Christmas Morning

This year Christmas with Tate was so much fun. He was so excited about Santa coming to his house to bring him some presents. Before he went to bed we set out cookies and milk for Santa. When Tate woke up bright and early Christmas morning (5:45 a.m.) Kraig and I were both so excited for him to see if Santa came. Kraig captured some classic pictures. We had such a fun morning unwrapping presents and playing with the new toys. Tate unwrapped his own presents as well as mine and Kraig's. He loved Christmas morning, well, at least most of it.

Standing at the top of the stairs looking down at the tree and seeing the presents for the first time. I love this picture. It totally captures his excitement.

Standing in front of the tree looking at the presents.

Here I am showing Tate that Santa drank all of the milk we left him and ate the cookies. Santa left a few crumbs on the plate.

And then, the complete meltdown. Tate was heartbroken that his cookies were gone. Apparently Santa was not suppose to eat them. Just look at them I guess.

We were able to calm Tate down after we showed him that Santa ate the cookies, but he did leave some treats for Tate in his stocking. I love the happy smile with the red eyes from the tears.

Here Tate is sitting in the middle of all the goods from his stocking eating the cinnamon bears from my stocking. I guess Santa knows what to bring Tate next year.

Getting excited about his View Master from Santa.

I guess you can see the pictures better if you lean your head back as far as you can.

Shooters just like Hyrum's. Now we can shoot mom and Cooper (the stuffed animal from Aunt Jess and Uncle Kyle).

Animals
Testing out his cars on his new car mat--complete with gym, school, playground and grocery store. Who could ask for anything more?
Opening up his farm. From the beginning of the Christmas season, Tate kept telling everyone he was getting a Farm and a "Tato Head" from Santa. Somehow we didn't get a picture of the "Tato Head" but we did get the farm.

Christmas Eve with the Cannon's

Christmas Eve this year was spent at Grandma and Grandpa Cannon's with all of the family. We had the traditional Christmas Eve breakfast with way too much food as always, but who is complaining. We had bacon, sausage, eggs, toast of all kinds, hash browns, juice and the works. It was delicious as always. All of the kids were so excited to sit around the computer and watch the Santa Tracker. They gave continuous updates as to here Santa was throughout the entire evening. Uncle Kyle and Aunt Jessica passed out their presents to us that night since they weren't sure if we would see them Christmas Eve. Tate was all over being able to unwrap another present.

Tearing into the paper

Opening up the box.

It's Cooper! Jessica is a huge Texas fan and they gave Tate this huge stuffed animal of Cooper! Tate was a little worried at first because he thought it was the beast. AKA-Kyle dressed up for Halloween. But, once he realized it was a fun stuffed animal he loved it.

Giving Aunt Jess a hug and kiss. Thanks for the great present!

Christmas Eve is the best. I can't wait to get home to put my cookies out for Santa.

Hollist Family Christmas Party

Warning--this is some major picture overload, but I wanted to put a good sampling of pictures so my mom who is on a mission in Florida could see some pictures of the family party that she missed out on this year. We are excited to have her back next year. This year we got together with my brother and his family and my sister and her family on the Saturday before Christmas. We had so much fun being together. Here is a little rundown of what we did. The kids decorated cookies and then we couldn't forget the traditional marshmallow shooters. We then opened presents from Grandma Hollist while she listened on the phone. Thanks, Aaron for the idea. Then Nate shared a little Christmas movie about the birth of Christ. After dinner, we bundled up and went to the Festival of Lights here in Spanish Fork. We all sat in the back of the truck and on a trailer pulled behind the truck. I think everyone thought we were crazy, but we had so much fun. Tate adding sprinkles to his cookie.

Macy posing for the camera.

Mom and Tate frosting a Tate friendly cookie.

Hyrum thought he was getting away with sneaking a chip. I guess he got caught.

Tate eating his finished product. Pretty sure there isn't any frosting--just sprinkles.

Ashlyn loved frosting the cookies.

Brooklyn and Emma loading their marshmallow shooters

Tate trying to get the shooter to work.

Uncle Nate loved getting all of the kids and they loved attacking him.

Tate's Lightning McQueen scooter from Grandma Hollist. He was so excited.

Macy and Brooklyn waiting patiently for their turn to open a present.

Hyrum loved his Geo Trax from Grandma Hollist.

Ashlyn was so excited with her stroller and car seat for her babies.

