The Heikoop Christmas 2013

 It's the Heikoop Family - all of us.

The goal of the morning, after everyone arrived in Lewiston, NY, was to get a few family pictures since we were all together. (and being all together happens about once every two years).

But there was a process, to get this shot... :)

And it started with me, Heather and Tim figuring out where to pose everyone. 

And Brad too...

Then moving all the furniture around...

Setting them and camera up...

Being crazy...

Laughing, and so much talking...

Getting the kids attention... (all pictures were taken by Jonathan - Sarah's boyfriend)

But then we had this at the end...and some editing. :)

And then it was time for dinner, and we were all thrilled to be done with posing.

Heather makes the tables look so festive and special.

Name tags for us all.

Ben smashing them potatoes.

Working on the turkey that Marvin, Marlene, and Heather had brined the night before.

The sisters with Henry.

All the Heikoop girls with us additions - just missing Bonnie.

Laura ready to eat. :) She even got her own little stocking with her spoon inside it. :)

One of the little tables for the younger ones. :)

The girls at the island, the younger boys in the music room.

Sarah, Jonathan, Tim and Nel over there...

And the rest of us over here. :)

Not sure who took this one - someone had my camera for a few minutes...

 

Then after some singing and reading part of the Christmas story, it was present time. The kids started first, with their gift from one of the aunts or uncles. Erik was pretty blessed with his hot wheels cars and a nerf gun from Auntie Nel!

Katie with her walking pony from Auntie Heather.

Thanking Nel for the gift.

Heather put so much work into this day - the made these sweet mousse thingy's :) in mini cups - so yummy.

Laura enjoying the wrapping.

Rob made OleBolen (or however it's spelled) which was greatly enjoyed.
(or New Year Fritter's- similar to how Grandma Jost used to make them)

All the boys (except for Hudson and Reuben who were sleeping) in the pajama's from Oma.

With their pajamas from Oma - all the older girls got room decor, scarves, or something a little personable for them - while the younger ones got the cute p.j.s.

After all the children went downstairs to play, we adults had our White Elephant gift exchange. I didn't take any pictures, but just enjoyed it all - we had fun. :) In the end, James ended up with an awesome Calvin Klein coat - just what he needed! - and I scored, with a beautiful dark oak coat shelf...I'll take a picture of it sometime. :) It was fun - and filled with lots of laughs, and lots of gift stealing.

Then we packed up all our stuff, and headed to our hotel in Niagara Falls for the night - so we could do some grocery shopping the next day.

Our three darling's in the pajama's. :) I love this picture of them.

Laura with her tongue out...

All tuckered out - watching a Curious George before going to sleep.
The next morning, after some breakfast, I braved the freezing cold pool with the kiddos, and we sort of splashed around for a while. It was fun despite the temputure, but don't ask me why that hotel didn't have it heated...

 Laura enjoyed climbing around more than the water. :)

Warming up before getting changed and off for some shopping.
I also too Marvin and Marlene's family pictures back and Henry and Heather's house in between some shopping.

While setting up, I used Tim as my prop/model. :)

And here's one of Valerie to close off this very long post. :)

Such a pretty girl. :)

Then after shopping, we went home, unloaded and then eventually got to sleep.

A special Christmas with the family!