spending time on frozen Lake Macatawa (holland, MI)

We took the kids onto Lake Macatawa one day because it was frozen and they had never done this before. Braydon and Brielle were both very excited to put on those snowpants, boots, etc. Beckett had never been bundled so tightly and quite frankly, was not a fan. It was fun though!

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Brett and the kids

running on the frozen lake.....

daddy showing them to crawl...how slippery..

just relaxing

making snow (ice) angels

not as much a fan as her older siblings, but Beckett managed to experience the frozen lake too!

Christmas 2010!

Christmas Morning 2010!

Beckett (21 mos) Brielle (4 yrs) Braydon (6yrs)

We started the morning out just the 5 of us, but poor Brett had come down with the flu during the night but managed to sit with us while opening up the gifts from Santa! Santa had come and the kids were very excited! Beckett was not really into the whole process this year, after opening 2 gifts, she walked away and stated, "all done" and wanted to go back into her crib to play. oh well, there is always next year. We did not know until the next day that Beckett still had a pretty bad ear infection so she was not feeling like herself that day.

just trying to get a smile, so funny!

opening presents! her favorite gift "baby", and "books"

his favorite : Itouch, and LEGO Castle Kingdom

her favorite gift: BARBIE dreamhouse....taller than her!

Mid-afternoon, the rest of the Kidder Clan joined us for Christmas and we had celebration with Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Angela and Uncle Ross and Aunt Georgina. We opened gifts, sat around and had Christmas dinner. The kids really enjoyed having so many people around that day, and poor Brett slept most of the day away due to not feeling well.

hats from Uncle Ross and Aunt Georgina

my cuties!

cheerful Bex, and Ross in his SUPERMAN SNUGGIE from the kids

our family, 2010

Christmas Eve 2010

We spent Christmas in Michigan this year. Loaded up the car, had the kids talk with Santa so he would know where to bring the gifts and headed off! We arrived on December 23rd for a busy week of family and friend gatherings. Although no snow was a part of our vacation this year, the cold weather was! It was a very special year as Ross and Georgina had just been engaged and had made the trip from California, along with Angela home for the holidays, it was a full house of family! Grandma Kidder was more than pleased with having her whole family around for this blessed time of year.

after the party, i went to work doing what i do best...getting it all ready for Santa and his reindeer, leaving plenty of room for his gifts. :)

my handsome little boy, and a newly engaged couple!

more fun at the Kidder Christmas party! The kids were anything but shy this year, and were friendly with everyone. :)

Beckett is absolutely in LOVE with her Aunt Angela (looks a little like her, doesn't she)

Building of the Gingerbread House....

Braydon turns 6! (December 10, 2010)

Really can not believe Braydon is 6 already! Where does the time go? So proud of the person he is becoming and who he is!

LEGO cake made by mommy!

big 6!

oops, mom bought the candles that keep relighting...he thought it was hilarious!

blue frosting?

the blue frosting strikes again! and, Beckett loved being with Jodie during this weekend.

the awesome picture of the storm trooper that Aunt Angela drew for Braydon

Quinn and Braydon....playing the Nintendo DS

LEGO party for his 6th birthday!

tons and tons of legos.....all at their hands to build whatever they wanted

even the adults got into it!

our special guests, Jodie and Quinn came to Maryland for the weekend.

Beckett had a little fun with it too

cheese!

Kyle, Josh, Braydon, Harrison

so many to choose from.....

Dinner with Santa

We were able to take the kids again to have dinner with Santa at Cattail Creek Country Club. They had a great time! Braydon showed no shyness to the big guy, and to our surprise...neither did Brielle (who wasted no time in getting on his lap and letting him know of her desire for the Barbie Dream House with Elevator). Beckett on the other hand...was not about to get on his lap and only made her way near him to grab the candy cane at the end. :)

HUGS! for Santa

only would she give him a high five AFTER he handed her the candy cane. :)

high fives!

high fives!

sitting with Santa

sitting with Santa....(notice beckett checking out the situation)

sisters!

our 3 kiddos....all dressed up!

Dinner with Santa 2010

Funny Quotes by Brielle:

talking to Aunt Angela: "i was in Michigan and I saw my grandma with the short hair, my grandma with the long hair, my grandpa with a mustache, and ........(pause) my grandpa with the old face"

reading a book with me, we see a picture of a running river "mom, look...it is a dead snowman, because when a snowman melts he turns into a lot of water"

talking to Brett: "dad, you know how to spell ENERGY, 'N' 'ERRRR' 'G' "

November and into December...

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving has already passed and we have cut down the family Christmas tree and we are starting into the full swing of a busy holiday season! The kids also love this time of year because they have the anticipation of Santa's arrival, and the Christmas Story. It is really fun to hear them tell the story, or at least how they see it through their eyes (usually Braydon telling Brielle how Jesus was born, and then Brielle correcting him.....not to worry Bex, you will soon join in.)

I will post pics this week of our tree getting experience, and Thanksgiving!

A New Start....

I just found out that one can print a blog, and make it into a book! really? people can do this? So, needless to say....now I feel really guilty for ignoring this blog for the past year and letting facebook take over as my central location for pictures. Just think, another year of pictures in the life of the Bolt Family and I could have had it documented into a book. So, with that said...I am going to re-commit myself to being a blogging mommy!