Holub Happenings: Christmas 2015

We had another busy holiday season with a lot of fun through the month of December preparing. Now that Sam is 4, he was very interested in the whole logistics of Santa and exactly how he traveled the world on Christmas Eve and came down chimneys, especially in homes without chimneys, how reindeers really fly. His response was, "really Mom, really?? they really fly or are you just joking with me." Our response to most of these questions was, "it's magic." Since we make an effort to answer his gazillion daily questions honestly and with thought, it was a nice little break to use this catch-all answer that it was simply magic... Isla being a little over 2 years old is still not sure what is exactly happening with the holiday hub-hub, but she know she loves the lights, Christmas songs, presents and everything out of the usual that is happening.

We went to Wimberley, where they have an entire botanical/butterfly garden lit up with total community involvement and a kids train, hot chocolate, s'mores and just an overall Christmas wonderland for kids and adults. Isla was willing to sit on Santa's lap with some reservation, however, Sam avoided him all together, but he was more than willing to take the offered Candy Cane. They both had holiday parties at daycare, which they were excited for an entire two weeks prior to the party. They had a lot of fun decorating the Christmas tree and decorating the house while Grandma Marie was here visiting over Thanksgiving. They were both very sad after the holiday to see them all come down and life go back to post-holiday norm.

We made the long drive back to Kansas, but had to come back to Texas a day earlier than planned due to inclement weather. Luckily we only had a bit of ice to drive through to Oklahoma City and then lots of rain all the rest of the way. While in Kansas we were able to celebrate Grandma Regier's 91st birthday! Verna, the kids and I had lunch with her at the Assisted Living, and the kids were the, "entertainment" for all the other residents. Just watching kids be their usual nutty self, especially at meal time, was a great source of smiles and laughs for the residents who couldn't help but hear and see all the commotion and coaxing of a 2 year old to eat food when that was the last thing she wanted to do.

We went to the annual Christmas Eve program at the Mennonite church and Sam especially loved the singing. I have attended this program every year since before I was born and it doesn't feel like Christmas until I have gone. So I love sharing this special tradition with our children. And they love getting the giant Christmas goodie full of candy and one obligatory orange at the end. We spent Christmas day at Mom's with Clifford, Trae and Tanner and Uncle Zack was also able to join us. That evening we went to Aunt Dixie's in Wichita and saw all the Great Aunts, Uncles, Grandma and 2nd and now 3rd Cousins.

I had a week off work once we returned home and it was fantastic! I was able to relax and just spend time with the kids, especially after being so busy preparing and traveling the week before. We decided to go to the San Antonio Zoo on New Year's Eve, which was perfect. It was practically empty and the weather was lovely. I think we've decided to make this a yearly event as it was very relaxing to mosey and look at animals and not have to deal with lines and a huge crowd. Sam told me the highlight of Christmas was not only going to Kansas, but shooting off fireworks on New Year's Eve. Texas allows fireworks on the 4th of July AND New Years. So Quinn and Sam couldn't be happier to have another occasion to shoot off big fireworks. Isla was not so enthused and we watched mostly through the safety of the front door, that was as close as she wanted to be.

We are thankful for 2015, but look forward to 2016 and another year of a happy, healthy family!

Sam is the craziest sleeper. He looks like an acrobat here.

Holiday lights in Wimberley with Aunt Verna and silly Isla

"And Santa, I want a choo-choo and treats."

Pre-school Christmas party, he was so excited! You can tell by the blue frosting on his face. They made cotton ball Santa's, decorated sugar cookies and wrote letters to Santa.