Time in Holland

Kyper and I spent a whole week in Holland after Christmas.  Joel had to work the whole week and all our normal activities weren't happening.  Therefore, Kyper and I headed west to visit family.  (Joel was able to meet us there on Friday night since he had done some switching with other residents and had New Years weekend off.)

I was horrible at taking pictures, so most of the pictures are from New Years.

Since Christmas was on a Sunday, my dad's side of the family moved their Christmas party to the 26th.  We rent out the local Christian school gym.  The kids love it since they can just run and play with the gym equipment.  After that party, Kyper and I headed to Joel's mom's side of the family Christmas gathering.  We don't see his cousins, aunts, and uncles often, so it was good to see them.  (I took a few pictures due to the cuteness of the scooter train!)

The Koning Scooter Train

Tuesday, Kyper and I both got haircuts.  We then just spent most of the day at my parents.  My parents have a membership to Fredrick Meijer Gardens, so that evening they took Kyper and I, and my brother's family to see the Christmas tree display.  There was a train that entrigued Kyper for the majority of our visit.  He also enjoyed seeing the turtles and walking in the jungle.

Wednesday we relaxed at my parents for most of the day.  That evening, Leah (Joel's sister-in-law), Molly, and I threw a baby shower for Katie (Joel's other sister-in-law).  I actually took pictures at this event. ;)  Katie is due at the end of March and I am due in the beginning of May, so the cousins will be about 6 weeks apart.  (Now to convince JP and Katie to move to Detroit so they can play together. :))

Thursday, I had breakfast with some really good friends and then moved over to Joel's parents' house.  Kyper and I hung out with with Grandpa and Grandma Phillips and Uncle JP and Aunt Katie.   Kyper and I went to dinner at my Grandpa and Grandma Koning's house since it was my mom's turn to provide a meal for them.

Friday morning Katie and I had some fun sister-in-law bonding time.  We headed downtown and grabbed something to eat at Cranes and then window shopped at the fun little stores.  After Kyper's nap, Joel's parents, myself, Kyper, Katie and JP headed to Fredrick Meijer gardens again.  Kyper had fun seeing the trees, trains, and turtles once again.  We got back and had a nice dinner at the Phillips.  While waiting for Joel to drive home, Katie, JP and I went over to a friend's house.  Joel arrived in Holland at 11:30pm--he was on-call until 8 that night in Detroit.

Saturday, the Phillips girls headed downtown for Christmas massages.  Joel's mom got all the daughter-in-law's a massage for a Christmas gift.  It was wonderful.  Especially considering Kyper decided that it would be okay to wake up at 4:45am that day.  After our massages, the boys met us downtown and the Phillips siblings were off on a photo scavenger hunt that Joel's mom and dad created.  We didn't get everything on the list, but had a fun time hanging out with all 6 of us.  It actually took us an hour and a half just to do 4 items.  But, that was because we were hungry and decided to actually eat and chat at the bakery that was on the list.  After the scavenger hunt, it was time for Joel, Kyper and I to open our gifts from the Phillips and for a few of them to open the ones we gave.  (They did the rest on Christmas eve night.)  Saturday was New Year's eve, so Katie and I hit up the store and got some fun appetizer foods while the boys went hiking at the beach.  We just did a light salad for dinner and appetizers throughout the rest of the evening.  Kyper celebrated by sleeping and the rest of us got out the glow sticks and noise makers.

Snow fence jumping

The Phillips Six

Aren is set for camping with his gift from us or snow shoveling. :)

JP and Katie got Kyper a waffle maker that makes waffles in animal shapes.

Kyper and his Cooners

Our light dinner--the beginning of New Years eve.

The guys drinking their brandy from South Africa.  (It was a stocking stuffer from JP)

Leah with her wine and glow stick---ringing in the new year.

Sunday, we went to church with my parents and then headed to the Christmas Koning party.  They waited to do a big party until Joel could be there.  My mom had made some good food and punch and we just had a good afternoon with my family.  Kyper loved playing with all his cousins.

My brother Dave and niece Peyton

Mariah and Joy

Christmas gift opening or chaos?!  Fun either way.

"does your shoulder hurt mama?"

Kyper is making sure Grandpa Herk has a strong heart beat.

Joel didn't have to work until Monday at midnight--it was his first ER shift.  He is on ER this month and actually has a pretty nice schedule.  Not too many nights and has his Friday's off.  Next month will be a bit crazier since he is on Internal Med again.  He likes the rotation enough, but there are a lot of social issues with the patients and it is long hours (that is the part that is tough on me).  We are just grateful that he is doing it in Feb--the shortest month of the year (although this year it is only shorter by one day since it is the leap year)!