Halloween 2012

This Halloween, we went trick or treating with the cousins.  

Hudson kept changing his mind about what he wanted to be.  He already had  this Oscar the grouch winter hat from Christmas last year so it seemed like a good costume to put together from things we already had.  Grandpa completed the costume by making Hudson a trashcan out of poster board, foil, and duct tape.  

I found Callie's costume at a consignment shop and encouraged her to be an Egyptian Queen.  She is pretty easy-going so was happy to be anything that is not scary.  I think she made a beautiful queen.  

Jack loves to be scary and is running out of ideas that we can agree on.  I do not like really scary or gory Halloween costumes especially on a 9 year old.  I convinced him that a mummy was scary enough and I think the facepaint helps with the compromise.

So excited that Nola fit into Callie's old peacock costume and loved wearing it.  This is my favorite costume ever and so glad I got to use it twice!  Nola had no clue she was a peacock.  She called herself a "scary duck"  and went around roaring at everyone to scare them.  I think she gets that from her brothers.

The kids loved spending Halloween with their cousins.

Nola turns 2!

On August 31st, Nola turned 2.  Its hard to believe that our baby is already  a toddler.  

She celebrated her actual birthday with balloons and a present from Mommy and Daddy.  We surprised her with a new Disney Princess castle for her room.  She was excited to start playing with it.

However, her brothers and sister soon took over her new toy.

The weekend after her birthday, we had a Parisian themed birthday party with the extended family.  We served brunch, cake, and cookies. 

At first, Nola did not like being the center of attention and everyone making a fuss over her.

However, she warmed up after the presents and singing were over and enjoyed the day with her cousins.

Nola is full of personality.  She is fiercely independent and wants things done her way.  She thinks she is much older than she is and tries to do whatever she sees the older kids do.  She likes to be silly and put on a show but only on her terms.  She does not like attention when she is not the one who instigated it....the same goes for affection and pretty much everything else.  She is not pleasant when she does not get her way but she also knows how to turn on the charm and make the sweetest and cutest faces.  She loves her blankets that we used to swaddle her in as a newborn and carries them everywhere she goes.  She loves to be outside and be active.  She is usually much better behaved being outside of the house then inside.  She likes baby dolls, barbies, the TV show Bubble Guppies, cars, trains, making you food from her toy kitchen, pretending she is a puppy, dressing up, Dannon drinkable yogurts, cheese, noodles(any kind) and chocolate.  Nola is definitely a blend of sugar and spice and keeps us on our toes.  We love her so much and are so glad she is in our family.

First Day of School 2012

School started August 20th.  

This year, Callie started second grade and was excited that her first grade teacher,who she loved, moved up with the class.  

Jack started 4th grade.  

Hudson started school for the first time.  He began daily afternoon Pre-K.  At first, he just wanted to stay home and play instead of having to get ready and go to school but, after a few weeks, he decided he really liked it and now is excited to go. 

Nola is now the only child at home in the afternoon. She has cut out naps most days so the afternoons are long with her getting anxious for a playmate.  One afternoon, I found her "reading" the Friend magazine to her baby doll.  She wishes she could go to school too.  

Happy Birthday, Hudson!

On June 19th, Hudson turned 4!  I was not planning on having a party for him but when I saw a groupon for a great price on a Birthday party at the bounce place that Hudson had been begging me to take him to, I couldn't resist. 

He got his very own Birthday throne and a visit from the mascot.

He had a lot of fun bouncing and playing with all his friends.

Hudson is sweet, imaginative, playful, and funny.  Hudson loves toys and can play for hours even if its by himself.  He never seems to get bored.  He will play with random objects like a shovel or plastic straw all day pretending the object is an airplane, a monster, etc...  He also loves TV and would watch it all day if I let him.  He is very sweet and cuddly.  He is a great big brother and loves Nola and hates to see her unhappy.  He does not eat many sweets but does love chocolate chip cookies.  He is our pickiest eater and mostly lives on bread products, snack food and yogurt.  He loves superheros, Mario, dinosaurs, and animals.  Huddy Buddy, you make us so happy!

End of the Year Performances

The end of the school year also marks the end of the kids extra activities for the summer. 

Callie had her dance recital.  She was in three different dances--one for tap, one for ballet, and one for tumbling.  She did great and was not nervous to be on stage at all.

A friend in our old ward started a kids singing group and gave a great friends discount that it was too good to pass up.  I signed up both Jack and Callie in January and they had their final concert in May.  Jack  was so glad it was over because it was not really his thing but he still did a great job.   Callie loved it and hopes to do it again.

Nancy's Wedding

On May 24th, my sister, Nancy, got married.   

The kids loved seeing her come out of the temple.

Her reception was at a golf club.  The food was very yummy and the kids had a blast dancing, eating, and playing with their cousins.

Easter 2012

Jack's birthday and Easter were on the same day this year so we had a lot to celebrate and be grateful.  The kids woke up and hunted for their Easter baskets. 

After church, the cousins came over for dinner and a small Easter egg hunt.  It was great to spend the day with family!