Holgate Family Pictures

When we were in Utah for Christmas we had all of my family get together for pictures. I cannot believe how big my family has gotten! It is one crazy party when we all get together. We are never lacking for entertainment or quietness for that matter! They all actually only live in about a 20 mile radius of each other. We are the only ones that live away. I have such a fun and loving family!

My mom and dad, Merwin and Jackie

Shanan, Kirk, Brad, Mandi
(Oldest to youngest: Kirk, Shanan, Brad, Mandi)

Chandler, Kirk, Kelsey, Braden, Eliza, Ethan

Emma, Kaden, Lanny, Isabelle (Izzy), Kory, Shanan

Jacob, Hannah, Brad, Logan, Holly, Chloe

Mandi, Phil, Gracie, Parker, (baby in the oven)

My mom has nicknamed each one of her grandchildren. She actually only ever calls them by their nicknames too. I think they all love it and will be able to remember that always about their grandma.

Kelsey - Dutch
Braden - BK
Chandler - Spud
Eliza - Ellie
Ethan - Sparky
Kaden - George
Isabelle - Tinkerbell
Emma - Maple
Kory - Slater
Hannah - Squeaky
Jacob - Chip
Logan - Gus
Chloe - Cricket
Gracie - Maisy Lou
Parker - Charlie Brown

This was so fun for me to write down all of my nieces and nephews nicknames because I recall the reasons and memories of their nicknames coming about. I couldn't help but smile the whole time thinking about them and loving and missing them!

I know all these pictures and names may not be of any interest to the readers of our blog, but these posts are more for our family journaling purposes. :)

Stephenson Family Pictures

When we were in Utah over Christmas we got Phil's family all together for family pictures. It is extremely rare that we are all together at once. Unfortunately the pictures didn't turn out! There are too many shadows on all of our faces. Despite them not being perfect, I think it's still great that we are all together. The other unfortunate thing is it will be out of date any day now! Phil's little sister is expecting another little boy any day and then our little one will arrive in August. Phil has a great family and we love them all so much!

Phil's mom and dad, Mike and Sandy

Phil's sister Jennifer (Jen), Travis and Anna

Phil's sister Lindsay, Dave, Drew, and almost baby Dawson
Phil's brother, Bryan

Fun with Friends!

We have some friends that went to Hawaii so we are watching their kids for a few days. Tonight we decided to get pizza and go to the park. Gracie and Parker love David and Kenadee! They are such good little kids and we are so happy we get to have them for a few days!

Gracie's Valentine's Party

Today I got to go volunteer and help with Gracie's Valentine's party. It was so much fun! I am lucky enough to be able to help out once a month in her classroom and on holiday parties too. I love going and watching Gracie in her classroom setting. I'm sure I grin from ear to ear the entire time I'm there!

Gracie has been dealing with this girl in her class that threatens her that she won't be her friend or with other things if Gracie doesn't do what she says. So I talked to Gracie about some ideas of things she could say when this girl does it to her. Keep in mind that Gracie is too sweet to stand up for herself quite often. She'll just do what people say so she doesn't have to hurt someone's feelings. While it's great that she's so sweet, it also troubles me because I want Gracie to have the confidence to stand up for herself. So today while I was with her at her party, this little girl told Gracie she wanted to switch suckers with her because she didn't like her flavor. Gracie didn't want to so she told her no thanks. So then this girl says to Gracie that she'll scribble all over her Valentine's card if she doesn't switch suckers. So Gracie told her, "Go ahead, scribble on it. I don't care. I'll just take it home, tear it up and throw it in the garbage." I wasn't right there when it happened so Gracie ran up to me and jumped for me to pick her up. Then she wrapped her legs and arms around me as tight as she could and told me what just happened. She was so proud of herself and I was so proud of her! We took a moment for a quiet little celebration together! :) I am so glad that she was able to feel how good it feels to stand up for herself!

This first picture is Gracie with her teacher Mrs. Weinerth. She's the best kindergarten teacher in the world! Gracie loves her so much! Unfortunately the picture is blurry. The other pictures are of the party. It was crazy hair day at school so that's why some of the kids' hair looks a bit interesting. The last picture is Gracie jump roping for the "Jump for the Heart" fundraiser the school did for kids with heart problems.

Parker-isms

Parker is pretty hysterical lately. He's really figuring out how to express himself. So here's a few of the funny things he's been saying:

Parker says to Gracie, "You hurt my feelings....you hurt my heart.......you broke it!

A boy at preschool was being mean to another boy and Parker called him a "crumit." I said where did you hear that word? He said, "Well, I'm kinda nervous because I just made it up."

Parker likes to talk to the baby in my belly. He gets embarrassed when he does it though, It's so cute. So today he got by my stomach and said, "Okay mom close your eyes and turn your head because I wanna talk to the baby." (He wanted me to do that so that I couldn't see or "hear" him.) He said, "Hi baby, this is Parker and this is my mommy." So sweet!

Parker and I were driving in the car this morning and he said he wanted to go to the park. I told him we couldn't this morning and he said, "Well we are going to have a talk when we get home." So I said oh, what about? He said, "'Bout you not lettin' me go to the park."

Phil was trying to help Parker write his name on his Valentine's cards for his friends and Parker got frustrated (because he hates having anyone help him!) so Parker says, "Stop ruining my life!" For the record, I've never used that statement and I've never heard Phil or Gracie use it either. I have no idea where he came up with that.

When Phil leaves for work in the morning (if it's not too early and the kids are up) Parker yells at the top of his lungs out the door as Phil is walking to his car and says, "Bye Dad, have a good daaaayee! Don't worry 'bout it!" We have no idea why he says "Don't worry 'bout it!" He's so funny!

When he gets frustrated he'll sometimes say, "You're a meaner!"

He can sure make us laugh!

Gracie and Parker's Conversation

Gracie and Parker's conversation in the car on the way to school this morning:

Gracie says to Parker, "I hope Dad can be my soccer coach!"
Parker says with much excitement and amazement, "Dad's going to be a coach?!"
Gracie says, "Well I don't know for sure, but if Dad was a coach AND a doctor, THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!"

They crack me up!