Merry Christmas from the Hohlens!

"For to us a child is born..." Isaiah 9:6

Thus the reason we celebrate!! We are so thankful for the birth of our Savior and cherish the opportunity to gather with friends and family to remember HIM and hold each other extra close. May your Christmas be merry and filled with the joy and peace only HE can bring!!!

Much Love,

for the Hohlens

All I want for Christmas.....

Tuesday I took the boys for haircuts, while Turner was having his turn Carter was hanging out with a couple of young hair stylists. They asked him what he wanted for Christmas and this is what he said....

I asked him to answer it again at home and it was the same reply so I got it on video. Though December 22nd was the first I'd ever heard him talk of wanting robots... what a sweetie to ask for one to help mommy clean!!

Hope he's not too disappointed he's not getting any robots!!!!!!

Secret Stash

So... like all you other moms I've been stashing gifts away for the past month. I wasn't too secretive about it because I didn't think the boys were old enough to really "get" it. But they were in a closet - actually we have a cedar closet in our closet - so they were pretty much out of reach.

Then on Friday I took the boys to a fabric store and found a little something I thought would be nice for them to get ME for Christmas, so I bought it and when we got home told Carter to hide it and have Daddy help him wrap it later. (You all do this too, right?)

Carter thought this was a fun idea. He ran off and hid it and never said a word about it.

You can imagine I was pretty surprised when I went to get the rest of the gifts out to begin wrapping that evening and find my gift in the SAME CLOSET next to some of the other gifts (thankfully all of his were up higher).

So apparently everyone thinks that is the best place to hide gifts!! I may have to re-think my spot for next year. Thankfully he must not have seen any of the other gifts (can't imagine how not) but he didn't say a word about them and if you know Carter that would be impossible for him!!!

Loving the Christmas season....

So, when will he come alive??

Meet our new friend, "Frosty" (clever name, huh?)!

Carter keeps watching, waiting for him to come alive - he decided he needed to see the movie again and see how that worked. Perfect timing would have "Frosty the Snowman" on tonight!! So, we'll watch it and see if we can get this snowman to sing and dance, wouldn't that be fun?!

Had to put my picture up to prove I DID go out with them!!

(Maybe his hat & scarf, or well I guess the snowman itself is proof!)

There is a first time for everything....

With 2 boys it was bound to happen, I knew it wouldn't be long the way they wrestle, climb & chase.

It was in the midst of a game of chase, Carter was in his slippers (probably not a good idea) and ended up falling head first into the brick fireplace. We are thankful he wasn't hurt worse!

Thus Tuesday evening we had our first "emergency" visit to Linc Care and Carter's first stitches!!

I was so thankful Daddy was home, and Papa was working less than a mile away. Daddy was brave - calm, cool & collected. He handled the situation like a pro! I on the other hand didn't freak out, but I was a bit scattered and had a trouble making decisions.

Thankfully we had a guest, Tori, who read books with Turner while we took a trip to urgent care. I don't think she'll forget dinner at our house anytime soon!

Carter was obviously in pain and scared at first, but once we got him in the car and headed to Papa he was so good! Very brave and very adorable as usual! We couldn't have been more proud of how well he did in the clinic. I think it was harder on Mommy than him for sure! And I imagine it was a little hard for Grandpa to sew up his little buddy too, but he did great too!!!

Definitely hoping the next ER trip is a long time from now!

Thanks to Papa for taking such good care of us!!!

I'll pay

Today our local radio station is promoting an event called...

Give Christmas Away in the Drive-Thru

It's encouraging people to pay for the person behind the in the drive-thru! Love the idea.

You can read more about it at:

http://www.mybridgeradio.net/community/spotlight/2017

Let me know if you decide to participate and if you could tell the reaction behind you!!

All dressed up

Sunday was the Children's Christmas program at church so we donned our Christmas best. Here are my attempts to get a picture of the boys by our Christmas tree. I love the last one, totally shows the personalities of these boys - Turner (sweet & ornery) and Carter (the straight-laced, non-stop talker). Yep, both of those are basically oxymorons, right?!

I took some pictures of Carter singing at church on Leslie's camera and Dad got a couple too - so I'll have to post those later!

The proud mom,

Lasting Friendships

Well, the Huskers lost last night and I'm a little sad to say goodbye to the team until next fall, but I guess there are other more important things in life I can focus on.

For instance, this group of ladies....

Saturday morning I got together with a group of friends that has meant so much to me over the past 6 years. We were all part of the same small group at our church (along with our families) and even after the group was no longer meeting and we'd all gone in different directions. We continued to get together for Saturday morning brunches (which has always been our favorite thing to do together). Our brunches used to be every couple of months and now it's only about once a year.

Yesterday we talked about how we'd seen God at work in each of our lives. How we had prayed for each other and seen God answer so many of these prayers and how He has molded and shaped us in the process. It was a rich time of fellowship. These ladies are an inspiration to me... to grow in my faith and place my full trust in the One who provides, protects, guides, directs, and saves... the Everlasting One!

Thank you ladies!! You are a blessing to me!

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Hebrews 10:24

Mega-Fan

I love HUSKER volleyball and tonight they face up against Texas in the NCAA Regional Finals - a victory means a repeat trip to the Final Four. Texas has defeated us TWICE this year already and I don't think the HUSKERS will let it happen again. We're definitely in for a good match! Thankfully Aunt Heidi is coming over to watch the boys so Todd & I can join the real mega-fans (Mom & Dad) and head to Omaha for the big game.

