Safari & Jumpzone Fun

Over the last week, we have had fun at two local places, The Wildlife Safari & Jumpzone. Hudson had never been to the Wildlife Safari, so on Labor Day Josh and I took him. Two of his favorite things are the outdoors and animals, so this was perfect for Hudson. We want Hudson to know that we want to experience all these new fun adventures with him.

Later in the post you will see pics from the Jumpzone. The Jumpzone has numerous inflatable slides and bouncy houses. Hudson has been before and the more he goes the more fun he has. Hudson and his cousin Carter are quite the pair. They are big buddies and were just hanging/jumping out at the Jumpzone!! I'm lucky to have my sis and her boys so close to us!!

Wildlife Safari

Hello Mr. Yak!!

Josh & I just laughed at the photo. The poor wolf is wanting to eat those deer so bad. The look in his eyes just tell it all.....so close yet so far away!!

Off to see the next animal.

Riding the Gorilla

Hudson liked the baby goat the best.

Feeding the pig some bread!!

This goat got a little too close for Hudson!!

JUMPZONE FUN

Big Buddies

Hudson is saying, "Whoa, here I come!!"

Carter is just chillin' going down the slide.
Collin is patiently waiting his turn behind Carter.

Loves to jump then fall :-)

First Day of School

Well, today Hudson started his first day of school. Okay, so he is only going on Thursdays from 9am-1pm but to me & him that is HUGE!! He is my little buddy through the day so it was a bittersweet time for me. I knew that he would have so much fun playing with other kiddos, finger-painting, & eating that he wouldn't miss me at all. I was excited to have a few hours to get things done around the house, too. Hudson was all prepared with his mathcing backpack & lunchbag. I can't wait to see all the things that he'll do and learn.

This picture just cracks me up!!

What a fun day and oh so tired.

Hudson's Girl

Wow, it has been a few weeks since I last posted anything. I feel busy but not so busy all at the same time....crazy.

The other night we had our friends Brett & Nikki over for dinner with their adorable, cute, sweet daughter, Faith. Faith will be 10 weeks old tomorrow. Time has just flown by. Hudson was so sweet with her. I was a little nervous at how he would act towards her. He loves kids but I didn't know if he would know to be careful because she is a baby!! He was very careful. He touched her arm and back so softly. He even brought her pacifier to her a couple of times!! I know he'll be a great BIG brother when the time comes.

Let me just say again that Faith is such a good baby. She is already sleeping through the night....LUCKY!!!! I could so keep her for days and days. I don't think Hudson would mind cause he would love to show out for her :-) I'll just say this.....I think Faith could be Hudson's future girl someday :-)

Nikki, Faith, & Brett

I think Josh looks good holding a little girl :-)

Hudson was saying "cheese," so silly me didn't look at the camera

Couple of Cute Videos

Okay, so I know that I posted a new entry just hours ago, but I had to post these two videos. One is of Hudson giving me kisses. He is really good at making the kissing noise :-)
The other video is of Josh, Hudson, Collin & Carter. We watched our nephews one evening last week. We have so much fun when we have them. We went for a walk (well, Hudson & Carter got to ride in the wagon). Collin walked beside me but didn't want to hold my hand because he said I had "germs"!! The video is what we always do after wagon rides. Enjoy :-)

My Cautious Daredevil

Hudson's new "thing" is leaping from the chair & ottoman to the cushions awaiting below him. Normally, Josh or I are next to the ottoman to help him with the leap. Today though I got the video camera and told him to be careful, because I couldn't be right beside him. He ended up being very cautious. He didn't even leap but instead laid down and rolled off the ottoman. He is quite the boy these days. He loves playing with balls, blocks, and trucks. He is such a joy to our lives. When Josh gets home from work Hudson is so excited to see him. Hudson will follow Josh around like a little puppy after he gets home. It makes my day to see Hudson love on his Daddy.

July 4th Weekend

Saturday we went to the Bentonville Square for the Bike Parade. Josh, Hudson & I got there early to enjoy the farmer's market. My Mom & Dad (aka Me-Ma & Pa-Pa) met us at the square, too, along with Carrie, Josh, & the boys. We had a really good time. The parade had a small town feel to it. Hudson & Carter rode in the red wagon. Don't they look cute?? Collin rode is bike and raced really fast. The whole family walked in the parade.

Oh, Carrie & I spent Friday decorating the wagon and bike. I'm so lucky to have a fun sis :-) She is definitely the creative one between the two of us.

Aren't they cute?

Pa-Pa, Hudson, & Me-Ma before the bike parade

These boys are ready to ride!! Check out Collin behind them on his big boy bike.


Carrie made the boys their own license plate!!

Here we go!!

For every child that participated, they gave them free ice cream from The Station Cafe!! The boys were very excited about that!!

Carter is so happy right now :-)

On July 4th, after a cookout at Carrie & Josh's, we went to the Pinnacle Hills Church to watch fireworks. This isn't some small show either. There are hundreds of fireworks that go off and it was amazing. I didn't know how Hudson would do with the fireworks. Last year he was so young and wasn't around any. He LOVED them. His eyes were glued to the sky.

Daddy & Hudson take a walk around the grounds. BTW, Josh sprays the grass at the church and it all looked great!!

Beautiful picture of the Crosses!!

Had to get a picture of the 3 of us :) I'm lucky to have 2 cute guys in my life.

This isn't even all the people that were there!!

Hudson & Me-Ma looking at the fireworks!!

**Thanks to all the military past & present who put their lives on the line for us every day**

Dads I Love

I decided to start with the Dad who has known me the longest. This is my Dad, Howard (aka Pa-Pa). My Dad is the one who has put up with me the longest and that is something :-) I was a good kid....I promise (fingers crossed)..haha!! I love my Dad and have always been a Daddy's girl. He is a great Dad. He showed me how hard a man works for his family. He taught me so many things growing up, for example, driving a tractor, how to fish, and how to get Mom to do things for ya!! One thing I know is that he loves his family and he is a great Pa-Pa to Hudson, Collin & Carter. All the boys love Dad and love his attention. Dad loves taking the boys on 4-wheeler and tractor rides. He thought having me & Carrie was wonderful but he loves his grandsons. Thanks for being a Great Dad and Pa-Pa.

This is Pa (aka Josh's Dad or aka Wayne). Hudson loves Pa. He knows that when he sees Pa that fun comes right along with him. Pa is a wonderful Grandpa to Hudson and his cousin, Logan. He works hard for his family and is always there if anyone needs him or Nana. That is one of the reasons he is such a great Dad. I'm so lucky to have a Dad-in-Law as good as Pa. I'm saying all these nice things but Pa is quite the teaser. He teases me about being from Arkansas (not wearing shoes and all but I don't see that as a problem all the time :-). He's from Oklahoma so that doesn't make us too different. I guess my Hubby is an Oklahoman, so all is forgiven. Thanks Pa for loving all us even if we live in Arkansas!! We love you Pa!!

Now to the last Dad on my list. I love this Dad with all that's in me!! He is a wonderful Father to Hudson. Josh is the kind of man that I hope Hudson becomes. He is a faithful servant of Christ and that is the best example & gift that any Father could give his child. Hudson & I are so lucky to have him in our lives. I know Josh looks forward to all the fishing trips and outdoor fun him and Hudson will have in the years to come. Thanks Josh for being a great husband & Daddy. We Love you!!