UKE MUSIC GROUP

We understand there are those of the Van Drunen Family who would like to join the "Uke Music Group."  We would love to have you join us.  Let's see if we can find some reasonable priced Ukes.  Also we should have a name for our group.  Any suggestions?

12 days of Christmas

I think we're getting better?

THANKS

We want to thank our kids and spouses for the Christmas gifts, also our married grandchildren for the box of fruit and goodies (we will enjoy them).  To quote grandpa - We bear a distinct and amazing resemblance to the citizens of Garrison Keeler's Lake Wobegon where "the women are strong, th men are good-looking, and the children are all above average."

Name That Face Game Pics

Congrats to everyone on a great family get-together celebrating Christmas. Thanks to Keith and Cher for hosting- we ha a great time.

Here's a few pics from the name that face game. Great job to team face-look on the win and an impressive 80/100 mark!

also... for the packer fans who were watching... here's a really sweet pic of that one really disappointed Titans fan! :)

Uke Kids 2012

Timothy Christian Teacher Flash Mob "Christmas Vacation"

Check out the Principal and teachers at Timothy rocking "Christmas Vacation" for all of our elementary students!

2012 "Name That Person" Breakdown

As discussed on this blog, we're going to be bringing back the "Name That Person" game at our Christmas gathering.   

Just as a refresher, the game contains 4 separate posters of 25 different contemporary faces (cut out from magazines, and newspapers) from the world of politics, sports, pop-culture, etc.
I've split Yous Kids into 4 different teams, and each team will have 4 different rounds to identify and record as many of the true identities of these faces as possible. Naturally, the team with the most correctly identified people at the end of four rounds is declared the winner.
So... without further adieu, here are the teams:

Five Guys  (75 Points)

Elmer

Jason

Kelly DV

Anna

Keith

Liz

Scott VDZ

Kelly R

Casey

Lauren

Two Cute  (68 Points)

Georgian

Kristin

Kyle

Stephanie

Cheryl

Eric

Brian

Korie

Caleb

Craig

"Fack-Look" (80 Points)

Nick

Anneke

Kathy

Heidi

Emily

Mike

Cole

Wes

Nicole

Dyke

Karley

Connor

Dungeon Dwellers (60 Points)
Karen

Justin

Mark

Alex

Scott Z

Kim

Jim

Taylor

Karyl

Sam

Becky

It's a pretty simple game. I'll answer all questions in person on December 23rd.  

Finally, each team is responsible for coming up with both a team name AND a team cheer. Neither have to be elaborate, but this will be a vital piece to the team spirit that will be sure to inspire victory.  

If there is a tie for any of the top-three finishes, the team with the most creative name and cheer (as determined by popular vote from the other teams) will win the tie-breaker.

Christmas Menu is Finalized!

If you have not read the previous post, this is just a follow up on our menu.   I thought since everybody has busy schedules and some probably are already doing their grocery shopping, it would be nice to get the menu finalized for Sunday.  So here it goes.... 

• Mom and Dad...........  1 pan of Lasagna, 3 loaves of bread/butter, Ham
• Lee and Jean.............   Broccoli Salad
• Karen and Nick.........  2 pans of Lasagna, Melt A Way
• Jason and Kristin.......  32 buns for evening, 1/2 of the drinks (see Rudi)
• Kyle and Kelly..........  Veggies and Dip, Potato Chips
• Kathy and Brian........  Mostoccoli, Oreo Trifle Dessert, Salsa n Chips, Milwaulkee Dill Pickles
• Rudi and Steph..........  32 buns for evening, 1/2 of the drinks  (see Jason)
• Alex and Heidi........... Guacamole
• Keith and Cher...........  Mayo, Mustard, BBQ sauce, Bread n Butter Pickles , Salad Toppings: (Tomatoes, Onion, Cheese, Croutons)  Salad Dressings (Ranch, Western)
• Emily and Scott........... Dessert
• Kim and Mike............. 1 pan of Lasagna, Strawberry Pretzel Salad
• Kelly and Jim.............  Scotcheroos, A Dessert, Lettuce for the Salad
• Korie and Wes............  Banana Bread
• Taylor and Nicole.......  Cold Pasta Salad
• Karyl and Dyke........... Chicken Alfredo, Garlic Rolls, Paper Products, BBQ Pork, Crackers with Cheese and Sausage, 2 bottles of wine. 

Please let us know if there is a conflict with anything above.  Otherwise, thank you for your participation in our Family Christmas!

Christmas in Kouts...Now in Lansing!

For those of you who have already read this blog earlier, there have been some changes.   The VanDrunen Christmas Gathering will now take place in Lansing.  It will be at Keith and Cher's Home.  Please look over the menu for the occasion and post what you want to bring and how many of your family members are coming.   

Date:  Sunday, December 23rd

Time:  Lunch served at 1:00 PM
          (Hors d' oeuveres will be available for those who come early)

Menu:  LUNCH
           Green Tossed Salad with your choice of dressings
           Lasagna
           Bread and Butter

           LATE AFTERNOON TREAT
           Desserts

           SUPPER
           BBQ Pork Sandwiches
           Ham Sandwiches
           Chips
           Sides

Looking forward to hearing from you!

