SOCCER

It's fall soccer season again! When Hudson was playing baseball this spring, he wasn't interested in the possibility of any other sport. Baseball ended, though, and summer rolled around. That led to the opportunity of golf clinic at the country club for a few hours each Monday. He LOVED that! Then when soccer sign-up time arrived, he was ready to entertain this sport again, too. This fall season, we're playing in Brighton, which is just more convenient for us because it's closer to the house! He is having a good time. He's only had a few games, and I've gotten to go to only one, but he runs up & down the field happy as can be! (Twirling his hair while he's running, I might add, which drives his daddy crazy! ha!) He's not necessarily in the thick of things, but a competitive spirit will come soon enough. I'm just glad he's having fun! Cade, of course, would love to be in the thick of things, but age/birthday puts him out for one more season. Hold on 'til the spring, little man!

Way to go, buddy! You are awesome! We are so proud of you!

**Note: Howie took a few pictures at his first game. They weren't the greatest. Sorry! And, for the record, from what I could tell, at his second game that I attended, he was MUCH more into it!

A little fun after the game with cousin, Wesley!

Looks like another underage driver!

PRESCHOOL

Hudson began 4-year-old pre-k this year at a new school. He was very excited! He loves school! He is going five mornings a week this year. He is really enjoying himself... making new friends and learning a lot, too. We are very proud of you, Hudson!!! We love you!

Cade misses Hudson when he is gone, but he likes the one-on-one time at home, too. Plus, whatever Hudson brings home that he's been working on at school, Cade thinks he can do, too! So he's learning a lot, too! He's even learning Hudson's Bible verses! Way to go, Cade!

Happy 1st Birthday, Eli!

Our nephew, Eli, turns one-year-old tomorrow. Happy 1st Birthday, Eli! What a special day for this sweet, little guy! We've been lucky enough to visit with him & his family twice this month - once earlier in August, and this past weekend, too, to celebrate Eli's birthday with him.

Proud big sister, Mia...

Yummy cake!

The big kids & cake...

Wesley was sure to get his share of the goodies, too!

Hope you had a super-fun, special party, and have a happy, happy birthday tomorrow, too! We love you, Eli!

No training wheels!

In mid-July, Daddy and Hudson decided it was time to give the bike a go with no training wheels! Who would've thunk it?!?! It worked! After a few hours of Daddy running beside Hudson, he was off on his own! What a super-fun night! Daddy got a little extra exercise (ha!), and Hudson has a new skill that he is so proud of! He liked riding his bike before, but now he loves it, and really feels like a big boy!

Ideal Summer Days

Riding 4-wheelers together through the sprinkler...

Reading a book with Daddy...

Napping on a rainy day...

Water Park

In mid-July, our church had Vacation Bible School. Maddox went with Hudson this year, and they had a blast! At the end of the week, all children & their families were invited to a fun night out at a nearby water park. Mommy, Daddy, Aunt LuLu, & Aunt Candi all came to watch Hudson, Maddox, & Cade splash and swim, and have a great time! The water park offers a little bit for all ages. The most inviting attraction is a HUGE waterslide. The boys were willing to try it out, so Howie & Laurel went up with them for a test run. When they reached the top, they were reminded that the kids could not wear "swimmies" and had to go alone. Yikes! They all made it down happily, though, and rode the slide several more times, too! It was a lot of fun.

Here comes Maddox!


Hudson is next! (Check out his expression! :)


And guess who this daredevil is... Yep! The 2 1/2-year-old, Cade!

JULY 4th

A month late, but, HEY!... It's getting posted. :)
When we drove in from our vacation in Florida, we went to the Via's in Bells for a quick July 4th celebration. Rain couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of the kids, at least. They swam & played, ate, and eventually got to watch a few fireworks when the rain stopped.

Thanks for having us! We enjoyed it very much!