The VanderVeen Family

1. Log into your page
2. Click on ‘Presentation’
3. Select one of the available themes by clicking on the picture or name of the theme you want.

Some of the themes have no picture associated with them. Don’t worry, they should still work fine.

If you find one that you think is ‘just about perfect’ but you would like some things changed on it, let me know, and I can make some changes.

In the future, I hope to have a selection of available ‘Widgets’ or little items that you can place in your sidebars… more on that later…
Posted: 2006-10-28 01:05:11 #

april
Member

Hello Vanderveen Family,
I’m just curious to find out if you watch the show “Lost” .
Matt and I watch is everyone Wednesday. Its so good.
Posted: 2006-10-22 17:38:51 #
2.

joshandvicki
Member

I watched a few episodes a couple seasons ago and I will admit that it was a good show. Unfortunately, I fell behind and I really don’t know what’s going on now. I’ve tried to watch again but I’ve missed so much that I’m ‘Lost’. Someday maybe I’ll buy the DVD set and I can actually get into it again.
Posted: 2006-10-23 13:53:12 #
3.

jenn
Member

Sorry, April. We don’t watch Lost either. I can’t believe there’s a TV show out there that I’m not addicted to, but, unfortunately LOST is one of them! I did watch the first season but I have to admit, it really freaked me out!! What else do you guys watch?
Posted: 2006-10-23 17:44:22 #
4.

nick
Member

Sorry, I don’t. I saw the first one and like Jenn said, it freaked me out. Anyway, anyone watch My Name Is Earl? Thaat has to be the funniest show on TV right now. If you haven’t seen it, go check it out. Or Corner Gas. Another good show.
Posted: 2006-10-24 23:39:40 #
5.

joshandvicki
Member

Nick, ‘My name is Earl’ is pretty funny although I don’t watch it that much. As for ‘Corner gas’, I’ve never really got into it. Both shows have a ‘hick’ness about them and I’m wondering if their your favorites because of your new home province? Are you becoming a hick, Nick?
Posted: 2006-10-26 18:42:25 #
6.

april
Member

I’ve seen “My name is Earl” a few times and its pretty funny. I love funny movies/shows. Matt and I are hoping to rent Nacho Libre, the Movie with Jack Black, tomorrow night. Laura and Mitch said it was pretty good.
Posted: 2006-10-26 23:52:01 #
7.

matt
Member

I’m at one with my “Hickness” too Nick! I love Earl

I’ve started watching that new show Heroes lately. That is pretty cool.. it’s like Lost with superpowers.
Posted: 2006-10-27 16:54:10 #
8.

karen
Member

I don’t think I’ve seen many of those shows more then once. I’m kinda hooked on Without a Trace, Law & Order, and Prison Break.
And Josh, what are you saying about the province of Alberta there buddy!
Posted: 2006-10-27 19:16:24 #
9.

jenn
Member

Hey Karen! I’m with you on this one!! I love all the Law & Orders. I don’t get the channel with “Without a Trace” (we only have rabbit ears)!! Do you watch Criminal Minds, Justice and CSI?
Posted: 2006-10-28 18:22:30 #
10.

april
Member

I like CSI, the Original is my fav. Prison Break is pretty good too! So Matt and I watched “Nacho Libre” last night, it was pretty funny, we rate it about 8 out of 10.

We still liked “School of Rock” better.(We give that one a 10).

** Jen, I have not seen Criminal Minds yet, I might have to give it a try. What night is it on?
Posted: 2006-10-28 20:57:01 #
11.

joshandvicki
Member

Matt,

I’m really getting into that new ‘Heroes’ show as well. Pretty sure that if I miss an episode though it will be tough to pick up again (kind of like Lost and Prison break).

Sorry to offend all the Alberta residents — please keep sending the oil.
Posted: 2006-10-30 14:48:10 #
12.

matt
Member

“Save the cheerleader.. save the world!”
Posted: 2006-10-31 13:23:11 #
13.

jenn
Member

April,

Criminal Minds is on each Wednesday at 9:00 (after ‘Lost’).
Posted: 2006-10-31 14:15:17 #
14.

laura
Member

We have been getting into Heroes too, it gives Mitch X-Men nostalgia. We missed last week though, crap! We are hopelessly addicted to LOST and guys it is really easy if you just rent the DVDs no worrying about missing a show, it’s sweet. CSI is one of our faves and for funny ones we like King of Queens. Sadly, we cut out cable so we are missing some of our favorites like Prison Break and YES….Spongebob, I KNOW, I know, but don’t say anything unless you have seen the episode Shanghaied!! So hysterical.
Posted: 2006-11-04 20:40:58 #
15.

