Look Who's Walkin`

Since Hunter can practically run laps around him, Heath finally decided to join us in walking (though he would much rather crawl still).

Each in their own time.

Christmas Morning

Looks like Santa paid a visit.
...and he brought the boys a BALL PIT!

He left two more sections of it in the playroom because it wouldn't all fit in the living room. Wow! Santa is generous.

Numerous times there have been more balls on the outside of the ball pit than there have been inside it. That's OK, because it's so much fun!

The boys love to get in it and wave their arms wildly, making balls fly in every direction.

Chris and I have spent a lot of time in the ball pit along with the boys.

After playing in the ball pit and opening our stockings, we enjoyed a breakfast of blueberry pancakes with syrup. Then the boys had to have a bath to get the sticky off. After the bath, they needed a nap, because playing in the ball pit is just down right exhausting. Finally, after their nap, we opened a few presents.

Heath really got in to tearing off the wrapping paper.

We had such a fun morning, and it really made us all realize how blessed we are to have each other and family time.

Merry Christmas from The Amthors

Photos and Christmas Card by Keva Dawn Photography. Isn't she amazing!

7 years

Yesterday was our 7th anniversary.
It has been a wonderful 7 years. I am so happy to have found such a wonderful husband and father for our children.

Who else would pose for all of the goofy photos that he lets me put on the blog. I love you sweetie.

Crystal

Happy 1st Birthday Heath and Hunter

My sweet baby boys.
I can’t even begin to describe the joy that you both bring to my life. From the moment you were born one year ago, through this entire past year you have been a bright light in every day. Motherhood has been everything I expected it to be and more. One year ago today, I remember laying on the hospital bed completely terrified. I was scared about what being a mother would hold for me and the fact that you were coming 6 weeks early terrified me even more. Through the days in the NICU, you showed me just how strong you were, but you also showed me how strong I can be.
Heath: You are brilliant. Sometimes I’m afraid at even at age 1 you are able to out smart me. You hate to eat anything that is healthy for you and will throw a fit until Daddy or Mimi give you a cookie. You are usually a good sleeper unless you are sick. You are a climber. There is no cabinet too high for you to conquer. You love to be held and cuddled. You are perfectly happy sitting in the floor and looking at a book. You get really excited when I come to pick you up, which makes my day. I love you.
Hunter: You are also smart. You have learned how to flash that grin and make my heart melt (and get your way). You are very active and always on the go. A week after you learned to walk you started to run. You love to play games with Daddy, and you chase him down the hallway. You love to eat, no matter what it is. You are sweet and sensitive. You are the first to smile and laugh when you are happy, but you are also the first to show your pouty face and cry when you are unhappy. You give the sweetest hugs, which make my day. I love you.
I read a quote once that said, “Motherhood is knowing what it feels like to have your heart walk around on the outside of your body.” I couldn't describe it better than that. I love you both and I am looking forward to the next year.
Love,
Mom

To my sweet baby boys:

I remember the day that you both came into my life. I must say for the record that I did not know that I could love someone so much, instantly. I love the way that your little fingers wrap around mine. I really enjoy holding both of you and sitting in the ez chair. One day when you read this I want you to go and give your momma a great big hug for giving me you two boys. You are both so precious. It is amazing to think that it has already been a year with you. You are both so much alike yet so different. Heath you love to study things, and watching you I can see your little wheels turning trying to figure out exactly how it works. Hunter, you love to roughhouse with me, and you light up my life when I walk into the room and you come over and give me the cutest little grin. You both love climbing on boxes and playing all over the house. I don’t think that there is anything that you can’t get into. I can’t wait to take you hunting and fishing and teach you all sort of fun stuff. I find myself daydreaming of all the fun things we will do together in this life. I want to wish you the happiest birthday that one can have, and many more precious memories with Mama and Daddy. You truly are the best that life has to offer.

I love you more and more each day,
Daddy

Party Time

Even Santa got in on the fun.

I told you they were little Monkeys.

One of the cool Birthday presents. Mom and Dad got us both Lifetime Hunting and Fishing Licenses.

