serious photo catch up!

 Well it's been a while since i've updated the blog, which means life has gotten busier! Aside from Hudson starting kindergarten, I started teaching a 3 credit class at Azusa Pacific University, so things have been more active for sure! Below is Hudson with his school mascots - we saw them at a fundraiser in town for his school! So nice to be part of the community in this new way. 

 We got a visit from Grandma in October, which is always a treat! 

 Hudson played on his first official soccer team this fall, and though he hasn't mastered the art of the game yet, he had a BALL with his friends! And always got a good amount of exercise which is always great! We hope he will want to play again in the future. 

 We got a new car!  Yes!!! Finally got rid of the Santa Fe and got the car I really wanted! I'm loving the new ride, and am thankful for Andy and his ability to find a good car for a good deal~!

 Halloween this year was fun - and filled with parties! I had no idea we would end up with SO much candy, but the kids had fun being part of everything. Stella was Pinkalicious (a character from a book she loves) and Hudson was Darth Vader. 

 A visit from Oma brought more news than we expected - not only did we have a nice time, but we found out we were going to be welcoming a new baby to the family next year! Abbie and Mark announced they are expecting a baby in May, and we are thrilled for them. 

 Birthday party!!

 This picture is Hudson's kindergarten photo. We LOVE it - it captures his joyful and fun personality for sure. 

 For thanksgiving this year we road tripped up to Tahoe/Sacramento to be with my family. It was a lot of driving, but fun to be with everyone and have some snow! Hudson of course was in heaven. 

 Mark, Hudson and I went ice skating up at NorthStar (everyone was there but didn't all skate). Hudson did pretty good for never having done it before!

 This December Hudson lost his first TOOTH!!! He dropped it in the trash at school, but the tooth fairy still came!

 Christmas season is the best!

Curly Top Crew

 There are three little sisters that see each other daily at Kindergarten, and they have formed a little friendship! Stel, Lindsay and Selah are all around the same age, and all have curly hair! So one of the dads who does photography on the side asked if he could do a photo shoot of the girls together. Stel was pretty difficult during this process, but he managed to get some good ones! So nice to have girls she can connect with while Hudson is making friends at school also!

family photos!!

 We FINALLY had family photos taken!! these were the best out of all of them…yea it was a rough shoot. 

September

 Well after a CRAZY busy August, I think it took a good part of september to recover and get into our fall routine. Hudson is now over a month into Kindergarten, and he LOVES it. I am still shocked at the new songs and things he comes home knowing every day.

 Our weekends still tend to include water (pool, or beach) and now we've added soccer to the mix. Hudson is on his first official team and he is loving it! still figuring out the rules of the game and what the point is (other than running around with your friends) but he's having a ball. 

 This post includes a couple of the drawings he has done at school the last couple weeks. Each week they do a drawing that includes a secret letter - it's the owl is the letter M…can you find it? 

 Since Stel is still transitioning to life without diapers, we spend a lot of time without pants while at home, so she can get to the potty quickly when she needs to (which is every time). Hudson usually feels the need to participate in the pants-less charade as well. 

 Stel and her friend Amalie - these two are two months apart, and are growing a cute little friendship.

 Every once in a while these two love each other in an adorable way, when i have the camera ready. Man i love these two, and they really love each other too. It's been neat to see their friendship growing the last month or so, especially with Hudson imparting his newfound 'wisdom' to his sister after school. She is his star pupil. 

Andy left today for six days, for work and pleasure, but had to bring his work boots. Stel had to give them a whirl as well - i swear she just looks cute in everything. :) Now we'll see what six days without andy looks like! (oh boy)