January Vacation

Christiaan and I were able to go on an early 10th year anniversary cruise!! We went with our good friends, Kevin and Phoebie Carcot, who hooked us up with a great deal. We sailed with Royal Carribean (Monarch of the Seas), leaving from LA and visiting San Diego, Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico. I had had been secretly saving for several years to surprise Christiaan with a cruise, so we were able to take advantage of this particular cruise. We had an awesome time! My parents and our friends generously watched our kids for us while we were gone (Mon-Fri), so we had a blast sleeping in, eating, relaxing, eating, sightseeing, eating... This was our first cruise, and hopefully the first of many!

Looking cute during the "mustering" -- you feel pretty dorky, but then again, everyone around you is wearing one, too.

Sightseeing in Catalina (you can't tell from this picture, but this is right before it started pouring rain!)

Towel creation left on our bed (including Kristina's glasses)


On our way to the "bufadora" (blowhole) in Ensenada. You only need to do that once!

Leaving Catalina Island








Enjoying one of our many delicious meals!

Christmas 2006

OK, we kind of did a bad job of taking lots of pictures this Christmas. We had a very nice, quiet few days together and spent most of Christmas day in our pajamas. The pictures don't reflect this, but we did a lot of preparations for Jesus' birthday, the true meaning of Christmas. The kids and I really cleaned our house and got things in order, and had a great time wrapping presents for papa and others. The kids still believe in Santa (for now), and still haven't figured out why the stores like Target are full of mayhem this time of year if Santa is coming. So up until Christmas morning, we had lots of presents for others under the tree, but none for them!

Cookies for Santa, carrots for the reindeer

Reading the note that Santa left in her new robe

New legos and other cool stocking stuffers...in his new robe

The First Grade Girls

The First Grade Girls
Originally uploaded by ChristiaanV.

Last day of school before Christmas break -- class party. Silliness.

Clockwise from top: Isabella, Nemiah, Mariana, Loriana, Blessing

Mariana's 1st Grade Christmas Musical

Mariana and her classmates worked so hard learning all the songs and words for their Christmas musical. Each student was one of six different animals. Mariana was a kangaroo, and was a little bummed when she realized she would NOT be getting shoes with springs on them. It seemed logical that she would get something to help her bounce like a kangaroo! I believe they performed the musical at least four times!




Mariana and Nemiah Woodson

Other animals in her class: elephants, buffalos, birds...

Riding the Christmas Train

One of our Christmas festivities was going on the Christmas Train in Pleasanton with a bunch of Cornerstone families. We left in the late afternoon and enjoyed seeing all the lights and decorations on the train, along with the scenery around us. It was fun getting bundled up and being together!

Christina, our neighbor

Joanna and Ethan, Alison and Danielle, both great gals and moms who are on the Children's staff at church.