Christmas Eve

Every Christmas Eve, we try to spend the night containing the childrens' excitment, at my sister Emma's house. We always have a yummy, yet simple dinner, since not the entire Broadhead clan is there. In years past we have made gingerbread houses, but the past 2 years we have started a new tradition and decorated sugar cookies. Instead of having a 'dessert', we let each child decorate one cookie for themselves and one for Santa. Of course the older kids get to decorate extra cookies for grandparents, aunts, uncles and their mom and dad who always deserve a treat. This way we are always sure that there are cookies ready for Santa that night, that has been a problem in the past of not having something to set out for Santa. We also have added the tradition of performing the Nativity, which the kids loved! After their 'Broadway' performance, the kids get to open up one gift...of course they are new Christmas jammies. And since us sister's usually shop together on Black Friday...their jammies usually match/co-ordinate. After coming home as early as possible we let all of our kids sleep on the floor in our room, and an added bonus this year is our new fireplace in our sitting area...we were warm and toasty all night!

All the cousins frosting cookies.

Hannah giving Grammee a taste of frosting....Grammee is Very Brave!






Ready to open up their Christmas Jammies.

Holmes' kids in their Jammies.

Kaila, Rachel, Taylor and Kissy in their matching jammies.

All the cousins ready to go to sleep...ya right!

Uncle Jeremy, Nate, and Uncle Jeffery...even big boys get new PJ's.

We had put the kids' to bed, and then realized that we forgot to set out the cookies for Santa...good thing Rachel and Jace were wide awake and so willing to stay up and get the job done. Jace also spread out his reindeer food on the front porch to guide Santa to our house.

I just love this picture of Jace...he was so excited that night!

Christmas Sunday

We had a great Sunday before Christmas, that really got us in the mood for the upcoming week. I love going to Sacrament Meetings that are mostly music...especially Christmas music. That afternoon Nate was able to take the Young Men around to deliver Toy Boxes that they had made. For those of you that don't know the story behind our Toy Boxes...I'll give you a condensed version. When we lived in Saratoga Springs and Nate was in the YM...he started building toy boxes for needy families...and then we would have a ward toy drive and find specific families to take them too. It is a great tradition that is in it's 7th year. I can't believe it has been that long. And with making between 5 and 6 toy boxes each year, Nate has put in a lot of time and money to make this tradition even better. He carried on the traditon the first year we moved to PG...and it has stuck and even grown since. Those deacons learn a great skill, and I love hearing how the deliveries went from Nate when he gets home. The spirit really touches everyone involved. Our kids love to help out in the shop, and sometimes put in as much time as the YM...(I've dubbed it 'Santa's Shop' during November and December.) I'm usually more involved with organizing the toys...but a young man in our ward took over that part this year as part of his Eagle Project. (It was a nice little break for me, I guess.) Everyone is very giving and there is never a want left untouched. I am so greatfull that Nate has brought this experience into our lives and I hope that we can continue on with the tradition for many many years. Sadly, I don't have any pics of the toy boxes from this year...I'll have to go hunt some down through our older files of years past.

Rachel's Christmas Program

One thing I love about our Elementary, is that every grade does the same program every year. So you know if you have a 1st grader...you'll be going to the Christmas Program. The 2nd Grade always does the play 'GLOW'...and so on and so forth. Well with Rachel in the 1st Grade, she was able to perform in the annual Christmas Program also on the 17th. Luckily they perform twice, so Nate was able to go to the afternoon performance before he had an all-nighter at work. She did a great job...and even though I didn't have the best seat, since she is one of the tallest in her class she was on the top row and I could see her just fine.

Jace's Christmas Program

On the 17th, Jace had a preschool Christmas program at the PG Rec Center. He loves the Funshine Preschool, and I love having him go there since I can attend aerobics at the same time. I was a little worried about his performance, because Shannon our babysitter came that morning and took Jace to a playgroup for her high school class at 7:30 in the morning. And if Jace doesn't get enough sleep...he can be quite a bear. But he did great and was all smiles and quite entertaining to watch during the program. His favorite song to sing was Jingle Bells...in fact during the whole month of December whenever we would hear that song, he would brightly say, "Mom...I know this song!" And loved singing along.


Here he is all smiles and ready to start the program.

Singing the song 'Jingle Bells'....this was his favorite!

