wiggles

these kids need to get their wiggles out every day, otherwise sometimes it seems like they may go crazy. So, here they are, after dinner, before bath, getting the energy outside! And i also wanted to take some pictures of Stella's hair - because it's gotten so light and LONG in the last few months! 

Labor day weekend

For this labor day, we took a short weekend (with a loooong drive) up to Tahoe. It was great to see everyone and enjoy one more weekend of the lake in the summer!! These first pictures are from last week, just hanging at the house one afternoon. 

 A typical afternoon…biking in the back, spray bottles to cool down, playing with Lego (while she watches from the air conditioned kitchen). 

 This picture below is so funny to me. Stella found the outlet, and Andy told her to leave it alone. She then proceeded to open it up and try to stick her finger in there anyway. So andy got up to stop her, telling her again "No thank you" - and this was what she did - looked up at him and laughed! I thought it was funny…but I didn't want her sticking her finger in the light socket either!

 Stella is our little dancer…all she needs is a clap or two and she's dancing to the beat. Cutest dancer ever!

 Um, ok Uncle Jonathan! So gangsta. :) You asked for this picture when you made this face instead of a smile!

 Bru…Stella and Hudson both love this dog…and she was good and patient with them

 Caught a crawdad…and happy to report Hudson safely let it back into the Lake, so it could swim away. Good job, kid!

 Pictures of Hudson laughing are my very favorite. His laugh and smile are so contagious and awesome. He will be keeping us laughing for a long time i think!

 A three generation selfie! Always love to see my beautiful grandma!

happenings

 This was the first pillow I ever sewed (i've now done about 5, so you know, i'm a pro), and for some reason stella has taken to this thing! She picks it up and carries it around, snuggles with, etc. 

 Not the cutest picture of Hudson, but Stella and Hudson like to do things "together" more these days…i.e. if one is doing something, the other wants to do it. So thank goodness we have two costumes!! :)

 This month we've done some birthday celebrating for Hudson with a party, some visiting to new parks with Angie and Auntie Susie, some beach trips with Linda, and of course some pool time, coloring and playing around the house! Stella has started to lay on her tummy now when she's coloring or playing with something - quite focused she is!

 Another example of "togetherness" - reading, with no clothes on, while eating a little bite of dry cereal before dinner. Yes, we're real rule breakers around here, feeding our kids a snack before dinner!

 Stel with her Godmother, Sandra! Stella licked ALL the frosting off her cupcake, and left the rest. 

 Needing to be "wrapped" in the towel after a visit to the pool next door, stella likes to walk around with it, so i have to get it off the ground so she doesn't slip - which leaves her looking like a walking pink and orange burrito. 

 Birthday boy got a visit from his favorite teacher at the club we go to - teacher Kris! So sweet of her to come by, and bring him gifts too! 

4 year STATS

Today Hudson went in of for his 4 year check up! And to no one's surprise, he is still tall for his age!
Height: 42.5 inches
Weight: 44 lbs

He's in the 90%s for his height, not sure about his weight. we had to try out a different doctor, since we are no longer in Denver, so things were not quite the same. It's making me realize and appreciate the amazing doctors we had out there! Nonetheless Hudson did well with his check up, can see great, hear great, and drive any doctor a little batty in less than 10 minutes! :) No, he was fine, just being FOUR!

Our Hudson is such a bright young boy now! Not only does he count to 40, he knows all his ABC's (can identify, say, and write them - though sometimes needs help writing), his vocabulary is amazing and growing regularly, he challenges things just like he should at his age, and when you think he's just gonna send Stella falling down for the 5th time that day (doesn't realize how much bigger he is, etc.) he swoops in to give her a hug and kiss. He surprises us, makes us laugh, impresses us, he's respectful and sweet when he wants to be, challenging and frustrating too. He is such an extrovert, and loves being with and/or around other people. We'll be playing in his room, and if we leave him in there alone he'll either leave with us or ask us to come back in!

At four, he wears size 4T or 5T, size 12 shoes, sleeps from about 7:30pm - 6:00am, still napping 1-2 hours each afternoon. He loves his cars, trucks, trains, dinosaurs, sharks, volcanoes, water, water, water, his new bike, dancing, super heros (which he has never actually watched), coloring (only with red and blue, his two favorite colors), and anything new and exciting. He's a great eater, loves bath time, and tells us weekly that we are his best friends…and he is absolutely ours as well.