February 2009

Basketball games

January 2009

January brought cold and snowy--perfect for ice skating and sledding. We were invited to the Lubbers who live on a big pond to do some of those activities.Blake with his skates--he did pretty good and loved it!

Abby and Dallas

The boys playing a little game of ice hockey.

All the girls crossing the pond to go and check out the game.

Christmas 2008

The Zylstra Family Christmas

We opened gifts after the kid's school Christmas program. It got a little late, but it's a nice tradition--one that I had growing up. School was cancelled the next day, so it didn't matter too much.

The Big Zylstra Family Christmas

2008

The kids were pretty excited, they received Wii from

their grandpa and grandma!

Here they are after getting thru the whole scavenger hunt to get

the treasure.

Abby got a jewelry box from Grandma--and loves it.

Blake got a remote control truck from Mom.

Jaedyn got a straightner from Drew.

Tyler got a Iowa T-shirt from Aunt Missi.

Zach got a Bears hat from Aunt Tanya.

The Bleyenburg Christmas Party 2008

All the grandkids with grandpa and grandma, except Jocelyn.

We rented the new gym and spent Friday afternoon and evening there. We played bean bags, made t-shirts and had a basketball game. We sang Christmas carols and then sat down for a nice ham dinner. After dinner the adults and the kids in high school played a dice game for gifts, it was alot of fun and the kids had so much fun just running all over. Blake got a nerf bow and arrow and he was shooting that thing all day long--he loved it!

Abby and Jori with their bears! Best Friends!

Jaedyn and Erica

Mom and Aunt Monica lining the kids up to play bean bags!

Blake with his favorite toy!

Abby and her new sandals!

Jacob, Uncle Doug and Uncle Jim with their hats that they stole during the game we played--so much fun!

The first hat owners--too bad guys, they look really good on you!

December Shopping Trip

We had so much fun on our two night get-away to Iowa City. We hit our favorite places such as Von Maur, The Outlets, Gordmann's, Kohl's and Target. Our hotel was nice and we got to work-out one night and went swimming(hot tub)the other night. We ate at Olive Garden the first night and everyone kinda shared food and wine--fun! The breakfast we ate at the hotel, that was good too! Culver's for lunch and Carlos O Kelly's for dinner--we never did make it to Taco John's, although we tried. We also made it to Cold Stone Creamery and out of there too, long story--not really, someone was choking and we all just kinda watched! We had a lot of good laughs and was just nice being together. Thanks Mom, Missi, Tanya and Tara

Tyler's BB Season Over in Two! November 2008

Tyler's game were finished in November already--they had fun and won both, just wished they could've had a couple more games. They are still playing basketball for PE, so that does help a little. Next year as 7th graders--they will get more games! Playing Crown Point Christian
Chad, Liam, Kyle, Tyler and Mark

Play good defense--Go PRCS!

Thanksgiving at the Lentings

We once again had a great Thanksgiving day! Good food, good naps and good fellowship! It was a pretty nice day--so the annual football game took place!

Samantha and Jaedyn playing some football

Lee and Lauren

Abby, Olivia and Vanessa sitting on Grandpa

The Football Crew!

A little basketball going on too!

Thanks to Jim and Leah for the fun day--we just love Thanksgiving!!!

It's November Already!

Where does all the time go--November is here, its getting cold and all the leaves are starting to fall. I love fall and all that it brings, but it was so busy that it's hard to find time to enjoy it. Volleyball is finished--the varsity team was undefeated in regular season, we took 2nd place at a tourney of 24 teams, one tourney was cancelled and we loss our second game in regionals. We finished out our year with our volleyball party at my house with all the girls. We always have such a fun night with alot of food, playing games, talking and getting scared. The girls gave Monica and I a gift certificate to Cafe Borgia--can't wait to use it, we have never been there. I also wrote a poem for all the senior girls and they each read them out loud. I think they liked them as one girl said to me--I couldn't wait to get mine, I have seen all the senior girls in years past and now it's our turn. I also heard a freshman girl say, I hope she is still doing that when we are seniors--so it does make it worth it, as I am trying and retrying of what do put down on paper. Markets are also finished--hard to be gone that early in the morning, but grandma B. helped out alot and Jeff was home some mornings. I ended up working two days a week--and got to work with Audra, which was nice. Our family never did get to the apple orchard, there wasn't time and with Jeff roofing that filled most of our Saturdays. I did make applesauce, I only did one bushel as we had some left from last year. I couldn't believe how pink it turned out. Well, this one is getting kinda long--the last couple of days have been so nice, I hope it stays like that for awhile.