Hudson's Two!

Well, it happened. The baby is two...and what a fun time we had celebrating it! We are having a joint birthday party for Kennedy and Hudson in Utah next week, so this was small scale, but we couldn't let the actual day go by with out a little bit of a celebration!

Luckily on Sunday, Daniel, Amy and Jace came to visit, so we really did have a party. Talked, played, ate all day, good times!

For those of you who weren't there, which is pretty much everyone, now you can feel like you were...sorry for the picture overload. I can never make up my mind...

I found this motorcycle for Hudson last week, and I could hardly wait to give it to him. I was probably more excited than he was! His reaction didn't disappoint. Love at first sight! He had a really rough time letting Jace have any turns, sorry Jace! I promise any other day of the year he has to share...

He also got a little toy four-wheeler, a toy school bus from Kennedy and some little puppies from Jace. All of his favorite things! All of which he has slept with both nights since...

Kennedy and I got him some balloons, one of them with the Sesame Street characters on it, and he was thrilled. For some reason, he thinks "the Count" is awesome. Probably because I do the awesome-est "count" impression when I read to him, that may be why, but he was tickled with the balloon. Today it is flat, but still loved. It will probably be around for a while...

Kennedy and I made Hudson his own little cake (for some reason the cute "H" out of M&M's melted into the blue frosting), which he loved having to himself, while the rest of us enjoyed cupcakes and Amy's delicious fresh peach pie. He was in heaven. We put it in front of him and he waited patiently while we sang and all helped blow out his candles. He had a few little licks of frosting from his finger, and then asked for a fork. I'd like to think it was manners, but I'm sure it was just because a fork is more efficient...Best meal ever. :)

TWO soon...

So, my Huddy Buddy will be two on Sunday...whoa! That is so scary to me, for several reasons. Unfortunately, his baby weight is going NO WHERE. Probably not called baby weight after two years...That is whole other post, however...

More importantly, that milestone, turning 2, pretty much means he's a kid now, and not my baby. All the signs are there- he's learning how to back talk, he gets his own snacks, he actually gets a little air on the trampoline, he fights with his sister ("Kididee-JAE!" screamed/grunted angrily by Hudson, is frequently heard around our house)-but I really didn't see it coming until I was wrapping some b-day presents for him this morning. I'm really sad he is growing up so fast! We have really been having a lot of fun together lately, though. I have loved our schedule since Kennedy started school. Mornings are our time. He loves to go for a walk or bike ride with me, and then we just play! He is so cute, and loves outside. I'm trying to spend as much time as we can out there right now, before it gets to cold. We are already having frost in the mornings - fall is here! I always want to remember how much fun he is right now - copy-ing everything thing I say, particularly telling Tahoe to shut-up - whoops -and just generally being a ball of energy. I love it! I love that I am able to have this amazing, fun job - being a mom.

Playing outside...burning off a little of that incredible energy...

Swinging...he pretty much shuns the baby swing now...NO!!!

He loves to kick the soccer ball around, and don't tell Kennedy, I think he is the better dribbler...

TWO TOO SOON!

Late Happy Birthday...

Happy Birthday Dad! Just pretend this isn't a little late...things have been crazy around here, like always!

Just wanted to give him a little love on his birthday, and say what a great Dad I have! He is the funnest person to be around, and we always have so much fun together. Kennedy and Hudson just adore him! Kennedy loves having someone who loves treats and Cal-Ranch as much as she does, and Hudson loves having someone who loves treats and toy tractors as much as he does. It breaks my heart that they don't get to see him everyday, and really appreciate what a great guy he is.

He will never know, he and Mom both, how much I appreciate the huge effort they put into having such a great relationship with my kiddos...heck, all of us here in Rexburg, despite the distance. Every dance recital, preschool graduation, and just for fun visit is not unappreciated, and especially the letters! It makes Kennedy's whole week to find a sweet little colorful note in the mail from Grandpa Jay. Sometimes complete with a drawing! What a guy!

I have always loved the fact that he has never been afraid to show affection and makes sure that you know he loves you! I treasure the notes, too, Dad! You have taught me lots of things, like how to drive a stick shift; how to change my oil, but also that it is so much nicer to pay to have someone else do it for you; that expensive ice cream is always worth it. Also some really important things, like how to treat the ones you love, and how to have an excellent marriage...

Some of my very best traits come from you, and I'm happy to have them...a strong sense of family and loyalty, my testimony, a penchant for nice shoes and pens...the severe weakness for ice cream, maybe not so much, but hey, life is better when you stop for a treat...Definitely words to live by!

Sorry we couldn't spend your day together, and we can't wait to see you soon! Love you Dad!

Quite the week...

This week, wow. I feel like I'm on a roller coaster, lots of highs and lows! Here are some random ups and down...

We found out on Tuesday that my little nephew Rhett is back in the hospital, apparently now with an obstruction in his bowels, the POOR GUY! He cannot catch a break with his health lately. He's had another surgery, where they removed the obstruction and his appendix. I'm totally feeling his pain, I had mine out when I was 16, and it hurt! And he's only 4! We have been praying and worrying like crazy. Hopefully he will have a speedy recovery...

