Our Christmas pictures

So I could go on and on, but I think I should put the rest of the pictures on picasa and put up a link later. We had a Merry Christmas and look forward to spending it with all of you next year.

Our quiet Christmas

As all of you know, we stayed home for Christmas this year and it was fun, I guess.  I will say that I am excited to spend Christmas next year with all of you.  It was quiet and a little boring, but it was nice.  Noah didn't get many gifts and we got even less, but it was just fine.  I think our best present was the stool that Kurt MADE for us.  We LOVE it!  Noah carries around (no joke) and tells us that it's his chair-it is his perfect size.  So thank you for that and your other presents Kurt and Heather.  Anyway, we had the missionaries over for dinner and 2 families from the ward.  We had the most delicious ham and kraft pudding dessert and we did the puppet show but I haven't gotten around to putting it on YouTube yet.  It isn't that funny because we didn't sing ourselves but it was fun because only the men participated.  The only bummer was that Noah refused to take a nap which made for a fight and a long day.  The last picture is when Noah crashed 45 minutes before our company arrived.  Oh well, at least he slept.  All in all, we had a really good Christmas.  

Christmas

Well, I looked through our camera and we didn't take any pictures at the Hutchinson Christmas this year. Maybe we forgot the camera at home. But I'll put up a few from Christmas with the Wilhelms.



This is actually with my mom's side of the family, the Mathers. My aunt bought my grandparent's house so we got to have another traditional Christmas in Boyne City. We are truly blessed to have the whole family together after a loss. My dad made a toast and we all got a little emotional. On a lighter note, Harvey got a lot of cool presents but these glow sticks from the dollar store that Santa brought him were the real hit of the evening.

This is an image from a video which is why the quality is so poor. This is an ugly little mole on a spring like a yo-yo. My brother brought it back from Germany. Again, this was the least expensive toy Harvey got but by far the most played with while at my mom's house by not only him but all of us. I'm sensing a theme.

Harvey was an expert at unwrapping presents by the end of the day.


We'd tell him who the present was from and then he'd insist on going and opening it with them. It was really cute and I know everyone appreciated his excitement. Christmas is so much more fun with kids around.

Opening another present with Papa.


Now for just some silly pictures. Harvey is getting to be quite the character. He has recently hit a sassing back stage but he's also coming up with some silly ideas all his own too.



Here he's packing up for his trip Up North. He wouldn't get out until I came in and him and Kurt could show me.


Like father like son. Harvey and Simon (Joe's son) in their first gaming session.


I can't believe he actually fit in this basket. What a silly boy.

Hope to see some other peoples pictures soon now that the holidays have settled down. Hope everyone had a joyous time.

Christmas pictures

I've been watching the blog hoping that you guys would put Christmas pictures on it, but no one has, so I'm asking for them. Since we didn't see any of you on Christmas, will you please put a picture or two on here so we can see how it went?

Hutchinson 2009 Christmas pageant

Here is the You Tube video.

Nativity Song

Jim's video wasn't that good (mine isn't great either but is better than Jim's) so I am posting mine. It is a nice tradition that will continue for as long as we have enough people to perform it. I think Mom enjoyed watching it for the first time (although, didn't Kari play one year so Mom could watch?). We had a very nice evening together and enjoyed everyone who could be here (we missed those who couldn't but appreciated everyone being here for Thanksgiving).

We hope that the Christmas holiday brings special memories to all the special people in our family.

Thanks for the video picture frame; we think it is great!

We love you all!

Guess what? The video is too large to load on this blog. I will upload it on YouTube as Hutchinson Nativity Video 2009 (or something like that). I'm sure it will be a big hit; just like last year's.

Christmas!

I'm sorry we didn't all get to be together this year for Christmas, but I thought those of you who weren't able to come would enjoy seeing Mom and Dad open the gift we gave them. It turned out to be a hit, except the frame doesn't have a shuffle feature, so we'll probably have to shuffle the pictures on the card ourselves if so desired. We also sang the Nativity song this year (a great tradition, thanks, Mom). I "tried" to play the song so Mom could actually watch (needless to say I still need some polishing). I guess the play was pretty funny, but I'm not sure because my back was turned to the play itself. Everyone seemed to be laughing a lot and enjoying themselves a lot. Jim took a video of it. Maybe Mom could get him to post it for us. Anyway, Merry Christmas everyone and we hope you all have a wonderful time where ever you are. Can't wait to be together again next year!

