Christmas Begins

Today was the first of our family Christmas celebrations. And, as always, our first Christmas was with our immediate Vreugdenhil family - Curt's parents, his two brothers and their wives, and the four nephews. We're really lucky when it comes to Christmas celebrations; most couples who grow up in different towns have to take turns between families each year, but we don't have to worry about that. The Vreugdenhil's have always celebrated Christmas early, even before the three daughter-in-laws came around.

This year we started things off a little different - we got together at a local bowling alley, and spent an hour bowling, before gathering at Dave and Sarah's place for dinner. I have to admit, at first, I was skeptical about bowling - it just didn't seem very 'Christmas-y', it was kinda random. However, seeing how well it worked for the boys won me over, and it turned out to be a lot of fun.

Apparently, Noah had his birthday party at the bowling alley just a few weeks earlier, so all the boys knew how things worked.


Noah, Dave and Luke. Luke only used this little bowling aide for the first few frames, then he wanted to be like his older brothers, and insisted on doing it their way.


Me, Luke and my sister-in-law, Jeanette - each focusing on our results!


A group shot.


Curt, Luke and my father-in-law, Gord. Notice how Luke's hands are in his pocket - they were pretty much in there all the time, except when he needed them to hold a bowling ball. So cute.

After bowling, we all went to Dave and Sarah's house for dinner and visiting. We enjoyed a great turkey dinner with all the trimmings, and then got to open some presents. In the past, all the adults have drawn names, and then we exchanged with each other. This year, we didn't do that - but, Curt's parents still bought for all of us. The boys were all really excited to open their gifts, and it's fun to be part of that.

Once the boys settled down after presents, it was off to bed for them, and then the adults got to play some games. The boys always play poker, and the girls play a board game, this year it was Ticket to Ride.

It was a great afternoon/evening, and a great way to start our Christmas celebrations!