Christmas #1

I know this is out of order but it was done on purpose. My sister in KY, who checks this blog regularly can't read this post until New Years so her surprise isn't ruined.

Christmas eve we spent with my side of the family at Grandma and Grandpa N.'s house. Uncle Andy and Aunt Caroline and Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Kelly were there too. We had good food, presents to open, and a couple of fun rounds of Blokus to play. Hunter was Uncle A's shadow all day, even to the point of rearranging the seating at the table so he would be sitting by Hunter. Thankfully Uncle A is a very good sport, and faithfully played with Hunter all day long. Uncle A will make a great daddy some day when they decide to have kids! No pressure, just a compliment, if you are reading this Uncle A. Grandma has been busy sewing over the past month or two. She made Hunter an apron and chef's hat because he likes to cook with me and a white doctor's coat with his name on it. Here are a few pics, although I admit I should have taken a lot more than I did that day.

Hunter getting a doctor kit (which he really wanted)

Hunter got Grandpa a farmal t-shirt


Uncle Andy and Aunt Caroline gave Hunter some JD vehicles with monster tires.

G & G gave Hunter a workshop tent since he was so enthralled with Dad's hunting tent a few months ago. Hunter fixed things and cooked for us all afternoon from his new tent.

Grandma sewed aprons for all of us for Christmas. They were really special, but Hunter is the cutest cuz his came with a chef's hat too. Sorry we all are not looking too great. It's only because there 2 different cameras and we didn't know which one to look at when.

Christmas #2 - Our house

Christmas was very fun this year partly because Hunter was so into it. He even asked us on Christmas eve if he could sleep on the couch to see Santa and how Santa would not get burned coming down the chimney into the stove. This kid is too smart. I don't know if Santa will last too many years with his thinking. His enthusiasm was contagious. He had trouble falling asleep on Christmas eve and was standing by my bed at 5:00am saying, "Mommy my stocking is full of presents." I replied,"What does that mean?" He excitedly whispered, "Santa came!" I pulled him into our bed hoping he would go back to sleep. I know all you experienced parents are laughing at that, and of course, it did not happen. So we were up opening presents at 5:30 in the morning. At least I didn't feel rushed to get up to Scott's parents house by 10:00 (ha,ha).

Anyone that asked Hunter what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas usually heard the words "A big articulator" said with much enthusiasm. Luckily, "Santa" found a big John Deere articulating tractor on the internet(ebay is sometimes so wonderful and money-saving) and was able to get it in time for Christmas. It is all metal and quite heavy, hopefully heavy duty enough to stand up to all the farming that will happen in the dirt around our house for a number of years to come. Mom and Dad also got some nice things too. There is just so much joy in giving to your children and reveling in their excitement. It gives me a little glimpse of how much our heavenly Father must love to bestow blessings and gifts on us, His children.

Hunter gets Cranky the Crane for his train table.

A tractor of each color with a set of discs to pull too.

I got a new camera. Yeah!!

Scott got a huge tool set which he really wanted.

Santa came through. The BIG articulating John Deere.

Mini-Christmas long-distance

We exchanged Christmas presents with Uncle Matt, Aunt Amy, and the girls when they were up here for Thanksgiving with the promise that no one would open them until Christmas. My sister and I talked on the phone about the possiblity of skyping so the kids could watch each other open their presents. So Tuesday evening before Christmas, we did just that, enjoying a long distance mini-Christmas between Kentucky and Indiana. Since we both have cameras on our laptops, we can do video calls using the Skype program. The kids enjoy it, at least for a few minutes. (Three year old attention spans are not too long.) Hunter got a new fireman outfit that is also a raincoat and hat. He LOVED it. He was so excited; he said, "I think I'll be putting out fires for about a week!" (We are working on time concepts, but they are so confusing!) He even tried to wear the hat to bed that night, although he must have finally decided it wasn't too comfortable because it was lying on the bed beside him when I checked on him after he fell asleep. He wore it everywhere we went for the next two days straight. It was too cute. It was also very fun when Grandma N. gave him a little axe and pliers at her house on Christmas eve. Hunter was putting out fires all over the house.