December 18: Trains, Swimming, and Christmas Party

This Saturday was a BIG day!  Since Grandpa and Grandma Smits were going to Arizona for Christmas, we celebrated Christmas with them this weekend.  But it wasn't just a Christmas party!  Before we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house, we stopped in Zeeland at the library for the annual train show.  This is a spectacular display of trains and our boys LOVE it!  Last year they visited the display twice...once with Grandma and Grandpa and once with us.  We finally made it this year on the last day.  It really is mesmerizing to see the displays and trains! 

After meeting Uncle Steve, Auntie Lori, and Henry at Grandma and Grandpa's house a while later, we all set off for the Holland Aquatic Center.  The whole center, including the Splash Zone, was much busier than when we were there a few months ago.  But the kids still thoroughly enjoyed playing and splashing.  We spent over an hour having fun while splashing around.

And finally, it was time for presents.  It was funny to see each kid's response to all the excitement:  Brielle just observed, Henry was happy after one gift, Ty was excited about everything, and Koen thought it should be his turn to open a gift all the time.   We missed having Uncle Mark, Auntie Jane, Evan, and Annika with us!!!  Every year I'm reminded how blessed our family is...not just with gifts given to us and the gifts we're able to give, but in the time we can spend together as a family and missing those who aren't there.