Family pictures

We had a perfect day for some family pictures. And we actually got a few with both kids looking and no thumbs in the mouth! I have, however, decided this is a once a year ordeal because getting myself and two kids ready (even with Matt's help) is just too exhausting!

My Favorite!

North Pole Breakfast

Aiden is back....and he brought us breakfast!

This morning we had our first "North Pole Breakfast." Our elf (whom Hadley named Aiden last year after the prince in her favorite princess movie) came early in the morning with a few surprises for Hadley and Hudson. Here is the table all set up and ready for the kids.

Aiden wrote Hadley and Hudson each a letter.

He brought snow covered donuts...

...and frozen hot chocolate .

He also brought along an early present, "Santa Buddies" dvd. Hadley wanted to watch it immediately!

Hadley was a little skeptical at first and wanted to know why Aiden's eyes didn't blink if he was real. We talked about a little "Christmas Magic" and she soon believed again! Hudson, on the other hand, dug right into the donuts and couldn't have cared less that Aiden had made his arrival.
We re-read the Elf on the Shelf book to remind us that we can't touch Aiden and we need to be really good since he reports back to Santa each night.

As we were cleaning up from breakfast Matt and I overheard Hadley having a quiet conversation with Aiden. We couldn't hear her well but she did say, "I love you, Aiden. Thanks for breakfast."

Hudson is 15 months today

We are having a blast with this kid right now. As long as he is getting your undivided attention he is a really happy baby...so basically he is SPOILED! Hudson is learning how to throw tantrums and if he gets his mind set on something you better be prepared to hear lots of screaming until he finally gives up (or we give up)!

Hudson is a TERRIBLE eater. I have no idea how this happened but he has decided he will ONLY eat the babyfood that is in the squeezable containers. What kid would actually prefer these over table food? I am hoping we get over this phase quickly. Here are some pics in his chair as we tried to get him to eat some grapes, hotdog, etc.

He has in the past been a pretty early riser but has decided lately to sleep until 7:00 which is super late for us! We are all feeling refreshed and it is so much nicer to wake up when it is light outside than pitch black at 5:30 in the morning. Keep it up, Bubby!

Still a climber and still accident prone! Here is Hudson after climbing out of his wagon, falling face first on the concrete, and busting up his lip. Poor guy cried so hard until he finally fell asleep in his daddy's lap.

Just a few more pictures of our baby boy looking so grown-up!

One of my new favorites!!!

And this next one pretty much sums up his personality. He is happiest when he is making us laugh. He runs around acting crazy and doing anything he can to get our attention. This particular night he put this bucket on his head, we'd say, "where's hudson?," and he would crack up laughing as he took it off. This went on for several minutes!

Favorite things right now: giving hugs and kisses, throwing anything, baths, climbing up and down the stairs, balls, cars, playing with the dogs, playing outside, climbing, applesauce, chasing his sister, wrestling on the bed, wonderpets, yo gabba gabba, building blocks, drinking from straws, biting (unfortunately), shoes, watching the construction trucks drive by our house, looking at pictures when we walk down the stairs in the morning, playing pat-a-cake, playing in the car, and copying Hadley.

Statue Love

This statue was donated to Church of the Servant for the children. They are actually allowed to climb all over Jesus and Hadley loves to get to school a few minutes early so she can have her turn. Hudson loves to climb all over the statue also...

...and has grown quite fond of THIS little girl!

Checking out her nose,
giving hugs,
and lots of kisses!
As you can see from the different outfits, this didn't happen just once. He will actually run to her every single Monday and screams with delight to see her face again!

A little more brother/sister love...

A few more of my favorite pictures. It is simply amazing how much these two love each other. Hadley is the most incredible big sister and tolerates so much including hair pulling and biting. When she walks downstairs in the morning the first person she asks about is Hudson and when he sees her he squeals. He wants to kiss and hug her all the time and Hadley loves all the extra attention.

Some morning cartoons and it was really dark in the room. The flash obviously didn't make Hadley too happy and caused a terrified look on Hudson's face!

And my very favorite!!! Hudson was battling a terrible case of croup and Hadley had fallen asleep on the couch after preschool. Hudson crawled off my lap, onto Hadley's, and rested his head on her shoulder. Precious!