Winter Flood 2008

The weather in Michigan has been just plan CRAZY during the month of December. Last Sunday, December 21, our church service was canceled due to the Winter Blizzard. This Sunday, Scot and I woke up to a flood in our backyard and a flood over our driveway! Living in Michigan you have no idea what the weather is going to be from day to day!

Our backyard or should I say, our new lake.....

View from our front yard before church.

Scot left for church this morning at 9:20 and when we got home from lunch at 2:00 the water rose 3 inches. I think Scot is really nervous about his barn. We ended up picking up everything from the floor in the barn, "just in case". There is only a foot left before water starts getting in the barn. We are really keeping our fingers crossed that the water is at it's peak and will start going down.

View from the road when we got back home around 2:00.

Happy Birthday Jesus!!

Merry Christmas to You! Our nephew reminded us on the way home from church the two most important things about Christmas.....First, the Birth of Our Savior - Jesus Christ and second, spending time with family. Hopefully, your Christmas was filled with these two important things as well!

Van Dam Christmas

The Gruppen Family

The Balder Family

Dad & Mom







De Vree Christmas
The Neale Family
Chris & Sarah
Scot & I
Lee
My Siblings

Van Dam Christmas

The extended Van Dam Christmas Party was celebrated tonight at Uncle Paul & Aunt Dawn's home. All the aunts took care of the dinner, which was excellent! Aunt Dawn and Aunt Mary had the crazy idea to try to get everyone in a family photo. It took a few minutes and a patient family, but they pulled it off. After gifts were open the guys caught up with one another in the living room and the ladies with Jake played Apples to Apples. Over all I think everyone had a wonderful time! Only 5 more days till Christmas!!!

Scot & I (Yes, I am now a burnett)

Heidi, Holly, and myself

Van Dam Girls

Casey and Aunt Dawn

Heidi & Jayce

Dad & Mom Van Dam

Grandpa & Grandma Van Dam

The Balder Family

Mom, Colton, Holly, & Mason

Trigger's Best Friend

Tonight Trigger had the opportunity to play with his buddy, Talley. Steve DeWeerdt came over tonight to have a few drinks with Scot and he took his dog, Talley over. Trigger and Talley love running all over and picking on each other. Hopefully, both of the dogs will sleep good tonight!!

Trigger is on the left and Talley is on the right.

Lighthouse Christmas Party

Wednesday, December 17, we had my work party with Lighthouse Insurance Group. This year's party was at Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids. It was so pretty driving in to the park because there was several trees all lit up. Christmas and Holiday Traditions around the World is the current theme at Federick Meijer Gardens. Inside the building there are several trees decorated for all to enjoy. The party was an open house from 6:20 to 11:30 and there was three tables with heavy appetizers. The dessert table was the best by far! We were all able to take a horse carriage ride for 15 mintues through the park. Scot and I had a really good time!




Ken & Lynda DeCan

Rick & Lynne Bouwkamp

Will & Marsha Lewis