Its fun to go to the YMCA

   This week I decided to broaden my horizons a bit by taking up a new hobby.  Three days a week I wake up at five thirty A.M. to spend about an hour recreating with some sweet senior citizen women from our community. Now, before you start thinking that I'm some sweet "good doer", let me explain. 
   We recently joined the local YMCA near our home.  Along with our membership they offer a wide variety of classes. I signed Hudson up for a Gymnastics and swimming class, and he is loving it! He is the youngest kid in the class and it is truly hilarious to watch him participate. He definitely wins the prize for the most enthusiasm.  I'm sure every kid and observing mother knows his name already due to the fact that his teachers are constantly saying it, in a effort to keep him on task. He is such a funny guy!
    As for myself, I signed up for a class called cardio dance, thinking it would be a fun way to get some exercise.  When I showed up for the first class I found that I was about two generations younger then all of my classmates.  I stood there worried that I had made the mistake of signing up for a class that was going to be well below even my low level of fitness.  Imagine my surprise when hip hop music started blasting through the gym speakers.  We immediately dove right into the first of a dozen choreographed dances set to modern music. So, imagine me dancing with a dozen women the age of my grandmother to hip hop music. Now imagine that I am the one who is red faced and stumbling over my own feet, because although I'm ashamed to admit it, that is the reality. The old gals can really move! They are really sweet and even take time to offer me tips and bits of encouragement like, "your doing great honey, don't worry you'll figure it out."  The grandmas have to encourage me!!! It is a lot of fun, challenging, and very humbling!

Aside from the YMCA, the kids have been really happy and good.  We have even had some nice warm days at the park......



It all started out so innocent.




Things took a turn for the worse.



Eventually I gave up on her clothes all together.

She fell face fist into the mud.

 

 This is what Ellie's bad influence can do.

Tick or Treat

Happy Halloween Everyone.  I was pretty heartbroken I couldn't bring my little ones to knock on all your doors, so I tried to re-create it for you.  As you can see in the pictures and videos we had two little dragons this year. Hudson had his heart set on being a dinosaur though, so we let him believe that he was one.

Due to a home football game this weekend, State College decided to celebrate Halloween on Thursday.  I was so excited to take the kids and watch Hudson's excitement upon realizing that all he had to do was knock on a door to receive a sugary treat.  To my great disappointment, Ellie had a bad night from what I think was teething. After a continuous hour of crying I put her to bed and sent the boys out to the tasty wonderland without me. They were able to pair up with some of Hudson's friends, and had a great time without us.  Hudson was quite timid at first, but quickly got into the spirit of things leading the group of neighborhood children as fast as his little "Dragonsoarous" feet could carry him. After each door he would turn to Jake and say "Just one more house?" He was so excited even late that night as I was falling a sleep I could hear him laying in bed talking about all his candy.

 

    The next night was the ward Trunk or Treat.  Ellie was in better spirits thankfully because she looked so cute in her costume it would have been a waste if she hadn't gotten to use it. Hudson was thrilled to be able to get even more candy.  We had a lot of fun.  We certainly had the cutest kids there! *Wink*

   
   
    For all those back home who have been participating in the deer hunt you will be surprised to know that I also decided to participate in the deer hunt this year.  In fact, I snagged myself a pretty good sized one, an eight point to be exact. Well... eight legs anyway.  I found a DEER TICK... IN MY HEAD!!! Not cool considering they have Lyme disease out here. We had never experienced this before and were a little unsure of the best way to take it out.  We received lots of advice about putting alcohol or ointments on it to make them suffocate and pull out or burning their butts so that they pull out.  We called the clinic here and they said I needed to come in and get an antibiotic going due to the Lyme disease. So to set the record straight all this advice is wrong. The doctor told us you are just supposed to slowly pull it out with tweezers. He also informed us that when you try these other remedies it only aggravates the tick and makes it vomit into the womb. I'm still so creaped out!!! Not to mention I still run a chance of having Lyme disease.  So I have found one thing I don't like about Pennsylvania.

Where has all the free time gone?

First thing first.....we have a niece!!!! Hudson and Ellie have a cousin! Congratulations Nate and Kim! We couldn't be any more happy for you.  We cannot wait to see Morgan. We love her already!

