Welcome to Hollewood

November 12, 2016

Holles Takeover Steamboat

Remember a long time ago I posted a picture of Tyler’s passport photo? That was because we were supposed to go to Canada on a Holle Family Trip. Here it is again because it’s THAT good. We went ahead and ordered a passport, because you never know.

2015-12-29_194412067_CC394_iOS — Tyler, 16 1/2 mos.

As it turns out, we changed the trip to Steamboat Springs. We had two condos booked in early June, and we were prepared for it to snow…you never know, in the mountains. But with classic “Holle Timing,” we had a PERFECT week in Steamboat. It was 80 and sunny every day and we had a blast. It ended up being Grandma & Grandpa, Eric, Tyler (22 mos), and me, and Andy, Laura, Ethan (6) and Emma (26 mos).

Laura and I started the week off right with the Steamboat 10k. I was 16 weeks pregnant and it was Laura’s first 10k. We were overcome with the scenery of the race and managed to run the whole thing…GO LAURA!

2016-06-05_134457121_033F2_iOS — Just beautiful!

We loved the race so much we went out and ran parts of the route again later in the week.

2016-06-05_151842029_B487B_iOS — Tyler stealing my orange slices.

We enjoyed the area with hikes, walks, visiting breweries, checking out the local Botanic Gardens, playing mini-golf at our condo, burning ourselves at Strawberry Park Hot Springs, and of course, eating.

Grandma and Tyler at Storm Peak Brewing.

Baseball in the park. — Baseball in the park with Grandpa.

Quality time with Grandpa on the porch swing.

Emma and Tyler could swing all day long.

Every day Emma & Tyler would snuggle in Grandma and Grandpa's bed. — Every day Emma & Tyler would snuggle in Grandma and Grandpa’s bed.

At the base of the ski area, there’s a manmade creek/beach that the kids just adored. We played there for hours.

2016-06-08_233226464_628F9_iOS — Summertime and the livin’ is easy.

One day we ventured all the way out to Dinosaur National Monument. It was a loooooong drive, but we got to see amazing fossils and check out Vernal Brewing Company.

Ethan’s birthday is in June and we got him a Stomp Rocket. This is probably the best toy ever for a six-year-old who likes to shoot things and for whom you may want to use as target practice yourself. Although it’s fun to watch the foam rockets shoot as high up into the sky as possible, it’s also amusing to angle the device so that the rockets shoot out–at trees, or the grill, or children. Ethan is quite fast and managed to escape most attempts of adults trying to get him. But he did get hit once or twice…it’s a pretty hilarious game for your whole family.

2016-06-06_020259395_B64F1_iOS — Ethan rocket-dodging.

Near the end of our trip I convinced the non-seafaring Holles to rent a pontoon on Stagecoach Reservoir. It was a gorgeous day and we cooked out on the grill on the boat. The kids loved playing captain and I loved working on my tan!

We also had to wait until Friday for the gondola to open so we could ride to the top of the mountain and check it out.

We missed Paul & Colleen on this trip, but we are sure there will be more. Thanks for the condos, Grandma and Grandpa, and thanks everyone for the memories!

November 12, 2016November 12, 2016

Becoming a Big Brother

Way back in the spring, we wanted to tell our families we were pregnant before we blogged about it. Obviously. But it got complicated, because I wanted to do it in person with my parents (we had to Skype the first time around). My mom had knee surgery in April, and it didn’t go very well, making travel for my parents impossible in May. I knew I had to fit a trip in, so Tyler (still free) and I flew to Ohio for Mother’s Day.

I dressed Tyler in his blue #1 Brother shirt, and being Cleveland in May, he had to wear a fleece over it. I was so excited for my parents to see his shirt! I wasn’t really showing yet at 12 weeks, so I knew they wouldn’t notice any belly on me. I kept Tyler zipped up until Dad drove us home, and claimed it was hot in the house so I could take Tyler’s jacket off.

They didn’t notice.

We ate lunch and I purposely had Mom feed him and wipe dribbles off of his shirt.

