Memorial to Our Jack

For all of you that knew Jack, our beloved, crazy dog I have very sad news! This evening Jeff and I took the kids and Jack for a walk. As we were walking a guy driving a Heineken Beer van came flying down the street at about 60mph. There were several kids on their bikes plus our own kids so Jeff stepped out into the street to slow him down. Sadly Jack followed him and the guy didn't slow down and ran right over Jack crushing him. What a horrible, unforgettable sight and sound! Not to mention that it happened right in front of Hannah and Hudson (and the neighborhood kids). All the kids were crying and upset. He was gone with in a minute. I am so glad that he didn't suffer any longer than he did. I am also so thankful that it wasn't one of the kids! It will be forever burned into our memories. The guy did stop and he felt horrible not that that made any of us feel better. Hannah is heart broken. I have never seen her cry like that. Actually we are all heart broken.

We have lots of great memories of Jack! He loved chasing balls, lights and jack rabbits. He loved jumping in the air for hours trying to get the tennis ball off the string (I think that his feet were spring loaded)! He traveled cross country twice with us. He loved the kids and was so patient with them. He was a great family dog. Last night Hudson was laying on Jack's bed loving on him and saying "Acks coot!" At least he knows that he was loved! He was a crazy, spastic dog! We love you and will miss you so much Jack!

Food Critic

This morning I made Hudson scrambled eggs. He took a couple bites then scrunched up his face and said "I no like!" and that was that. He wouldn't touch them. He loves chocolate milk and calls it "coke". The funny thing is we don't drink coke. Go figure.

Hudson the Mischevious

Okay! I have a new respect for mom's that have more than one son!!! How do you do it???? Hudson keeps me CONSTANTLY BUSY! He is too darn smart for his own good. He is so persistent he will keep working at something until he figures it out which usually leads to some form of disaster. In my last post I told you that he got a hold of my make-up..it gets worse! The make-up pictures by the way are on my facebook page (scroll down to photos).

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=588979028&ref=name

• In the last week he has finger painted with 3...yes 3, tubes of toothpaste. Jeff and I had to clean tile and carpet.

• He is the messiest eater I have ever seen! I don't care what you feed him, he is wearing it before he is done.

• A couple of days ago he found a red sharpie pen, from where I do not know and colored on the wall.

• Today he found the Aspercream tube ( I slipped on a piece of card board in the garage...need I say more?) and proceeded to smear it all over his chair and blanket. I always keep that kind of stuff locked up but it was put at the back of the bathroom counter last night thinking that he couldn't reach that far back. I swear the kid has gorilla arms that and he has discovered how to use the stool.

• Jack got a new bed for Christmas. Hudson thinks that It is great fun to lay in Jack's bed. EEEWWW!!!!
  

If it's quiet we all branch out and start looking for Hudson. You laugh but I'm not kidding! All those times that I said "my kids would never do that" is coming back to bite me. I told Hudson today that he is lucky that he is so darn cute and that I love him so much!

On the flip side he is such a joy! He just started saying I love you this last weekend. That completely melts my heart. He is always giving hugs and kisses. He loves taking a nap with mommy. I told Jeff today that that is one of my favorite, cherished times of the day! We were all playing Rockband last night and he was dancing with a stuffed fish like there was no tomorrow. He is so funny.

Anyway my point being hats off to all mommies and daddies!!! The kids are as blessed to have us as we are to have them!

PS. Sadly I didn't get a picture of the toothpaste art so you will have to use your imagination!

Christmas Vacation

We had a great time over the holidays! Jeff got about a week and a half off from work (forced winter closure, thank heavens he hadn't used his vacation time)! We spent our "vacation" at Harold and Renon's, which I think is funny since they only live about 15 minutes away. We had a ball though! We went to see the Stockton Thunder play hockey. Hudson loved the fact that he could scream and yell and no one would tell him to be quiet. He even joined in with the crowd saying "BOOO" when the other team would score. One of his current favorite words is "hockey". The mascot came up and gave him a high 5 twice, which he thought was very cool. The mascot also stroked Hannah's hair, I thought Jeff was going to sock him one. It was so fun to watch the kids have so much fun!

