Keizers Konnection: 2008

We had a beautiful Christmas with my family this year. Last year we spent Christmas in Holland with Ben's family and this year we spent Liam's first Christmas at "home" in Indiana.

Christmas Eve was spent at Grandma and Grandpa McCollum's. It was a wonderful evening! My cousin, Leah, and her baby girl, Olivia, were also there to celebrate Olivia's first Christmas. I'm so glad that we have been able to experience being new moms together this year. Olivia is only 3 months older than Liam so I'm sure we'll have many stories to share (and compare!) for years to come. We're enjoying our little blessings every day and thank God for allowing us to care for them. They were by far our best gifts this year!

We spent Christmas day at Grandma and Grandpa Green's. It was a quieter Christmas day than usual this year since all the cousins got together the weekend before Christmas. Unfortunately, we weren't able to make it since our little guy was sick. Christmas day was quiet but we had a great time visiting and playing games with my parents, cousin Cindy, Aunt Judies (yes, I have two!) and Uncle Larry. Liam really enjoyed going to visit my Grandma in the nursing home as well.

We headed to Chicago the day after Christmas to visit Matt, Jessica, Jack and Erin and of course to meet the newest addition to the McCollum family, Case Thomas!

Stay tuned. :o)

This post is WAY overdue but I figure it's better late than never.

We had a GREAT time in Holland with all of Ben's family!! (We've been back for 3 weeks now.) Everyone was happy to see/meet Liam and get their hands on the little guy.

We arrived in Amsterdam early on Friday morning. Our first stop was to visit Ben's sister, Edith, in Apeldoorn. Liam was exhausted from the long flight and slept during most of our visit. It was a short visit but we were so glad we got to see her. Here is a pic of Liam sleeping (of course!) in the sweater that Tante Edith made especially for him. So cute on him!

We spent both weekends with Gert-Jan, Marian, Bas and Mart at their home in Almelo. They were so kind to let us stay with them. Marian is a baby lover and was as happy to meet Liam as he was for her to hold him.

On Saturday we went to the center of Almelo because we heard that Sinterklaas and the Black Piets would be arriving. It's a Dutch tradition and I love it! :) It was Liam's first experience and who better to introduce him to Sinterklaas than his big brother, Dex.

On Saturday evening we saw Ben's close friends, Anthony, Edwin, Koen, and Ronnie and their wives and children. It was great seeing all of them and catching up. It's always a good time with them! Two babies (Livia and Liam) were born since we all got together last time and there is another one on the way!! Can't wait to meet Edwin and Esther's newest addition!

On Sunday we went to a Ootmarsum to walk and shop a bit. We got a late start so didn't get to see as much as we had hoped. We did get to go thru the Ton Schulten gallery and pick out our favorite pieces. :) Afterward, we went for dinner at a little restaurant where we enjoyed pannekoeken (pancakes!) as big as our plates. :)

Later that evening we headed to Gerard and Judith. We were glad we got to see Rachel and Laura while we were there too. Oom Gerard and Tante Judith met Liam when he was only 4 days old but he had changed a lot since they saw him last.

On Tuesday afternoon, Liam and I set out to Tante Astrid, Oom Dick, Inge and Lisette. It took a little longer than expected to get there but we finally made it! :)

Astrid, Lisette, Liam and I took the train (Liam's first time) to see the Ark van Noach (Noah's Ark) on Wednesday afternoon. We found out it was in Amsterdam and decided we would go see it. I'm so glad we went, it was quite something! This replica is half the size of the original (only so it can fit under the bridges in Holland.) The man who built this is currently building one which will be the actual size and hopes to complete it by 2012.

On Thursday the "sisters" went shopping in Batavia Stad. I was searching for boots but didn't have any luck. I did, however, very much enjoy some tiramisu and a cappuccino at an Italian restaurant. Yum!

We left Almere on Friday morning and made our way back to Almelo. We went to dinner with the Stromberg family on Saturday evening. The boys loved it! Unfortunately, Liam had a little "accident" while we were at the restaurant and I hadn't packed any extra clothes for him so this is how he enjoyed the rest of the evening. Didn't seem to bother him one bit!