Merry Christmas from the Holts!

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Royals Game (vs. Red Sox)

We took in a Royals game with Derek's family. The weather had finally cooled off and it was a beautiful day!  Royals didn't win but we had fun.

Wyatt and Derek enjoying our seats in the shade.

Wyatt got antsy so we walked over the Outdoor Experience.  Here is Wyatt with the statue of Frank White behind the fountains.

The Outdoor Experience rocks!  There is a playground, carousel, Mini-K and other fun things to do.  It is a good way to spend a couple innings to break up the monotony.

Wyatt and Derek running the bases after the game.

Sunday is the Family Fun Day and kids can run the bases.  Wyatt kept saying he was faster than Daddy!

Odd and Ends around the house

If you have been to our house, you knew there was an odd "box" in the corner left over from a previous remodel before we bought the house.  I finally found someone to do another little remodel and we now have another cabinet and shelves above.  It make the kitchen look so much bigger!  Plus I gained another outlet for my Scentsy burner - they are awesome!

During the winter, we had a thistle bird feeder outside the kitchen window.  This provides a lot of entertainment at breakfast for both Wyatt and the cats, mainly Dixie.

For Valentine's Day I made (yes, with a sewing machine) a Sluggie for Derek.  That is a snuggie made of Royals material.  He loves it, but not the expression on his face in this picture.  Please do not hold it against him.  I really need to make another one because it is so awesome I have been known to use it in a pinch!

Lastly, Spring finally arrived!  It seems like winter held on as long as possible, but I guess when does it not feel like that.  I love when all the bulbs I planted in the fall (and forgot about) pop up and surprise us with some sunny blooms!  Here was a bunch I picked early before some Spring storms tore them up. 

Dinosaur Exhibit

I took Wyatt to Union Station in Kansas City back in January to see the dinosaur exhibit.  It started out with great potential - Wyatt loved the big building, but when we got into the exhibit it was a little bit too much for Wyatt.

At he beginning of the exhibit there was a model of "digging" for bones.  Wyatt did like that.

Then you turn the corner and there are the big dinosaur models - yikes!  This is where Wyatt started to think we made a bad decision.

"The dinosaurs are scary!"  Some would move and roar and Wyatt was literally shaking.  I had to carry him through the rest of the exhibit.

Once we got out of the dinosaur exhibit we went to the model train exhibit that Union Station - that was definitely more his speed.  He really enjoyed watching the trains!

Snow Days

I have had 5 school snow days this winter (and several late starts).  We have experienced several snowstorms and the snow just piled up and hung around until late March.  Wyatt has a pair of snow boots that he LOVES to wear out in the snow!  Here are some pictures of our snow fun!

Wyatt loves to play in the snow!  The swing set is fun during all seasons!

How we started most snow days.  I would get Wyatt breakfast and clean on the kitchen.  Wyatt and Dixie would watch the birds at the bird feeder.  Wyatt would say "Mine birds!"

We got to enjoy one of the present Santa brought a lot this winter, a sled!  We got several snows so I would pull Wyatt around the yard, he loved it and I got a workout!

"I'm catching snow on my tongue!"

Since Derek HAD to spend all day out in the snow working, we usually likes to relax on the reclinar at night.  For Valentine's Day I made him a "Sluggie"  and Snuggie made of Royals fleece.  He looks like he enjoys it!

Christmas 2010

We got through all of our Christmases in about 2 days which was great!  The weather was good for traveling and Wyatt has been busy playing with his new toys!

We talked a lot about Santa and Baby Jesus leading up to Christmas.  We left our cookies and milk for Santa the night before but when Christmas morning arrived, I think Wyatt was a little taken aback that Santa actually got in the house and left presents!  He did not run to the tree and start playing with his toys, he stood back and looked worried - well maybe his 4th Christmas will be the one he acts like a normal kid!

 Sorry, I couldn't get this picture to rotate.  Santa did bring a big tractor and wagon for Wyatt (this one was green, but we are not particular about tractor color).  Wyatt also got a sled, it has been put to good use already - stay tuned for a future blog update featuring the sled!

 We have to get up early at home so we can open our gifts before Derek goes out to chore and then meet Wyatt and I at his parents house for breakfast and presents.  With all 3 grand kids there, it is a bit of a zoo but that was my favorite part of going to my Grandparents for Christmas growing up!  Wyatt does want to try on most clothing items he opens. 

Christmas Eve is spend at Derek's Grandma Vesta's house.  Here she is with the Great-Grand kids!

The annual Edwards girls' picture by the Christmas tree.

 A much calmer present opening ensues at my parents' house.  Wyatt is basically the center of attention!



 Wyatt enjoying his gift from my parents, a travel DVD player.  I am hoping this makes the 3 hour car rides to Tipton a bit more quiet! 

 Trying to take a nice picture of Wyatt by the tree, looked good with the lights!

After a day with my parents, which means no nap, Wyatt literally crashed and burned in the middle of the floor.  Dad said one minute he was playing with his cars, the next he was fast asleep!

Pre-Holiday fun!

Okay, I am going to do this in a couple posts because I am a little behind.  We had a wonderful time leading up to and during Christmas.  We did have a little snow but not the blizzard like last year!

 Wyatt has been attending Nursery Sunday School starting in September.  This was his first Christmas program and his class sang "Away in a Manger" (which is what the Nursery School kids sing at my home church!  Is this a Lutheran-wide thing?)  He did know most of all 3 verses and sang pretty good; we are still enjoying his rendition of this Christmas song a month later!

Derek's sisters family came back for a long visit and Wyatt LOVED spending time with his cousins!  They played well together and had total control of Derek's parents house! 

 Aunt Keri had planned a "Polar Express" party for her nieces and nephew (can you guess she is a librarian?)  She read them the book and then they did crafts after along with drinking hot chocolate.

 They all got bells too, but I couldn't hear them ringing *wink*.



 Yeah, a white Christmas!  We got about the perfect amount of snow and Derek took the kids for a 4-wheeler ride.  We originally wanted to pull them around in a sled but Santa had not delivered to our house yet!  Derek and Wyatt also tried to build a snowman but it didn't turn out so well.  Derek said they kept rolling up dog poop in their snowballs! 

Wyatt and Alyssa feeding Woodie and the cats (more dog poop!)