Christmas

We had a few fun festivities leading up to Christmas Eve....so by the time it got here, the kids were ready and wired!

Christmas Eve is also my Mother-in-Laws birthday, so we planned a little family lunch celebration. The kids were wild with anticipation! And dressed adorably, so I tried to snap a few shots before everyone got here.

By the time Grandma and Pop-pop got here, Julie had told the entire neighborhood that it was Grandma's Birthday! And that they had made a cake for her.

We found Andy a few hours later with a spoon helping himself to the cake, but we were able to salvage it for the party.

When Grandma arrived, she got lots of extra kisses and hugs.

And plenty of extra help eating her cake.

And Uncle Sean got help opening his presents too.

After the birthday party, and a nap, the kids and Daddy checked the computer to see where Santa was.

Then the kids put out reindeer food before we went off to church. (by the way, thank you again Kari for the AMAZING hand-me-downs....and great timing too!)

After church, a Hunter Family Tradition of Daddy reading "T'was the Night Before Christmas" and then off to bed! It took seconds for the kiddos to be out.

But only after they left cookies and milk for Santa.

And Santa loved them so much, he spoiled the kids (almost) rotten.
I think Andy's stocking needs a little TLC before it goes back in the box...who made that thing anyway!?!

Julie came running into our room after sleeping til 7 am (!!!!) screaming, "Santa brought us SCOOTERS!!!!!

Andy got Buzz.

Testing out the scooters.

Andy wanted Woodie and Buzz to ride his too.

Can you tell it was a fun Christmas morning?
Soon Uncle Justin, Aunt Audrey and Memere came to join the fun.

Andy got a cool bowling game. We didn't have the heart to tell him you don't bowl by kicking the ball.

Princess Goofball.

Daddy and Uncle Justin putting together the Basketball Hoop for the kiddos.

Santa brought Julie a kite that she brought out to the street and was flying within 5 seconds. It was amazing, she was running all over the place with the kite flying behind her.

Basketball was great fun, til the ball got Julie in the nose. When she saw this picture as I was writing the blog, she said, "Mommy, brother is so good at basketball, maybe he should play for me."

After a long nap by both kids and Mommy, we went of to Grandma Hazel's for Christmas Dinner. The kids immediately started playing with Aunt Sharron.

When Grandpa got there, the decided he needed a nap....they know their Grandpa!

Andy got a train that was the hit of the evening. Grandpa, Daddy and Uncle Ted put it together.

Andy TRIED to wait patiently....
And finally his train was up and running. Julie was so excited to make tunnels. It worked...periodically.

Christmas is an amazing time. But it means so much more with little ones who believe in the magic and family that makes the magic happen. Luckily for me, I have both.

Holiday Catch Up

We have been doing so many fun things, that not only have I not been blogging, but they are so fun I can not be bothered to bring my real camera! So all these pictures on this picture filled blog are from either my phone or Johns. Good thing our phones have nice cameras, otherwise we would have missed out!

First off, John had surgery on his wrist to correct some tendinitis. It was a quick, in and out surgery, and the actual cut is only about 2 inches, but he had to wear this beauty for about 5 days, and has been off work ever since. So that has been a major upside!
We went to the Christmas Parade in San Luis Obispo. The kids really wanted to see Santa, who of course was on the last float of the parade.

Andy was so patient.
Julie was a little less patient, but still did very well!
Me and my sweet boy being patient together. They made it to see Santa. It was so fun, they danced, clapped, and yelled at Santa!
The next weekend, we went to Winter Wonderland with Memere. There was a mini carousal, which Memere was wonderful enough to go on with the kids, since I don't do so well with the whole round and round thing. I love this picture!
And there was snow!!!!! The kids were so excited and threw snowballs and fell on their bottoms. Julie didn't deter from her normal bossy ways....notice the hands on her hips....
Andy was all about the snow balls.
But the snow is deceiving. The next day we went to Avila Valley Barn to feed the animals. It was about 70 degrees. Notice the shorts and sleeveless dress!

And the next day was even more amazingly warm, close to 80 degrees at the beach....so that is where we went! And we had so much fun! Of course, I always think, "they will just play in the sand, they won't want to go in the water, we won't wear bathing suits...."


And I am ALWAYS wrong!!!!!

And now, this week, we are being drowned in rain. So I leave you with our kids creative way to occupy themselves when they can't go outside.....a kitchen train. It is a circus kitchen train...Andy told me the chair behind him was for the elephants.
There, all the fun we have been having getting in the Christmas Spirit! The next few days are going to be even MORE fun!!!

Quick Quotes

We have been having so much fun doing all the wonderful holiday activities like seeing Santa, sewing, playing in the snow at Winter Wonderland, watching Buffy, eating sushi and drinking beer with Christina and Brian.....wait, that isn't holiday....well, the holidays are all about loved ones right?! Basically, we have been having way to much fun for me to sit down and blog, so while I get pictures and such together, I will leave a few quotes.

On Sunday we took the kids to the beach because it was 75 degrees and beautiful. On the way there, Andy was shoeless and had his feet up on the back of John's chair. We had the windows down while we were driving and Andy cries out, "Daddy! My toes are all windy!!!!"

Monday night Julie and I were wrestling and she backed up to charge at me. As she ran towards me she yelled, "I am gonna get you like a hippopotamus!"

Baby Shower Fun!

Yesterday we threw my beautiful sister-in-law, Audrey, a baby shower. I decorated the house and worked on the desserts. My mom, Aunt Arlene, and cousin Mariah all worked so hard on the food and it was delicious.

On to the pictures! Here is my mom, Audrey and I. She has the cutest little bump.
Cupcakes!
The spread. Mom made 4 different quiches and each one was amazing. Arlene and Mariah did the salad, fruit, pastries, and amazing mozzarella/tomato/basil salad.
My sweet cousin and her creation.
Our good friends Samantha, Hannah and Sue. Love these ladies!
Mom and Everett. He was such a good boy, being passed around and loved on by every grandma in the room.
Sisters.
These are some of our coworkers. These are generous, supportive, amazing women. We are so lucky to work with each and every one of them.
Present time!
Everyone was so attentive!
The crowd.
My kids were having so much fun, I barely saw them. Our friend Christopher brought his Duplos to share with the kids and they were so happy. Andy did come down periodically to get a bite to eat and give a little love. With his BFF Everett.
With Cousin Mariah.
Julie and her tower. She loves playing with Symantha (with the pirate boots). She has not stopped talking about her! About a minute after this picture, the tower went down the stairs. Whoops!
Here we are, the shower throwers with the guest of honor.
We can not wait to meet the beautiful baby girl. She will be here before we know it and, after yesterday, her mommy and daddy are a little more prepared.