A little down time...

In some ways it seems crazy around our house these days... in others, it seems almost quiet. There is a lot going on... yet there isn't a lot going on. Anyway... here are some pictures from a birthday party we all went to back in November. The girls' hosting are the same ages as the boys. They had a "petting zoo" party in their backyard complete with a turkey, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and a horse! WOW! Everyone had a great time. Here are a few pictures of our boys with some of the animals. Enjoy!

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Cade loves "hurses"!

Hudson went for a solo ride, too.


Both of the boys held the rabbits. They were very gentle.
Here, Hudson has a wiggly guinea pig, and Cade has a rabbit.


One last ride together before the "hursey" had to leave.

Thanksgiving, Part II

We did have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. We greatly enjoyed all the time we were able to spend with our families. It was a super start to this holiday season! We love you all!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving time is here again! It's hard to believe that this time last year, Howie & I were sharing our decision to move to Tennessee - for Howie to work here, and for us to be closer to our families. We give thanks for this, and many other joys and opportunities the Lord has given us in this last year...

Our sweet, angel boys, of course... Watching them grow & change is always so amazing! And their relationship with each other has become that of, not just brothers, but "best buddies", too.

Being near our families has been wonderful! Nothing can compare to being able to spend time with each other.

God has truly provided for us, as well. We have a nice home here in Tennessee, and now we can say it's the only home we own! Hooray!!! Our house in Georgia sold this week!!!

Howie is enjoying his job, and the change of pace it has brought. He's been challenged in different ways, and is learning new things. The clinic has also brought me a "one-day/week job", as well as new friends.

As always, we're grateful for our health and our safety.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.

His love endures forever."

Psalm 136:1

Cade's Birthday Party

The Freeman & Via families gathered once again this past Saturday to celebrate Cade's birthday! We are very blessed to be close enough to come together for such happy events! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR BEING HERE!!

I think everyone had a good time. The children certainly enjoyed themselves - playing together and eating cake & ice cream! YUM! Cade loved having his cousins around, and really liked his "tractor cake", too! He wasn't very interested in opening his presents, but he's sure had a great time playing with them!! THANKS, again...

We love you all!

Happy Birthday, Cade!

Our baby boy, Cade, is 2-years-old today!
CADE - You are growing & changing so quickly!
You're now 34 1/2 lbs, and 36 1/2 inches tall... Plus, you talk up a storm, are pretty quick on your feet, and are becoming more & more independent, too. Some things haven't changed, though... You still love your "boppy", and think your big brother is the funniest person around!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, baby boy! WE LOVE YOU!!

Halloween

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2008!

"Diego" (Hudson)

"Thomas the Train" (Cade)

In Concert

NOW SHOWING!

The Freeman Brothers

featuring Hudson Freeman & his new guitar!

(performing at various times on various dates in various rooms of our home)

ENJOY!

Cotton Pickin' Time

One of the greatest luxuries of being back in Tennessee and closer to family is the ability to participate in special events - like cotton pickin' time! The local kindergarten classes usual field trip out to various farms in the county to learn a little bit about agriculture and to experience picking cotton - by hand, that is! The boys & I traveled to Cacki & Papa's house to take part in this activity ourselves. We had a really good time! Andi Cate and Brooks were participating, also, so that made the trip doubly-fun!


I tried really hard to get them both to look & smile at the same time, but there were way too many distractions! HA! Happy pickin' boys!


Hudson & Andi Cate were a true cotton pickin' team! Hudson carried the bag while Andi Cate picked the cotton. (Both did what the other didn't want to! HA!) They scaled the field from one end to the other!


Cade was a slow movin' picker, but he did fill his bag about half-way. Brooks, on the other hand, was his own cotton pickin' machine! He had his bag filled in no time!

Thanks, again, Cacki, Papa Ross, Aunt Candi, and Aunt Sa-Sa! We had a fantastic time!

Hudson's Birthday Party!

Hudson had a SUPER birthday party on Saturday, 10-18! It was extra special because all of our families were present! WOW! From all of us, thank you for your love & kindness.

Happy Birthday, Hudson!

On Wednesday, October 15, our first baby boy turned 4-years-old! My how time flies! HUDSON - We love you, and we are so proud of you!!!! Happy birthday, big boy!!!!

A trip to the ZOO

Hudson has been on Fall Break this week, so, on Monday (10-13), my mom came down and we took the boys to the zoo. This was another fun activity for Hudson's birthday week, and it was Cade's very first trip to the zoo! They were both excited, and so was I. We were all really looking forward to seeing the animals at the zoo... and they did not disappoint! WOW! What a super day!

