The big 2.

Cannot believe it, but Judah is another year older. It is funny how even when it is happening before your eyes you still cannot believe it. It is going by so fast, just as you all said it would. He is changing so much, just as you all said he would. He definitely is getting even better with age. When I think he can't get any cuter he does. He definitely has his moments of non-cuteness but over all he is pretty much a love muffin. In just the past couple of days I feel like his personality has changed. He got a hair cut yesterday and it is like when she cut his hair he all the sudden felt free. Or maybe he just hit the terrible twos right on cue. He is not being terrible just crazy. Like just a little while ago before we put him to bed he was head banging and singing (as much as he can) "another one bites the dust". He is definitely Dave's child. Anyways this year with him has been fabulous. When I think I can't love him anymore I do. He has taught us a lot, and hopefully we have taught him a thing or two. He really is for the most part a very sweet, tenderhearted kid and I am so thankful I get to be his mommy. By the way he stopped calling me mama and is calling me mommy. Don't like that one bit. Some of the things he learned or memorable moments of the year were... Starting to ask questions and answering our questions, laughing at silly things, becoming a major trickster, learning to play alone, learning every ones names and repeating them constantly, saying little prayers, singing and dancing to music, saying I love you, giving hugs and kisses.

Here are some of the festivities from his birthday...

Went and saw Santa

Spent time with Daddy

Had a little party with the family

Some of the guest

Got lots of awesome gifts from everyone

That he spent hours playing with later

Had some cake (made by Dave)

Had an incident with a candle

But got over it very quickly

Ended with a family photo:)

This is him before the haircut.

I guess he always had a little crazy in him!

Sweet Judah

I pray for you

everyday

that you will grow

into a man that loves

the Lord

and seeks His will

That in trials and tribulations

you will always turn to Him

That you will be kind, strong,

and show grace to all those around you

That God will give us wisdom in guiding you

That you will always feel loved

and always know that we are here

for you

Love you like crazy,

Mommy and Daddy

Hot pocket.

In a momentary lapse of judgment I bought Judah a fish. What? why? what was I thinking? I know, I know. It is much better than the kitten, chicken, or bunny I have been eyeing. I have a lot of faults, but this is one of the ones that annoys me the most. I LOVE to buy animals. It is really stupid because I don't really like animals. I like the idea of them, and I like to look at them in cages, and I love baby animals, but once they are mine they just annoy me. Especially now that I have Judah. They are not nearly as cute, they smell, they shed, you have to give them tons of attention, and when you don't give them said attention you feel like the bad owner that you are, and lets be honest they don't really give much back in return. But when he saw that fish and his eyes lit up and and he squealed and kept repeating fish over and over, I just couldn't say no. At least it was under $5 and doesn't have a very long life span. I think Judah has the same problem as me because after about 3 minutes of being excited he hasn't noticed it again. or maybe he is a two year old:) He did adorn it's bowl with his prized possession. His bubble bottle. He carried the bubble bottle around and used it for everything before the fish. to eat, to drink, to put his other prized possession in (his car). He probably was just trying to get a drink and it fell into the bowl, but it will stay there now. No more drinking out of it now that it has fish goo all over it. Wow I am really just talking about nothing now. Hopefully none of y'all will think less of me now that you know my true feelings about my pets. By the way I like other people's pets because I can leave them. I hope no one that is into peta reads this, if so I am going to get some nasty comments. ok, I'm done. stopping now. by the way his name is Hot Pocket.

Thanksgiving...A week late!

I have several things to blog about including cutting a tree down, trying to take a family photo, and Judah's new pet "hot pocket", but rarely have the time or energy lately. And no I am not pregnant. Just tired for no good reason at all. I will try to get on the ball this weekend.

But while I had a minute before I pass out while Judah naps, I thought I would give you a look into our Thanksgiving.

We spent a lot of time with family.

All the family that is left at home.

Wonderful parents.

Jenna's Family.

Karis's Family.

My family.

Keighley's family. (More of these to come in a later post)

It is fun to see all the branches growing from the tree:)

Cousins

and more cousins.

The whole fam except for Micah, Cole, and Garrison (who was napping).

After eating and taking family photos

we moved on to our new family tradition...

The boys sat around and played with media devices

While the girls and a couple guys, including my hubby,

made gingerbread houses.

She was definitely one of the cutest gingerbread makers.

In all the craziness Judah took a moment to pray,

I know he is such a sweet kid.

Just kidding I have no idea what he is doing.

We also got to see Grandpa Dan.

(We saw mimi and papa too, but mimi asked for no pics:)

We have a lot to be thankful for as you can tell.

Family, friends, food.

Laughter and love.

but non of this would be in existence with

out an amazing Father who loved us so much

that He sent His Son to die for us.

We are very blessed and undeserving!

We love you all!

Here is a little preview of us trying to take Christmas card pictures.

Busy, busy, busy.