Macy opening her Password Journal. Brooklyn go the same thing.

And so did Addie and Emma. These four girls carried these things around all night. I guess they were a hit.

Brayden received nun chucks for his Wii.

And so did Camden.

Becky, Hyrum, Tate and Amy rode in the back of the truck to see the lights.

Addie, Emma, Macy, Brooklyn, Ashlyn, Nate and Heidi in the trailer. Aaron and Kraig decided to hold down the fort inside the truck.

We had such a fun evening. It was so wonderful to be together.

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!!!

Tate has been loving playing in the snow this year. These pictures are after the first real snow storm this year that actually left anything to shovel. Tate was so excited to put on his boots, and gloves to play in the snow. We all headed outside to shovel the walks. Tate was happy to have his own shovel just like dad. He loved digging in the snow, throwing snowballs and filling his shovel up with snow and throwing it at his dad and mom. He loves to play in the snow.

Digging just like Daddy.

I love his smile in this picture. This shows how happy he was to finally play in the snow.

Tate and mom

Tromping through the snow.

The next day, Tate wanted to go outside and play in the snow again. This time we went out back and built Tate's first snowman. It is pretty small, but the snow wasn't packing very easily. He ran inside and got Kraig's BYU hat and put it on his Frosty and then used his Captain Crunch cereal for his eyes, nose and mouth. Those were his idea--very creative.

HDL...LDL...CDL...it's all the same to me.

So, many of you may know that I am obese. This is a fact that has been proven by such infallible Internet sites such as wikipedia and a handful of BMI calculators. Here's the proof:

Now the cynics will try to discredit me by saying I'm only overweight, not obese. Au contraire! We all know 28.5 rounds up to 30 and 30 is OBESE! So says wikipedia.

Recently I had the pleasure of finding out that my obesity, diet, much coveted sedentary lifestyle and wonderful family genes have sent my cholesterol levels climbing to where no man has gone before...196...and counting. I know, completely unheard of and ridiculously mediocre.

So let's get down to the nitty gritty. It's the holiday season and I know many of you are trying your best to be more helpful than hurtful, so I'd like to take a minute of your time to plead to your kinder, gentler, cooking side. I'm in need of some really good fish recipes to help my HDL levels skyrocket and LDL levels sink like the titanic full of gravitationally gifted people. (that's what my people like to be called.) If you've got any you'd like me to try out, let me hear it. I promise I'll try it as long as:

1. I can find the fish locally.
2. The recipe is reasonably priced
3. The fish doesn't look like any part of the human anatomy.

I'll also be renewing my love hate relationship with the gym and the other 5:30 am freaks who run with smiles Spackled to their skinny faces. Apparently, healthy living actually reduces cholesterol too.

Sterling/Stephanie, you guys bragged about a killer salmon recipe, so I'm targeting you! Slap that recipe up for all the gravitationally gifted people of the world to read, or email it to me....please.

To all those who participate, my arteries thank you. To all those who choose to passively discriminate against those of us who apply year after year to the biggest loser...may you all become politicians and have affairs with Monica Lewinsky-esque interns.

I Know, I Know

I have been told by several people lately that I have been a slacker and that I really need to add something to our blog. So, here it goes. Here are a few of the things that we have been up to lately.

Santa Claus Came to Town

Yesterday we went to the Spanish Fork Library for Family Night Story time. They sang a bunch of songs, read Christmas stories and then while the kids sang "Jingle Bells," and played their instruments, Santa Claus showed up. Tate loved singing all the songs, hearing all the stories and was so happy for Santa to come. Well, at least he was until he showed up. He was great to look at from a distance.

Waiting for storytime to begin.

Tate really wanted to go up and help hold one of the pictures for the song they were singing. He raised his hand and then jumped up to help.

Then, who knows what happened. As soon as he turned around he started to cry. Who knows?!

Shaking his instrument and sining, "Jingle Bells," while waiting for Santa to show up.
Santa came and Tate ran to get in line to sit on his lap. He was all excited until it came time to sit down. He then started getting so scared.
This is as close to sitting on his lap that he came. He was clinging to my coat and would not let go.
So, this is how Tate talked to Santa. He told him his name, how old he was and that he would like Santa to bring him a farm, a tato hed (Mr. Potato Head) and the Hippopotums Game. He loved talking to Santa as long as he didn't have to sit on his lap.

Overall, Tate had a great evening. Just look at that smile!