YES, I did make a sign - a shout out to my favorite player, Hannah Werth! And I will be waving it proudly while wearing my RED tonight.

GO HUSKERS!!!

Hands-on: Mini Muffin Tin Advent Calendar

This is harder to explain than I thought it would be, sorry I don't have step-by-step pictures...

Let me know if you have any questions!!

SUPPLIES

• 1 - mini-muffin tin (24 count)
• 1 pkg - 1' x 2' ProMAG Adhes-A-MAG
• 2-3 sheets of solid-colored (such as green and red) scrapbook paper [8.5" x 11" sheets should be plenty]
• 4-5 sheets of Christmas-patterned scrapbook paper [again size isn't as important, smaller would work fine if you have more... you'll need more or less depending on how you want it to look]
• Variety of Christmas-themed stickers and embellishments
• Numbers stickers [these seem to be hard to find in larger quantities... as an alternative you could stamp or print on the computer and cut out]
• Some type of adhesive - I highly recommend GLUE DOTS or a DOUBLE-SIDED TAPE PEN
• 24 scripture verses [1 per day, printed and cut out] - you can find a listing of advent verses online - on websites such as..... Faith Bible Church's Advent page
• 2 feet of Christmas-themed ribbon
• Small container [to hold date squares and scriptures as they are removed, optional]
• Tiny treats to place in each space - [this is also optional and do keep in mind the space is not airtight, so it will need to be wrapped - our marshmallows aren't coming out edible anymore - but they just trade them for fresh ones each night!]

CUTTING

1) Cut magnet sheet into 24 - 2 1/8" squares [that is 2 1/8" x 2 1/8" ;) ]

2) Cut solid-colored scrapbook paper into 24 - 2 1/4" squares [that is 2 1/4" x 2 1/4"]

3) Cut Christmas-themed scrapbook paper in 24 - 2" squares [that is 2" x 2"]

ASSEMBLING

4) Lay out the 24 larger, solid-colored squares on a flat surface - 4 columns x 6 rows.

5) Now, match up the 24 smaller, Christmas-themed squared on top of each of the larger squares as desired. Then go ahead and attach with the double-sided tape!

6) Then comes the fun part... add embellishments including numbers 1-24 to each square.

7) If you haven't already, remove film from back of magnet and attach to back of each date square.

9) Now you should be ready to place the magnets on the muffin tin!!

FINISHING

10) In order to hang your advent calendar you will need to drill holes in the top (or ask your favorite handyman - thanks, Dad!!) to attach the ribbon.

11) With the holes in place you can attach your favorite Christmas ribbon!!!

12) Insert scriptures and treats into each spot and you are ready to hang (or to gift) your advent calendar!!

Our boys are absolutely loving this nightly post-dinner routine of opening up the square, having a treat and listening to Daddy read scripture... I am hoping the time spent in devotions as a family will continue even after Christmas!!

14 days 'til Christmas!!!

Blizzardly Bliss

It just keeps snowing and snowing and snowing....

They'd stay out all day if I'd let them!!!

The big 3-0!!!!!!!!

Yep it's true!

The main man of our house is turning 30!!

Happy 30th to an amazing husband, devoted father and the bestest friend ever!!

Hope you enjoy your day!!!!!!!!!!

All my love,

(***photo taken by my brother, Justin Martin, more to come soon!)

Making friends with Husker Red

Tonight, Carter & I had the privilege of going to the Husker volleyball game with mom!! It was the first round of the NCAA tournament and a pretty easy victory for them (these are the best games for Carter to go to... short!).

It was a big night for Carter.... he not only got solo time with Mamie and Momma, but he also got to say hello to "Husker Red" (aka Lil' Red). Carter has always been a big fan of our adored mascot from way up high, but anytime we tried to get up close he has been terribly afraid... tonight he overcame his fears and gave Lil' Red a high five.

Then he proceeded to "chat" with him for a good five minutes (what did you do today? what did you have for lunch? you know the important questions). He was a bit confused that Husker Red couldn't talk, but he still had fun!! I was too slow and didn't get a picture the first time, so we had to go back and talk to him again a little later - Carter was grinning from ear to ear!! Fun to see him "growing up"!!!

Gotta love my lil' Husker fan!!

thanksgiving dinner '09

yummy fruit from aunt heidi....

momma & grandma hinrichs.....
turner enjoying the feast.....
carter ate a bit in between sentences....

much to be thankful for.

New Christmas Tradition: Advent Calendar

Advent is a time designed to prepare ourselves for the celebration of Christmas and most importantly the coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ. The word advent means "to come". Technically advent begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas, ending on Christmas Eve. However, we are starting today and using each day of December to read scriptures about the storyline surrounding His birth and trying to keep the focus on Him!!

Each day after dinner the boys will get to help remove the square for the appropriate date, have a little treat (mini marshmallows), and Todd & I will spend time reading the scripture for that day with them (each day has a piece of paper with some verses with their treats).

Here is a picture of our new Advent Calendar which my Mom made for us (while I was making another one as a Christmas gift!)... I am going to try to put instructions up for how to make one (if you're interested) soon!!! And, yes it is made out of a mini-muffin tin - great, huh??!

24 days 'til Christmas!!!