The Holleys Take on 2009

I usually send a letter with my Christmas card, kind of a look back at the year. But thanks to my bout of the flu right after Thanksgiving, I found myself with too many things to do and not enough time to do them all, so the Christmas letter was jettisoned. But now on the far side of Christmas, I feel the need to sum up the year. So without further explanation, I give you the "The Holleys Take on 2009."

This was a pretty good year for us. Adam continues to work at IBM and received the highest employee rating from his manager for the fourth year in a row. Even though I have no idea exactly what it is that he does (even though he has explained it to me), I am very proud of him. For pleasure, Adam spent many late Friday nights shooting zombies and other things on his X-box 360. Again, I don't understand it but if it makes him happy....

Andrew turned three years old this year. He continues to delight us and, also, drive us crazy, usually at the same time. He loves to sing and dance and play with his trucks and tractors. This fall, he began a soccer program at school and is very good at kicking the ball (not sure he needed any lessons to learn that one).

We bought season passes to Six Flags Fiesta Texas in the spring and visited the amusement park many times. We all had a great time and we discovered that Andrew is an adrenaline junkie. He was tall enough to ride his first big roller coaster on our last visit. He rode it with his hands up and immediately demanded to "go again," which we did 3 times.

In September, we went to the beach for a few days. I was a little concerned because Andrew hates getting water in his face when we wash his hair. Apparently, that only applies when it's fresh water, salt water in the face elicits a laugh. He loved digging in the sand, running in the waves, and chasing any seagull that came within 10 yards of him.

This fall, we took our first camping trip. We decided to take Andrew to the Renaissance Festival in Plantersville and then camp out overnight. We had a great time at the Festival, we rode the elephant and the camel, went for a ride on the giant swing, and Andrew bounced on the bungee jump ("I want to go really, really high" -- that adrenaline junkie thing). Afterwards, we roasted hot dogs over the campfire for dinner and made s'mores. It was a great camping trip and one we intend to repeat next year.

Finally, we went to Michigan at Thanksgiving to visit Adam's brother David and his family. It was great seeing David, Kris, Davney, and Nixon. We had a great time with them at the Michigan v. Ohio State game and Andrew loved playing with his cousins. We miss them so much and wish they lived closer (hint, hint).

The end of the year finds us all in good health and happy, I don't think I could ask for anything more. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Holleys

Random Things from Michigan

We went to Michigan last week for Thanksgiving. We drove. I know, I know. What were we thinking. But it was a great trip and we really loved seeing David, Kris, Davney and Nixon. I don't really have any stories to tell just a collection of random thoughts, quotes, snippets to share.

1. There is absolutely nothing in parts of Arkansas and all of Missouri which is why your child will choose that spot to announce he has to go potty "right now!"

2. Favorite quote "Uncle David, you stink. You need to take a bath."

3. Andrew has decided a highway flyover is similar to a roller coaster. So when we are going over one we throw our arms into the air and yell "Wheeeeeee!"

4. I am so thankful we do not have wood floors over a basement in our house. When your 3-year old runs over those types of floors it is really loud.

5. Least favorite moment, Andrew leaning over me at 4:30 in the morning and whispering "Mommy, I ready to get up now." Most mornings it happened at 5:30 but on the way home he was thrown off by the time change and it happened at 4:30....uuuugghh.

6. I am also thankful Andrew does not sleep with us. Not only do he and Adam hog the covers but he also is a bed hog.

7. Finally, I would like to add that 24 hours in a car with a 3-year old is not for the weak. In the future I will remember to pack Valium...for both of us.