They didn’t notice.

Mom claimed I was too thin and needed to put on weight. We ate dinner together with Tyler, still in his shirt, laughing and playing in his high chair. At bathtime, I made Mom take off Tyler’s clothes.

She noticed. “Wait,” she said. “This doesn’t mean anything, does it?”

“Um, yeah!” I said. I scolded her for being so imperceptive and blamed it on the painkillers for her knee. She was predictably ecstatic and defended herself by saying Dad didn’t notice, either. After his bath, she put Tyler’s #1 Brother shirt back on him, took him downstairs to Dad, and told him to read the shirt again. Dad STILL didn’t get it. Mom basically had to just tell him there was another baby on the way, and he was very much in shock. “I guess I never even offered you a beer, so I didn’t notice!” he said.

I know because it’d been hard for us, they didn’t have their hopes up, and they’d learned not to ask. But that is definitely NOT the way I had pictured our “big reveal” going! Fortunately we got to spend two more days together. Mom’s spirits were up, we took Grandma out to breakfast, and Dad got to take Tyler to the zoo.

Tyler loved the elephants. And we got to feed the giraffes! — Tyler loved the elephants.

Thanks for the grandkids' desk, Nana. — Thanks for the grandkids’ desk, Nana.

Getting hopped up on hot fudge at Malley's before the trip home. — Getting hopped up on hot fudge at Malley’s before the flight home.

It was a quick trip home, but a memorable one. Mom claims that “#1 Brother” doesn’t necessarily mean “Big Brother” and that she thought he was just wearing a hand-me-down. Really, Mom? You think I’d fly across the country with my kid in some random secondhand tee shirt? You know me better than that. Besides, it only took Eric’s parents about 6o seconds to break the “#1 Brother” code!

October 25, 2016January 5, 2017

It’s Really Happening

No, this is not about the baby that’s coming in five weeks from yesterday. Although that’s a pretty big deal, too. This is about two families who love baseball, who raised children who love baseball, who created a toddler whose favorite thing in his tiny little life is a “baseball party.”

Growing up in Cleveland with my sports-nut father was a blast. I had a rabbit’s foot I took to Cleveland Municipal to cheer on the Indians (why did I like Cory Snyder?), and later, we had rituals about getting to our seats in section 554 at Jacobs Field. I remember when the Cavs were royal blue & orange and Brad Daugherty was awesome. And I thought it was normal that your dad moved an easy chair into the middle of the living room to yell at the Browns waving a Growl Towel while your mom tied dog bones into your pigtails. I give my mom due credit for allowing and supporting all of this to happen–she’s a fan if not a native, but she might also be at TJ Maxx during a playoff game.

When I moved away twelve (!) years ago, it never occurred to me to root for any other teams. The Nuggets are pretty bad, for obvious reasons the Broncos are off-limits, and the Rockies are National League, so what harm is it to cheer for them at a game or two? Which brings me to my next point.

I am NOT wearing Cubs. Just a maternity baseball shirt, because, obviously, every girl needs one of those. — I am NOT wearing Cubs. We are at a Rockies game. Just a maternity baseball shirt, because, obviously, every girl needs one of those.

I married a Cubs fan. A real one. Eric’s parents both grew up in rural Indiana and Illinois rooting for the Cubs. Eric’s sister married a bona fide Cubs fan. I wasn’t sure I’d be allowed in the family (well that and I’m not Lutheran) without pledging allegiance to the Cubs, but because my ties are with the American League, apparently it was OK.

I’ve been to games at Wrigley Field twice with Eric. He’s been to Progressive Field. We go to spring training games in Arizona with his parents. And we’ve seen many Rockies games, including the Cubs in Colorado. Eric bought tickets when the Cubs were in town in 2014 for the day after Tyler was due.

He was right–the baby was late and I spent my last night pregnant downtown, watching the Cubs. Tyler has been to a game in Cleveland, and two in Denver plus a rain delay where we never even got to see a Cubbie throw a pitch. Tyler loves it. He yells “home run,” “out,” “safe,” and sometimes just “baseball party!”

