At least they stick together!

I came across these pictures this morning and realized Abi always readily accepts whatever Hudson gives her to eat
(thankfully he's very careful with what he offers and always under my watchful eye)
Perhaps if Hudson gives her the veggies at dinnertime...

It's actually quite fun. I like to test/teach Hudson about what Abigail can and cannot have. So I'll say something like, "Hudson can Abigail have some of your almonds?" Then often, without even looking up from his food, I hear "Nope, Abi can't have crunchy [foods]". Thankfully he gets the concept since he loves feeding her, and she loves being fed by him. Sometimes in order to get dinner ready I'll put a handful of Cheerios on her tray to keep them both occupied. She loves working on her pincer grasp picking them up and eating them one by one, although about half of them end up being eaten off her palms since they tend to stick to her chubby little hand. Hudson is likewise entertained as he watches dutifully ready to feed her making sure she is fed a steady supply of the "oohs" as long as she wants them. And when it comes to the little round cereal she is a bottomless pit, no really, we have to cut her off :)

Open and Shut

This is often the face I see when it's time for dinner. Pursed lips and raised eyebrows that say
"I know you want me to eat this but I'm just not going to do it momma"




After dinner however, a dessert of some pureed fruit is another story.

The Farmhouse

Dan has fond memories of spending summers at his grandparents farm when he was a kid. Their house is about an hour and forty-five minutes from where we live now, but we try to make it out there fairly often as it is perhaps Hudson's favorite place on earth due to the tractors and barns. I love watching my boys being boys from the big glass window while we girls cook up some good hearty food to fill temporarily appease the appetites they work up outside. We all play hard till dark when it's time for a bath in the big sink downstairs.

Dan remembers bathing in this sink as a kid, and now it is time for his little ones to enjoy it as well. And enjoy it they do, Hudson spends his time filling and emptying the cup, while Abigail is happy to watch him perfectly entertained with his activities. These pictures tell the story perfectly as Abigial pretty much never takes her eyes off of her brother. She looks up to him tremendously already and would rather be with him than anyone else.

How much is that baby in 'th window?

Boy, I just love this picture! Abigail sits happily these days in front of her little basket of toys, and spends time playing with each toy as she systematically empties the basket. But without a doubt, her favorite item is the little mirror. She sits for long periods of time fascinated with the baby looking back at her. She stares some, but mostly presses her face up against the mirror trying her hardest to give sweet kisses to the other baby. She'll be busy kissing the baby forever it seems. I can't say that we blame her though. She is truly the picture of sweetness and spends her days with eyebrows raised taking in the world around with a trusting curiosity we can't help but smile at. Even Hudson can't help the random kiss on her forehead as he walks by! Oh, and the picture below is her excitedly looking at me to see if I noticed the baby in the mirror as well.

Dear Jesus,

help me to Jesus, help me to love you, help me to love you, and throw rocks in river. Amen.

Each night we pray over Hudson as we tuck him in, and tonight I asked him if he wanted to pray. I started with him repeating after me, thanking God for family, our day, etc...when he gently said "no, Mom" and began praying on his own. My heart swelled with joy as I sat listening to this precious little voice in his first "solo" conversation with his Lord.

Last week I was upstairs getting ready for the day when I heard his bouncing footsteps coming up the stairs and a small voice saying, "thank ewe, thank ewe" almost with each step. Curious, I asked him who he was talking to. "I tell Jesus thank ewe for helping me up the stairs". Sometimes I wonder if the little children see things we cannot.

Ahh, there is nothing that warms my heart as much as to see this little 2 year old boy grow in the Lord. No wonder we are told to have faith like a child.

Apple Harvest

The day finally arrived. We'd watched our tree blossom, grow tiny green apples, then check (daily) until they were transformed into a beautiful bright red. Each day Hudson would meander out back and pick a few to munch on all the while asking when we could pick them ALL. He got his wish a couple weeks ago when Dan announced that the apples were ready to pick and turn into yummy apple juice. We all joined in the fun picking and munching. Even Abigail ate her fair share during the harvest.

The apple tree at it's peak in August. I absolutely loved looking out my windows each day at this happy tree. I can't help but think of Mary Englebreit when I see it. I'm sure a tree just like it must have inspired her to create some of her oh-so-happy artwork.

Hudson taking a turn a picking apples, a very long turn!

A glimpse at all the goodness he picked, and boy was he proud of his work!

"Oh here Mommy, don't forget these" Not an apple was to be left anywhere in the yard.

There were so many apples that we had to enlist the help of Hudson's wheelbarrow.

Inspecting each one as we washed them. Almost time for juice!


Dan and Hudson inspecting the final product.



Bottoms up! Not a drop was left in anyone's glass by the end of the evening. We juice fruit and veggies regularly, but nothing can compare to the fun of picking the fruit, "mashing it" (as Hudson says) through the juicer, then sitting down for a nice glass of apple juice. It was well worth the wait and we're already looking forward to next year!

Autumn Leaves

The colors have been beautiful this September around our home. On warm afternoons we could be found playing outside in the yard among the leaves. I often thought "this is the perfect day" as I watched Abigail wave her arms excitedly through the fallen leaves, or sit chewing on an apple. Or watching Hudson gather pile after pile of "crunchy" leaves to run through giggling with delight. I've always loved fall, with the warm apple pie, scarecrows, pumpkins and cool breeze. It just breeds excitement in my soul!