It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas......

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!  We've been busy getting ready for Christmas.  It truly is the most wonderful time of year!  I've really been trying to reflect and cherish these moments while our kids are still young and believe in the magic of Christmas.

One of the best new traditions we did this year and I'd like to make it a new yearly one is attending the Candlelight Processional at Disney's Epcot.  It reminds me so much of the Christmas programs we use to go to as kids at church.  It really got me in the Christmas spirit!

Brody attended his friend Casper's birthday party at the circus yesterday.  It was fun to hear his view on all the performances.  God bless his parents for taking all the neighborhood kids for 6 hours yesterday!  The rest of went shopping at the St. Johns Town Center where it was worse than Black Friday for shopping.  We are finally done shopping and only have 1 package left to be delivered.

Today we attended Christmas Eve service at church.  My favorite part is always the candlelight service and singing Silent Night.  My two angels looked so sweet.

We are looking forward to being together as a family eating yummy food, playing games, watching Christmas movies and opening presents.  We are heading to New York City on Wednesday to check out all the city has to offer at Christmas time.  Merry Christmas to all!

2018......

Well I've really been slacking on keeping on my blog.  I want to blame my computer issues but I think life has just been busy and exhausting.  I don't really even know where to begin again but this year has been a blessed year in the Holgrimson household.

Since we don't really do Christmas cards, why don't I just catch you up on each family member?

First, I'll start with Tony.  He has a very busy year at work.  He continues his role as Senior Manger of Global IT Infrastructure & Service Delivery.  He has traveled a lot this year with many trips to Europe and to the offices in the U.S.  He also helped coach Brody's baseball team this fall.  I know Brody loves having his Dad coach and it was a great experience for them both.

Marissa is one week away from being 1/2 way done with the 6th grade.  The transition to Middle School seemed to be an easy one for her.  I think she enjoys school most of the time and her honor role grades impress her parents!  She is also in band playing the flute, student council, and drama club.  I'm thankful for such a good school for her to attend.  She also has been really involved with her girls group at church.  She went to a week long summer camp in July and she is going to winter retreat in a few weeks.  The girls get together once a month and they always have a lot of fun!  She is blessed with such a great group of friends.


Brody is also one week away from being 1/2 way done with 2nd grade.  His teacher praises how well he is doing and what a good boy he is!  This mom is so proud.  He loves playing sports.  This year as I mentioned he played baseball and he loved being on such a great team.  It was really great seeing him get so much better throughout the season.  He also loves to play football and basketball.  His friend next door, Adam, comes over to play outside every day after school.


So, I guess that just leaves me to update on.  I'm still working both my full-time HR job and my part-time travel job.  I drive to downtown Jacksonville and I wish the job was a little closer but I'm working from home more now so that helps the commute.  I enjoy spending time with my family and taking our weekend Disney trips.  I'm so glad we renewed our annual passes again this year.

Our family including my brother's family & my mom went on a Disney cruise this past July.  It was such an amazing experience.  Disney sure knows how to treat you well!  We've enjoyed lots of visitors to Florida over the past year and I'm sure 2019 will be no different.

I lost my Grandma in August and there will forever be a void in my heart.  She was my last grandparent to pass away and she was one special lady.


So I'll leave you with some pics we took over this last year and a hope that I can be consistent in keeping this blog updated!

6 months flies by....

I can't believe it's been 6 months since I've updated my blog.  Life seems to fly by at a rapid pace and I really want to get better at keeping this going!  Some highlights of the last 6 months!

-Halloween:  Marissa dressed up as a witch and Brody as Spiderman.  Our neighborhood really makes it super festive and the weather was beautiful!

-Thanksgiving:  We had a beautiful family dinner and spent the day doing all of our Christmas shopping online.  We spent time at the beach and just enjoyed being together.

-December is always such a busy month with all the activities surrounding Christmas.  After the holiday, we took a family trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  Besides Marissa and I getting sick, it was a wonderful time to get away and the kids still ask to go back!  The mountains are beautiful and it was fun to explore a new area.

-We have been taking great use of being Disney pass holders.  We love our family weekends at Disney and we are becoming experts on everything Disney.

-The kids joined Ridge Runners, a running club at school and they excelled in their running skills.  Marissa joined drama club and they have been practicing 2 times a week since January.  Her play this year is Beauty & the Beast.  She is one of the narrators.  We are looking forward to her performance in a few weeks.  Awana is almost over for the year and this is Marissa's last year!

-The kids have 23 days left of the school year.  Brody and Marissa have had another successful year.  It's hard to believe that Marissa is heading to middle school in August.

-We have been keeping busy with work and life but we are so thankful for the life we have been blessed with!