Festive Fun

Christmas is in full swing at the Hunter house! It all started with going to pick out a tree. We got there bright and early. Julie was really into picking this year. But, she was looking for trees that already had presents underneath!
After the tree was home and set up, we went to see Santa! Julie waited patiently in line.....kinda. Only a few times did she try to sneak up to the front to catch a glimpse. This is her "I am not doing anything wrong" face.

Andy was not much a fan of the big guy! But Julie sat proudly on his lap and told him she wanted a boy dolly. Proof that she had been thinking about exactly what kind of present she wanted since we last talked about it.Andy may not have liked Santa, but he LOVED the candy cane! Can you say STICKY???

This picture doesn't have a whole lot to do with anything, but seriously, does it get any sweeter than a little brother kissing his big sissy??

The next day we went to see Summer, Emmanuel, Joanne and baby Sophia. Andy was all about Sophia and couldn't stop giving her kisses and patting her hands. We had an awesome visit!
Me and my beautiful cousin. She is such a great Mommy. I am so proud of her!
This past weekend, we went to Justin and Audrey's for Latkes to celebrate the start of Hanukkah. This is the second year Audrey has made them for us and it is an awesome new tradition. This year she taught us about the candle lighting and a little about the dradle game too. It will be fun when the kids get older and we can actually play!

So the stockings are hung, next to our pretty tree.
And the lights are up on the house. This picture really does it no justice. John did a great job with the lights this year, even though there are less than previous years, it looks beautiful and festive!
Julie loves the blow up Santa and reindeer! She keeps asking if she can ride him, but settles for a hug and a "high five" every night.
So that will get everyone up to speed on all of the fun happenings around here! Stay tuned, there is much more merriment to come!

3 New Words...TONIGHT!!

Andy is a talking maniac! He says so many words already, but just in the course of an hour, he said 3 new words!

I was making dinner and it was just about ready, so I put him in his chair. He said "Mommy!!" (not new) and I looked at him. He pointed at his tray and said "Please?" (like, get me my dinner!!) So I gave it to him and he took a few bites and said "Yummy" (he has been saying Mmmmm for a long time when he eats, but never yummy). He is so cute.

Then his milk fell and Julie picked it up for him. He thought she was stealing it (wouldn't be the first time) and he yelled, "MINE!" That one really doesn't surprise me since Julie is going through a case of mine-itis right now. She seems to go in spurts, and right now is a spurt!

He enjoyed his dinner and I enjoyed his sweet words....ahhh, my big man!

Christmas Cheer

I am crazy busy trying to get some Christmas gifts completed, so this is just a quickly to get you in the spirit.

Julie: Mommy, sing Rudolph!
Me: Rudolph the red nose reindeer.....
Julie: No Mommy! Sing LOUD!
ME: RUDOLPH THE RED....
Julie: Mommy, shhhh, I am eating right now.

Julie of the Day

First thing this morning, too great not to remember for all time!

JB: Today is Friday??
Me: Yup
JB: Yay! Memere Day! Whoohoo!!
Me: Yay!
JB: Tomorrow is Mommy-Daddy-Julie-Andy Day?
Me: Yup
JB:What are we doing?
Me: We are going to see SANTA!!
JB: Where?
Me: In San Luis! And you can tell him what you want for Christmas!! What do you want from Santa???
JB: (Thinking)
JB: (eyes get HUGE)
JB: A PRESENT!!!!

LOVE IT!!

Thanksgiving and Beyond!

We have been having so much fun since Thanksgiving that I have yet to post pictures! Gasp!!

The Hunters Thanksgiving started out with dinner at the Sommervilles. Much fun, and food, was had by all.
Andy got to meet Sarah, Sean's awesome girlfriend. They walked in and Andy walked right past Sean and wanted Sarah to hold him. The rest of the evening was spent in her arms, on her lap and next to her at the dinner table offering her food and showing off. He was smitten!
Julie's favorite part of dinner was the dessert. Chocolate ice cream! Us adults had delicious pie, but the kids stuck to the cold stuff.
Andy making faces at Sarah. I couldn't even get him to look at me for a picture!
The next day (actual Thanksgiving day) the kids and I went to Mel and Colleens for an early dinner where the kids got to play with their cousins.

The big kid table with Julie and Elliot. They had a lot of fun playing together. They are both so well spoken for such little people!
Andy and Andie had fun too. Andy is so much bigger than baby Andie, even though they are only a month apart. Andy was trying to kiss her head when he was standing up, but he couldn't bend over that far, so he settled for sitting next to her. (Are you noticing a theme of him and the ladies??)
After spending some time there, we headed back over the hill to Christina's in-laws house, Phil and Gion. They made us an amazing dinner and were such wonderful hosts to me and my overly tired children. I didn't get any pictures there because no one was able to sit down long enough! The company was great and the food was awesome!

On Sunday we had dinner with my mom, Justin and Audrey after a day of putting up Christmas lights. We contemplated doing a turkey, but thought pizza was a better idea. We also kicked off into the next holiday by watching Christmas Vacation!

Since then (a whole week), we have been working, perfecting the lights and attempting to get a picture for the Christmas Card. Here is the best one so far.....
I think I will keep working on it.

We also had the chance to see the Arnolds....ALL 4 OF THEM!!! Since baby Audrey Opal was born the Friday before Thanksgiving, she was at the her Mommy's birthday party we went to on Sunday. Julie gave Lina lots of advice on being a big sister....and a few hugs.
And in an effort to neglect all housework, chores and obligations, I have taken up another crafty project!
Mom taught me to knit last week and it has been a fun, challenging change of pace to sewing. I think I'm hooked...or needled...

Well, there you have it, Thanksgiving and Beyond! We have lots of fun planned for this weekend, so stay tuned!!

Sweet Heart

Julie is 2. Lately, she has been acting 2. She has always been very opinionated, strong willed, but lately it seems to be escalating at a rapid pace.

John worked a double today and the last few days have been hectic with the holiday and all, a break in the kids normal routine. To say I was tired by this evening would be an understatement. So I did something I NEVER do, I turned on a movie for the kids.

We watched A Muppet's Christmas Carol, one of my all time favorites.

So all 3 of us cuddled up in the big chair watching, and in the very beginning of the movie, there is a little mouse that is homeless looking. He looks at Scrooge and says "Can I have some cheese please?"

Of course, Scrooge ignores him completely.

Julie looked at me with the SADDEST look I have ever seen from her and says "Can he come to Julie's house and get some cheese? Mommy, he needs some cheese, can we give him some??"

With that one little scene and that one little question, she understood the entire movie, the entire point, the entire meaning of Love.

My 2 year old may be 2, but she gets it, and reminds me (and all of us) of love and patience, giving and compassion.

Happy Thanksgiving

There is much to be thankful for in the Hunter Home this year. Here is a shortlist:

• Little girls who take a bite of their pumpkin pancakes and say "Mmm Mommy, this is good, thank you!"
• Little boys who want to kiss and hug on every woman in sight
• Daddy's who read the "Kitty Book" over and over even though he strongly dislikes that book
• Grandparents who watch sick kids even though they know they are still contagious
• Friends who watch kids so movies can be seen
• Morning runs without pushing a 60 pound stroller
• New babies for dear friends and family
• Clear snot...or better yet, no snot
• Pecan pie with a T-rex cut out
• Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, Friends
• A job where co-workers miss you when you are gone, and you miss them
• A house that will never be clean and you will never be able to find anything but everyone is cozy and happy
• A little family who loves having family hugs in the kitchen

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. What is on your shortlist?