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 The other unfortunate thing is it will be out of date any day now!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!

Are we really doing this for the 3rd time?!

We are expecting baby #3 August 15th! That makes me 12 weeks along. Despite the unexpectedness that many of you must be experiencing :), this was planned and we are excited! Why is it that we women forget after each pregnancy how awful it is to be so sick! I swore during each pregnancy that I would never do this to myself again because I was so sick! Then it's as if our minds somehow erase all of that after we hold that new sweet little baby in our arms for the first time. I'm thinking now why did I do this to myself?! I already have a boy and a girl! But how do you deny that burning urge when you feel you should have another one! I keep using positive thoughts and statements that this baby is going to be good to me and I'm not going to be sick and throwing up for six months and it's not going to have colic and it's going to sleep through the night and not whine and cry about everything for the first 4 years of it's life! :) I've heard those babies are out there....I'm just hoping one of them gets sent to us! :) Feel free to send wishful, positive vibes our way! :)
We told Gracie and Parker and our families on Christmas. We had the kids open up a present with diapers, a bottle and a binky in it. They were so cute! I think it actually took most of the family a second to get it, but I had to explain to the kids of course. Gracie was exploding with excitement, while poor little Parker didn't seem too pleased. Previously when Phil and I found out (only a week along) I would ask Parker if he liked babies and he'd tell me no because they are too loud and cry too much. I have to laugh because that's pretty ironic coming from the little boy who has mastered crying over everything and nothing all at once! Gracie remains ecstatic about the whole thing and Parker has gotten used to the idea and is getting more excited. It was so cute because one of the first things Parker asked me when he found out was if the baby was going to hurt me. When he asked me that, his sweet little face was full of concern and worry. He is constantly telling me he wants to see my baby. They both actually say they want a girl, but say they're ok with a boy too. Now if I tell you this next part you have to swear you won't take the names just in case we decide to use them! :) My theory is I feel like I surround myself with people I can trust and so if I tell the names then I have dibs....right ya'll?! :) Gracie wants to name it Walker if it's a boy and Whitney if it's a girl. Parker wants to name it Dash if it's a boy and Violet if it's a girl. Parker's names come from 'The Incredibles'! Funny boy! Phil and I are of course totally undecided and both think each others suggestions are terrible! What's ironic about the name Violet that Parker picked is that it's my grandma's middle name. So who knows?! We like Gracie's names, but we need more ideas people! :) We'll keep you posted and let you know when we find out what it is.

Happy 4th Birthday Parker!

Parker got to celebrate his birthday this year with his cousins, grandparents and aunts and uncles. Parker you make us so happy! You are growing up to be such a good little boy! We love you!

To Sum it Up....

Well, we made it back from vacation. Home sweet home! We had such a good time in Utah with family! We ended up staying for 3 weeks so needless to say I have neglected the blog.....and a lot of other things! My mom drove back with the kids and I so that Phil could stay back in Utah for another rotation at the University of Utah Hospital. He'll come home on the 31st. I'll spare all the details of the trip since we are such a lively bunch :) and just post a few pictures that will somewhat sum it up. I start the new school semester next week so I thought I better get this done before I'm over my head in school.

Phoenix Zoo Lights with Dennis and John.
Snowing in St. George when we arrived!
(Phil, Parker, Gracie, cousin Drew, Oscar)
Gracie and Parker with their cousin Drew.
Making Santa cookies with Aunt Jen!
Acting out the Nativity story.
(Parker, cousin Anna, Gracie and pre-meltdown-Drew)
The kids with Martin the Elf!
(aka Grandpa Stephenson)
Gracie and Parker in their Christmas Eve pj's!Christmas morning....Parker in Star Wars bliss!

Sweet little Grace on Christmas morn!

Our annual girls party! All of the Aunts and girl cousins from my mom's side get together for one crazy slumber party once a year! (I didn't get pictures of all of us though :( )




Parker making a snow angel in South Ogden.
Gracie's snow angel!
Some of Gracie and Parker's cousins tubing!

My sister Shanan and my mom and I getting pedicures! Shan works at Mindful Women Spa doing pedicures and nails so this was our Christmas present surprise! We had so much fun!
Our visit to Logan to see Great Grandma and Grandpa Stephenson.

A Bit of Christmas

Here is Gracie decorating the Christmas tree.
(Don't worry, we are fully aware that we need a new tree! This one has been in my family for probably 20 years! It's on its last leg!)

Here is Parker decorating the Christmas tree.

Sipping hot chocolate after working so hard to decorate the tree.

These next three are at the ward Christmas party. Phil was in Texas with our camera so a sweet friend from the ward took these pictures for me.
Here they are singing and waiting for Santa to come.

I love Santa's faces in these pictures! He gave the kids a bell from his sleigh!

Gracie asked Santa for The Littlest Pet Shop things and Parker asked him for Stars Wars stuff!