The level of delight, surprise and pure magic reached an all time high this month as we celebrated Christmas with friends and family. Throughout December we enjoy many of our annual traditions as well as welcomed some new ones.
One of our favorite traditions includes visiting Santa at Fredrick Meijer Gardens. This year the kids had their requests for Santa picked out months in advance: Natalie asked for a game and Thomas a drone (go big or go home I guess). They must have been ‘good all year’ because their items were waiting for them at home under the tree on Christmas morning.
Another tradition includes spending a little time in the kitchen - it’s the only time of year that I bake. Per usual, I dusted off the old metal cookie press from my great-grandmother and made mini Spritz cookie trees. The kids also got their hands dirty putting together a gingerbread tree house.
Natalie performed her second year at Miss Haley’s Holiday recital and selected ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.’ Thomas joined the recital for the first time this year and chose two songs: Jingle Bells and the theme song from Star Wars (a special little add-on that made us all giggle). Natalie and Thomas practice piano with Miss Haley once a week throughout the entire year and it’s always something they look forward to. It’s been a lot of fun watching them excel at something they both love.
Thomas also performed at the GRCS Elementary Christmas Program where he sang loud for all to hear! Our man was front and center and sang his heart out to songs we’ve heard him practicing under his breath for weeks at home. ‘Rock the Baby’ was even better on stage under the big lights. GRCS does a phenomenal job coordinating our kids musical programs and these shows are always a lovely reminder of how grateful we are for our school community.
I volunteered with Natalie’s class twice this month: I chaperoned her field trip to a Jewish Temple where the Rabi shared with the kids about their own holiday traditions. We both learned new things. And last week I signed up to run the craft table at her class Christmas party. In addition to making ornaments with me, the kids also decorated cookies, listened to a Christmas story and played holiday bingo. Thomas also celebrated with his class and played a gift exchange game. In addition to a handful of sweet treats, he also got a bath bomb from his buddy Wade that he traded him back for because Wade really wanted the bath bomb.
The VanEerdens hosted friends and family again this year at their offices downtown for brunch, bounce houses and cookie decorating. The kids always have a blast running around while the adults enjoy catching up over mimosas. I love that Mrs. VanEerden always collects socks for Congress Elementary School and we enjoying being included each year.
Jeff and I also enjoyed a handful of parties where we left the kids at home (with sitters). The Van Vels are always fantastic hosts opening up their home for what we consider the kick off to the holiday party season. We also joined the Dekkingas this year for their annual Christmas party where we had a blast running into old friends and making new ones throughout the night. The OGs of Rosewood united once again for our annual Progressive Dinner Party and we celebrated neighborhood friendship until late into the night. Sprinkled in there were a handful of family get togethers - for us social butterflies… it truly is the most wonderful time of the year!
The ladies of Watermark Country Club gathered for some holiday cheer as well. Twenty-twenty-three marks my sixth year golfing with the Watermark Womens League and during that time our group has doubled in size (now pushing 90 golfers on our weekly roster) and I’ve personally shaved 12 points off my handicap. And the ladies of Watermark continue gathering for our off season activity of ‘book club’ where it’s a stereotypical gathering where it’s a lot more about the wine and cheese than it is about the books.
Both Jeff and I got into the holiday spirit at the office this month. Jeff celebrated with early morning breakfasts with each of his crews across the state where they celebrated individual and team accomplishments from throughout the year. Go Team DJ! And the Mercantile Marketing Team snagged a hot reservation at Broadway Bar for an afternoon happy hour. The team had fun exchanging secret santa gifts with an ‘office’ theme. Kristi got me the cutest reusable-modern sticky note set - a girl after my own heart!
I hosted the ladies from Ottawa Hills this year for our 3rd annual favorite things gift exchange. Just over four years ago Jeff and I moved into the OHs hood and without skipping a beat they folded me right into the mix and now they can’t get rid of me - I know where they live. We ate a girl dinner of cheese, crackers and treats and toasted to friendship until far too late - for a school night.
In addition to all the holiday celebrations, earlier this December we welcomed our newest niece Sarah Jo. Jeff’s sister Stephanie and her husband Grant are the proud parents and it was no surprise that Sarah was the most popular family member at Kladder Christmas this past weekend. Natalie is in LOVE with Miss Sarah and it’s the sweetest watching our baby hold our baby niece.
Kladder Christmas was another huge success this year due largely in part because of our stedfast matriarch… Mom, Mother-In-Law, Grandma… Marilynne. It’s an overnight event that includes brunch with bubbles, board games that take way too long, an incredible dinner and stockings hung by the chimney with care. The noise and commotion of the lake house during family gatherings is what I love the most.
The Smith Family Christmas (also an overnight event) involved a little less noise - something that happens naturally when there are less than half the amount of kids and 3 less dogs in the house. My Dad makes a massive dinner of prime rib with blackening to order, and all the sides. My Mom thoughtfully fills each of our stockings and in the morning we enjoy breakfast BLTs and Bloody Marys. It’s fun to spend a night at home over the holidays and my parents house always feels extra cozy with the wood burning fireplace. This year the party began at the American Legion where the kids were spoiled by their Buddy Bob the Bartender. Bob always gives the kids cash for pull tabs and never ending refills of Shirley Temples.
This month I attended my last meeting and served my last volunteer hours as part of the Board of Directors for Grace’s Table. The meeting was bittersweet - it was part holiday party, part welcoming new staff and board members and a lovely farewell for those exiting. I’m glad to have given my time, talents and connections to Grace’s Table and am proud of the work that’s been accomplished over the last three years.
We are geared up and ready for twenty-twenty-four and wish you the happiest of New Year!
