Andrew Turns Five!

Time just keeps ticking away, no matter how much we sometimes wish it wouldn't.

It's hard to believe that Andrew is already 5 years old.

He is one big ball of energy.

He gives us a run for our money, and I know with his determination he is going to do great things one day.

Andrew completely softens the instant he touches Grace.  He becomes a little snuggly teddy bear and protector.  It is one of my favorite things to watch.

He has the most endearing raisin-brown eyes and long black eyelashes.  If he is grows up to be tall one day (he's not very big right now), he will definitely be the "tall,dark, and handsome" man girls swoon over.

Simply put, we love him.

Two Months

In honor of Grace's 2-month birthday, we had a very amateur photo shoot at home.

The outtakes are some of my favorites.

Jared even got to get in on the action - cookies and all.

Emma Mae is 6!

I always feel like Emma gets ripped off a little because her birthday is only two days after Christmas. 

The wonderful thing about Emma is that she never feels that way.

She is just happy to have a day devoted just to her, and she doesn't care when it is!

This year was pretty funny, in fact.

Early on in December there were some rough days.  Our elf, Marvin, actually went away for an entire week because it was so bad.  We weren't sure if he was coming back, or if he'd even tell Santa to bring any presents to the kids. 

When we were discussing it one evening, Andrew and Sarah got really worried about not getting any presents.  But, Emma wasn't worried at all.  She happily proclaimed, "That's okay!  My birthday is right after Christmas, so I'll get presents anyway!" 

Smart girl.

Christmas Candy

We've been making Christmas candy like crazy the last few days.

Almond Joys, Cherry Cordials, Dollar Mints, Orange Creams, Buckeyes, and lots of chocolate covered pretzels.

The kids all helped us dip some pretzels tonight.

There may have been a little taste-testing going on in the kitchen!

Snow Fun

We got our first snowstorm of the season this week! 

The forecasters were really hyping it up, and it did not disappoint.

Once it started, it didn't stop for about 20 hours.

The kids were able to have two snow days away from school right before they were supposed to break for Christmas, so it was a fun little surprise.

Daddy decided to take the afternoon off after it stopped snowing to enjoy a little family time.

Snow and Ice + Daddy = Attex

Say Cheese

We've been practicing for our family pictures.

The goal was for the kids to get so used to smiling on cue that they would do it wonderfully when family picture time came.

Who was I kidding? 

They'll do it at home, but it is a whole other story when you're all dressed nicely and paying for the pictures!

At least we tried, right?

Grace Anne Hunger

The weekend was a busy one.
We celebrated Thanksgiving in Cedar Rapids with the entire Hunger clan.
Then, on Friday we headed down to Nauvoo to stay the night because...
On Saturday, Dennis's youngest sister (31 yrs. old) was married in the Nauvoo temple.
Just as it started to look like we were going to get some sleep after a big family-filled weekend, my water broke.
It was about 3:00 on Sunday afternoon and Dennis had just gotten home from his meetings at church.
I wasn't having any contractions different than what I'd had for the past two weeks - some here and there.  Some days it was 10 contractions, other days I'd have 20 or so.
I was so worried about going to the hospital and having them give me pitocin.
Jared's birth had gone so well when I was able to get to the hospital at 8cm, and do it without an epidural, and I wanted to duplicate that as much as possible.
So, I decided to walk a little on the treadmill.
I did about 1.25 miles.
Still nothing.
We had a youth fireside that evening. 
With Dennis as the Branch President and me as the Young Women's President, we were both supposed to attend, but I decided to sit it out and sent Dennis anyway.
Finally, at about 6:00 (just minutes after I sent Dennis off) I started to feel uncomfortable with the contractions.
I knew I just needed to tough it out until he got home around 7:30.
So, I did.
I got the kids ready for bed and tucked them in for the night. 
Dennis got home, Grandpa Ned came to watch the kids, and we hurried to the hospital.

I was admitted around 8:00 and dilated to 6cm.
The doctor came an hour later at 9:00 and I was 8 cm.  He then told me he was going to run home for his computer and he'd be back in a little while.
I cautioned him how fast my babies liked to come, and he smiled and left.
He must live around the corner from the hospital because he made it back in time.
Grace was born at 9:23 pm.
No problems, no epidural, just a healthy baby girl.

That night, Dennis's sister from Utah was still in town (for about 5 more hours) so she and her son came to meet Grace with Grandma Mary. 

Early the next morning, Grandpa brought Grace's adoring older brothers and sisters to meet her.  Everyone except Jared fell in love at first sight.  Jared needed a day or two more than the rest. 

We were able to go home the very next day, which I loved!
I cannot say it was without pain, but she was worth it!