polar express

With the holidays upon us we are all a little busier then usual. And that is why last week's reflective Friday is being posted on this week's Tuesday. Sorry about that! 10 days ago we took a ride on the Polar Express in Williams, AZ on the Grand Canyon Railway. You can see how much fun we were having by the smiles on our faces in the photo above! This picture was taken right after we saw Santa and he gave the boys each a bell form his sleigh. The whole trip was very festive and had every one of us feeling like a kid. Many thanks to my wonderful mother-in-law, Cindy (aka Nannie) for taking us this magical trip to the North Pole!

Here is Ethan writing his wish list to Santa. He was finished in lightening speed because all he wrote was - Wii Mario Kart. He has been asking for that from Santa since July!

Here is Cindy and I with the boys waiting to board the train. Ethan was the first in line for our train car (of course he was)!

Hudson receiving a chocolate chip cookie and hot cocoa - yum!

Reading the book Polar Express with the train elf.

Here is Papa Bert singing Christmas carols!

Meeting Santa and receiving our sleigh bells!

I wish you all a magical and very merry Christmas!

back from sea

We just got back from our family cruise vacation and we had such a nice time. I was completely offline the entire 7 days and it was wonderful! I took this photo of our ship, the Carnival Inspiration, at port in Cozumel, Mexico. We went on a 4 day cruise from Tampa, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico with my husbands family, his mother, brothers family and sisters family. There were 7 adults and 8 kids total! Needless to say it was a busy vacation and a great time was had by all.

• spent quality time together with Bert's family
• relaxed on the serenity deck. (my favorite spot!)
• practiced yoga on the fitness deck
• rode the exciting four deck high 300 ft water slide (Ethan did this for 6 hours straight!)
  
• kids played games, sang songs, art & crafts at camp carnival
  
• played 9-hole mini-golf
• entertained by a high-spirited stage show (Hudson quite enjoyed the showgirls)
  
• shopped in downtown Cozumel
  
• relaxed at paradise beach in Cozumel
  

Here is a beautiful dancer in Cozumel. I enjoy exploring the native culture when traveling.

My attempt at nice photo of Ethan & Hudson. I think they were too into "party mode" to sit still!

Hudson turns 2!

Little Hudsy turned 2 on Sat 9-20! It was a great celebratory weekend. Bert, the boys and I (Uncle Steve too) all trekked down to the salt river for a picnic lunch and some rock skipping on Friday afternoon. It's only 5 miles from home but felt a world away.


When Hudson went down for a nap at noon on Saturday all the fun began. Ethan & I baked him a "happy face" cake, wrapped his gifts and picked up "happy face" balloons. When we got back from the store Hudson was up and waiting for his balloons. Ethan ran in and was very excited to give them to him - it was very sweet. The festivities began at 3. Hudson was in a fabulous mood and ready to enjoy all the loving attention of the day. I am happy to say he did not receive 1 gift that needed batteries! Not only do using batteries negatively affect our environment, they are expensive an we always seem to be out of them so, it is really nice to have battery free gifts and enjoy simple albeit educational toys like bouncy balls, puzzles, lincoln logs, legos, kitchen play food, art supplies even a mini roller coaster for outside!


Sunday was a great winding down day. Ethan was a bit emotional. I think Hudson's birthday caught up with him and was overwhelmed for a little while. Last year, Ethan melted down on Hudson birthday, this year it was the day after and I am hoping next year will be no meltdowns at all!