The Flying Dutch: A Dutch Christmas

Another fun crazy Christmas was had with the Uitermarkts this year. It's getting to be quite the group with eight grandkids now. Although with all the kids but Grady older now and so many kids to hang out with we don't see much of the kids once they start playing. Decker and Grady were spoiled by their grandparents and aunts, uncles and cousins. Lots of new toys to play with! We started the day off with playing, then lunch with everyone and Grandpa Great joined us as well. Finally we held the kids off long enough and they got to open presents. Later in the afternoon the kids braved the cold and went sledding and had lots of fun! Decker didn't remember going sledding since we didn't have enough snow last year to go so he was really excited. On Fri. we spent the afternoon making and decorating sugar cookies and playing on the Wii. My mother-in-law turned 60 a week before Christmas. So on Fri. night we had a suprise birthday party for her. We set it up that her and Jerry were to meet friends for dinner that night and all of us were waiting for her when they got there. It was great fun to surprise her and I think we all enjoyed a night out with the adults and no kids to wrangle!

All the cousins

Coy, Dylan, Emily, Grady, Caden, Kayli, Colten and Decker

Decker and Grandpa

My first hunting shirt

Marshmallow guns for all the Pella cousins - Grandma didn't think that was a good idea for the Chicago boys :)

Grady and Daddy with one of his new toys

Decker loves to pretend play in dress-up outfits (as long as it's not a dress like the neighbor girls or Claire try to get him to wear!) So he was very excited about this fireman outfit!!

The Batman cave he's been eyeing for a few months!

We got our nephew Coy the costume set of Captain America and The Hulk. Decker was obsessed with the present and looking back probably should have bought him one for Christmas too. He was very excited when his cousin nicely offered to let Decker wear one of them!