Clifford x 2

This past week we went to the Clifford exhibit at Crown Center and it was so much fun we went again! The first time we went with Nana, then we went back with Ashley, Clayton and Sam. Hudson is really into the Clifford books right now and of course, Emily Elizabeth which he pronounces as if it was one word!

The best photo I could get of Jack and Hudson by Clifford!

Sam and Clayton

At the Hallmark Visitor's Center

With Nana, and some mail:)

Trying to keep Hudson still enough for one more picture!

Hudson's favorite things!

NANA. He loves her. He wakes up every day and wants to go to Nana's house. Lucikly it is a 20 minute drive instead of a 4 hour drive. We are so thankful she lives to close. Here she is at his school's Fourth of July Parade. We are so happy she can be here for all the "little things". BUZZ and WOODY. Enough said. He walks around talking in Toy Story language. He jumps down every step in the house or from the car with a "To infinity and beyond....chooo!!!" and rides Tanner with a "hold on cowboy!". If he gets in trouble, he does to pretend to shoot me with his lazer, but it could be worse I suppose. Thank you Aunt Sis for the newest Toy Story members!

HIS GEAR. His new umbrella and rolling bookbag. On Sunday, we went to Costco with Nana and then stopped to have lunch. It is raining, yet again in KC, and Hudson spots a little boy with a Buzz umbrella. He just HAD to have one. We tried to explain why we couldn't go to the store at that moment, but we knew we weren't going to win that battle. We come home, Hudson tells us he is leaving his shoes on, he helps unload lettuce into the pantry, puts the boxes in the garage, tells John to stay with Jack who is napping, and gets the phone and computer to call the toy store to see if they have any. I don't think this generation will know what a phone books us. Thankfully there was ONE left and he is the proud owner.

We all know who the last one belongs to......SPARKY or SPARK as Hudson has nicknamed him but those two move so fast together it is hard to snap a photo of them together! He does have a shirt that Nana bought him with a dog that looks like Sparky on it. We have owned it three days and I think so far it has been washed 5 times in the short time it has been here. But we are all happy there is another favorite shirt besides the Toy Story ones!

Hudson's first sleepover at Nana's

It really should be...Hudson's first sleepover at Sparky's! Hudson got his Buzz and Woody suitcase on wheels all packed up and ready for a fun night! He packed his 2 new Clifford books and off he went. Nana and Hudson made a playhouse out of the box that Mommy's and Daddy's new bedroom nightstand came it and that was a huge hit! Of course, Sparky spent the entire night tethered to Hudson and spent quite a bit of time in the playhouse before sneaking out the side window. They had to take a walk around the neighborhood and as Nana walked Rogan, Hudson had Sparky and all around the block, squeals of laughing and "to infinity and beyond...fffew!!!", "let's go cowboy", and "there's a snake in my boot" were said over and over as Hudson ran with Sparky in tow.
Even though to us humans the treatment Sparky receives doesn't always seem the kindest, Sparky definitely has a differing opinion. He has never jumped up on Nana's bed to sleep, but with Hudson in that bed, he jumped up and spent the night at Hudson's feet.
The last words spoken before sleep...
Nana: "I love you Hudson"
Hudson: "I love you too Nana....and Sparky"

All better!

After last week's fever, followed by the ear infection over the weekend, we are thrilled to have happy Jack back! He has changed so much this week. He is scooting faster, pulling up on everything and walking around furniture. He has two top teeth almost in. His hair is growing. He squeals louder. I think second borns have to in order to get any attention. And he even started a little bit of food. He now eats about 1/4 of a yobaby yogurt and is starting to pick up food like cheese. We are making progress. He somehow is getting even chubbier. He weighed 23 lbs last week at the doctor! Here is the our sweet, fat man.

Jack is 8 months old! (a little late)

Poor baby Jack greeted his 8 month birthday with his first fever. Here he is after a little Motrin though. He has his two bottom teeth and his top two are coming through. He greets almost everyone with a big grin then promptly places his head down being shy on mom or dad's shoulder. He has learned sympathy cries and his little lip turns under and he bursts into tears if he hears his brother cry. This of course has turned into a big game for Hudson as he fake cries to get a reaction. This is especially fun in the car. He is wearing 12 month and 18 month clothing and a size 4 diaper. Many of his clothes and pj's Hudson wore when he was over a year old. Luckily for us, even though they were born in opposite seasons he can wear many of his brother's old clothes! When he is sleepy in the car, he hums till he falls asleep. He is starting to eat a little baby food but thinks bottle nipples and pacifiers are chew toys. He is a sweet baby boy and we are having so much fun watching him do new things each day.
Jack now creeps across the room pretty quickly in a motion that resembles the "worm". For having a few extra lbs to get from here to there he does a pretty good job and is especially fast if he spots a dog bone, shoe, cord to the computer or Hudson's toy across the room.

He loves trying to pull himself up onto something and gets so excited he nearly falls over once he makes it.

the Fourth in Omaha, Day 2!

We stayed at an awesome hotel with a CoCo Key water resort inside. It was a great hit for everyone. This was actually just part of the water play area. There was another huge zero entry pool, a wave pool, and two giant water slides. It was a great time and made for very sleepy children (and adults).

Annika and Hudson were attached at the hip this trip....literally. Hudson was so excited to tell us about "his new buddies" Brandon and Annika. I guess when you don't see cousins for three months, they are new again!

An attempt at a family photo. Someone was not happy about sitting still while the other kids were playing.

Jack talking or should I say screaming "aahhhhhhh" to the water

Jack splashing in a fountain

The newest face....scrunching his nose!

Hudson all dressed up for breakfast in his PJ shirt he insisted wearing home and his sunglasses. Sometimes it is best to let tired three year olds win.

We all stayed awake long enough for the fireworks show. It was a great show and Hudson and Annika had a great time holding their ears and giggling with each boom!

the Fourth in Omaha, Day 1!

We had a great trip to Omaha to celebrate the Fourth with John's sister and her family from Colorado. We started out at the Henry Doorly Zoo. It was a great zoo and Hudson was excited to see all of his friends from the Disney movies Madagascar and Lion King and would refer to the appropriate character name for each animal. I don't know how he remember names from movies he has only seen a few times.

John was very excited to try a fried taco at California Taco's straight from Food Network show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dive's". I believe this place fell into the "Dive's" category and I have to admit being a little nervous taking two little ones in the place, but the taco was well worth it.

Jack thought sleeping through the hot day was a better option.

After the zoo, we headed to dinner at Spaghetti Works in Old Market.

Hudson I believe doing a Buzz Lightyear impersonation.

A "gentle" squeeze. It won't be too much longer before Jack can tackle him back.

The boys waking up Daddy at 7am despite going to bed late. How come going to bed later, doesn't make kids sleep in later?