He's HERE!!!

Our new baby cousin, was born this morning at 1:35. He was 7 lbs. 11 oz. and was 20 inches long. He looks just like his sister, but with blonde hair. . . yes we said BLONDE!!! He is a keeper and we are SO glad that he is finally here! We love you!!!

Hair cut!

Can you believe that 10 week old Brother already needed a hair cut? Auntie Mimi was here to help, we didn't take much off, mostly around his ears. We were all surprised that he didn't seem to mind the clippers!

Great Grandma's 80th B-day!

Happy 80th Birthday Great Grandma! We love you!!!



P.S. Mommy's pictures of the whole family didn't turn out very good, so if anyone got a good one. . . please e-mail her a copy! Thanks!!!

Snow

Daddy and I had lots of fun shoveling/playing in the snow on our deck today! I finally got to use the shovel Great Auntie Millie gave me! Thanks Great Auntie Millie, you always come up with the best gifts! ;-)

Oh My!

This is a picture of me with my first ever candy cane. . . can you tell I LIKE it??? Either that or it is the sugar high kicking in! P.S. my cousin took this picture with her new digital camera she got from Santa!

Here is a picture of Brother and Daddy catching some shut eye after that great meal Auntie Heidi made!!!

Christmas Day

We had a great time with everyone today!!! And can you believe it I actually got tired of opening presents, I preferred to sit on them instead! Thanks Auntie Heidi for the great meal! It was yummy!!! Mommy says you need to start doing some jumping-jacks to get that baby out!!! ;-)




Daddy got a Wii from Nana and Papa and boy was he excited to get it set up when we got home. Mommy told daddy he needs to make sure his homework gets done before he can play with it! ;-)

Ho Ho Ho

OK, maybe this Santa guy isn't so bad after all!?!?! Even though I think he is still kind of scary, I certainly liked all the presents he brought Brother and me! Thanks Santa!

Look What Santa Brought!

Well, actually the kids are still asleep from a late night at Grandma and Grandpas and haven't checked out the presents under the tree from Santa, but there are some pictures I took a couple days ago! It is kind of nice having a quiet morning all to myself, it's been over two years since that has happened at our house! As soon as they are up we are off to the Eckarts to celebrate Christmas Day with Nana and Papa and the rest of the clan!

Christmas Eve

We had a great Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa Holland's and boy did we get the LOOT! I personally had fun walking around and opening every ones presents for them and then giving them kisses in hopes that they would actually give me what I opened. I really had my eye on Auntie Christine's Cookbook that she got and I think she would have given it to me too if Daddy hadn't distracted me with another gift to open!

P.S. Happy Birthday to Uncle Brian! We miss you SO much and can't wait until you are home! Love you!

Little Miss Independent

Well Mommy and Daddy have a lot to be proud of me for. I am 21 months old and am now fully potty trained, except for at night/nap time. . . but that is getting better too. I am talking up a storm. I am good at using my manners when I want something. I am good with my new baby brother and share all my toys with him. However there is one thing that I still need a little practice on and that is getting dressed! Today after I went potty, I went to the drawer and put on two pair of undies and then my pants. Yes, you would think they would be proud of me for doing this too. . . but for some reason Mommy kept trying to tell me that I was doing it wrong, while I proceeded to yell at her, "NO HELP!" Mommy says I'm in a phase where I have to do everything myself. Mommy calls me, "Little Miss Independent!" I don't see what the problem is! What is wrong with wearing two pairs of undies???. . . so what if both my legs are in one hole and they are pulled up like a belt, so what if my pants are on backwards. . . I think I look good! So, . . . Mommy, "NO HELP!" I like it this way!

New Pic

We made it to the hospital tonight to visit Auntie Amanda and Uncle Eric's new baby. She is such a little honey! Here is a new picture of her.

She's HERE!!!

Our new cousin is here!!! She was born at 6:06 this morning. (She must have a mind of her own since she didn't want to be born yesterday on Grandma and Grandpa's 41st anniversary and on Uncle Brian and Auntie Christine's 2nd anniversary!. . . I guess she wanted it to be her own special day!) She weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz. and was 20 inches long. We haven't got to meet her yet, but word has it she look just like her mommy! We are going to go up to see them later today after they get some rest. This is the picture Uncle Eric sent from his phone, we'll post more after we go see her! But, isn't she BEAUTIFUL!!!

Snow Day ~ Cookie Making

Since we were stormed in all day Mommy thought it would be a good idea to get some holiday cookies made. I was a big help; first I ate a bunch of the cookie dough. . . making sure it tasted just right, then I helped her turn the spritzer maker, then I smashed all the cookies while I tried to put red hots on them. Mommy said we would save the ones I made for Daddy! Daddy didn't care that they didn't look like trees anymore, he thought I was a pretty good baker!

So, whenever this storm passes come visit us, Mommy has lots of cookies in the freezer just waiting for company!

Something to Smile About!

Today is my 2 month birthday and as you can tell I have a lot to smile about!

