Pancakes

My boys making pancakes on Sunday morning

Church picnic

Sunday was our annual church picnic. One of my favorite things about our church is the people. We have made some great friends and it is always fun to just hang out with them. Hudson carried this water balloon around for an hour. Then he put it in the diaper bag and asked me to bring it home.

Snow Cones!

Brandon was a hit in the dunk tank. Not sure how much money he raised, but there was a line of people ready to dunk him!

Go Tara!

Saturday morning we were out of the house at 7am to go see Tara in a crew race. She goes to UCF (University of Central Florida). This is their only home race of the year and we really wanted to support Tara. We really enjoyed the race & the boys loved watching the boats. Hudson's favorite part was when they picked up the boats after the race. he would scream to each team, "pick up your boat". Hudson looking for Tara

Connor watched Bruce yell for UCF & then he just started screaming "Go UCF, Go Tara!"It was pretty cute.

Tara & UCF won easily!

While waiting for the race Connor went to this port-a-potty to pee. He ran back to the crowd & screamed "Mom, I peed in a truck". The whole crowd laughed together.

Town fair

Friday night was our little town fair. We met up with Brett, Erin, Ryan & Olivia for some family fun. The kids were more than happy to eat corn dogs for dinner.

We let Connor try the target game. He loved it!

The guy who ran the roller coaster was awesome at getting the kids psyched up for the ride

Ryan & Connor must have gone through the fun house 20 times!
Even Hudson & Olivia liked the fun house


Thank goodness for Erin! This ride would make Brandon sick and I had just gone to the chiropractor that morning. I think she took the kids on 5 times.

Every time Hudson stood up on this ride Connor sat him back down. What a good big brother.

Hudson rode the big rides & then cried on the little firetruck.

I did not like this ride!
Ryan was not exactly happy to have to ride with Olivia, but he toughed it out for her.

Elders meeting

Last night I went to an Elders meeting. At the end of the meeting one of the Elders said that she could not leave without saying on record how moved she was by our last supper service. Then her eyes filled with tears and she told us all how moving it was and how it set her in the right frame of mind for Good Friday. She could barely contain herself.

When I served as a Deacon I got to help people one on one. Phone calls, meals, that sort of thing. Being an Elder is much different as I get to help out with big projects that concern the entire congregation. It felt so good to know what an impact our service had on her life. Who knew helping people felt so good? I only wish that Brandon and the other men who took part in the service could have seen the look on her face and heard her words of praise and gratitude.

Where's my belly button?

I realized the other day that Hudson has never seen his belly button. His belly is slightly round and therefore he just can't see it. So, we showed it to him in the mirror and he was very taken with it. Now he comes up to me during the day, pulls his shirt up and asks where it went. I have to reassure him that it is still there and then the search is on. It's my new favorite thing he does.

I found it!

That was hard work!

Reading

Brandon has spent 10 minutes per night for the past month and has taught Connor all of his letter sounds. I actually heard our little guy sounding out 3 letter words the other night. How cool!


I wish teaching paid better. Brandon is such a gifted teacher and has patience that I can only dream of. Thank you honey for all you teach our kids.

Up in a tree

Let's go fly a kite

Cool Janet got Hudson a kite for his birthday, so we took it out for a test fly...

school picnic

Tuesday at Connor's school the parents were invited to have a picnic with the kids. Brandon and I both went and had a great time with Connor & his friends.

As usual, by the end of the picnic Brandon had the attention of the kids.

I was going to write a commentary about how shocked I was at what some of the other parents brought for lunch, but I decided to let it go. But, I gotta say that coca-cola and Doritos does not equal lunch when you are 3. There I feel better now.

Maundy Thursday

OK, stop complaining! I'm all caught up!

This neuropathy thing is still with me & it isn't very easy to type so I am going to catch up with some picture blogs. I feel OK, just that my arm is tired. Got a new Doctor and going to chiropractor, so hopefully I will have this thing gone in a few more weeks. Until then I will probably be updating with mostly pictures.

Last Thursday Brandon participated in a worship service at church where we recreated the last supper. Each "disciple" had a speech to give. Brandon (and the rest) did a great job. It was a very moving service. Brandon played John. His speech was perfect and I have no idea how he held that pose for so long, but he made it look easy.

Easter, finally

The kids had a great time on Easter. They ate more candy then I usually let them have in a week. Their baskets also had monster trucks in them so they were supper excited.

Connor made bunny ears at school

Hudson had to try them on too!
Your going to make us wear matching shirts & hold hands?

So, I only had one problem with the whole day. I guess I never thought about it before, but the Easter Bunny has absolutely NOTHING to do with Easter. I looked it up to figure out what to tell Connor about the bunny. It is a pagan fertility symbol. Great! So, we really played down the whole bunny thing. It's just that I grew up with a very selfish attitude about holidays. I never knew why I was celebrating anything. Just that I was getting something. I really want our kids to know WHY. So, we explained what Easter really is, in a way a 3 year old can handle. But really the whole bunny thing is not sitting well with me. Of course I am not going to take away the bunny or the basket or the goodies, but I was glad that after they got their baskets they never mentioned it again. And when you ask Connor why we celebrate Easter he says "It's when Jesus got to go see his Daddy".

More Eggs

Last Saturday we went to the local park for an Easter egg hunt. More like an Easter egg run and grab, but it was fun!

The best Dads in the whole world!

Hudson & Olivia waiting, patiently...

I always wonder what they talk about when they are alone.

Easter Eggs

Happy Birthday Hudson

Mmmmm, cake!
Hudson got a bike for his birthday. How long until Brandon takes off the training wheels?



Yeah, transformers!
All Hudson wanted was cake.

Happy birthday to our 2 year old!

I can't believe the little guy is 2 already. The time has flown by. He is such a special little guy. Let's face it, he's not that little. Just had his physical and he is in the 90% for everything. 36" tall, 34 lbs and his head is, well, large! He can hold a conversation and has a smile that will melt your heart. He is a great cuddler and has tons of love to give. But watch out if you cross him. He has a great memory and does a great deep scary voice. Hudson never backs down from anyone. He is ready to kick butt at any time. I have to remind him sometimes that he is bigger than the other kids and needs to be gentle. I have a feeling that is a conversation we will have many times throughout the years. I love you bubbalou! Happy Birthday!