrain

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Refrain

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

Refrain

*******************************

We sang this song in church during Thanksgiving. I remember singing it as a kid - but never really listening or thinking about the words in the verses. How powerful they are to my life today! I also recently read the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp (www.onethousandgifts.com). I've started listing gifts and blessings that God has lavished on me. Counting my many blesssings - naming them one by one. What was true to Johnson Oatman, Jr back in the 1800's is still true for me (and you)today. GIVE THANKS! And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Quite the Tumble

I'm finally getting around to posting these pictures - but about 3 weeks ago Silas took quite the tumble. Shane and Silas were making ramps with some boards and riding their bikes over them (real smart I know...I found this all out after the incident). Apparently somehow Silas got launched and flew headfirst over his bike handles and landed on his face (mostly his mouth). He came in with blood everywhere...and I mean everywhere. He was really shook up. After cleaning up the wound and inspecting his mouth (all teeth still intact) he settled down...and no trip to the ER was necessary - phew! Basically he had a big fat lip for a few days...luckily some ice helped and he amazingly healed up pretty quickly. Although he looked quite rough for those few days. He also stated he was NEVER riding his bike again....

Now a few weeks later - his front right tooth is turning gray! He must of knocked it loose and it is dying. Unfortunately there is nothing we can do about it. I guess we'll just have to live with a gray tooth until it falls out...at least he still has all his teeth until then :) Boys will be boys! And just so you know, he has already got back on his bike again....just no ramp jumping!

Nine is Fine!

Nine years ago today I gave birth to my second child, but my first daughter. A little bundle of joy we named Sydney Lynn. Nine years - can it be?? I say this every year - but it is so true - time is flying by....I hardly remember being a mother of just 2 little ones....but at that time it changed my world....(all for the better).

Nine years ago our world of blue, with trucks and balls changed to pink, with dolls and dresses!

We had a precious baby girl with blue eyes, and chubby cheeks.

Sydney at one...with little hair, but a piggy tail that stuck straight up, eating up her yummy cake. Quickly growing up - at two and oh so cute.
Time is flying by.....at six with a cake she designed herself.Then seven, longer hair and loosing teeth.

And today - NINE YEARS OLD. Sydney you are so precious to us. You are a beautiful young girl and we love watching you grow. You are getting so tall and I can hardly believe my eyes. You are a wonderful daughter, and we love you more than you can ever imagine. Happy Birthday Sweetheart - we hope and pray you have a fine year, being nine!