Hunter's cousin, Kimmy after her Soccer game! She was great!
Then we went back to their house to celebrate Ally's 9th birthday! Here she is showing off one of her gifts.
Hunter was very busy getting into all of the toys the kids have!

Hello everyone, we hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We did! Normally we go to my parents Thanksgiving Eve, but this year there was a little bug going around so we thought we would give it a day to go away, good thing we did because everyone stayed healthy! So we went out to my parents on Thanksgiving, stopping so Aunt Mimi could cure her "biggest bar night of the year next day feeling" with a hotdog from 7-11, the store clerk looked at her like she was crazy eating that on Turkey day, but it did the trick!!! Then it was time for some rest and relaxation, as much as you can get with a 14 month old who gets into everything! Mom made quite a feast and Hunter loved the cranberries! This year was especially nice because my Grandpa and Grandma on my dad's side also joined us, so much to be thankful for!

Hunter started talking over thanksgiving, all of the sudden he is mimicking your words, noises, etc. He has done this on occasion for the past few months, but not like this. He will go to the door and knock, and I will always say "knock knock" the other day out pops "na na" or when he was getting his milk, signing milk, he said "mil mil" the best words he can say are: cheese, cat, keys, and done. I feel so fortunate to be able to experience the miracle of having a child. It was only a short time ago, he laid sleeping, he didn't even grab for things, then he did, then he sat, then he crawled, then he walked, and now....he is talking....where did my baby go? How wonderfully amazing and yet sad.

Well, I am really going to try to be a better poster, but we have a lot going on right now so bear with me. Still having computer difficulties and as soon as we get the house in order and Aunt Mimi's room finished we will be looking to buy a new one :( and :) Also, very exciting....today was my Mom's first day in her new shop, I have been helping in the move and it is so nice, it looks like a little spa, I know she will be very happy there, and Hunter was her first customer with his sixth? haircut. He even sat in the chair with a cape, and didn't cry, I was shocked! So, we hope that there are all positive things happening in your life too!

A special "Happy Birthday" to our good friend Michele tomorrow!

Look at me, I love to climb!
CHEESE!
Oh. I'm not suppose to do this?
Please!!!

Hello there, we realize you are probably seeing this on Thanksgiving, so to quote my favorite new saying, in which my friend Kathy sent to us.....We hope your heart is as full as your tummy!!! My heart is overflowing this Holiday season as I realize just how much I have to be thankful for! We have wonderful family and I have a tiny bit of Heaven that brings me so much joy! Those are my two favorites but I could go on and on. I hope that you are surrounded by happiness, and however you are connected to Hunter's blog, whether through family or friendship, I am thankful for you and your caring and sharing in Hunter's development! Thank You!!!

Play Ball!!! Yesterday, I attended my first sporting event!
This is my cousin Ally playing basketball! She was really good!
I think I want to follow in her footsteps!

Hunter, Aunt Mimi and I went to my nieces basketball game and boy was it fun! I was very impressed that the kids play for fun, there aren't very many rules and they keep score for fun too! I think that teaches good sportsmanship, and team work. However, some parents must disagree, because there was this man, oh boy where do I begin... He yelled at his daughter the whole time she played, go there, get the ball, shoot, you get the picture. That poor little girl, I have a hard time believing it was as much fun for her as the rest of the girls. I just give a big props to my brother and sister-in-law for giving support not orders!!! Look for pictures at the end of the week, at Hunter's second sporting event, our other niece Kimmy's Soccer game!
I have to apologize to everyone for not returning emails, my computer has gone wacky and we are looking to replace it, I can receive email but can't send it, hope to be back up and running again soon. Also, the reason the blogs have been few and far between :( Sorry!

What a HAIRY situation!
I look pretty cool with a faux hawk!

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend! We are having lots of fun! I love the top picture of Hunter, it is the first picture that shows his very large top teeth! I think this picture says Hunter needs a haircut :) What do you think Grandma?

Hi there, haven't talked to you in a long time!
As you can see, I sign "eat" now, mom loves it that I can tell her what I need!

Well, I know you will forgive me for not posting when I say that I have only had 13 hours of sleep total the past three nights :( Hunter has not been feeling great, he has the cold, combined with the shots which caused a strange body rash and getting another molar, add this to the fact he has decided its fun to play and get attention at 2 a.m. Well, I have not found it to be fun at all. So, last night I decided to let him cry it out, I was prepared (with Dad off Deer hunting - he is terrible, he doesn't want to be disturbed during the night so he wants me to give Hunter whatever he wants, well I refuse to do that, its not good for him, back to my story) well, armed with a pillow for over my head..... that little stinker never made a peep! So, we both felt better with a whole nights sleep! Tonight and every night hereafter, same plan! Other than the frustrating lack of sleep things have been so exciting, Hunter is picking up signs left and right, many of them I can't tell what he is trying to sign but many of them I can. The sign that are good; eat, dog, wash your hands, thank you, hurt, more, milk, duck, and my favorite non-sign finally a few weeks ago, blow kisses!!!! We hope you are all doing well, and we miss your comments!

