Verkaik Year 2008 part 2

Verkaik Year 2008 Part 1

My Angel Tree

Twenty years ago, I bought my first Hallmark Mary's Angel ornament.  It was the same year that we lost our first baby, Heather Dawn.  I wanted to buy something in memory of her and when I saw these ornaments it seemed to be perfect thing I was looking for.  I've bought one every year since, except for one.  Last year, we figured out which year was missing, it was the fifth year.  Who knows why I didn't buy one, maybe got too busy.  Well, Tom went on e-bay and found the missing ornament and was surprised they were going for a lot more than what I paid for them!  He ended buying that one ornament for $80!  They originally go for $5-$8. So now I have the complete set.  I'm not sure how long Hallmark will be making these cute little angel ornaments, but I look forward to what next years will be.  

I can't believe it's been 22 years - all those years ago.  A tree full of angels, in memory of our precious angel, Heather Dawn, in the arms of Jesus.

Too Pretty to Eat

I woke up this morning and there sits these beautiful 

plate of cookies that Kevin's friend gave us on Christmas Eve.  Every year Hillary and her mom, Angie make these unbelieveable cookies and nobody dares to eat them because they are too pretty to eat!  I mean look at them!

The details...

the colors...

the time...

These are Kevin's favorite!   I better save them for him! 

Okay...we're eating the other ones now! 

Christmas Eve 2008

Memory of my Grandparents

Christmas reminds me of my grandparents.  My Grandpa & Grandma Jouwstra would spend the winters in Arizona and they would drive out to California every Christmas.  The first stop was our house.  They usually arrived a few days before Christmas and would be at our doorstep around three in the afternoon, just in time for tea.  I would have tea ready and some Christmas cookies to go along with the tea.  I would always look forward to this time.  The kids would get so excited.  I think Grandpa acted the most excited!  We would have dinner at our house or go out to eat.  If we did go out, we had to get a little stool for Grandma to step on to get into the van.  We would lift her into the van and she would just laugh!  The next morning, I would fix breakfast and they would leave and continue their trip out to Apple Valley and stay at Rog and Glenda's.  We would see them again on Christmas day at the Beukelmans.  I have the best memories of this time.  Looking back, I really thought it would last forever!  But time passes and so do the lives of the ones we love so dear.  I thank God for the special time I had with them especially during the Christmas season.  What a gift to our kids that they got to know my grandpa and grandma.  God gave me the best gift of all and that's my grandparents.

Thanksgiving at the Verkaiks 2008

Christmas Family Pics 2008

This year we made a crazy video for our Christmas card.  We ran across and old video when the kids were little and they were standing on the coffee table and I made them sing Christmas songs! This was December 1992, so Kevin was 2 1/2 and Kimberly was 5.  Kevin had an attention span of a two year old (which I guess was appropriate) and Kimberly was so darn cute.  Anyway, it was pretty funny.  Well, we decided to do and ending for this video, and take some family pictures.  So here's the pictures!

We all look good, but Kevin's looking to the side!

We all look good, but............................................Kevin!!!!!!!!!

This is is pretty good, but Kevin's thumbs -up?!?!?  Kevin again, and dog is covering my face!

This one is okay, but Tom's eyes are shut!             Kevin, again!!!!!!!

My eyes are shut! Roxy looks good!

This is the one we finally picked! 

 (But Roxy's not on the picture!)

Until next year!!!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thanksgiving 2008

Diamond Valley Lake

We had 21 people over for Thanksgiving.  Most of them were family and a few friends.  It was a great time.   I have a video, but I'm having a hard time uploading it!  It's very frustrating!  When I get it figured out, I'll definitely post it, and of course I don't have any pictures because I was so busy cooking, cleaning, etc!!!  Well, anyway, the next day, we went to Rog and Glenda's, who live in French Valley, which is considered "the Boonies" for California. We packed a picnic lunch and went to Wilson Creek winery.  They have a great spot for picnics and wine tasting.  We didn't do the wine tasting - it was too busy! Later, we went to Diamond Valley Lake, which is a man made lake because they built a dam.  It was really neat!  The lake was really low so it seemed like we were hiking in the bottom of a lake (and smelled like it too!)

The gang!

Me, Clare, Jeff, Janice, Rog, Glenda, Julie, Carol, Jim and Isaac.  Tom was there, but he was taking the picture!

This is the best picture I have with the group!  I know there's better.

Hearst Castle

Yes!  Those are zebras!  As we were leaving Hearst Castle, heading back to San Luis Obispo, driving along Hwy 1, there were cattle grazing along the rolling hills and mixed in were zebras!  These were from when Mr. Hearst had his own zoo on his property and there are still "wild" animals "hanging out"!  Well, we found some - it was so cool!

Montana de oro

Montana de oro is a state park near Morro Bay.  It is absolutely beautiful.  We hiked a 2 mile path along the edge of the coast.  It was such a gorgeous day!

Morro Bay

About 15 miles north of San Luis Obispo is a fishing wharf town called Morro Bay. This is another placed we've visited in the past with the kids. We have memories of camping, running on the beach, the kids playing on the playground at the park here and eating fish and chips on the wharf. It was a gorgeous day when we went, I don't remember it being such beautiful weather here.

Yes, those are seals!
I have video! I would love to show you, but haven't figured out how to upload it!

Coming soon!

OK!  It finally worked!  The only bad part is that it's only good the first third of the video.  It was a new camera and I was still figuring out how it worked.  But it was so neat seeing all those seals swimming right in front of us! 

Our Anniversary Trip

The Apple Farm

It was our anniversary earlier this month and we decided to go to one of our favorite places, the Apple Farm in San Luis Obispo. We've been here several times before for special occasions and have always loved the area. I'm not quite sure why it's called the Apple Farm, it's not on a farm and they don't grow apples here, maybe they did at one time. But, anyway, it's really relaxing and feels like home away from home.

When we entered the lobby, we were greeted with hot apple cider, a roaring fire in the fireplace, beautiful French country decor and a 12 ft Christmas tree that sparkled with exquisite ornaments that overloaded all your senses. I was in heaven! Not only that - when we proceeded down the hallway to our room, there was a parade of Christmas vignettes displayed with the words "for sale"! So as I walked to my room everyday, I could go shopping!

And here's our room...

It comes with a fireplace with a switch of a button you instantly have a fire (while the ac is running - I love it!) It also comes with Martinelli's, chocolate kisses and a special gift from the Apple Farm, a wooden apple. I now have quite a collection of them! The best part is the terrycloth bathrobes, which are also for sale for only $75!

Every afternoon from 3:30 to 5:00 we were invited to a complimentary wine & cheese event in the outdoor courtyard by the Old Mill House.  It was a nice relaxing time - perfect at the end of the day and then we walked right over to the Apple Farm restaurant for dinner, which had great food.

More beauty around the grounds at The Apple Farm.

More pretty things "for sale" at the Old Mill gift shop.