Holt 2011 Christmas

Well it has come and gone, and once again my goal to stay up on blogging has failed :)  We did the 12 days of Christmas and had fun, but I just didn't get around to blogging everything like I would have liked.  Oh well!  Christmas day was really nice.  The kids are in their nice Christmas outfits because we went to church before we opened presents.  Our meeting was at 9:00 and the kids didn't wake up till 7:30 so it wasn't too hard for them to withstand ;)  Ethan got legos, lego Harry Potter years 5-7 video game, and a remote control car!  Kylie got monster high dolls, barbie furniture, and a lego cabin she wanted.  I love seeing the excitement on their faces on Christmas morning :)  I even caught a few shots of the magic that Santa Claus brings.  I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!  We sure did :)

4th, 5th, 6th, & 7th Days of Christmas

Okay this is what happens when I get too busy, NOTHING!  So here it is in a nutshell really fast....... on our 4th day of Christmas we made a foam snowman craft.  The kids loved it, but the glue gave us some troubles.  On the 5th day we went for a drive to enjoy some lights.  The kids love this particular day every year, and always seem to ask why we don't put up tons of lights :)  The 6th day went down with nothing..... we had our ward party in the morning go home and had to get ready to leave again for Ethan's haircut and another party.  We were gone all day and didn't accomplish much, but we had fun.  On the 7th day we talked about the true meaning of Christmas and read the story of the Three Trees for a little fun.
So far we are having so much fun this holiday season.  I can't believe how fast Christmas comes at you :)

The 3rd Day of Christmas

Today was our 3rd day in our festivities :)  The kids made some cute foam snowmen, but the glue was giving us some issues.  I decided to post the kids Christmas pictures as well.  I wanted to do some outdoors, but we have just ran out of time around here.  DRUMROLL..... our color scheme this year is 

GREEN & CRANBERRY!

If you know me I like to go with a different color scheme then the traditional red and black in the stores.  Next years is already planned due to Kye's baptism at the beginning of next December!  I already bought her dress because this lady found and AWESOME deal :)  A normally $65 dress for $18!  It is gorgeous too!  I don't like the typical little girl baptism dresses they have out there.  I think they look like a miniature tacky prom dress (no offense to anyone who likes them).  I wanted something simple, but also something you could wear again without looking like you thought it was your baptism all over again......  too bad it won't be debuted for a year right! 

MWAHAHAHAHA!

(my evil laugh)

Enjoy the holiday pics...

The 2nd Day of Christmas

Okay so our special Christmas dinner = pizza.  I asked my kids hey what would you like to have for our special dinner, they scream PIZZA!!!!  I said hey we could go somewhere and sit down and do the whole dinner out thing if you want.  I get, "no Mom we just really want pizza from Godfather's."  Okay, easy enough ;)  Now just to go get the supplies for our craft project tonight!

The 1st Day of Christmas

Our first day of Christmas (yesterday) was pretty low key.  It was our reading of Christmas books we love, and the one above is a family favorite!  If you haven't read it you really should, it is so creative and fun!  

So SAD!!!!

Poor Kylie :(  Six months ago we went to a dental checkup and Kylie had a to have a root canal and 6 cavities filled.   We are really good about brushing and flossing so we were a little shocked!  She was a trooper even though it made me cry watching her shake through the whole procedure!  Well after that Kylie became obsessed with making sure her teeth were clean.  So to make a long story short....... we went to the dentist last week for a six month clean up and tragedy has struck again!  Kylie's cavities have grown like crazy in just six months.  The Dentist says he has never seen that happen before. I explained how good she was about brushing and flossing too :(  He and the dental hygienist told me that they could tell she brushes her teeth well.  Usually the kids have plaque build up and yellow teeth if they don't, and hers look really good!  Yikes, her new teeth seem really good so far, but Kye's baby teeth are utter crap!  She has to go in for oral surgery on the 30th to have six caps put on :(  They are putting her under this time, and they said it is really going to take a lot out of her.  Our new years eve will consist of relaxing and cuddling on the couch with some jamba juice I think.  I feel so bad for her, she burst into tears when the dentist told Ethan he had no cavities again and she had more mountains of problems :(  

December Update 2011

Couldn't resist adding Ethan's photos to my update....... you can find the update below ;)

Well, December is here and Christmas is just around the corner!  I can't believe how fast this year has flown by for us.  Bry is busy with school and work still, and is currently applying for pharmacy schools across the country.  Some of the locations make me a tad nervous I have never dreamed of leaving good old Utah, but it could be really great.  Well only time will tell there is still two chances we could stay here.  I  have been in a blur of shoots and editing, and am looking forward to some down time in January and February.  I am looking forward to Christmas this year, and love spending time with family and friends.  I found my HARD TO FIND toy that Kylie was asking for, so I feel like a well accomplished Santa Claus too :)  I was reading people's comments one day on Amazon and someone said they had found one at Justice.  Of all places to think to find Monster High Dolls!  So I called the one at the District the next morning with no luck, so I tried Fashion Place and had SUCCESS!!!!  I raced in  and bought the only one they had.  This Abbey Bominable is ridiculous to find.  If a store gets one in shipment they only receive ONE, yep just ONE!  So it was nice to find her and look forward to  Kye's eyes lighting up with excitement.  Especially since I told her Santa might not be able to get Abbey for her. Kylie is rockin it right now.  She is doing awesome in school and tested at a 3rd grade level for reading!!  She has finished all of the new chapter books I bought her and asked to read the first Harry Potter book.  I let her read the first chapter for me, just to see if it would be too difficult.  NOPE!  read it with awesome fluidity!  She has also finished learning her solo and now has 5 months to clean it, so it should be awesome!  She is so close on getting her back walk overs so she should have them by the time she performs :)  We just went to the seamstress and designed her costume, it should be DARLING!  Between school, dance, and early morning choir practice Kye is one busy chickadee!

Ethan is obsessed with playing Lego Harry Potter.  We have had to limit video game time to an hour only on Friday and Saturdays.  He is having fun in preschool and can't wait for it to get warm so he can go ride four wheelers up and Grandma Rhonda's cabin.  LOL, he is having cabin withdrawals!  

Well, there you have it.  We are looking forward to our 12 Days of Christmas and sharing our experiences her on the blog :)  

Hope you all have a healthy and happy Holiday season!

Mr. Personality...

What more can I say, my son if full of IT!!!  Love him to pieces though :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

I love Thanksgiving!  Maybe because mashed potatoes and gravy is one of my most favorite things to eat, or maybe because I love spending time with my family :)  I am so thankful for all of the things that make up my life.  I consider myself really lucky to be blessed with so much love and beautiful people in my life.

So in honor of Thanksgiving, I just have to say THANKS!

I think I thought a thought.....

I had a strange thought in my mind.  It wasn't the usual kind.  Another thought came that was almost the same, now the first thought I thought I can't find........

-Rhonda Meeks

(I think when my Mom wrote this in High School she had a premonition of how her daughter would one day be!  It infuriates me sometimes......)

7 Years Old

I can't believe it has been seven years!  Happy Birthday to my sweet Kylie bug :)  I am not lying when I say it feels like it was just yesterday that I had her.  I remember every detail of my pregnancy with Kye and her birth.  I don't know why, but I have a harder time recalling my pregnancy with Ethan?  Weird....  Kye is such a blessing to our family.  She is kind, loving, smart, talented, happy, and easy going!  She takes things a little seriously, and has tender feelings.  Every time I look at her I think what a beautiful young lady she is becoming.  I am so proud to be her mommy and so grateful to be as well!  We love you Kylie and hope you have a Happy 7th Birthday!

Sleigh Ride.....

So this is how it all went down :)  "Ethan lets take some pictures,"  I say.  "Mom do I have to?" he replies.  "If you want any Halloween candy today ;),  just go sit on the sled and look cute," I say.  I pick up my camera and turn around to this!  BAHAHAHA!  Merry Freakin Christmas!!!!!

November Update

Oh, my good old updates I know you are as excited as I am right?  I do this for journaling purposes...... I ran across my high school journal the other day and was having some good chuckles!  The things that were so important to me then seem a bit shallow and ridiculous, hopefully my fully grown children won't judge too harshly :)  Anyways, Bryan is in school and working which equals he is non existent to us throughout the week.  We do get to see him on Friday and Saturday though, so that's a plus!  I have hit my busy season and am just trying to stay on top of things.  I have a double session this Friday and I only have an hour between shoots, so it should be pretty crazy!  I am also trying to do better with spending quality time with my kids.  It is so hard to get all my editing done and make sure I'm not neglecting my children......... ugh, I need better time management skills ;)  I am looking forward to the holidays and spending time with my family!  I love playing Santa too :)  Bryan was put in charge of Ethan this year and I am doing all of Kye's.  The problem is I am nearly done, and he won't even bother with it.  If I don't kick his but he will be trying to shop on Christmas Eve, he drives me bonkers!  I am not a fan of busy shopping malls and stores, so I tend to get it done early and be done with it.  Kylie is a busy bee too.  She has been doing great in school, dancing like crazy, and even doing so well with her solo classes!  She even started choir again at school which she loves doing every year.  Ethan is on break for preschool he is doing so well though.  He is writing up a storm and asks how to spell everything so he can write it down :)  I remember Kye going through this phase too!  He wrote his entire wishlist to Santa by himself :)  So proud of him and how much he is learning this year.  Well that is us as of right now, short and sweet!

2011's Holt 12 Days of Christmas!

Here we go again, my 12 days of Christmas has become a loved tradition for my kids at our house.  I try to add a few new things in every year, mixed with some old favorites too :)  So here we go!

*I go from the 13th to Christmas Eve (Christmas day is already jammed with goodness)

1st Day- "A Christmas Story"-- We will be getting out all our favorite Christmas books and reading them, don't forget your jingle bell for Polar Express :)

2nd Day- "Carve the Roast Beast"-- We are going to have a special dinner (I haven't decided if it will be out or in)

3rd Day- "Starry Starry Night"-- We will be getting our artist on and creating a craft!  I am doing it on canvas this year so we can put it up every Christmas :)

4th Day- "Twinkle, Twinkle little Night"-- We will go and see the LIGHTS!

5th Day- "Holly Jolly"-- Some silly elves at good old Gardner Village will be fun to visit.

6th Day- "Oh Holy Night"-- A night of studying our scriptures and discussing the true meaning of the Christmas season :)

7th Day- "Life is Like a Box of Chocolates"-- this is new......I am getting a big box of chocolates and we are going to have some laughs trying each one---  with a garbage near by to spit out the yucky ones ;)

8th Day- "Pretty Presents with Ribbons & Bows"-- We will be making and handing out our neighbor gifts.

9th Day- "With Chutes & Ladders There Arose Such a Clatter"-- LOL, just a fun family game night!

10th Day- "Holiday Happiness"-- This is our movie night, I'm sure A Christmas Story and some hot cocoa will be involved :)

11th Day- "Visions of Sugar Plumbs"-- We will be making cookies for Santa Claus (it is Christmas eve eve you know)

12th Day- "Twas the Night Before Christmas"-- This is pretty traditional, the kids will get their first gift of Christmas matching Pj's! (I already got them, blue penguins!)

Well that is our 12 days of Christmas plans this year!  It may seem silly to some, but we have a great time doing it!  I hope you all have a fun Holiday season!  I am counting down the days for yummy turkey dinner and holiday trinkets and trees :)

Happy Halloween

I hope everyone has a fun and safe night of Tricks and Treats!

Happy Halloween :)

Neverland.......

Finally Ethan in his costume.......  I finally got him to pose for me, and it lasted about two seconds :)  Well at least I got two great ones, he is so dreamy as my little Captain Hook!  It is good that Captain Hook is a little mean, because he looks a little grumpy ;)

Awesomeness.....

This is me and my bestest friend Al!  Aren't we just so freakin photogenic?  

Bling baby, BLING!

