Christmas Break

Here are some pictures from our Christmas break. We had a great time in Utah with the Grows. All the kids were there and it was a blast. Mary came home from her mission and that made it extra special.

Merry Christmas from the Forsyths!


Mary made us some tasty German food.


This is a jaw breaker that met a firecracker.


Me and my sisters grew our hair out while Mary was on her mission. We all went and got 11-12 inches cut off our hair to give to Locks of Love.


We got lots of beautiful snow while we were there. The kids had a lot of fun playing in it.



We went to Temple Square in Salt Lake City to see the lights.


Aunt Laura made a fort as large as the living room for the kids. It had a hobbit door and a peek hole. The kids played under it and decorated every inch of it.


Abigail, Josh and Esther really enjoyed having story time every night with Grandma Grow.

Christmas morning was a lot of fun. Daniel got an iron man shirt. David was told the only thing he needed was a hairy chest. I got a pink "LAMB-BORG-INI". And of course there were at least a handful of Chuck Norris Folders that were bestowed and appreciated. Awesome.

Our Nativity was a hit. Way to go on the costumes mom! Love the donkey ears Laura!

My family makes killer good pizza. YUMMY!

Grandpa helped Abigail put "bandages" on all the sick dollies and animals.



Mom made costumes for our Nativity play. Abigail loved her pink angel dress. We put ribbons up all through the neighborhood and made a signs in preparation for Mary's homecoming.


We got to go see Grandma and Grandpa Stenquist and Granpa Grow. We sure love them!

Abigail spent a lot of time rearranging the nativity.


We had lots fun with our friends!

One of Abigail's favorite things to do is throw balls down the stairs to Grandpa. He is a good sport. It can be scary to have balls flying down at you at high speeds. We also had fun using the stairs as a slide.

Thanksgiving in West Virginia and Sinterklaas back in Michigan

SINTERKLAAS

Benjamin served a mission in the Netherlands. There they have Sinterklaas on December 5-6th. On the 5th the kids put carrots and hay in their shoes and if they have been good Zwarte Piet will leave presents in their shoes for the next morning. Their tradition is that if the kids have been bad Zwarte Piet will get taken away. Benjamin told all this to Abbie and she got really concerned. We had to work all morning at reassuring her that she really is a good girl and that nobody would be taking her away. But she was excited the next morning.



THANKSGIVING

We were super lucky to be able to visit my Uncle Steve, Aunt Shanna and cousin Cami in West Virginia for Thanksgiving. My brother and his family were there from Maryland also. The drive there was stressful, but definitely worth it. We had a wonderful time.

My Aunt Shanna helped the kids and girls do crafts. Abigail painted her things glitter, pink and more glitter. I got to may a nativity set that we have been enjoying.

Benjamin went hunting for the first time in his life with Dave and Uncle Steve and enjoyed being in the beautiful Appalacian mountains. We all went shooting one afternoon. I enjoyed shooting a .45 pistol...nice kick.

They had a fire pit in their back yard and we got to roast marshmallows and hot dogs.


Benjamin and Dave playing Epic Duels


Steve and Shanna's house was Abigail's dreams come true. They had 2 dogs, an INDOOR swimming pool, a yard, fire pit, good food, a banjo and toys.



Thanksgiving dinner was tasty!

Cousins on the couch

Look at those smiles!

We had an awesome vacation and sure appreciated their hospitality. It was so fun to be with family. We love you guys!