Halli and Kevin's Family

Tylee waiting for the water show at the Bellagio

Kyson also waiting for the water show at the Bellagio

Tylee and Easton at the Bellagio

Kyson, Easton, Saylor, Tylee, & Taya with "Blue" and "Red" outside the M&M Factory

Ky & Tylee by the race car at the M&M Factory

Tylee & Eason by the car proud as ever with their M&Ms!

Tylee and Saylor playing dress up!



After Christmas, we were lucky enough to have Kevin and Halli come stay a couple of days with us. We loved it! Tylee loved to "mother" Saylor and convinced her to play dress up with her. We went downtown because Kevin has not been to Vegas much. It was pretty cold, but we bundled up and went down. Dave was working so it was myself with the 3 kids along with Kevin and Halli with Easton and Saylor. We went to the M&M factory and were able to see "Blue" and "Red" outside. Taya even waved "bye-bye" to the two M&Ms. Then we walked down to see the water show outside the Bellagio. We ended up walking pretty far in the freezing cold, but the kids were great sports! The best sport was actually Halli who is pregnant and does not feel very well with her pregnancys. We went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner which is always delicious. During our meal the statues at Caesar's Palace "came alive". Kevin took Easton and Kyson to see the show which was right behind us. Tylee thought she would like to see it as well and started walking towards them just as a loud roar let out. She turned on her heels and ran as fast as she could back to our table. I wish I would have been able to have captured the look on her face with the camera. It was hilarious! We really had such a wonderful time. I love spending time with the Hockenjos family! We were so spoiled at Christmas time to have Jeremy & Heidi, Christmas with everyone, then Kevin & Halli. My entire family went through withdrawls for a week after all the excitement was over! Thank you Kevin & Halli for spending time with us! We love you so very much!

Christmas Photos

Christmas Eve Santa

Kyson was too busy wanting to play with his cousins, so I did not get any pictures of his PJs or even of him on Santa's lap. He was the first one to get a gift from Santa, so I guess I was just too slow with the camera.:(

Christmas 2007

I know I am still way behind, but slowly and surely I will get caught up!!! Christmas was absolutely amazing! My entire family got together for Christmas for the first time in 6 years! We all met up in St. George, Utah. Tregg and Yessi were so wonderful to let us all crash at their house Christmas Eve. We started out the weekend on Saturday, the 22nd getting family picutres taken. Okay, there are now 34 of us...20 grandchildren...10 being 3 or younger. This could have been CRAZY! But surprisingly the pictures went really well! Everyone of the kids cooperated. I am so excited to get them back because we have not had a picture with all of us for forever! In fact, Kyson is not in any of the "big" family pictures and he is now 6. That evening after the pictures we were able to go out to dinner just as adults! Talk about amazing! Angie Poulton, Heidi's sister-in-law offered to watch all of the grandkids for us. We had such a great time actually having adult conversation! Sunday we all went to church with Tregg and Yessi. The poor nursery leader was taken 6 visitors! They were great sports, and some of the mom's stayed to help! Monday, Christmas Eve, we all went bowling. We had so much fun! The kids thoroughly enjoyed being with each other! Later that evening we all went to Tregg and Yessi's. Yessi and her mom made us the most amazing meal ever!!! We had an authentic Mexican meal. They made tamales, enchiladas, beans, rice, and tacos for the kids. I can honestly say that I have never had a more delicious meal, even in a restaurant! It was so awesome! It was fun to have something different than the traditional Christmas Eve dinner! After dinner the kids played downstairs in the basement and we all got the best surprise! Santa came knocking on the door. All of the kids just lit up! There was so much excitement! I loved it! All of the kids got pajamas from Santa and hurried and changed into them. They all got ready for the "cousin" gift exchange. It was great to see the kids giving to each other taking their eyes off of themselves! Christmas morning was absolutely perfect! The kids actually slept in pretty well. Keesha and I were up all night however, but I will cherish the time we had together. I love Keesha so much, and just wish we had more time together! Anyway, the gift opening started around 7:30 and it was so fun. Kyson was so excited to get more games for his DS and Heeley's. I think his favorite gift however was his tennis raquet and balls because his dad got one as well. They are both excited for the weather to get nicer so they can go play tennis together! Tylee's highlight was her "baby alive". She was so excited!!! And Taya didn't seem to care either way. But mom's favorite gift Taya got was her leap train and of course her first baby doll. We then of course had to have the "famous" Holbrook Christmas breakfast! It was so delicious and rejuvinated so many memories. I really will always cherish the memories that we made this year. My family is so very important to me and I love the closeness that we share. It is such a blessing to be able to have all of us together and have everyone get along the entire time. I am so grateful to have 3 new sisters and 2 new brothers that I love so very much! Everyone of the children got along so well and formed even stronger bonds. Thank you to all of my family members for being the BEST ever!!! I will never forget this Christmas and hope that we will not wait 6 years for another one! I love you all!!!

Bowling!

The day after Kyson's birthday we went bowling with Jeremy and Heidi's family. Kyson actuall got the second highest score, counting the adults! (Of course we don't need to mention that he had bumpers in his gutters). It was so much fun!!! We just love our little Sophie and Calla! Kyson and Sophie really have such a special relationship. When we lived in Texas, Heidi lived in San Antonio, so we were able to get together often. At that time Ky and Sophie were the only cousins there. They formed a special bond that has continued through the years! It was honestly so great to have Heidi and Jeremy along with their kids stay with us. The 2 days they were here were absolutely awesome! We of course wish it could have been longer!

I love the dishwasher!

Jeremy and Heidi came to stay with us the evening of Kyson's birthday for a couple of days. We absolutely loved having them here! Tate and Taya are only 6 weeks apart and were so cute together! One of Taya's favorite things is to "help" mom unload the dishwasher. She obviously got her cousin to help!

Santa Claus!!!

The kids were able to see Santa at the Magical Forest. They all did so great! It is the first year that at least one kid was not crying! Tylee and Kyson both had a wonderful time telling Santa what they wanted for Christmas!