Fall Days

 Today was a beautiful fall day, so after the kids naps I got the gumption to get everyone outside, in nice outfits to try and capture a family photo!  It is hard when there is not an actual person behind the camera, but we got a few shots that will work!

Here is Natty's 10 month picture!  The girl made her first legit attempt at crawling this morning as she stretched and scrunched her legs and arms towards me.  Practice practice, baby girl!  She still has 2 teeth on the bottom, and we found out tonight that she loves home made macaroni and cheese :)  Joe says she is a girl after his own heart: aka, she loves to eat!  Natty loves to smile at everyone, and seems to thrive off of social situations.  She just loves anyone who will look at her, talk to her, and just make a fuss over her.  Yep, she is all girl in that way!  We love to hear her laugh...it is infectious. She is learning how to turn the pages in books, and does enjoy when just she and mom or dad can sit down and read a book together.  Oh yes, and we can't forget her trick she likes to pull out for anyone who will watch;  buzzing her little lips together until bubbles come out and drool ends up all over.  Oh my :)

The Cottage

Finally, a summer pic of the whole clan (minus all our furry friends).  Many fun days spent at the Dewart Lake cottage this year!!!

 Nana and Andrew went kayaking together!

 Me and my Natty girl!

The Sandbox

The sandbox has been one of Andrew's favorite spots this summer, it seems.  He will ask me to go outside, and after I say that its ok (and of course he usually asks "mom, come with me!  Play with me!" I try to when i can!)  then he slides open the screen door, shuts it tight, and carefully makes his way down the deck stairs.  His face lights up if I make my way down behind him.  "Mommy!  Play in sandbox with me!"  The big turtle shape is filled with soft white sand, and I sit down next to my sandy boy.  We push trains, trucks, and bulldozers around and around.  We hide our toes, and find them once again.   He gives me a grin and begins to dig a hole to hide G.I. Joe.  If Natty is with us, she is usually content to sit in the rocks, picking up one in each hand.  We have spent many hours playing in the cool shade in that sandbox this year.  I have loved watching his imagination grow as he builds and digs.  And surprisingly, most of the sand is still in the box!  

 This is the beloved "Butch".  He can tow most anything.

Andrew is tickled that I am taking pictures of him in the sand.  

9 months!

 These pics are a bit late, as Natty turned 10 months as of today!  But I realized I hadn't put these on the blog since last month, so here we go!  I had a fun time getting these pics...Natalie is such a fun girl!!  She is so joyful, and all smiles (well, most of the time!)

Here she is "showing" me the flower...too cute!

Bless you!!

Life as of late...

Natty loves to swing!  We went to a park in Sunbury for a picnic dinner and play time.  And it seems that Andrew likes Calvin and Hobbes.  He sat down one night after bath time and decided to do some reading.  I can just see the wheels turning as he sees all the shenanigans that Calvin gets into!

 Joe took me out for the day to celebrate my birthday back in August.  I could go anywhere and do anything I want, he said.  Well, I proposed we go resurrect our rock climbing skills at the Outdoor Climbing structure down near the Scioto River in Columbus.  These photos...well, lets just say we love being together, and being goofballs.  After climbing, we headed over to the NorthMarket for lunch.  What a cool place!  We walked around the open-air market, browsing among the unique and multi-cultural vendors for a few hours! I had a wonderful day with my hubby, and felt very blessed! 

Favorites

Date:  8.29.13
Time:  5:30 p.m.
Location:  Dinner Table
Subject:  Andrew's "Favorites"
Age of Interviewee:  2 years and 8 months

So Andrew...what is your favorite:
Food:  Apple Cores (hmmm, that might explain some things)
Animal:  Lion
Game:  Playing with Kids
Place to visit:  Church
Movie:  Thomas
Book:  Dinosaur book (not sure what that one is??)
Person: Mommy, then Daddy (oh boy :)
Toy:  Tractors
Thing to sleep with:  Blankie
Friend:  Bubby (aka Bryan Buzbee)

Short and sweet interview.  Along with many stifled laughs from mom and dad.  Andrew was very serious throughout the entire thing.  I think I will have to come up with some more questions....this is fun :)

6 months already?

 Natalie is all smiles these days!  We can't believe she is 1/2 a year old already!  She has begun to roll over from her back to her front, and is quite proud of herself when she does.  Jabber jabber jabber would be an appropriate description of how she spends much of her day.  Sweet little sounds, mixed with some definite girly-girl shrieks!  What a difference from Andrew when he was little!  She does take in her world quietly at times, soaking in all of the sounds, smells, and commotion, I'm sure!  She loves to lay under her new play mat, and grab at all the fun toys hanging down within her reach.  It is quite the site when big brother Andrew decides to make a tent out of the whole thing, and flings his blanket over the supports on the mat.  Then he charges underneath, and all I can see are their little legs sticking out.  Both are giggling inside.  Oh my...what fun is yet to come in this house :)  

Natalie, thank you for bringing such joy into our family!  You are one special little girl.  May you find happiness in loving others and your Savior always!!

