A Zylstra Family Christmas

Snow Mountain Ranch - Winter Park, CO

It was a bittersweet Christmas.

We desperately missed Grandma Beth

who flew back to MI to be with her mom (Grandma Ippel).

Our hearts were with Grandma and Grandpa Ippel and the family

saying goodbye to a wife, mother and grandmother.

But, we had a wonderful time in the snowy mountains

and were so thankful to be together.

The cousins can never get enough of eachother.

Brody just wants to be Dirk and Kaatje loves the "girl time" with Kiera and Dayna. We had a really big cabin, actually a family reunion lodge, with room for a craft table,

lots of space to cook, eat, read, play games, sleep, etc.

Santa (aka grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins) was very good to us this year!

Thank you so much!

our liturgical dancer!

There's never enough Christmas at our house.

The kids were excited to wear their Christmas pj's

and of course begged to open a present every day

leading up to our family Christmas.

(we didn't cave to that request but it their excitement

was definitely contagious!)

Our first annual Neighborhood Christmas Cookie Decorating Party

Pretty sure that most of the kids left on a sugar high...

and scroll down to see Santa making his appearance bearing

gifts for all the kids. So much fun!

a Mother Daughter date to the Nutcracker

with Sarah and Sydney

playdough fun at home...

and artwork by our kindergartener...

oh, happy kids...we love 'em!

Meet and feed the elephants...

Denver Zoo

Reuben is doing some consulting work for the new section of the zoo and got invited for a backstage pass to the elephants with the zookeepers to feed the elephants.

We were very excited...the adults more than the kids. :)

Hello, Dolly and Mimi!