Holland Christmas

The Holland Christmas started on Christmas Eve with dinner with all the family in Mt. Olive.  It was our first year doing it at Granny's church and it was so nice to have all the space and for the whole family to sit at the table together.  

The day after Christmas we headed to Nana and Pop's and started off the day with a delicious brunch. Within the first five minutes these two went down for a nice nap.  

Christmas is so exhausting when you are one. 

James was so excited! 

Checking out their new toy 

Snack time with cousin Davis 

A sign of a fun and successful day 

Family photo! 

Creech Christmas

On Christmas morning we were at my parents and in typical Holland child fashion all four of mine were up bright and early.  My mom managed to get herself out of bed to see the kids' reaction but everyone else slept another two hours! 

Our attempt at the cousin photo 

Daddy's girl 

This is just a little glimpse of the craziness of Christmas morning 

Tia showing off her present decorated by Harrison 

And David's decorated by James 

My mom playing "ride the little horsey" with Georgia and Kate

"This wrapping paper is awesome!"

Not sure how excited Kate was about her new life jacket 

The weather was pretty enough to go outside where Andrew had a blast throwing (and trying to eat) pine straw

I look scary but had to take a picture of Kate all dressed up 

Hanging with the men by the fire pit 

These things were a hit for a present. So fun to build with!

Group shot! Why are we wearing so many different types of plaid? Lol 

An Early Christmas

Since this was our year to travel on Christmas Eve we decided to do our family Christmas a couple of days early.  If I had to sum up Christmas this year it would be this: mass chaos.  Babies crawling everywhere, two very excited big boys, wrapping paper shredded into millions of pieces.  At one point we lost Andrew and found him half way up our stairs.  It was nuts! 

I took about 10 pictures to get one of all four sort of looking at the camera

Kate wasn't so sure about all the excitement 

She and Andrew really enjoyed pulling the ornaments off the tree. They continued this game in Greenville where I think they broke three of Nana's ornaments in just one morning. 

James was so excited to give Harrison this ball he had bought him

Harrison was thrilled to get his hand brake added to his bike. That is what he wanted for Christmas- a hand brake!  Oh and also a really fast motorcycle but unfortunately that wish didn't come true. :) 

A Special Sunday

After over two years of living here and visiting lots of different churches Ryan and I were finally at peace with our decision to join a local church that just happens to also be in our neighborhood.  I think God knew that we needed somewhere close by when it came to hauling all these kids to church and trying to be on time, lol.  This church has been so welcoming to our family and we are excited about getting even more involved.  The same Sunday that we joined the church James was also baptized.  For various reasons Ryan and I chose to have our children dedicated instead of baptized when they were babies, and it has been a prayer and desire of ours that they would each one day make the decision for themselves to follow Jesus and choose to be baptized.  After James made that decision earlier this summer we have had lots of conversations with him about baptism and what it means.  It was without a doubt one of those super special parenting moments that you won't ever forget to get to see him get baptized this Sunday. 

Kate got to wear one of my old Christmas dresses. She looked cute but her behavior was pretty bad!  And she is normally the "easy" one. 

Andrew who normally is more of a handful in those situations was totally fine as he waited, eating his snack.  

Another family joined the church that day as well. 

A few things that happened during this service: Kate was crying so I was doing the "baby bounce/sway" that all moms know, Harrison tried to splash the baptism water and then he stuck his head under my dress. I told Ryan that if everyone in the church didn't know who we were before they did now.  I can also guarantee that the majority of the people watching thought "Boy that mom has her hands full, I'm so glad it isn't me!" 

Hearing James answer the pastor's questions was so sweet and touching.  His sincerity and love for Jesus was so obvious, a perfect example of a child-like faith. 

James and Pastor Matthew

Afterwards we went with our parents out to brunch where we thankfully had a private room so we didn't disturb everyone. 

Andrew got his first Christmas cookie and needless to say he was a fan

The best grandparents!

Is it too much to ask for one decent family picture?!

They really are the best of friends!