Indiana Day 5, 6, & 7

Saturday was such a fun day.  My hometown had it's annual garage sales and we cleaned up, but what was even more fun was all the people.  I saw someone I knew at every sale we stopped at.  It was so great catching up with high school friends and neighbors.  My hometown only has about 2000 people, so everyone knows everyone.  I didn't realize how much I missed living in a close knit community.

Hudson fell asleep after we had been out for about 2 1/2 hours.  He also enjoyed seeing all the people

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that Brian and I haven't bought Hudson a single toy.  He has a lot from family and friends, but none from us.  I changed that yesterday - because we found such great deals. 

 I bought all of this for $21.50 - plus they all have batteries in them and still work (batteries may die tomorrow, but at least I know they all work)

My mom and I cleaned and re-cleaned everything before I let Hudson play with anything. 

In the evening we went to the First Baptist Church in my town (they were having a block party and offered free food)  and had a barbecue dinner- it was really good.  I also saw a lot of people I knew there and it was great catching up.  I love living in a bigger city with all the conveniences of everything, but I really miss the charm and kindness of a small town.  

Sunday we visited my Aunt Marian, Uncle Denny and cousin Craig and his family, and then visited our friends Dave and Beth.
My Dad took Hudson on his first bike ride.  We put Hudson in the helmet I found at a garage sale - it has pink straps.  Oh, well, it was $1.50.  He had a really good time.

Monday we met my Aunt Tammy for lunch and I ended up seeing several teachers I had in school and then a high school friend.  Hudson learned patty cake today and did it all day - so cute!

  Hudson was getting mad in this picture - he was ready to get in the pool, didn't want to wait to take his clothes off.

My Dad and Hudson

My Mom and Hudson

We've had a blast being here.  I can't believe how fast the time has gone.  It's going to be really sad leaving tomorrow and getting back to reality, but it'll be really good seeing Brian again.

Indiana Day 4

After Hudson got up, fed, and dressed, my dad took him over to my Grandpa's house.  I had my dad take my camera to get a few pictures, but unfortunately Hudson didn't last too long before he melted down and needed a nap.

Look at Hud's wet shirt

My Grandpa is such a great guy

My Dad, Mom, Anne, and I took the kids to Kokomo Beach today

My first time here

The splash park was a hit with the kids

Me and my new nephew- Gabe - he's only 8 days old - so sweet!  I was around him for 8 hours today and he never cried.  He felt as heavy as a feather

Hudson and Jasmine

The only picture I took of Hudson and me

We were only at the park for about an hour and a half and came back to my parent's house and played

Gabe is so tiny- he's only 6 1/2 pounds and he was 1 week late

poor guy, we were probably giving him a headache

We celebrated Tylene and Jasmine's birthdays.  Tylene is 6 

Hudson loved the wrapping paper

Jasmine will be 1 next week

Dad and Gabe napping

Loved her cake

Jasmine wanted in Hudson's walker and I think Hudson was a little jealous and wanted in it, too

My parent's and all the grandchildren

My brother had to work today and showed up about 4 pm.   I didn't realize that I didn't get any pictures of him.  We had a great day!  Once again, I wish Brian could have been here, he would have enjoyed all the chaos.

Indiana Day 3

Thankfully Hudson did great for my in-laws.  They had a little difficulty getting him to fall asleep, but once he did he slept until 4:30 am and woke up for a few minutes, then went back to sleep until 7:15 am.  They played non-stop all day.  My mom and I drove up to the Chicago area and shopped, shopped, shopped.  We had a great time!   We even saw people we knew - so crazy.  I really missed my little guy.  It was nice to pick him up, but I'm really glad he had the time with his grandparents.  I'm really missing Brian- this is the longest we've been away from each other.  So thankful for cell phones, texting, and facetime. 

 I only got a few pictures today.   My dad and Hudson playing - my parent's house has officially been taken over by toys.   See the pool and chairs in the background?

See the walker and toys in the corner?

Indiana Day 2

Hudson started our day off fun.  He has discovered the big mirror in my old room and loves looking at himself.   He smiles and laughs at himself and plays peek-a-boo.  I was trying to change his diapers and clothes, but he wanted to play instead.  

