The Van Gelder Family: Give Thanks: Day 3~ Brothers and Sisters

Growing up I didn't always like having 4 brothers and sisters...actually I don't think I EVER liked having 4 brothers and sisters. Now that I am older I definitly appreciate them much, much more. Are we BEST friends; no, but we certainly get along and love sharing our special moments together.

Torrie came to visit last week and it was a ton of fun doing projects around the house together, antique shopping, cooking and hearing about her crazy diet and work out routine (she looks SUPER great, maybe I should try what she does) and hearing about her hockey adventures. It is hard to believe this is the same girl whom I FOUGHT with just about every day growing up. The only time we didn't fight was when we weren't together. Now I love spending time with her and seeing her be Aunt Tor-Tor to Emrie girl!

How sad is this...the whole week we were together we didn't get any pictures together...so I used this one to try to show how skinny this girl has gotten...Nice look sister!

Travis has always been pretty easy for me to get along with. First of all, he is a boy so we didn't ever really compete. But he is also super easy going and level headed. He isn't very emotional, just factual, which balances me out! He has a GREAT wife (whom I really feel is more like a sister) and I am super excited that they both just graduated from college and got grown up jobs, still running their photography business AND are BUYING THEIR FIRST HOUSE at the end of the month!!! Not to mention, my brother is really thoughtful. I almost cried when he sent me this text yesterday!!!

This picture is pretty old...but I still love it...Look how cute Danielle is...and Travis and I, well we are realated!!!

Kyle is the fun one of the family. It is always a good time when Kyle is around. His laugh is REALLY infectious and seeing him laugh is even funnier because of his crooked smile and tongue (it is very endearing)!!! Kyle is always up for a good time and brings a lot of joy to the group!!! Here is a text Kyle sent me on Halloween...This pretty much speaks to our relationship...

KyKy and I at the Michigan football game last year..I was about 6 months pregnant with Emrie and I remember both Kyle and I saying, "Mom, don't post this picture on Facebook". It was up the next day!!!

Mallory is the baby. Growing up I would have said hands-down she was my favorite sibiling because she looked up to me and thought I was cool:) I loved her because I thought I was kind of her boss...hahaha. Now I enjoy watching her play field hockey at Michigan and seeing her become a 'big girl', but in my mind she will always be 4 years old!!! I have to say, I admire how confident she is in herself. She really doesn't care what people think of her; she rocked dreads and then nearly shaved them all off and is rocking a pixie do now...she marches to the beat of her own drum and I respect that.