Tyler's 2nd Baseball Party — Tyler’s 2nd Baseball Party

We joked it would never matter until the Indians played the Cubs in the World Series. It was 2010 when we got married and that scenario seemed really, really unlikely. Hell-freezing-over-pigs-flying unlikely.

And yet–here we are. It has been a wild ride. Eric never roots against the Indians, and I openly cheer for the Cubs. Until now. Other than navigating bath time and bedtime for Tyler, we haven’t even looked at each other tonight since the first bite of chicken caesar salad, exactly 14 minutes before gametime. Is it weird that two grown adults who love each other are mostly standing in front of the same TV avoiding eye contact? We promised to cheer for our own team but avoid being nasty to the opposing team. So far, it’s working.

I’m praying for speedy games because I don’t think my blood pressure is good for the baby. And what if Baboo #2 wants to make an appearance during a World Series game? I honestly don’t know. Although it’s been suggested, we are NOT naming our baby JB Holle for Javier Baez. But Lindor Holle? That has a nice ring to it…

June 17, 2016

Double the Stroller, Double the Fun

We’ll be giving thanks a few days late this year. November 28, to be exact.

I know….can you believe it?!

Wait…maybe this isn’t such a good idea, Mommy & Daddy.

The baby is going to LIVE with us?!

I guess I can learn to deal with this and live up to the #1 Brother hype.

But for now, let’s just play and not think about the baby. Here, take this onesie.

June 16, 2016

“Ski”

Because we are crazy, we started Tyler on skis this winter at the age of 1. Or 19 1/2 months, to be exact. We wouldn’t have done it if he hated the cold, or wouldn’t wear the clothes, or didn’t seem interested. But he LOVES it. Loves the snow, loves his snowsuit, goggles, helmet, mittens. The whole shebang. We bought a rad helmet at a big sale at REI–it has a blue mohawk! And he loves being outside.

Before Tyler skied on his own, he took a ride in the pack at age 18 months on Daddy’s back at Snowmass. We skied there with the Taylors on my birthday in February, and they had skied with Burke in the pack before, so we were on board. Of course, Tyler liked it. He was so funny to watch just looking around with the wind in his face while Daddy cruised!

To be fair, he’s not really skiing, not by himself, at all. His first official day was on Easter, at Vail. He willingly stands between Daddy or Mommy’s legs, and we’re working on him standing upright without being a wet noodle. But he loves going fast, riding the magic carpet, and even the lifts! In my ski school experience most kids hate wearing ski boots. Tyler even loved those despite his feet being so tiny he fell out of his boots a couple of times, which prompted him to hold out his tiny socked foot over the snow and say “shoe.”

At Vail, there’s not a beginner area at the base in Lionshead–it’s at the top of the gondola. Easter Sunday was GORGEOUS and we could not have asked for a better day for Tyler to hit the slopes!

Our day at Vail:

Our old friend Tyler spun Tyler his first skis!

One last drink of water before it's time to mount up. — One last drink of water before it’s time to mount up.

Magic Carpet Ride... — Magic Carpet Ride…

Every time we got to the bottom of the run, Tyler said and signed “more!” No tears, no “all done.”

We figured we could get an even longer run in if we took the chairlift instead of the magic carpet. Yes, Mom, we held onto him really, really, really tightly.

Apres like a champ. — Checking out the apres scene at Garfs.

The next time Tyler skied was at Breckenridge in April. Again, we scored another beautiful, warm, perfect, bluebird day. This time instead of the relatively tiny beginner area, we headed up a main lift. Employees didn’t bat an eye, but we sure had a number of guests stop to ask us what the heck we were doing with our baby up there. I think their exact words were “How old is he?!”

Again, Tyler loved every minute, asking for “more” and never wanting to stop. He is still as a statue on the lift, and continues to be a wet noodle when “skiing.”

