Fun in the Mud with Hudson

For the past few weeks it has been very rainy in South Carolina. The kiddos have been very restless because their favorite place to be is outside. I finally decided to take them out even though the ground was very soggy. At first they both just played happily in the driveway and on the deck. Then Hudson realized there was a mud puddle near their swing set at the back of the yard. He ran for it and I quickly caught him just before his feet touched the puddle. I told him to stay out of the puddle and play on the deck or driveway. He seemed to listen well for awhile until I was helping Emmy find rocks. He saw it as a great opportunity the sprint as fast as he could toward the mud puddle--the kid is fast! This time he was able to splash through it. When he reached the end, he would run back through it. I did the same as I had done before and brought him to the other side of the yard. He played for awhile and headed straight for the mud puddle, this time splashing and thoroughly soaking his outfit. I thought, oh well the damage has been done I might as well let him have fun. He had a blast splashing back and forth through the puddle as fast as he could. He is truly a boy in every aspect. Emmy decided to watch him and not partake in this adventure. Thank goodness!!!!

Twins Club Christmas Party

This past weekend we took the kids to the Twins Club Children's Christmas Party. E & H were so funny and didn't know what to think of all of the noise and big kids. They held on to our pant legs for a good 15 minutes before they felt comfortable enough to run around. There was cookie decorating, ornament making, a cake walk, and Santa Claus. E & H weren't too keen on Santa. They screamed when we tried to put them in his lap. They were late for their usual nap time but they did suprisingly well, of course they passed out as soon as we were in the car.

picking out a toy after the cake walk

Emmy with her friend Kendall

Emmy & her Daddy

Hudson at the coloring table

Christmas Tree Hunting

We went to a local tree farm this year to find our Christmas tree. We did it last year for Emmy & Hudson's first Christmas so we decided to continue the tradition. The kiddos enjoyed running through the tree field and helped us find the perfect tree.

Looking for the perfect tree

Just give Hudson a stick & he's happy!

Our tree

Cutting down our tree

Hudson had to ride the tractor!

And we're off!

There's WHAT in the Bedroom?

We spent this Thanksgiving with my family. We met everyone at my parents' mountain vacation house. We were the first ones to arrive. All was well...we were unloading our luggage. I was chasing the kids all over the unchildproofed house. Emmy darted into my parents' dark bedroom. I came in just as she was bending down to touch something on the floor. I yelled, "Emmy don't touch" thinking one of the dogs had an accident on the floor but as I took a closer look...it was a bat!!! I immediately screamed for Steve. After much thought, he decided to trap it in a bag and let it go outside. Whew! That was a close call. Emmy had almost reached down and touched a BAT and who knows what would have happened if she would have!

Although it was great to spend time with family, the vacation wasn't that pleasant. Both kiddos were sick the whole time suffering from runny noses, coughs and fevers. Poor babies! We had lots of help with them but I wish they had been feeling better. We were able to see some of the sights including a place called Goats on a Roof, a touristy type place where you can feed the goats and buy jellies and such.

To kick off the beginning of the Christmas season, we went to a small town near the house where they were having a Christmas gathering. The shops around town were open and everything was decorated for Christmas. We heard Santa was visiting but we never were able to find him but a great time was had by all.

Here's the bat!

Not so happy kiddos!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gram and her boys

Enjoying the deck

Hudson & Daddy

Hudson, cousin Knox, & Emmy

They loved the Christmas tree

Me & my girl

Family Get Together With Friends

We got together with my best friend, Lindsey's family in November. We met at my parents' vacation home in the mountains. We had so much fun together. We went hiking at the gorge, went out to lunch, and roasted marshmallows in the fireplace on the deck. The kids enjoyed playing together and got along really well. We will definitely have to make this an annual event.

Lindsey and her family

hiking at the gorge

the girls with their kiddos

the little ones

all the kiddos swinging together

Connor getting his marshmallows ready to roast

Eating lunch before heading out

Fall Pictures

I know these pictures are a little late...but I'm trying to catch up on the blogging thing. Emmy and Hudson absolutely adore being outside. They would spend all day outside if I would let them. The weather was beautiful in September and October and perfect for outside play. They love to crunch and throw the leaves. Here are some pictures of them playing in the leaves.

Can you believe we still have tomato plants in October?

The kids love them!

I love this one with Emmy in the background

Playing in the leaves

Cutie pie!

Happy Halloween!

Our little bumblebee and strawberry had a great 2nd Halloween. We took them to our old neighborhood to visit and trick or treat. Then we went to a local church for a Halloween party. The kiddos enjoyed collecting candy in their pumpkins. Steve's mom, Mary Ellen was in town so she went with us. A great time was had by all!

Our little strawberry

It's so hard to get them in a picture together!

trick or treat!

A Halloween Party

The weekend before Halloween we all went to a Halloween party at the Moats' house. We had so much fun watching the kids interact and play. Emmy & Hudson had the most fun sitting in Morgan and Jack's bouncy seats. It was so funny! Maybe we need to pull ours out of the attic for entertainment! Here are some pictures from the night.

Kristen & Morgan

Watching the bubbles on the front steps

Katie-Grace, Olivia, Kendall, Katelyn, Emmy & Hudson

Morgan playing in the toy bucket

Emmy relaxing in the bouncy seat

Grandaddy's 90th Birthday!

The weekend of October 17th we traveled to Tennessee for my Grandaddy's 90th birthday.
(E & H's Great Grandfather :) We stayed with Aunt Judy and Uncle Donnie. We were able to show the kiddos their farm. It was a beautiful day. They enjoyed walking through the fields and petting the horses. Hudson was even brave enough to get on the horse's back. He loved it! Gram would be so proud...she wants one of them to ride horses. We tried to put Emmy on but she wasn't having any of it!


Granddaddy with his Great Grandson, Knox



Out on the farm!


Hudson enjoying his ride

Hudson petting the horse

Emmy with her Daddy

That night, we went to Grandaddy's party. The party was a lot of fun with great food. It was so nice to get together with all of our Tennessee relatives. The party was held at a conference center that also had a gym so all of the kids were able to play after they had eaten...really nice to release all of that energy! Hudson and Emmy enjoyed walking around and watching all of the big kids play.

Hudson watching the big kids play basketball

Emmy playing with a ball

Trip to Pennsylvania

Steve and I talked about taking a trip to Pennsylvania to visit his relatives when the babies were born. We knew that we wanted to wait until Emmy & Hudson were older and the weather was cooler. We planned to visit his side of the family including his grandmother, Margaret who was 93 years old(whom Emmy is named after). His Grandmother was so excited to meet Hudson and Emmy.

Unfortunately she passed away the Monday before we were to visit, so instead of a happy visit we came for her funeral. She lived a long and happy life. She was a strong, deeply religious and kind lady and she will be missed.

Despite the circumstances, we were able to visit and spend some time with the rest of the family. Thanks to Uncle Joe & Aunt Julianne for allowing us to stay with them during our visit. We enjoyed getting together with everyone. Here are a few pictures from our trip.

Hudson looking at the garden

Swinging with Uncle Stan at a local park

Taking a walk with Kristin through

Great Grandpa's Christmas tree farm

4 generations: Great Grandpa-Stan I,

Grandpa-Stan II, Daddy & Hudson

Hudson bouncing with Grandma

Hudson & Emmy on the see-saw

What a pretty view!

Out to dinner with Grandma, Grandpa,

Uncle Joe & Aunt Julianne