April Showers

Another month gone by and a few new things to report. We began our month with some exciting news on April 1st...

Hudson wanted to be the one to announce it...
I going to be a big brother this year!!!

Our little Sleeping Beauty---this is the only way we could get Hudson within an arms reach of the ultrasound picture without him destroying it.
WE'RE HAVING A BABY GIRL IN AUGUST!!!

Our next big news is that we haven't been carried away in the floods of "April showers". Chicago has had some major flooding with the past 3 weeks of solid rain and thunderstorms...it has been kind of drab, but we are looking forward to those May flowers that supposedly come after the April showers:) Still wearing coats, but we have been determined to get out and play soccer in the yard (when we don't mind getting a little wet), hit the playground (while it's all ours before it warms up), or go hunting for worms and bugs around the neighborhood.

As you can see, this guy is the Spirit of Adventure. He relishes in being outdoors and bangs on the door to be let free when we are cooped up inside. Let's be honest--- if I could imagine Thomas as a little boy with all his energy and excitement, Hudson would be an exact replica. He loves running around, throwing stuff, kicking stuff, making sound effects, and being a little boy through and through. I absolutely love watching his excitement for everything, including the 5 million squirrels that live in the trees around our house.

One day, when it wasn't a complete downpour, we managed to get out while the sun was shining. It was a beautiful day and it felt so good to be down at the beach playground again. It got us all excited for summer as we looked around at the boats, the dock, the waves and sand with sunshine on our faces.

This is Hudson upon hearing an airplane in the sky. His face lights up every time! It has been fun to live where trains are everywhere. We get to hear/see and experience trains all the time and Hudson never tires of them. It is a HUGE deal EVERY time he hears/sees one:) The same goes for firetrucks, diesels, school buses and heavy machinery. It's all just too exciting for words.

Also during this month, we got to enjoy "trying out a sibling" for a week with another little boy in our ward. This is after shower time before putting the two of them to bed. Mason's family went out of town and we got to watch him and try and help Hudson adjust to the idea of another "baby" in the house. We need all the practice we can get at this point! Little baby girl will be here before you know it and Hudson will be in for a treat:)

Jokes On Us

Before leaving for DC, I made a cake for a friend's birthday. I love to make butter-cream cakes, but this one was my first time working with fondant so I wasn't sure what would happen. And whether or not it was a flop, I had to document the final product. I think it turned out looking not half shabby!

My friend Abby and I decided to be daring and head out to DC for Spring break to see our families since her husband is currently on medical rotations and Thomas is presently swamped with school. We woke up early, at 3:30 am Sunday morning, to put the 4 kids in the car and make the long drive in a minivan. What we didn't expect on our long journey was a surprise stop in Sturgis Michigan... Just 7 miles outside of this little podunk town we decided we needed a little more adventure and the tire blew. What? Yes. We had to flag down a patrol car, call a tow truck and spend 4 hours in a nasty Wal-mart while the tires were being replaced. Needless to say, it was a rough way to spend a day with 4 children and two very tired Mom's. 

We got to enjoy Subway for both breakfast and lunch and then we happened upon this delightful game room. My personal favorite was the boys that came in with green hair, camo jackets, and mullets:) We felt very white trash as our kids terrorized the store. The great part is we fit right in with all the riff raff. 

Once back in the van and on the road, the kids all crashed. It was a peaceful and much needed sight after nearly pulling our hair out in Wal-mart. Peace out Sturgis and adios Wal-mart. We carried on our merry way determined to make it into DC---even though we arrived close to midnight. IT WAS AN ULTRA LONG DAY!

While in DC, we just had to stop at the zoo. Hudson was loving life as he ran around feeling completely apart of the wild. He would follow the animals back and forth right up against the glass divide and try to mimic their movements. I got a kick out of him:) 

We got to spend time with Ashley and Spencer, Hudson's devoted aunt and uncle and my dear sister and bro. We ate at some awesome restaurants and got to push Hudson to his limit.

Hudson is showing Spence how he has mastered the operations of my phone. He can get around it like it aint no thang. It is pretty remarkable how children are growing up knowing how to "swipe", "tap" and run apps and electronics with such ease. 

We got to check out where Spence works and see some of his Homeland Security hood. 

At Tios Mexican restaurant, Hudson owned the chips and salsa. He was easy breezy while he was so preoccupied.

At Nationals Park DC watching a Yankees/Nats game.

I always love being able to capture these kind of moments. I'm just not always quick to remember to grab the camera and snap a pic. But isn't this precious?

Our last night out with Ash and Spence before we took off bright and early for another long ride home the following day. Fortunately, we were able to not have any mishaps along the way! 30 DVDs later, and with the children going totally crazy 500 miles beforehand, we arrived at Abby's, threw our stuff in our car to make the last little stretch to our home... But our car wouldn't start. What? Again? Seriously? Another road block. It made us feel better that we could have a dramatic beginning and dramatic closing to our Spring break story. Thanks for the good memories and great laughs Abby, chillens, Ash and Spence. It is nice to be home and back with Thomas.