On the move!
Quick stop to check the tires!
Look at me, I'm moving!!!

Hello all, Hunter thinks he is pretty cool driving his 4 wheeler around the living room, and today he had to show Grandpa and Grandma on his J. D. Gator, they were quite impressed! Grandpa and Dad had to go set up the camper for deer hunting, and Grandma and Aunt Mimi watched Hunter so I could get some rest, my voice seems to be missing with this nagging cold :(~ We had a wonderful dinner then it was home to bed for all of us! We hope you had a wonderful weekend, and that you have a great week!

It's almost Thanksgiving! The Pilgrims ate pasture-raised and organic at the first thanksgiving; for once, why not follow the tradition. Eat turkey, not growth enhancers and antibiotics....and enjoy! The average organic turkey is 15 lbs, much smaller than the 30 lbs. you can find in the grocery store. Look for pasture-raised, not "free-range" which requires that the turkeys only have a small access to the outdoors. We have been eating organic chicken and turkey ever since Hunter has been born, it's wonderful!

Playing quietly yesterday with Aunt Mimi, after Hunter's belated 12 month check-up with shots :(
This is a good picture of Hunter's top two teeth, they are so large for his little face. Happy Veteran's Day! Thank you to all of our friends and family members who have served our country, we are so proud!

Hi there, so Hunter did well at the doctor yesterday, they ran a strep throat culture but it was negative. Once again, we all seem to have the junk that is going around. Hunter got three shots: Hib, MMR, and ChickenPox (yes, apparently we vaccinate against this now because it is dangerous, I give up!) Hunter was excited to see the Nurse and Doctor, as he whined for them to pick him up, and the Dr. joked that Hunter's teeth aren't reading the book, because they are not coming in, in the right order :) The top two sideones, and the other bottom one should come in before the molars, apparently. The Dr. also kindly let us know that Hunter is short. I'm sure there is a growth spurt on its way. Other than that, things look great, we are so fortunate to have a healthy baby! So, yesterday and today we have been doing chores and taking it easy, Hunter is only running a slight temp from one of the shots, and the other reactions won't happen for 10 days. Hunter learned two new things, and there are pictures to come. He now signs "eat" and he can ride forward on his 4-wheeler, he could always rock it back and forth, but now he rides around the room...laughing. Every day seems to be something new, fun and exciting! I love it!!!!

Take back your bottles! If you think taking back the bottles is worthless, other than the 10 cents of course, think again. Every time a glass bottle is recycled, enough energy is saved to light a 100-watt light bulb for 4 hours!

A little walk, fresh air and a nap!

Hello there, Hunter had a fun day today he apparently danced for everyone to the Rolling Stones (that kind of scares me!), Aunt Mimi got to see his daycare, and meet some of his friends. At daycare they feed the squirrels (which even though I have this new addiction to the environment I don't recommend!) so we got to meet Stubby, a squirrel that has no tail, and is really chubby from lots of peanuts, the kids love him! I was kind of freiked out because he comes to the door, no exaggeration I have a witness! Anyway, then it was home for Mexican night, we have a new menu plan so we had very colorful fajitas and Hunter enjoyed a few pieces of yellow pepper, a first for both of us! Then we went for a stroll and as you can see our little bundle fell asleep. It was a productive day!

BYOB. Bring Your Own BAGS!!! This green tip is a motivator for me because as you know I began making canvas bags to do my part to cut down on the use of paper & plastic grocery bags. Well, as many of you know I am a project taker-on-er (my new word) therefore, they aren't quite finished so I decided to put some info. behind my beliefs about the waste to motivate myself to finish. Here it is......12 million barrels of oil and 14 million trees go to producing paper and plastic bags in one year! Also, plastic bags are one of the most common items found in coastal cleanups. So, the benefits are not only for the environment but some stores offer discounts, or pennies for bags for bringing your own, and your own are sturdier. But, if you can't bring yourself to ditch the bags, at least tie knots in your plastic bags before you trash them so they don't fill with air and take up more landfill room, or fly away and create more litter.

Not only is Hunter growing in his abilities but so is baby Magnum, he can drive the tractor!

Hello all, hope your week is going well! Hunter has a cold, but other than that it has been pretty quiet nothing new and exciting. He is just playing a lot, goes from one thing to another, and now is standing on his 4 Wheeler, so it might be hiding for a little while. Safety is really a big problem for us right now, as Hunter seems very interested in all of the things he should stay away from, I didn't realize that started so early. Everyone please send positive thoughts the way of our neighbor today as she is going to have her baby, a boy Kyle. Have a good one!

