Rainy Day Painting

The boys did some beautiful art work on this rainy Saturday. Their pictures are currently displayed in our dining room :)

Railroad City

Rhonen received this wooden train set for Christmas and it is now his FAVORITE toy! He plays with it everyday and loves to construct the track. He even creates little cities with his blocks and other toys. He is very creative and we love to see what he comes up with!

Afternoon Light

Our little Jack is now 15 months old and growing leaps & bounds. He is very charismatic and full of so much personality. He is climbing on just about everything and he can run pretty well. He loves to do whatever brother is doing even though he's still a little guy. You wouldn't know it by his account :) He's a great eater and tries most foods. He can use a  spoon & fork and drink from a toddler cup (one with out a lid!) He is talking a lot and says new words every week. He also likes to sing songs like "wheels on the bus" and "slippery fish:". He's also a great dancer. The boys like to do "happy feet"...it's just about the cutest thing you'll ever see. Jackson is very affectionate, that I appreciate more and more. He just went to the doctor and had a very good report. Here are his numbers;

Height: 30.5 inches
Weight: 24 lbs 11 oz

He's a wonder to watch, a great brother and friend, and an adorable son. We love our litte Jacka Doo!

2011 Comes to an End

Well, the year has come to an end and I sit here in awe of what has happened, just to our little family. We moved into our first home at the end of last year and it has been a work in progress since then. You don't realize how much work a house requires until you try and make it your home. The boys are growing up fast and Dustin and I are trying to keep up :) They are such joys...full of creativity, energy, and sweetness. The bond they have as brothers is indescribable. Nothing can warm my heart more than hearing my boys tell each other "I love you"!

We got Chickens, a composter, and our garden. All of which Dustin & I had been wishing for but unable to create with out this house. It may seen minimal, but it's amazing how your life can be so directed with opportunity. Which brings me to the point of this post....opportunity! With each day, I  realize just how fortunate I am, how fortunate my family is, and how much we really have to be thankful for. Complaints can be voiced each day...but we are able to change the direction of unhappiness into something positive!

We (our family) have so much, and yet much less than most people. We live with one car, on a strict budget, and plan for major upgrades and expenses. And yet I think we are ultimately, quite happy compared to many. We don't desire more than we have, well at times maybe, but overall we are content. I believe our travels have shown us how "the other half lives" so to speak. I have learned just how precious clean living environments, health care, and nutrition really are. At times, I am sad about how the world is progressing, I worry for our children. And yet all I can really do is hope.


That is my New Year's Resolution...if there is a negative, find hope! And if it can't be done, then I will  accept it and find a way to learn from it.

May we all find Hope... Happy 2012 to you all!

Christmas Dinner

For Christmas dinner we returned to our Cioppino tradition! We opened a Napa Cab that we have been saving for 7 years and it was well worth the wait.

Christmas Morning

Our Christmas morning this year was filled with blueberry pancakes, sweet babies opening presents, skyping with Oma & Opa, and a great family gathering at my father's house. The boys were showered with gifts and mom & dad did pretty well too! Santa was good to the Holley family this year...although Rhonen is still convinced that Santa is going to bite you! So be-ware :)