SPOILED!!!

The kids finally went to bed and Santa and Mrs. Claus got to work putting presents under the tree, stuffing the stockings, and wrapping the few final gifts that were purchased last minute to "fill in the gaps". We stood in the living room together and said to each other, OUR KIDS ARE SPOILED! Don't get me wrong, there were no fancy gifts this year. Their largest and most exciting presents were Razor scooters that cost a whopping $30.00 - but I have been shopping since October thinking that this would benefit us financially because I would be DONE when everyone else was just starting. Well, I found the opposite to be true. I just kept picking up little things here and there, storing gifts in every corner of our house as well as my parents house. When we finally got it all together we realized that we had gone overboard, once again! What is a mother to do? I sat and looked at everything and even debated putting a few things away to return but decided against it. Instead, we smiled Christmas morning as they opened and loved each gift. My favorite reactions were Kylee seeing that she did get the sleeping beauty castle that she has been requesting since August (she danced around the room and squealed), and Nick wondering how in the HECK Santa knew that he wanted a pirate ship. It was a fun morning! Kylee wanted a picture with her and Nick with all of their presents which I totally FAKED taking because I don't want them to look at that next year and wonder why Santa didn't bring them as much! Luckily Austin is too little to understand that his pile was a lot smaller than the other two kids! Anyway, does anyone else feel their kids were way too SPOILED this Christmas???

Christmas Sunday

I look forward to "Christmas Sunday" every single year. I love going to church knowing that I will likely not be bored with a speaker but will get to sing and listen to Christmas music. We went to church with Tyler's parents in Logan this morning. They have a lot of musical talent in the ward from people who play the bells, flute, violin, and organ to many who sing like angels! It was a very uplifting meeting and I truly felt the spirit of Christmas. Kylee and Nick were actually quite good and even went to Primary without a fight. Austin roamed the halls for a majority of the meetings - what do you expect from a one year old! We are now back home in our own house. The tree is lit and the house feels peaceful and cheerful. My kids are so excited for Christmas Eve they truly cannot hardly stand it! They are giddy! I love hearing them talk and seeing the smile on their faces as we take one more link off the homeade chain that is hanging in our kitchen. I love this time of year!

The Disaster of the Gingerbread House...

Okay, I have never claimed to be creative or have the creative touch when it comes to anything! This is the second year in a row that our attempt at building a gingerbread house has been very, very unsuccessful! As you can see, we did not make it very far before all four walls collapsed. The kids had a really good attitude about it and thought that it was quite funny! Maybe next year will be better for us!

The Holland kids "Go Green"!!!

Today Kylee and Nick both had Christmas performances at their school and were asked to wear either red or green. Since most people have red in their every day wardrobe we decided that we would go with green! I think they look mighty cute if I might say so myself! Doesn't Kylee look thrilled to be there?!!?

Kylee's "BIG DAY"

The day of the dance recital came and went! Kylee was so excited to perform and was even more excited that Grandpa and Grandma Holland drove from Logan to be here! Grandma Jo was in charge of her ward party that morning but we have it on video...thank goodness for technology. Putting her hair in a bun was a bit of a challenge but we survived the day and it was fun!

Let it SNOW!!!

I finally made it to the store this week to stock up on hats, gloves, boots and snow pants! As dad shoveled, the kids had their first experience in the snow this year! We are going to grandma's for dinner and they have already loaded their snow clothes in the car in hopes that Aunt Kelsey will take them sledding! We are hoping that the coming weeks bring more storms and more snow...we will see.

5 going on 15...

I was getting Kylee ready this morning and was in quite a rush! We were in a hustle to get everyone out the door to the Holland Family annual Christams party in Treemonton. It is quite the drive and the weather was a bit messy. Kylee and I were having "a moment" (fighting like cats and dogs) when she looked at me and yelled, "MOM, YOUR ARE DRIVING ME UP THE WALL!!!!!" Where do you think that statement came from? Just one more reason we say that Kylee is 5 going on 15!!!