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...