Walcott Whirlwind of Christmas

Christmas 2010 was a fabulous whirlwind of celebrations. We did 5 family parties from Friday to Sunday, and it should have been 6 parties. We missed one because two were scheduled at the same time.

Brighton fully understood presents this year and of course loved them. He couldn't get enough. He kept saying, "Now what present am I going to open first?" By day two he grasped the concept of taking turns, but he still needs to learn the word next. An extra measure of patience would be great too, but he's 2 1/2. Hope and pray you and yours had a blessed whirlwind of holiday celebrations as well.

Merry Christmas 2010!

Walcott Lanes

Jon planned planned for us to go bowling again this week since we had so much fun LAST TIME. When he threw out the idea to his family nearly everyone wanted to and was free to join us. We hit Northland Lanes this week and did bowling the Walcott way.

It was a grand time. Two members of our family own their own shoes. One family member actually threw the ball backwards - no, I am not making this up. And lastly, Brighton beat both of his parents. No lie! I'm just thrilled when my score breaks into three digits, but Brighton had no trouble with bumpers and a ramp - lucky kid.

Beyond the World of Chevys

We visited Daddy at work today, but work for Jon changed quite a bit just over a month ago. He ended a 13 year long career working for Chevrolet dealerships (We love Chevys!), and he made a move to an independent shop in town, D's Transmission & Auto Tech. The move provides lots of opportunity for Jon as well as working with a great group of guys. At D's, they fix everything on any car. They also are the best transmission shop in town - no really, Jon did his research because he really likes to fix transmissions. To make them even better than the already are, they now have Jon.

Congrats on the new job Jon! Does this mean I can start looking at foreign cars?

Rocky and Cranky Please

Today was my first day off of school - yahoo! Tonight we did Santa - round two for 2010 at Ottawa Beach Inn. Brighton was very hesitant again, but he eventually warmed up to Santa & Mrs. Claus proudly announcing, "I would like Rocky & Cranky please." Of course these are additions to his Thomas the Train collection, and thankfully they're already wrapped and hiding in the basement ready to appear later this week.

West Ottawa High School Lip Dub 2010

What is a lip dub?
A lip dub is a type of video that combines lip synching and audio dubbing to make a music video. It is made by filming individuals or a group of people lip synching while listening to a song or any recorded audio then dubbing over it in post editing with the original audio of the song. There is often some form of mobile audio device used such as an MP3 players. Often they look like simple music videos, although many involve a lot of preparation and production. Lip dubs can be done in a single unedited shot that often travels through different rooms and situations within a building. - Wikipedia

Walcott Ginger Bread House 2010

What was intended to be a fun holiday activity for Brighton quickly became a slightly competitive event over here in Walcott land. Brighton didn't really want to have anything to do with making a ginger bread house. Go figure. I should've seen that coming. Maybe better luck next year.Anyway, we decided to do the best we could under the circumstances. Three adults attacked this house project with creativity and vigor all while attempting perfection. Let me tell you, it's a lot harder than it looks people. I had ginger bread house experience, but not since my childhood with Grandma. There were other families doing the same thing around us, so the competition was palpable even though admittedly it wasn't a contest.

I think we might have won if it were.

The Polar Express Trip

We went to the North Pole this holiday season. Have you been lately?

If you have children or grandchildren that enjoy "The Polar Express" as much as our son does, you maybe take short excursions there. We make it out there a couple times a week via the book or the movie, and this is a journey we make year round - not just in December. So this December, we brought in the holiday season with a trip on an actual train. It's a holiday excursion out of the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, Michigan.

As you can imagine, it was a huge deal for our train-lovin' son. He really thought we were going to the North Pole. We met the conductor, had hot chocolate, and sat with Santa and Mrs. Claus; there was even a jingle bell waiting on our seats when we returned to the train.

What's not to believe? As the last line of the book reads, "...the bell still rings for me as it does for all who truly believe."

Bowling Alley as a Family

We are not big bowlers, but we are intrigued by the game. That is thanks to a plastic lawn bowling game and bowling on the Wii (love that!). This includes Brighton too, so this weekend we decided to hit the bowling as a family. It's a different place now that it doesn't reek of smoke anymore.

In addition to the missing smoke, we had a few other surprises while we were there.

1.) Wii bowling is a lot easier than real bowling.

2.) My mom is really good (6 strikes) and was in a league before we were born.

3.) My Calvin College class on bowling to meet a physical education requirement didn't do much good for me.

4.) No matter how slow the ball is released it will eventually make it to the pins. Brighton showed us that.

