Snow Piling

     We call it snow piling. It's this thing my kids and I like to do in when there is enough snow that they have to plow the parking lots. The best snow mountains are at the mall but we've been asked to leave twice from there and seek other Everests. We race up, slide down, toss off giant snow balls and generally just enjoy the snow without anything besides our mittens and imaginations. We've even brought the dog a few times. As  long as he is racing around he doesn't get too cold. It is good to be us, (even if I am beginning to lose at the races up the hill!)

Another November Birthday

Besides my own two November birthday boys we celebrated another November birthday with part of our Fort Collins Family, Ted Beck. It's been great to have him sit with us in church, join us for holidays and dinners, hear him be silly with the kids, talk, laugh and share recipes. We even initiated him into the club with the official Hutchins' Birthday bite. Happy Birthday Ted!

So, it's a little fun

I like having two girls. I am so glad Ruth will have a sister to share all things girl. I hardly ever go shopping if I can avoid it, but it is a little fun to dress them the same when we get matching hand-me-downs.

Little man turns 3!

In an age of Instagram and Facebook I'm going to continue with the family blog, at least for a while. This little guy turned three right before Thanksgiving. I made 4 pies and 1 cake on his birthday and we ended up freezing half the cake and two pies so we didn't go into dessert overload. A breakfast doughnut tower, family trip to Fly High trampoline zone, and a few age appropriate gifts later we were all tuckered out. Although he has finally discovered the word no (unfortunately) most of the time Lincoln is a delightful little boy. He has just started Sunbeams, loves to sing, enjoys being read to, loves to play chase and tickle, can recognize his letters and knows what sounds they make, and is still totally squeezable. He told me this morning, "David is awesome and I'm his little buddy." (I wonder where he got that from... ) Lincoln does make a great little buddy. Oh and instead of "hero" and "zero" he says "herio" and "zerio", it's pretty cute. 

Seven Seven, I'm in Heaven

 Someone has had a birthday. And Someone loves to read Magic Tree House books. And someone likes to play chess, board games, and ride to the neighborhood playground with his brothers. This someone also likes to practice the piano even when he doesn't have to. There is still a whisper of those chubby baby cheeks in his cutie. We love you Mac Stack!

12 months

A sample of the pictures I've been posting all year of baby girl. Starting with her new born photos in the top left going clockwise with month 7 in the middle. We couldn't be more in love. 

Birthday girl - 1 Year

Miss Alara is one! She has blessed our home and our life for the past year and is a bright little light where ever she goes. Alara's face glows whenever she has true communication with another person, especially when she understands what is being said to her. It is a mixture of words and signs such as , "bath, brush teeth, book, dog, kisses" etc. She loves to play with Clarence our dog by patting his back and holding his tail. She also loves to lay on him using him as a pillow. Clarence tolerates her overtures quite well. Alara plays peek-a-boo and gives high fives. My favorite 'Alara moment' this month, however, happened when I was comforting Lincoln on my lap and Alara toddled over and put her head on his back and started to pat him too, showing him her sympathy. She was a WONDERFUL baby and has shining prospects of being a delightful toddler.

Height: 2'5.75"   68%
Weight: 19lb 15 oz   51%