It's the most wonderful time of the year...

It is hard to believe that it is almost Christmas and we will be into 2011 before long!  I thought that it was due time that I update the blog and since my snow dancing seems to have paid off, I felt that this would be a great time to do it! :)  The photos are a little backwards (from more recent to less recent), but I hope you enjoy them nonetheless!  I hope that everyone is staying warm!  Have a very Merry Christmas!  We hope to see everyone real soon! :)

 

Heather and Momma getting geared up for our annual cutout cookie baking! :)

Hunter "helping out" with the cookie baking by watching a Christmas movie! :)

So fun!

Hunter waiting patiently on Pa Pa's lap to see Santa (for the second time) at our neighborhood's Santa breakfast

And there is the big guy! :)

Enjoying a personalized treat to celebrate telling Momma and Dadda that he needed to go potty! :)  He is doing so well with his potty training and is in "big boy underpants" full time during the day, with the exception of naptime...We are all SO proud! :)

Hunter and Dadda hugging on the monkey that Grandma Kitty made for Hunter...what is funny is that after this picture was taken, I realized that Will was wearing the pants that Grandma Kitty made him, too!  There is nothing like the gifts that are made with love!

...and yet another sign that our big boy is getting even bigger - We took off the safety rail from his toddler bed here recently because he was starting to realize the fun in climbing up on it and jumping and we figured rolling onto the floor could probably result in less broken bones than jumping from the railings!  Such a boy! :)

Definitely is not cold natured like his Momma...the boy loves to run around the house in nothing but his underpants...BRRRR!!!

Dadda and Hunter playing in the remaining snow on Tuesday night while we waited for Santa's big visit! 

Hunter yelling for Santa to "hurry up...It's cold outside!"

All bundled up

Dadda fixed a "bonfire" or a "grillfire" to help keep us warm while we waited patiently...

Here he comes!! :)

On our way to the Mechanicsville Christmas Parade...

Gram and Hunter keeping each other warm :)

Hunter waving at Buzz Lightyear

Only in Mechanicsville :)

chatting it up with Auntie

wrapped up tight with Auntie TRYING to stay warm...key word...TRYING...

Dadda and Hunter

LOVE <3

Freezing cold, but still smiling! :)

Thanksgiving Day family pic

us + Heather and Scott

Hunter trying to "help" Gram in the kitchen

Heather and Scott watching football

Hunter and Auntie watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade

Hunter chowing down on his Thanksgiving dinner after giving thanks to God...his blessing is one that he made up on his own after hearing all of ours...it is short, yet very sweet...it is "Dear God, Thank you for our food, Amen"...  I figure it is a good jumping off point! :)

Dadda and Hunter lovin'

Hunter doing the big job of putting the star on the Christmas tree

and with a little assistance from Dadda, he did it!!!

...and he was SO proud! :)

Helping unpack the ornaments and telling me about each one...imagine how many Redskins ornaments I had to hear about...and I didn't even bring down a whole box that was still in the attic!!!

Hunter hanging his "NEPHEW" ornament that Auntie gave him last year

there is something about a Christmas tree that adds warmth to any home...My mother always loved Christmas and she certainly instilled this same love in me...Although she is always on my mind and in my heart, it is this time of year when I can feel her the most...

TICKLE TIME!!!

My Dee Dee and me <3

Gram and Hunter at the Thanksgiving dinner table

Hunter with his wonderful grandparents

Kisses from Pap Pap

relaxing with Pa Pa

Getting some love from Auntie and Scott

Playing at Bass Pro Shops while we waited for our appointment to see Santa :)

Hunter's first lesson (of many, I am sure) :)

Nothing like a ride on Dadda's shoulders...

Hunter making sure that I saw where Santa Claus was...

Waving to Santa

Walking up to see the Jolly old fellow...

He was so tickled, but he did great...told Santa what he wanted and that he had been a very good boy!

A successful visit with Santa this year :)

Playing in the fake snow with Dadda...

 

 ABOVE:  Driving to see Santa Claus - a cute conversation between Will and Hunter :)

BELOW:  You can't see much in this video, but you can hear Hunter waiting for Santa to ride by on the firetruck and at one point, you can see his little head jumping up and down...you can definitely sense a little excitement! :) 

 

Freezing cold at the parade...yelling for Santa to hurry up!!! :)