Christmas round 3 AND baptism

AVERY'S big day!

Grandpa and Grandma Beckering
Darin and Tricia--Brayden did not really want any more pictures taken.:)
Tim and Alissa, Ella and Nathan and Avery--it was fun to have them at Avery's baptism!
Scout and Isabel joined us for the baptism!
Grandpa and Grandma Vander Pol
You know who we are!
Avery and I and her cake right before her big moment!
We were able to enjoy Dan's immediate side Christmas up here in the Cities this week. The girls were able to take in some shopping one day and the guys got out to a Vikings game. . .unforunately, but not surprising, the Vikings did not perform for them. Christmas dinner took on a whole new form this year with 8 kids 4 years old and under. To add to the craziness, two of the kids got the stomach flu right before we were going to have our big meal and presents! Unforunately, the Stuive twins weren't able to open their gifts that night--we were all very glad that their sickness didn't seem to last long.

We ended the week with Avery's baptism--we are so thankful for her and the promise that God has for her! It was great to be able to dedicate her to the Lord with all our friends and family's support. She was a trooper with the water too--she was getting tired, so she cried a little, but soon after she fell asleep and allowed us to stay in church nearly the entire service! Caleb, Bennet and Kylie were excited to watch them put water on her head and did a great job up on stage--Kylie did spot Auntie Alissa and gave her a big wave and whispered, "HI Alissa!" I was just thankful she didn't shout it out:)

We are adjusting to life with out the enjoyment of family around. . .always a difficult adjustment period, but hopefully will be back in the swing of things soon.