Winter Fun

 

The kids like riding Amelia's 4-wheeler in the snow and on the ice. Here they are stuck at the bottom of the hill. Guess we need four wheel drive.

 

We tried a little ice fishing when the weather was nice.

 



Amelia and Elijah enjoying a break from sledding.

 



This was Allison pretty much the entire time we were out in the cold. She's not a winter person.

 



 

Sledding down the hills on the motocross track is great fun! If you're good and can stay in the middle of the track you'll get some air from hitting the face of the jump the wrong way.

 



If you miss you'll end up on the weeds like Ethan.

 



Amelia was our distance winner, she must be just the right weight to sled a long ways down the track.



 

As I write this it's -10 wind chill and Mark is out riding. Brrr, someone's dedicated. :) 

Christmas 2013

I'm so thankful that this Christmas we had a healthy family and that everyone could make it to all of our Christmas parties! Last year we only made it one because someone was always sick. I've tried to pick a few pictures from each gathering to highlight. We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas as well!

 

 

 

All the Van Den Broek's got together earlier in December I decided now was the time to get a family picture in case we had a repeat of sickness like last year. :)

 This is all seven of my dad's siblings.

 



 

You had to be there, but the funniest part of the evening was Elijah opening Uncle Ken's gag gift, an old used toaster. Poor Elijah looked so disappointed. :( With a little encouragement he went over and stole Uncle Ken's good gift and gave him back the junky toaster. :)

 

 

Next was Mark's side. We always have lots of good food and fun with all the cousins. This is a picture of Grandma and Grandpa with all the grandkids except Jackson. They are sitting with two tractors we had refinished for a Christmas gift.

 

 

We ended up having our family Christmas early because of church being cancelled due to snow. The kids were excited to open stockings and a family gift.

 

 

We've had several knock out games already!

 

 

Christmas morning.

 

Last but not least we got together with my side. Elijah is helping make a appetizer plate.

 



Grandma and Grandpa with the grandkids.

 



Our attempt at a family picture using the timer.

 



 

Ethan and Amelia were our entertainment for the evening. Ethan played Jingle Bells on his bells and Amelia played a couple Christmas songs on the piano.

Baking Day



We all look forward to making cookies and other Christmas treats each year. This year was another success! Although it would have been nice to have our cookies last more than four days. :) Next year I'll be putting stricter daily limits on them.

 

 

Allison all dressed for the occasion. Except her lack of pants, she's funny. :)

 

Sugar cookies make me Happy, Happy, Happy!

 

 

The kids love to pick out which shapes to cut out. We will set the cookie cutter on the dough and let them cut out the cookie.

 Elijah's in charge of getting more cookie dough ready to roll.

 

We also made several batches of party mix.

Elijah is showing his cousin the ropes of cookie decorating.

 



 

We decorated well of 200 sugar cookies that day.

 

November

Once again I've fallen behind in posting. Here's a little review of November. 

Elijah and Anton are finishing up their harvest. Here Elijah is "dumping at Cargill". For you non-farmers out there the corn comes out the bottom of the semi hopper into a pit. Like Elijah is pretending to do with the register vent. 

Anton's transition from summer to fall.

Amelia asked to take some pictures around the yard. Here's one she took of our trees.

Amelia also took this one of Anton and the kitty. Along with around 50 other kitty pictures. :)

Mark hurt his knee which gave him some back pain. The kids were happy to do a little physical therapy with him.

Allison being silly .

Allison reading to her favorite kitty, she calls bebe.

My kids will pick at anything. So I thought I would take advantage of this habit and have them peel off a boarder. They did great, and helped very well. Someday I'll get around to finishing this painting project. :)

Ethan finished his first year in 4-H this fall. At the end of the year you can turn your record books in for different awards. Ethan applied for the Jr. Sheep award and won both the county and club awards in that division. He was glad to get a premium check for all the "boring" paperwork I made him do. :)

We had our first measurable snow this month. Yes it took me longer to bundle her up than the time she spent outdoors.  

We missed all but one Christmas party last year because of sickness. This year we're working harder at keeping up our immune systems. Mark took it a step further and made himself a "smoothy" which he takes a spoonful full of each day. It's made of white onions, fresh garlic, fresh ginger root, horseradish, hot peppers and apple cider vinegar. It really didn't taste that bad, considering. It helps to eat it like a dip on a cracker. :) 

Always a favorite tradition - setting up the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving.