A Night with Grandpa Hill...

I am pretty sure this will go down in history as one of my most favorite memories of Grandpa Hill.  It was Veterans Day and my kids didn't really understand the meaning of why we "celebrate" that day.  It bugged me that I had not taught them well as their mother so I decided to make a night of it and visit a veteran, Grandpa Hill.  He was very kind to grant my very last minute request and talked for a full 30 minutes to my kids about his time in the military.  He shared stories, showed picture, and talked about patriotism.  It was a priceless night filled with great teaching for my kids and ending with these precious pictures of my kids with their Grandpa.  I hope that the will look back on these pictures some day with fond memories of Grandpa Hill and know what he stood for.  He is a wonderful man full of conviction and testimony and I am grateful that my kids have grown up knowing who he is and feeling of his Spirit.

Kylee the Baller...

It is fun to see your kids learn, grow, and develop.  Basketball has been especially fun for Kylee this year. She has taken a sudden turn and has become really good.  She is more often than not the "high scorer" on her team and is really learning to love the sport. It also helps that she is surrounded by some of her best friends.  Abby, Ellie, Ryllie, Sydney and Ashley.  Cousin Haley drives down every once in awhile to play as well which is always

Emma...

I have not been very good about keeping up on the blog - I blame it on the fact that my "camera" is on my phone and does not take good pictures.  I need to get back in the habit of taking my REAL camera along with me.  Thank goodness my mom is almost always around to snap great shots of my children as they continue to grow.

Emma turned 2 last month - crazy how time flies!  Here are a few snapshots of her that I found on my computer.  I have not been good about documenting her life to this point.  Right now she is incredibly FUN.  Like REALLY fun.  Here are a few things we LOVE about our Emma right now...

She LOVES her daddy - like LOVES.  Her second choice is always Kylee, and I take third.  My feelings aren't hurt though...it is super helpful to have her excited to hang out with other people!

She DOES NOT EAT.  I am not joking either.  She loves to drink milk and juice and pretty much picks at everything else.  She has a major sweet tooth and will find candy anywhere.  Her latest addiction is gum, which she finds, chews, and swallows before moving on to another piece.  It is not abnormal for her to consume and entire pack.  While chewing, her favorite thing to say is "it's spicy".  It is actually pretty cute.

She is TALKING.  Like full sentence talking.  Totally easy to comprehend talking.  There are times she says things and I double take because I can't believe that she is actually forming sentences.  She loves to "parrot" what she hears....like when Summer calls me a "bum bum" Emma will do the same thing.  Awesome, right?

She has definite favorites in the extended family...Kelsey and Wes (a.k.a "Wessy") are her number ones.  She LOVES them - especially Wes.  Whatever store we walk in she will always ask if Kelsey is there.  If I say no, she moves on to ask if Wessy is there.  She is always on the look out for them which is why I don't hesitate a bit to leave her with them...EVER.  She is kind to all other Grandma's, Grandpa's, Aunt and Uncles but those two have for sure captured her little heart.

She thinks she does gymnastics and it is about the cutest thing I have ever seen. She puts her hands up next to her ears, lunges, and does a roll.  She loves spinning and dancing to music with her sisters.  I love that they are so good to each other and I love watching her move and groove.  Emma and Kylee have a special "dance" they do together that she has totally memorized and she will do it on command.

She has kept the Holland tradition of being a crappy sleeper.  She loves to be rocked and cuddled at night (usually by daddy or Kylee) and only lasts 4 - 5 hours in her own bed before making her way to my arms where we spend the rest of the night cuddling.  I know I should break this bad habit, but I just can't.  I enjoy my cuddle time with her just a little too much!

That's my Emma in a nutshell.  Pure joy in our family.  Absolute blessing from heaven for me as my final baby.  We love her dearly!

Jammies 2013

My favorite tradition at Christmas time is matching jammies.  It is one of my fondest memories of my childhood and one that I look forward to every year.  This year I got on the ball early, which is not like me, and love what I picked up!  My girls love the "fuzzy and warm" jammies as Summer would say, and you can't go wrong with the sports theme for the boys.  I hope this is a tradition that my kids enjoy and will pass on to their own families someday.

Silly Miss Emma

I could just eat this little one up.  She is growing up way too fast and is learning new tricks daily.  She loves to be the center of attention...my mom captured these adorable shots as she was showing us that she discovered she could scale the outside of the railing.  I love this little bug!

Nick is #10

 This picture captures his personality perfectly.  Handsome and silly.  I love this boy.  He is so full of energy and life and brings nothing but joy (except for when he is really stubborn) to our family.  He is a fierce competitor and loves playing ball.  He has a smile and laugh that lights up any room and a nose full of freckles that someday some lucky lady is going to love.  Nick is a kid for of testimony and strength and I know he will grow up to do awesome things!  Happy big 10 Nick Holland!

Life is STILL happening...

Yes, we are still alive and life is still happening.  We went from Kindergarten Graduation to the First Day of School - I am terrible, I know!  Oh well.  At least my little ones are documented, right?  Here they all are on the first day of school.  Happy, great teachers, awesome friends!  We really are in a groove around here right now.  Most days I think I might actually be doing okay as their mother.  Emma and I are pals three afternoons a week which is nice.  They are growing up and becoming independent.  What's a mother to do?  I'll admit a few tears have been shed in the last few weeks.  I feel like we are doing okay, but are we really doing okay?  All we can do is give our best as parents and hope that they take it all in, apply it, and turn out as decent human beings.  I think we are on the right track.  One thing is for sure...I love each of them to the moon and back.  Their personalities are SO DIFFERENT yet they all make me smile in their own unique way.  So, here are the classic first day of school pictures!  Enjoy...

Another Graduate...

It has been way too long since I posted last but life seems to get busier by the minute and I am struggling to keep up with all the things I think that I "should" be doing.  So, I am going to try and be better at documenting life at the Holland house.  What a better way to start then with the most recent....

KINDERGARTEN GRADUATE - AUSTIN! 

 "Hi Mom!"  Could he be any cuter?  The glasses melt me.  He is pretty adorable if you ask me. 

 We LOVE Mrs. Taylor.  Nick had her and we were happy to see another child receive their Kindergarten education with such a fantastic lady.  He has LOVED her this year! 

 Grandpa and Grandma Holland made the trek from Logan to come support Austin on his big day.  He was excited to have him there and even more excited when they took him to Cafe Rio for a post graduation lunch! 

 We are looking older but are still proud parents! 

 Someday maybe this picture will be found on a wedding video?  Austin and Kamri.  Neighbors and friends.  Both as cute as can be.

And there he is with his official certificate of Kindergarten completion.  I must admit I was a little emotional during their little graduation performance.  Kindergarten kids are the cutest.  So innocent and sweet and still excited about life and learning.  Austin is a good kid.  He tells me that he loves me every time he leaves the house and is always the first to give me hugs.  I hate the thought of him being gone all day next year - tackling new experiences like the lunchroom and the "big" playground.  The kids are growing up.  I guess that is what they are supposed to do but man it has happened fast.  

Happy Graduation Day, Austin!  We couldn't love you more! 

One Year Ago...

One year ago today I became a mom for the 5th time.  I remember it being one of those experiences where I wanted to savor every. single. moment.  I remember being on the operating table, looking up at the bright lights, thinking "I will never do this again", and it made me sad.  There is something special about every delivery.  There is bonding between husband and wife, newborn and our Heavenly Father that only happens in that wonderful moment when the first cry is heard.  I have really struggled  processing the fact that I will not have that experience again.  Not too long ago I was making a visit to an elderly woman in our ward who was in the hospital and it hurt to walk those halls.  I remembered taking a stroll a few days after delivery and walking those same halls in a hospital gown...anxious to get back to the nursery to snuggle my sweet new baby.  I loved the hospital.  I loved the endless hours of peace, quiet and bonding.  I loved eating hospital food.  I loved visitors, especially my dad who was already there seeing patients and would pop in when I needed an uplift the most.  I loved everything about each delivery experience.    

Such is life.  We push forward, day by day, not knowing what wonderful experiences lie ahead of us.  Some days are beautiful and somedays are difficult but each day happens and something new is learned.  Emma has completed our little family and has taught me so much this year.  I didn't think my heart could love as much as I love my children.  This year I have not slept through the night once but have loved every single minute snuggling Emma in bed with me while she nursed herself back to sleep.    Knowing that she is my last baby has made me love every milestone that much more.  Today I find myself smiling but sad as we celebrate Emma.  Smiling because she is mine forever and because she brings me so much joy but feeling sadness as I understand that there will likely not every be a first birthday celebrated in our house again.  So today we will celebrate right.  Happy Birthday Emma Renee!

Baseball...

We survived another baseball season!  I am getting really good at packing strollers, blankets, umbrellas, snacks, drinks and entertainment while we enjoy our afternoons/evenings at the ballpark.  There are days I finally put everything down on the grass while sweating my guts out and wonder, "what am I doing?" .  And then I remember.  I am being a mom and I think I am a pretty good one.  What I AM doing is supporting my kids and teaching them to support each other.  They are all involved in something that requires a little sacrifice from the entire family...and hopefully they will look back and remember these as great experiences together.  It isn't easy.  There is often whining and fighting and frustrations.  I took this picture on a crisp morning in Logan at one of the recent tournaments...it was the perfect baseball weekend.  Grandparents and cousins there, perfect weather, endless hours on the playground an on the bleachers, and this little team played their heart out and won the tournament.  Totally worth the sacrifice. 

Emma

I need to document that this sweet child exists.  I have posted nothing about her since her birth which is sad.  She has earned the nickname, "tumor", because her and I are attached and she is kind of a pain but I pain that I love.  She is still nursing.  Yes, you heard that right, nursing at 8 (almost 9) months and it is killing me.  Emma does not like to sleep. Ever. which means we spend a lot of time together...nursing. She likes to be cuddled at night so that is what we do.  I am in pure survival mode with this little one.  She is busy like Summer was.  Crawling happened at about 6 months and she is now in the stage of pulling herself up on everything and walking along furniture.  Before I know it she will be walking.  Crazy how quickly time passes and they grow up.  We love her and I seriously can't get enough of her which is good because like I said, we are attached at the hip!

Finally...The First Day...

Yes, I understand it has been way too long since I lasted posted.  School let out, Summer turned three, and the rest is history.  From here on out the blog posts will be completely out of order but at least life over the last little while can be documented...kind of.

Little Miss Summer started pre-school this year and though we got off to a rocky start (total separation anxiety) it only took her a few days to adjust.  She is THRIVING and doing better than I ever expected.  Her teacher, "Mrs. Delicious", is fantastic.  Energetic and fun - she has Summer wrapped around her little finger.  I am grateful because quite frankly, this sweetie makes me tired!  She is loving having "friends" and wishes pre-school was every single day.

I have another Kindergartner and it feels weird.  I cried his first day...just as I did with the previous two.  He struggled to adjust in the few weeks - his little brain was on overload and his class is huge which makes it easy to get lost in the shuffle.  He has since totally adjusted and loves it.  For some reason I worry about him more than the older two but he is proving me wrong (as always) and is rocking it with Mrs. Taylor!

 Waving goodbye...seriously broke my heart but look at that happy face! 

 Yes, I forced them to smile with their arms around one another.  Someday they will remember that they really do love each other.  All smiles on the first day.  Kylee's teacher is fresh out of college, young and innocent, which I have decided you have to be to want to teach 5th grade.  Ms. Black is darling (wish she would marry my brother) and Kylee is continuing to grow up right before my eyes.  Seriously depressing that I have a child this old!

Kylee and her cute friends.  Love these girls but mostly grateful that the cute blonde in the middle is mine.  How lucky am I do call her mine? 

 Nick, Nick, Nick - I convinced him to wear purple and he obliged.  Amazing!  I guess living in Lehi makes the color purple ok. :)  His teacher totally gets him.  Mrs. Howard has four boys of her own and understands the way boys brains work.  She has been wonderful.  So, so, so wonderful.  He has made lots of new friends and is seriously a mother's dream when it comes to school work.  Such a great kid! 

Phew.  I documented the first day of school 2012.  Today is Halloween which is a long time after the actual first day of school but we do what we can!  

Summer is THREE!

I could not love this little blue-eyed sweetie any more.  There is never a dull moment with Summer around!  She is busy and stubborn but when she looks at me with her crystal clear blue eyes I kind of melt.  I am so incredibly grateful to be her mom.  

Summer's favorites at THREE:

* She loves to play with cars - she could do it all day long and our collection is huge!

* She loves going to the store - each morning starts with "are we going to Costco, or Walmart, or the Dollar Store"? She knows how to drive to each so if she thinks we need to go to Target and I don't drive that direction she throws a fit.  

*She loves water!  At three in the afternoon when I am done chasing her I turn on the shower or bath, give her cars, and leave her there.  She could play in the water forever!  

* She loves to say "I hate you" to get a reaction (I don't think she knows what it means)  It is usually followed by a giggle and then a sweet "I love you".

* When she is hurt or upset she cries for big sister Kylee.

* She loves Jake and the Neverland Pirates on the Disney Channel.  

* She has an obsession with airplanes and helicopters.  She can always hear them first and then searches the sky until she finds them.

* She loves to ride the wiggle bike down the hill in and around the corner of our house.  She has no fear of speed.  It makes anyone watching nervous but she hasn't crashed yet!

* She loves the color purple.

* She loves to be "matching" with Kylee.  I think Kylee cooperates right now and it makes Summer happy!

* She loves her friends Chole and Eden.  She begs all day every day to play with "her friends".

* She loves to dance to "Break Your Heart" knows most of the words.

* She has a literal obsession with drinking fountains, flushing toilets and washing her hands.  She will not potty train but likes to act like she is so that she can flush the toilet and wash her hands.

* She loves LIFE cereal, bananas, yogurt, string cheese and peanut butter sandwiches.  When making her sandwiches we have to make sure she is allowed to put the honey on or she won't eat it.

Happy Birthday to my favorite THREE year old!