I can't believe I haven't had any time to sit down and update this blog for two weeks.  I don't know what happened to my free time.....well, retract that last statement.  I know exactly what happened, it got swallowed up by a clingy one year old and a three year old who has decided to let me prove my love for him.  For some reason turning three has meant that Hudson must test every limit. Nap time has become a battle, so the time that I once enjoyed by myself has been replaced with the crusade of trying to get him to stay in his room and sleep. I have to admit that I usually lose. He has also been very home sick for all things Utah.  We have had quite a few cry sessions because he wants to get on a plane and go visit all the numerous people he misses. It has been very hard on me and I didn't realize why until I was writing my Grandma Mabel a letter. I realized that it reminded me of being a little girl and always missing someone no matter where I was. It is hard to not have the people you love when you want them. I'm not sure if Ellie senses that Hudson is trying my patience or what, but she has decided that she needs to be held every minute.  It is not that I hate this, in fact I love that she wants me, but it definitely makes it hard to get anything done. 
    Despite the kids new behaviors, we have continued to stay busy and have lots of fun.  We have become fully immersed in all things Fall.  One day the long lost sunshine decided to make an appearance.  We decided to go explore a new forest. I was really excited to get out and hike on a beautiful sunny day. However as we drove into the forest we noticed that all the people we came upon were dressed in bright orange.  We completely forgot about hunting season!  Having no orange and not wanting to get shot by the many hunters we passed on the dirt roads, we decided we had better modify our adventure. We found a new lake on the map and headed for it.  When we got to the "lake" there was no water to be seen.  Just a valley with small boats beached in the dry dirt.  This years drought had drained it.  Disappointed again at another set back to our adventure we loaded back into the car and headed in the direction of home.  However, redemption came when we stumbled upon a small town fall children's festival.  We had a lot of fun and even got to go on a little Halloween hike.  I went to take pictures but my camera was out of batteries; so I can't fully share our not so adventurous day.
 

More Fun:

We got together with some friends and make "haunted houses".  The houses weren't too scary but the way we felt after eating our houses and the extra candy was enough to frighten anyone.







Another night we got together with our friends and made huge caramel apples. Once again we had sugar overload!

You can see what part of the apple Hudson liked.

We had a pumpkin carving party one night as well.  The kids loved it. We saved the seeds and roasted them in the oven. They are sooo yummy, and maybe the only food item we ate all week that wasn't full of sugar!

She may look extra sweet but don't be fooled!





This is what Ellie does when she isn't in my arms.....She is into everything ever minute of the day. I can't keep up with this little busy body.

Eating markers or crayons or whatever else she can get her hands on.  She is a handful, but at least she keeps me from getting bored.  We just can't help but love our little girl.

    Another high point this week was being asked to speak in church.  This is not something I enjoy by any means, in fact, it was enough to keep me from sleeping well for nearly a week. However, it truely was a great experience and I am always surprised by this. I am truely thankful we had this opportunity.  We had so many new people approach us afterwards and make us feel welcome. Not to mention the number of people who had Blanding connections, and that is always fun!  It seems like the longer we are here the more great people we get to know. 



Milk Chocolate & Intercourse

   We had a fantastic week! Hudson turned three and we had the very first, of I hope many visitors from Utah. Gram Wendy came to be with us for Hudson's birthday.  Since she had never been to Pennsylvania before, we tried to see some of the sights the state is known for.  Two of which were, Hershey's Chocolate World and Intercourse PA, one of the most famous Amish townships in the state. I had fun thinking of a few inappropriate jokes to go along with what I could promise any visitors from the west, but decided I would only end up embarrassed, so I will let you do that for yourself!

Who wouldn't love a place called Chocolate World?!
Everywhere we went some one was giving us chocolate.
 I will admit I was not feeling too well by the time we left!

Which one is sweeter?

We took a fun trolley tour ride through the town of Hershey and learned all about the great man who
 invented magical milk chocolate!  The street lights are even in the shape of  Hershey kisses. 
Ellie looked so cute being a big girl sitting on the seat all by herself.

The kids loved this ride! They sat entranced as they were serenaded by singing cows and taught about
 the milk chocolate process.
Actually, Hudson has asked me everyday since to take him back to Chocolate World!
I think the biggest factor in his new love for Hershey PA isn't just the singing cows, it  is all the free chocolate!

 In Amish Country...

We did not purchase a tee shirt! But, we did laugh about all the people we would love to send one too!
Ha Ha







We enjoyed an Amish buggy ride through the country.  Of coarse Ellie loved the horses! I thought their way of life was so fascinating! I was actually a little jealous. It honestly appeals to me. The driver took us to farm where a girl was selling lemonade and :"whoopee" Pies. More inappropriate jokes come to mind.

  We really enjoyed having Gram Wendy come visit. We especially enjoyed having someone entertain our kids for us!  Thanks for making the trip out to see us! We love PA but we do miss our families, Hudson especially.  He talks about when he is going to see everyone almost everyday.  Hopefully we will get some more visitors.  We would love to show anyone the sights. With this kind of excitement, who wouldn't want to come!?!

