Christmas morning was...mostly about the trampoline

We let the boys open their 'Santa' presents first thing. Alec would usually want to stop and play with each thing, then move on to the next.

Even the apple was an awesome present! (Note to self: next year spend more on me and give Alec fruit).

Maggie loved her girly doggie bed. I went as girly as possible-she's the only other female in the house-I need my help!

James, of course, is at the 'I love wrapping paper' phase of life. Consequently, he only got 3 gifts...

We headed back to my parents' for breakfast-Eggs Benedict-YUM!!

Kayden's new wagon was the 'Space Mountain' of the diaper crowd!

After presents at my parents', we headed home for Alec's big surprise. Paul even skype'd his parents so they could see Alec's face when he first saw it!!

It was a long, cold night before Christmas

Christmas Eve is celebrated at the Hunter household. This may not have been the best pic of us, but it captured how we were. Alec is fussing, "But, I don't want my picture taken!" James is staring adoringly at his big bro, whilst Paul and I smile/cringe.

We always make gingerbread houses and over the years the tradition has morphed into a sugar-driven frenzied competition for the "best house". Enthusiasm usually dies down for most after about 10 minutes, but the early part is riddled with 'hidden goodies' people sneak in and bought ahead of time to gain the upper hand (seriously, it's that important!).

Next comes the 'candy' game. Like a white elephant gift exchange, but with candy bars. This usually turns into a playful trading of one stupid candy that nobody really wants (really, we should play this BEFORE making the houses and eating candy).

And of course, Christmas Eve pajamas. My parents started this when we were young (along with the rest of the world), after realizing how ghetto we looked on Christmas morning in ragged old baggy t-shirts (we used to rip off one arm and call ourselves 'Nephi'-as costumed in the 'Living Scriptures' DVDs, so spiritual).

The three babies had matching Mickey Mouse and Alec got Buzz Lightyear. We tried to take some pics, but Ben (as usual) got hungry and decided to munch on Kayden's leg. Kayden couldn't even fight back!

Hyped up on sugar (well, Alec anyway), we took the boys home for a bath where I got some cute pics of James in the tub. The joy of my life-his hair curls into little ringlets when wet! This excites me much more than Paul, who has curly hair and continually asks/nags when I'll be cutting James's mullet.

The boys were giggling before storytime, so I caught a sweet moment.

Now for the real fun. Paul had to put together Alec's big Christmas present from his granny & grandad. I'd be teasing Paul for a month about putting it together Christmas Eve and he kept telling me about his plans to do it in stages leading up to Christmas Eve, since Alec never went into the rock-covered backyard. Without me nagging, that never happened.

Luckily, my cousins Danny & Sawyer volunteered to brave the freezing Vegas cold night (seriously-I think it got below 50!!) to spend a couple hours stretching springs out.

Bless 'em, they got it done!

Halloween Time!!

We had a fun Halloween/fall season this year. We started off with the Apple Fair at my brother's housing community, whilst Paul's parents were still out visiting.

Alec loved the games and cookie decorating-keep in mind he took two bites and was done, he's not quite the sugar-a-holic his mom is. James & Kayden got matching fake ladybug tattoos & he wasn't a huge fan-probably a good sign.

We went from the Apple Fair to the Pumpkin Patch, which Alec LOVED!! Our little daredevil tried out all the rides and especially loved the harness/trampoline jump. I was totally expecting him to pee his pants, but he had a blast!

I was trying to pose the boys and get a cute pumpkin shot with both of them...several screams later...this was the best we got:

One family night we carved small pumpkins and I made some baked apples. Alec really enjoyed playing with the pumpkin innards and randomly carving scratches into the side of the pumpkin.

My little beaver & Buzz Lightyear:

We took the boys to my brother's ward's trunk-or-treat so they got to spend time with monkey Kayden & then to our ward's with their other cousin, Ben the Lion. :)

Alec did really good with the candy. Chocolate triggers his reflux, so we don't allow him to eat it, so he refused to eat any chocolate, even when unknowing people tried to give him some. His daddy happily took all the chocolate bars he'd gotten and we handed back out the majority of the candy he'd earned.

Here's Alec enjoying the trunk-or-treat, then going around on Halloween to trick-or-treat. Since Halloween was on a Sunday we let him go to our friend's house & my aunt's only.

Halloween night we also carved our HUGE pumpkin and put James in it:

Labor Day Weekend

Over Labor Day weekend we drove out to CA so we could spend Saturday at the beach. Alec loves it SO much! My parents & brother's family came as well, so Alec was in heaven. Here's some shots of Christopher, Joleen & my adorable nephew, Kayden:

Alec was busy playing and continually gave me his "cheese!!!" (said in frustration) smile:

If I wait long enough though, I manage a genuine smile now and then:

James napped a lot at the beach, but when he woke up had some sweet smiles for his nana:

Christopher thought it would be funny to bury Alec in the sand-so did Alec.

I know Paul loves me because he builds things just for me:

Alec playing with his great-grandma.