Drew walking behind his Mikey Mouse car

Kyle & Sasha bought this for Drew- He loved it! Enjoy the video!

Beppe says he will be walking by next week.

Happy Birthday to Drew- 1 year old on Christmas Eve

We enjoyed Drew's 1st birthday with a Sesame Street theme! We praise God for all His gifts- but especially today- this blessing! What a different feeling this year compared to 2007. Cookie Monster & Elmo wishing Drew a Happy Birthday with big smiles!

Wow- I like this- it even plays music to dance by.

Yummy frosting!

This number one tastes great! (oops that is wax)

Drew with Grandpa- ready for a late nap!

Farm in December

Just thought I would show everyone that I made it outside to take pictures. Though I didn't put out the ones of me sledding down the hill!! I'm surprised that Susie hasn't put that story on the family blog!!  Love you all!! Anne

Lots more pictures of Iowa and Family x-mas!!

                                             How I kept warm in Iowa!!

Some of the deer I saw running through the field!!
                   Susie , Mem, Caroline.
 Hannah and Jessa!!!
       Rianne, Brandon, Becky wearing Pake's hats!!

More Christmas pics

Thought I would add a few more pictures- what a great day- and yes, thanks Susie for organizing it all so well- the food was great, the decorations beautiful, and Bunko a great game for all ages! It was good to see little Susie and her family as well- I for one missed Heit- but I know he was watching. -Arlys

Bunko Anyone?

Thought I would post the video from our Christmas get together of our intense game of Bunko. Click here for the complete rules. =0) <----Anne this is a Smile face.

(At the end Joshua cracks me up)

--Alyssa

Baby it's cold outside....goodness sakes, it's ridiculous! Oh well, it is good for conversation and we can be thankful that we don't have to live out there. We all have warm homes and warm beds.

Veenstra Christmas was fun. Everyone enjoyed playing Bun co and the kids with their gifts is always a highlight. I don't know who is more fun to watch - the giver or the receiver. We all had plenty to eat - thanks, Susie for organizing the whole event.

Rosa

Chicken Has Landed in Freezer!

That is code for Anne has made it to Iowa.  She can tell you the whole flight delayed story, but her plane was suppose to get in Sunday at 4:10 p.m.  and we picked her up at 10:05 p.m. John and I left before we knew that Anne wouldn't make it at the original time.  I don't think I have ever spent that much time alone with John.  Poor guy didn't know what he was getting into until it was too late.  We had a fun passing time while waiting for Anne's plane to come in.  Doyle called at 10:15 p.m. and asked if the "Eagle has Landed"....The more fitting code is....  The "Chicken has Landed in the Freezer."   With the winter snow storm predicted for Monday night into Tuesday, we might have to change it to "Chicken has Landed in DEEP Freezer!"  --Susie

Hey, next week is "Christmas" - We always love the Veenstra celebration. I will try to get some puffed pillows made and I hope Caroline brings her party mix.

We had a big party at the store last night. It was our first annual "Midnight Gladness" Sale. We stayed open until midnight. We had a live nativity, carolers, wassail. We gave away a MP3 player, a Guitar Praise, and a laptop computer. It was fun - Rianne came to help. We are looking forward to making it a tradition.

We will see you all next week! Bernie and Rosa

Thanksgiving week

Mom came home from the hospital today. Please pray that she regains strength quickly.

I am looking forward to seeing most of you this week. Thanksgiving is truely about family and relationships. You are all a blessing.

Does Brad and Alyssa have news yet about where they are going? Hopefully not too far....

Our sympathies to the Cathy's family - May God give comfort.

We love you all! Bernie & Rosa

"State fair" and more

We had a great time with the Beltman's this weekend, (though our thoughts were definitely in Pella with Mem/Beppe and we wished she could have been here). The time just flew by...Susie, Hannah, Emily and I went to hear Katelyn sing early Saturday morning for her solo/ensemble competition for school. Doyle and Anson went to "iron men" study at church and the three amigos (Jonathan, Justin and Joshua) stayed home....oh ya, Rachelle was still home too...sleeping. At 11:00 the guys, minus Joshua, went to Justin's basketball game. We had a less eventful but fun afternoon visiting, playing cards. Laura Slings (a freind from Des Moines who now live in Minnesota) joined us for supper and the musical...... Sunday included church and a potluck. Then it was time for the Beltman's to leave :0( Thanks for coming guys:0)!
This Thursday we hope to head to NW Iowa and visit Dordt on Friday with Rachelle. In a couple of weeks we'll hit Calvin and Wheaton too. Hopefully we'll hit Trinity another time and maybe Northwestern in the twin cities.
We look forward to seeing some of you on Thanksgiving.....Love, Sylvia
PS-I tried to upload a video but it failed for some reason so maybe I'll try again later.

