Photos and video from Tante Rebecca's Blog

Christmas in Carolina--Friday, December 21-Monday, December 24

The Wonder of Christmas
Neil

Kate loves chocolate!
Kate's new umbrella
Tante Rebecca loves holding Sophie!
Neil helps out!
Sophie takes a snooze

2 week old Sophie Anneke



Christine with baby Sophie
She sure is a cute one!
Katya likes to hang out with whoever has the most food on their plate.
Oom Neil knows how to have fun!


Good times around the table
This girl loves accessories!
People like to stare at her.
True Dutch girl--pour it on!
Opa takes a snooze with Sophie

No one minds making a fool of themself over a cute baby
A cozy evening by the fire
Mom & Dad Roosma
Neil fell asleep on the window sill
Dad, Carolyn & Katya

The 22nd was our 6th anniversary, so Mom & Dad took everyone out to Caravan for coffee and dessert.
Happy Anniversary!

Checking out the selection
Micah roughousing with Kate

Kate ate a little bit of everything

Santa came by on the firetruck. Of course, we had to wake Katya up from her nap!

outside Carolyn & Micah's house, waiting for Santa

Elegant table centerpiece

Phil helps mom prepare dinner
A Dutch Christmas Eve tradition of...

veal or pork with potatoes, beets, hard boild egg, and pickles.

The Christmas jammies I bought for Sophie

We attended Carolyn and Micah's church on Sunday

The Bomgaars Family

"The Senior Roosmas"
Kate and Opa
Kate in the Mrs. Claus dress I bought her

The Christmas Loot

Carolyn sent Neil's gift to our house, so she drew a picture: the Once Upon a Time In the West Soundtrack
Christine gave dad a tiki head tissue dispenser

More accessories
Angelina Ballerina from Oom Neil and Tante Rebecca
Katya likes to store food in her cheeks for emergencies
Pip & Christine
A virtual crockpot for Pip & Christine (also sent straight to their house)

After work on Friday, we went to the airport to fly to Charlotte where Neil's sister Carolyn lives. We were barely in time to make it, and when we got there it turned out Neil forgot his drivers' license. I don't know what lucky star he was born under, but due to the fact that he only had a student ID, we got to go through a special (note: SHORT!) security line and made it in time for our flight.

We knew that our plane, Neil's dad's plane, and his sister and brother in law's plane would all land within approximately ten minutes of each other. It was like The Amazing Race. As soon as we touched down, Neil called Carolyn and said, "Did we win?!" Indeed we had.

We had a fantastic time and enjoyed playing with our nieces Katya and Sophie.

Christmas, Part I

This Christmas, we couldn't go anywhere because of Sophie, so everyone (in Mommy's family) came to us. Here we all are in front of the poinsetta tree at church.
We got to do fun things with the family - like go to our favorite coffee & dessert bar - Caravan in downtown Belmont. Here Daddy is rough-housing with me. I love it!!
I also got to show off my shoe tree and my numerous shoes!
Here is baby Sophie having a thoughtful moment.
A quick pre-present opening nap for Sophie.

Christmas, Part II

Here I am fresh from a nap ready to party all night long. Note my cute pj's from Oom Neil & Tante Rebecca.
Look at all the presents under our tree! How exciting! Mommy says usually we have to wait until Christmas Eve to open presents, but since Oom Neil & Tante Rebecca were leaving on Monday, we had to open them on Sunday night. It was an unfortunate problem to have.
Tonight I discovered something fantastic - Dutch chocolate! When Mommy wasn't looking, I was able to sneak several pieces.
Did I mention how much I love presents? Look at this - my very own Elmo umbrella! I CANNOT wait for our next rain storm.
A girl needs her accessories. Here I am with a new hat from Uncle Phil & Aunt Christine. I got matching slippers, too!

Here I am giving my new little sister a hug. Aren't we cute next to each other?
This morning Grandma took us out for breakfast. Poor Sophie missed it all because she just slept and slept.
While Sophie caught up on sleep, Grandma read me a book about alligators. It was great! Although not as great as the food! We ate lots of yummy things - Daddy had a frittata. Mommy had fruit, yoghurt, & granola. And a lemon-poppyseed muffin. Grandma had creme brulee french toast. I was the luckiest because I got some of all of it!

A Note from Kate

Many of you might wonder what exactly I think of my new sister.
I love her very much. She is a great hugger.
As for what else I do in my free time - eat ice cream at the Cherub Cafe for one.
And...a girl can never have too many shoes. Here I am with them all in my stroller. This way I have easy access to whichever shoe matches my mood.

A New Picture of the New Baby

Ah...the sad fate of a second child. No one ever takes my picture. Here is one from Sunday that Daddy took. I hear rumors that Daddy had already filled an album of pictures by the time Kate was as old as me. Well, as you can probably tell, I'm not too stressed about it. I am too concerned with sleeping. Oh yes - and eating. Eating is my favorite!

Sophie Anneke Bomgaars

Baby is here. I'm typing with one hand and holding the baby with the other.

10:38 a.m.
8lbs. 9oz.
21 inches
Sophie Anneke Bomgaars

Sharon Kay Wagenaar Bomgaars

Hey Folks this is Micah.

This is a clip built out of all the old film footage of Mom growing up, bits of mom sharing her own testimony, my interview with Dad, and all the video of mom I have from all the various sources.  Mixed with appropriate songs, I believe it is woven into a compelling look at her life.  Please watch it when you have the time to really watch it.

This clip is 23 minutes.

Press the "square" button on the lower right of the player to make it full screen.

Micah

Online Videos by Veoh.com

Leonard BEARstein Christmas Music

Mommy, Daddy, and I went to see the singing bears at the Bank of America Founder's Hall. My friend Joy Camenisch and her family invited us to go.

Fun music and animated bears. A whole orchestra of them.

And our great friends too.

We had a very fun day.

Off to see the Bearstein Orchestra

Look, there they are.