NEW YEAR'S EVE

Swimming at the Hampton Inn in Twin Falls
Elly and Robbie are taking a short cruise with friends for the next few days. Grandpa and Grandma volunteered to babysit for Liz and Grace. We thought this would be a good opportunity to use a coupon for a free stay at our local Hampton Inn. The Mohrs joined us for dinner at Johnny Carino's and then came to the hotel to enjoy the pool. After swimming we headed to the hotel room for a birthday party.

Happy Birthday Kaya!
You're Six Years Old!

ANNIVERSARY WISHES ARE IN ORDER

Happy Anniversary, Willie and Valerie!

Your 29th on the 29th. That will only happen once in your life!

WHO KNOWS BIRDS?

Do you know what kind of bird this is?
If so, let me know.

This photo was taken right outside our kitchen window during breakfast last week.

MOM IS 90!

Mom, You are 90 Years Old Today!

I love you because....

1. you taught me to look things up in the encyclopedia if i didn't know something
2. you taught me to enjoy simple things like counting cars
3. you always had your own sense of style, not following what fashion dictated
4.you invested in piano lessons for me
5.you provided me with a Christian education
6.you never wore pants!
7.you never colored your hair
8.you are a good storyteller
9.you exposed me to fine art
10.you took me an opera
11.you and dad took the family to the beach when it was difficult to do so
12.you let us stay up late and watch johnny carson and play yahtzee in the summer
13.you helped me when we moved into this house in idaho
14.you cleaned the mossy green toilet in this house when we moved to idaho!
15.you flew to idaho and helped me when elly was born
16.you flew to idaho and helped me when peter was born
17.you flew to idaho and helped me when jake was born
18.you welcomed me whenwe would visit with huge "welcome harry and flora" signs on the garage
19.you taught me how to sew
20.you showed me how to feed little birds that had fallen from their nests
21.you loved and supported me when harry and i got married
22.you cooked real food for us, hardly anything from cans
23.you let us buy croquet sets with s&h green stamps and blue chip stamps
24.you and dad took us to church
25.you took us to holland on a ship!
26.you provided me lots of books to read
27.you read me the Bible stories
28.you took me to church and sunday school
29.you passed on many of the dutch traditions
30.you took the family out for late night breakfasts
31.when we would go shopping, you would always make a snack part of the outing
32.you flew to idaho for lizzie's baptism
33.you came for adriana's wedding
34.you came for joey's graduation
35.you came for elly's wedding
36.you are patient
37.you are fun-loving
38.you are a good hostess
39.you are not materialistic
40.you always have dutch cookies on hand
41.you always have "brootjes"
42.you gave us the sunday routine of mocha cake and soup
43.you fixed up borges' house for harry and me
44.you and dad helped us with money to start the hooftrimming business
45.you bought me that expensive green homecoming dress
46.you took us to the village theater to see the series of disney nature films
47.you took us to see "pollyanna" when the church said that it was a sin to go to the show
48.you scorned the pettitness of those who opposed the flower "show" for the harvest festival
49.you taught us french
50.you pinned spanish words all over the house to teach us some spanish
51.you let me drive to the beach when i had my driver's license
52.you trusted me
53.you're smart
54.you had the courage to learn to drive when dad died
55.you picked up my hamper and washed clothes for me when joey was born
56.you welcomed harry into the family when we got married
57.you never wore fingernail polish
58.you accept different kinds of people
59.you love an adventure
60.you hosted a special thanksgiving dinner for the family at centro basco
61.you know how to make things "gezelig"
62.you welcomed my son jake and his buddies when they were on vacation in california
63.you let the schilder family and our family spend the night at your house when we went to disneyland
64.you bought me a beautiful ring when you went to holland
65.you took an interest in our school work
66.you babysat for me when i still lived in california
67.you let harry and me watch "all in the family" with you on saturday nights
68.you never changed your hairstyle
69.you taught me the routine of "saturday work"
70.you helped me paint the idaho house
71.you comforted me when harry and i lost our baby
72.you helped me order birth announcements
73.you taught me compassion
74.you taught me how to diagram sentences
75.you disciplined without ever hitting
76.you called me every sunday when we first moved to idaho
77.you and dad would take joey to the mall for a walk when he was a toddler
78.you have good posture
79.you taught me to strive for good posture
80.you have a good mind
81.you are not negative and critical
82.you are not judgmental
83.you are kind to animals
84.you are old, but you know what's going on in the world
85.you do not turn your nose up at youthful tastes
86.you have an inquisitive nature
87.you are not hot-tempered
88.you are not a lover of money
89.you haven't lived your life in a fast-pace way, but always had time to sit in the sun and relax
90.you are my mom, and because i am a mom too, i know the sacrifices that you've made along the way

...ninety reasons why i still love you on your 90th birthday.

