Christmas Ornaments

The Holdstock family tradition continued this year with our annual Christmas Ornament Presentation. Each year an ornament is given to each member of the family that represents something significant or memorable that happened in their life during that year. On Christmas Eve the family gathers and presents the ornaments in a talk show fashion. Mom usually hosts and Dad runs the camera except when it's Mom's turn to get hers. So without further ado.... Heeeeeeeere's Mom!

Cade
This year Cade received a little swimmer boy because of the great work that he did this summer on the swim team. Cade started out the summer having a hard time making it across the pool without stopping many times to hold onto the lane ropes and take a rest. Even though he struggled to even master the free-style stroke, Cade kept trying and even signed up to race in the harder events such as the butterfly and breast stroke. After one swim meet we asked him why he signed up to swim the butterfly when it was so difficult for him. He answered that he just wanted to try. We were so proud of him that day for reaching out of his comfort zone and learning that winning isn't the most important thing in life.


Davis
If you know Davis, you know that he loves to smile. His smile that always warms your heart, now also makes you chuckle a little bit too. Davis is currently missing not two, but three of his top front teeth. One of which popped loose and he swallowed when he got hit on the head with a soccer ball at his soccer game. He had to write a special letter to the Tooth Fairy that was signed by two witnesses to lay claim on his rightful dues. We are so proud of Davis for his cheerful disposition and his overwhelming love and concern for everyone.


Easton
After sitting on the side lines to cheer on his brothers the last several years, Easton finally was old enough this year to get out on the field and show his brothers that he has some pretty good moves too. Easton was one of the star players on the Sharks and scored several goals throughout the season. He also showed good sportsmanship which is just as important. Even though he is now a big time soccer star, he still does enjoy watching his brothers play from the sidelines.



Rebecca
For several years Rebecca's chronic fatigue and other health issues have kept her in bed much more than she would like. This year she has been blessed with significant improvement in her health and energy levels. So in celebration of that achievement, this year Jeremy continued his tradition of building Rebecca's ornament and made her an EMPTY bed. Hang in there kiddo, we're all behind you.

Jeremy
As usual, this has been a busy year for Jeremy at work. For Spring Break the family planned a trip down to Houston to visit Aunt Jan and Uncle Brian. Granny and Bud also joined in on the vacation. The only one missing was Jeremy who ended up having to stay home and take care of some important presentations for work that popped up at the last minute. While at Johnson Space Center Rebecca got this ornament for Jeremy not because of what he did this year, but because of what he didn't do. Jeremy already felt bad enough about it, but lucky for him he now has a lovely memento to remind him of it over and over.

Tune in next year as the Holdstock Christmas Ornament saga continues...

So much to be grateful for

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVIS!!

This is a time of year to celebrate so many things. In our house December 24th is reserved for Davis. When people find out his birthday is Christmas Eve they always ask him if he hates having a birthday on that day because of the holiday. Davis always answers no and is perplexed by the question. You see Davis always gets to celebrate his birthday twice a year. He has a birthday party with his friends in early November and then on Christmas Eve with our family. He gets two cakes and presents on both days. He gets to choose the dinner just like the other boys do (which is mom's favorite tradition as it keeps her from having to make a big turkey dinner since he usually chooses pizza or hamburgers) so he doesn't feel that he is missing out on anything and in fact is blessed to have it double! This year he even had a friend from school drop by Christmas Eve night to drop off a birthday card fro him on his REAL birthday. Davis always has a positive outlook on everything so it does not surprise me that he sees having his birthday on a holiday a blessing while others see the potential for disaster. Davis is the type of boys who can make you smile because he is so happy and loves everything. We have so much to be grateful this Christmas season, and one of the best things in our lives is our little boys who just turned 7. We are so proud of him and love him so much!!

Nana and Papa help us celebrate

Not enough sugar?

On Friday (Dec 19th) the boys had their class Christmas parties at school. There was plenty of sugar to go around which would have been enough for any child, but we had to have more. After school, the boys had a party here at the house. Each boy invited a few friends over (12 in all) for cake and an ornament exchange. The house was filled with chaos but there is no greater sound then 12 boys bouncing off the walls from a sugar high right? The next day the boys went to the local grocery store to decorate gingerbread houses. So while I try to dodge the children bouncing off the walls waiting for the sugar let down, they keep reloading as they brought their houses home to eat. Last night I saw a light at the end of the tunnel as the houses seem to be almost bare (yes, they ate them that quick), but then the doorbell rang and friends were at the door with a plate full of goodies. I am not sure they have had enough yet!!

Merry Christmas From the Holdstocks

Out of the Mouths of Babes...

Davis is a little writer. He usually follows everyone around the house with a notebook and pen. He even sleeps with with his pad of paper and pen. For one of his school stories he wrote the following:


Santa Claus delivers all of the cars in one night and finally Santa ran of gas. He went to the repair shop. He asked how long it will take . 3 hours! What the heck, that's too long!!