Bath Time

Brother loves taking a bath and usually screams when Mommy takes him out. But, today was different, instead of crying he sat nicely on Daddy's lap long enough for Mommy to take a quick picture. Yup, we are looking forward to seeing how much weight he has gained at his next appointment in a couple days, we aren't used to seeing a baby that has rolls on him like Brother does, this is all new to us!

P.S. Great Auntie Dorene, you are in our thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery. We love and miss you bunches!

Monkey Toes!

Mommy always says I'm part monkey, and here are a couple pictures to prove it! Every time I sit in my high chair this is what I do with my toes (you will notice my right foot is pulling out the drawer). . . Mommy thinks I could probably start writing my name with my toes soon!

FYI. . . It's a slow week in the world of blogging. . . we are anxiously awaiting the birth of our cousins! . . . hurry up babies, we can't wait to meet you!

WOW Mrs. Holland!

Last night mommy's kindergarten students had their Christmas program up at the school. Instead of bringing Brother, Mommy thought it would be fun to have a Mommy and me date, so she brought just me. When the kindergarteners saw me, instead of Brother like they are used to seeing, one little boy said, "Wow, Mrs. Holland how did your baby grow up so fast?"

Yep, kids say the darnest things! :-)

I'm a BIG girl NOW!

Well, I have been using the big girl potty for about a week now, but today was the first time mommy didn't have to bug me about if I had to go or not! Today, I told her every time I needed to go and then I went all by myself! Mommy and Daddy are SO proud of me! Yep, I'm a BIG girl NOW!

Baptism

Today we celebrated Brother's baptism with all our family! We had a great day and want to thank everyone for being there to share it with us! We also want to send out a special thank you to his sponsors; Tami, Heidi, Eric, and Christine! Love you!

Daddy's Traditions

It has become a tradition that every Thanksgiving Daddy, Grandpa, Uncle Eric and Libby, Dot, and Beau go pheasant hunting. This year was no different, even though they almost got blown away by the nasty North Dakota wind, they were still lucky to come home with four pheasants.

Daddy questioned if Brother was old enough to be strapped onto a backpack for his first hunt, mommy said maybe in a few years!

Mommy's Thankful List

Here is my list of some of the things that I am thankful for this Thanksgiving:

My two miracles!
Miracle number one:

Just thinking back on how hard we tried to have her, all the tests, shots, procedures, PRAYERS, and tears we cried to have her and now here she is almost two, growing up so fast!

Then there is my miracle number two:

After four year and how many dollars to have sister, there comes brother! How and when? Good question! So as much as she is a miracle, I have to admit he is just as much a miracle! I can only hope I have a couple more miracles just like them. They are truly some thing to be thankful for! I love being a mom and thank God for them everyday!

My Husband!

Can you believe that I have known him for 10 years this fall and it all started when he asked me to dance and got his gum stuck in my hair! I never dreamed that that night I would have met my husband, the love of my life! I am SO very thankful for him. He is not only a wonderful husband, but a wonderful dad! It is amazing how natural it comes for him . . . being a dad! I remember when he used to get home from work before we had our babies and he would come give me a kiss and a hug and ask me about my day, now when he gets home, he throws off his jacket and sprints by me to sweep up his children to give them hugs and kisses . . . and I wouldn’t have it any other way! He is the most loving, funny, caring person I know and I am so lucky/thankful that he is mine!

My Parents!

Growing up, I always knew my parents loved me, but it took me being a parent to realize just how much they loved me. Mom and Dad. . . I’m thankful that you loved me as much as you did/do and that gave me the life you did. I was one lucky girl and was given pretty much everything I ever wanted. I truly had the best childhood anyone could EVER ask for; my only wish is that I can give my children the same kind of life that you gave me! Thank you Mom and Dad for setting high expectations and never settling for anything but my best. Love you!

My in-laws!

I am very thankful that I married into such a wonderful family who is so full of love and compassion. I am also thankful that they live so close (Now how often do you hear people say that about their in-laws? That just shows how wonderful they really are!)

My sisters!

I couldn’t imagine my life without my sisters! They are both the most creative, talented, fun-loving, CRAZY people I know. Growing up I never wished for a bother, I had my sisters and that is all a girl needs! I love them both and am SO thankful for them. They have been there for me through thick and thin and I know I can always count on them . . . even though they are jealous that I am the “precious” one!

My Job!

How many people can say that absolutely love what they do? I am thankful for a classroom full of children that are someday going to change the world and I will be able to say I had a hand it that! I am also thankful for all the hugs I get everyday (even when they hug you and then look at their hand in horror and say, “Oh no, that was my glue hand!”), you can never have a sad day when you teach kindergarten, even when you are 9 months pregnant and you student says, “WOW Mrs. Holland, your belly is HUGE! How do you fit in your car?” :-)

My Friends and Family!

Can’t forget them! I’m thankful for all my friends and family, new and old! It is amazing how as you go through life, there are so many people that touch your heart. Well, I can honestly say that my friends and family have all done their part to make my life a little brighter and better! I am also thankful for all my new blogger friends. I love checking in on everyone's blogs and seeing what everyone is up to. Thank you also for all of you that leave comments, it makes my day when I see someone has read my blog and has left a comment, keep them coming!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!