Zoo Lights

We went to Zoo Lights last Friday night with Grandma and Grandpa Hunt, Aunt Deb, cousins Paul and Abigail, Grandma and Grandpa Leaycraft as well as Aunt Nicole, Uncle Jason, Nyah, and Reece... It was a fun night...a little cold but a good time was had by all!

Reece and Austin have the same strollers and had their Pottery Barn blankets to keep them warm...a picture of course I couldn't resist!

Hanging with Abigail and Grandma Hunt

A picture of the three of us!

All the kids...Nyah, Abigail, Paul, Austin...and I think Reece :)

MY GYM fun!

I've been taking Austin to MY GYM now since August and it's been a blast to take him each week...he's grown and changed so much! And he used to be the youngest in the class, but no longer!! It's been fun for me since I used to work there and I really look forward to my play time with the little man each week! Here are a few pics from the last week ....

When Austin first started at MY GYM, he just laid in the balls...now he sits up, throws the balls, and of course, puts them in his mouth!!

One of Austin's favorite activities at the gym....SWINGS!

Today, Austin crawled his way through the tunnel for the first time...I remember when we first started, it seemed like it would be forever 'til he'd be able to!

An ever popular gym activity which Austin got to do for the first time today...ride the train!!

First time in the snow....

We had some good snow last week and Austin's snow suit had arrived so we decided to take Austin in the snow for the first time on Thursday...for those of you who don't know, Thursdays are usually our family day as it's the day we're all home together! Grandma Leaycraft had gotten the snow suit for Austin so we decided to try it out!

Ready to go...check out the shoes too!

I think this is okay....but not really sure how I'm supposed to make snow angels!

This is a little better...I can crawl around!

Okay, so I don't like the cold when my mittens fall off!

Daddy's already teaching me how to throw snowballs at Mommy...he said this was the perfect snow to do it!! Be sure to check out my snowball in the upper left corner!

Christmas fun!

We've had several fun Christmas activities we've done in the last couple of weeks...here are some pics from the Parade of Lights last Saturday and some trees pics! Austin just took in all the lights and sounds at the parade. We so enjoy just watching him! And he's such a good little man...he constantly amazing us as he just goes with the flow of whatever it is we're doing!! We were lucky the weather was so nice for the parade!

We put up the tree last Monday night and decorated. Austin hasn't really seemed interested in it unless we put him right by it! I love this picture of him in front of the Christmas tree...and we're letting him play with the tree...ssshhh...don't tell your cousin Paul as he told us the other night that you're not supposed to touch the Christmas tree!

December Birthdays...

Both Aunt Deb and Grandpa Hunt's birthdays are in December so got together last week to celebrate their birthdays! Austin had to get a little rest before the party...I just couldn't resist taking the picture! I love the way he sleeps all curled up! And he helped both of the birthday guests blow out their candles! It's fun to watch how interested he gets in different things!

Santa's little helper...

So I had my dad scan our original picture from Christmas 1996....oh, the memories!

For those of you who don't know, my dad dresses up as Santa every year for Rotary. This was his 12th year as Santa. This being said, I have also made it all 12 of those years to be Santa's helper...not once have I missed it! I know when the time comes and he's not Santa anymore or I am not able to make it, that I will have a VERY hard time.

He is also Rotary president this year so he had told me he wasn't going to be Santa....well, I had other ideas for him! How could he not be Santa for his grandson's first Christmas?!?!? So to make mommy happy...for when momma's not happy, ain't nobody happy...he once again did it for me... and for Austin! Austin did great and not once even made the slightest bit of sound of unhappiness...he just took it all in. We'd gotten him a special shirt that said "Santa's little helper" and he had his own Santa hat as well! Thank you Grandpa for once again being Santa! We were so excited to be with you!!

Hanging with Aunt Chrissy and Uncle Ben!

On Saturday night we headed over to the Lorenzen's to see Ben and Chrissy who were in town for Thanksgiving! It was fun to hang out and we love that Austin gets to know his "uncles and aunts" better!! Austin wasn't so sure about Ben and Chrissy's dog. Nancy had decorated the house for Christmas and Austin loved the lights, but wasn't too sure about how the tree felt...we'll see how it goes once we put ours up!! It was a little late for Austin but he was a TROOPER! He had been cuddling with me when he crawled off my lap, laid down on the couch, and CRASHED!! What a cutie and such a good little man -- we're only slightly proud -- can you tell?!?!?!