At home, whenever Tyler sees his helmet or snowsuit in his room, he says “ski!!!!” and his eyes light up. He knows. Unfortunately, he only got out there twice. But this peanut should fit in his getup next year, and the plan is to ski even more. We always told parents at ski school that they wouldn’t remember from one time to the next this young…but maybe he will!

Really trying to get out there, Mommy. C'mon. — Really trying to get out there, Mommy. C’mon.

June 14, 2016

Our Retro Easter Sunday

Aunt Linda handed down to Tyler a navy blue coat and hat that my cousin Mark wore 40+ years ago. The items are adorable, and I promised I would have Tyler wear them, so Easter Sunday seemed like the perfect time. We spent Easter weekend in Vail, so we visited our old stomping grounds, The Vail Church, before hitting the slopes. There’s a little gathering room with a fireplace at the church, so we set up a mini photo shoot before the service!

Maybe the Easter basket will make this better!

Looking back, this must have been when Tyler started refusing to smile for photos.

On Daddy's shoulders watching and listening. — On Daddy’s shoulders watching and listening.

Thanks for the cute clothes, Aunt Linda! Be sure to show Mark the pictures!

June 1, 2016

Helping

Tyler has gotten very into helping lately. He likes to throw away “tash,” help unload the “poon” and “fah” from the dishwasher, Swiffer the heck out of the floors, and put his dirty clothes in his laundry basket. (And yes, he actually does all of those things.)

Tonight, Tyler wanted to help Daddy mulch the yard.

I don't think this is helping. — I don’t think this is helping.

When Daddy was done, Tyler came back inside to the kitchen where I was prepping all kinds of fruit. I wish we had a Kitchen Helper but since we don’t, I just pull up a chair to the island for Tyler to stand on. (The horror! He might fall!)

I was taking grapes off the bunch because I like them all to be free and washed–I think it encourages us to eat them when they’re ready in the fridge. (OMG Safety Police yes I still cut them for Tyler.) Tyler crawled up onto his chair, took a small bunch from the bag, and began plucking them off one by one into the colander. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t ask him to help or give him any direction–he just watched me and followed along.

He even noticed if there was a stem still attached to a grape in the bowl, and gently picked it off and set it aside. I think in the Helping Contest between me and Daddy, I win tonight!

May 2, 2016

When Your Kid Really Likes to Pray

Eric and I have always prayed before meals, just a quick little prayer of thanks. So when Tyler started joining us at the table (over a year ago now) we of course included him by holding his hands. He likes to smack his hands together for a big AAAA-MEN at the end.

Lately he’s been watching us close our eyes while we pray and he *tries* to do that, too. These photos are from Sunday afternoon–we weren’t even eating dinner. I think he was having a snack and maybe I was, too. But, he insisted we pray by holding out his hands and grabbing our fingers. Simply adorable.

Also a shout out to Patagonia for making baby clothes with ridiculous sizing. The green striped long underwear he’s sporting (snow on May 1!) is sized 6 Months. Tyler will be 21 months on Saturday!

April 28, 2016April 28, 2016

Spring Break 2016: Nebraska

I mean, who wouldn’t want to go to Nebraska on vacation, right?

Eric’s sister, Laura, and her family moved to Lincoln a couple of years ago, and although we visited once for Thanksgiving when Tyler was just a tiny baboo, we hadn’t been back to see the Stumpf’s new house. So we packed up the truck and headed out after work for the 7-hour drive. We stopped once, in Kearney, so Tyler could visit his 72nd brewery, Thunderhead Brewing. A brewery in the middle of rural Nebraska is exactly what you would expect: the pizza wasn’t bad and the girls were drinking some kind of purple cocktail instead of beer and there wasn’t a diaper changing station. We made it to Lincoln before midnight.

Saturday we woke up to much chillier weather than we had anticipated and headed to the Lincoln Zoo. Wow! We were amazed at how thoughtfully this tiny zoo was put together and marveled at all of the fun attractions for kids.

Tyler rode a pony like a pint-sized cowboy.