For those of you who forgot

Sunday was my 25th birthday.  I had a great day, we had people over and ate a delicious dinner and had a yummy cake/ice cream/cookies.  Now my car insurance will be less and I can rent a car.  Wohoo!

33 Years Ago!

On this day, 33 years ago, Bill and I got engaged! Here is the entry from my journal for that day: " I met Bill in town after work and we ate and went Christmas shopping. He'd brought his ring along because he was trying to decide if he should marry me or not. We got all the way to Shuback's window, but he just couldn't go in. So he took me back to my car. I took the ring and put it on and told him that I was going to wear it. We went to Marie Calendar's for a piece of pie and Jan Garr saw the ring and thought that we were engaged. I tried to convince her that we weren't, but I couldn't. So after she left, Bill said, "Do you want to be engaged?" And of course I said, "Yes." So he said, "All right, we're engaged." I thought he was kidding, but he came home with me and told Dad, Mildred and Loren that we were engaged. I'd almost let myself believe it except that he's just using it as a test to see if the Lord really wants us to get married or not. Judging from past experience, I don't think that Bill will be able to marry me, and it will be called off." Not very romantic and I was obviously skeptical about the whole thing, but he went through with it and I've never been sorry he did!

I had a fun time doing Addie's hair today (I am so lucky that she lets me do it, I love it) and she looked like Medusa. She thought it was great anytime she caught a glimpse in a mirror. Here are her before and after pics.

Macie is sick and feeling pretty crummy. Sick babies are so sad, there is just so little you can do for them. She's been sleeping a lot, throwing up a lot, crying a lot, and wanting to be held A LOT, A LOT--a great combo. (Well, the sleeping part isn't so bad.) Addie has been great at trying to help out and still gets her to smile when I can't. Addie really is a wonderful big sister. Here they are in a blanket fort a few days ago. I thought it was so cute that Addie wanted to read to her.

I made this sign for my neice, Chaela, for her birthday. I think it turned out really cute. I enjoy painting these name signs. Someone from my Stroller Strides class asked to pay me to make one for each of her two sons, and I'm excited about that. My friend Corrine thinks I should try to sell some at local craft fairs and I'm considering it. We'll see!

Heather, Kurt, and Kari, would you mind taking a picture of the ones I made for you and emailing them to me sometime? If I end up doing a craft fair, I'd like to have them as examples in my "portfolio." (That sounds so official!)

Jason's finals are done on Wednesday and I am SO EXCITED to have him back!

Your wish is my command

Okay, since there is so much interest in the pictures I took at Thanksgiving, I am now adding them to the blog. Sorry my camera cut off the tops of your heads Kari and Eric. Other than that, hope you all enjoy them.












One last shot of Dad studying. We won't see that again for awhile.

where are you???

Doesn't ANYONE have anything else to say about our family photos? I thought there'd be tons of comments by now!

Family Pictures 2009 (66 photos), by William K. Hutchinson

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

family pictures

I sent you all an email with the link to snapfish to view our family pictures. I tried to add the link to the blog but I wasn't able to do it. I'll keep trying and maybe I'll figure out how.

Yeah new baby!

Congrats to Heather and Kurt for their exciting news. We are so excited to have a new family member on the way!

Great day

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Sadly, our camera doesn't have any batteries in it so I haven't taken any new pictures in a long time. I prefer adding posts with pictures, but oh well. And, you know what's really sad? I only took TWO PICTURES from our entire trip to Michigan for Thanksgiving. TWO. I can't believe it. Any that you may have taken, I would love to have. I'm really annoyed with myself. Oh yeah, and Mom? Have you seen our family pictures yet?

So...back to our GREAT DAY. This morning Jason completed his first half marathon!! I am so proud of him. It was only 24 degrees when they started, and only in the low 30s when he finished...and, for Memphis, that is COLD. He did awesome. He finished the 13 miles in 2 hours 8 min, which put him at a 9:50 minute mile on average. He wanted to come in under a 10 min mile, so he reached his goal! I am so proud of him. Again, our camera is dead so I have to get pictures from our friends. Once they send them to me, I'll post them. It was exciting to see him complete this big goal, and do such a great job!