Thinking about Christmas cards, send holiday cheer and be eco-friendly! Each year 2.65 billion Christmas/Holiday cards are purchased, most are recyclable but aren't recycled. Either get crafty with what you already own, or try one of these responsible and trendy companies, Mudlark, Greene Street Cards, Speak "peace" cards, or Peaceful Valley Greetings (my favorite you can bury them in your yard and they grow!) search the web for cool new options, some are expensive but some are very reasonable!

Check out our new slideshow....Halloween Party!

Hello everyone, we hope you enjoyed the weekend as much as we did! What beautiful weather! Not to many more days like that coming. Hunter didn't cry in his costume this time, of course being it was the last time he had to wear it :) Hunter did the trick or treating better this time, he actually held the bag and put candy in and out, however he mostly just carried a piece of candy in each hand. He got to see a bunch of family and friends that we don't usually get to see, what a treat! He enjoyed the hayride but mostly loved the tractor, of course! Then it was home to bed, where Hunter was treated to having Aunt Mimi feed him, and Hunter said his version of "bottle" (bah bah) loudly and very clear, there was no mistaking what he wanted, we got a good laugh out of it! Well, we hope you enjoy the many pictures posted, sorry I have been slacking off (Kathy :) no really, I love posting, but some nights my eyes just need a rest, this little guy has me running all over, he never stops!!! I appreciate everyone being excited to take part in Hunter's life, he really is a gift that we enjoy and we are glad that we can share him with you!!! Love you, take care!

Feeling Sleepy!!!!

This was Hunter and I all day long!!! Sleepy! We had a nice relaxing day and we hope you did as well! Today I sat and played with Hunter all day long, and I can't get over how much he has changed. He is in a stage where he mimics everything you do, so when I walked his toy people around, so did he, and when I made truck noises, so did he, you get the picture. We were watching our sign language video and normally he doesn't pay any attention but today he started moving his hands, he wasn't doing the right things but he realized he was supposed to do something. The recognition I can't get over too! During the video I was saying and signing "blanket" so he brought me one, and "bear" it is amazing how their brains absorb random daily info. I have never worked at teaching him some of the things he knows. Hunter also has another tooth! A surprise once again! Who knows how long it has been there, it is on the top left and it's a molar! Well, that's it for tonight. We have a belated Halloween party to go to tomorrow, so I'm sure I will have more little puppy pictures to share!

I'm obsessed with lip balm! Especially this time of year. Lips don't have oil glands, therefore they don't retain moisture well. So, the answer of course is lip balm. However, a common ingredient is petroleum which has been linked to Breast Cancer. Aside from your health it is important to go oil-free because once the petroleum reserve is gone, it's gone. Try Burt's Bees I like it.

Trick Or Treat!

MMMMM......a sucker!

As you can see Hunter enjoyed Trick or Treating, he went to our neighbors, and loved running the streets, we could barely keep him in our yard, and he loved stealing the candy out of the bucket! Next year he will actually know what it is, that will be adorable! He was off to daycare today where they had a Halloween party and got him back into his costume and even had a photo shoot, I can't wait to see those photos! He must have enjoyed himself today because he had two breakfasts! He ate his regular one, cereal, banana, and milk, when an hour later the older kids ate their breakfast, waffles. Apparently, Hunter demanded some, so he ate two waffles and loved them! He must be going through a growing spurt because he is eating like crazy and even getting up during the night hungry, well that is all that is new and exciting, talk to you tomorrow!

I didn't forget about my green tips, things have just been crazy busy! So, they're back.....today's tip....Avoid 1 Wipe Wonders!
Use old t-shirts, socks, buy microfiber dusting cloths, etc. which can be washed and reused rather than added to the landfill. I have to say I am a huge fan of these tubs of bleach wipes, but you can save money and the environment by switching to natural cleaners and cloths. You can either make your own cleaning solutions or buy eco-friendly ones. Common dusting sprays are flammable, and in 2002 a study found disinfectants in 66% of U.S. streams sampled, that number has most likely increased since the common use of the throw away wipes, and flushable cleaners. Food for thought!

I love Halloween, I get special treats like.....Jack'O'Lantern grilled cheese!
......and a visit from Great Grandpa and Grandma!
....and wormy apples!

Oh boy, did Hunter have a great Halloween! He had lots of new foods including a pumpkin cookie! We played and relaxed all day, you just can't beat that! Great Grandpa and Grandma came over and had lunch, watched Hunter dance, and turn into a little puppy! Grandpa and Grandma came over too, and they also enjoyed some fine Halloween cuisine :) along with entertainment from our little one! I will post the trick or treating pictures later, but for now I'm off to work, have a good day!