Friends and Toys!

This past weekend we went to Griffin's christening. It was such a nice Sunday with the boys! It is crazy to look at how different the boys look at different ages!! Griffin is 10 weeks younger than Hudson and Gannon is 4 months older than Hudson, but WOW, what a difference it makes!

Griffin (in swing), Hudson (in papasan), and Gannon sitting up!
The mommies with their boys. Leslie and Griffin, Jaclyn and Gannon, Hudson and Mommy

Hudson has been playing a lot this week. He is trying to get EVERYTHING in his mouth and has been getting frustrated on his play mat when the toys won't come down low enough to fit in his mouth. He is getting so strong though, that he is actually bending the bars to try to get the toys down lower. Yikes!

Loving his exersaucer!!! He gets so excited when the lights and music come on. I'm not sure he realizes yet that he is the one that is making them come on, but it is just too cute to watch!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! WOW…I can’t believe all that happened in 2007…the most important thing, Hudson! It is amazing to me every day that I have been blessed with him. It is so easy to just look at him and smile and appreciate what a miracle he is. Life with him has definitely changed and I wouldn’t have it any other way. This New Year’s Eve was different from any other. We packed Hudson up and went over to Kara and Shane’s house. Meredith, Matt, and Reid joined us there. We ordered pizza and had a relaxed evening. When we first arrived, it was almost time for all of the boys to go to bed, so we took some quick pictures of them, changed them into their PJ’s, took a few more pictures and put them to bed. Then, the adults stayed up for a while…girls in the kitchen talking and boys on the couch watching TV. Doesn’t that always happen?!? We headed home around 11:15 and Kelly and I sat down and watched the ball drop at midnight. It was a perfect night! I can’t wait to see what 2008 holds for our little family…I know this time next year Hudson will be all over the house!

Tanner with his finger in Hudson's mouth. Hudon thinking, "Cool...something else I can put in here!"
Hudson, Tanner, and Reid
The boys in their PJ's...no staying up until midnight for them!

Christmas in Texas

We drove back from Oklahoma the morning of Christmas Eve. We made it home just in time to change and head to the Christmas Eve service at our church. Now, in years past we have always gone to the candlelight service, but we decided to go to the 5:00 family service this year. How things have changed! The sanctuary was FULL of children and instead of a sermon our pastor had all of the children come up to listen to the "Story of Christmas." It was so fun to watch all of the children head up to the front and listen to the true meaning of Christmas. Hudson slept through this part, but next year he should be able to go up front. (Probably with Mommy or Daddy though!) The service still ended with the lights out, candles lit, and singing of Silent Night...that is my favorite part every year! After church, we headed to Kelly's sisters house to celebrate. The next morning, we had Christmas at home with Noni too. It was such a wonderful Christmas this year. I can't wait for the years to come to watch Hudson grow and celebrate this season. Talk about a miracle this year...Hudson!

Leaving for the Christmas Eve service at church.
Hudson with his stocking made by Great Aunt Fern.
Opening a present.
Getting the hang of tearing off wrapping paper.
Trying out his jumper from Noni.

Christmas in Oklahoma

We went to Oklahoma the Thursday before Christmas to celebrate with family there. We had such a great time...it even snowed on Saturday!! Hudson got to hear Twas the Night before Christmas from his Paw-Paw, just like Mommy got to hear it every year. I'm not sure who loved it more...Paw-Paw or Hudson, but either way it was really sweet. He didn't know what to think of his stocking and his presents...he liked feeling his stocking and trying to eat a teddy bear from Great Aunt Fern the best. The stockings were so big that I couldn't resist putting him in one for a photo-op! It was such a wonderful Christmas...we are so blessed to have such a wonderful family and I know Hudson will love making the trip to Oklahoma for years to come.

Hudson sitting in a stocking! :)
Nana, Aunt Shani, Mommy, Uncle Geoff, Great Aunt Fern, Paw-Paw, Daddy, and Huson at dinner.

More Christmas in Oklahoma

Paw-Paw reading Twas the Night Before Christmas
Hudson next to his stocking and presents in his PJ's.
Hudson in his new Exersaucer
Examining his stocking
Aunt Shani kept saying she wanted Hudson in her stocking for Christmas, so mommy put a picture of Hudson in a little stocking for her! :) Sorry Aunt Shani...you can't have him!

Catch Up...4 Months!

Hudson had his four month check up on December 18th. He weighed 13 pounds, 12.1 ounces (24%) and was 24 3/4 inch long (39%). All in all, Dr. Cook said he looks great! He got the green light to start rice cereal that night. As you can see, he didn't know what to think about it. He still doesn't! It is hilarious watching him eat it! The next day Leslie and Griffin came over to keep us company. Griffin wasn't in the picture mood that day! :)

Goodbye Old Friend...

For those of you that have known me a long time, you know that our first son had 4 legs, weighed 96 pounds, and was extremely hairy! Yes, our first son was Chopper, our precious Rottweiler. Kelly actually got Chopper when he was a puppy and loves to tell stories of how he tore things up. That is hard to believe for those that knew him later because he was possibly the most well behaved dog I have ever known. I have been Chopper's "Mom" for over 8 years now...he was 13 years old this December which is just crazy in dog years...especially for a big dog. His health started declining over these past few years and recently got really bad. We took him to the vet on Tuesday and found out that cancer had spread all over his body and into his lymph nodes. You can figure out what happened next. It was probably the hardest thing that Kelly and I have ever had to do, but we had to put him to sleep. It has been a rough few days, but things are slowly getting better. I know that in time we will just laugh at funny stories about him instead of tearing up when thinking of him. I had to smile this morning when I was getting ready and found a "Chopper hair" on me. I'm sure that will happen for some time now. He truly was "Man's best friend" and the best dog anyone could ever ask for. My dear friend Kristy sent me a poem that I thought was beautiful. I know that many of you are dog lovers and would appreciate this.

To Those I Love and Those Who Love Me

"When I am gone, Release Me, Let me go-
I have so many things to see and do.
You musn't tie yourself to me with tears,
Be thankful for our beautiful years.

I gave to you my love, You can only guess
How much you gave me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown,
But now its time I traveled on alone.

So grieve awhile for me, if grieve you must,
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
Its only for a time that we must part,
So bless the memories within your heart.

I won't be far away, for life goes on.
So if you need me, Call, and I will come.
Though you can't see me or touch me, I'll be near,
And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear
All my love around you soft and clear.

And then, when you come this way alone
I'll greet you with a smile and say:
"Welcome Home!"

We love and miss you Chops!