November favorites

Once again, I have some left over pictures that can't be left out. 

Hudson loves his tricycle but he is still trying to figure out how to pedal and ride it himself. He loves going downhill but gets very frustrated when its time to go uphill. Matt figured out a way to make walks a little more fun!

Hadley, Hudson, and I went on a walk and the kids found a big field to play in. I sat down on the curb and took these pictures of Hudson running towards me.

Miss Thing all dressed and ready for school. Kristin, our nanny, took this picture and sent it to me after Hadley asked her to.

Getting a little cooler and jackets are now needed for walks. This makes me a little sad as I know our time outside is limited for a few months.

Daddy is so lucky to come home from work and have two live-in chiropractors.

They opened up a new area of construction in our neighborhood right now it is just one long street leading to a cul-de-sac with no houses yet. It is perfect for riding bikes and toys and taking walks. Hudson had a push toy that he INSISTED on taking all the way down to the cul-de-sac but then decided he just didn't have the energy to push it back...

What a good big sister to push him all the way back home...uphill. And she didn't want me to help. She said it's the reason God made her strong. When we got home she sat down on the couch and said she really needed to rest for a little while.

At a birthday party and I asked Hudson to smile. Mr. Cheese gave me this look. Thanks, Hudson!

Cuddling with my little man while watching a movie. I don't even want to think about how much I will miss these cuddles someday!

Relaxing in the grass.

Hudson's teacher at school texted me this picture while I was at work. She said he had been playing "doctor" with the Elmo drill all morning. So sweet!

The other night Erin was taking her dog for a walk and took this picture of our house all lit up and with the moon right over the top of the house. Each year Matt insists on adding more and more lights. I may be calling him Clark Griswold in a few years.

Gaylord Texan Day 3

Sunday consisted of plans to see Santa while he was visiting the Gaylord Texan. But first, we had scheduled a breakfast with the dreamworks characters. We got dressed and made our way downstairs for a few pictures.  

World's largest gingerbread house:

Hudson wouldn't humor me and take a picture with Hadley so I thought maybe he would at least take one with Papa holding him.

But I was wrong and he quickly put me in my place when I said "Smile, Hudson!"

Watching the trains while we waited for our breakfast reservations.

Still not giving up on getting a picture of the two together....and still having no luck.

Our beautiful baby girl! She is such a joy all the time...

We made it inside for an incredible breakfast buffet call Shrek Feast. All the foods were labeled with Shrek terms and everything was so delicious! The characters walked around while you ate and would stop for pictures and to talk with the kids. Once again, Hadley loved getting to have her picture taken with them and Hudson did not. He did, however, insist on following them all around and seeing exactly what they were doing at all times. Good thing Papa spoils him and carried him around the whole time!

I love Hudson's face here with Fiona! She was Hadley's favorite character.

One last look at the trains before we went to see Santa.

So we knew Santa pictures were going to be a disaster with one child while the other could hardly wait to get on his lap. After waiting in line for about 30 minutes we got these really cute pictures of Hadley on Santa's lap. She was so sweet and told him she had been really nice to her brother so could she please have .... The jury is still out on that so she decided she would write him a letter so he knew exactly what she wanted when she decided.

And then we attempted to put Hudson on Santa's lap with Hadley. Before even setting him down I told the photographer, "You will just have to take the picture quick because he WILL cry." So instead of listening to me she tries to work her magic of shaking a tamborine which only made Hudson scream more. She finally gives Matt and I a look of "what do I do" and then took the picture. Yep. Exactly as we had anticipated:

I quickly rescued him, he continued to cry as we bought the pictures, and fussed the entire time we packed up our bags. We took all our stuff downstairs only to find out they had "lost" our car in valet somewhere. Thankfully, Hadley had already started home with my parents and Hudson had calmed down and was happy as he could be standing on the sidewalk watching people walk back and forth. The did find our car, credited us our valet charge, and we prepared for the drive home (which, again, went exceptionally well even though he didn't sleep a bit).  

