Wii Good TIme

We had the Versendaal Christmas Party at Malissa and Duanes this year. Our menu was lasagna, salads with all the fixings, frozen Pina Colada fruit salad, bruchetta, and for dessert, christmas cookies and chocolate fondue. In the above picture( Terry, Chad ,Heather and Duane we were playing Wii Tennis for prizes, then Wii boxing in order to steal someones prizes. As you can guess, big Jim really got into it.

This is me holding little Derek , what else would I be doing when a cute , sweet baby is around.

Malissa, Al, Marcia, Floyd, Heather and Derek, and Esther , watching the Wii tennis players.

Avery doing what he does best, charming people. During supper he asked me when we were opening presents? I told him after we were done eating. Five minutes later he came back to me and said his mom told him it was OK for him to open the presents that were from me . Now I know Tracy better than that. I am looking forward to the book they will write someday on the Escapades of Avery.

My Dad, does the nose look familiar ? He could not find a comfortable chair, of course he doesn't sleep in his bed because that is not comfortable either.

My brother Rich and Ron. Is Rich sleeping or is he deep in thought ( since he is a night shift worker, I am betting on sleeping).My nephew Joe, he works at Phil's in Saugatuck, he said it is real busy these days. he's a fan of the right school !

Our Family Party

Later that night, we opened our presents, I got this special one from Daniel, a picture frame, and he picked out some pictures and filled it , Loved it ! And Chad got me a new , fancy crockpot, I have meatballs cooking in it right now, it's fabulous. I can throw the old one with the broken handle out .

You gotta love their picture picks !

Jim getting excited over some chocolate covered cherries. (Whoopee !)

Chad opening his presents : a blender, lawn chair, cologne,and socks.

Jeff with his favorite present a Kid Rock t-shirt. I put Dan in charge of getting a couple of presents for Jeff, that was a mistake, I would have never bought him a t-shirt with someone pointing a gun at you. He better not wear it around the little children. Next year I shop, and he gets a t-shirt of Andrea Bocelli. He also got a softball glove, a double hobo pie maker, lawn chair, and airbed for camping.

Ben with his new northface jacket, he also got some socks, a dress shirt and warmer gloves.

Dan waiting patiently for the presents to come ! Not ! He bought a used Suburu Outback and wanted money towards his car, lucky for him I already had 2 presents bought : a panini maker and an expandable fishing pole, so he had a little to open. Looking forward to the Nykerk party tomorrow !

This was Advent Sunday before Christmas and Dave and Jeff were asked to be participant's by pastor Dan along with 2 other college age people, well one was sick so Dan graciously volunteered to help . Its not a great picture but proof they were there !

Christmas 2009

Well the real reason for this blog is I could not stand looking at my nose from the previous blog any longer. This is our mantel . People still laugh and offer to buy me some real stockings which would look classier but..... I did not think I was very sentimental but I just cannot stop putting these goofy animal stockings out that the boys have had all their life. Each year they joke about which one is the best and put down the other guys. Chad is the black bear, Dan is the raccoon, Jeff is the panda ( which he will remind you is the coolest as his is reversible from panda with legs to a stocking, and Ben is the bunny.

This is our Christmas tree, this also is full of memories, my old ornaments from when I was a little girl, my favorites from the past are the carousel looking ones which have foil in the middle which rotate from the heat of the bulbs. My later favorites are , you guessed it , the homemade ones of the boys. One of the personal favorites of the boys is the one of a picture of Dan with a bowl haircut, and Jeff with a goofy smile and a large mexican hat. They have provided the most laughs.

Bandit happy, content the boys are home but also exhausted from having to share her poof with the boys friends.

Some of the shoes which collect when the boys friends come over. I could never get tired of seeing these worn out shoes. It makes me cry to know the ones missing this Christmas are Jeff Christenson's, he will never be forgotten.

Another pick of bandit.

soccer shot and Bandit

This is me after Sundays 4 pm soccer game at soccer spot. It was my worst game ever . I took a hit from one of the guys directly in my nose, my nose is swollen ( as if its not big enough as it is) and I have under the eye swelling, and my nose is bruised. Then to add insult to my injury, I took another hit at the end of the game getting a soccer ball kicked into my R jaw, so now my jaw clicks and is sore. Luckily bodies heal. No I am not ready to give up soccer yet.

See how well my glasses hide the injury, I look almost normal.

Dan dedided to do a photo shoot of Bandit for Christmas. She was not real cooperative. We did get a few pictures, my camera does not take great pictures.

