Happy Easter!!

 Well, Easter was upon us this weekend, and of course, we went down to Jackson, MS for family reunions abound!!!  Jesse and Lance participated in The Hollingsworth Golf Tournament, and actually came in 4th this year.  Jesse did great, and was glad to have contributed to the team!  The Hollingsworth Reunion provided tons of fun for both kids, but Jesse was old enough to participate in the bow and arrow events, and loved every second of that!!  He even came home with a bow and 2 arrows, compliments of his Uncle Charles......I'm apologizing to our neighbors in advance!

 Quick Claire had a blast scouring the yard for eggs, and enjoyed the company of all her cousins, including Gracie and George!!

 Of course, there was lots of Easter Egg dying to be done, so we tackled that with gusto and had a ball in the meantime!!

 Keri and Jesse took more time carefully designing their eggs!

 A very excited Claire on Easter morning at Mammaw and Pappaw Hare's home!

 Claire loves a good selfie!

Our squinty eyes looking directly at the sun!! Great weekend for all!

Lots coming up in The Hollingsworth home...Communion, Birthdays, Golf Tournaments!! Promises to post very soon!


Love, Gretchen

More from the big #13!

 Today is actually Jesse's Birthday and spent the day helping dad in the yard, attending Claire's Basketball Game, followed by dinner at Five Guys and then cupcakes, ice cream, and presents with the family!

 Jesse showing off his new swim trunks from grandma and grandpa!  Jesse received much needed money form Grandma and Grandpa.....thanks!!! If only it would warm up outside!!

Jesse opening his card from Nana and Paw Paw!  Lots of goodies from them....hovercraft, atmosphere ball, and itunes card!

 Yes, we are beginning to look like parents of a teen!

Uncle Tommy, as always, the life of the party!!

Aunt Jenny and Gracie and George also came and a great time was had by all!!  Hard to believe our little fat baby that seems was just born is now a tall, thin young man....we are truly blessed.

Our Jesse Turns 13!!!

 Well, it has happened....we are the parents to a 13 year old whether we like it or not. Jesse and some of his buddies went on a limo scavenger hunt throughout Memphis on this 60 degree but sunny day, and had a complete blast!

 The kids solved the first clue and had lunch overlooking the Mississippi River at Martyr's Park....onto the second location!!

 The kids solved a riddle, which led them to the Orpheum....which then led them to...

 Elvis Presley Statue marking the beginning of Beale Street

 More Beale Street!

 Which ended at the Fed Ex Forum!

 The solved a picture clue to take them to Redbird Stadium.....

 And solved another clue which took them to this little Memphis landmark!

 They got prop clues and a riddle for the gates of Graceland as well!

 Limo Fun!

One of the stops was the Peabody, where the kids watched the ducks and went to the rooftop.  Just as they arrived to the ducks, one layed an egg and it is captured here on the floor.  The kids were in awe and quite curious as to what was going to happen to the not so little egg.....turns out...it was cracked and the kids moved on with their lives!

Happy Happy Birthday to our young man!  We love you Jesse!

Happy Adoption Day!!!

 Truly hard to believe Claire has been a part of our family for 7 years now!! How time flies! Sweet Claire wanted for very little.....she requested donuts, which were gladly devoured and enjoyed by us and all the grandparents!  Since her Adoption Day fell this year on Ash Wednesday, we ate a big dinner the night before.....and no shocker here...it was sushi at Claire's request!  We are just loving watch her every day as she grows and all her neat little quirks come out.  We are blessed to have her in our lives every day.....

Mini Vacay to St. Louis

 Well, Lance and Claire did the annual Father Daughter Dance at SFA and had a blast......word on the street is that Lance actually danced....oh to have been a fly on that wall!!

 We took the kids to Hidden Valley this weekend and let Claire try skiing for the first time..she did great and was a trooper!  We will definitely take her again!

 A fierce looking Jesse at the top of the slope......

 A not so fierce looking Jesse at the bottom....he's not quite sure if he loves skiing as much as his dad and sister!

 While in St. Louis we took them to the Science Center and was able to get Jesse in a Lego Robotics class.....he said he was in his "happy place".....somehow that does not surprise me!

 And of course we had to stop off in Lamberts so the kids could have hot rolls thrown at them....they loved it...despite a ridiculous 1 hour wait!! We had a great weekend with the 4 of us nonetheless!!! 

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year from all of us!  The kids having thoroughly enjoyed their 2 weeks off for Christmas and go back to reality tomorrow.....We hope everyone has a prosperous and delightful New Year!  We are certainly blessed, and hope that 2014 brings wonderful growth, experiences, and fun!  2014 will be a big year in The Hollingsworth home....Mr. Jesse will enter his last year of middle school, and prepare for his entrance into high school...and Ms. Claire will receive her 1st Reconciliation and 1st Holy Communion....lots to be grateful for!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

 What a wonderful Christmas we had this year.....we partook in our annual tradtions....mass at Holy Rosary, Christmas at my parent's home, family here on Christmas day!  We couldn't be more blessed.  Jesse's loot seems to be diminishing this year, as his items are becoming more "costly"...new driver, fancy shoes...etc....He had a great Christmas.  Ms Claire asked for one thing....an AG doll that looks like her.  She was thrilled when she discovered Ivy Christmas morning and has yet to put her down!  Santa was able to deliver some other goodies to her, but it paled in comparison to Ivy!  I hope everyone had a blessed day, and is having a wonderful Christmas season!

Love, Gretchen

Christmas in full swing!

 Well we are just enjoying this season so much this year....toothless Claire asked Santa for a doll that "looks like me" and nothing else.....I hope Santa can deliver!

Claire all gussied up for the Nutcracker.....we had a blast dressing up, going to lunch, and seeing the Nutcracker together.  I've really come to look forward to our little tradition every year!

 

All 4 of us at The Hollingsworth Christmas this year!  We have lots to be thankful for, and are truly enjoying this time together...boy how they are growing up before my eyes!!

Super Blessed in December

Well, things are busy around here, as we prepare for Christmas, school activities, and lots in between!  We have been great, and are truly enjoying watching our kids grow up......time flies so quickly!  Jesse is somewhere between a kid and a young man...we never know which one we will get when he gets up every morning!  Claire is great, always a smile on that girl's face! As for Lance and I....just keeping up with them keeps us in tip top shape!  We are lucky indeed!