December Photo Shoot

Colin and I had some fun doing a photo session in order to find just the right one for the Christmas card.  Below is the winner but I've included all the rest because they are just too cute!  (Can you find the ones where Colin is trying out his new skill, knocking?)

 

 

 

We also took some shots for a gift for Daddy. Here is the winner followed by all the runner-ups.  Love him!!

 

 

 

Aunt Kay and Gunkle's

Colin and I were fortunate enough to visit Aunt Kay and Gunkle again this year during the holiday season.  It is always a joy to see them and as an added bonus their holiday decor always puts us in the Christmas spirit.  Unlike last year, Colin was mobile for our trip this year so we had to watch him like a hawk.  He wanted to get his hands on everything. The first goodies he found were Aunt Kay's bingo markers.  Luckily, he did not figure out how to open them!

From there, he moved on to the Christmas tree.  No matter what we did we could not keep him away from the tree.  He had learned at Mimi and Pappy's house how to pull on the bulb with just the right force to take it off of the hook and he tried to master this skill at Aunt Kay's house.  Aunt Kay being the veteran child care provider that she is had placed lots of stuffed toys along the bottom of the tree for any little guys in the house to play with...now if only we could get Colin more interested in them than the fragile ornaments.  In the end, we only had one bulb break, which actually ended up being klutzy mommy's fault.

Uncle Hunter and Susann were able to make the trip with us and had a blast goofing around with Gunkle.  It had been a long time since Uncle Hunter had seen them and this was their first time meeting Susann.  Aunt Kay was in love and called Mimi up a few days later telling her to make sure Hunter knows not to let her go.  We couldn't agree more!  Uncle Hunter is super lucky to have Susann in his life.

 

 Not exactly sure what was going on in this shot but it's definitely a keeper!

While preparing for our trip home, we had to change Colin into his pajamas.  We only got as far as changing his diaper before he started running around the house.  In the meantime, we were able to snap a photo with Aunt Kay.  She is an amazing woman and even in her 80's continues to be the hostess with the mostest.  Aunt Kay was having terrible pain in her leg while we were visiting and was very upset that she could not host the way she likes to.  Even still, she did ten times better than I could ever do.  Fortunately, she was able to get into the doctors the next day to get a shot that helped eased some of the pain.

Gunkle was his usual silly self. It was so much fun watching Colin and him interact.

We are so blessed to have Aunt Kay and Gunkle.  We're looking forward to another trip next year after the new baby arrives.

Oh Christmas Tree

We were so excited to be at Mimi and Pappy's house again this year to help pick out and decorate the Christmas tree.  We bundled up and headed to the Christmas tree farm.

Colin showing Susann the way.

Lots of love from Uncle Hunter and Susann

Ready to find a tree with Mommy

Maybe this one?  Nah...too small!

All of the trees in the farm were just too small for us.  We like a big ole tree so we decided to check out the sizes of the pre-cut ones instead. The owners mentioned that they had a big one in the back so we made them dig through them all to find us the tallest, fullest one of the bunch.

Checking out the winning tree

Waiting for the tree to be bundled

After getting the tree back home, Uncle Hunter and Colin enjoyed some more bonding time together.

This one cracks me up.

A few days later it was time to get down to business and decorate the tree.  But first, some silliness with Susann and Uncle Hunter's shoes.

#UncleHunterisaGiant

Since Pappy was working, it was up to Uncle Hunter to be the official tree trimmer...

Susann, the assistant.

Colin assisting Mommy.

The finished product...Uncle Hunter was so proud.

That evening, when Mimi and Pappy returned home from work we began decorating the tree.  Colin was the first to hang an ornament (with some help from Uncle Connor).  There were lots of "ohhhh's" and "awww's."

"Well done Colin!"

I'm not sure what it is but something about this expression makes me see 100% of Tim.

The Christmas tree was one of the greatest highlights of our trip.  Colin just adored all of the lights and decorations.  He excitedly brought anyone who came into the house over to the tree to show it off even if it started looking a little silly with the ornaments half way up to keep them out of a certain little boy's hands.