vacation time!

 I think you could say they look kind of similar...

 Our Stella, she is so much fun right now. She is talking ALL the time, trying to keep up with everything brother is doing (unless he's not around, then she's totally chill), and she is such a happy girl! Hudson has lost pretty much all his toddler ways, other than the wining and certain other behavioral things every four year old has! Both kids are very quick, fun, and eager for adventure (of the kid kind, of course). 

 Stel's first time in Kauai, and we all had a great time! Both kids LOVED the ocean, and it was fun to explore the volcano and point out all the "cold lava" with Hudson. Of course it was great to be with Auntie Susie and Uncle Rick too - we are very lucky!

 The best we could do with a family photo op - there's gotta be one that doesn't want to do it. The shadows weren't the best either, so we'll just have to try again another time!

catch up - again

Well it seems to be a growing theme that i update about every month with a bunch of photos. But i guess that's better than nothing, and it at least gives us something to look back on in the years to come! These two are doing so much more together now, and it's both fun and stressful. They love to be together, and truly like each other, but like most kids i think, they fight, grab, scream and tattle on each other WAY too much. It's exhausting. But the times they get along well are so sweet!

 It's fun to have friends to run to the beach with last minute - we love hanging with the Palpants!

 Like I said above, when these two are good with each other, it's the best. So glad i was able to capture this sweet moment between them. They really do love and care for each other, it just gets a little clouded by the other stuff sometimes. 

 The kids have been to Disney four times now since we moved here - so spoiled! :) but they are getting more into it, and this last time hudson rode his first roller coaster (in Toontown). Freaked him out pretty good, but he didn't cry, and left saying he wants to do it again "when he's older."

 We had a couple warm weekends this spring and went straight to the beach! Can't wait for summer to be doing this every weekend!

 Hudson's handwriting is so great, and he loves to write his numbers and letters. I'm not great about getting cards, etc. out to anyone on time (or at all) these days but when I think of it and we can get it done it's great to see him do this writing!

 It's hard to remember the funny things the kids say all the time, but this one I got down in writing fast enough. We were having a conversation about helping the elderly. 

 Skanska sponsored a booth for the March of Dimes this last month, so we went to walk the 5K and support. They had the bat mobile there too which was really cool, and of course, bubbles. 

 Stel takes better pictures when she doesn't know she's being photographed these days - and it's fun to catch her doing her thing throughout the house. She does so well playing by herself, and finding things to entertain her…until big brother swoops in. :)

 The gardenia plant outside the kitchen door is blooming like crazy this year - it's so amazing! And i snapped this pic of Hudson and Stel right after nap the other day - they were being so adorable together, talking and being silly. Rare but precious moments, especially lately. 

Easter

 Easter started with a trip to see the Easter bunny - which ended with Stella crying anytime the bunny came close to her, and Hudson refusing to look at the camera. So, This is our photo with the Easter bunny this year. Good times. The petting zoo was a big hit though!!

 Easter Sunday was a very fun day for these two - two Easter egg hunts, lots of candy, and fun with family in the POOL. Hudson has now started swimming on his own, and i think i literally see gills growing on his sides. He loves the water SO much. Kauai will be a blast for both of them this year!

 As time goes on, these two spend more time playing nicely and enjoying each others company. Hudson is growing into such a sweet, positive, happy boy - the toddler in him is slipping away too quickly. But Stel is stepping boldly into her TWOs, so that's a bit of adventure to balance out Hudson's continued maturity. Always a new stage, as they say. But lots of fun, and I'm really enjoying my 'talks' with both of them more and more. We spend great time together just talking these days, and it's so cool. What great people I get to live with.