August pics

Hadley and her friend, Riley, from school who is also on our main rival team of softball. She is such a sweet friend from school that spent the afternoon with us. 

Sweet sleeping Hudson. Have I ever gone a month of not taking a picture of the kids sleeping? And I love this picture because I didn't realize until I uploaded it that he has money in his pocket. This kid stashes money everywhere. I am constantly finding it in his pant pockets and I'm actually scared of how much he has lost over the past few months!

So I got my brand new Infiniti QX80 and I LOVE it. I got used to the size really fast and it has been such an awesome car so far. But, unfortunately, with only 400 miles on my tires I noticed one was going flat. I kept putting air in it only to see it was still going flat. Ryan found the "nail" in the tire as I was leaving the lake one day. I made an appointment at a tire store the next day to get it patched and it turns out I had SCISSORS in my tire! What? So I had to have the tire replaced. A 400 mile tire replaced. Wonderful!

When these two play together it is just my favorite thing to watch. This was an especially good day of no fighting from the time they woke up until they went to bed! They were even laughing as they brushed their teeth in the mirror.

Hadley's first spirit day at school. And no worries, she didn't get hurt. She just plays on these crutches every.single.day! We always know she is coming when we hear the clanking of the crutches on the wood floor.

Hadley went to a friends house and Matt was playing golf so I took Hudson over to Ryan and Lisa's to visit they boys. They had so much fun playing with toys and riding around in the backyard for a while. It's never easy to get Hudson out of there!

First week of school is over and it called for a trip to the park. Hadley's friend, Grace, came with us to celebrate.

More pictures of Hudson and his buddy! Bauer loves to crawl up on Hudson's lap and be loved on. And Hudson must love it too because each time he says, "Mommy, take a picture!"

We went down to the Myriad gardens for some 5 and 8 year old pictures of the kids. Afterwards it was nice weather so we changed clothes, played at the splash pad, and ate some ice cream. If my allergies weren't going absolutely insane it would have been a perfect day.

Some random pictures of Hudson working out with daddy, Hadley becoming quite the reader, school pics, and pictures with friends. Our monthly pictures sure have changed a lot and include a lot more in uniforms now. I'm already ready for summer again!

This picture is one of my favorites. I got up on Saturday morning and wanted to surprise the kids with donuts. When I pulled into the driveway I saw these smiling faces waving at me, so excited. They had figured me out. I love that they still haven't even put on clothes. I truly feel like we must have the happiest kids in the morning because they always wake up in the best moods!

And softball season has started! We have enjoyed practicing on the driveway and getting ready for the first game. Of course, I have a bunch of videos of the first game but only one picture....and its of the little brothers getting dirty. But for the record, we did have a win the first game and Hadley had two hits! Go Pixies!

Hudson's first day of school

Hudson had to wait 4 days after Hadley to start school. To say he couldn't wait is an understatement. He was dying to go to school and play with his friends as well. When Monday morning came he was early to rise and got dressed in a hurry. We took some pictures outside, ate a cinnamon roll breakfast, and all three of us were out the door. We dropped Hadley off at class and then walked down the hallway to the preschool rooms. Hudson was pretty excited to see his best friend, Will, in the hallway and I think he was a little confused when he saw Will was going to another classroom. But he still bounced right into his class with no hesitation. He put his backpack up, marked on the board that he brought his lunch, found his name at the table, and was ready to get to work! I stayed longer than he needed but just couldn't get enough. I had a whole day with both of the kids in school. I had so many things to get done but knew I would miss them both all day....and I did. I couldn't wait to pick them up and I was thrilled to find out Hudson had an awesome first day as well. He LOVES his teacher which is what I was the most worried about after having Ms. Kristin and even made lots of new friends already. Such a change in last year because it took about half a year before he mentioned any names but this year he came home immediately talking about two boys, Gunner and Slaydon. Yay for two great first days by both kids!

Oh, and as for me....I treated myself to a massage which was much needed after a few stressful days. It did help me relax but I definitely spent the entire time laying there and wondering how their day was going. 

Hadley's first day of school

Lots of pictures from Hadley's actual first day of school! She was ready before 7:15 and could not have been more excited to walk out the door. I ended up having to wake Hudson up to get her to school in time. I see her holding the sign saying 2nd grade and it blows my mind. This has been a fast 8 years! 

 I guess she still had a little waking up to do...

And then I had to torture myself by putting this together! I feel like she has had a ton of growth and maturity in this past year.

I think she was getting a little nervous in these pictures but maybe it was just me wearing off on her. My stomach was in knots. I knew she would have a great day but I also knew how much I would miss her today. This has been my favorite summer yet and we have had so much fun together. Its going to be quite an adjustment to not have her smiling face with me each day I'm off work!

Hudson and I had a great day playing but neither of us could wait to go pick her up. Hudson ran right into her class and gave her a big hug. I think it was a great day for her! She took a picture with Reese in front of the school (this is the first year for them to not be together) and then gave me a huge smile in the car when I asked how the first day went. I'm really praying for a good year for her but I have no doubt this easy-going girl will do just fine!

Meet the teacher

Hadley and Hudson have been so excited for "Meet the teacher" ever since they got their letters from their teachers in the mail! Hadley was excited to find out she had Mrs. Thornton with a few of her best friends: Charlotte, Clara, and Mary Beth. We didn't know a lot about Mrs. Thornton but she was just excited to be with friends! We already knew Hudson would have Ms. Crystal because she is the only MWF pre-k teacher but it didn't stop Hudson's excitement at all. Hudson had never met her but Ms. Kristin has really talked her up this year so he has high expectations! 

Waking the kids up was no problem and they were quickly dressed and ready to get out the door. Of course, I made them pose for several pictures outside before we left. Thankfully, they are used to it by now and either like it or are really good at humoring me. 

Hadley's turn was first. Her "meet the teacher" was a come-and-go from 10-11:30. We got to check out the classroom, find her desk, complete a scavenger hunt, see what friends were in the class, and get a prize at the end. She was all smiles and I think she is really excited for a fun year. Second grade gets much more intense so I'm not sure I'm quite as excited but I do know she will have a great year! Thankfully, Hadley just always goes with the flow and is so easy to please. She never complains and I never have to worry about her at all.

Afterwards, the three of us went to lunch until it was Hudson's turn at 12:30. Preschool is set up a little differently. They break the class up into groups of 5 and each group is given a 3 hour time frame where the parents drop them off and then pick them up a few hours later. It lets them get to know the teachers, the classroom, a few friends, and the school before really getting thrown into it on the first day!

We treated it like the first day of school and Hudson took cookies to both of his teachers. Hadley even helped him carry them in. They seemed really excited when they saw the cookies and even gave Hudson a big hug. Of course, he ate that up! Hudson was pretty excited when his daddy showed up in the parking lot to walk him in and wish him a great first day. We love how well this guy has adapted to new schools, new friends, and new teachers. He seems to fall in love with every bit of it so easily!

I would consider our first day a big success and it definitely calmed this momma's nerves a bit!