Okay I got this top for the holidays!  I am shiny like a Christmas ornament :)  Bry hates it, but who asked him anyways.  Bling baby, bling!  I love sparkles :)

Dear Santa.....

So yesterday I decided to sit down with my kids and see what they wanted for Christmas this year.  I am a little behind on things, since I usually am almost completely done shopping by now :)  I know I'm crazy, but I don't like hectic shopping at the last minute.  I am one of those people whose heart races if I am going to be late somewhere!  This was definitely the first year that I had NO idea what my kids really wanted.  So we sat down and talked and then looked at items on the internet to see what they were talking about :)  Ethan is the easiest kid on the PLANET!  His list consists of three things:  A remote control car (the ones like Kikki took to the cabin), cars (can I have a truck and a trailer?), and legos (a cabin and a boat one).  Wow, that is super duper easy peasy!!!!  Now Kylie has a bit longer list, but her birthday is also a month before Christmas so we have to plan for that too.  She would like:  the Barbie glam vacation home, new Barbie furniture, a new Ken (since Ethan took her old ones head off), a Barbie car, and a Barbie pool......... now here is the one I had NO idea what she was talking about...... Can I please get some Monster High dolls!   What the heck are those?  Well she took me right to their website (must have seen it on a commercial I'm guessing), Monster High dolls are like Barbie or Bratz, but they're monsters :) Lol, she said she would really, really like some.  Bry looked at me like I as a bit nutso when I told him.  Here is what they are:

They are kind of cute, and she showed me some of the videos on the website and they are all about teaching girls how to feel good about themselves and treat other girls kindly and all that jazz.  So I guess Santa will be looking for Monster High dolls........  I'm glad my kids don't make things too difficult :)

October Update

Ready for an October update and the rest of Kye's Rapunzel pictures?  I thought so ;)  Bry is busy with school and work, but I am glad we get to see him at least on the weekends.  I have hit my busy season, so now I have a ginormous pile of editing awaiting me each day.  Some how I've got to figure in Ethan's Halloween pictures and Kye's birthday pictures before it gets too cold (since Kye doesn't handle the cold well with picture taking).  I have been helping out in Kye's class every Tuesday and enjoy getting to see how her class runs.  I think I am her teachers only helper because each week I have an hours work of copying to do before anything else ;)  I laminated for the first time too!  It has been fun getting more involved at her school.  I worked the book fair and have been told I am helping with the entire Reflections program next year :)  Hopefully it's a better theme then this years!  Kye is doing so great in the 1st grade!  She has been scoring 100% on all of her tests every week and started spelling tests too (which she has not missed one yet!), what a smarty pants!  She is now off track so hopefully we can go get some fun in ;)  She picked out her music for her solo and starts her practices for that on the 8th.  She is just getting so big,  Bry told me yesterday he is getting sad because he doesn't want her to get big.  Below are the rest of her Halloween pictures, which she obviously ate up!  She makes one perfect Rapunzel with her big green eyes!  We shot these up by my parents cabin,  I wanted to do floating lanterns, but apparently they are a bit of a fire hazard!  Ethan has been playing T-ball, and he is awesome at it.  This has been a much better experience then soccer.  He's quite the little slugger and has the time of his life playing!  He has also started preschool with Miss Hollie again and is enjoying writing all his letters.  Sadly he missed his Johnny Appleseed party this week because he got a major case of croup :(  The poor kid gets croup way too much, which has led the doctors to believe he may have asthma.  They gave me some asthma medication to try out for the next few months.  Growing up with a mom with severe asthma has taught me a lot, so I hope he doesn't, but if so I am ready for it.  He will play outside and come in drenched in sweat.  I never thought it might be because his little body had to work harder to breathe :(  We had been discussing a puppy too, but if this is the case we will never be able to have one, or even visit houses with dogs.  I always remember my mom going to a house with a dog as a kid.  No one realizes it's a problem because she doesn't have an asthmatic reaction right there.  It is the 5 days after the event where you see her wheezing with a red raw throat that you realize she just tortured herself :(  So you can see we are hoping that is not the case.  That is pretty much us in a nutshell right now.