First highlight of the day - the giraffes. There have been two baby giraffes born at the zoo recently. The second was actually born the Friday before we were there! The giraffes were the first animals we stopped to look at, and guess what!!! - both baby giraffes were out! What a cool way to start the day! The boys were pumped for the rest of our visit.

Second highlight of the day - the tigers. Hooray! The tigers were out! They were sleeping, but they were viewable. Cade talked about seeing the tigers ALL DAY. "Tiger scare Mowgli, Mommy. Tiger scare Mowgli," he'd say... And if we heard it once, we heard it a thousand times! Ha! (He's obviously seen Hudson's movie, THE JUNGLE BOOK.) They are beautiful animals.

Third highlight of the day - the polar bears. The polar bears are fed at 1:30, so we thought, if we were still at the zoo, we'd try to go see this. Boy, am I glad we did! We got there a little early, and there was one polar bear out. He was resting, just hanging out, in the water. About 15 minutes before feeding time, the two females came out... and the show began! The male & one of the females played and wrestled and swam and chased and on and on and on... It was GREAT! They were REALLY fun to watch!

It was a FANTASTIC day at the zoo! All of the animals were super to see - the elephants, otriches, hippos, big turtles, etc. We can't wait to go back again!

4-wheelin' Fellas

Hudson & Cade each have a new 4-wheeler!!!

Howie & I have gone back and forth on what kind of riding toy to get them, when to get it for them, yada, yada, yada... We knew we wanted to get Hudson something new. He's driven his tractor for two years (& LOVED EVERY MINUTE!), plus he's getting a little big for it. I was hoping it would work well long enough for us to "pass it down" to Cade, but the tractor has seen its last days. Hudson really wanted a 4-wheeler, so we decided to get BOTH the boys a battery-operated 4-wheeler. ... If we got the 4-wheelers for birthdays, Hudson would get his first & Cade wouldn't have anything (which doesn't go well around our house). If we waited until Christmas, the weather is a lot yuckier, so...

We got the 4-wheelers this past weekend, and the boys are LOVIN' 'EM!!! The first time they rode them around, they both had these big grins spread all across their faces. Hudson is more "into" it than Cade, but both have asked to ride everyday. Hudson's is big enough to ride a friend. Cade's is a little smaller, but plenty big for him. He's got to learn to watch where he's going & to steer! Ha!

They are a joy to watch! We hope they continue to enjoy them & be safe on them. I see tons of 4-wheelin' fun in our future!

The countdown begins!

A fun-filled week has begun at our house... It's almost Hudson's birthday!!!! The big day will be here very, very soon!!!! He is SO EXCITED!!!! (And Cade has been singing "Happy Birthday" for weeks!)

This past Friday, October 10, Hudson first got to celebrate his birthday at preschool. Hudson treated his class (and Cade) to soccer ball cookies & balloons! He was so proud to share such a special day with his friends at school!

And, he never hesitates to let you know how old he will be... 4!!!!

Hudson's first cousin, Maddox, is in his preschool class, too. Everyone had a blast playing outside after Hudson's special snacks!

We were so happy to celebrate Hudson's 4th birthday with his friends at preschool! What a super start to his birthday celebration!

"... and then went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good things the Lord had done..."

1 Kings 8:66

Sweet Angels

Hello! Back again... Couldn't resist trying to post this short video... Hudson wanted to read to Cade for his night-night story the other night. That was great with us, and Cade loves it, too, so Hudson sat in the rocking chair with their "Stinky Face" book. Cade joined him, & he began "reading". Howie & I watched in amazement because Hudson knew almost every page and I can't remember the last time we actually read that particular book with him. Cade was really enjoying it all, so we grabbed the camera to try to shoot some video of such a sweet moment. The second book - and the one their actually reading in the video - is the "Polar Bear, Polar Bear" book. (Cade chimes in a little bit on that one, too.) It's a little dark and the volume is not great, but I hope you can make it out well enough to enjoy it as much as Howie & I did!

Busy, busy...

Hi, all... Not much to say today... Just trying to relax & enjoy a little "quiet time".

These days we're just busy with all the normal stuff. Throw in trying to get ready for two upcoming birthdays plus doctor's visits & follow-ups, and you've got one crazy family! Ha! I know you all "know the feeling". :) Keep smiling & hang in there!

Here's to hoping picture day at preschool turns out well...

My three mowers...

Remembering Summer...

Since we're officially into the Fall season, I thought I'd look back at a few of my favorite pictures from the days of summer 2008!

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"Me & Cade are gettin' a little swimmin' pooly" -Hudson Freeman

The pool is ALWAYS a great place to hang out in the summertime! Both boys really enjoyed swimming this year. Here's Cade playing in our backyard wading pool. They had a blast playing in it on hot days, as well as going to some of our favorite BIG pools - Uncle Ru-Ru & Aunt Sa-Sa's, Mr. Russ & Mrs. Vicki's (especially if Katie was there!), and the country club. (They LOVED jumping off the diving board!) We're already looking forward to what they'll be able to show us next year!