Side note: when did our child grow big enough to ride a horse?

Ethan showed off his tricks on the slide.

Tyler signing "bird" at the peacock. No fear--I had to hold him so he wouldn't touch. — Tyler signing “bird” at the peacock. No fear–I had to hold him so he wouldn’t touch.

Eric measuring his wingspan which wasn't even a little awkward. — Eric measuring his wingspan which wasn’t even a little awkward.

We rode the train all the way around the zoo. Yes, I'm wearing Tyler's hat because a. he had a hood, b. I was freezing, and c. my head is that tiny. — We rode the train all the way around the zoo. Yes, I’m wearing Tyler’s hat because a. he had a hood, b. I was freezing, and c. my head is that tiny.

Tyler's "I love this" face while riding the train. — Tyler’s “I love this” face while riding the train.

We ate some yummy sandwiches for lunch and headed home for naptime. We had a big afternoon planned at a local winery, James Arthur Vineyards.

On the beautiful deck. — The setting was beautiful. The wine was not.

If you can imagine a brewery in rural Nebraska, now picture a winery outside of Lincoln. Did you conjure images of bedazzled aprons sporting catchy sayings like “Wine not?” Can you just see the animal figurines made of wine corks? Have you ever tasted Carlo Rossi? Yep, that about sums it up. But the weather warmed up, the kids were having fun, and they gave us cheese, so we actually had a great time.

The grounds were lovely and we even went for a toddler "hike." — The grounds were lovely and we even went for a toddler “hike.”

Sunday morning we went to the church that Andy works for, Christ Lutheran. It was fun to see what a vibrant service they have, and Tyler loves going to church daycares. When we got home, Laura declared it was time for an Easter Egg Hunt! Even though Easter had been the week before, we wanted the kids to have fun together so we went out in the backyard and let them run wild in the sunshine.

Ethan found most of them... — Ethan found most of them…

Tyler hammed it up for awhile. Apparently wearing his plumber’s one-piece outfit makes him feel extra silly, but I think it’s so adorable I can’t stand it so I make him wear it for special occasions.

Then we hit the amazing playground in an attempt to get the kids tired. It didn’t work.

Our last stop was Ploughshare Brewing Co. in downtown Lincoln. Very cool place with excellent beer, and they even gave us a broom so we could clean up our giant child-mess.

All in all we had a fantastic trip and can’t wait to see these characters again in June. Thanks, Stumpfs!

March 23, 2016

Snow Day!

We had heard a storm was blowing in, but we had no idea what Mother Nature was doing out there. And then I got the only call you want to get at 5am–SNOW DAY!

This was 5:00am. Not too much accumulation, but the wind was fierce.

While Eric worked from home, I introduced a new obsession to Tyler: trains! He had a blast helping build the track and carries Thomas and Rusty around with him everywhere. (Thanks, Michelle, for passing on the train set!) And he’s not yet saying “train” but for weeks has said “WOOO WOOO” when he sees them in books.

The snow continued until later in the afternoon; then, it was still and not too cold. Perfect for playing outside! Daddy went to help Tim shovel out Boulder County, so he missed this fun. I laid out Tyler’s snowsuit on the couch with his hat, mittens, and boots. He climbed up and eagerly spread himself out trying to get it on, patiently waiting for the zipping and velcroing. He couldn’t wait to get out there (like his mommy) but wanted to be prepared (like his daddy).

2016-03-23_233628000_5A065_iOS — Snow Selfie!

2016-03-23_233848241_750FD_iOS — What is all this?!

2016-03-23_233912554_EC794_iOS — Postholing up to his armpits.

2016-03-23_233328037_1E272_iOS — Snow angels!

2016-03-23_233057659_99B12_iOS — Catching (and eating) snowballs.

2016-03-23_231526328_F7133_iOS — OOOHHH!

2016-03-23_231356631_CCAE8_iOS — New favorite snack: snow.

We ended up with 21″ of snow. It was 72 degrees and sunny yesterday. So glad we had this blizzard and could spend the day together!