Thursday, January 3, 2013

Katherine's first Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year.  We spent Christmas day at home in Omaha, and then we drove to Grand Rapids, MI to stay with Emily's sister Karie and her husband Stélios. We also got to see Kate's Grandma and Grandpa Luidens, Uncle David, Great Aunt Carol, and other extended family on the Luidens side (Emily's Uncle Don and Aunt Peg, cousins Martha and Sara, their husbands Mark and Dave, and Sara's two kids Jack and Anna).  Kate has been enjoying her many new gifts, especially that fun crinkly wrapping paper.  

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of our friends and family!

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These photos are out of order, but they'll give a sort of "collage" of our Christmas vacation:

Hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa Luidens at Karie's apartment
 
Fun with cell phone cameras!
 
Uncle Stelios adds to the silliness!
 
 
 
Kate helped Mom do some last-minute Christmas shopping at Target.
 
Our miniature Christmas tree in our apartment in Omaha.
Christmas socks!
Dad's gift is in the background - a collection of beer glasses :)
In the car on our road trip to Michigan.
Awake in the car at 4am...
Kate experiments with the new baby gate.
A gift from Uncle Josh and Aunt Lynn.
More wrapping paper - excellent.
Inspecting her new frog slipper socks.
At Karie and Stelios' apartment, playing with Great Aunt Carol and Uncle David.
I'm going to email this photo to Matt's boss.  ;)
Uncle David, Grandpa Luidens, and Dad relaxing.

Uncle David teaches Jack (cousin Sara's 3 year old son) to use drumsticks!
Uncle David and Aunt Karie entertain Katherine...
 
 
...until she decides to crawl away for new entertainment!
Now at Great Uncle Don and Great Aunt Peg's house in Holland, MI.  Kate hangs out on GAC's lap.
   
 
Playing with a new train set!  So far Kate thinks they are elaborate wooden chew toys.
 
Extended Luidens family.  Back row: Carol, Emily & Kate, Matt, Karie, Don, Dave, Mary, Mark, Bob, Stelios.  Front row: David, Peg, Sara & Anna, Martha & Jack.  
Kate took a bath with Anna, and spent the rest of the evening in Holland in her pj's, frequently jumping and exercising her parents' arms!
 
Kate enjoyed people watching at restaurants.
She also enjoyed messily eating!
At Karie and Stelios' apartment.
Emily, David, and Karie
The Luidens family
Kate with her Uncle David and Aunt Karie
  
Demolition expert!  The onesie is from Emily's cousin Martha, who works for Caterpillar.  Here Kate is clutching her new favorite toy, a bear from Karie and Stelios.  Its neck is the perfect size for gripping!
Kate is entertained by whistling, and sometimes inspects our mouths as we whistle!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

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