We love you Rhett!


We are also having some fun. It is almost the beginning of Birthday/Holiday season here at our house (Hudson's birthday is 9/28, Kennedy's 10/8...hmm....maybe some long cold winters 2 and 6 years ago? :), then our anniversary 11/20, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Dustin's birthday 1/22 and mine 2/19...whoa!) and the planning is most of the fun! We are having a joint family party for the two munchkins, and Kennedy is trying to talk me into a friend party too...


I've decided to be a little ambitious for Kennedy's birthday, and make her a blanket, she loves her very own blankets, and she doesn't have one from me, so I tried. I finished it during Hudson's nap today, and I was so proud of myself. No, seriously, my head is HUGE right now. I will for sure post a pic after I give it to her. After I cleaned it up and let Kennedy back into the play / scrapbook / sewing room, I was on such a high, I made 3 barbie sleeping bags and some drawstring bags for toys. Kennedy thinks I am awesome, and so do I. Please don't tell her that the sewing skills I have are not even up to par with 6th grade home-ec...

I also had a scary moment during my sewing high...I broke a needle on a really thick part of the blanket, and the broken off needle seriously flew at my face and nicked my eyebrow. Can you believe that??? I didn't realize I needed PPE to sew (personal protective equipment, for those of you not familiar).


My little gally-vantin' partner ready for school, off to share family secrets...



I've really never been that worried about what Kennedy says when I'm not around. That all changed this morning. While I was helping in Kennedy's class, we were cutting and pasting, and Kennedy was saying that she is quite proficient from helping me scrapbook. The other helper mom, who for some reason, always stares at me disdainfully, while wearing her mom-jeans and her mom-hair-do and sucking up to the teacher (dont' worry, no way will she ever read this) says "oh, does your mom like to scrapbook?" and Kennedy says, "yep. She likes to scrapbook and gally-vant. That means shop. She likes to gally-vant and scrapbook. But my Dad doesn't like it when we go gally-vantin' because we spend way too much money." I seriously had no comment. Still don't...


ps - thank you for so many interesting words that only our family knows what they mean, Grandpa Jay...


I did some family pictures last night for the cutest family, it was so fun! It looks like I might be doing some engagements and possibly another wedding! I'm still in shock that my favoritest hobby has occaisonally brought in some $... Definitely not enough to counter-act all the gally-vanting, but every little bit does help... :)

We also found out about a new little NEPHEW coming into the family on Dustin's side in February, and we are pretty excited about that. If our siblings will please just keep having babies, you will keep my baby-hungry-ness at bay. Please keep them coming.



Well, that just about covers it. Thanks for listening.

Zucchini Brownies...Yum!

Kennedy and I made these yesterday to take to a party, and they were AWESOME, very moist and chocolatey, and the best part is, they are healthy...they have zucchini, they have to be.

RIGHT?

...we added chocolate chips and baked them in a 9 x 13 pan for about 3o mins. They were delish!

Recipe below...

We had FHE with all of the nieghbors that live around us last night. We were the youngest family by, oh, minimum of 20 years, but it was fun! We have some great people living around us, and of course, Dustin being the old-at-heart guy that he is, fit right in. The only bad part was that Hudson, being the TWO-YEAR-OLD that he is, stuffed so many Oreos in his mouth at the same time, he puked...luckily I caught it, (only partly in a napkin, don't you love motherhood??? and why do old people always have white carpet???) We were supposed to take a 5 minute lesson/story, and, being the spiritual giants that we are, here was our spiritual message:

Bran Muffins

The couple were 85 years old, and had been married for sixty years. Though they were far from rich, they managed to get by because they watched their pennies.

Though not young, they were both in very good health, largely due to the wife's insistence on healthy foods and exercise for the last decade. One day, their good health didn't help when they went on a rare vacation and their plane crashed, sending them off to Heaven.

They reached the pearly gates, and St. Peter escorted them inside. He took them to a beautiful mansion, furnished in gold and fine silks, with a fully stocked kitchen and a waterfall in the master bath. A maid could be seen hanging their favorite clothes in the closet. They gasped in astonishment when he said, 'Welcome to Heaven. This will be your home now.'

The old man asked Peter how much all this was going to cost. 'Why, nothing,' Peter replied, 'remember, this is your reward in Heaven. '

The old man looked out the window and right there he saw a championship golf course, finer and more beautiful than any ever built on Earth.'What are the greens fees?,' grumbled the old man.'This is heaven,' St. Peter replied. 'You can play for free, every day.'

Next they went to the clubhouse and saw the lavish buffet lunch, with every imaginable cuisine laid out before them, from seafood to steaks to exotic deserts, free flowing beverages.'Don't even ask,' said St. Peter to the man. This is Heaven, it is all free for you to enjoy.'

The old man looked around and glanced nervously at his wife. 'Well, where are the low fat and low cholesterol foods, and the decaffeinated tea?,' he asked. 'That's the best part,' St. Peter replied. 'You can eat and drink as much as you like of whatever you like, and you will never get fat or sick.This is Heaven!'