5.) Most importantly, we had a great time, and this family will be going back to the bowling alley.

Our Sleeping and Standing Santa

Never in a million years did I think I would be the homeowner that puts blow-up holiday decorations in my yard. Well, I guess I just need to consider that one of the many surprises and sacrifices of parenthood.

We won this giant snowman at a holiday party a few years back. I thought it would set on the shelf until we finally decided to get rid of it of it. We had talked about setting it up in a friend or family member's yard as a joke, but that never happened. Several of you reading this can be thankful of that.

As you can see our now two and a half year old thinks the snowman is the coolest decoration ever. He loves watching it "stand up" and he runs round and round to give it a high five. When it's not lit up and blown up he tells us the snowman is sleeping.

It is on the side of our house (thank goodness!), so really only part of the neighborhood is forced to enjoy it - sorry guys!

Bright in his Big Boy Bed

We made the switch Monday night, and so far so good. The crib is now downstairs. This just happens to be the bed I slept in growing up.

Chop Sticks

While we had delicious Thai food, our son experimented with chop sticks on fries and nuggets. He did pretty well don't you think?

Halloween 2010: Argh Matey!

For the last couple weeks, Bright didn't want anything to do with his Halloween costume. He was cute, but he was one cranky pirate. After all of the many explanations we made the persuasion just in time tonight.

The combination of candy and cousins really made it for him, and I even convinced him to pose by our giant pumpkin.

Now after pizza and some candy, he is sqealing with delight.

Happy Halloween!

The Leaves are a Fallin'

In the Field for a Fall First

We've been doing a lot of produce shopping at roadside markets when we're with our family up north. Remember the giant pumpkin? The fruit and veggie quality, freshness, and prices can't be beat. We did that again this weekend. My dear mother got it in her head that along with all the other produce we were buying, we needed to try getting some sunflowers as bird feed. And yes, I do know who I have to "thank" for my mom's latest idea. The sunflowers were available to us, but it was a u-pick situation...a free one for that matter. We got the necessary instructions, tools, and drove out into the field. Here you have us doing our latest fall first:And after all of that, I'm not sure the birds even ate it, but at least we have a story to tell.

Love these Ladies!

Aren't we cute? I just love these ladies!

These are some of college roommates: Angela Mulder, Kim Rubin, and Jo VanderPloeg. We still get together every couple months, and I just love those times.
We lived together in a home on Ridgewood Avenue near Calvin College. In this picture we are again in Grand Rapids celebrating Kim's baby on the way - baby boy Rubin. We had a fabulous time with many of the other ladies in Kim's life.

The next time we'll see her she'll be a mama! Congratulations Kimmy!

Choo Choo hits the Civic

...so we did too.

Last weekend there was a train show at the Holland Civic Center, so yes, of course we went. We're just a mama and a daddy feeding our two-year-old's obsession.

We took in the trains with some friends from church. Bright thought the day was perfect.

These Boots are Made for Walking

I had to dust 'em off, but I wore my cowboy boots to school this week. It was for a legitimate reason too, not just because I missed them. Last week was homecoming at West Ottawa - super fun! I am wishing I had a picture of myself. Oh well, this one will have to do.

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Back to School at Bethany

Ahma took Brighton to Story Hour at Bethany CRC church this week where they graduated him from the nursery. Brighton went to church school! They sang songs, did a craft, a Bible story, and had a snack. This was a first for him, and he understandably can't stop talking about Ahma's Church. He'll even sing "YES! Jesus Loves Me" for you now. Their brain's at this age are such sponges I can hardly believe it (wish some of my students were as impressionable).

Brighton for sure wants to go back to school at Bethany. Thanks Ahma!

Peek in his Pocket

Brighton loves helping us do just about anything, but not much can beat helping his dad out in the garage. He excitedly runs out there with his plastic Handy Manny Tools (Thanks Uncle Scott & Aunt Erin!) and thinks he is big stuff.On this particular project, he attempts to use Pat the Hammer or Turner the Screwdriver to fix Auntie JoJo's brakes.

Jon thought it was also time to teach Brighton how to use a grease rag. Peek in his pocket and you will see....a grease rag. It just hangs there ready and waiting for use. How convenient! I wish it was socially acceptable and cute to hang a rag out of my pocket. I think it would save a lot of time, don't you? I think Handy Manny would be impressed with this little-grease-rag-carrying-mechanic (this Mama sure was). But Manny, you totally need a grease rag and if you ask my husband, you need an impact wrench too.