Christmas morning

So Santa was very good to Hutson!  Santa brought a bike AND sunglasses!  What a lucky boy!  We spent Christmas Day with Mike's parents (MawMaw and Pops) and Mike's brother's family (Aunt Ti, Uncle Joe, Megan, and Grant).  Mike's uncle Tom and Kevin came also!  We had a lot of fun.

Checking out his Santa loot!

First ride on the bike.

Too cool with sunglasses.

Santa visit

Remember last year??
December 17, 2008

This year Mike took Hutson and the camera and got this:

He was a little happier this year.  What a difference a year makes.  When Santa asked what he'd like he told him, "a bike, sunglasses, and a hat."  Santa laughed at the sunglasses bit.  Hopefully Santa will bring the boy sunglasses.

our tree

cookie making

This past weekend we made cookies.  Hutson had a blast helping out.  He really enjoys using the mixer (I help him).  And he really enjoyed licking the beater and then enjoying the final product.

The final product.

Hutson enjoying his cookie!

decorating!

After and before attending the Christmas Capitol party, we decorated the house and tree for Christmas!  Hutson really had fun with it this year.  It's so neat to watch how he grows in a year and how much more he can do this year.  Last year we didn't really have a tree because we were in the apartment and about to move.  You can check that out here.  This year though we brought the tree out and had a lot of fun decorating.

Another advent shot.  This day he got some mini M&M's...his favorite!

He's really fond of this Superman shirt right now.  He quickly shed the sweater in the above image and put on this shirt.  Thanks to MawMaw for the Halloween Superman shirt!

Christmas at the Capitol

Since we live in Austin and Austin is the capitol of Texas, we attended the Capitol tree lighting and caroling this year at the Capitol. It was really COLD! Hutson had fun exploring the Capitol and listening to the music. Unfortunately they didn't light the tree until the end and it was a little too late for us to stay out that long.

Listening to the caroling.

Taking a break inside the Capitol building for a picture.  Their eyes look a little weird because I shot this with my point and shoot and there was terrible red eye.  It was difficult to fix.

Running around and checking everything out in the building.  Did you know the Texas Capitol Building is actually a little taller than the US Capitol building?  Mike frequently reminds me of this.

This was taken where we parked and it also happens to be the parking lot of Mike's work.  He works for the Texas State Teachers Association which is only one block from the Capitol.

My two Texans!  

Advent Calendar

This year we're practicing Advent with our very own Advent calendar. Hutson is having a lot of fun each day opening a new door with a small prize behind it. We then read part of the Christmas story. He's been talking a lot about the Advent calendar and baby Jesus. On this day his prize was a little plastic frog. He has enjoyed the frog immensely!

painting

the hill

Hutson loved running down this hill at my parents' house.  He was so determined.  While I was taking these I asked him to look at me and he said, "No mommy, I'm running down the hill."  For some reason all this struck me as funny.

The starting point.

Clayton was rolling down the hill.

Mississippi Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving in Mississippi this year.  We alternate each year.  So this year we'll spend Christmas in Texas and next year we'll switch (Thanksgiving in TX with Mike's side of the family and Christmas in MS with my side of the family.)  Anyway, Hutson loves to visit Grandma and Daddy Jim in Mississippi.  Sometimes he even gets to see a cousin or two.

Here we all are.  Jeffrey, Lynette, and Benton couldn't make it this year because Jeffrey had to leave the day after Thanksgiving for some army thing.  I did take this.  It's so fun to set the timer and run back and forth!  :)

Michael, Bridgett, Clayton, and Johna Claire

When Clayton was a little guy (and I knew nothing about photography) I took this picture of him with Michael throwing him up in the air.  Michael wanted one of Johna Claire too.  It was kind of dark when we took this but I still think it's so cute!

Here we are.  My dad took this for us!  Thanks Dad!

Me and Hutson.  I just love this one even though Hutson is cheesing it up!  I can't wait to print it.  Thanks again Dad!  You're pretty good with the camera.

My parents with my boy!

Hutson among the trees.  This is my parents' front yard.  Such a great place to take pics.  The other images are in various places around their house.  The road is the one that leads to their driveway.  I'm bummed because it's getting paved in June.

jumping

A couple of days ago I heard Hutson jumping in his bed while singing. I grabbed the camera before going into his room. This is what I found. He stopped singing when I opened the door and therefore I had to spur him on.