Luke and Sam

John had today off and so we went to Racine, WI to hear our dear friend Spencer DeBurgh preach. It was awesome and afterward we spent the afternoon together. The boys had time to jam together. Check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_mSat0qmBU

Christmas with Friends

Lis and Mr. Tobin
Amy and Carly

Lauren P, Bets, and Tanya

Todd, Sam, Spencer, Amy, and Carly

Liam, Tan, and Amy

Snow Forts!

Lis hiding inside her fort

Lauren

Lis, Luke and Lauren

Grandma and Grandpa Dirkse were here!

The kids were gifted a season of The Cosby Show from Grandma and Grandpa. This is a hit already! Thank you!
Grandpa and Emma

Grandma and some of the girls

Gingerbread house making contest

Mid December we had friends over for this annual Dirkse contest. We had 8 teams. Very Fun!

This almost won except that it needed more icing coverage. Note the red swedish fish in the river.

Mellie and Kristin partner up

Scott and Seth

John

Connoissuer:

One who understands the details, technique, or principles of an art and is competent to act as a critical judge 2: one who enjoys with discrimination and has an appreciation for subtleties.

I had no idea how much this word describes my husband. Think coffee, music, paint colors, clothes, page layout, cooking, and the list could go on. Anyone agree?

I love this about him.

The Kim's were here! Part 2

Thanksgiving with the Kim's and the Tobin's and Arianna's folks. The kids were right across the way in the foyer.
Group Pic

The Girls

Noah and Luke

We had an absolute blast with our dear friends the Kim's over Thanksgiving. They came out so Michael could take some continuing Ed courses in the windy city. Smart of them to tack on a vacation at the Dirkses! Amy whipped my home into shape with finishing big jobs that were too overwhelming for me (dusting the curtain rods ha ha ha, washing the curtains, hanging light fixtures, pictures and mirrors, hemming, sewing, buying :) etc ). We had yummy food and great conversations...just like old times. How we miss our sweet friends!

The Kim's were here! Part 1

Naomi and Lauren hi fivin
John and Naomi

Best Friends!

Chocolate at the Hershey store, downtown Chicago