Christmas 2009!

We had a busy and wonderful Christmas this year. We started off at Matt's parents house on December 23. The 23rd is also my birthday. Matt's mom is always so good about baking me a cake for my birthday even though we celebrate the most important birthday on the 23rd, the birth of Christ. We had a big breakfast that morning at Debbie and Herb's house. We opened presents after breakfast and the kids played for hours with their fun toys that their Yaya and Teadaddy gave them. Hodge took a long nap in his Yaya and Teadaddy's comfy bed, then we had a late lunch and the kids played some more.

DECEMBER 23, 2009

Kaylee, Hodge, Mikel and Summer getting ready for breakfast.

Hodge and Yaya in the kitchen before our big Christmas breakfast.

Hodge got a Step 2 roller coaster from his Yaya and Teadaddy! He loves it and says weeeeee every time he rides down it.

Hodge also got a Little Tikes black pickup truck from Debbie and Herb. Hodge gave his cousin Clayton a ride around the room.

DECEMBER 24, 2009

Santa came to our house early because we drove down to my parent house late Christmas Eve. We opened presents at our house Christmas Eve morning then Yaya and Teadaddy came over to see what Hodge got from Santa. Hodge got a Step 2 Climber. He loved it!!!

Hodge played on his climber then we went over to Mikel and Aaron's for lunch.

Me and Summer, my four month old niece.

Hodge having Christmas Eve lunch with Maggie and Kaylee.

Mikel had a Christmas tree craft for her girls and Hodge to do after lunch.

We got to Devine late December 24. We ended up staying down in South Texas until December 30. We had fun in Devine visiting with family and friends. 

DECEMBER 25, 2009

My mom, my first cousin Shannon, Hodge, my sister Stacy, and Shannon's daughter Sabrina in front of my parent's house on Christmas Day.

DECEMBER 26, 2009

Granny and Hodge

My mom and my aunt Sondra getting my birthday cake ready. My 34th birthday was on the 23rd.

Hodge helping me blow out 34 candles!

Saturday night we had a mini high school reunion at Rihn's. It is always so much fun visiting with my high school friends.

I talked my sister into coming out with us.

Matt also went with us. We had a good time!

DECEMBER 27, 2009

My friend Kristie, her husband, her daughters and her mom came over to visit with us! Kristie's daughters are 3 years old and 4 months. They are both cuties.

Maddie, Kristie's husband Mark, and Hodge reading a book.

Hodge had a hard time sharing with Maddie. She told us that Hodge did not know how to share. She is so cute, she looks just like Kristie when she was a little girl!

That evening we headed down to the ranch to meet up with my dad. He had a sick cow that he had been taking care of.

 

Hodge and Pawpaw checking the cows.

Me, Hodge and my mom at the ranch.

After we got back from the ranch my aunt Sondra came over. Hodge loves playing with Sondra, she entertains him.

 Monday, December 28 we went to Pleasanton to visit with Granny one more time before we all headed out of town on Tuesday. Hodge started feeling bad that evening and by the next morning he was very sick. Matt and I were all packed and ready to get back on the road however we decided to stay another day because Hodge was sick.

DECEMBER 29, 2009

Tuesday morning we took Hodge to a clinic in Devine and the nicest physician assistant saw him. Hodge had to do breathing treatments in the office. This was the first time he ever had anything like this. He was not to happy the first time he did the breathing treatment.

 

We went back four hours later to do a second treatment. Matt went with us this time. Matt had more luck giving it to him. Hodge was a perfect little boy with Matt. We ended up getting a nebulizer so we could give Hodge treatments during the night. We got on the road the next morning and headed back to Midland. When we got home it was like Christmas all over again for Hodge when he saw all his new toys. We had a blessed Christmas visiting with all ours family and friends.

Playing Outside!

Hodge is like his mom and dad, he loves to be outside!  Today the weather was nice so we spent a lot of time in the backyard. Hodge had so much fun running around and riding his wheely.

 

Christmas with the Cousins!

We had Christmas with Matt's family December 12 and 13.  Matt's aunt and uncle, Julianne and Steve, had Christmas at their house in Abilene. We headed down Saturday morning and stayed the night with the Stizes family. This is the first time we have celebrated Christmas early and had it in Abilene. It was a great idea and the kids had so much fun. Julianne and Steve's house can accommodate a lot of people so the kids had fun and thought it was a slumber party. Hodge absolutely loves all his cousins. He has so much fun playing with them.

The family photo!

Our first activity on Saturday was family bowling. This is a family tradition that Matt's family has done for years.

Hodge and Matt bowing!

Hodge and Teadaddy hanging out together at the bowling alley.

After family bowling there was a surprise for the kids. Santa Claus had come to visit. Hodge had already met Santa in Midland a few weeks ago however Hodge was still not fond of Santa.

Julianne read The Christmas Story from the Bible. Hodge was in the front row enjoying the story. He really liked Julianne's little chair in her living room.

Yaya and Teadaddy with their grandkids.

Hodge enjoyed playing the piano with Zach.

The funny family picture!

Christmas Tree, Snow Day and 16 months old!

What have we been up to the past three days.......

We put our Christmas tree up Thursday night and I found these funny reindeer antlers in a box of decorations.

Friday morning we woke up with snow on the ground! Jack went outside to do his business and Hodge had to follow. I am the kind of mom who lets my child go out in the snow without the proper clothing. I feel like Hodge has lived in these footed pajamas for the past three days. It was so cold on Friday we both stayed in our PJs almost all day.

Hodge going to check out the white stuff in the back yard.

Hodge was not to sure of the snow being so cold on his hands.

Jack had fun in the snow and went outside often to run around in it!

Saturday Hodge turned 16 months old!

What has he been up to these days..........

1. He wants to use a fork or a spoon all the time. Sometimes he will pick up the food and put it on the fork then eat it. He does pretty good with a spoon scooping up the food.

2. He loves watching Sesame Street.

3. He loves to dance, I wonder where he gets this from. Although he does get embarrassed when we watch him.

4. He loves to play outside. He was pretty bored the past few days with the cold weather.

5. Overall I think he is a normal healthy 16 month old little boy! OH HOW WE LOVE HIM!!!!!!

Hodge visits Santa!

Last weekend we took Hodge to see Santa at Miss Cayce's Christmas Store in Midland. This was Hodge's first time to meet Santa. Last year we never had a chance to go meet him so this year we made sure Hodge had the opportunity to tell Santa what he wants for Christmas. Well, Hodge was not to fond of Santa but I am sure with time Hodge will grow to appreciate him.