December

Wow, what a great December we have been having. Here are a few things we have been up too...this will be a shorter post because we are off to the local retirement home to sing Christmas carols:

- Hudson can say MAMA!! That's the most exciting update :o)
- We had our first snow fall, so of course that meant a baking session of gingerbread cookies.
- The boys completed there first session of gymnastics, and they loved and really want to do it again.
- We got our tree up!!
- Aliah started to open the presents, so the presents aren't under the tree, they are on top of the entertainment unit.
- And the basement renovations have begun!! Soon we will have a real play room and an extra bedroom!!

Bryan's book list for me this year.

Here are some books Susanne forgot to mention:

Rude and Loving It by I. M. Rude
(She obviously never read the book How to be less Rude)

Living with a Perfect Husband by I.M. Solucky

Presents from a Brother in Law by Hardto O. Pin

Perspective

Yesterday I had a bit of a quiet day. Bryan's parents took all three big boys for the day. Brendan and Keegan went with Dad to a basket-ball tournament and Joshie stayed with Grandma to play with his cousin Tyler. I was able to clean up...shop...relax and enjoy our two little ones. I wouldn't want this all the time, but every now and then is a welcomed change. I was thinking about when we only had Brendan and Keegan and I remember feeling overwelmed and very busy most days...everything was so new and I no longer only had myself to think about. Now, with have 5 amazing blessings, only having 2 for the day feels like I have had a break. Life is funny that way. I did enjoy my babies yesterday, and I am happy we are all back together today :o)

Note: If anyone wants to hang out with my kids for a day, I would be happy to scheduale you in :o)

Bees

We started our school year off with Bees this year. I know it is already Nov. but I thought it might be nice to still post pictures from our filed trip to our friends farm. Bees are amazing creatures. They are so little, but so complicated. And it is really neat to see how they live and work in a very task orientated community. And each bee knows exactly what its responsibility is. And honey is amazing...it not only tastes delicious but it never goes bad. I love learning about God's creation and seeing how He created even the smallest thing to show His glory!

Guest Post by Brendan

OUR DOG DARCY


3 and a half years ago we went to go get a dog we had 2 dogs before 1got hit by a car the other
dog we had to get rid of because the neighbors were afraid of it because it ate some of our
chickens. When we picked Darcy up and were just about home Darcy pooped on me it was so
funny. .When we got home with our new dog we opened the car door she jumped out and started
running all around. She looked so cute running around the next day we got up early to play with
are new pet..One of the games we played was Darcy would go and hide in the long grass it was
lots of fun .That Sunday after church we played with Darcy The next year we moved to the city.
Then we bred Darcy and in the next few weeks we had puppies in the backyard at first she didn’t know what to do with them but later she did. In the next few days we went on vacation in
Tobermory . When we got back we sold the puppies. Then are neighbors started complaining
about her barking. Then the police came to our house because of our neighbors. Then the
S.P.C.A. came for the same reason. Then she bit one of our neighbors roofers so we decided to
get rid of her. My mom said my dad made the right decision. So today November 12 2009 we
gave her away, it is very sad. .We cried a lot today like I said she is happy we still can see her.
She moved to a farm.




THE END. This is a true story

A New (to Hudson) Toy

We took out the Jolly Jumper today and Hudson loved it. Keegan thought it was called a "jolly jumper-roo". Hudson was so cute. It bounced and bounced and made everyone laugh and smile...then when he bounced for about 10 minutes he tired himself out and almost fell asleep. It was a very cute, happy moment in a very busy day.

Science

We are studying botany in science this year. The program is awesome. It takes on a story telling format and the kids really enjoy listening to me read all about plants. We are part of a group that meets every other Wed afternoon and all the families read the same material at home. We then get together to do experiments. Last Thursday we read all about moss and lichen (at home)and decided to go to the trails to find some "non-porous" plants. It was a good home school day! I love being unconventional with learning because I feel like the kids learn a ton exploring God's creation! I hope you enjoyed the photos.

Brendan's Talent

Brendan drew this all by himself...he has an incredible talent from Lord! We are so proud of him.

First Week of School

For the first week of school we went on vacation with our friends Rebecca and Stephan and Bryan's parents. We had warm, sunny weather every single day. It was great! We all had a lovely time. And I think our kids learned valuable lessons...here's a list I came up with:

1. Patience (when fishing and feeding deer)
2. How to Marvel at God's incredible creativity and beauty in nature.
3. Love (shown to family and friends)
4. Simplicity (how to have an incredible time with almost no toys)
5. How to build memories of joy and togetherness.

I think that some of these lessons are much more valuable than any text book or work page lesson. However, I do know that those work page lesson are important too. So this week, we've really hit the books and done some great work page learning. But, I love how with home schooling the two can be interwoven! And I love camping in Sept...no bugs, beautiful sun during the day, cool nights and no huge crowds.

His First Hit

Keegan and Brendan are playing baseball this summer in the city league. It has been great! The coaches are very encouraging and the boys are learning a lot. We have been impressed. Brendan has done very well, he hits the ball every time he is up to bat. Keegan has done well too, but hasn't had a hit...until last night!! He received some new batting gloves for his birthday, and apparnetly they gave him a little extra confidence, because now he thinks he "looks" like a real baseball player. He was up to bat twice and hit the ball both times!! The first hit he had, he just stood at home plate, he forgot to run. I think he was amazed and shocked that he finally hit the ball. His coaches and teammates were so excited for him. So were his mom and dad. Even one of the other moms, who we have met only through baseball, came running over to Bryan and I to give us a high five!! It was so neat to see how everyone was so happy and proud of our boy. On the way home, we were all really excited for Keegan, but he just sat there calmly and said, "I knew I was going to hit the ball". YAY Keegan!! As a parent you always have a desire for you child to succeed or to do well, and your heart breaks when they are discouraged, it is beautiful to see our little boy so happy, even if he isn't jumping up and down, we know he's pleased!

Keegan is 7!!

Here are the top 10 reasons why Keegan is an absolute joy to have around:

1. He is so sweet.
2. He loves to play and have fun.
3. He has the cutest giggle.
4. He gives the best hugs.
5. He still likes to hold my hand.
6. He's spunky.
7. He's fearless (which can be a bit scary, but it keeps life interesting)
8. He loves Jesus!
9. He's inventive.
10. He's curious.

Keegan is an amazing part of our family. I am truly thankful to be his mom!

Summer Vacation 2009

This year we went with Bryan's family to a set of 3 cottages called "Rock Lake Lodge". It is a beautiful set of private cottages that can hold a lot of people very comfortably. It was a wonderful week away. The kids had tons of fun playing with their cousins, and we had a great time "relaxing". Fortunately, the first few days were rather cold, and so we couldn't go to the beach, and these were the days that we relaxed. We even had to light the fireplace because it was so chilly, it was so cosey to sit by the fire. Towards the end of the week, the weather turned a bit more July-like and we were able to swim. With swimming comes chasing after toddlers (not so relaxing, but fun). Going on vacation is a lot of work, but it is totally worth it. We were all sad when it came to an end, Brendan even cried a little, so did Aliah, but her cry was more a cry of being over tired. We had such a great time laughing, playing and just enjoying being together as our "little" family of 7 and with Bryan's family as well.

This past week we had Oma over for a visit. We were so excited because she came alone...she doesn't have her license anymore so she can't get here to easily. My uncle and aunt dropped her off for a couple of hours on the way to the airport. We had such a nice visit. We feel privileged that our kids know my Oma so well. She is such a lovely lady! It is wonderful to hear stories from her life and stories of her faith. Grandparents are wonderful.

Our little lady is 2!!

I can't believe our little lady is 2!! Time goes so fast. Aliah is the spunkiest, most confident, feisty, beautiful little girl I know. She may have most of us wrapped around her little finger, especially Daddy and Keegan, but that is okay, because we love her to bits! The cutest thing about this girl is her confidence, she struts around the house as if she is in charge of her brothers and always wants to help mommy with everything, including keeping the boys in line. Although we don't want her to become too bossy, it is rather endearing at times. I love my little sweetheart! We feel so blessed to have this little lady in our family. (And it is nice to see a bit of pink in the laundry, amist all the blue!)

Happy Birthday Josh!

Today is our sweet Joshie's birthday!! 4 years ago today we were blessed with our 3rd son. When I was pregnant with him, people would often comment on how they wished he would be a girl...but when he was born, no one could imagine life without our beautiful, white haired boy (and the secret is that Bryan and I knew we were having a boy, because we found out at our 18 week ultrasound!) . Joshie is so quiet (well most of the time, because he can sure scream when things don't go just right), thoughtful,cuddly and very sensitive, yet super sweet. We feel so blessed to have in in our family. And we can't believe he is already 4!! We hope you have a great day Josh!!

It's very busy, but very wonderful!!

Enjoying Mr. Hudson...

I was thinking today that some people may think we have our "hands" full, but actually we only have "one hand" full...of kids that is :o)

Introducing...

Hudson Daniel
Weighing 9lbs
23 1/2 inches long
Saturday, May 9 at 1pm
The best Mother's Day gift ever!