Hudson Hudson Hudson

    After a year of anticipation, Hudson finally got his train cake.  Our little man had his third birthday.  It was quite a celebration.  The night before, we had so much fun decorating the house with streamers, balloons, presents, and the train cake, so that it would be all ready for him when he woke up. I can't believe how excited we were for him.  It really was so much fun!  We let him open presents in the morning but he had to wait until after church for his cake.  I was a really fun day.  I just feel so blessed to have been able to have him in my life for three years!  He is such a fun guy! I feel so thankful that for three years I have been able to be someones Mommy!!!

Funny things about Hudson:
When he uses finger guns he points them and says "gun gun" in stead of "bang bang".
He loves cherry tomatoes and corn better then most candy or sweets.
Brown pop is his favorite drink. (also known as root beer.)
He loves to sing, but usually just makes up his own songs.
His favorite toys are trains, but he loves anything with wheels.
He loves to have books read to him.
He gives great loves( hugs) and kisses.
He loves pumpkins but calls them "penguins".
Grandpas are "poopahs".
He always wants to help in the kitchen, and loves to modify Mommy's recipe's as soon as she turns her back.
He loves all of his family and keeps track of the ones who are far away in pictures every day.
Playing with his friends, riding his tractor bike, and swimming are his favorite things to do.He loves to tease his sister, but whenever she is sad he does all he can to make her happy again.
For som reason when Hudson sleeps he loves to wrap his blanket around his head.  We have to go in every night before we go to be and unwrap him from his blanket.  He is usually soaked in sweat!
I think it may be a product of our recent travels and frequent consultation of maps in the process, but he has become obsessed with maps.  Whenever we go anywhere he is the navagator and has no problem telling us which road to go down.

Jake is the one who decorated Hudson's cake. Hudson was excited when he saw it, but he was really excited when he realized that he could eat all the decorations.  When all that was left was the frosting track and writting we had to wrestle it from him to throw the box away. He was heart broken and begged us to return his "birthday". 



When Hudson was six months old we saw this crane and Jake decided Hudson had to have it.  After hiding it for over two years Jake was pretty excited to finally get to give it to him.  I'm curious to see which of my boys will play with it more.  My money is on Jake.

 Funny things about Hudson:

When he uses finger guns he points them and says "gun gun" in stead of "bang bang".
He loves cherry tomatoes and corn better then most candy or sweets.
Brown pop is his favorite drink. (also known as root beer.)
He loves to sing, but usually just makes up his own songs.
His favorite toys are trains, but he loves anything with wheels.
He loves to have books read to him.
He gives great loves( hugs) and kisses.
He loves pumpkins but calls them "penguins".
Grandpas are "poopahs".
He always wants to help in the kitchen, and loves to modify Mommy's recipis as soon as she turns her back.
He loves all of his family and keeps track of the ones who are far away in pictures every day.
Playing with his friends, riding his tractor bike, and swimming are his favorite things to do.He loves to tease his sister, but whenever she is sad he does all he can to make her happy again.




How could anyone not love our little guy!!!



Squeaky Shoes

    We received a very fun package in the mail from Gram Andrea.  Among the prizes were a pair of shoes for Ellie that had a special surprise.  They squeak with each step she takes.  They were so cute I wanted to share it!  I just cant get over it.  Thanks for all the fun Andrea!!!

Fall is in the air.

   We have had a huge temperature shift this week.  The leaves are changing, the air has that fall smell to it, and the rain just keeps pouring and pouring.  We only had two days last week that we didn't have rain, so we tried to make the most of them. 

   Our first fall activity of the season was visiting a local farm for a tractor ride and apple picking.  Hudson loved getting pulled around by the big tractor through rows and rows a heavy laden apple trees.  We were also able to go on a tour of the apple cider factory.  Of coarse Hudson was the one kid who stole an apple and touched things he wasn't supposed to.  His brain shuts off when he gets that excited. The fresh cider was amazing! We took a huge bag of apples home with us, and Hudson has been eating obsessively.

    On Saturday the clouds parted and the sun actually made an appearance. I wanted to take Jake to the apple farm, but managed to get us lost on the way.  I have a hard time navigating out here because the landscape looks the same in every direction.  As it turned out we ended up finding an amazing park in the town of Bellefonte next to an old train station.  The park had a river running through the centre of it that was full of enormous trout, ducks, and geese.     

Ellie was a little scared of the ducks. I couldn't figure out why until Jake let me know that every time I wasn't looking the duck would nip at her fingers.  It didn't take her long to get over it. She enjoyed antagonizing the ducks herself by chasing them around the park.

We were amazed at just how many huge fish were in the river.  It was fun to throw bread to them and watch the competition between the fish and ducks.

   We had such a great time that we made another trip back with our friends for a picnic between the conference sessions the next day.  The park is one of our new favorite places out here. I guess sometimes getting lost is a good thing!