Nate-a trial and a treat

My oldest son is now three years old, I can't believe it.  It seems like he just arrived and I was getting very little sleep (although he still doesn't sleep well).  There are many reasons I love my boy, and many reasons he tries my patiences, but at the end of the day I still love to sit with him in the rocking chair as he snuggles in to go to sleep.  I love his sweet heart, and crazy laugh.  I love that everyday he says something that surprises me and makes me laugh (yesterday he knew he was bothering me and he just looked at me and said "serenity now").  I love that he tries to help in whatever I'm doing, even if he is more in the way.  I love how sweet he can be to his little brother, even though he is often a trouble maker.  I love my boy and am sad to see him get older, but also excited to see where he ends up.

Who couldn't love that face?

San Antonio Visit

Last week and the week before my parents were down visiting Laura and I.  They started out their stay in San Antonio.  Luckily I had off of work (considering how busy we've been, that's a miracle), so the boys and I drove to San Antonio to hang out with them.  We got there Wednesday around lunchtime and the fun began.  Both boys were in a good mood so we went to the Children's Museum.  Nate really enjoyed a exhibit that allowed him to play with many balls and send them through tubes.  He had a blast.  Denyse pointed out numerous times that the museum was not nearly as nice as the LaCrosse one, but the boys had fun anyway.  We spent the evening hanging out at Laura and Mitch's apartment playing with their cats, and then my mom and I headed of to stay in a hotel with the boys.  Thursday morning I woke up to Hudson vomiting on me, but the day got better from there.  We bummed around at Target some (always a treat for me since Wal-mart is the closest store to us here), had breakfast at the apartment, and then headed home.  All in all a good trip.

Birthday Party

This past week T.J.'s mom came to visit, and my parents were here, so we decided to have a birthday party for Nate.  T.J.'s brothers and girlfriends came over from Austin and our neighbors came over and we had a great time.  The weather was beautiful and we spent most of the afternoon outside.  Nate got a water toy from Mama Bear and he and the neighbor girl (Maddie) had a blast playing with it.  Nate got lots of presents and his first bloody nose from his uncles' gift.  It was an eventful day.

The bloody nose giver

Spring is here!!

So spring has actually been here for a while, but we've been enjoying it a lot lately.  We've had lots of visitors (which is why my posts have been delayed).  I'm not sure who is enjoying the ability to be outside more, me or the boys.  Also, this time of year is beautiful down here.  The wildflowers are blooming and many days are sunny.  It's been a good time to practice with the camera and try to get some good pictures.  We've also been working on our garden and even have some plants in the ground (thanks to my mom).  Here's what we've been up to lately:

Birthday Boy!

My baby is 3!  I can't believe it.  We are having a bigger party for him when all his grandparents are here, but we still had to do some celebrating around his birthday.  His Aunt Laura came the Friday before his birthday and made a cake with him.  Then we had a movie night and watched Bambi, which the adults realized is a very depressing movie.  Nate had a blast playing with Laura and Mitch, and keeps picking flowers for Laura and asking where Mitch is.

Making and decorating the cake

 Nate was working hard to get those candles out.

 Movie fun!

Then on Monday, on Nate's actual third birthday, we took the boys to the McDonald's in Columbus to eat and play on the playground.  Nate had a blast!

Hudson's first cheeseburger and fries.

Juice anyone?

Springtime Fun

The weather around here lately has been decidedly springlike.  The boys and I have been spending a lot of time outside working on our front flower beds and starting a vegetable garden.  We've been having a great time, Nate especially.

T.J. found a baby rabbit when he was mowing and caught it to show Nate.  He had a good time petting it, then the boys let it go.

Hudson has really been practicing moving around.

Nate had a great time playing in the mud.

On the Move!

Hudson is moving around a lot more in the last month.  He can pull himself up on furniture, army crawls around the living room, and can 'walk' along the walls and furniture.  Of course his attempts at movement are often hindered by his brother.

Hudson started in front of the stove and got held up at the corner, he couldn't figure out where to go from there.