New Years Eve day we went bowling at a new bowling alley in Elk Grove. Renon stayed home with Hudson so we wouldn't have to worry about him running around (he's all boy!). I think that is only the 3rd time that I have ever been bowling. We had a great time. I think Jeff won, but I am claiming that I don't remember.

Hannah got a Wii from Santa for Christmas and we all had a blast playing on it! We got MarioKart which is the best game! Jeff and I would stay up way too late playing and laughing our silly heads off. Once again I think Jeff usually won but I am still claiming that I don't remember!

Funny story...I had to go to Vallejo to have my new crown put on. Hannah went with me. On the way home there were car accidents from Fairfield to Davis. When I got to Vacaville we got off the freeway and did some shopping in hopes that the traffic would subside. No such luck. Jeff told me to put in the GPS to avoid all freeways, thinking that this would take me on the side roads and the fact Hannah and I were talking I wasn't really paying that much attention until...there was a sign that said we were in RIO VISTA. Boy did it avoid all freeways!!! I would have been better off sitting in the freeway parking lot! I would have gotten home sooner! Jeesh, like I need HELP getting lost!! Also while we were gone Jeff and Hudson took a nap. Unfortunately, Hudson woke up before Daddy and was able to reach to the back of the dresser where Mommie's make-up was. You can imagine!

I'm sure that I have missed so many other details but the most important detail is that we spent time as a family. Hudson was a very sad little boy when Daddy and Nannie went back to school and work. He cried his little eyes out when they left that morning. I think that that says it all!

Hudson's New "Ruck"

Hudson got a new "ruck" for Christmas from Grandma & Grandpa Blum. He LOVES it (so does Hannah & Jack)! He still needs a little help steering from "Nannie" but I'm sure he will have that skill mastered no time! Hannah is such an awesome big sister!

Hannah & Angel Baby

Where does the sweater start and the puppy end? We were cracking up when Hannah tried on her new sweater from Grandpa & Grandma Kriser and then held my Grandma's puppy.

Frosting Cookies

We got together with my sister Jessica and her kids last Tuesday to frost Christmas cookies. The kids had a lot of fun. I think Hudson must have eaten about 6 cookies by himself. This is the kind of stuff that I really missed living in Florida. I am so glad that we are close enough that the cousins can get together to play. We also exchanged gifts that day. Jessica and her family got us the movie Kung Fu Panda and an air popcorn popper. I haven't seen those in years. Brought back a lot of fun memories. I decided to be endeavorous and make my sisters aprons this year for Christmas. This is the one that I made Jessica. They ended up being much more labour intensive than I thought they would be but I learned a lot and they truned out cute. When Jess put hers on little 3 year old Addie looked at her and said OOOOHHH Mommy! (while raising her eyebrows up and down). It was a fun day.

The Christmas Stocking Pull

Hudson decided to pull a stocking and holder off the fire place today. So much for Christmas pictures now. It is small enough that I don't think that he needs stitches and he is running around now like a crazy person so he in no worse for the wear. Oh what fun!!!

Hannah & Hudson Havin' Fun

This might end up being our Christmas card picture. We bought the kids coordinating outfits for a nice Christmas picture which we wre going to take after church yesterday but Hudson was too tired and it wasn't worth the battle. Reality is that probably isn't going to happen. I'm having to learn to let some things go for this year. There just isn't enough time to do everything that I wanted to do. It's more important to have fun and spend time as a family. I hope everyone is having a very Happy Christmas Holiday! Love to all!

All Cozy, Comfie

One of my clients, Lori Clark, sent me a Target gift card for Christmas so I bought the new Pixar short movies for the kids. They love it! When we got home they curled up on the couch and watched it together. Hannah is such an awesome big sister!