Jace and Jake aren't in the same class, but had their program together...Best Buddies.

Sadly Jace is the only one who was able to sit on Santa's lap this year....Hannah was there, but would have nothing to do with Santa.

Happy 35th Birthday Nate!

Today is my sweet Hubby's birthday...he is now officially mid-30's. But sadly enough he isn't here to celebrate with us. Since his birthday is so close to Christmas, I stress every year on what to get him. This year was no different, but thankfully our good friend, Brett Clayson, asked Nate a few weeks ago if he would like to head down to Vegas for the Las Vegas Bowl that BYU is playing in tomorrow. Nate was reluctant at first, because they won't be coming home until the morning of Christmas Eve...but inside I was saying, "GO! GO! Then I won't have to think up birthday gifts and Christmas gifts for you."

So tomorrow they are going to the football game. Wednesday they are going to catch a round of golf (weather permitting), and also they got tickets to a basketball tournament that is down there and BYU is playing in. Wednesday night they'll drive to St. George and spend the night at Brett's Uncle's condo...then they will get up early and come home Thursday morning. Hopefully when he gets back I can give a better report on how his birthday trip went, and maybe add a few pictures too.

I did get him a BYU hoodie, since he has been complaining that most of his sweatshirts are really worn out. And since he couldn't a have birthday cake with us, I made hime a big batch of Tapioca Pudding to take on the road with him. (We have a tradition, that you don't have to have cake on your birthday, but you do get to choose whatever dessert/treat you want. Candles can go in just about anything.)

I love you babe, and I hope you have fun on your 'Man Trip'. I'm so thankful for all you do for our little family and so happy that you make my life a living dream!

Brady's Football

This was Brady's second year of tackle football. I didn't think he would want to play again after getting a concusion at the end of the season last year. But I think the football bug has bitten. He loves the adrenaline rush, and loves feeling quick and powerful at the same time. There was a little bit of drama on what team Brady was going to be on. We are new to this league and they split the teams into A and B teams when there are a lot of boys that want to play. After Brady was put on the B team, you could see the disappointment on his face. But I had a couple of mom's that came up to me and said, "You guys need to know that Brady is good enough to be on the A team, but he'll get a lot more playing time being on the B team." We were just a little concerned about who would coach. But we totally came out winners in the end. Coach Thomas, Neal's dad, used to coach for PG High and voluntered to coach the boys. He asked Nate to help coach defense and also brought some old PG players on to help out. They all did an amazing job in making and building up this team. Most of the players hadn't ever played before. We even won a couple of games, where as last year on the Lindon Vikings...we didn't win any.

Brady did get in a lot of playing time though. He mostly played defense, but would be a ball carrier every once in a while. I told him if he ever made a touch down, I'd let him pick the color of bands for my braces...it didn't happen, but maybe next year he says. He learned to wrap up and really go after the quarter back. On his final game he took down a receiver in mid-air, and knocked the wind out of him. It took a few minutes for the boy to get up, which made me a little nervous. He had some great sacks throughout the season, and it is so fun to see his personality come through on the field.

Nate did like helping out the defense. He would come home from practice and tell me all that he had done with the boys. Like running sprints and doing up-downs. (Then the next day, he would complain about being a little sore...hehe.) There were a couple of boys' mom's that told me that Nate was their son's favorite coach, because he wouldn't just stand to the side and yell out plays or count off sprints, but really got into it and pumped the boys up.

But Nate and I realize the older our kids get, the more emotionally attached we get to their games. I think to myself, "Why am I getting so stressed when it's just 5th grade? High school ball is going to do me in."


Trying to break through the line.

After this play he 'complained' and 'bragged' that he heard the other players say that they needed two players to stick to Number 50.

Taking down the QB!

Too funny that most of the pics I have are Brady playing against AF. I've 'threatened' him that I'm going to wear my old cheerleading outfit to one of his games. (Honestly, he has nothing to worry about...I love supporting him in Blue.)

Nate giving B some one-on-one coaching and Jace picking up some pointers. (Honestly we can't wait to see how Jace ends up playing football...he already 'wraps up' when he tackles his 2 older brothers and takes them down.)

Zack's Summer Soccer

Yep...still playing catch up. But I wanted to spend a little bit of extra time on the boys' photos...like cropping and such, because honestly...their sports are getting more exciting to watch. It's serious now....and adrenaline-rushing, and sometimes heart breaking. But what great experiences they are getting from their sport programs.

