Monday, February 21, 2011

2 and a Half Year Old Fwabowits (Favorites)

Me: Jesstine, what is your favorite color?
J: Bwoo.
M: What is your favorite toy:
J: Messy Tape (measuring tape)
M: What is your favorite place to go?
J: Wah Maht
M: What's your favorite food?
J: Umm, gwapes!!
M: What's your favorite TV show?
J: Max and Wooby!!!
M: What's your favorite treat?
J: NemNems (M&M's)
M: What's your favorite book?
J: Max an Wooby book!
M: What's your favorite movie?
J: Pwincess Uhpunzzle (Repunzle, ie. Tangled)
M: What's your favorite animal?
J: Pwatapus (a little brainwashing from one of our babysitters and good friend, Kara who taught her to say platypus)
M: What's your favorite sport?
J: Bassetball
M: What's your favorite thing to do?
J: Pway!!!!
M: Who's your favorite person?
J: DUMPTY!!!

In Him,
The Hutchins'

Sunday, February 20, 2011

From Snow to Sun

It was a 74 degree day here on Sunday, February 20. So, we enjoyed some play time at Jesstine's BFF's (Best Friend Forever) house. Kylie got a power wheel as a gift when her brother was born in August. Jesstine was DEATHLY afraid of it. Then one day, she all of the sudden decided that she liked it. Kylie was happy to let her ride along!



In Him,
The Hutchins'

Friday, February 18, 2011

Winter Zoo Trip

This time last week, we were still digging out from just under a foot of snow. It was like that for the last two weeks actually. This week we have had temps in the 60's and 70's. Just enough to torture us into thinking it was spring! As we have a zoo pass, we figured it was the perfect opportunity to take a trip to the zoo. Jesstine was a bit cranky, but the upside to that was she went right to sleep for nap when we got home! Here are a few photos from our trip.


Jesstine loves the amphibians and reptiles building. Here she is with her BFF looking at a snake.

There has been a bear sighting!!!!

Wait for it...wait for it...

There it is! Time for a girly squeal!!!

Best friends!

Glamor girls posing in front of the gorilla statues!

Where's Jesstine?

There she is!!!

Last stop, the chimps! This one was actually playing with the baby on the right. The chimp actually kissed the glass when the baby was up next to it!! It was also trying to touch the baby's face and stuff through the glass. I believe this is the mama chimp that just had a little baby right before winter.

In Him,
The Hutchins'
Sorry for the poor quality video. I always catch these moments with my camera phone. It actually turns out better because they are much easier to post on the blog this way! Notice her own twist to the song, "Shoo Fly" at the very end.



In Him,
The Hutchins'

Bottom Rung

I am amazed at how much Jesstine has grown. It was about this time last year that we were at the park in our neighborhood and she needed help to get up the ladders to go down the slide. Now she is climbing it all by herself. I had to post this video so I wouldn't forget how careful she is to climb up and she even has to touch the very bottom rung before going to the next. And then of course she completely goes over the second one without using her feet on it!



In Him,
The Hutchins'

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Ballerina in Training!

She reminds me of one of those little ballerinas in the music boxes that go around and around!



In Him,
The Hutchins'

I WOOF YOU!

Jesstine got a funny puppy dog for Valentine's Day from her Grandmom. She was enamored with it! See for yourself!



In Him,
The Hutchins

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Valentine's Day

Valentines day is known for being the day of love. It is kind of crazy because it became a holiday in memory of a martyred priest. You can find the details here. I never really cared for Valentine's day. It isn't because I don't have someone to love. We all know that is far from the truth!!! Twenty four years ago, on Valentine's Day, my grandfather died of a massive heart attack.
(Trying on a toupee at the Kansas State Fair. I always thought this photo was funny because I never knew him to have much hair nor does my mother who obviously was around him more and longer than I ever was!)

It was so devastating. Some of you are probably wondering how a 4 year-old can remember. I do.

