Celebrating 6 Months

A couple weeks ago we celebrated the 6 month mark since Hudson came home.

I took a couple of pictures to show just how much our little guy has changed.

I had bought these outfits in China but they were a little big when we got them so I had waited to put them on him. 

Oh my goodness~~ Emma and I just about died when we got him in them.  So Cute!!  And So Handsome!!

Gotta love the Chinese squat. 

His 2 year check-up at the pediatrician came right before the 6 month mark.  It was the first time that Hudson's doctor had seen him since his lip and palate repair surgery.  She was so happy with the results.  And a little shocked at how much he had grown.  He had gained 4 pounds and grown 3 inches since coming home.

What a big boy!

He is doing so well!  And every bit of 2.  He's very strong-willed and can be a little ornery.  It can be exhausting at times but we wouldn't trade it for the world.  We know that God will use that strong will for His good in time.

A little more birthday fun...

~~A Little More Birthday Fun~~~

The kids and I recently went to Oklah*ma to visit my family and since it was right before Hudson's birthday we celebrated with them.  

On Hudson's birthday every year, we are going to set off Chin*se Lanterns.  Since he turned two this year, we set off two lanterns to float away into the wild blue yonder.

I have to give credit to where credit is due...I didn't come up with this awesome idea by myself.  I'm not that good.  Ha Ha (I'm good at stealing good ideas.)  The idea came from my sweet friend Rachelle.  She's the awesome momma to the very sweet and adorable Miss Megan.  They were in our travel group to Ch*na.  Here's a pic from when they stopped by a couple months after we all had returned home.  I love getting pictures of her and watching her grow just as much as Hudson. 

Lanterns are lit and we are getting ready for lift off.

Everyone was very excited.  Anytime there is fire involved the level of anticipation is heightened. 

Yay...up up and away!!

Everyone is watching them fly away.

There they go...floating up to the stars. 

We all sang Happy Birthday to Hudson as they floated away.

And ~bam~ were done and he's off. 

What a great time this little guy had being with his cousins.  He couldn't wait to get back to the fun and craziness.

Happy Birthday Hudson

We have a two year old in the house!!

A week ago Hudson celebrated his first birthday since becoming a part of our family.

He had no clue what all the hullabaloo was about but since it was centered around him...

He decided that he'd go with the flow and see how it all played out.

Isn't he the cutest birthday boy??!!

Daddy is showing him the how to use the party blowout.  Not too sure what he thinks about it.

What a handsome little guy!

Still not too sure what's going on but sticking around to see what's in all the bags and pretty boxes.

Big brother and Big sister ready to help.

Hudson is showing us how old he is.

The "Good Luck" smudge is a little messy with his ice cream cake.

Daddy is sneaking bites from the birthday boy's plate...that's just wrong.



Oh yeah...I'd say Hudson figured out that this birthday thing was pretty good.

Sweet Hudson, you have grown so much in the 5 months that you have been home and we are all looking forward to seeing how much you change and grow this next year.  We are so blessed that God gave you to us.  



Pillow Fight

Boys will be boys...

and gosh...I sure do love these boys!

They totally crack me up.  Hudson thinks that EVERYTHING Cody does is just hilarious.

This morning, these two monkeys decided to have a pillow fight.

Yeah, yeah...it's sooo fun until someone gets hurt.

This is the progression of how this battle played out.

A picture of sweetness and innocence.

Uh Oh...here we go.  This is when I hear Cody yell "PILLOW FIGHT"!

Looks like Hudson has the upper hand...err pillow here.

This doesn't look good for the amazin' Asian.

The struggle to get back up....

Oh yeah baby...can't keep this sweet boy down. 

Double Whammie!

Who's getting the beat down now big brother???!!

Whew...we're worn out!!  And---No One got hurt.

Tonight when I was giving Hudson his bottle before bed, Cody was relaxing on the couch and out of the blue he looks over at me and says, "I sure do love Hudson."

Oh my goodness...cue lump in throat and eyes filling up with tears.

That's what it's all about people!! 

Love!!

It's that simple and that easy!  We said "YES" to God's command to care for the orphan and what did we get????...

A whole lotta LOVE!



The Operation

Earlier this month, Hudson had his cleft lip and palate repair done.

Leading up to the surgery, we tried to squeeze in lots of fun since this little snugly puppy wouldn't be feeling so great.

Even before we brought Hudson home, we knew that he loved music.  He loves this toy that plays different classical songs.

Ah baby,  we are gonna miss that smile but we look forward to your new smile.

Our brave little guy wasn't "chicken". 

Had to include this "before surgery" picture too.  It totally cracks us up!

Okay...it's GO time. 

Oh baby...look at that tushie!  Love it!

Even Hudson's puppy got a hospital ID tag.

Right after surgery.

While we were in the hospital, Hudson got to go on an Easter egg hunt and meet this bunny.

This was on the way home from the hospital.  Poor little guy was swollen and very ready to go home.

I think he was calling a cab just as a back up to make sure he went home.

Hudson received the best care while we were in the hospital.  But we were so happy to get home and start our little man's road to healing.   

Someone turned 10 this week!

Someone turned 10 this week!!

Happy Birthday Cody!!

And this was his year to have a bigger party with friends!  He chose to have a video gaming party.  So Easy!! and So Fun!! 

All the boys loved choosing from all games and spending an hour and a half playing against each other.

All the boys

The trailer was 50 feet with 4 big screens inside, 8 gaming chairs, and air-conditioned.

All the boys were super excited to get in there and start playing.

Playing a little Mar*o Brothers

A little soccer action

Emma decided to get in on the action and play with Cody.

Woo Hoo!!  Gotta love gifts!

Miss Sonia helped keep me company. 

Getting ready to make the "very important Birthday Wish" and blow out the candles.

And BLOW!!!!!

I think Emma is enjoying her cupcake.  Mmmm!

Hudson is wishing his big brother a very happy birthday. 

What We've Been Up To

I know I've completely neglected the blog for the past month but we've had a lot going on and it's hard sometimes to find the energy in the evening after everyone has gone to bed to sit down and post some pics.

Sooo...I'm going to give ya a little taste of what the Spangenthal 5 have been up to.  There have been lots of "Firsts" for Hudson.

Big Sis Emma gave Hudson his first ride on the go-cart.

He loved it and quickly figured out what button to push to make it go.  In the end, he was taking Emma for a ride.

Hudson had his first trip to the beach.  The water was freezing and he wasn't too sure if he wanted to get into the water...

but.....as long as he was on Emma's lap, he didn't mind getting wet.

Cody had fun playing frisbee with his Daddy.

Here's the smiles we love.

Wheeeeee!!

Playing in the sand was fun.

Handsome little guy.

Love this girl!!

Love this boy!!

 More "Firsts" and Pics to follow.