The VanGessel Family: January 2009

CHRISTMAS TIME

so this is way way behind... but i wanted to put the pictures up anyway... we're gonna work our way to today. so first past post.

"Santa claus is coming HOME..." she repeated over and over as we drove to the christmas eve service at the church. Grace was so excited about this santa claus guy who was bringing her present the next day. She expected him to show up in his bright red fire truck since that's the only way she had ever seen him (in a parade) She was pretty good about not getting into mommy and daddy's closet to sneak peak the presents, but elliott found them and opened three. I'm gonna have to watch him next year. Then christmas morning the kids were so cute when they saw the presents under the tree.

Elliott in his christmas suit! BABY's First christmas

Uncle Luke helped Mike put up the Kid's swingset for christmas...

white thanksgiving

We ended up having a white thankgiving this year instead of a white christmas. It was so much fun and it was the grace and elliott's first road trip. We were able to see family in Ohio, and Indiana! We were so lucky to make it to the Pavlansky thanksgiving, AND the Vangessel thanksgiving! It was nice to see everyone, and elliott met some people for the first time. It was a great Thanksgiving!

Elliott and Mommy out in the snow!

Grace with her Godparents. Uncle Luke and Aunt Chelsea! and Isabelle the dog.

Here is our Family snowman. yeah, we didn't have a carrot so he has a football nose.

He was so happy to play in the snow.

Elliott attacking the Spaws christmas tree. Both kids love the christmas lights and ornaments! It was a great trip and we can't wait to go visit again...

cookie monster

Grace makes cookies...

first the package, well, half the package... which she had to taste...

then she rolled out the dough, or smashed it into the cutting board.. this she had to taste...

then she shaped the cookies into half moons... or are those bites? oh yeah, bites.

after the cookies were baked, she made frosting, which she had to taste... and then dumped on the cookies.

TA DA! COOKIES! M...M....MMM...

Grace's Birthday

This is late in posting, but I wanted to put some pictures up. This past november my baby girl turned two years old! I can't believe how fast it goes by. She is such a big girl, and so smart. On her birthday we had a small party and grace took getting ready very seriously. She got into my makeup and put pretties on!