a tradition rolls on…

This past week, Hudson met his Kindergarten teacher at Meet the Teacher night.  Boy, was that a bit odd being on this side of the evening!  Hudson really liked that there is a housekeeping center in his room.  The boy is going to be a master chef and make some girl very happy!  I could do a whole post on meaningful and purposeful play for early childhood rooms, but that’s not the point of this post….needless to say, I was well pleased! :o)

Hudson liked his teacher a lot, and the funniest part?  Her name is Mrs. Smith.  He thought for a while that meant Mommy was his teacher, but after meeting her at school, I think it is all straightened out.  An extra bonus is one of his good friends, Caleb, is in his class too.  That made going to meet the teacher a little softer on his tender heart.

After we sat through Kindergarten Orientation, Daddy and Mommy took Hudson for a special treat at a local creamery – they make their ice cream on site.  It is delish!  Hudson feasted on “Cookie Munster” (Cookie Crisp and Cookie Dough in Vanilla Ice Cream).

In our district, the big kids start 2 days before the little ones.  Hudson will officially start Kindergarten on Thursday, but we had a back to school party with our friends the Lehmans tonight as the big boys headed back today.  Riley and Hudson were both excited about their turn to join the school ranks in 36 hours.

Growing up, my mom and dad always had  a “back to school” party, complete with a back to school cake and a small gift.  We wanted to continue that tradition, so after our delectable cookout, we feasted on this….thanks to a great mom and dad for little traditions like this that made Bryan and I feel special – hopefully it will do the same for these cuties.

(Hugs, B-Rax, Banana, Tater, Ri-Man)  I’m looking forward to the day we can pull out a few years’ worth of these pics and compare them :)

Big Brother Reading to Little Sister

What have we been doing?

We’ve been up to our elbows in this….

and this…..

and this…

We’ve canned quarts and pints of “isaac’s pickle mix”, peaches, garlic/tomato/basil sauce, chopped tomatoes, pizza sauce and pickles.  Stay tuned for the results.

But that’s what I’ve been up to.  You know, me and my Martha Stewart-wanna-be self. (and a few delightful friends).

house tour

Well, I was firmly reminded last night via Skype (ehm, Tracy – this is for you) that I haven’t updated any pictures of the new pad.  Actually, tonight was the first time I uploaded ANY pictures to the computer since we moved in, so reader beware, I have much blog fodder to share.  (Now I just have to find the time to share it…)

This will mainly be pictures  of the house, so not a lot to tell – just lookin.  Enjoy.

The backyard and the view….love it.  It looks over farm land.  We already really enjoy having dinner and doing art projects on the deck….That’s Uncle B with Anna at a recent dinner.

 

Daddy likes having a yard to mow again. 

The kitchen and family room.  The deck is out the sliding glass doors.    

 

 

 

 

 

This is Hudson showing off Daddy’s Super Nintendo which was found in the unpacking process – he’s pretty excited.  This is the basement – lots of space to play and be crazy!

 

The hallway upstairs…it overlooks the entry at that big window.

I do laundry much more often now that it is on the same floor as our bedrooms – I actually remember to change over the clothes!

Anna’s big girl room – pale green walls and kelly green/pink accents.  She loves having a space she can play in.  In the mission house she couldn’t really have toys in her room – it was really a very small office we used for her crib and changing table.

Hudson’s airplane room.  He still wants to be a pilot….so it was nice to keep that theme going!

 

The kids’ bath – fishies.  Aqua walls, orange, navy and green accents.  They like that there is a potty closet-privacy!

Our bedroom and bath.  Calming colors and a nice retreat.  Not a lot of decorations anywhere in the house yet.  Those are my last boxes to unpack – plus, I need to live somewhere before I can think about where to put things.

 

And this?  This is your room.  When you come visit.  Heirloom solid cherry furniture and handmade quilts.  A bed and a closet just for you.

Thank you Lord for your blessings.  We are humbled by this gift and overwhelmed after 2 1/2 years of waiting. 

desired default setting: prayer

Today I was thinking about prayer - how can i be using my idle time and use it more efficiently...like in the shower.  Hello, five minutes I have to myself (well, most of the time without little people in and out of the bathroom).  Instead of mindlessly standing there, how can I more effectively use that time to protect others in prayer and honor my Savior. 

Interestingly enough, I popped on over to www.scripturedig.com this evening.  Today's topic?  Praying for your spouse.  How it needs to be a daily and pro-active prayer, not a reactive prayer.  And not that I don't lift Chris up, but how it needs to be the same as breathing.  I want it to become so natural to converse with God that it is my default setting.  If I am not saying something aloud, then it should be with God.  So true - really, not even just with our husbands, but life in general.  How many of our prayers could've been reversed to thankfulness instead of desperation?  Just a thought.

I felt like this verse was good to ponder upon for the day, because it has given me much to chew on...

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NASB

Aunt Dana and Dutch Places

We’ve been able to meet Aunt Dana and Katelyn at a great kid’s theme park this summer to enjoy some time together.  On this particular day, Daddy joined in on the fun – but I think we skipped the water park portion.  Anyway, these pics were too cute not to share.

Bulldozers away….Hudson graciously rode with his sister so that she didn’t cry the whole time.  What a good big brother!

Daddy & Hugs driving – wait, Hudson is driving – watch out road!

Katie and Anna – 2 peas in a pod.  Really.

 

…..and the mama pods like to have fun too. :)

my crazy kid

Hudson in the car today:

“Look Mama!  That lady has garden gnomes in her yard!”  (insert mass amounts of laughing from Mommy….)  How in the world does my crazy kid know what a garden gnome is? !?

Once upon arriving home and reading a can of (gasp!) Spagettios that I was making for lunch. (What can I say, they love them and they do have a full serving of veggies!):

“Mom, this can says six essential vitamins and a full serving of vegetables.”

Wow, his kindergarten teacher doesn’t even know what is going to hit her.