sid
Member

We are so into Lawrence Welk and Tommy Hunter. We just love all the groovy dance moves.
Posted: 2006-11-12 17:20:18 #

sid
Member

OK, after the immense success of the previous four family reunions, I thought it would be good to start a discussion about the next one. Bill and Clare are supposed to organize it and they’re proposing that we all go to an all inclusive resort during the winter. Late 2009 or early 2010. Thoughts? If everyone’s in favour, what week works best?
Posted: 2006-11-12 17:23:44 #
2.

jason
Member

Sounds great, Uncle Sid. We had an absolute awesome time in BC with everyone. We began to look forward to the next reunion the first day we were back in Ontario.
Unfortunately, Jenn and I are only able to make it during the Christmas Holidays or March Break. However, there is no pressure to schedule it during this time because we are well aware that this is the most expensive time. Maybe we will both have to be conveniently sick during the same week.
Posted: 2006-11-19 14:42:33 #

helena
Member

So here’s a topic any non-parents can groan about..but it’s a big one to those of us with toddlers! Any advice from some of the more experienced parents about what worked for them? We’re ramping up to a big year full of toilet training fun for everyone here at the Kwantes house!
Posted: 2006-11-07 21:39:49 #
2.

sid
Member

Arlene says that you shouldn’t force toilet training too much. It could backfire (I personally see a pun in this). Use lots of praise and positive reinforcement.
Posted: 2006-11-12 17:14:55 #
3.

jenn
Member

Sorry, Helena! I can offer you no advice. However, I truly appreciate this post…I know I’ll be referring back here in a short while when I start toilet training Annika. So, whatever works well for you guys, be sure to share it with me!!
Posted: 2006-11-21 15:20:15 #

sid
Member

First, we don’t do Christmas cards - so instead, we’re going to use this forum to wish everyone in the extended Vander Veen family a very merry Christmas. Enjoy your time with your immediate families, but never forget the reason for the season.

Second, I thought it would be interesting to share traditions or stories about past Christmas celebrations. For example, in the past, we never celebrated Christmas at home - we were always in eastern Ontario. So until recently, we always had our “family” Christmas early. We did the gift thing, but we always start with the reading of Luke 2. When our kids were smaller, they always wanted to know what they were getting for Christmas and I told them “a sack of potatoes”. One Christmas, we actually wrapped some potatoes - wish I had a picture of Nick’s face when he opened it.
Posted: 2006-12-04 03:11:22 #
2.

josh
Member

Well we don’t have many traditions just yet but I do realize that there are a few which we have carried over from our respective families.

1) We decorate the ‘real’ tree as a family and the Boney M Christmas CD is playing while we do it. I usually like to ‘break’ out the egg nog for this activity if it is available.

2) Growing up we always read the Christmas story from the Bible before opening gifts etc. and that is something we did last year with our kids and hope to continue.

3) I guess this isn’t a tradition yet but last weekend we went to Upper Canada village on Saturday evening and saw all the lit up houses. The old church was open and you could go inside and sing Christmas carols. The kids liked it and I thought it was neat so what the hay! Let’s make it a tradition (at least for a year!)
Posted: 2006-12-12 23:27:29 #
3.

jenn
Member

Well, my Christmas memories are pretty much the same as Josh’s. But I do remember always loving the fondu and other munchies that mom put together for Christmas Eve. Beppe would come over to join us and she would always get my dad a pair of socks and some chocolate. Also, when we were little, I remember dad made a scavenger hunts for us. That’s how we got our first gift. I still remember finding my watch in the fridge!

We’ll be starting our first family Christmas tradition this year. Like Uncle Sid, we’ll have to do it early because we’ll be in Southern Ontario for Christmas. But, as long as we have Boney M to play in the car, we’re all set!!
Posted: 2006-12-18 14:25:16 #

Hello gang,
I wanted to update my dutch calender with everyone birthday/Wedding Anniversary
.
Can you let me know your birthday, your kids, spouse and so on… Also please include your wedding anniversary

Date and year would be great!!!!

