Hurst Family: December 2010

Christmas Eve

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

I didn't take the camera to our actual Hurst Christmas Eve celebration, which is always a fun time with all the cousins/ aunts/ uncles/ etc. Now Shelby has 3 kiddos, Samantha and Trevor have Teegan, Dee Ann has her two boys, but they weren't there, and Paige and Barrett of course have Macy, Cooper, and Jade. They all had a blast! Anyway, before we went, we all took some family pics with Payton, Laura, and Grayson. Also, the day before I did some pics of Grayson (10 months), so I will include those as well. Anyway, in these pics, I am 32 weeks pregnant with baby Maddox, Channing is 5, and Jaxson is 2.5. This year was the best as far as watching the kids get excited, and how they interacted with one another. Channing would wait so patiently while Jaxy opened his gifts, and they were both so happy, excited, and thankful every time they opened one. And Channing reminded me last night that we hadn't truly celebrated Jesus's birthday, so we made a cake, sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, and all gave thanks for what we are blessed with. We all had such a nice Christmas, and looking forward to spending New Years with Jeff, Allyson, Sadie, and Tripp.

The kids are obviously tired of pics at this point.

Horsin' Around!

One of the big events for the kids this Christmas was getting to "ride" Mack's horses. They are pretty wild.... haven't been ridden much in a long time, so I wasn't sure how this was going to go. But with Paxton, Payton, and Mack surrounding babies and horses, we were at least able to get good pics (there are grown-ups air brushed out left and right). Grayson wasn't sure about this giant creatures he was sitting on, but he is always a little trooper. After they got warmed up, Channing and Jaxson couldn't get enough (it was cold, too!). They were smiling from ear to ear. I really hope we can have a place in the country some day.... I loved watching my kids get outside, explore nature, and get more exposure to animals over the holiday this year at Mack's and my grandparents. Afterwards, Channing wanted a picture by the tree with "julie" while she was still dressed up. Didn't even have to bribe her!

Our Day at the American Girl Store!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Channing had been waiting for this day for 3 months..... and although she really didn't know all that much about American Girl or the dolls, I had started prepping her and showing her stuff online. My aunt sent her the Kit Kidridge movie and my Dad and Deb had gotten her a American Girl scrapbook (and although she didn't know it, Mimi had been stocking up on goodies as well), so she was set. Anyway, that day was crazy... we waited in line forever just to get into the parking garage at the Galleria in Dallas, and then we walked into the packed Gran Lux Cafe for lunch. Mack came along to help keep Jaxson under control (Paxton was back in Pleasanton working for a few days before Christmas), and we all met Jade and Paige. Lunch was good, then off to the store. I'm not going to lie.... I was a little stressed. That store is expensive, and it is hard for the girls to see all that and be happy with only the doll (and for anyone who doesn't know.... the dolls are $95.00). Mimi and Papaw bought the doll as part of her Christmas, and we picked out the historical 70's cutie, Julie, and I splurged on matching pj's for Julie and Channing. Jade picked a doll that she named herself. Jade and Paige left afterwards and the rest of us went into the mall to find Santa. Of course he was feeding the reindeer for the next hour, so Mack was nice enough to stand in line while we went to get a snack. Jaxson was so tired and wanted me to carry him, so there I was, 31 weeks pregnant walking through the mall holding my big baby boy, with a pair of too high wedge boots.... that day WORE ME OUT. But, the kids got to see Santa, Channing got her doll, and everyone was happy!

Shamrock Christmas

Monday, December 27, 2010

Although 9 hours is a long way to travel when you're 32 weeks preggo and have 2 young kids, it was so worth it to see my Dad, Deb, Sister and Brother-in-law, nieces and nephews, Aunt Becky, and Grandparents. We always have a really laid back time out in the country.... lots of outdoor fun. I think shooting the rifle with Pappy (my Dad), and climbing on the hay bales were the highlight for Channing, Jaxson, Chloe, Molly, and Caden. We had a fun Chinese Christmas, and Channing cried when someone tried to take my gift because she didn't understand the concept.... worked out well for me, ha! By the way.... this was just one of many Christmas celebrations we had this year! And we stopped in Abilene to see my Aunt and Uncle on the way here. Many more pics and posts to come.

Aunt Becky

Pappy and Caden

Channing

Chann shooting with Pappy

Chloe

Chloe shooting with Pappy

Dad and Grandmother

Me with Dad and Grandmother

Grandpa's Longhorn

Kids playing on hay bale

all the men in the kitchen!

molly

pax and jax

Our early Christmas!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Well- I can't believe it but it is almost a week before Christmas and I am relaxed (finally) and taking a deep breath. We really had to do a lot of rushing around to get out of the house over a week before Christmas, but we did it. Santa came to our house early since we will be in Farmersville on Christmas morning and wouldn't be able to get these big goodies back home with us. We woke the kids up at 7am after being up late the night before for our playgroup Christmas party to see what Santa brought and to open the gifts from us. They were so cute..... so excited over every single thing, and went out in the 30 degree weather to jump on the trampoline. Channing can now ride her bike without training wheels (which I still need to post the pictures I just remembered!), and she got a new big girl bike, and Jaxson got a bike, too. The next post will be pictures from our 9 hour trip to Shamrock.