The Hollen Holidays | Christmas 2016

Christmas was another whirlwind this year. I can't believe it's already come and gone once more. I'm still trying to detox my system from all of the sugar I have consumed in the past week. 

Since I work for a church, I work on Christmas Eve. We had two services this year at 2:30pm and 4pm. It was nice to be done earlier and able to go spend time with my family. The services went very well and it was a great way to end the year. 

After church, I hurried to the Hollen's home for chili and cinnamon rolls from Silver Grill. 

Marin received so many cool gifts this year. She is set for a while. 

Christmas morning we woke up and woke Marin up. I think I was almost more excited about her big gift from us...a bike! She's been talking about it all year. Every time we go to Walmart she would ask to go look at the bikes. This bike even has a seat for all of her buddies. 

Ryan rocked at my gifts this year. I love them all. 

After we opened gifts at our house, we went to my grandparents home for Christmas morning with my side of the family. 

We had an italian dinner at my uncle and aunt's home after that, had a round of white elephant, and ate too much food once again. 

I'm pretty ready to take down the decorations and start fresh for 2017. I also need to not eat a cookie for a while. 

Merry Christmas! 

Christmas Baking

We don't bake a lot but I figured that because it's nearly Christmas, it was time. We haven't had a spare morning to do anything lately so today was the day. Marin and I picked out two recipes: Cookies and Reindeer Chow. They are pretty easy recipes and don't have a million ingredients. They are also delicious. 

Marin takes any opportunity she can get to wear an apron. 

Marin's favorite part is sneaking M&M's when she thinks I'm not looking. 

Now we just need to share all of these goodies with other people so we don't eat them all ourselves. 

The Hollen Home | Christmas Decor 2016

It's no secret that I love decorating my house, especially for the holidays. I get the itch as Thanksgiving is upon us and I try to wait until after that holiday to begin another. This year, I didn't, again. 

I will admit to one thing though this year....my decor is literally exactly the same as last year. The only difference is the wrapping paper. We have a toddler. I was tired. I liked our stuff last year. So, this will look pretty similar. 

Marin was given a little tree for her room from the Great Grandparents. She is obsessed with it and sleeps with it on every night. 

The nutcracker is new. Marin is finally warming up to him but still isn't quite sure about this guy yet. 

Someday we will have a house with a fireplace mantle. Until that day comes, I have my piano for things like that. 

Marin made these gingerbread men at school. I think they are awesome. 

I would love to keep our Christmas lights up year round. The glow of our living room is my favorite thing. 

Merry Christmas! 

I did this last year too, but here's a glimpse at our home for Christmas past. 

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

Good Things

It's been forever. I have only written in this little space a few times this year...the least amount of time in all of my years of blogging. Oh well, that's how it goes sometimes. Life has moved so fast this year and I cannot believe it is nearly 2017. 2017! 

I am hoping to do more blogging in this little space come the new year. The truth is...I miss it. It's nice to be able to look back on the past few years and all of the things that have happened in our lives. 

2017 is gearing up to be a crazy year. I hope to keep track of it way better than I did for 2016. I have no idea what this space will look like but I'm willing to give it a lot more time than I have been. It will be good to pick up my camera more often and document our lives. Good things are happening and good things are coming.