ALSO.... How many of you women remembered and are bringing your box with something "home-made" in it? 

Calling All Dutch Women!

I am looking for any tins that have blue on them! I would just need to borrow them for the wedding.  Here is an example of some I already have.  Thanks =]

Xander's 2nd birthday pics

A few pics from today

Mustache Competition

A few cousins have decided there are many ways to bring a family together, but in order to build the bonds of the VanDrunen male species... There is no better way than a grueling mustache competition. Rules: All males are welcome. Woman are immediately disqualified. Judging will be held during the VanDrunen Family Christmas. The Board of Mustache Judges will determine 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place based on the 3 C Principles of mustachemanship. The 3 Cs are: Creativity, Condition, and Character. The Board consists of Auntie Lee, Auntie Jean, Grandma VanDrunen, and a popular vote. The award will be a $900.00 Visa gift card, sponsored by Becky Vanderzee. Get your grow on.

Baby Richards

Nicole, Adam, and I would like to introduce Yous Kids to the newest and very tiny member of our family. We are very excited. The due date is June 15th. Grandpa Jim said he wants to have a grandchild every year for the next ten years so were keeping the dream alive so Casey and Leb better get married soon so they can help out too.

HOLIDAY UPDATES

Thanksgiving - Thursday, November 22, at Keith & Cher - 1:00 - let me know what food you would like to bring.
Pinochle Party - Saturday, November 24, at Kim & Mike - 5:00 for pizza.
Christmas - Sunday, December 23, at Karen & Nick or Karyl & Dyke  (time ?)

Christmas boxes...

Girl cousins....

1. Wondering who is doing a box to exchange this year?
2. Are you working on them? :)  (Just a reminder that I also needed myself!)

A visit with the Raleys.

sync or swim.

Trollstock.  One of the best events Trin puts on every year...our annual talent show.
My roomies and I decided that we would try to bring a little comic relief to all of the typical singing and dancing acts this year, SO we did our best to keep our act a secret and shock the audience of over 300.

We called our team Sync or Swim.  And in the midst of a great deal of raw talent, we took home the gold...the GRAND PRIZE at Trollstock 2012.

(Make it full screen to get the full effect :)

Halloween

Our little peanut

DeVries' Trick-or-Treating

Here's the DeVries' trick-or-treating.  (The kid you don't know is Trent DeVries, one of Justin's friends.)  Anneke was off being the Pink Ladies with her friends so she's not in the picture.  Really bummed our kids didn't get any personality :)

DC Wedding and Vacation

trick or treat

hANNah and her boyfriend Chris (Andy)

Post Those Halloween Pics!

Come on, Yous Kids!  I know there are other costume pics out there... post away!

BTW- for the Gesch fam costumes- thanks to Jason and Kristin for loaning them- the kids loved wearing them!

HOLIDAYS

We trust most everyone is aware of our holiday (Thanksgiving and Christmas) scheduling.  This year is our year to be together for Thanksgiving.  We welcome suggestions - a home, church, or a hall.  Would Saturday, December 22 afternoon and evening, be a good date for our Christmas gathering?  Plans for the pinochle party are in flux.  We are looking for input.  We will keep you updated.

Isaac

Caleb and I were able to visit Isaac on Friday. He is just starting to smile, but it was hard to capture in a picture.

Cape Town Pictures

The next installment from our honeymoon focuses on Cape Town - an incredible city, which as its name suggests is located on the cape.  Like many modern cities, you have an amazing mix of great food and modern amusements.  Unlike many modern cities, you are less than a half hour drive from a colony of penguins, a gorgeous waterfront, and spectacular mountain hikes.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Chapman's Peak Drive

Atop Lion's Head

On Lion's Head - note the paraglider

Waterfront

We hiked to the top of Table Mountain and had a nice sunset picnic. We took the cable car back down

Lion's Head and Table Mountain. View from Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner.

Sunset shot atop Table Mountain

Bo Kaap - the colorful Muslim section of town

Safari Pictures

Now that you've had a taste of the wedding pictures, I thought it would be time to crack into the honeymoon.  We started things off with three nights in Kruger National Park at an amazing safari lodge.  We saw a great variety of game in open-air safari vehicles, and the animals completely ignore the vehicles.

One of the highlights was seeing two male lions just as they were getting up.  We also saw a pack of 6 wild dogs - one of the most endangered species in the park.  The dogs were on the hunt and came across 3-4 adult hyenas.  After barking and barring their teeth, the predators went their separate ways.  Hope you enjoy the pics.

Baby hyena

A herd of Cape Buffalo with Oxpeckers

White Rhino - note the wide mouth and the longer front horn to distinguish it from the Black Rhino

Wild Dogs

So Cuddly

Adult Hyena

The dogs have unique markings, which helps other dogs keep track of who's who

We were having breakfast one morning and a Hippo walked right next to us

We heard a roar, but this is a yawn

Tried and tested

Kudu

Who doesn't like baby elephants