Zack played soccer this past summer and absolutely loves it! He can't get enough. And now that he is realizing that soccer scores don't usually end up being 10-15, and not everyone makes a goal every game, but that it is seriously hard work...he is getting more and more competitive.

He did awesome this year, but sadly I didn't get to see a lot of his games. With me coaching Jace's soccer team, and Nate coaching Brady's football team, Zack didn't have a whole lot of spectators cheering him on personally.

But I did get to go to a couple, and of course had to take my camera along. This was one of his last games, and he was ready to strut his stuff. In fact these pictures are from the one game where he made his one and only goal. (He came close a couple of other times, but that is just what I heard through the grape-vine.) I didn't get it on camera, because I was walking Jace back from the bathroom. But it actually gave me a better angle to see his goal, I just didn't have my camera in hand...dang it. Wish I could have gotten his facial expression when it went past the goalie...it was like Christmas morning!


This is his happy face right after he made his first goal!

That is Zack with his knee up in the air.

Showing off his moves ;-)

His face looks like he is getting hurt...but actually he was getting really frustrated with this kid.

His good friend, Caleb Clayson, who is right next to him was on his team. Luckily Caleb's mom, Annie, was able to go to a lot of games and cheer Zack on for us.

You Missed Ball for That?

If you know Nate, you know that he has had a Saturday morning ritual, since the beginning of our marriage. Basketball....in fact there are few times that he EVER and I mean EVER misses ball on Saturday mornings. But it's okay, it gives me a chance to sleep in, which I love...and he loves hanging out with his old friends and brothers-in-law. I remember when we first moved to Pleasant Grove, he got up early one morning and went in search of early morning ball. (In Saratoga they played Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sat.) And much to his dismay, he stopped at a number of churches in the area, only to find women working out, or cleaning personnel in the wee morning hours. Luckily he was able to find a group that goes to our Stake Center on Tuesday and Friday's. But he still drives out to Saratoga Springs on Saturday's, just so he can play with the old gang.

So last Saturday, December 12th, you can imagine my amazement when I heard a machine running outside. We recently purchased a snow plow for one of the 4-wheelers, and he was so excited that it had snowed, just so that he could put it to good use. Even the next day on Sunday, when it was snowing all of the heavy wet snow, he and the boys went out and put themselves to 'work'. Okay, they were doing service work, but I'm sure it didn't feel like work to them. In our neighborhood, there are quite a few older couples, and most of their driveways are quite steep. In fact after pulling out a couple of cars down the road, he found the Milward's just around the corner from their house stuck in the snow. Bro. Milward was actually on the phone with AAA, calling for help, because he knew it was Sunday and didn't want to bother anyone. But Nate and the boys' got them out and then quickly plowed their driveway and a few others so that they could pull up into their garages.


This was the noise that I woke up to Saturday morning.

Sure beats shoveling!

Pack Meeting and Arrow of Light

We now have 2 boys in Cub Scouts, so every month Pack Meeting is a big deal. (And since scouts is on my list of duties as 1st Counselor, I get to attend the 'blessed' event and kill 2 birds with one stone right?)
On December 10th, Brady, received his Arrow of Light. When we first got into scouts 3 years ago, I didn't know what a big deal it was. But after having a Webelo, I see how much work goes into it. Because of the church run scout program, our 10 year olds have only one year to get their Arrow of Light, where as in other programs Webelo's have 2 years. So THANK GOODNESS for great/wonderful/super/dedicated leaders! I know they always give a mothers pin when an advancement is made, but I wouldn't know what to do if I didn't have great leaders sending notes home saying: "Brady needs to have such and such done by next week." Angie Mazeika, is our bishops wife and according to her hubby is quite the drill sargent with the boys. (But you almost have to be stern with young boys right?) She does an amazing job and sometimes will hold multiple den meetings per week so that the boys get through the program.

Also a funny little story from that night, the theme for pack meeting was 'Hero's', so at the beginning of Pack Meeting, Bro. Abel asks the boys who their hero's are. Zack raised his hand and said, "My dad", (Nate's chest puffed out a little on that comment.) Other boys also named some hero's of their own. Then Zack raised his hand again, but this time he said, "A librarian". He crackes me up sometimes...this has to do with his love for reading Harry Potter books lately. I turned to Nate and said, "Where does he come up with these things?"