And while we were driving I was sent this text by my mom. Apparently she had no trouble falling asleep:

Gaylord Texan Day 2

We started our first morning in Grapevine with an unexpected surprise. About 7:30 in the morning the girls were awake and I wanted to go downstairs and get some coffee. I asked the girls to come with me and Peyton immediately jumps out of bed. Hadley got up, then laid back down, and decided she would stay in the room. I thought this was a little weird since Hadley never turns down going somewhere with me but didn't think much of it. So Peyton and I left and came back about 20 minutes later with a coffee and a couple quiches for all to share. After only a few minutes Hadley started complaining that the quiche was smelling too much and we soon learned why it was bothering her. Just moments later she started coughing and then throwing up! Oh no. In the middle of throwing up we noticed blood coming out of her mouth. My heart stopped for just a bit until I looked in her mouth and noticed that she had thrown up her tooth! We found it right on the top of the trashcan and got it all cleaned off so the tooth fairy could still come get it. It brought a little happiness to her morning but unfortunately she spent the rest of the morning in bed and throwing up every 30 minutes.

While Hadley and I laid in bed the rest of the crew went downstairs for Madagascar Ice that we had reservations for. They have this in the conference center of the hotel and apparently they bring in all this ice as well as crews from China to sculpt this ice for 3 months. The room is obviously kept at freezing temperatures and you are issued a parka when you go in to help keep you warm. Here are some pictures of the incredible sculptures:

Another unfortunate moment occurred only a few hours later when Hudson started getting sick. Poor guy spent the rest of the afternoon in the hotel room. We were starting to get a little nervous about who the next victim would be.

Thankfully, Hadley was feeling much better only 5 hours later and was ready to head downstairs for more fun. The snow tubing and ice sculptures were already finished but she made it down just in time to decorate some gingerbread houses with Peyton. Here she is, all smiles, and glad to be feeling much better!

Papa bought the houses while I took a few pictures of the girls.

Hadley and Peyton both did such a great job decorating and each had their own ideas of what they wanted their house to look like.

I love that Hadley came up with the idea of putting a cross on her house all by herself.

Proud girl standing with her first gingerbread house.

In the back of the decorating palace was Gingy's cottage where she lives. The girls got to go in the cottage and take a picture with Gingy and get an autograph from her as well.

Hudson was still sleeping and we decided to stay out of the germ-infested room so instead I took the opportunity to get a few pictures of the kids. 

As we were headed back up to the room we saw a man making balloon animals and decided to get in line for a balloon. We also wanted to take one back up to the room to Hudson. While in line, Hadley and Peyton took turns with the camera. These girls can take pretty good pictures!

And finally...we are all feeling well again and just in time. My mom had scheduled a train ride to the North Pole at 7:30 and we were so thankful to make it in time because we knew this would be Hudson's favorite part of the trip. We got to ride a real train in downtown Grapevine and they knew how to make in quite the production. When we arrived that had all kinds of photo props to take pictures with (which, as mentioned before, did not turn out quite so great). They put on a show for us and then we walked through real snow as we made our way to the train. It was a great night of about 70 degrees but they had Christmas trees and snow machines to make it feel like you were in a winter wonderland. So much fun!

Hadley loved watching the dancers so much and said, "I can do that someday because I like to sing and dance!"

We all loaded on the train and took a 20 minute ride to the "North Pole." Hudson loved looking out the window and riding on a real "choo-choo."

The girls in their matching pajamas. They tell you to wear pajamas for the train ride and hot chocolate afterwards. The girls thought this was so fun.

Little man's eyes are still looking a little sick! He had some cute matching pajamas as well but was insisting on not taking off his jacket.

Waiting for Santa.

Because I am usually the one taking the pictures, I rarely seem to get in any myself. Although they aren't the greatest pictures I am just thrilled to get a few pictures with my kids and husband!

Santa's here! He even brought all the kids bells to ring.

Poor Hadley had had a long day with her starting the first 5 hours sick and then the rest of the day on the go with little rest. Her little body finally gave out on daddy's lap and he carried her all the way to the car, all the way home, and into the hotel bed without even waking up!

Mama, Papa, Peyton, Hudson and I stayed around for about 30 minutes after the train ride and went in a building full of trains. Hudson was in heaven and I thought we would never get him out of there. I was able to find some great Christmas presents though!

We are feeling very thankful that the day turned out as well as it did. Both of the kids got over their tummy bug so quickly and we were still able to enjoy our Saturday (and we at least kept the germs out of our own house)!