Hollenbeck Holiday

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Move Over Clark...

This is someone's HOUSE in a typical, suburban
neighborhood here in Greenville. Look how small
Matt looks next to the gigantic Santa!


Stopping on one of the paths that filter
through the backyard displays...crazy!

Just a tiny section of the backyard.

Standing up the hill from the house...all a glow!

Imagine living next door to this home. 160,000 lights, strangers parked up and down the streets of the neighborhood, people milling through the streets and "touring" the outside of this home front to back. I cannot and the above pictures cannot even begin to explain the massive amount of lights and inflatables that are decorating the outside of this home. Although it may look gaudy it is so amazing and really puts you in the Christmas spirit. The lights even blink in sync to music! There is free popcorn, free hot cocoa, and a variety of holiday movies that play on a projector screen on the garage door. All free (donations are encouraged, of course). They reported their electric bill was $1,800.00 last year!

We decided to go see this house AFTER doing one of those drive-thru light shows sponsored by various companies that charge $10.00/car. The house put it to shame. I must admit we visited the house twice and loved it both times, especially the reaction of the boys. It is our new tradition and I can't wait to see what they add next year!

Pictures from the Holiday Season...

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Pictures during Christmas decorating, Blake's Christmas program at school, and Blake's field trip to visit Santa. I haven't worked up the courage (or patience) to take Dane to see Santa...

Toilet Paper Discovery

Aaagghh...the moment when your child finds the toilet paper and all the fun that can go along with it. I actually think Dane was just looking through the books that Blake reads when trying to go potty, but the TP was in perfect reach. With Blake, I yelled at him and rolled the paper back into the roll. This time around I walked away to go find the camera, laughed a bit, then took the toilet paper away and wadded it up on top of the countertop. I don't even think I said, "no." How things change after the first child...

A Christmas Parade!

A view of Main Street in downtown Greenville.
A huge crowd for the Christmas parade!

Getting ready to watch the parade.

Blake and Daddy enjoying the night & the music!

So...there is such a thing as a Christmas parade. Being from the Midwest the thought of going to a parade in December is less than inviting. But, here in the upstate of South Carolina it is a tradition not to be missed, and one that began in 1926. I am not sure what I was expecting, but after turning the corner onto Main Street I was not prepared for the enormous crowd (and holiday spirit!) that was anxiously awaiting this Christmas parade. I will say that there was something magical about the stringing of lights throughout downtown, the marching bands playing Christmas carols (versus the usual fight song), the holiday-themed floats, the children smiling and dancing, and seeing everyone bundled up in coats, hats and gloves. I sort of felt like I was living in a Christmas movie. It was an exciting way to start off the holiday season and a memorable new tradition for our family!

M.M.O.

Traditionally known as "Mother's Morning Out," but I am declaring it "Mom's Major Opportunity!" To...run errands, workout, read, sip coffee, or in my case today sit in the parking garage at the local mall shooting as many Advil as my body will safely allow and trying to get rid of a migraine headache! What an opportunity, huh? Truthfully it was an exciting morning. Today was Dane's first day at Mother's Morning Out and he did a great job! I was concerned because of the high stranger anxiety he has recently developed and his need to be a mommy's boy, but when I arrived to pick him up we were both excited to see each other instead of wanting a break from one another! Dane and I have a special relationship...our personalities are exactly alike, which doesn't always lead to the happiest of moments. So, now every Tuesday and Thursday from 9am-1pm I will be without Blake and Dane while they are enjoying a more fun-filled, developmentally appropriate environment :) I am hoping next time for me it will be "Mom's Major Opportunity" to do anything she wants, but nurse a migraine!

So Very Thankful...

We are so incredibly thankful for the wonderful people we have met and become friends with here in Greenville! We had a memorable Thanksgiving feast at Lee and Catie Murphy's home, and were lucky to spend it with the Smitherman family as well. Lee is a 2nd year orthopaedic resident with Matt, and Adam Smitherman is a 4th year orthopaedic resident. We enjoyed new Southern traditions and amazing food! A new Southern dish we loved was rice and gravy. Yummy! Thanks to both the Murphy's and Smitherman's for making this holiday so special while we are away from family...

I must add that I successfully accomplished making yeast rolls for the first time FROM SCRATCH! The recipe I used goes way back in our family and was not easy (at least for me!). I even had leftover dough that I used to whip up a pan of cinnamon rolls, which turned out great as well! I think I was nervous for a week before making them. I also felt extra pressure serving them to infamous Southern cooks! But, all turned out well! We wish all of our friends and family a Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels! Let the shopping begin!


Such a beautiful presentation
at the Murphy home for
Thanksgiving dinner!

Our family away from family
here in Greenville...

Nothing like 3 boys in

sweater vests! Sweet baby

girl, Sullivan, is observing.

A shot of the Hollenbeck family
at the end of a wonderful
Thanksgiving meal...Dane had
already slipped into his jammies.