Claire's "Girl Day"

Well, Claire and Lily Grace had a very special day together today. Instead of the girls exchanging gifts, we decided to let them have an experience instead. Well, Build-a-Bear was agreed upon, so we took the girls today. They both had the best time, though Claire acted quite shy, I think she was a bit overwhelmed and not sure of the whole thing. Well, she picked a cat she named "Keri" (for her beloved cousin Keri, in Jackson) and Lily picked a reindeer she deeemed "Rascal". Here they are putting the hearts in their bears.

After their animals were assembled, they gave them a "bath" complete with brushes and blowing air they made by some foot pedals on the ground. Claire loved this!

Here's Claire putting her outfit on "Keri". She chose a soft pink robe....well, at least Claire's cat is comfortable!

I especially love this picture because the girls are just being themselves and not posing for us here. Sorry the clarity isn't great. I hope to share more pics after Barb sends me hers! She takes a much better picture than I!

Well, after the Build a Bear, Claire was treated to a carousel ride, which she loved! We then went for lunch and the girls couldn't have had more fun.....who couldn't when strawberry milkshakes are involved!! They also took in their new animals and pretended to feed them! Hope to have a few more pics of the day soon!

Love,Gretchen

Enjoying the reason for the season....

Well, we all had a great weekend, starting on Saturday with Breakfast with Santa at Holy Rosary. The kids had breakfast, pictures with Santa, Advent crafts, and performances by the Holy Rosary Youth Group. Lots of great memories were made!

Jesse hard at work making reindeer food.

This was actually the 1st time Claire sat on Santa's lap without a fuss or bribing. So proud! Glad no scenes were made! Well, we have lots of holiday events happening this week, so promise to blog again very soon! Love, Gretchen

Let the Christmas Fun Begin!

Well, our great friends Barb and Lily Grace hosted yet another fabulous party for the gymnastics friends and they had a blast! Claire here is showing off her book she received from Noah from the book exchange!

Showing off a bit here I believe.....

The kids made their own Gingerbread Houses and Claire's is very blinged out and very "busy"!

All the buddies before the festivities got underway. Thanks to Barb and Lily Grace for being such gracious hostesses!

Lots going on in the next few weeks. Promise to post again very soon!
Love,Gretchen

Gotta love those kids......

Well, Claire and Jesse picked a little boy's name for the Jesse Tree/Giving Tree at our church last weekend. I decided to take them last night to buy the gift for the little boy. They both pooled their money from their banks, and this is what they came back with for him. I think it made them feel great.....and theat there are many less fortunate people out there. Merry Christmas!

Go Tigers!

Well, Jesse was asked to be a ball boy at this weekend's Lady Tiger Game...so we came and the kids had a blast! Claire wanted to take a picture with the "Big Cheerleaders" and the of course obliged. These are some of the girls from the JV Squad that cheers at all the Lady Tiger games.

Hard to see, but Jesse was ready to work and did a great job.

Enjoying the fountains before going into the Tiger game.

Promises to post again very soon!

Love,Gretchen

Tiger Game Day

Well, Lance and Jesse were picked at the last Tiger Home Game to paticipate in a halftime game against another father-son duo. Lance was hesitant, but agreed when he found out the prize was a $200 gift certificate to Ashley Furniture.....well, just goes to show how fast Lance can scoot when there's a chance he can get something for free.....As for the loud obnoxious cheerleader voice....I have no idea who that was???......

2 more......

Well, I'm still on my sewing rampage. This one is kind of hard to see but is a pink and brown check and my friend Kirsten made the bow out of extra ribbon from the shirt.

I love this one.....of course my husband comes home and says, "Hey, it's a Charlie Brown dress!". Oh well, I love it just the same!

Lots going on this week! Promises to post again soon....Gretchen

Happy Birthday Lance!!!!

Well, courtesty of Jesse, the budding photograper in the family, here are a few photos of Lance's Birthday celebration last evening. We love you Lance!!!

Family pic with Claire refusong to look at the camera.....

Birthday boy!

Lance with his parents after stuffing ourselves at The Bar B Q Shop in Midtown.

Thanks for all you do for us Lance. Happy Birthday!!!!

What a beautiful weekend!!!

Well, we took advantage of the perfect weekend weather and dragged Lance to the zoo with us. Jesse doesn't get to go nearly as much these days since he's in school all day. The new Teton Trek exhibit is fabulous!

Mom with her very wound up children.....

This is the view from the back of the Teton Lodge....The 3 grizzly cubs have the whole area and stream to roam.

View from the front of the Teton Trek Exhibit. Well, lots going on this week! Promises to post again very soon!

Love,Gretchen

Fall Sewing......

Well, I had a bit of the sewing bug again, so here are a few of the items I've sewn for Claire lately. Hard to believe it's almost time for Holiday Parties and events!! Bring it on!

This I just made with extra fabric from another project and extra ribbon.

A mutual friend of mine does these as a business, so I ordered one and applied it to this tshirt. She did a great job I think! I made the cord pants to match.

This one I love the color of and a friend of mine made the hairbow with the extra ribbon. Thanks Kirsten!

So sweet and simple for the holidays! Enjoy! Promises to post soon!

Love,Gretchen

Happy Halloween!!

Well, Iceman and Spot the Dalmation had a lovely Halloween. Lots of great times and treat were to be had. The kids did great trick or treating and used their manners so nicely!

Jesse's pumpkin that he and Lance designed and carved!

The pumpkin Claire picked out and Lance carved (claire mainly just observed).....

Our neighborhood has a yearly Halloween Parade, so the kids can show off their costumes to the neighbors. They do a lap around the block and have a blast! Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween!!

Love,Gretchen

Project Complete!!

Well, Jesse has spent the last week making his musical instrument with Grandpa and finished last night! Here he is playing his finished product!

Jesse in action putting on the finish.

Jesse used the jigsaw with Grandpa's help to cut out the grooves for the top of the drum.

Almost done.....way to go Jesse! I see an A in your future (we hope.....!)

With Halloween festivities all this week and weekend, I will post again real soon with promises of a fighter pilot and a panting dalamation dog!!!

Love,Gretchen

Fall Fun!!!

Well, the kid's Aunt Cathie had them over Saturday for a day full of Halloween fun, crafts, goodies, and lots of sugar!! We all had such a great time and always love seeing our Aunt Cathie! Thank you for the fabulous day!

Jesse is working on building an African Tongue Drum for his music class project. He is to make a musical instrument and thanks to Grandpa, we have lots of wood and tools at our disposal! Jesse really shows an interest in woodworking, and grandpa loves showing Jesse new skills. Here is Jesse sanding the top of the drum.

Jesse using the table saw (Grandpa helped also......such a big blade!)

Will post the final product very soon!

Love,Gretchen

On our way to Tiger Madness.....

Well, it's almost time for UofM Basketball to begin...so Lance & I took the kids to Tiger Madness Friday evening. They had a great time, starting with dinner downtown and the festivities at the forum afterwards. Such a great time they had!

Claire pretended she was a cheerleader and would try to minmick the moves the "real cheerleaders" made. Let's just say she needs a lot of practice!!! Well, I promise to post lots soon! Enjoy the photos!

Love,Gretchen

Jesse's New Look

Well, guess who has inherited his mother's eyes?? Poor Jesse. Well, here is is after receiving his 1st pair of glasses. He was apprehensive at first, but I think he'll be much better tomorrow when he can show them off to his friends! Just as handsome, I must say!

Well, all is well here in the Hollingsworth Family! Promise to post again very soon...as we always have events going on to blog about! Hope all is well!

Love,Gretchen