Dec. 4, 2011 Witteveen Christmas Social/Singalong

Ike & Jennie Witteveen invited us for an evening of fun and carolling.

Herb Schwamn, Shirley Schmidt, Joan Warner & Clement Cozier.

Toni DenHollander, Joan Serson & Lois Elliott.

Joan Cozier & Sharon Rusk.
We had some new families. Name tags sure helped.

Toni & Joan.

Teresa Petrusma, Herb Schwamn & Shirley.

Ed Petrusma & Sherill Ouimette.

Wayne Rusk, John Warner & Eugene Serson.
Trying what to write down for the game we played.

The neighbors are complaining Ike!
We have to kick them all out!

Jane Dibbits, Gwenda Chambers & Alida  

Marcel & Adrian DenHollander.

Nellie Vanderlaan & Jane Dibbits.

Sherrill, Nellie & Jane.

Alida & Jennie Witteveen.
Offering me the last chocolate?

After we had some delicious food, the song sheets came out.

Jennie brought out a container of glasses for anyone who needed them. 

Teresa did an awesome job leading us all in singing. 

Ike looking just "plain cute".

Peter Dibbits, Rob de Lint & Ken Chambers.

Peter enjoying watching Ike lead the music. 

"Partridge in a Pear Tree".
Everyone had to bop up when their part came up.  A lot of fun.
The young fellow on the floor is Anthony Cozier.

Definitely was a fun-filled evening.

Lots of great food.  Everyone brought a dish.

We assigned Rene Schmidt to be our security guard after the neighbors started complaining.

After a refill of energy, we went back to singing. 
Definitely worked for Ike.

We finished off the evening with singing "Glory to God".  (Ere zij God)
Thank you so much Ike and Jennie for including us in this wonderful evening.

A wonderful way to start the Christmas Season.

Nov 16-22, 2011 Grandchildren

Amy made many of these hairbands as well as brooches for a fundraiser. 
Micah and Rachel were willing to wear them for the camera.

All different colors and materials.

Waiting to be seated.
Amy took us out for supper.  Kevin had to work.   

Micah on the guitar, deciding what to play for us.

Rachel on the little violin

Danielle on the cello.

Amazing how they played after just a few lessons. 
Fortunately they have a mom with musical instruments talent.

We spent one night in Hamilton.  Then off to Sarnia to babysit 3 grands while Marc
and Renee went to Atlanta, Georgia for a youth leaders conference.

Duet played by Sara and Leah.  They are getting lessons from their parents.

On Friday night we went to "The festival of lights ceremony".  
We all dressed warm, but not warm enough.  

Singing Christmas Carols.

Sara wanted me to take a picture of the nativity scene.
A local church with band and singers provided the carols.  All the words were on screen.

After the ceremony was over, the lights were turned on, followed by fireworks.
Sara and Leah said they had never seen fireworks.

After the fireworks, we ran back to the car.  It was sooo cold. So no pics of the lights.

Saturday we spent the day in Chatham.  It was Michael's birthday in a few days. so the
gebakjes came out.  Zach digging into his favorite with lots of cream.

Season, Zach, Leah and Jeremy.

Sara and Leah watching Zach play his newest game.

Michael helping Braden put the machinery together. 
A gift we brought Braden for his birthday

A red eyed tree frog.
Alanna, Braden and Zach were invited to a birthday party next door where they had a man showing
exotic animals.  So, we were also invited for the show. 

Tiger Salamander held by Braden.  Leah is so eager for her turn.  

And still smiling.  Leah loves animals.



Sara was the only one brave enough to hold the "Rose Hair Tarantula". 
Comes from the driest deserts of Chile and is a common pet.  



Again Sara was the only brave one to hold this "Emperor Scorpion".
It is native to Africa and one of the largest in the world.  Also a common pet.
The scorpion was shown to each child, but when he came too close to Zach, poor
Zach was beside himself and Season took him home.  

Braden was ok holding the "Ball Python"  Also from Africa.

Leah with the "Corn Snake" around her neck.
A non-venomous constrictor.

Anything for a kodak moment.

"Red Tail Boa Constrictor"  5'-10' in length, but can get  to 15'
Leah was holding the wiggly tail end and she did not want to hold that. lol.

What a beauty.

Definitely freaked out by this size.  Leah wanted no part of this snake anymore.

Iguana

Young black and white lizard.  Did not catch the name.

Older black and white lizard?

Birthday boy got a kiss.  Love Braden in the background.

Sara getting a slurp.

Alanna showed up just in time to pet the Chinchilla.
Chinchillas are in the rodent family and native to the Andes Mountains in South America.

Sugar Glider
Small gliding possum native to Australia.

Huge Angora Rabbits for the kids to pet.  Native to Turkey
Wool is spun into yarn.  

Another Angora Rabbit.

Bearded Dragon Lizard., they also make great pets.

Popcorn snack after all that excitement.

Found some pet shop toys at Value Village.

More smoothie on the outside than inside.

Grandpa reading two books at a time.

Drum and cymbals marching band.

Time to play with a hand puppet??
Guess Marc and Renee should have made your "honeydew" list a bit longer!