We had a wonderful holiday season filled with Dutch, American, and new traditions that we would love to share with you all!
Our Christmas breakfast consisted of worstenbroodjes (the left lower corner). These are sausages made out of ground beef & rolled in homemade dough. We also had bolussen (top left) which are comparable to cinnamon rolls, and puddingbroodjes (right) which are dessert-like breads filled with homemade pudding! YUM! And a special thanks goes out to my husband who has turned into quite the baker around here!
The kids at the table on Christmas morning
After breakfast it was finally time to open gifts!
Oma & Opa from Holland got him this awesome 5-way giant toy. The boys love playing together with it! Thanks Oma & Opa!
Max wasn't the only one that had fun opening presents! Lucas wanted in on the paper-shredding action too!
And big brother was always happy to lend Lucas a helping hand!
Max's favorite gift was a Lego train station for his train
And my sweet hubby was happy with his 5 in 1 warm beverage maker!
My favorite present was by far my Uggs! Excuse the fact that I am pale as a ghost here, I was a bit sick on Christmas!
Hooray! We got Benco from Holland! (Bedankt!!)
Unfortunately Mommy wasn't the only one sick on Christmas Day. During our trip to North Carolina we noticed that Lucas began getting chapped lips, we kept putting chap-stick on him and didn't think much of it. On Christmas day he had developed several blisters around and in his mouth; he was so miserable. After a call to the doctor we ended up in the Emergency Room (the only place open on Christmas) only to find out that his lips weren't chapped, but that he had a very contagious virus called stomatitis. With the help of some medicine he was back to his sweet self within a couple of days!
Most families enjoy a whole week of rest after Christmas, but not us! On Monday the 27th we took down the Christmas decorations & put up the birthday decorations again because our Max was turning 4! Not many of Max's friends could come to his party because several people were on vacation, but we made do and had a great time!
Presents, Presents, Presents! We could open a toy-store in our home by now!
The Birthday Boy!
Dude checking out the goods!
Camille, Max, & Blake painting wooden trains & airplanes!
The artist at work
Even though it was too chilly to play outside, the kids enjoyed getting some of their energy out hitting a piñata
After many hits, there was still no candy. Thankfully Blake's mom knew that if all else fails you just have to pull the strings!
These kids were like vultures on roadkill with this candy!
Max's Thomas cake. I am super disappointed about the mouth, but finishing it only 5 minutes before the party started didn't allow me time to fix it!
Yes! Die-cast metal airplanes that hurt like crazy when you step on them with bare feet!
Cheese :)
After the craziness of Max's party, it was time to bring in the New Year Dutch style. My personal baker made these delicious oliebollen
And this little monster couldn't wait to get his hands on them!
New Years Eve we headed over to MiMi and Opa's house for a party
Max loved the fireworks! (And all of the attention he got from the other guests!)
We had a great time that evening, but the next morning was another story! ;)
We hope all of you have a happy & healthy 2011!
Lots of love from our family to yours!
The Geenens
