A Merry Christmas, Indeed!

It is as though Christmas never happened before until this year. Kate finally grasped the concept of Christmas; lights, trees, elfs, Santa, reindeer, stockings, wish lists and finally, giving. What fun! Brad and I sat watching her with our own delight - while she tore into each and every gift with glee and happiness and then paused to say thank you and moving on to read each label carefully to understand that she was opening gifts for her AND her little sister.

Kate was blessed this year with two Christmas celebrations due to our trip to Michigan (see birthday post below). Between two birthday parties and two Christmas celebrations, it might be perceived that December was made for her personal happiness. We'll work on that next year...

MICHIGAN

HOME WITH DADDY

Happy Birthday, Kate!

Kate is 3. It's true. I know, I know,... hard to believe, but true! This last October UB asked what I would like for my birthday and I responded with, "a trip home." I knew it would be a large undertaking - now with a baby and a preschooler, but it was worth it! We traveled between Thanksgiving and Christmas, encountered numerous angels sent from above in various airports across the country who helped and smiled and gave me words of encouragement when I needed it most. We stayed for 3 weeks, and celebrated Kate's birthday with her Bylsma cousins. It was a big girl party, to include a movie at the theater and a slumber party! Good times were had by all, and Kate absolutely loved being chased around Grandma B's house by her older cousins. Thanks to everyone to attended and assisted! It was a great day and Kate had a blast. And thanks to Aunt Carlin, she now thinks she really is a princess.