Showing posts with label Opa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Opa. Show all posts

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Santa in a Fish Tank - Santa Photos

Oh my goodness. 2020, you do not disappoint. Santa in a fish tank, behind glass it's so sad but I really couldn't think of a better Santa photo to represent the year.

Behind the scenes of what it takes to get good pictures haha. Our friends Porter and Carlie Ellett.

It's a good one. It makes me laugh every time I look at it. This is a favorite tradition of mine. Here's a throw back from the past years. 

2019

Roo's First Christmas
 
2018

 
 2017
 
 

2017- Sprout's First Christmas

2016

 2015

 2014

2013- Duke's First Christmas

E's First Christmas
 2011
 


I know I was in DuPont for Christmas in 2008 & I arrived on Christmas Eve so Jakob and I don't have a picture together, but I don't remember if we took one as van den Berge's that year. So here's out first married Christmas in 2009.

2007

 2005

 2004

 2003

2002

2001 

 
2000

1999 
 
Now this is where the years get blurry.
I Think this is 1998 and the beginning of the themed outfits.

1997?

 1996 (?) or possibly '97 again. I did wear that dress for several years.
 

I'm pretty sure this is Jared's First Christmas in 1993.
 
And 1992. Chris's Second Christmas.


This tradition makes me smile!

Sunday, June 17, 2018

Father's Day

I came back home and it was time to celebrate Father's Day!! I was SO glad that we got to be in Vegas to be with Pa!!

 Father's Day is a tough one for me but I know that only means that I was raised by one of the greatest Father's in the world. I was so blessed to get to have him for as long as I did, and while I miss him dearly I feel him close often. Happy Father's Day Daddy!

I was missing this guy too! I am often amazed by how lucky I am. Jakob is an incredible father who loves his children unconditionally. Their Daddy is one of their best friends. Jakob loves to wrestle and tease. He plays games and snuggles. He reads books and he comforts. He won't go anywhere near loose teeth, but will happily change all the stinky bums and get up in the middle of the night. This guy is amazing! 

And we love our Pa! The kids love to Skype and talk with him when we are so far away. They get so excited when he comes home from work or when it's the weekend because Pa gets to be with them all day! Pa plays and colors the best snowmen. He gives them yummy yummy treats and the kids go on fun adventures. He plays fun songs and reads stories. He tickles and he snuggles and he does it all! 

 Not only his he an amazing Pa, he is the best father. From the moment I joined the family, Pa has welcomed me with open arms. I always feel like I can call him to chat or for words of wisdom and encouragement. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful role model in our lives and I am grateful for the father that raised Jakob to be such an incredible man!

As Pa's Fathers Day gift we decided to make some accessories for his American themed bathroom.

30 minutes later! Voila! I love the little knobs. These will be used as towel hangers.

We sure do love all of the amazing men in our lives! Happy Father's Day!

Friday, June 15, 2018

Canada - Week 3

The day after Mom and Dad returned from Florida, Sprout and I left to go to Canada. The people sitting next to me were absolute angels and the guy was a Dad. He played a teased Sprout and Sprout loved every second of it!

As far as brithday presents go, I think I gave her one of the best presents ever!

It was my Mama's 60th birthday. On the way home I told her I was famished and requested that we stop some where. Sprout had fallen asleep so we decided to go to the Wendy's drive through. Mama got a $2 burger and a free senior soda. I paid. Haha. As we were gong through the drive through I turned to her and said, I guess it is your 60th, I'll share my fires with you. It was actually hilarious. 

My mom was watching my brothers dog and Sprout was very interested in her. Kota is a good puppy. 

That night we went over to a friends house for ladies game night and we had a ball just visiting and making up songs about Mama. Most of them were down right hilarious. 

We spent a lot of time at my Mom's school and the girls would just swoon over Sprout.

One of the afternoons we drove out to the cemetry where my Mama's family rests. 

It is in the middle of no where, between two cow fields and I love it! 

This is one of my cousin's head stone. He was pinned between a truck and it cut him in half. Gruesome yes, but the fact that they put a truck and "loved by most" on his headstone just bothers most of us. I mentioned this to Mom Tobler so I figured I'd take a picture of it. 

My Great-Grandma.

And G-pa. I wasn't able to go to his funeral and while at the time I was very upset about it, I know that it was 100% for the best. It amazes me how well our Father in Heaven knows us, knows what we can and can not handle before we do. It was so nice to be able to go out to the cemetry and just sit by myself for a minute.

This was also the first time that I got to see my father's headstone and the first time I have been back since his funeral almost 3 years ago. His headstone was beautiful and I found myself silently crying. While I have felt my father's presence a few times since his passing, I felt his very close while I was there. 

 After a minute I went back to the car to get my Mama and Sprout. Sprout raced over to Opa's headstone and just stood there and laughed and laughed. It was the first time "meeting" his name sake but I know for a fact that Dad and Sprout knew each other in Heaven before his came to us. It was as if he was chatting with an old friend. 

On the way home we picked up some french fries. Sprout had a great time feeding them to Kota.

Tis boy loves to sweep. He played with that broom for 45 minutes before bedtime. 

Getting groceries before taking Oma to school.

We got to visit with Opa and Oma Zapf and it was one of the highlights of my trip. 

Sprout loved playing in this little fountain. Opa and Oma's yard looks like the temple grounds. It's so clean and well kept. Inside of thier house is all white with crystal. We stayed outside to keep Sprout happy but I always feel so much peace when I visit Opa and Oma.

They even gave Sprout his own mini crystal glass.

Watering the plants. Both Opa and Oma were sick so they din't want to snuggle to take pictures and get us sick. WE sure do love them though!

Doniars = pure happiness!

Spatula wars!

Back to the airport! I love this piece of art done of Downtown Edmonton. It is in the international airport terminal. 

Back to Vegas. What a wonderful and easy trip. I love Canada and am so grateful that we got to come and visit even just for a short while. So excited to come back home and see Duke and E!