Hudson's 2nd birthday.

I wish I could tell you it was as fabulous as his first birthday. But I can't. So I won't. See, there's the thing. Time (see weekly schedule above) is going at warp speed and I can't get a second to slow down to even think. And sometimes, thinking about things like a birthday party and Christmas (well.. Christmas in general is enough) cards just really push me over the overwhelmed edge.

So Hudson's birthday this year..can't touch last year's celebration.I'm pretty sure he enjoyed his presents just the same.

and so did Anna

and we just stopped in the kitchen to open them. Because we're classy like that.

Note to self..open presents last so he will have interest in the cake.

On 2nd thought..maybe we should do that so he won't realize just how ugly it is. (I needed you Kara!) Actually Anna put the icing on it all by herself (I swear I'm not blaming it's ugliness on her!). I was preaching to the kids about taking initiative to do things that needed to be done without someone having to tell you to do it. Next thing I know, Anna is slapping icing on the cake (and may have taken a lick or two in between but we won't tell the family that will we?).

Note to self..don't try to take a pic with the birthday boy while he's eating cake

He hasn't left Thomas and Percy's side since he received them.

I thought this was the funniest picture of the whole night. Anna is sulking because grandma wouldn't let her spend the night with her. Hudson is showing off his prized possession. And Pancho is playing with cardboard. Yep..sums up the night!

So I don't think Hudson was too disappointed. He was still basking in the Thomas glow the next morning.

(please don't look at the dust under my china cabinet and dining room table. I'm pretty sure the burglars put it there when they broke in my house) (PS..love Hudson's bowl cut or hate it? I love it. Billy hates it.)

So happy birthday my sweet boy.

I love you more than life. I love your sweetness and your ability to mock all things I say (sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes it's not).

I know when I started this blog I couldn't imagine being a mom to a boy.

and now I can't imagine life without you. You bring happiness in our lives in the smallest ways. In ways you don't even know. Like footed pajamas and hearing your little feet hit the floor when you're running.

and when you throw open those little arms and say "FAMILY HUG" when we're all in the same room..it just makes my heart melt.

So you may not have had the grandest celebration to celebrate your 2nd birthday..but I can promise you that  you are the most loved 2 yr old little boy in the world. HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUDSON!

November..

Mid November actually! How DID that happen?

This is how it happened. This is what my typical week looks like (after work mind you. 1 hr round trip drive):
Monday- Anna gymnastics (1hr). Tatum cheerleading @ cheer gym (30 mins) (1 hour round trip drive)
Tuesday- Anna dance 1.5 hrs (30 min round trip drive)
Wednesday- OFF
Thursday- Anna-Girl Scouts- Every other week 1hr
Friday- Anna pitching lessons .5 hrs (1 hr round trip)

Now all of the above going on lets add Tatum's science Olympiad 3 times a week and now add THIS:

this to the mix 2-3 days a week! YAY! (Tatum is on the right above. The external flash works a whole lot better with fresh batteries. The camera itself works a lot better with a charged battery. That's the only 2 pics I got of her first game.)

SO...we're be bopping along.

enjoying our fall clothes weather

 

enjoying Saturdays at the park

enjoying Alabama football (but not enjoying 2 losses) ROLL TIDE.

Enjoying RAIN!

These were taken the morning of Tues, Nov 16th.

The day started off ok (hey..we made the bus. I consider that success)

My sweet man even got to wear his new Indian shirt I made him.

Then..I get the call. It was around 12:50pm. My house alarm was going off. The Police had been dispatched. I'm driving home trying to think of "the worst". The worst..for me..my external hard drive was gone. Every picture I have of my children since 2003 is on my one external hard drive and it was attached to my laptop. Lord, if they snatched my laptop PLEASE let them have left the hard drive. I arrived home about 20 minutes of getting the call to seeing this:

My front door. Still closed..but you can see feet print where they tried to kick it in but had no success. (My wreath held up very well Suzann)

but my heart sank when I saw this

(the french doors in my office standing wide open)
The police and Billy (and his dad) were there and I step in to see this

The TV we purchased April 3rd..the first new one we had bought since 1995. Gone. Blu Ray purchased the same time, gone. Part of the Bose system, gone. Actually, I found the subwoofer and a speaker across the room. Good news was, my external drive was safe and sound (WHEW!).

Billy told me they came in through the basement. So I walked about out and walked around to the basement where i happened to turn and notice that a yucky rainy morning had turned into a beautiful day

The police car is still in my driveway in this pic talking to my neighbor, that saw the car turn into my driveway.

The basement door wasn't as lucky as the front & the office doors that held up..they were metal. Basement was wood. : (

Bad thing is.. 3 other houses in my area were hit that SAME DAY!

But life goes on.. there's Tatum cheering at a gameand  Anna at dance class that night. There's my sweet Hudson who turned TWO on Thursday. I know.. I can't believe my baby boy is TWO!

 and life is still good. No one was hurt. My external hard drive and monogram machine are still here and life is just good.

But you know what sucks about not having a TV..NOT HAVING A TV!!!!

HALLOWEEN!!!

So day 3..she wore the outfit I wanted to wear the day before so I already posted that pic.

Day 2 til Halloween

and the day before we actually celebrated and trick or treated so here they are!

I had a monkey in a tree and a Anna Banana! HA!

and here the monkey is running away from the banana.

I thought my tree was all kinds of awesome!

look..she even somewhat blended in with the other trees.

Halloween was a blast..we trick or treated then roasted hot dogs and marshmallows (again).  Fun times!