Snow, Snow & Snowed In


Hunter staying busy... Chris staying busy...

Flying Home...Kinda


Chris had to work the week of Christmas, so he went back to Cincinnati and Hunter and I stayed in Dallas. We had plans to fly back to Ohio Christmas Eve...until a snow storm hit Dallas.
Our plane boarded at 2:25pm and literally didn't even back away from the gate until 5:30ish. Then we sat on the runway until 7pm. Then the flight was cancelled at 7:15pm and we got off the plane (on the runway in the sleeting rain) at 7:30pm. SO, Hunter and I sat on an airplane for over 5 HOURS!!! --a nightmare for any mother with a toddler!

I am a germaphobe. I carry hand sanitizer everywhere I go. The thought of even having Hunter on an airplane and touching everything grosses me out.
After about the 3rd hour on the plane, I decided Hunter could walk the aisle, play with the woman's hair in front of us, eat my tide bleach pen or even stand on the tray table and yell at people on the plane--whatever!







My dad and Ben came and picked us up. We missed the Christmas Eve church service and Chris was home alone hoping to see us, but hey, the airplane was wonderful. It was sad because other people on the plane started crying when they finally canceled the flight. I was thankful that I had family to go home to and a bed and a hot meal to still celebrate Christmas. Many were going to hotel rooms. I was also thankful that I didn't kill anyone on the airplane or fall apart crying because those were both likely options over our 5 hour stay at DFW.

I walked in my parents house and my mom already had Hunter's bath ready in the kitchen sink. She scrubbed Hunter and he continued to laugh and play even with no nap. Then off to bed Hunter went and I joined my parents and brothers for Christmas Eve dinner at 9pm.

Christmas in Dallas

Dallas was wonderful. It is such a delight to see my brother's enjoy playing with Hunter. Most of all, it is really fun to watch Hunter play with his cousin, Philip.
Hunter was walking a little bit before Christmas. He might take a step or two and then decide crawling was easier. Thanks to Cousin Philip running all over the place, Hunter decided he would be like his BIG COUSIN and walk everywhere!
After hanging out with his buddy Philip for a couple days--no more crawling for Hunter!

Plenty of toys that make noise! Thanks mom!

Uncle Ben is SO funny!


Notice: Philip is playing in the fake snow; Hunter is scared that he would get spanked if he joined in...so he laughed and enjoyed watching his older cousin nearby.


Both boys LOVE Uncle Danny--he is a lap favorite!


Hunter is never sure about playing with too many Uncles at once...he know it get crazy with them! Uncle Philip, Uncle Ben, & Uncle Boone toss H from lap to lap.



Much safer...


Chris gave Boone a hat with the initials "CJ" after himself. He wants Boone to think of his dearest brother-in-law often. :) I am sure Boone will...





Hunter & Aunt Diana



My High School girlfriends get together every Christmas. Hunter had to make an appearance and snap a picture with the girls. It is always so good to see everyone!

Christmas at the Johnson's

It was so great to go spend some time in Oklahoma with Chris's family.



"Taking a picture" with Hunter has taken on a whole new meaning...we ask him to SMILE and what do we get?


...nice...


...great fam pic...

...uh-huh...


...wow...

...cheese...


...more cheese...

...perfect.



Aunt Elaine turns 15! We went to Red Rock to celebrate her!
Hunter, Uncle Matt, Grandpa Jim, Aunt Ashley, Aunt Elaine, Grammy, Chris