The 5th of July

The day started out great when we woke up in the hotel and these two adorable brothers snuggled in together. 

This one didn't wake up quite as happily.....

But thankfully she turned it around by the time we got back to Maddi and Zevlen's. She's such a cheesy smiler! Personally, I love it! 

I think she was a little nervous about her first boat ride. She did well with the life jacket on and never whined to have it off. She did do a lot of screaming though. Not sure if it was excitement screaming or scared screaming. 

Maddi dipped her into the lake. 

Eventually, she took over and was the queen of the boat. 

Hudson had another great day on and in the lake! More tubing, more swimming, and more driving. He cannot wait to get back again! 

And once again, he and Hunter were the best of friends. 

Thanks again for such a fun time Maddi and Zev! And for giving my kids so much joy! 

4th of July

The whole family headed to Maddi and Zevlen's for the Fourth celebrations. Sister was all dolled up in her festive outfit and $1 headband from Target, and she looked adorable! 

We made a stop at a waterpark where we let these crazy kids run wild. 

Mommy and Harlow, and Grandpa came too! 

No one could believe that she's one. Everyone thought she was too tiny to be that old, but too wild to be any younger. She went up and down that slide at least 50 times. Bypassing kids three times her age and size. 

After the park we were on our way to Maddi and Zevlen's. The boys went on their first boat ride, at least the first one they're old enough to remember. Pax was a little nervous at first and insisted on mommy going with him. But it wasn't long before he told me I didn't need to hold onto him anymore. 

Hudsy shocked everyone at how much he loved the boat and everything that goes along with it! He begged me to let him go tubing, he swam in the lake, and drove the boat with Zevlen's help. I was so proud and impressed! Not to mention proud of myself for letting him do all those things. It wasn't easy for this mama to watch her boys bouncing around in that tube out in the middle of the lake! 

Hunter took them both in for a swim. Hudsy and her were best buddies. He wanted her to do everything with him. We are so lucky to have all three of those Ahlness girls. 

She's a firecracker that's for sure!! 

The boys did some sparklers and watched fireworks from Grandpa, Uncle Lon, and some of the lake neighbors. Pax and Harlow tuckered out before the actual city fireworks and Hudson was excited to get to the hotel and told Jamie and I on the drive in, "The kids are sleeping, just skip the fireworks and take me to the hotel." He can be such an adult sometimes. 

We stayed overnight in a hotel so we could have more fun at the lake the following day (blog post to come). We had a king size bed so the four of us piled in while sister slept in her pack n' play. It took approximately 1 minute for the whole crew to be out. And we awoke the following day with excitement to get back out there! 

Scooby-Doo Party

We had a Scooby-Doo party for Hudson's 5th birthday. His choice. When we were looking through party decorations, he had his heart set on the Scooby pinata. He couldn't wait, and was probably just as excited filling it as he was hitting it. The kids also had fun playing in the pool and driving around the yard. (Thank you to Regan for helping me watch Harlow as she kept up with the big kids!) I'm still somewhat in shock that I have a five year old, even though he reminds me quite often. He'll even tell me how many days he's been five years old! And sometimes when he talks I feel like he's fifteen already (attitude and all!). But we sure are lucky to have him.

pigtails

Harlow wore her first ever PIGTAILS!!! They were the teensy, tiniest little pigtails you ever did see, but they were there! Aunt Vicky gets the credit of getting those tiny hairs to stay. Harlow even sat pretty still to get her pretty hair done. She already knows what it takes to be beautiful.

last saturday- the golf tourny

Last Saturday was not only Hudsy's birthday, but also the annual golf tournament for my late Uncle Warren. We all headed out to the Country Club to honor his most favorite past time. Even Hudson swung his first club for Uncle Warreny. The kids had fun running around and getting crazy rides in the golf carts. Hudson said it was like he was on a rollercoaster so he put his arms up in the air. And of course, there was some spoiling done by the aunts. Neither Sheri or Vicky can say no to these kids which pretty much makes them the luckiest kids in the world. Vicky always comes with bubba suckers on hand. And Sheri, well, Harlow knows exactly who to go to whenever she wants, well, anything! Who else would let her stick her hands in their pop?? My babies have no idea how loved, and how lucky they really are.

She's still my mama's girl though. Whining for mama to pick her up. I'm not sure I've ever been this loved!?!

Harlow's One Year Pictures

Grandma Marsha took Harlow's one year pictures in mid-June. With the cloudy, cool, gloomy way this summer started out, we were worried Harlow would be 2 years old before we got these pictures taken. When Marsha posted the sneak peak on Facebook, she described Harlow as a "whirlwind", and that is precisely what she is! She was something else during her photoshoot. She knew exactly what we wanted, so did the exact opposite, literally. We told her to sit, she stood. We told her to walk to us, she turned around and walked the other way. We told her to smile, she opened to her mouth to show a mouth full of crackers. Marsha said, "She knows what she's doing", and I think she was right. But that's our Harlow. She has a mind of her own, stubborn as it is. She'll get places in life.

  

Happy 5th Birthday Hudsy!

The biggest boy got even bigger. Although, not physically, I measured him and even though I thought it seemed like he shot up over night, he didn't. In personality, maturity, and conversation I feel like I'm raising an adult. He amazes me with his words, his questions, and his theories on life. And even though he knew exactly what to expect as he walked into the living room full of balloons, noodle balloons that he specifically asked for, he still had a genuinely thrilled reaction.

Everyone enjoyed the noodle balloons, making animals, head dresses.....

and sister, she just ran through them laughing.

Looking back a year from now, Hudson requested the same thing for his birthday breakfast, blueberry muffins. He poured the oil, cracked the eggs, mixed the blueberries, and ate THREE of them! We sang Happy Birthday to him and he was somewhat leery of the candle because it was a sparkler kind. At least it was supposed to be. Every once in awhile a spark would spurt out scaring the living daylights out of him and Paxton. All while insuing hilarious laughter from the both of them. He blew that candle out from a good distance away.

He enjoyed his three muffins in his new teepee.

His obsession at the moment, Scooby Doo! That will be the theme of his actual birthday party this weekend, complete with a Scooby Doo pinata that he couldn't be more excited about!

After lunch at Happy Joe's and an afternoon at home, we headed out to the Country Club golf course for an annual tournament (more pictures of that to come).

Happy 5th Birthday my sweet boy!

Top 5 things I love most about you- 1) That you know things, you just get things. 2) That you tell me if I need a break from Harlow, you'll watch her for me. And if there's an emergency, you'll yell. 3) That growing into a young boy, your Grandma is still your favorite person in the whole wide world. 4) That you include your brother in almost everything you do. 5) Your memory. You remember the biggest things and the smallest details. You remember things from when you were just a teeny tiny boy and it never ceases to amaze me.

But Mommy loves you most just because you're you.