Todd Asbell was Akaela, who came to give the Arrow of Light ceremony...quite entertaining.

Sis. Mazeika had the boys do some good skits that night. This was my favorite.

Brady and Sis. Mazeika, we sure are going to miss her. Hopefully she stays in Webelo's until Zack gets there.

Sara, Brady and Nate.

Brady receives his Arrow of Light.

Brady pinning on the Mother's Pin for his Arrow of Light.

Mitchell, Brady and David all received their award that night.

Zack receiving an award from his Den Leader Sis. Olesen.

Zack and all the Wolves.

First Snow

Well the first snow has come and gone, but my kids were definately ready to go out and play. I find it 'amusing' when you spend a half hour of bundling them up and then they last 5 minutes out in the cold. But my older kids are troopers and get ready by themselves for the most part. Brady didn't stick around our house, but went to the 'Bowl' which is at the bottom of the hill and where the majority of the neighborhood goes to sled. Thank goodness Zack and Rachel stayed around to help Jace and Hannah out on the sleds.


Zack going down one of our mini hills.

Jace actually lasted longer outside than I thought.

Mmmmmm...what's that salty taste? Yuck!

Hannah is so pampered. The kids would carry her up the hill, put her on the sled and then push her down the hill. Now that's how I would like to go sledding.

Rachel, usually known for her 'fashion awareness' really didn't care about her attire...she just wanted to get outside. This get-up totally cracked me up...I'm just sad I didn't get a full body shot. It was quite attractive.

10th Ward Christmas Breakfast

This year we were finally able to attend our annual ward Christmas Breakfast. The past 2 years we havn't been able to attend because of family parties and baptisms happening at the same time.

It was a lot of fun to enjoy a meal with our ward family, but I'm sad at the changes that have been made in the last couple of years that we didn't know about.

First of all the breakfast started at 10:30...seriously, does anyone who is on the Activities Committee have kids? Of course my kids were up at 7:00 on a Saturday to watch cartoons, and had already eaten breakfast. So I guess it was more of a brunch for our family.

But second, and most sadly, is that they didn't have Santa there. I remember growing up and always having Santa at our ward Christmas functions. I know Christmas shouldn't revolve around Santa, but it is kind of a given to have him there I thought. Oh well, now I guess we get to go and wait in a long line somewhere so that my kids will have an opportunity to have their picture taken with Santa this year.

But I won't complain publically because then someone will say, "Then if you think you can do a better job...go ahead." Sorry that is one calling I really don't miss! I like attending ward functions and actually being able to eat and socialize!


Since I was having a great time socializing at the ward breakfast, I forgot to pull out the camera. But I did get one cute shot of Kaylee Allred, Suzy Lane and Rachel...they are good little friends.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

This year since my non-pre-lit artificial tree has offically been taken over by the scouts for their annual toy drive (the joys of being married to a scout master ;-). I was quite happy that I was 'forced' to buy a pre-lit tree for our downstairs and dedicate it as the Holmes' Kids' Christmas Tree. My kids each have an ornament for every Christmas that they've had, and they love to look and remember what the ornament means to them. Whether it was given to them from a special friend or teacher, or maybe something special they made in school it means something special to them. I'm trying to convince Nate to let me buy 2 more trees and let the kids put them up in their rooms and create a themed tree to decorate. But I need to ease that idea in more slowly I guess.

They love having their 'own' tree and tell their friends, that they decorated it all by themselves. Which is true. That just means I get to decorate our main Christmas tree all by myself. Which makes me a happy mom.

This is our cat Tabby's first Christmas, and she has found a new place to cat nap under our main tree. That is until I made a new tree skirt. I wondered where she was hiding all the time, when I finally found her snoozing away under the tree.



Brady was able to put most of his ornaments higher up on the tree.

Rachel said this is her favorite ornament, since it is a 'snowman picture' of her hand.

Jace covered the lower part of the tree...I love how he clumps his 4 ornaments on one branch.

Zack putting on the finishing touches, he was good about spreading the ornaments around to balance out the tree.

Little Hannah has only 1 ornament to hang.

Tabby's favorite place to cat nap.

The new tree skirt I made this year....she's not too fond of the silky type material, now she'll have to find a new napping place.