Sever's Corn Maze '13

Every year we go to at least one Fall festival, and this year was Sever's Corn Maze. All three kids had a blast running around; jumping in the corn pit, bouncing on the "big pillows", watching a magic show, climbing all over the train, and feeding some very hungry animals.

No surprise here, Sister loved the corn pit. She loves anything that gives her some freedom and gets her a little dirty.

Big cheesy smiles!!

A little help from Daddy.This picture, that face, melts me.

Bouncing boys.

She ran through the mini-corn maze and found her way back out. She was one proud little girl and it showed!

Hudson was certain to feed every single animal in the petting zoo. After he fed one, he would kindly ask them to move aside and make room for the next one to eat, telling them, "You have to share with your friends."

Crazy train conductor. I'd highly recommend no one ever get on anything this girl is driving. She's bound to crash!

Pac's 1st Day of Preschool

Paxton Hunter went to his very first day of preschool on Monday (he missed the first two weeks when we were in Florida). He has been anticipating this day for awhile now, knowing he's going to Hudsy's school, that his teacher is Ms. Schugel the same as his brother's, that he gets to bring the backpack he picked out, and wear his super cool new school shoes. I was a little anxious about the day because he had been asking (over and over) if I would stay with him at school, but he understood that I'd be dropping him off and coming back to pick him up when it was over. A few weeks prior, I could tell he was nervous. He gets shy and uncomfortable in new situations and that was exactly how I thought he'd be. But the night before school started he proclaimed, "I won't be afraid." AND HE WASN'T!!! He was excited, could not wait! He knew I'd be picking him up from daycare after he ate lunch, but even so, his daycare sheet said, "Paxton asked me several times if it was time for his mommy to come and get him from school. His mind was occupied by school and he couldn't even pay attention long enough to play toys. And I've never seen him eat his lunch so fast." And when I got there to get him, HE WAS READY, in every aspect of the word. Shoes and backpack on, and smiling from ear to ear, waving bye to his friends letting them know he was going to school but he'd be back again.

And he walked into that school proudly. Like he belonged there. Leaving me in his dust.

I asked him to wait so I could take a couple pictures and he kindly obliged. Such a little boy next to that big school full of education, new experiences and opportunities, and new friends!

It takes my breath away a bit, that my middle is going to school.

But look at him, my sweet sweet boy. He was so ready for this, to do something on his own, for the spotlight to be on him. He was so proud. He hung his backpack in his locker, I reminded him again that I'd be back to pick him up when school was over, and he started walking away from me saying, "Okay, I'll just play with my new friends then." And he was gone. No kiss, no tears, no questions, just freedom. Complete opposite of his big brother's first day of 3 year old preschool (I had to rip myself out of his arms as he cried for me to stay with him). I walked out of that classroom with proud tears streaming down my face. It is a conflicting feeling, to be so proud of your baby and at the same time have so much fear for him, of all the terrible things that could happen to him. But he's growing up, he's independent, and he's loving it.

When I picked him up and asked him a million questions about his day, he didn't get mad at me like Hudson often does, but he couldn't answer a single thing..."Did you go to gym?"- I don't know. "Did you have snack?" I don't know. "What are your friends' names?"- I don't know. "Did you tell your teacher you were Hudson's brother?" -Yea. No. Well, I think so. "What is this picture you made?" -I don't know. "Do you want to go back to school again?" -YES!!!!!!!! Alright, good enough. 

Florida- iPhone part 2

Me and Mrs. Olson.

I slept with her sometimes, when she'd wake up and want to snuggle.

Me and my mama shopping by the beach.

My favorite little bikini girl. This suit fit her personality perfectly. It was so sassy. The tutu suit she had on the day before was just not her! Graceful and dainty does not fit my girl.

The best looking babe on the beach.

Hudsy was so busy all vacation. He barely got out of the water, and when he did, he spent most of his time with Grandma or Hunter. This was a brief moment I got to love him up.

Her hair indescribable and I kind of love it.

The boys deep sea fishing, Zev and Jamie.

She knows how to work the camera.

This was her goodbye to Florida. Kiss it Carillon Beach!

The flight home, entertaining my energetic and unstoppable girl. She actually listened to the music for awhile, got bored and thought this was funnier.

And a few pictures of the house we stayed in. It was called White Caps Inn and it fit all 13 of us for 8 days.

This staircase led up to the tower which was Hudson's favorite place to sleep with Hunter.

Florida- iPhone part 1

We were in Florida!!! We spent 8 beautiful days in Panama City to celebrate Maddi and Zevlen's wedding. I took many pictures with my phone and many pictures with my camera, and I don't have it in me to figure out how to make one smooth blog post so you're getting several, with pictures from different days that won't make any sense. And here's part one....many pictures, few words.....

I had the cutest carry-on there ever was! She was very excited for her first plane ride, and did very good! I was a nervous wreck for weeks thinking about my crazy, uncontrollable daughter on an airplane, but she impressed me and all around her. 

And to say the boys were AMAZING doesn't even cut it. Paxton was so excited to "blast off" and Hudson talked the entire time on every flight. Sister loved having the ability to float around on the plane to different family members. Her favorite being Aunt Vicky. There she got treats and a safe place to sleep in her arms. 

Grandma was showered with love every minute of every day from her two boys. I can't even tell you how many times they yelled for her and I'd go to help only to hear, "Go away Mommy, I want my grandma." I was pretty much useless to them for the entire 8 days. 

Even at her young age, Harlow was still amazed by the ocean. In her first glimpse, her jaw dropped and she let out an "aaahhhhh". I couldn't help but laugh. 

The boys, Daddy, and Grandma did some sand castle building with the perfect, fine, white sand.

You do what you gotta do, even in Florida.

My beach blondie in the bathtub. 

The sisters, the night of the rehearsal dinner. Beautiful.

Amy, an inspirational woman. Love her.

All three kids in the pool, posing for a picture to send back home to Grandpa.

Maddi and Pac playing in the ocean. 

The boys on the familiar walk to the beach. 

Bikini babes.

Cheers to Maddi's big day!!

All done up.

The sassiest flowergirl that ever lived. 

Such handsome young men. I was so proud of them. They wore their ties and shiny shoes like champs, and they held their sister's little hands and walked/ran her down the aisle...and mama and grandma bawled like babies! 

Sisters.

The not-so-ladylike flowergirl scarfing down some cake.

Morning after sweet, sweet snuggles.

Hunter was so helpful with the kids, they couldn't love her any more, especially Hudson. He was so excited to get to sleep with her, take funny pictures and Vine videos. Pretty sure she's his bestie.

Me and my best girl.

And many, many more to come.....