Things have been a little crazy at the Gunter house. Working, a little dogs itting, Christmas business, and just life in general. I don't have anything specific to say, and haven't really had time to take photo's, but just wanted to check in and update while I had the time. Just in case you were wondering Judah is still the cutest, sweetest, and smartest almost 2 year old you have ever seen. He is talking more and more ever day. Starting to ask for things in full sentences and also responding with a answer that actually has something to do with what we were talking about. Whenever he says Thank you he says "Thank you, Your welcome". Which is adorable. He is learning to play by himself, his favorite thing to play with is cars. He lines them up, pushes them around, even makes the cute little noises. It kinda makes me sad that he is growing so fast. So many changes, so quickly. But I am thankful for a happy, growing child. He has been loving the hugs, kisses, and cuddles. FINALLY I have rubbed off on him. He has also started talking on the phone. Just earlier he said "hi daddy, ok ok, bye bye daddy" He likes the phone as much as his dad:) He repeats everything we say including when we yell at the dogs or people in traffic.

More news at the G-household. Dave SHAVED! Thank the good Lord. I could not handle it much longer at all. It is so nice to be able to see my handsome husbands face. and that is about it as far as updating. I will try to get some photos soon. Hope y'all have a fabulous Thanksgiving!!!

Granddad Homer was kind enough to make this rocking horse for Judah. I have fond memories of the one we had growing up.It only took him several weeks to get the hang of it:) Isn't he getting so big!

This is how Dave felt about shaving.

This is how I felt about him shaving! Smooth pics to come soon.

Likes and dislikes.

Gonna do some likes and dislikes again. I need y'all to come up with a better name for this, because like and dislikes is lame. Anyways here goes...

Likes~

1. Campfires with the family

2. Watching Judah hang with his friends and Judah's friends:)

3. Crazy hair

4. Daddy/Judah time. And not only because that means I get alone time:)

5. I have really been digging baking and cooking this week, which is totally out of character for me:)

Chicken pot pie from scratch, even the veggies. Yes, there are veggies in the bottom.

Apple pie. I even picked the pecans from the front yard for the topping. WHAT??? I know, crazy right? For some of you people this might be normal. for me it is not. ( I know it looks disgusting but it was AMAZING)

French toast and bacon cupcakes for mom's bday. Sounds weird, but I heard they were great. I never got one because the mouse that is living in our kitchen ate part of mine.

6. Halloween and fall. Anything fall.

7. Birthday girl (yesterday), Karis!!! She turned the big 30 this year! I love you so so much and you are a fabulous sister. You are so hard-working, fun, creative, thoughtful, stylish, beautiful, and super caring. You have three beautiful children that reflect what a great person you are. You are a fabulous mother, sister, daughter, AUNT, and friend:) Thank you for always being there for me and loving me so well! Happy Birthday!!! I love you!!!

Dislikes~

1.Sick baby boy. He has had a rough few weeks.

At least I get cuddles:)

You thought his hair was poofy before???

2. MICE. This one might be kinda cute, but I still don't want it to live in my house.

3. Not getting to be what I wanted to be for Halloween. I am a big baby, huh? It was a family costume. I will give you a hint. Anyone that knows (which is probably everyone) Don't say! I plan on doing it next year.

4. Not being able to rearrange my furniture. I like to rearrange when I clean, but because I have so many doors and windows it is impossible. Very frustrating. but not the end of the world:) I don't have a pic for that.

5. A child who is addicted to Popsicles and suckers. That is what happens when the Dr. tells you to give them all the time when they are sick. If I never heard those 2 words again I would be a happy lady.

And no they were not this kind. They were the cheap icey pop ones. Maybe I should make these:)

The terrible two's

I am not sure if it is the terrible two's or the fact that we didn't lay him down at his normal 7:30 bedtime, but my child threw a tantrum like I have never seen today. He is a little obsessed with anything fun anyways. Stuff like bubbles, cars, painting, coloring, etc... He kinda goes crazy when you take it away from him. One second he is this sweet, cute, bubbly little kid painting and the next he is some snotty, screaming, demon baby when you tell him it is time to stop painting. I was just trying to be a good mom and do a craft with the little stinker. Little did I know he was going to try to rip my curtains off and start smacking the dishwasher (literally). It kinda makes me want to never do anything fun. Now before you think Judah or I are crazy let me say that he is usually THE SWEETEST KID EVER. He just really likes painting, I guess. and I am probably a little crazy, but most people like me, or they keep hanging out with me. Anyways being the great mom that I am I OF COURSE was taking pictures the whole time.

"oh painting, how I love you"

"Need a little blue over here"

"I am doing good"

"Got some on my hand might as well use it"

"WHY, GOD, WHY???"

"How could you do this to me, mama???"

"I will show her to never take paint away from me by running around the kitchen screaming

and ripping that curtain down that she loves so much"

"Ahhhhhh...Ahhhhhhh...Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

So what does every good parent do to calm their child down?

Gives them ice cream and takes them to Noni's.

I know, I know that's not really good parenting,

but desperate times call for desperate measures.