A Day Out With Thomas!

 Driving the airplane before the train ride...

 Natty loves being on the train!

 Well, there was a huge line waiting to get their kids picture in front of thomas...and we needed to eat lunch.  So here is my best attempt at getting a 2 1/2 year old to stand still while there are tons of kids/parents all around us.  He is slightly distracted if you couldn't tell.  But he did have the time of his life.  15 minutes into the train ride, Andrew begins saying "all done.  all done".  He wanted off.  Oh boy :)

 Here ya go dad...thought you might like to see all of the old lanterns they had out for display!

 The imagination station was a 2 year old's piece of heaven.  Train table after table set up with tracks, stations, and trains to play with.  Needless to say we had to peel him away from this area!

 Sweet baby...she was so good all day!  Despite not really understanding what all the fuss was about, she supported her brother all the way.

 "This is the most still you will see him all day", said to me by one of the volunteers running the model train area.  And it really was true...Andrew just stood and watched. And watched.  And pointed.  And watched those trains go around the tracks.

 "oooh, mommy.  whoa!"

 Future conductor?  Perhaps!

 Family pic before we board the train!  We were in car #4.  A bit interesting of a ride, considering whole thing was filled with kids 4 and under, singing to Thomas theme music.  And a bit of crying was mingled in there too.  Maybe from our baby. Sorry everyone.  

 Here is the junior engineer, checking out the scenery before we departed!

Of course there were backhoes for kids to climb on!  No event like this would be complete with out them!  

night night

Tonight was the first time Andrew actually said "night night" to joe and I...he even waved to us as he said it, tucked under his blanket, surrounded by stuffed animals (doggie, whoowhoo, and meow).  Oh my, it brought a tear to my eye and I look forward to hearing those sweet words each night from now on.  Have I mentioned how blessed I am to be his mama?  

Sweet

Well this just made my day.  I hope it does for you.  Love from the Hughes home :)

Bright Eyes

I think I actually can see a little twinkle in his eye.

Andrew helps us to see the bright side to life so very often.  He sees and appreciates things we pass by every day.  A train whistle blows far off in the distance, and his face lights up.  A jet streaks across the sky, making no sound but leaving a jet stream, he squeals with delight and points to the sky.  I had no idea just how many bulldozers, loaders, backhoes and dump trucks there are working everywhere around us!  But he doesn't fail to spot 'em and let me know.  His newest love is basketball hoops.  As we travel in the car, he loves to look for them in driveways, and if one is spotted he shouts out, "HOOP!HOOP!".  Quite entertaining!

It seems as if he is speaking new words daily.  Just the other day, he was out on the deck, and saw our neighbor, Pat, beginning to mow her lawn.  He came over to the screen door, leaned inside to find me and said, "Pat, mow!  Pat, mow!".  You got it buddy! He had never said those words before, let alone together.  It was so fun to hear him voice his thoughts and observations!  However simple :)  I can't wait to keep listening for more words to spill out of that cute little mouth of his.  

Last night before bed, I read the story of Ping to him, which I would consider a childhood classic! At least of my childhood.  He loved the book.  Although he was a little concerned when it came to the part where Ping was the last duck on the boat and was given a smack on the back (we have entered the world of spanking these days!) We also read "The Library" by Sarah Stewart and David Small. The main character in the book is named Elizabeth Brown, so I let him know that was Aunt "bibi's" name while growing up!  He thought that was pretty neat. I think he could actually appreciate the character's love of books!

One of my favorite things about being a mother is the time spent reading together.  Especially before bed.  He gets his blanket, and we both snuggle up on his small toddler bed together. My legs stick off the end by 2 feet.  Probably a pretty comical sight.  I usually ask for a kiss, and he willingly leans over to kiss my cheek *sigh*.  We read a few books, and he usually tries to get me to read one or two more even after that.  I am trying to treasure these moments, and look forward to more of the same as Natalie grows.  These kiddos are such special gifts from the Lord.  I pray for wisdom as I teach and train them to love the Lord with all their heart, and love others the same!  

Has it been 4 months?!

Oh how these little ones are growing!  Natalie is about ready to roll onto her stomach any day now.  She loves to talk and chatter to herself (or anyone that will listen for that matter!)  And she usually will give away smiles a mile a minute.  Andrew continues to interact so well with his sister.  Today he wanted to hold her, so I gently sat her in his lap as they both rocked in the chair.  I asked if he could sing a little baby song to her.  He started singing "lalala" in a soft voice.  Too cute.  We are so blessed.