Christmas 2011

We had a wonderful Christmas! Deacon got everything on his wish list. It's nice when they are three and have reasonably sized/priced wish lists! He has been asking for a Superman cape, purple light saber, Darth Vader toy, and Master Yoda toy. How easy is that? He flew around in his Superman cape all morning until we made him take it off for church. It was so nice going to church on Christmas. I think we should always have church on Christmas. The music and talks touched our spirits and made us aware of what we are really celebrating. We have been telling Deacon that Christmas is Jesus' birthday and he has wanted to know what we were giving him for his birthday. We talked about Jesus wanting us to be good and kind to others. Scott told Deacon that what He really wants is a broken heart and contrite spirit. For us to be sorry when we make mistakes and truly want to do better. I'm sure most of it was over Deacon's little head, but it made me stop and think about the things I need to improve on. I am so thankful for the Plan of Salvation and the opportunity we all have to repent and rededicate ourselves to being more like our Savior.

Superman! 

Super heros in one hand and chocolate in the other what could be better?

Scott sporting his new set of Rocky movies: 

Superman with a light saber- heaven help us!

Say cheese!

More presents at grandma and grandpa's!

He is pretty excited about his Spiderman shoes that light up! I'm not sure I will ever get him to wear his old shoes again!

Merry Christmas!

Hurst Christmas Party 2011

I was in charge of our family Christmas party this year. It was pretty simple, but we had a lot of fun. We ate pizza and decorated Christmas cookies. The kids had a pinata and then we all went for a hay ride through the festival of lights. We decided instead of buying sibling gifts this year to spend that money on a sub for santa. It was fun buying gifts for someone I knew would really need it and appreciate it.

Dad, Mom, Gatlin, and Dallas

Whitney and Shawn

The kids making their cookies:

The masterpieces- Deacon:

Adrian:

Carly:

Carter:

Corbin:

Krue just being happy on the floor:

Deacon hitting the pinata:

 

Carter:

Corbin:

Carly:

Somehow I missed the shot of Kaiden knocking the snowman's head off- but here is it's poor head...

Jocelyn making a dash for the candy:

Scott and Whitney helping fill the bags:

Carly:

Whitney, Adrian, and Carly and the festival of lights:

Gatlin and Dallas:

Jake and naughty Kim hiding behind Adrian:

Merry Christmas!

Scott's back!

 Scott returned home from Virgina and we are so happy to have him here. We are proud of him and all of his hard work. While he was there he graduated from the Army Logistic University at Ft. Lee:

My handsome boys all dressed up and ready for church: 

Deacon has especially enjoyed going hunting with his Daddy:

 He of course had to have his shotgun when he hunted roosters with dad:

The mighty hunter (Scott):

The mighty hunter (Deacon):

Halloween 2011

Deacon has been obssessed with Star Wars for awhile now, especially Darth Vader. He sings the song and does all the sound effects, so he was so excited to dress up like Vader for Halloween. He wore it for a week before Halloween and I'm sure he will be wearing it long after. 

Mom and Deacon all dressed up for the big day:

Deacon of course had to have his face painted at the Ward Halloween Party. I don't know what he is exactly, but he loved it!

Eating the cupcake he won at the cake walk:

The boys:

The girls:

Cornbelly's

We went with some friends to Cornbelly's for some fun Halloween action. We had never been before and I was very impressed- such a fun place for kids! Deacon of course had to have his face painted. He has been obsessed with face painting since our ward party when he was a pirate. He often comes home from preschool with marker on his face because he was "trying to be like a pirate". I was surprised at his choice of the ghost this time. He has been getting little phobias lately and ghosts is one of them. He tells me at bedtime that he doesn't want me to shut the door because there are "ghostses" in the room. Maybe this was him facing his fears:

Climbing in the spiders web:

Walking cautiously through the corn maze:

A thumbs up for the hay wagon train:

More mazes- this time in the hay. My old friend Tatum and new friend Tara are peeking around the corner:

Me and Tara in the hay:

Mom and Deacon racing around the track:

Playing in the "corn box"

So much fun to throw...

and be buried in:

Making a corn angel?

Fun times:

My friend Tatum and I- we were mission companions and all the corn reminded us of our days in Illinois and Indiana in the Chicago, Illinois mission:

Tatum with her boys- apparantly we wore them right out:

Me and my buddy after the pig races: