Family Tradition

There are lots of traditions we had growing up and, after starting a family of my own, I wanted to start some traditions with my boys.  So far my favorite family tradition is that I get all of us our own ornament for the year that represents something that happened during that year.  That way when my boys get older they already have ornaments to start their Christmas tree.  Here are this year's ornaments:

Nate's

Hudson's

Mine

T.J.'s

Busy Weekend

For the first time in a long time T.J. and I both had the weekend off with nothing planned.  It was nice.  We did a ton of stuff.

Nate and I made dozens of cookies-

I made some more homemade baby food for Hudson (sweet potatoes)-

T.J. put up the Christmas lights on the front of the house-

And Mama got a new do-

Thanksgiving Fun

  So I know this is a little late, but I've just now finished recovering from our Thanksgiving week.  We had a busy one.  My sister and her boyfriend arrived Wednesday along with my brother-in-law Matt and his girlfriend Erin.  We made a delicious meal and hung out most of the day, and then Matt and Erin left.  Laura and Mitch stayed through the weekend, and T.J. got Mitch to help him build a gate for the end of the drive.  They worked on it most of the weekend.
  Then on Thanksgiving day we got up early with the boys and started the cooking.  T.J.'s other brother Monty and his girlfriend Stephanie showed up mid-morning and we had a great day visiting.  Nate enjoyed all the attention, and it was nice to be able to cook without someone clinging to me.  Monty and Stephanie left late that night.
  I worked Friday, and T.J. and Mitch went out fishing.  This left Laura to babysit the two boys and she says she only cried once.  Saturday T.J. kicked me out of the house and I dragged Laura with me.  We spent the day Christmas shopping and running errands.  That night T.J. and I went to get our Christmas tree.  It was nice to be able to get so much done in one day.
  Sunday we had Hudson baptized and T.J.'s brothers came back to town.  We ate the rest of the leftovers and had a great day.  Then Sunday night T.J. and the boys and I decorated for Christmas.  It was a very eventful and exhausting week, but it was great to see everyone.

Nate and Erin wrestling on the bed in the spare bedroom.

The most perfect pie I've ever made.

Nate taste testing the mashed potatoes.  I think he liked them.

Laura was anxious to get the festivities started.

My Thanksgiving fail.  This was supposed to be gravy.

Monty Blue and his new lady.

Our new gate.

Hudson and his sponsors.

The whole crew.

Our Christmas tree.

Amarillo by Morning

Saturday morning we left bright and early for the Austin airport and from there to the Amarillo area to visit T.J.'s family.  We spent the long weekend driving around the Panhandle to visit T.J.'s Granny and Grandad, his Dad and Stepmom, and his Mom and Stepdad.  We had a great time and a relaxing visit.

Sick Baby

This week for the first time in his short life Hudson has been sick.  Coughing, runny nose, croupy sounding lungs.  My sweet baby has not been sleeping well, which means T.J. and I have not been sleeping well.  This morning for the first time he seems to be on the mend.  Oh the joys of sending your kids to daycare.  At least this means he won't be as sick when he gets older.

Firsts for Hudson

Hudson has had a lot of first in his short life, but two of them happened this week.  He had his first taste of cereal (homemade by his perfect Mama :)), and he had his first time in the activity chair.  He loved both-note his reaction to the toys on the activity chair.

Halloween

Every year since Nate was born I've worked on Halloween.  This year wasn't any different, but I did luck out and was able to leave early.  I got home and we got the boys dressed and headed out.  Nate did not enjoy the hood on his lion costume when we were out walking around because he couldn't look side to side.  He did enjoy the candy though.  We had a good time and I'm sure Nate can't wait until next year.