Christmas Cards...or Not...

 Well, I definitely dropped the ball on the Christmas cards this year.  I was sick pretty much the entire month of November, and while I'm feeling LOADS better, the Christmas card thing just didn't happen.  And you know what?  I'm okay with that.  We've been having a blast doing other fun stuff to prepare for Christmas around here.  Consider this your Christmas card from the Holleman family!  LOL.

We did dress the boys in their Christmas jammies and attempt to take some photos, but that didn't work out so well, either.  They were being so silly! 

For some reason, I just love this photo!  It's like they were sharing some big secret.  Precious brothers!

It just got sillier and sillier...hey, at least they were having fun, right?!  :-)

 Alas, this is the best photo we got of the 3 of them together.  Kaleb had had enough!  I can remember my mom going through entire rolls of film and not getting a single good photo of all of us...now I know how she felt!  At least I don't have to pay to have them all developed, right Mom?  LOL.  

We may not have gotten the "perfect" Christmas card photo this year, but these boys sure do make life fun!  There is never a dull moment around here.  I am so thankful for each one of them and the joy they bring to Mike and me every single day.  2013 has been a terrific year.  We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!  May we all remember the true reason we celebrate, and count our many blessings!

Love and blessings,

Mike, Krys, Joshua, Luke & Kaleb

Making Christmas Treats

Joshua and I made Christmas tree brownies for his preschool Christmas party.

 

 

 

 

These were fun and super easy to make.

 

He couldn't wait to share them with his friends!  

 One of the perks of my job is that I do/will get to help out at the kids' school activities.  It was so special to be able to attend and assist Joshua's teacher with the Christmas party.  I seriously think I have the BEST.  JOB.  EVER.  :-)

Sleeping Babes

 Is there anything sweeter than a sleeping child?

God May Not Have a Wonderful Plan for Your Life

 I really enjoyed this blog post...hope you will, too!

http://yourmomhasablog.com/2013/11/09/god-may-not-have-a-wonderful-plan-for-your-life/

Birthday Treats

 Joshua wanted to take Mike & Sulley cupcakes to his preschool friends as his birthday treat.  Momma just didn't have time to make them this year, so we ordered this cupcake cake from HyVee and he loved it!  Sometimes, you just gotta go with store-bought!  :-)  Can't believe my sweet boy will be FOUR next week!

Killing Off Supermom

http://www.modernmom.com/53a7b8b4-3b45-11e3-8407-bc764e04a41e.html

Lions

 Well, our Lions didn't pull out the season we were hoping for, but these 3 little boys sure are cute fans, if I do say so myself!  :-)  I guess there's always next year...

The Mom Confession

I can relate to this on so many levels...

http://www.viralnova.com/mom-confession/

5 Ways to Love Your Pastor's Kids

Being a pastor's family can be beautiful and wonderful and challenging and exciting.  But it can also be damaging and disheartening and frustrating at times.  Our kids have and will experience many forms of discrimination as we navigate the path God has set before our family.  Satan will come at them and us from every angle.  I loved this article about ways to love your pastor's kids.  They are, after all, just like everyone else's kids.  A little grace goes a long way.

http://ryanhuguley.com/ryan-huguley/2013/12/16/5-ways-to-love-your-pastors-kids

Famous!

 Joshua and I were on the front page of a local newspaper for singing in that Christmas concert Wednesday evening.  He's famous!  :-)  What a fun memento to put with his keepsakes!

17 Things Boys Need From Their Moms

For all you mommas of boys...

http://butterflywriterblog.wordpress.com/2013/02/06/17-things-boys-need-from-their-moms/

Kaleb's 2-Month Stats

14 lbs. 11 oz.

24 in.

 

 Yup, we got us some big boys!  :-)

Luke's 2-Year Stats

 30 lbs.

34.5 in.

To the Mamas of Littles During the Holidays

If you have little ones, this blog is for you.  I loved it...hope you will, too!

http://www.vitafamiliae.com/to-the-mamas-of-littles-during-the-holidays/

Do You Hear What I Hear?

 Last night, Joshua and I had the privilege of singing at a local church's annual Christmas Concert.  This is the second year I participated.  I've been wanting to do a duet with Joshua for a while now, but I didn't know if he would really do it with me or not.  We practiced and practiced, but I went into the evening knowing full well that his almost-4-year-old self would probably decide at the last minute that he didn't want to sing.  In fact, he missed his nap that day and fell asleep in the car on the way.  He was completely disoriented and in tears when we arrived, so I figured I would be singing all by myself.  At the last minute, he pulled it together, and he did an awesome job!  So proud of my big boy...can't wait to do many more duets (trios...quartets...with his brothers?) with him in the future!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOEgoIABgRY&feature=youtu.be

I majorly messed up the words in the first couple verses, so just ignore me and watch the cute little guy singing!  :-)

And yes, I know I have been MIA from the blogging world...hopefully I'll be able to get caught up this weekend!  Have a great rest of your Thursday!

Krys

Luke is TWO!

 Our sweet Luke Brennan turned 2 on the 14th.  I just can't believe it!  Whoever said the days seem long but the years pass quickly sure hit the nail on the head!

Minion birthday cupcakes!

Lukey, you are truly a joy.  You are such a happy-go-lucky boy.  You have the BEST smile and it just lights up the room!  It also allows you to get away with lots of mischief, haha!

 You definitely have a stubborn streak, and have to do things in your own time.  You don't talk a lot yet, but just in the past couple weeks you have started saying quite a few words.  You love to sing, and while the words aren't entirely comprehensible, I love listening to you sing the Alphabet Song and the "Hot Dog Dance" from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  Speaking of Mickey, you LOVE him.

You have to sleep with your white crocheted blanket at every nap and bedtime.   You nap 1-2 hours in the afternoon and sleep from about 9 p.m. - 6 a.m. each night.


Recently, you have become your big brother's shadow.  You love to mimic him and the two of you play pretty well together, most of the time.  ;-)

You are such a little smarty pants.  We are amazed at the things you know.  I have some learning games on my iPad that are meant for Joshua's age group, but you play them like there's nothing to it.  You can sort items by shapes and colors and sizes.  You also know many of your letters.

You love to help around the house.  You help me unload the dishwasher, put clothes into the dryer, pick up toys, "fold" laundry, and you always put your coat, hat & shoes in the closet when we come inside.  You have also recently started bringing me a diaper when you need your diaper changed, so who knows, maybe potty training is around the corner?

You are so sweet with Kaleb.  You will randomly come up to him and kiss or pat him.

We haven't had your 2-year check up yet, so I'm unsure of your stats.  You weighed 28 lbs. a month ago, so we'll see what the doctor has to say in a couple weeks!

You like to take life slowly.  We don't move very quickly when we're out and about because there is absolutely no rushing you!  You just have to take everything in.  I'm learning a lot from you about patience and just enjoying each day.

 Sweet Lukey, I am so thankful to be your momma.  You bring so much love and laughter into our home.  Thank you for just being you.  Thank you, Lord, for our precious boy.