Christmas memories

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends.

This will be my first Christmas without my sister, Rebecca. She loved this time of year and especially enjoyed when family and friends got together on Christmas Eve for our annual party. We have decided to continue the tradition of our party and will honor her memory. It is very sad to think she will never walk through my mom's kitchen door with her family or wish us a Merry Christmas again. Last year she and her family stayed at my mom's house on Christmas Eve. We all woke up together Christmas morning as one big happy family. Those are memories I will cherish forever!!

This year she is celebrating Christmas with the birthday boy himself, Jesus Christ. When we sing Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus she will be right by his side. What an awesome sight to behold.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night and a blessed New Year.

Pullen Park in November

Last weekend my mother-in-law joined us for a trip to Pullen Park in Raleigh. It was our first time there and we had a great time. They have a train, carousel, and baby boats. Hudson enjoyed the play area for tikes and wanted to go on the train. We rode the train, fed ducks and walked around and enjoyed the changing leaves. It was a perfect way to spend a fall day!!

Baby Mallory and Hudson hang out!

Hudson and I went to see his new baby cousin, Mallory, today. He wasn't overlly interested in her but there were two moments where he was enamored with her. One of those moments Ginny caught on film. In this photo you can clearly see him reaching for her. He just stroked her arm before his attention was drawn back to Finding Nemo. The other was memorable in that he reached for her hand and carressed it!! He was very gentle with her. Chris has said he thinks Hudson will make a great big brother and when that day comes I know he will! I'll add more pixs of my new niece in a day or two.

State Fair

Emerson, Lillian, Arwen and Hudson

Uncle Billy and Hudson

A horse of many colors

Four babies for Palin and McCain!!

Before many, many photos and after...

Hudson and I went to the State Fair with Chris's Aunt, Uncle, and cousin and her family. We had so much fun, minus a few tears from Hudson. Although he looks so sad when he cries it is my favorite picture from the whole day!!

Hudson on the red wagon

These are some of my new favorite shots of Hudson. We went to his second cousin's first birthday party (that's a mouthful!) this past Sunday and enjoyed his toys and the beautiful weather. Hudson LOVED the big red wagon and probably would have sat in it all day.

He is such a loving and sweet little boy. He absolutely adores his daddy and would like nothing more than to spend every minute of the day with him. They really get a kick out of being together and it warms this mommy's heart.

Enjoy these photos!!

New Hudson Pictures

Here's some photos Heather had taken of Hudson. My scanner is somewhat dirty ... his eyes look much more blue in the actual pictures. Although ... he still looks super cute.

Visit with Old friends 10/11/08

Victoria brought her baby boy, JR, down to visit us in NC. Our old roommate and dear friend, Lorie Ann came with her newest baby, Solomon. It was so great to spend quality time with old friends. It felt like we were back in time, with the addition of spouses and children. It is amazing how our lives have changed over the past four years and the happiness and blessings that the Lord bestowed upon us.

My sister's birthday is today. She would have been 28 years old. I wonder if they celebrate birthdays in Heaven? I guess they aren't important anymore and celebration is probably a daily occurence. I celebrated her birthday in my own way by remebering the best things about her and taking pictures of her only nephew. She is so missed. Here are just a few pictures from this last year, her last year with us. Happy Birthday, sis, I love you!!

CAKE!!!!!!

Hudson enjoyed his cake thoroughly. He used a spoon and one of the noisemakers to investigate the cake. He didn't really dig in with his hands but he seemed to enjoy it none-the-less. It was a much smaller mess than I had anticipated. When we gave him little bites he would get excited and open his mouth for more.

Gift time

Hudson enjoyed every gift he recieved. He got his fill of Little People. He loved to touch the boxes and made all sorts of adorable noises when gifts were opened. He also got a few toys that will help him master walking and help him learn shapes and numbers. We are so thankful to everyone who gave Hudson a gift to help him celebrate this momentous occasion!!

The Spread...cake and all

So, for Hudson's birthday we used his little people to help decorate. I put crumbled oreos and cream cheese together to make dirt and then put pumpkins on it and gated it in with pretzels to make a pumpkin patch. Then we dined on haystacks and dirt as well as other farm friendly fare. For the cake we bought a sheet cake and a little people sugar topper that I put on the cake.

September 21st!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, today is Hudson's birthday. Today he turns one year old. Today he will get a cake/cupcake of his very own. Today he will look me in the eye and say he's ready for college... Okay, okay, maybe I am jumping the gun just a little bit but it feels just like yesterday I was at the hospital preparing to welcome him into the world. What a great year it has been with him. Despite all the heartache over losing my sister there is still such great joy. Here's a little parting picture of my man on year ago today. Ain't he a doll?

The birthday countdown begins!

We are only three days away from Hudson's first birthday. Yesterday he received his first birthday gifts in the mail. Thanks to Aunt Renee, Uncle David, Cousins David, Michelle, Beth, John, Emily and Morgan for the AWESOME Steeler attire and the musical book. Hudson loved

the book. He is very inquisitive as you can tell.

Yesterday he also took his first steps. Both times he was trying to get to items that he was not supposed to have. He is very resourceful and does what he has to to get what he wants. He is also becoming very good at going up and down the stairs. Today he climbed down the stairs and stopped to wave at me as he descended. I can't believe how big and independent he is becoming. He is no longer my little baby boy.

Vic's Bundle of Joy

Here are a few of the photos I took of JR (John Robert) while I was in Philly. I have a TON more to add at a later date!!

South Philly- What the heck?

I finally made it to Philly to see Vic's new digs and baby boy. Although I grew up in PA I never made it as far east as Philly. Amazing how a city in my home state could feel so foreign. Vic lives in South Philly which is really close to center city (downtown) and most of the major attractions in the city.

South Philly has its' own rules for driving. Double parking is permissible with some rules. You never block in someone you don't know but you can block in someone at the end of the road. If you don't want to be blocked in, you park about 2-3 feet away from the curb. This makes for some very interesting side roads. Also unique to south Philly is that people PARK in the turning lanes and restricted areas. It is CRAZY!!!!

Hudson on the move

Hudson has not yet taken any steps but that doesn't stop him!! These are some great photos of our little man during his last visit to Grampa and Grandma P's. Doesn't he look cute?

Holla if you like bananas

Hudson has been practicing feeding himself. His aim is generally
good but like most other kids his age he wears more than he eats. This is especially true to ooey gooey foods like ripe bananas. Even Hudson gets to the point where he doesn't want to pick up any more pieces and he waits for me to feed him. It is also funny to watch him try to eat mashed sweet potato. Too cute.




Next Sunday we celebrate his birthday and I am extremely excited to see what happens to the frosted piece of cake we give him. If he is anything like his Aunt Becca he will devour it. I will be sure to include the pictures when it happens.

Life at home with him has been great. We are starting to get into a routine and there is more order in my life. I hope to find a play group for him and me within the next few weeks and make some friends that are also domestic engineers. I still struggle day to day with the loss of my sister but that too will get better. Keep an eye on the blog to see all that the Hudster is up to. We love you all!!