Lots of friends. L-R Hunter, Heath, Jake, Kayin.

The boys got lots of presents, and they ate lots of cake and ice cream. They also got this book as a present. It about sums up our day. I Love my Monkeys.

Last Christmas vs. This Christmas

Last Year: We laid the babies under the tree in the middle of the presents not one bit worried that any of it would be destroyed.

This year: Supergate XP keeps them far (enough) away.
Next Year: I will attempt to teach them not to touch the tree, but I just don't have the energy this year.

Look Who We Met

Heath was scared to death of Frosty, but Hunter tried to pull his nose off. Please excuse this Terrible picture of me.

Other Santa pictures were taken, hopefully they turned out a little better. Hunter was fascinated with his beard, and I don't think Heath realized who's lap he was sitting on. I was pretty surprised that neither one of them screamed.

Getting Ready for "1"

Cans for Comments

I found this idea on another blog and thought that it was a great idea. In honor of the boys upcoming birthday, I will be hosting a Cans for Comments event. For every (kind) comment that is left on my blog from now until the boys 1st birthday (December 17th) we will donate a canned good to the local food bank. I want my boys to learn to give, as well as receive, and I must make the first step. Looking forward to hearing your comments.

Who Needs Camo?

Picture this: Mom, Heath, Hunter and Me all riding in Dad's blue ranch truck. Mom is driving holding Heath who is not happy. I am sitting in the passenger seat with my PINK deer rifle on my right side and holding Hunter, who was also not happy, on my left. We are driving around the ranch attempting to hunt, giggling to each other because we just realized that we are all wearing Santa Clause red (as seen below).

All of the sudden, I look out my window and notice a buck. "Hey Mom," I mention casually, "there's one."

She stops the truck abruptly and we stare at the nice buck. I don't think much about it, until Mom says, "Well, aren't you going to shoot it?"

"Do you think I should?" I replied. With an expression that said "Duh," she glared at me. I handed Hunter over to her, which didn't go without screams, and I leaned my PINK gun out the window (not quietly). The deer just stood there. I personally think he must have been deaf. So, I shot it. I left Mom and both babies in the truck while I went to find it.

Only then did I realize that we were two women (dressed in red) with two babies (also in red) and we now had a deer that we had to deal with. Being it was the first day of Mule Deer season, Chris was at work. Thankfully, Phillip, my brother-in-law came to help out.

The deer is not very wide, but he is tall and has 12 points. Not bad, if I do say so myself.

1st Thanksgiving with these Turkeys

We got to spend our Thanksgiving with Grandpa and Grandma in SanSaba this year. It was lots of fun. We got loved on by lots of family, had lots of good food, and Momma even got to take a much needed NAP.

We started off the day eating blueberry muffins, yum! Even though they are a little squishy, they are not wet, so even Heath decided he might try a few bites.

We learned how to climb the stairs.
We did a great job going up, but were very unsure about coming down.

Thankfully, there were lots of people to catch us if we started to fall.

After dinner and a nap, we put on our Aggie Attire and prepared to support our team. (They still lost, but they played UT a much better game than anyone thought they would...Go Aggies).

That night we headed back to the big "I" because Daddy had to go back to work (Mule Deer season starts Saturday). Friday, we had Thanksgiving with Mimi and Papa. Yeah! More Food!

OK, so I was a bad mother and didn't take any pictures of the Thanksgiving at Mom and Dad's house today, but I will leave you with a funny story:

The family all circled up before the meal and took a chance to thank God for his blessings. Kali (my sister's 3 year old girl) was saying the prayer. As she was praying she was looking up at each person and thanking God for them. She was going around the circle and said, "Thank you for Heath and thank you for Hunter and thank you for Crystal." However when she looked up at Chris...she forgot his name so she added, "Thank you for Steve." I don't know where Steve came from or who Steve is but it was pretty funny. For the rest of the day, Chris became lovingly known as Steve.

A Glimpse Into My Future

"Mom, it's my turn to drive!"
"Hunter, drove yesterday!"

"No, Heath did!"