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.

He has risen!

He has risen indeed!  What joy we have this day, as we celebrate the Empty Tomb and our risen Lord and Savior!  

My little 2 year old

You love to drive your truck around the house, Andrew!  And run over mommy's toes, too :)  It has even survived being thrown down the deck stairs.  You love to hear the noises it makes and i am sure you feel like a real construction man when you ride it!

Sweet boy, you are so wonderful at giving Natty hugs and kisses.  And when you call her "nonnie!" it just melts my heart.  She loves to watch you...i know she will look up to you so much as she grows.  I hope you keep sharing your toys with her like you do at this point.   She is such a blessed little girl to have you as an older brother!  I can't wait to see what adventures you two will go on together!

Here you are, in your Elmo jammies, watching an Elmo clip.  Or should I say "melmo".   He and Thomas the Train seem to be your best friends right now!  You can't get enough of them. 

And I can't forget to document the day where you decided to help yourself to the pie which happened to be innocently sitting on the counter.  While mom was blowing drying her hair, you so intelligently pushed the stool over to the counter, hopped on up, and began shoveling handfuls of pie into your sweet mouth.  When I came out of the bedroom to see what you were up to, you gave me a great big grin, and quickly stuffed another handful of pie into your mouth.  Because you knew!  You just knew that it probably wasn't something that was okay to do...but boy was it sure fun.  And yummy!  And mommy was coming over to stop the gobbling of pie.  You sure are my cookie monster, little buddy :)  love you.

Andrew and His Tool Bench

 Caught Andrew in action the other day as he as busy workin' away at his new tool bench.  Notice the hammer in the overalls...too cute!  He wants to be like his daddy so bad! 

This is the "mom, i don't have time to smile for a picture!  I am a busy man here!"  We have to watch out when you have the hammer in your hand, son.  You like to whack the bench so hard I fear it might break!  You have already broken the little plastic nails that came with the set.  I guess those were for whimps :)  

3 months!

 Tried to get Miss Natty to smile in this photo session but she was not having it...the expression in the photo below will tell you exactly what she thinks of the camera this day!

 Love how Andrew is sneaking into the background...he so wanted to get into the pics with Natalie!  Well, rather he wanted me to take pics of just him...no one else!

Finally we have a smile!  Joe helped me on this one, as it is very hard to extract a smile whilst behind a camera lens.  Can't believe how fast these kiddos are growing up!  But we sure are loving this adventure.  Natalie as begun to grasp at toys and amuses herself daily in her bouncy seat, watching the world pass by all around.

Betty Bunny

 So one day Andrew picks up this new pink bunny (from my parents to Natalie) and begins to "feed" her, push her in the swing, and then I suggested he read to her!  He was so cute while caring for this new child :)   Although Betty bunny found herself at the mercy of a 2 year old at times!  Natalie also received a book entitled Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake.  The silly pre-school aged bunny puts chocolate cake in her pocket to save until later (when it is essentially chocolate goo).  Andrew thinks this is the funniest thing!  So that is why we call this bunny Betty.  He giggles whenever I talk about chocolate cake.

lately...

 All dressed up for church...and being a ham while taking pictures!

 Andrew loves his baby sister!  She loves to just watch him (not that she can do much else at this point!)

 Andrew was "reading" to Natalie the other day...caught a pic of the sweetness!