This evening our ward participated in the city parade. We had a little float, and then some of us walked behind it and sang Christmas songs from the hymnal. Our float was called, "Christmas at Home" and showed a family having Family Home Evening. My puppets even made it in the parade! The children on the float played with them, acting out the birth of Christ during FHE. (They all loved Jason's wise men.) It was great getting out there and showing our neighbors that the Mormons really are Christian and sharing the Christmas spirit with all of them. Some of the spectators sang along as we walked by. I really enjoyed the experience.

All in all, a great day. I look forward to the rest of this Christmas season. I love saying Merry Christmas to everyone and seeing the spirit of Christ become so present in those around me. Oh, and I lovelovelove Christmas songs on the radio!!!

Time for new background

Come on Jana, if I can change the Hicks' blog background, you can change ours. :)

Our family is sad

I think it's so sad that we haven't had any posting for like three weeks. Wow, that is so sad. I have to break the streak, not that I have anything that great to report.

We brought some goats back to our house. Fay wanted to get rid of them so that Kim wouldn't have to look after them any more. So we have the goat Lexi had for fair and two other ones. They are all female and we are hoping to use them to breed and have babies for our kids to take to fairs in the future. We'll see how that goes. We only have a lean-to for them for shelter. We're hoping to build them a shed, but I don't know when that will happen.

We had a great time for Thanksgiving. It was such a blast to be able to hang out with all of you guys for as long as we were able to. I wish we could do it more often. Now we're back to the old grind and trying to hang in there until Christmas break. We put up our Christmas tree and other decorations on Monday. Ever since then Jaxson has been bothering me about his presents. I don't know if I can stand hearing about it (and hearing all the whining) for 20 more days. Man is he ever persistent.

Today I finished my final paper for my chemistry lab and the exam paper questions for my chemistry lecture. I did my chemistry lecture on Tuesday. I'm so glad things are winding down. Most of the work I have left are for my math and accounting classes. I can't wait to be finished. Next semester I have four classes again, but only two days worth. It will be so nice to not have to be at campus every day of the week. I have two online classes. I think it should be a schedule I can handle (although I thought that of this semester too, and ended up feeling overwhelmed, so we'll see).

Wrestling is in full swing with last night being the first meet and Saturday being the first tournament. I don't know that the pay Charlie gets is really worth all the time he puts into it, but I know it's something he really loves, and that is the only reason I put up with it. I'm going to be so glad to have it over. Although his pay from it this year will help us put braces on Lexi's teeth. Yep, that's right, she's getting braces. They go on in a little over a week. She isn't excited, not that I can blame her, but she will appreciate it in the long run. At least, I do.

That's about it for right now. Hope everyone else is getting back to normal lives since break and gearing up for Christmas. I think we are finished buying presents. I love that feeling.

So far, this is our itinerary. Everyone is invited to do all of it (please, join us for FHE and at The Fly Trap!) or just the major things. I just want to spend as much time as we can together--because we're all so stinkin' fun to be around!

Tentative Thanksgiving Itinerary:

Sunday night- Kari and Jana, and their respective families, arrive in town, dinner at Hillary's (time to be determined)
Monday: chill out all day, FHE (put on by the Hairs), Kari and Eric go on a hot date
Tuesday: lunch or dinner at The Fly Trap in Ferndale (featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives!)
Wednesday: spend day at Bronners/Frankenmuth, family pictures in evening
Thursday: Turkey Bowl, Thanksgiving, Book Club/Block making and painting
Friday: Black Friday shopping

I spoke with Mom and she didn't say that this wouldn't work for her, so I assume it's pretty ok. I still have to speak with Wendy and see when we can come see her.

Kurt, would you be able to cut those blocks for me? Should I ask Charlie? Do I have to buy the wood?

As for Black Friday... Jason wants to buy a laptop and BestBuy apparently has the best buy. Ha! Anyhow, each store only is going to carry 10 of them. We are newbies at this, how early do you think we'd have to be there to snatch one up? Get in line at midnight? Ugh, it will be soooo cold. Just wondering what you seasoned Black Fridayers thought.

I really can't wait to come. I am excited for Addie to play with Harvey and Noah and Hillary's girls. I am excited to play Carcassonne. I am excited to sing with the piano. I am excited to have everyone hold Macie and tell me that she's cute (yes, you MUST do that). I am excited for the holidays with all of you!!!

When will we do it all?