We are back

We are back ----- We only wish we could come back uneventfully. We had a very relaxing time, we watched lots of movies, lots of reading, got our homework done, lots of eating, a little shopping, and more sleep than we have had in too long. Thanks for all your well-wishing.

Also, Bernie's bday party was a ton of fun. It was so fun to be surrounded by so many family and friends.

We just came from seeing Mem. She was doing pretty good - enough morphine and all is well - I am glad she is good hands.

Bernie and Rosa

Drew- Punk Rocker!

If you read Alyssa's blog you saw a few pics of Drew- We were so glad they came- what a busy night for them- of course we showed him off to some of the neighbors as well. He was also trying to get hold of Bentley! He looks cute in anything- even spiked red hair! -Arlys

More Bernie 50th Ugly Sweater Pictures!

Becky & Rianne

Brad & Drew

John won 2nd place-great choice Susie.- Of course the Dr Suess hat topped it off perfectly!

Silly girls!

Sasha, Kyle & Bernie!

Rosa with her carousel sweater!

Alyssa, Brad & Drew in their ugly sweaters-

Doyle, Susie, Wes & Hannah in their ugly sweaters-

Actually, I think I have seen Doyle in one similar to this a few years back!

Beppe & Drew bond for a short time!

We had a great time at the party- lots of good food & great laughs at all the sweaters & the wonderful stories! Thanks for inviting us to your celebration! Hope your trip is going great Bernie & Rosa-

-Wes & Arlys

As you can see, fun was had by all at the Ugly Sweater party! Hopefully there are some more pictures out there to see! Thanks to all who came! Happy 50th, Dad! :)
Love,
Becky

Veenstra's Thanksgiving

 I love the holidays and family gatherings! It is great to get big doses of family this time of year.  Throw in the food and fellowship and you have a perfect setting for me.  Anyway, I thought I would get out what is happening at the Veenstra's for those who can make it.  This is what I know and below is what I would like each  "family" to bring:  

When: Thursday, November 27, 2008
Where: Mem’s house
Time: 5:00 p.m.

Who: (28 count so far)
Mem
Wes, Arlys, Alyssa, Brad, Drew, Kyle, Sasha
Bernie, Rosa, Becky, Tim, Jesse, Rianne, Brandon
Anson, Sylvia, Rachelle, Emily, Katelyn, Justin
John, Cathy, Travis & Jennifer
Doyle, Susie, Jonathan, Hannah, & Joshua

Supper:

Soup: Chicken Noodle Soup (Cathy), Chili (Susie), Taco Chicken (Arlys), Pea (Rosa)
Nice Bread: Sylvia
Crackers: Sylvia
Salad: Lettuce with Winter Fruit & Lemon Poppyseed Dressing (Susie)

              Strawberry Fluff (Cathy)
Dessert: Peppermint Ice Cream Dessert (Arlys), Pumpkin Pie (mom),
                 Punch Bowl Dessert (Rosa)

Thanks, Susie

State Fair

Rachelle is one of the main character's in the all school musical this year, State Fair! She plays the role of a singer at the Iowa State Fair. We(Me and Justin) had fun heading over to the High School to watch one of the cast's dress rehearsals. The performance was very good, and it was even better on Friday and Saturday! They will be performing again this weekend(November 13,15, and 16). I'm sure that all of you down in Iowa would enjoy coming to see a play based on your own state fair, or to see Rachelle! Below are some more great pictures of the past performances!

Yes, Rachelle is the one in the brown dress, and No her hair is not really that short!

"I owe Ioway more than anyone could pay! So I think I'll move to California(CalifornIA)!"

"Emily Arden and the Fairtones"
Rachelle with "Wayne" her love interest for the play.

After the play, Rachelle and Emily

Me with Rachelle
This play was fun to watch, and I look forward to watching it again!