Halloween 2009

This halloween , on wednesday Jenny came to town from Colon with the girls. We were able to see Macey ( cute as a mouse) and Kelsey ( cute as a bug) in their costumes. They said trick or treat and thank-you so sweet. When Bandit and Dolly heard the word treat , they hightailed it to the dog treat cupboard. Bandit did a backflip for hers ( accidentally as she was afraid she might not get hers) and Dolly waited obediently for her. Bandit could learn something from Dolly.

Saturday night Terry and Tracy came with the kids. Tracy's mom always make their costumes, she usually has a theme, this year they came as cinderella ( Bella) , prince charming (Avery), and the fairy child (Elise).

We had to take a few pictures as the fairy child really was not having it . She did like the candy though !

Then came along Malissa and Duane with Brianna. Brianna made a pretty snow white. It was facinating seeing snow white diving into the poof chair in her costume.

Bella and Brianna in a cousins picture !

Aunt Rachel just loving seeing all those darling little ones ! Come again soon !

Grandpa's 91st birthday

We went to Crazy Horse Saloon for dinner to celebrate Grandpa Nykerk's 91st BD. Here he is with Macey on his lap, he could not be prouder ! He asks alot about how Macey and Kelsey are doing. Tonight he was able to see first hand !

Dad and I

My sweet neices Brenda and Jenny !

My great nephew's Keith and Jason !

I did not get pictures of Kelsey, Jim and Jean Hoffman but they were there to celebrate too ! Sorry Carol, Jean, Scott, Katie, Rachel and Dave were not able to be there, hopefully next year. We celebrate some more tomorrow at our house so the boys will have a chance to wish grandpa happy birthday ! A happy birthday to Carol too as she also had her birthday this week !

Cruise in September

Went cruising on the Carnival Inspiration in september. Since work has been so crazy, one psych nurse quit, one is on medical leave, and with covering for vacations, work has been very busy ! I was going to take a week of in september to work on the basement but Jim found a great deal for going on a cruise for $300 . So Carol, Esther, Jean H. and I left out of Tampa to go to Grand Cayman, and Cozmel Mexico, a 5 day cruise. We had a grand time ( one of Carols favorite expressions).

We went on a trolley ride in the rain in Grand Cayman. But it did not put a damper on our fun !

The girls in the dining room !

At a resort in Cozmel, Jean and I rented a taxi and rode around the island to see the sights. They have alot of small bars in Cozmel along the ocean.

Jean getting ready for her first plunge down the slide.

She survives and no bathing suit malfunction like Carol when she zoomed down. Obviously I could not show you Carols picture .

Jean dancing with the waiter

Carol being a diva and practicing her dance moves before going to the club.

Esther and I as we waited for one of the shows to start.

Esther chilling in the casual dining area our first day.

Carol enjoying the dog towel creation by the room service staff. You can tell its her first cruise.

Yes, I did it , so did Jean H. We have our first tatoos ( and last) I decided to get a bad girl tatoo since I did feel like a bad girl for getting one !

Jean was sad to say good -bye our last night in the dining room. Had a great time ! I recommend last minute cruises to anyone, it is cheap but fun !

Country Living Fair

Sept. 18-20,2009 Carol, Jean, and I went to Columbus, Ohio to the Country Living Fair. When I told my friend Gret that I was going , she just said "You" "Really" As most of you know I am not the art and decorator type, but I had a great time. Some of the booths were not my thing but most of them I really enjoyed. I did find a few goodies, some Christmas presents and gifts for co-workers who are seeing my patients for me while I am vacationing. This first picture is actually at a restaurant we found about 1/4 mile from our hotel ( ok , close enough to walk but we still drove, had enough walking at the fair.) It is called the Columbus Fish Market- It was awesome. We worked on the manager to try to get him to open one up in Holland. Carol even smoozed a rose out of him.

They had this wonderful Carrot Cake, about 5 # of it in one piece. I just had to go off my diet and try it.

Carol and Jean at the Country Living Fair. They found a few goodies to buy themselves.

At the hotel , I was showing off my sacrifice for the coed softball team the night before. I took a softball in my ribs, thrown from one of the guys at shortstop as I was running to first base, obviously the girl at first did not catch it and it hit me instead. Some family gathering we will have to tell you the story of how Carol taught us, "How to get the most out of your hotel stay, literally "

Carol by a huge pumpkin and gourd display.

They had the fair at the Ohio Historical museum area, it was really cool. At the female seminary they taught us how to give a proper tea party.

Well sorry I have not blogged for awhile. I have been really busy with work , 10-12 hour days, and the thought of going on the computer any longer was enough to push even this psych nurse over the edge. Talk to you all again soon after my next trip tomorrow "The Cruise" In about 1 hour I am headed to Tampa to hop on the Inspiration. See you all again when I am rested. I decided not to sleep as I had to work at the office from about 6 pm-11 pm. before I head out.