The old man pushed, 'No gym to work out at?''Not unless you want to,' was the answer.'No testing my sugar or blood pressure or...''Never again. All you do here is enjoy yourself.'

The old man glared at his wife and said, 'You and your bran muffins. We could have been here ten years ago!'

Zucchini Brownies

INGREDIENTS
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 cups grated zucchini
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan.
In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, salt, soda, cocoa, and sugar. Combine eggs, zucchini, oil, and vanilla; blend into dry ingredients.
Bake for 20 minutes in preheated oven. Cool in the pan, and then cut into bars.

Little Squirrels...

Sorry, more on our garden...We have yet to have any tomatoes ripen on the vine...what the lick? We are pretty much little squirrels around here, "putting up" any fresh produce that we can for the coming winter, it's pretty funny. So, to use up all of the green tomatoes, we found a salsa verde recipe. I LOVE salsa verde, and I have to say, this recipe tastes just like Bajio's...I was hoping for something more along the lines of El Toro in Logan, but this works :) And, for those who asked, please notice my beautiful, darker hair color, thank you Jenna!

We really probably didn't need to bother with the bottling part of it, I will probably eat it all in the next month...yep, pretty tasty.

We found a great website, FreshPreserving.com, and we are hoping to try out more of the bottling recipes we've found. This is so fun, I feel very Martha Stewart-ish, labeling all of our jars of homegrown stuff. (Luckily Dustin thinks I have better handwriting, so I get to do that satisfying last step. He actually does most of the work. He is king Squirrel, I'll just eat it...)

I'm pretty sure we couldn't live on pickles and salsa, but still, food storage is food storage, so we are pretty proud of ourselves.

In non-garden-related news, I have been volunteering in Kennedy's class once a week, and it has been so fun! Fun, but holy cow, I was SO not cut out to be a Kindergarten teacher. Once a week for an hour is just about the maximum amount of time I could spend with 21 5 year-olds.

Hard at work...

Last week, they took a fieldtrip to the post office and I was there to help. We walked there from the school about a block and a half. It was a little like I suppose herding kittens would be like.

The whole class. They mailed letters to Grandparents.

Isn't she cute? I have to confess, I dressed her that morning knowing there would be pictures...she is still my little dress-up doll.

I have loved seeing Kennedy at school, and she is always so happy and proud to see me, it totally makes my day. I've been pretty proud of her myself though, she seems to be very kind to the other kids, and is definitely one of the smartest...I'm really not being biased, I promise. She is still loving school, and is screaming through her homework every night, which we are all loving. Hopefully it keeps up!

Webb Weekend of Fun

I'm seriously a blogging slacker...I've been too busy living to record it, and you know, if something has to give, it's gotta be the blog...sorry...

Yes, another weekend of fun...We are lucky kids! This past weekend was the scheduled Rexburg Webb weekend of fun, although only Mom, Dad, Jenna and Preslie could make it...yeah, Jeff, Garret, this is to make you feel bad you didn't come :)...

We started things off right at the Eastern Idaho State Fair in Blackfoot. It is a really fun fair, HUGE, with all the requisite treats, animals, souvenir booths and rides.

We took a good walk through the animals, with the horses and goats being favorites, but Hudson's little face didn't really light up until he spotted a Honda booth. FOUR-WHEELERS! Immediately followed by lawn mowers. Talk about best day ever for him. Next, we found the Kid's Pedal Tractor Pull competition just about to start. We signed Kennedy up, and lo and behold, she won! She pulled 150 lbs...not bad for someone who weighs 47 lbs! She was thrilled, and got a ribbon and a T-shirt. She was so cute, she tried so hard, we were so proud!

The Winner!

Hudson giving it a go after the competition...

We wandered around, eating junk and doing some serious people watching before hitting the rides. I loved hanging out with my family, we had a really good time.

With our carmel apples and cinnamon almonds, the whole reason for going to the fair...

*not sure why I look pregnant in this picture - I'M NOT - oh, wait, probably something to do with the carmel apples and cinnamon almonds... :)

Hudson was such an angel, contentedly riding in the stroller, that I was excited to reward him with a fun little ride, but after we walked through all of the rides, getting him all excited to ride something, we discoved he was too short for anything. Luckily we found a little booth, just for toddlers, with ride-on toys. He and Preslie were in heaven. They rode the toys while Kennedy rode the big swings. I hate to sound so old, but we could not believe what a rip-off the rides were. $5 a pop! I hate to say it, but that pretty much makes Lagoon a good deal...jeez!

At least she had fun!

Hudson loved this little motorcycle soooo much. I hope I can find one in the next week or two for his Birthday!

Jenna, Mom and me with Kennedy, Preslie and Hudson. He was not happy stopping for a picture!

We had a great Rexburg Day the next day, hitting all of our favorite joints, including the "D" and the yummy italian place for lunch. So fun just kickin' around. We found a fun new place in Rigby, it is an old Sugar Mill turned into a bunch of cute shops. It'll definitely be a regular. We had a relaxing night the next night, with delicious BLT's courtesy of my dad's garden, doing hair, watching What Happens in Vegas, eating my world famous popcorn. Thanks for coming, guys, we had a blast as always!