Thanks
Posted: 2006-11-07 23:08:35 #
#

debra
Member

Hey April, I am so glad you started this one! We are going to be trying to add a feature on the page displaying the special dates for each month!
Alright, I guess I’ll start…
My DOB is October 31, 1985
Brian’s is October 7, 1985
our wedding was May 6, 2006

Do you want the goldfishes’ birthdays too?
Posted: 2006-11-07 23:54:12 #
#

helena
Member

A page with the month’s special dates would be awesome! Thanks for doing so much to keep us all going on this page Deb & Brian!

Here’s our b-days:

Helena - Oct 19, 79
Ian - May 11, 78
Rory - Dec 28, 04
Breanna & Stevie - Oct 14, 05

Anniversary: Aug 31, 02

Helena
Posted: 2006-11-11 14:50:26 #
#

sid
Member

OK, I can do this:
Arlene: Sept. 6, 1963
Sid: March 8, 1960 (International Womens Day)
Nick: May 24, 1985
Jordan: August 13, 1989
Beth: November 27, 1990

Our anniversary is January 12, 1985.

Brian, is there any way that you can show a calendar on the home page that has special dates bolded? Then if you click on the bolded date you find out what the special date is?
Posted: 2006-11-12 17:10:21 #
#

josh
Member

OK, here is our info:

Josh: April 11, 1977
Vicki: December 2, 1979
Ethan: August 7, 2002
Ryan: July 26, 2004
James: September 8, 2006

Anniversary: May 8, 1999

Josh
Posted: 2006-11-13 16:09:38 #
#

brian
Member

> Brian, is there any way that you can show a calendar on the home page that has special dates bolded? Then if you click on the bolded date you find out what the special date is?

That is the plan. As soon as I figure out how I want to do it!
Posted: 2006-11-13 20:28:21 #
#

clare
Member

Anniversary - May 1, 1976
Birthdays:
Bill - May 28, 1955
Clare - September 27, 1956
And there really are a few other family members that are older than me, besides Bill!
Posted: 2006-11-19 02:52:12 #
#

jason
Member

Here is our info:

Jenn - Feb 17, 1979
Jay - Sept 21, 1976
Annika - Jan 3, 2006

Thanks for setting this up.
Posted: 2006-11-19 14:32:03 #
#

jason
Member

Sorry but I forgot the most important date:

Our anniversary is Aug 26, 2000.
Posted: 2006-11-19 14:35:27 #
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laura
Member

Our special dates:
Anniversary: July 11, 2003
Mitch: April 3, 1980
Laura: October 10, 1983
Mollie: August 10, 2006
Posted: 2006-11-19 20:15:25 #
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lyne
Member

That’s a great idea!
Kris: Feb. 10, 1978
Lyne: Feb. 22, 1978
Anniversary: July 6, 2002
Posted: 2006-11-19 22:47:05 #
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april
Member

I forgot to include ours…
Matt: January 16, 1977
April: April 30, 1978
Anniversary: August 12th, 2000
Posted: 2006-11-20 01:11:47 #
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sara
Member

Super Good Idea,

We transfered my mom’s old Dutch Calender to a new one a couple of months ago but tons of the names and dates were smudged or blurry or just plain bad handwritting so I know we missed a bunch. Especially the new additions so here are ours to add to the list

Lance Jarvis July 11, 1976
Sara Jarvis August 29, 1982
Aviendha Jarvis June 18, 2005

Anniversary May 3, 2003
Posted: 2006-11-20 05:11:23 #
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gail
Member

Ype - February 1, 1953
Gail - January 6, 1955
Tone - May 2, 1982
Our anniversary is June 14, 1975
Tone’s Anniversary - still waiting
Posted: 2006-11-21 18:06:34 #
#

helena
Member

Well, since it looks like my parents/Theresa/Thomas will not be getting their own site unless we do it for them, I thought I should post their info:

Bonnie: Nov 24, 1955
Heine: Apr 01, 1951
Theresa: Dec 27, 1980
Thomas: May 25, 1986

Anniversary: Dec 27, 1977
Posted: 2006-11-24 20:58:00 #
#

karen
Member

I guess Helena did everyone in our family so I’m on my own! My birthdays Nov 18, 1982

brenda
Member

Brenda June2,1963
David October 23, 1965
Jessica November 24, 1986
John October 21,1986
Kristen October 19, 1988
Erin May 3, 1991
Travis April 21,1995

Our anniversary, Dec. 1, 1984
Jess and John’s Aug.5, 2006