I thought I would list all of the things that have been talked about doing while everyone is here for Thanksgiving, because I'm wondering what kind of a time table we'll need to do it all. Kari wants to go to Bronners and Friday morning shopping. Jana wants to go to a diner in Ferndale. We are going to have pictures taken on Wednesday evening here at the house. We need to find a time to have our book club discussion. The Hicks are doing the turkey bowl Thursday morning. We need to plan a time to make the blocks. And of course, there is the Thanksgiving day meal, which I would like to have everyone make a dish for. Hillary called last night and volunteered to make the rolls. Dad will do the turkey and gravy, I'll do the pies, and that leaves potatoes (mashed and sweet potato), some kind of vegetable dish, and the traditional (for Mom) cheese whiz filled celery. Stuffing comes out of a box, and anyone can do that. I think we can go to Bronners and the diner sometime between Monday and Wednesday since not everyone needs to do those things. But we still need a day for doing the blocks and book club. We could do the two things at the same time (talk about the book while we do the blocks), that would save time. I thought it would be easier to figure these things out here, in one place, rather than trading emails back and forth.

How is Harvey?

Because of various stupid situations, Noah has not and will probably not recieve the H1N1 vaccine before we come.  But the nurse at the doctor's office told me that if Harvey is better when we get there then he is not contagious anymore.  So my question is, is Harvey better or almost better?

H1N1 in the House

Looks like Harvey might have come down with the H1N1 flu. He was pretty sick yesterday and last night. He spent most of the evening vomiting and wouldn't take any fluids till this morning. He seems to be feeling somewhat better today but he's still not taking in a lot of fluids and he isn't eating much at all. His fever is down at least and he hasn't thrown up since bedtime last night. Our doctor called in a Tami-flu prescription for him. He couldn't keep the first dose down but we gave him another dose this morning. We're hoping that the meds will help us get through this a little easier. Harvey has never really been this miserably sick. We're going to be hanging out at the house for the next couple days. The doctor said to plan on 5 to 7 days out of daycare (and work for me) before he's healthy enough to go back. Usually when I stay home with him I can get a couple hours of work done each day but right now he requires full time attention and cuddles.

Hope everyone else is staying healthy.

What will YOU be doing in 2014?

I know like that sound like far away, but what will you be doing in 5 years from now?  I can tell you what we will be doing...attending Eric's graduation from medical school!!!!  That's right, my man got into medical school starting next fall.  I am incredibly proud of him and am excited to finally know what we will be doing for the next...well, until we die I guess.  Congrats babe!  You've worked hard for this.

What the Hairs have been doing

Our family walked in the annual "Walk for Sight" that was partially put on by Jason's school. Here we are, all five in our family. Jason, me, Addie, Macie and Stroller. Aren't we a nice looking bunch? (Oh yeah, and I'm wearing a pair of jeans I haven't been able to wear in a while!)
We have been spending a lot of time outdoors. This is what each of us did at the park the other day.
We had our first "sleepover" in nearly 2 years. We take our mattress out into the living room and watch movies until we fall asleep. It was fun to do it with the girls, but very squishy!
And, finally, here we are for Halloween. I made Addie's cat costume (tail, headband, cat bracelets) and Macie's duck costume is always a hit. We had fun at the ward Halloween party, nand trick or treating the next day. We've done Halloween at our friend's house each year we've been here, and their tradition is to have Weeny Stew (basically broth, hot dogs, onions, and potatoes). It's not the greatest in the world, but a funny tradition. We may pick it up.

F.Y.I.

Just thought I'd update you with the newest happening in our family. I was just called to serve as the young women's first counselor. I've served in young women before, but never really felt comfortable there. I still am not totally comfortable with it yet, but know that it will be good for me. I'm looking forward to it and hope to do a good job. I'm just glad that Lexi and I get along pretty well so that by me being in young women won't cause too much conflict for her.

Charlie finished his class last week. He got an A. Wrestling starts tomorrow. I'm going to be a single mom again for the next few months. I'm glad he gets to do something he loves, but not glad for me and all the alone time I'll have:(.

Everyone else is doing well. We all enjoyed Halloween and trick-or-treating. Although we didn't last very long because it was cold. My kids started to complain and wanted to go home, so we did after only about an hour. I wasn't too upset, but couldn't believe that my kids gave up so easily, especially Jaxson and his stomach.

I hope Heather and Harvey are feeling better. We missed seeing you guys. But we'll be seeing you at Thanksgiving, at the very least. Yeah for holidays!