We're FINALLY bloggers!

Yes, Hamfam 5 is FINALLY making a debut and posting something for the very first time ever!! And it only took us 2 1/2 hours to figure out! (Joel, PLEASE answer the phone next time you get our 911 call! =) Hope this really works...............we really still have no idea what we're doing! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!!

Ham Family Christmas in Minnesota

Christmas day began with a wonderful breakfast (biscuits & gravy) prepared by Stacy. We played with Edith for a little while, but since she was still sick we put her down for a nap early. It was snowing when we got her up, so we bundled up and went outside to try out her new sled (compliments of G&G Leeman). She had a lot of fun and it was beautiful outside. We came in and opened presents. Edith received a lot of gifts (thanks everybody) and is still getting acquainted with them a few days later. After playing for a while, Edith went down for another nap and Stacy and I relaxed watching a movie. We had snack (junk) food for dinner and went to bed happy, thankful, blessed, and grateful for all that our Heavenly Father provides. Not just the tangible, basic "necessities", but peace, humility, wisdom, courage, and love (to name a few). We hope you all had a Merry Christmas and we look forward to when the Lord brings us together to spend time with each other. Happy New Year too!

Love,

Joel, Stacy, Edith, and Baby #2

Christmas Eve at The Ham's (1 of 2)

Christmas Eve was a lot of fun for our family this year. We (being the country bumkins we are) came into the cities and went to the Macy's Storybook display in downtown Minneapolis. This year's theme was The Nutcracker Suite. Sorry, but we forgot the camera at home, so we don't have any pictures from that.

We didn't stay too long, because Edith was sick and had a fever. So when we arrived home we opened our stockings and one present. Edith received a bunch of fun toys, a Beverly Hillbillies DVD set, and a few root beer barrel candies from Dad. ;)

Edith went to bed early and Stacy and I had a delicious ham dinner, thanks to Stacy. We relaxed on the couch and watched a movie.

Christmas Eve at The Ham's (2 of 2)

Ham Family Christmas in Illinois

Christmas eve Carl & Becky hosted Eric, Nancie, Caleb, Alivia, Ethan, Jeremy, Chrissy, and Lennon for an afternoon/evening of food, fellowship, and presents. Becky prepared an excellent (if non-traditional) supper including steaks from the grill, several casseroles (sp?), twice baked potatoes and other delicious treats too numerous to mention. Following supper the wrapping paper flew! as everyone opened presents. Included were Grandma Shirley's pajama's for each of the great-grandkids. attached are some pictures of the evening's activities. We hope everyone in our wonderful family had a great Christmas!!

Our Drury Christmas

Just a few pics of our Christmas with Grandpa and Grandma Drury on Saturday.

Vikings/Bears Game

Bring it on Lennon! We're ready, are you?
Love, Edie
 
 

Sinterklaas Feest (St. Nicholas Party)

Yesterday the kids enjoyed participating in a fun "Sinterklaas" party. Our family is a member of NAAM (Netherlands-America Association of Minnesota) and they are the ones who hosted the event. Berend, Bronwen and Maclaren had a good time, and were happy to see some of their friends from Dutch School. For those of you not familiar with Dutch culture, "Sinterklaas" (or St. Nicholas as us Americans say) is sort of like a Dutch Santa. In fact, the Dutch settlers in New York ( back when it was New Amsterdam) brought Sinterklaas here, and he was Americanized into Santa Claus. Somehow over the years, he was combined with Christmas. St. Nicholas Day is December 5th. St. Nicholas was a bishop from the 13th century (or possibly earlier) who was known for his kindness to children. He was famous for giving money and gifts to children, especially the poor. In the Netherlands, Sinterklaas and Christmas are completely different things. Sinterklaas is the "fun" holiday for the kids with presents and treats, and Christmas is a religious holiday. In the photos you see Bear talking with "Zwarte Piet" (Black Pete---the Sint's helper); Bronwen was a little nervous around Sinterklaas as you can see; The Bouwman kids pose for a picture with the Sint and his helpers ( except Shirley Kathryn, she was sleeping through all the excitement!); the kids flock around Sinterklaas and Piet. (If you look closely you can see Bronwen and Berend on the right.) So---put out your shoe with a carrot on the night of December 4th, and you never know.....

A Thanksgiving "Blessing"

May your stuffing be tasty,
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
May your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!!!

Edie's First Halloween

 


Here are some pictures of Edith's first Halloween. We didn't go out trick-or-treating because Joel got home from work late and we don't need anymore candy. :) But we thought it would be fun to get her all dressed up and take some pics. She wasn't too sure about the whole ordeal but Mom and Dad had fun! :)