Happy New Year (almost)

Well, a new year is almost upon us. Tonight's festivities promise to be just as exhausting as they will be fun.
We have spent today cleaning our house as much as possible (while freezing! It's cold here.) And that leads me to finally set a new year's resolution.  I haven't set any as of yet because of the impracticality of them.  We have goals for the year, sure, but I couldn't think of any bad habits that I feel the need to resolve... Until now!
My new year's resolution is: to try to keep my house (particularly my bedroom) cleaner than I have been.
What about you?  Do you have any new year resolutions? What about goals that you'd like to accomplish in the coming year?
Well, whatever your endeavors, I wish you luck and good fortune in everything you do.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Love,
The Hunter Family

Turning tides

You know when people ask you what you want for Christmas... Possibly getting an idea of what to get for you... And you rack your brain thinking of what to tell them.  This year was one of those years for me.  I know of things I'd like to have EVENTUALLY, but nothing very practical for Christmas.  The things I could think of were either "plan and save for it" things, or "I have to wait until after the baby comes to use it" things.  There were only 2 things that were outside these 2 spheres that I actually wanted:  A food processor and a hair straightener.  Exciting, right... *rolls my eyes*... But that's what I wanted.
Thanks to my wonderful parents, I was able to get my food processor the day after Christmas (thank you mom and dad!).
Santa brought me a hair straightener *wink*.
That took care of the only 2 things I asked for.  I got other wonderful things too.  My mother in law and sisters in law got me some WONDERFUL clothes that work as both maternity and non-maternity and a coat that actually closes over my burgeoning belly.  I felt like the luckiest woman in the world!
Anthony, however, had another surprise for me.
On Christmas morning, I was presented with a gift.  A box.  It could have been anything.  I wasn't expecting anything, so I had no guesses what it was.  I tore off the paper like our 4 year old and what did I find?... He had purchased one of the things from my "after baby" list...  Zumba Fitness for the Wii.
Oh goody.  A gift that I so desperately want to use, but can't for another 4 or 5 months (allowing for time to heal). *sigh*
But I couldn't have been more excited, because, even though I couldn't use it yet, we have it now and that's one step closer.

Well, I spent the rest of that day and most of yesterday staring at that box and wishing it were March.  Today, I couldn't stand it anymore.  I opened the package and popped it in the Wii, thinking "oh, I'll just create my profile so when I CAN use it, it'll be all ready".  This led to "well, I suppose just *looking* at the different workouts won't hurt... Just to see".
Well, you can imagine.  After 2 minutes of "just looking", I found myself up and strapping on the wand belt.
5 minutes later, I was panting and laughing and the kids were loving it too.
It must have been a sight to behold, watching me shake my 6 months pregnant groove!  I haven't had so much fun working out since I moved from our Redwood Road apartment and had to stop attending actual Zumba classes.  I loved it so much, I did another one tonight! 

Sometimes, my husband is a genious! *sigh*

Merry Christmas

Another Christmas has come and gone and this year was particularly fun.  Though we didn't have much, what we did have, we made count.
Yesterday was spent visiting our families.  In the early afternoon, we visited my family for a few hours.  I love going down there, even if it's only for a few hours. 
In the late afternoon, we went to Anthony's parent's house and helped them get ready to head to Orem for dinner.  My job was kid wrangler.  It was a fun job.
When we were all ready, we headed up to join the Holmes family for Christmas Eve dinner and an ugly Christmas sweater contest.  The entries were definitely original and... Well, let's call them creative.  (Pictures to follow)
The kids put on a nativity, Alida, however, decided that the baby doll she was "taking care of" down stairs was more important and didn't join the rest.
Santa came to our house and Alida couldn't have been happier.  It took her a few minutes to "wake up" and realize what was going on.  She just stood in place for a few minutes.
Tonight we were joined by the Sheets family for dinner.  They made a spectacular turkey and a cheesecake.  I love having them come over!
We ended the night watching Christmas movies.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

That's how it goes.

