Christmas has arrived in the DeGroot house

So I did it...I put the tree up. The kids were begging and I love it all up anyway. We bought a new tree this year and it is gorgeous. We have the whole inside decorated but not the outside yet.We will do that this coming weekend.We have four trees total, the kids each have one in their rooms. I know I have said this before but I love Christmas time.

Our new tree

Our tree in the kitchen

Celebrating a day that started it all

This week marks the first steps that began our wonderful journey. We went on our very first date 15yrs ago. Mike was a senior and I was a junior.  We were kinda forced to go on that date. Our 2 best friends were dating at the time and wanted us to become a couple. We went to a Brooks and Dunn concert and out for supper. It was a group date with about 4 other couples. Either one of us was thrilled of being set up but we both went anyway. We ended up having a great time. We went on our second date the next night. We dated each other for about 6 months til we both knew that this is where we wanted to be. And there is where our story begins.

If you ask Mike he says he is the lucky one but I am the lucky one. We laugh everyday with each other. He calms me down when I am over reacting. He makes me smile even if I am mad or upset. He is my soft place to fall. Mike is also given our kids the greatest gift (a gift I never had all the time) the gift of being an amazing dad. A dad that is present, listens & knows how to have fun!

I love knowing that everyday with each other will be filled with laughs. I love knowing our story continues to grow. I look forward to many more chapters.

More of our family pictures

Monica Ninnemann took our family photos last Sunday and she gave us a sneak peak. I am so anxious to see all of them. The five she sent us are perfect. The kids did a amazing, ok so did the adults! So here are the rest of the pictures...I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!!

Papa and Nana with all the grandkids

Sophie Jean

Can't wait to shake the presents...

So as many people who know me know how much I love Christmas time. I am so excited for this year that I want the tree and decorations up now. I love buying presents, the smell of Christmas, the kids excitement, spending time with all of my family and the feeling you feel this time of year. We bought a new tree this year and it is beautiful! I soon will be changing my blog page to Christmas. I am so excited for next week Wednesday, it is our girls annual Christmas day of shopping. Can't wait, hurry up Christmas!

Family photo shoot

We had our families photos taken with Mike's family. The kids did great and the pictures turned out awesome! This is one of my favorites. Monica is still up loading more. So more pictures to follow.