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"I pay sandbox, Mommy" -Cade Freeman

The backyard sandbox is also a HUGE hit with the boys! They LOVE to get in there and get dirrrrty! Ha, ha! Boys will be boys, but I love 'em!

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"Moooom, I'm ready for a snack!" -Hudson

"I eat sack, Mommy" -Cade

Awwww... This is one of my favorites! Hudson & Cade are enjoying snack together in PawPaw's old recliner. Gran found the cute "Cars" shirts... and these brothers really are BEST BUDS!

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"Up-heres, Mommy" -Cade

"MOM! Can I help?" -Hudson

My little chefs! Hudson & Cade LOVE to make (and eat!) pancakes! Making this "special" breakfast is one of our favorite weekend activities.

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"Look at me!" -Hudson

"I got" -Cade

Silly, silly boys! Hudson & Cade love to get into Mommy & Daddy's closet! They love to play hide-n-seek in Daddy's shirts (which Daddy is not so fond of - ha!), and wearing around our shoes is a fun challenge for them. They actually do really well!

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I'm reminded to enjoy every moment... they're all a gift.

"This is the day the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Psalm 118:24

And another new baby!

Introducing Wesley Howard...

Baby Boy #2 arrived to Aunt LuLu (Laurel) & Uncle Keith on Tuesday, 9-23. Wesley weighed 8 lb. 2 oz., and was 20.5 inches long! He is a handsome boy! We are thrilled that Wesley is here, and that mom & baby are doing great!

Wesley's big brother, Maddox, is very proud of him! He was so excited to introduce us to him when we got to visit on Wednesday! He will be a good helper for his mommy & Wesley.

We also got to visit baby Jesse this week. She is a sweet baby girl! Andi Cate & Brooks showed off their baby sister, then enjoyed playing with Hudson & Cade.

Hudson and Cade love all of their cousins, and have a super time playing with them every opportunity they get! We all are grateful to be back in Tennessee, and enjoying the "closeness" of our families!

Another new baby...

On Thursday, 9-18, Uncle Ru-Ru (Ruste) and Aunt Sa-Sa (Sara) had Baby #3! Andi Cate and Brooks have a beautiful baby sister! Jesse Grace weighed 8 lb. 1 oz., and was 20" long. Everyone is happy and doing great! We are blessed to have another precious baby girl as part of our family!

Officially a "Soccer Mom"

Yes, it's true... I am officially a "soccer mom". Hudson had his first game on Saturday, 9-13. He had SO MUCH FUN! And he was very proud of himself, too. He's playing in a 3-4 year old league, so the kids ran around, they followed the ball, they kicked the ball, they made a few goals... It was great! Hudson would come by us and just smile & run! We are thrilled that he is enjoying himself... and we're enjoying watching him, too!

Hudson's cousin, Maddox, is playing soccer, too. (What cute soccer boys!) Both boys are blessed with a wonderful family that came out in full support for their first games this past Saturday. THANK YOU EVERYBODY! WE LOVE YOU!

Preschool

"Back to school" has finally rolled around for us, and Hudson could not be happier about starting his new preschool! Hudson has always enjoyed going to "school", but in a new place with new people, we were a little unsure how it would go. Never fear! Hudson is having a wonderful time! HOORAY! He walked right in on Open House night, said HELLO to his teacher, and went to playing! On his first official day (9-3), I had to call him back outside his room to tell me "bye"! And after his first full week, he hasn't lost his enthusiasm. He brings home a folder everyday that lets us know how his day was behaviorally and we get to see his work. He LOVES going through his folder with us and telling us all about what's inside. We are so proud of our big boy!!!

Cade misses his big brother while Hudson is at school, but he's started attending a Kindermusik class once a week. He's being introduced to all kinds of things about music - instruments, play, dancing... Cade is having a lot of fun! We are so proud of our baby boy, too!!!

Labor Day Weekend

The Freeman Family had a great Labor Day weekend!

We spent a few days over Labor Day weekend in Nashville. We went to see THOMAS THE TRAIN!!! We love Thomas! We even got to ride on "coaches" pulled by a real THOMAS engine! Uncle Grumpy (Ryan) and cousin Mia came, too. It was a hot day, but we had fun!

Then we spent the afternoon visiting at Uncle Grumpy & Aunt Sweetie's (Karen) house. Mia has a new baby brother, Eli. He's a sweet baby boy. We were so happy to meet him & to play with Mia, too. What an extra special day!