Summer Wrap-Up!

Our last week of "summer" before the kids were off to school was jam-packed, in my opinion. Having a newborn around the home would normally be enough, but little "Chay" hasn't been able to slow us down too much! This is a jam-packed post to match our last week!

We continued opening a link each day on the "back-to-school chain." On Monday evening the kids all got new haircuts. Kyndal's was a lot shorter than I intended, but she loves it and it was desperately needed after the many hours spent in the Y pool this summer! Plus, it grows super fast. And Corbin said good-bye to his summer mohawk!

We had Dr. appointments for Chase and Corbin the end of the week before and Kyndal had her first eye exam. All passed with flying colors! Here is Kyndal at the eye Dr:

It was way too hot for Casey and I on the night that we were supposed to have a picnic and s'mores in the backyard (back-to-school chain), so when I suggested a picnic in the living room the kids needed no convincing. We never let them eat in there so they were stoked when they got to break the rules. We even enjoyed the s'mores on blankets:

We went back-to-school shopping. New jeans, back packs and lunch boxes!
Corbin's last day at Hopeland Preschool/Daycare was on Thursday. I still can't believe he's started Kindergarten! We took gifts to his teacher's on his last day...thanking them for their care and patience :o)
That same night we went to his school to meet and find out who his teacher was and check out his classroom. We were excited to find out it is Mrs. Martin, the same teacher that Kyndal had. One of his daycare buddies is in the room next to him and the other is in his class (yes, we gave Mrs. Martin warning about that!) He was so excited!

We had family in town over the weekend, my sister, nephew and niece, and Mom and step-Dad all came to meet Chase.
On Saturday, Casey and I were surprised by many of our friends and family with an early celebration of our 10 year anniversary! I didn't have my camera handy for most of it, but did get a picture of Grandpa Hudson (Casey's Dad) with little Chase. He was able to make it to the party and meet his newest Grandson:

It was me and the four kiddos on Monday and Tuesday...and we braved the "real world" by ourselves. On Monday we went to the library...on Tuesday we hit the Children's Museum. I was hoping for the zoo, but the rain changed our plans. They were both successful trips, the kids had fun and I didn't lose my mind! It helped that Chase slept most of the trip. I have found that I have to keep a closer eye on little Miss Kennedy though, she has started wandering off by herself. She only did it once at the museum, and I found her where I expected: cuddling the babies in the "hospital".

The night before school we were blessed with a cool 70 degree night. We loaded up the suburban and headed to Pioneers Park for a bike ride. Casey and the kids took off on their wheels while Chase and I took a stroll by foot on the trails. It was a beautiful night!While trying to get them to look at me for a picture, they were distracted by these guys calling from above!

We ended the night at the Dairy Sweet!I hope you all had a fantastic, fun-filled and blessed summer! Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to school we go...

Lancaster County Super Fair

The fair is in town and our summer wouldn't be complete without a trip across town to check it out. We decided to take two cars, Chase and I stayed for about an hour and a half and the rest of the crew stayed for the whole evening to soak in all the sights (and the heat!)

We intended to buy the kids wristbands this year but they didn't seem overly excited about the rides. We headed there first and bought enough tickets for them to ride a few times and that seemed to satisfy them.I want to ride that one!We ran into my niece, Nikki
Our social butterfly attracted a new friend right away on the "pig ride"

We cooled off with sno cones and shared a funnel cake, summer sausage, and cotton candy. Fair food is the best!....stopped to play a few games of bingo.....

And checked out all the animals and exhibits.....all down at the county fair!

The Chain

I began a tradition towards the end of the summer before Kyndal's 1st year of school. In the last few weeks leading up to the 1st day of school we create a "back to school chain." The kids decorate the links and then I write an activity on the inside of each one and staple the links together.We got started a little late this year, I wanted to wait until we were home from the hospital so we didn't have an interruption in our activities. They have almost as much fun making the chain as they do with the activities!

The kids will open up one link each day leading up to the 1st day of school. So far we have gone to the fair, swimming at Star City Shores, and shopping for new shoes, backpacks and lunch boxes. Tonight they are getting haircuts and later this week we will be going on a bike ride, going to kindergarten open house, and grilling hot dogs and making s'mores in our backyard.

10 Things I Love About Chase

Our sweet baby "Chay" is one week old today.....where did the days go???? This week has been amazing, I can't imagine our family without this special little guy! Some of the things that make him so special:

1. Those unconscious smiles that I believe are from a "milk coma" but still melt my heart.

2. How he curls up like a ball when he's sleeping on my chest and turns his face up to me. I could hold him like that for hours.

3. When he nurses his hand rests on his chest, clasping his shirt displaying contentment.

4. His sweet disposition...he sleeps 2-3 hours very soundly, eats/awake time for 30-60 minutes and is then out again. He rarely cries (will this last?!) He is super calm and content so far.

5. His head full of hair, his Daddy's dimples, that Hudson nose, little toes, 10 long fingers, lips just like Kennedy, dark blue eyes and big squeezable cheeks.

6. His "portability"....we've been busy this week, and he's already had several outings. He's been quite the trooper: riding along for carpool in the mornings and afternoons, grocery shopping, back-to-school shopping and to the County Fair.

Here he is on our trip to the fair. We took two cars; Chase and I stayed a little over an hour.

7. He is proof of God's unending love...

8. He has Kyndal, Corbin and Kennedy wrapped around his tiny finger. They absolutely adore their little brother and they have ALL been the BEST little helpers ever this week. Just what a tired Mommy needs! I have been amazed at their gentleness with him, eagerness to show him off to their friends and caretakers and their delight in holding him every chance they get.
9. The complete dependency he has on me to care for and nourish him....and also the strength he already displays during his tummy time; how he lifts his head and turns side to side and his grunts and "push-ups" (what the kids call them).

Tummy time!

10. How he completes our family. Not just that he "evens" the score, two boys and two girls. But how he fits in so perfectly. He brings a calmness to our home, more love and compassion. It just amazes me how with each child I feel like my heart has grown bigger and bigger...I feel like it could burst. God is so good.

Chase Earl Hudson is born!

Our sweet "baby C" has arrived! Chase Earl was born Saturday, July 31, 7:00 am. He weighed 9 lbs 6 oz and is 20 1/4" long.

I had regular contractions off and on for the past several days and Friday evening they didn't stop, even after sleeping from 11pm-12am. When I woke up at that point I had a feeling the time was nearing to head to the hospital. We called in Grandma and arrived at the hospital at 2:30 am. Everything progressed really smoothly, my Doctor broke my water at 6 am and a short hour later we were blessed to find out we had a boy!

God has blessed our family so immensely, Chase is the sweetest "big" boy.....I am already head over heels for him. The kids have spent a few hours both Saturday and today with us at the hospital and we're checking out in the morning. Kennedy will barely leave my side, she's got to be right by that baby! I have some really good helpers with this one! We have enjoyed the relaxing time in the hospital resting, recovering and getting to know each other, but I'm looking forward to getting settled in at home. Breastfeeding is going really well so far.

Thanks to all of our visitors, calls and well wishes, and to the many friends and family members who helped us out with Kyndal, Corbin and Kennedy while we were in the hospital!

Here are some fresh photos of our sweet big boy:

Casey was beaming when he heard "it's a boy!"

So happy to finally have you in my arms!

Kennedy set up shop right next to me and baby-cakes!

"the baby isn't in my Mommy's tummy anymore!"

The Hudson clan!

The kids' hands

They all helped give Chase his 1st bath; Kennedy cleaned one foot

Corbin washed the other foot

Kyndal washed his arms

I love his cheeks!

Capturing his footprints

We love Grandma!