Memoirs Of a Christmas Past

Over the past 10 days, we have had a whirlwind of Christmas thrown our way.

We have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves to the point of exhaustion and the sickies.

That's how we roll in the Hutch House, what can I say?

We finally made it to see "the Baton Rouge Zoo Lights" this year. 

The Mangums and our friends the Kemps came too. 

The older kids were super annoyed that they couldn't see any animals. 

We survived after some attitude adjustments following this family photo...

After the zoo, we stopped for hot chocolate and beignets at Coffee Call.

SUPER YUMMY!! Everyone enjoyed that.

Here are the Kemps. Amy is expecting another little girl!

Ahhh. A full day of fun and a full belly of sugar, chocolate milk, and beignets. 

Is this the look of satisfaction, or what?!

On the 23rd we had Josh's family's Christmas night. 

We had some delicious food to enjoy (barbecued oysters included) 

and played some fun games caught on video.

Annie and Afton both pranced around with their princess accessories...

 

Here's a close-up.

Here is Nana (Josh's Grandmother) summoning all of the great grandkids 

for their annual gifts all lined up in a row...

CASH! 50 one dollar bills. They loved it. 

Ayden kept counting his money for confirmation.

On Christmas Eve Ian and Ayden both fell asleep on our way to cajun country.

We went to see the levees lit up for Santa in Lutcher.

This will definitely be on our to do list from now on.

The boys rolled down the levees and climbed back up over and over again. 

When we got home, the kids bathed, opened up one gift each-pajamas-

and Dad read from the Christmas book before they went to bed. 

CHRISTMAS MORNING!!!! 

I love Christmas morning. There is nothing like it. 

I will never tire of that magical feeling.

Afton and Annie in their church clothes.

It was really nice having Christmas on Sunday.

I sang "Breath Of Heaven" for our service and cried through the whole thing.

It is such a powerful song. I can usually hold it together, but I had to whimper/talk through most of it. 

It was a very special moment for me. I would start to recover from my emotions then the spirit would overpower me again, so I just surrendered to it. It was a great testament to me and those who were listening of Mary's strength and vulnerability just before she gave birth to Jesus. 

Sunday evening we went to my Aunt Videt's and the kids were super spoiled over there too.

I didn't have any energy left at that point, so I'm sorry I have no pictures to share:( 

We had a great time and some excellent food.

As if we didn't have enough excitement already, Ayden lost his third tooth on the day after Christmas.

He kept talking to us with it jutting straight out hillbilly style and we would burst out laughing!!

This is just too adorable for me to handle!

This week has been recovery week. Afton had asthma trouble and the boys took turns with a stomach virus.

I'm trying to look forward, and forget about all of the vomit and steroid induced fits. Today is the first of a new year, after all! Here's to healthy kids. PLEASE!!! Tomorrow I start my training for a 10K. Wish me luck!