I LOVE CRUISING

Me, Dad, and Elly - the first time that I was on a ship.

Summer of 1955

Whenever anyone asks me what my favorite childhood memory is, I can quickly answer that it is the times that our family travelled to Holland...not so much being in Holland, but the ocean crossing on one of Holland America Lines' ships.

My parents and their two children, Jake and Mieke, immigrated to the United States in January 1948. Saying goodbye to family there, my Dad promised that he would come back to Holland every five years, so the relatives would be able to see their children growing up.

My Dad was pretty good about keeping that promise. In the summer of 1955 our whole family traveled to the "old country", this time with four children, Jake, Mieke, Elly, and me. I was only three years old at the time, so I have few memories of that trip.

Then again on June 23, 1961, our whole family, including Tony this time, departed for the homeland. After all the necessary immunizations, and the careful packing for our big family, we left from the train station in Pomona California, taking a 4-day train ride across the country. When we arrived in New York, we caught a taxi to the port. I remember feeling very afraid at this point in the trip, because traffic and the disposition of the cab-driver, true to NY's reputation, were mean and frantic. When we arrived at the port, I kept asking, "where is the boat? where is the boat?" What I did not realize was that I was standing right beside it. I thought that I was walking next to a navy blue wall, but that wall, that TALL wall, was our ship!

Elly, Jake, Mom, Dad, Tony, Mieke, & Me.
Summer 1961

I was old enough to remember this trip. And what fond memories I have of being on the Maasdam and the Nieuwe Amsterdam. These positive experiences gave birth to my love of cruising.

I wanted to give my children the same experience that my parents gave me, so in August of 1994, Harry and I took our whole family on a cruise to Mexico. You will have to ask them if that trip figures into their favorite childhood memories.

Adriana, Jake, Elly, Me, Joey, Dad, & Peter

TURKEY TIME

The final moments for these birds....

For the last few years, Monica DeKruyf has been raising turkeys and offering them to friends and family for their Thanksgiving dinners. If you agree to take one of the birds, you also commit to help with the killing, beheading, eviscerating, and plucking. This was our first experience at the annual "DeKruyf Turkey Plucking Party."

Helen, Susan, and I enjoy appetizers, while we still have an appetite!?!

Aggie and Taya - the event is a family affair

Amber and Lucas

Tena and Arie

Jack, the gatekeeper; Hill, the hatchet man; Rob, the restraint man.

The execution block

The Spectators - Schilder and Bothof

Pretty Little Turkeys all in a row.

Harry and Brad plucking away

It looks like an expert operation

Rob and Dean handle the finishing touches.

JAKE'S GREEN SALSA

12 - 15 tomatillos
1 - 3 serrano chilis
salt, to taste

Remove paper-like skin from tomatillos, and place whole in medium saucepan, along with the whole chili(s). Add water to just cover the tomatillos and peppers. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat, cover, and cook till tender....10 - 15 minutes. Drain most of the water from the pan, and pour contents of the pan into a blender. Puree. Add salt to taste. Serve with chips or as a sauce to flavor Mexican foods.

THERE'S A GREAT LOOKING COUPLE!

I don't know about you,
but I think these two look mighty good together!

STRIP OF MOODS FOR THE BIRTHDAY BOY

Congratulations Liam.

Today you are officially

ONE YEAR OLD!!!

TWO MONTHS AND A DAY

Nicolas is growing...no longer fits in "newborn" size clothes!

"ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS...."

...IS MY TWO FRONT TEETH!"

This would be a good place to submit "wishlists" for the gift exchange.

"GOLDEN" MOMENT AT THE DAIRY CONVENTION

Kristin Armstrong shows the Olympic Gold Medal which she won at this year's games in Beijing. VanderHam's daughter poses beside her.

The annual convention of the United Dairymen of Idaho was a pretty somber affair, addressing the difficult issues of immigration, the environment, and the troubled economy. One of the few bright spots was a guest appearance of Kristin Armstrong, the Boise resident, and University of Idaho graduate, who won the Olympic Gold Medal in cycling earlier this year.

"Idaho's golden girl rolls with the power of chocolate milk behind her. It's the new secret weapon amongst athletes for quick recovery after a workout- containing calcium, vitamins, carbs, and proteins to help muscles get back on their feet quickly."

ADRIANA COLLAGE

May God bless you on your birthday and everyday!
Happy Birthday with love,
Mom & Dad

CHRISTMAS GIFT DRAWING

Christmas Gift Exchange
2008

Giver - Receiver
Lizzie - Ava
Gracie - Benjamin
Kaya - Karis
Ava - Lizzie
Benjamin - Sofia
Karis - Kaya
Liam - Nicolas
Sofia - Gracie
Nicolas - Liam

(The price limit for gifts is set at $20)

Today, while celebrating both Jake's and Adriana's birthdays we drew names for Christmas.

JOHANNA AND TYLER WELCOME A BABY BOY

Born: Bentley Jay Hyink
Date: November 7, 2008
Parents: Tyler and Johanna
Weight: 7 pounds 8 ounces
Length : 21 and 1/2 inches
CONGRATULATIONS!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

November 7, 1982
Jacob Anthony Bokma was born
at 6 pounds 14 ounces.

Jake, today is your 26th birthday.
Make it special!

OFF "TARGET"

Before shopping at Target, it is important to know what their return policy is. This past week I went to return/exchange an item that I received at a fund raising auction. I had no receipt, but the shipping label indicated that the item had been purchased at Target. The item was scanned and carried a value of $80. I was told that, without a receipt, nothing could be done, because Target no longer accepts items for return or exchange without a receipt if they have a value over $35. Even with receipts, customers are only allowed to return 2 items per year.

I called the Customer Service Center and asked if they could explain why such a policy was in place. No answer was offered, simply a scripted answer repeated over and over again.

Please be aware of this policy as you do your shopping.

PETE AND JENN COME TO VISIT

"Ring around the rosie...."

Robbie and Vereni share a laugh.

Lizzie and Gracie are sporting fancy hair-dos.
Grandma Esther, who has been staying at Elly and Rob's house,
fixed their hair for them.

Liam scoots around on the floor.

Kaya and Sofi at play

Karis is feeling comfortable at our house.

The "Kid's Table" at dinner.

The "Big People's Table"

Adriana and Brad host the family for Sunday lunch.

Grandpa Harry and Nicolas

The guys pitch horseshoes after lunch. The weather, which had started rainy, cooperated.

The weather, with off and on rain, put a beautiful rainbow in the sky.

We celebrated Liam's FIRST BIRTHDAY a little early
(his birthday is November 19)
at Idaho Pizza Company.

Lizzie and Nicolas get to know each other after pizza.

Joey and Nicolas get to know each other after pizza.

Benjamin keeps busy eating, eating, eating......

Grandpa Harry reads a book to Karis.

It's good to hear that you made it back home again safely, Peter and Jenn and Karis and Liam.
We enjoyed the visit, and loved seeing all the cousins playing together.
There are alot of good pictures of the weekend...too many to post on this blog. I will put them on a disc and send it to you soon.

A GREAT PICTURE - A GREAT COUPLE!

A great picture of a great couple!
Happy 39th Anniversary
Mieke and Ed.