Compared to most people, we don't really have many Christmas parties to attend this year. Somewhat last minute, my extended Buursma side planned a party, but that's it as far as "extra" parties (aside from immediate families on Christmas Eve and Christmas). We don't have any work parties since Joe's employer doesn't have one and mine doesn't either for some reason (ha, kidding, I don't have a job). We only see my Buursma side once a year at the most, so it's always good to catch up. I do however, occasionally now see my cousin's wife, Carissa, at school from time to time. They have a son that is also in the Mandarin class at ZCS, so Layla and Gavin now know him which is fun. They think it's pretty cool at school to have so many cousins (2nd or 3rd or whatever they are) in the same class since there are so many sib sets in their class. They were very excited to get to hang out with Jake outside of school!
Not sure why Greta has one finger up--probably b/c sometimes to make her smile I say, "where's the camera?". Or she may still want people to think she's one since she enjoys being the baby :-).
Since all the kids had Christmas shirts on today, it seemed like a perfect opportunity for a picture and it turned out to be MUCH more successful than my attempt last Friday night! Greta cracks me up recently with just how much she loves all things "pretty" as she says, especially wearing skirts. I took this skirt off of her for lunch and supper so that she wouldn't spill on it (since she now thinks she's too big to sit in her booster or high chair) and as soon as she's done eating, she wants it right back on.