THE BEST GIFT

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.

John 3: 16 (The Message)

MAY YOU KNOW THIS BLESSING OF CHRISTMAS.

HEADING TO MEXICO

Because of winter storm warnings, Jake and Vereni and their children left for Salt Lake City one day earlier than they had planned. They are spending the night at a hotel there, and they will catch a plane early tomorrow morning bound for Mexico City. That will put them about three hours away from their final destination of Casacuaran in the state of Guanajuato. That is where Vereni's family lives.

Jake, Vereni, Sofia, and Nicolas will spend one month in Mexico. Vereni says that the days in December and January are "fiesta" times. Many of the men who have been working in "el Norte" return home this time of year, so, besides the celebrations of Christmas and New Year, many special events have been put off till now. Her sister, Alina, will be getting married on January 4th. Nicolas will be baptized that day also. There will be more weddings to attend; also the local fair and rodeo come to town. It sounds like they will have lots of fun. Vereni was incredibly excited to be with her family again, and to show off her beautiful kids.

The Calderon Family - about a year ago
Back Row: Daniel Pacheco and Alina (they are the ones getting married in January)
Middle Row: Ruben, Jake, Vereni, Irma, Elizabet, Ahmez
Front Row: Sofia, Aramis (son of Elizabet & Ahmez)

BENJAMIN IS ONE!

Benajmin Noel Mohr is one-year-old today. Many of you remember that Adriana, his mom, suffered with, not only postpartum depression, but also extreme depression and anxiety before Benjamin's arrival. The last months of the pregnancy and the first months of Benjamin's life were quite difficult for the whole family.

Celebrating Benjamin's first birthday, we reflect on that difficult time, and we feel so thankful for Adriana's improved health and for little Benjamin.
God is good.

SHARING GIFTS OF THE SEASON

The Bokma Grandchildren

Gift Exchange
December 20, 2008

Three cousins at the Christmas tree.

Benjamin thinks that Nicolas is a gift to be unwrapped.

Sofi loves her green "CareBear"

Lizzie is always happy with something horse-y.

Ava is a fan of "Larry Boy", so much so, that she's changed her name to LarryBoy!

Kaya gets to "go fishin".

Benjamin is catching on to this whole opening gifts gig.

Gracie adds another salt and pepper shaker to her collection.

Little Nicolas is happy despite all the commotion!

OH WHAT A NIGHT

Friday, December 19, we were treated to a wonderful five-course dinner in the private "upper room" of Canyon Crest. Thanks to John Melone, our sommelier and Rachel, our waitress, who did a wonderful job serving us. Thanks to Michael, the head chef for a wonderfully prepared meal and for sharing his beautiful voice on "O Holy Night." Thanks to all of our friends (Schilders, Petters, Bergsmas, Werners, Dekruyfs, and Vissers) who made it such a "gezelig" evening. Thanks to Dan Willie for donating the dining experience to the Valley House auction.

for more information on Valley House visit: www.myvalleyhouse.org

INTRODUCING ".5"

A few postings ago, I collaged a picture of a "Bokma Family Reunion", stating that there were 41.5 people included in the display. ".5" made his debut a few weeks early! The family is happy to welcome another healthy baby boy. Congratulations Jenifer and Roth.May God bless you as you begin the adventure of parenthood.

OH BROTHERS...

click on blog photos to enlarge

CHRISTMAS TREE

This year I bought a tree at a local fund-raiser. It was completely decorated, and it was delivered to the house! How easy. The tree is decorated with all children's toys. Sofia and Nicolas are the first grandkids to see the tree. I am excited for the other kids to see it.

MATHEMATICS REVISITED

Pete Bokma and Djo DeRoest on their wedding day.
December 30, 1948
(1+1=2)

Pake and Beppe are no longer living,
but here is the result of their union.

1+1=41.5 !!!

LIZZIE LOOKS AT HER MOM AND DAD'S WEDDING ALBUM

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!