Well, as much as I'd like to have gone without getting sick this year, it was apparently unavoidable.
I wish I'd had some warning that I was getting sick.  Unfortunately, it decided to hit me like a bomb in my sleep last night.  I woke up at 6 something and just felt horrible.  I couldn't sleep soundly.  I couldn't even lie down without getting dizzy.  The only comfort I found was on the couch.
Alida has been sick too. Yesterday and today started with her having a fever.  Perhaps going to see the lights at Temple Square last night wasn't the greatest plan.  I hope Alida's cousins (whom were with us last night) didn't end up sick.
As it happens, Uncle Brian is now getting sick.  I hope it doesn't last too long for him.
Anthony is fine (so far) and let's hope it stays that way.
Other than that, there is nothing much to say.  We are all really excited for Christmas this week.  Especially Alida.   We look forward to spending more time with family and seeing more friends over this week.
Love,
The Hunters

The Week Before Christmas

Well, one more week until the big day and I am just about ready to be done with it.  I love the season, but I wish I could just sit back and watch it all happen without rushing around or worrying about anything.  I don't want to set foot inside another store until after the new year, if it can be helped.  I don't want to see another print ad for holiday gift ideas and I don't want to cut out one more cookie.
Don't get me wrong.  I'm not in a "Bah Humbug" mood.  Let's chalk all this up to me being tired and cranky.  I've spent the last 3 days doing so much, that I haven't given the dust time to settle.  This has left me sore and my energy seriously depleted.  (Of course, it is greatly exacerbated by my being 6 months pregnant...)
I have to admit though, I love this time of year!  I love seeing Alida's face light up when we turn on the Christmas lights.  I have loved making the cookies with her and I love how she so innocently tells everyone that what she wants for Christmas is a "princess puzzle that I saw at Walmart".  That is the ONLY thing she has asked for all month.  It melts my heart to hear her little princess voice proclaim this excitedly.  She can also get away with being adorable in the store.
We went to the mall a few days ago and while there, I found the little magnetic picture of Jesus that her primary teacher had given her this past Sunday, so I gave it to her.  While she and Anthony were walking around a store, a sales lady came up to "serve them" and Alida excitedly held up the picture and said "This is Jesus! He's the Son of God!" And all the lady could say was "yes, it is". 
One other fun aspect this year is we have had a mystery family "12 Days of Christmas-ing" us.  Each night there is a knock at our door and when we go out to see, on our porch is an envelope and a treat for our family.  Inside each envelope is instructions, a scripture reference and a story.  On the first day, we were given a CD with the envelope that has 13 Christmas songs on it.  Each night before bed, we listen to that night's song and read the scripture and the story.  It has been really fun and it has opened up discussions with Alida about what Christmas is really about.  We look forward to it each night.
Like I said, I really do enjoy Christmas.  I just think the last 3 days have left me a little drained.
We hope you're all having a wonderful Christmas season.  We love you!
Love,
The Hunters

Christmas Fun

Energy, oh how I miss you.
I decided about a week ago that, with my "cravings" for exercise, instead of wishing for things I don't have or can't do (thank you weather...), it was pointed out that I have a Wii fit, and though I can't do every activity on it, there are still quite a few that I can easily do and get a fairly decent workout.  Alida gets a kick out of it too.  (I guess it's funny watching mommy and her big belly pretend to hula hoop or fly like a chicken.)  The baby seems to like it when I move too.  She is more active when I am active (and understandably so). 
Now, however, I am facing a new obstacle.  This week has brought with it feelings of an oncoming cold, massive indigestion and several head aches.  It has made it hard to WANT to get up and get the Wii fit out.  I spent most of yesterday on the couch.  Today hasn't gotten much better.
I sure hope this clears up soon.

Christmas is coming up fast for our family.  Between trying to do ANY Christmas shopping and trying to keep anything we DO get hidden, it has become a HUGE hassle. 
Alida actually sat on Santa's lap this year!  We've tried to get her to do that for the past couple of years!  Finally, SUCCESS!  Anthony even got a picture of her with Santa AND she had a smile on her pretty little face!  (I'll post it when he gets it to me.)

We hope you're all having a wonderful Christmas season so far.
Love,
The Hunters

What's in a name?

Now that the news is out that we're expecting a girl, the most commonly asked question we get is "what are you naming her?".  Short answer: we don't know.
To avoid telling people we don't know anymore, we've decided that, until she is born and has an official name, we will be calling her "Lamasu" (pronounced "Llama-Sue").  (For the reference, please refer to Star Wars: Episode 2).
We know this won't please those that really want to know what names we're considering, but, oh well.
Rest assured, we ARE thinking about names.  We just choose not to share them right now.
Love,
The Hunters