Here he is kissing himself

Cracking up at himself - see where he slimed the mirror

My parent's dog is great with kids and lets them crawl all over him and pet him - look at Hud's chubby face

 Hudson and I got to hang out with Julie and Kaitlyn for a while.  It was so fun watching the babies play.  Kaitlyn had lots of fun toys for Hudson to explore.  

Soon both realized they were in a pen and wanted out

Hudson loved riding this zebra and cutie Kaitlyn was clapping the background

Love this picture of the two kids on their animals

Mom and Hudson sitting outside - they didn't last too long because it was over 100 degrees 

I met Brian's parents tonight and they took Hudson back to their house.  He is spending the night at their house.  It was kind of hard letting him go, but I know he'll have fun and they'll take great care of him.  I hope he sleeps good for them.  

Indiana Day 1

Hudson and I drove up to Indiana last night.  Brian has a lot of work he needs to get done and has plans to work long days, so I decided to spend time at my parent's.  We left at 6 pm - I had high hopes that he would sleep most of the way.  He actually did okay, but only slept an hour total.  I had to pull over 3 times from 8:15 to 9:00.  Poor guy was really upset.   The third time I pulled over, I got in the back seat with him and played with him for about 15 minutes.  Thankfully he was fine the rest of the trip even though he didn't sleep.  We got to my parent's house at 10:10pm.  By the time we got everything unloaded and set up and got Hudson changed and gave him a bottle and asleep it was about 11:30pm.  Then at 3 am a huge storm woke me up (thankfully Hudson slept right through it) and lasted about an hour and a half.  Then at 5 am another quick storm blew through.  Hudson slept great - wish I had gotten more sleep.  I met a friend for lunch and took Hudson and he did great.  He was charming and so well-behaved.  

For dinner I met some girlfriends and had such a great time.  It's always so fun catching up.  I miss them so much.  My parent's watched Hudson.  

Laura holding sweet Kaitlyn (Hud's future wife)

Laura is getting married next month!!  She's glowing!   

Julie and Kaitlyn 

 love her top, such a pretty color - matches her eyes

Sheri, Kaitlyn, and Me

love the color of her top, too - looks great with her skin color

I love all these girls!  Great start to our trip!

Fun With Friends

We had a few friends over for lunch today.  We grilled hamburgers and hot dogs.  It was really nice to just hang out.  Life with Hudson has kept us really busy so we haven't spent as much time with our friends as we normally like to.

Babies playing and all the adults hovering around 

Babies waiting on lunch

Guys eating outside - it was such a beautiful perfect day

Hudson and Alex - Alex is only 4 months older than Hud, but so much bigger and more boy like

Madison and Hudson

The Three Amigos

Bluegrass Fair

Tonight Brian, Hudson and I went to the fair.  We met our friends Todd and Kristin and their baby Madison.  It was so much different than the 4H fair that we're used to in Indiana.  It was a lot of fun, but you could definitely tell that we were at a city fair rather than a country fair.  There weren't big barns of cows, sheep, pigs, horses, or goats or a big merchant's building, which we really missed.  I was so excited to show Hudson all the animals.  There was a small petting zoo, which was pretty cute and fun.   There were big black top walking paths, which was nice since I was wearing sandals -we're used to dirt paved paths.   We got yummy corn dogs.  I haven't had one in at least 10 years and have been craving one for such a long time.  We also split lemonade and a funnel cake.  There weren't any elephant ears, we were hoping to split one - I don't know if that's an Indiana food.  

Here's Hudson at the petting zoo.  He loved looking at the animals

Baby Kangaroo - so...cute!

 Goats coming up for food - you could feed any of the animals carrots, but we didn't buy any

This guy was convinced we had food- he was ready to come over the fence to get it

Llamas and goats

Tortoise

I cut myself out of this picture

Back to the petting zoo

I was careful with Hudson's fingers and toes because the goats would have easily bit them if they got too close

Madison 

I loved this old tractor

Happy Guy!

These guys were fun to watch - swaying back and forth and doing tricks

Cutie pie Madison

 We didn't realize his paci was in his mouth

Take 2 without the paci - not happy!   By this time it was well after 8 pm and he usually goes to bed by 7:30,  so we knew he was close to losing it.  - Hudson was asleep in about a minute once we got in our van.

Happy again (momentarily) with a string and a balloon

Cutie chicks

Madison loved the chicks

Such a fun night!   The weather actually ended up being nice - mid 70's with high humidity and a slight breeze.