Cookies and Christmas with the Versendaal's!

Every year we get together as a family and decorate Christmas cookies. This year was a little different though. With Danielle moving to Chicago, the unexpected snow day, and Derek's crazy winter hours my sanity was slowly fading so we decided to let Mason and Peyton go wild! After two cookies Mason had had his fill but not Peyton! Well she used almost all the frosting but she only got two done too! So Mom finished up!

Peyton, a girl after my own heart! Who cares about the cookie bring on the frosting!

This is one of Peyton's finished creations, and yes there is a cookie in there somewhere!

Every year on the Sunday before Christmas we have the Versendaal Christmas party. This year we were sad that some family members couldn't be with us because of the weather and that also meant Derek couldn't go because he had to plow.

We are so thankful that Grandpa Cornie is able to spend another Christmas with us! I don't know how much longer he is going to come back from Florida to spend Christmas with us so we cherish it every year! We were missing four of the great-grandkids in this picture mostly because of the weather but potty breaks too! Mason was so excited! He got a snow board and helmet from Great-Grandpa Cornie! I can't believe he is big enough for this stuff! Two of his cousins got them too! How fun!

My Boys!

This Thanksgiving weekend Mason was again sick with the flu. The same thing happened last year. Well by Sunday we thought he was beginning to feel better and he would be able to help his best buddy, his dad, in the garage. They are building a bed for Peyton. Little did we know that he would again begin throwing up and so would his sister! You gotta love cleaning up throw up if you are going to be a mom.

He is just so happy to be out with his dad and helping build. He loves his dad so much!

I think at this point he is feeling awful but is not wanting to give up the good fight. So he is just going to supervise. My sweet little peanut.

First Snow Fall

It is so hard to believe that summer and fall are just memories now. It is official there is snow! The kids were so excited to get out this morning and play. Yes, I did go out too...just to take these pictures though. ;)

I wanted a picture for our Christmas cards this year but I don't know about this one. I should have been more on the ball.

Snow Buddies! Our great neighbors friends; Curtis, Caleb, Mason, and of course the only girl in the neighborhood, Peyton!

Fall Fun

Okay Nicole and Joni here is our updated blog. :)Sorry this post has taken so long. I have no excuses other than every time I get on the computer my kids start fighting. I am sure some of you can relate. If you are wondering why there are no Halloween pictures it is because I was a mean mom this year and one of my children was grounded from going trick or treating so I just left it out so she would not feel bad. I know you can't believe that cute thing is ever naughty but trust me it is the truth! So here is what we have been up to this fall.


The leaves were just beautiful this year and one of trees lost them early so we had a leaf raking afternoon. Peyton loves being buried in the leaves!

Can you believe it is October and he is wearing a sleeveless shirt! The joys of being a kid and jumping in the leaf pile.

We live right by the Hope College nature trails and the dunes so during the fall, when the mosquitoes are gone, we love to go out there for hikes. This day the sun so was beautiful and it was so peaceful. We had a great day!

In order to get out of the trails you need to cross a creek and the only way to cross is to step on some rocks. Well this time Peyton did not quite make it over and fell in. She was all wet and Peyton does not like to be wet so we had strip her down and that is how she walked home with big brother who was a little more prepared :)

Screen Cleaning

It was a beautiful fall morning and I thought we could go out side and play. I decided that while the kids were playing that I would take my screens off and wash them. Well Peyton decided to use a half a bottle of dish soap in the bucket to make sure they got extra clean. Well I was busy washing away and they were helping me and everything was going fine. Then a few minutes later I turned around to find both of my children dipping their heads and limbs in the bucket of soapy water! ...With kids every day tasks turn into memories!

I don't even know what to say at this point, other than I had lost all control and they were going to do whatever they wanted, and if that meant covering their hair and bodies in suds then that is what they were going to do.

Mason showing me that he doesn't need a shower because he just took one in the sudsy bucket!

Crane's Apple Orchard

This weekend our small group from church (minus the Lappenga family, we missed you guys) headed to Crane's for some much needed apples, doughnuts and cider. We had so much fun and it was a beautiful day!

Taking a much needed break for doughnuts and cider and a cidercicle. It was 80 out that day!

Mason and Sam were busy deciding if we should get some golden delicious apples.

The kids had a blast sampling the apples. They all get along so well and it goes really well considering there are normally 9 kids.

IT IS OFFICIAL WE HAVE A SIX YEAR OLD

I can't believe my little boy is now officially six. To think that six years ago we were in the hospital holding this little peanut not having a clue what we were doing (not that we really do now) and now I can't believe what a wonderful boy he has become. God has truly blessed

Derek and I when he gave us Mason. The official Star Wars birthday cake. Just wait Mom's your boys will be into it too!

Mason' "Papa" being a great sport and being the target for the "Pie in the eye" game. The kids thought it was the best game ever!

Mason, Henry, Curtis, Elliot, Peyton, Caleb, and Kyle helping celebrate Mason's birthday!

Our Family

Derek and I were married in 2002, and shortly following came our wonderful son Mason. Two years later we were blessed with our beautiful daughter, Peyton. Derek works in the excavating field and I am fortunate enough to be a stay at home mom. I just recently decided to quit working my part-time job and I am very excited for my time at home with my family.

About a year ago we began attending Providence church and feel God in our lives like we never have before. We are super busy now that school has started. Mason is now officially in Kindergarten at Blue Star Elementary and Peyton has begun three-school at South Side Christian. We are super excited for what this school year has to bring.