I remember being told in the car ride home from my aunt and uncle's house. I remember I was in the back seat of our Chevy Citation and I bit the arm rest that was in front of me. I am sure if you were able to find it sitting in a junk yard today, you could still find holes in the vinyl. Some of my fondest childhood memories include him. Some of the earliest memories I have include him. One of my favorites is when I was playing with an old camera. He came strolling by and I asked him to smile and say, "Cheese!" He was more than happy to oblige. From what I understand he often told people of that same story and described the joy he had with me that day.


(My sister, Grace (age 8), and I (age 1) at Grandpa and Grandma's farm where my mom grew up.)

Even at 4, I understood the tragedy of losing my grandfather. He really was one of the only strong male role models I had growing up. Perhaps that is why it has impacted me so much.

(This is the picture that always pops into my head when I think of Grandpa. Here he is in his Kooties uniform.)
(Grandpa was a cook in France during the Korean War. Here he is in uniform. Similar to the picture below.)
(This is a drawing I did in high school of Grandpa in his Army uniform. I gave it to my grandmother and she displayed it proudly next to the photo I used as the model.)


I remember praying from the time I was a little girl, for God to send me a man that would love me. I thought at the time that I was praying for a father figure or another Grandfather like the one I had lost. Little did I know, my prayers would be answered many years later. God knew my heart and he knew what I needed. He delivered, but not in the way that I had anticipated.


In the summer of 2001, my younger sister introduced me to the song leader at the church that her, my mom and my brother had just started to attend.
(My sister, Ola, in 2003 or 2004.)

At the time I didn't think much of it. A few months later, I met him again at a Halloween party. His pick up line was unforgettable! I believe it was some thing like, "Hey, you're Ola's sister aren't you?" As he said this he ran his hand over my spiky blond hair.
(Stephen and I around when we started dating.)

Little did I know that a year later he was going to ask me to marry him.
(Engagement photo)

I truly found what my heart needed when I found Stephen. I couldn't ask for a better partner to travel through lifes ups and downs with.
(Wedding day, March 15, 2003)

We have had our fair share, but I know that I can always turn around and find his open arms there waiting for me.
(Our little family, Spring 2010)

So here's to you Handsome! On the day of love. I want you to know that you have helped bring joy to an otherwise sad, sorrowful day!


(Our little family, January 2011)

Love,
Babe

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Family's First Snowman

Well, we got more snow this week. We are tired of snow, but it did give us the opportunity for a family first and a first for Jesstine as well. We FINALLY got to build a snowman! We had to wait until it was starting to melt in order to make one. The weather had been too cold to keep a snowball together for the first couple of days! So here is our Shocker Snowman!

Learning how to roll the perfect snowball to start the base of the snowman!

Putting on the finishing touches!

No snowman is complete without a Shockers scarf!

There!

A job well done!

In Him,
The Hutchins'

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Snow Day

Well, there have officially been four snow days this year. So, what is there to do on a snow day? When God gives you snow, make snow ice cream!!!



Fill a 1 gallon pitcher with clean snow. Had I been thinking ahead I would have put this out in the snow while it was still snowing! Then I would be guaranteed to get clean snow. After you get your snow pour it into a large bowl.


Add 2 cups of milk.


1 cup of sugar

And 1 tsp. of vanilla.

Now stir it all together.

Add your favorite toppings.


And invite your neighbors because it makes a LOT!

If you would prefer you can drive through the snow to the store and purchase some ice cream instead! Easier said than done when there is a 3 ft. snow drift in your driveway!

In Him,
The Hutchins

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Prayers

Jesstine's prayers:

For her food:
"Deaw God, Fank you for a wonderful day. Fank you for dis food. Bess it shu shu ah bodies. In Jesus name AAAAmen."

When Daddy goes to work:
"Deaw God, Fank you for a wonderful day. Fank you for Daddy go to wowk. In Jesus name AAAAAmen!"

Bedtime:
"Deaw God, Fank you for a wonderful day. Fank you for Mommy. Fank you for Daddy. Fank you for DESSStine! Peas gibe us a good nih's seep. In Jesus name AAAAmen!"

In Him,
The Hutchins