Third Breakfast

 Last night was another night of musical beds and Joe-Joe is always awake at the crack of dawn, like before 6:00am. He had already had a banana and two bowls of cheerios before the older two joined us. We then enjoyed third breakfast with Daddy before he left to work.

 Joseph loves smoothies!

He's kind of a crazy in the morning and I love it!

A Second Look

 This afternoon Mr. Stannix and I got to have another quick peek at baby. Because I wasn't as far as everyone thought at our last ultrasound they weren't able to get good pictures of the heart and a few other things. Again we got to watch baby move and squirm on the screen while she took pictures. It was great. The tech quickly did a few profile shots at the end and was kind enough to send them home with me along with the knowledge that everything looks perfect so far. I couldn't be more relieved! I can't wait to meet this little person in December!

Happy Sunday

It has been such a great Sunday. It's been a while since I have left church feeling so uplifted. Typically Sundays are a little rough, but our children are at just the right ages where everything just works out sometimes. Mr. Stannix gave a fabulous talk today on teaching children in the home. I managed our crew by myself on the bench and didn't have to leave the meeting once. Part way through Joseph spotted Daddy up on the stand and called out to him with his cute little voice. The older two sat so well and Hyrum is getting good at folding his arms and just listening. As soon as Joseph hears the organ start to play he grabs me a book and climbs up on my knee. I love listening to him sing along in his own little way. 

After the meeting both of the boys happily made their way to nursery and I got to attend Sunday school for the first time in a long time. I sat through the lesson beside Mr. Stannix feeling so "naked". It's been a while since I've just been able to sit through a lesson without having to leave to nurse, hush a baby to sleep, or sooth a crying child as he transitions into nursery. I wasn't sure what to even do with myself. I felt so weird. When I heard little babies crying around me, I almost wanted to jump up and volunteer to take them out.

We had a great lesson in Relief Society about Eternal Marriage and I was reminded about a quote that I read in institute when Mr. Stannix and I were dating. 

"True love is not so much a matter of romance as it is a matter of 

anxious concern for the well-being of one's companion."

~President Hinckley

I left the meeting feeling so grateful for that Mr. Stannix of mine. We have been through many trials and experienced many things together. I am so glad we sat down when we began our marriage and committed to companionship prayers at our bedside, regular scripture study, and monthly date nights amongst other things. Those few things have kept us close and allowed us to have more unity in our marriage. 

Another very favorite part of my day was feeling the baby move as I sat quietly in Relief Society. Feeling those little kicks and taps almost brought tears to my eyes. I feel so blessed to be a mother, even though it's hard. I am grateful for good kids who are willing to learn and help where they can! I am now officially half way through this pregnancy and feeling great! I have learned so much this year from my trials and am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows us each so perfectly.

A Morning Out

 After all of the rain yesterday, we promised the kids that we would hit up the Legislature today if it was nice out. Camilla has been dying to go swimming, and this place is FREE! The pool was empty when we got there and the kids had fun wandering around. Since the older two are fairly independent, I didn't end up getting many pictures of them. They were always off across the pool, skipping on the stones and being buddies. Joseph stuck pretty close for the most part, but when he got away, he ran as fast as he could!

 He loved splashing and wandering around. This time he was a bit more independent and careful while he walked around which made my visit all the more enjoyable. I loved being able to snuggle next to my Mr. Stannix and watch the children play.

 Joseph also liked daring new heights and moving his tip toes to the very edge of a high ledge as if to dare me to get up and get him. He's at the age of pushing limits and discovering new things. Instead of getting mad at him while he jumps on the couch, I've discovered he stops quicker when I don't say anything at all. He likes to push my buttons.

I sure love these three blondies!

In Search of Joy

 This morning started out a tad on the gloomy side. I didn't get enough sleep and the weather was overcast. After we finished our morning chores I decided to take the littles for a walk in search of some joy! Neither of the older two wanted to bike which really surprised me, so we walked a slow pace and eventually made our way to the walking trail. The whole time I was trying my hardest to let the kids explore everything and pick all of the flowers they wanted. Life is so simple and wonderful sometimes. We cut through the soccer fields trying to ignore the mosquitoes as we went. Just as we neared the trail Camilla picked up the pace shouting, "I'm FREEE!" as she ran. I stayed back a bit with Joe while he picked dandelions and blew the fluff all over. 

 The walk didn't prove to be nearly as joyous as I'd hoped. Hyrum was doing a potty dance up and down the walking trail and needing to hold my hand every step of the way. Once in a while he would let go to pick a dandelion and gave me the biggest bouquet of flowers! When Joseph's legs got tired I gave him a piggy-back ride and he giggled in my ears the whole time. There is something so special about little hands touching your face and hair.

Once Camilla announced that she also had to pee, we turned around and made our way home. I snapped a few pictures of the littles on one of their "breaks". My camera hasn't been my friend lately but I still love this picture! When the bathrooms became more urgent, I lifted Joseph onto my shoulders and we quickly made our way home just as the clouds began to drizzle rain.

The Pea Patch

The children spent most of the late afternoon playing outside. We came in for a quick dinner and as soon as they were done they were back out again. The temperature was perfect today and reminded me that Autumn is on it's way. Soon it was time for Joseph to head to bed. I took him up, read him stories, and sang him his favorite songs. While I waited for him to settle I watched the children in the backyard from my bedroom window. Camilla was over by the garden raiding the pea patch with her little yellow umbrella thrown over her shoulder. I couldn't help but smile as I watched her pick away at the few remaining pods of peas. 

...And then I joined her.

Immunization

Joseph had his 18 month immunization today. Most of our afternoon at home has been filled with crying and snuggling my baby bump. Thank goodness for crock pots or we would be eating out for dinner tonight. I don't think I will be moving any time soon!

Hudkins Reunion: Part II

Sunday was a great day! After breakfast we all found a cozy place to sit in the hall to listen to my Gramma and Grampa's morning devotional. Grampa Hudkins shared his adoption story and I may or may not have cried for most of it (happy tears of course). I am so grateful for both of them and the examples they set. We had planned to sneak out for church, but felt strongly that we should stay and enjoy the wonderful spirit we were feeling together as a family. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and chatting.

 Joseph had to try on Great-Gramma's hat!

 My awesome Gramma did a few runs down the zipline.

 I also took a turn.

 And Joseph practically begged Daddy to take him for a ride too!

 Joseph had a lot of fun playing with Auntie Emma's boy.

 We assembled over sixty hygiene kits to help those in need. 

 

 I was able to catch a sweet moment between Mr. H and his Great-Grampa. 

 Mia and Camilla were pretty much joined together at the hip all weekend. 

 Gramma wanted to get some four generation pictures done and we also snagged a family picture with my parents and siblings.

 Immediately after pictures, these boys made their way to the pool and started jumping and splashing in the water. A lot of us got a good chuckle out of it!

 We then enjoyed some watermelon and sitting by the campfire for the evening.

Since we were driving home that night we let the kids stay up way too late! These two were pretty cute with their late night snuggle by the fire. It was so wonderful to be surrounded by family for the weekend and to learn more about my Grandparent's lives! Big thanks to my Aunt and all those who helped make this weekend possible!

Hudkins Reuinion: Part I

We arrived home in the very early hours of the a.m. Now that we are all caught up on sleep, the van is unpacked and the house somewhat organized, I figured I'd sit down for a few minutes and write a recap of our awesome weekend with family!

On Friday night after Mr. Stannix got home from work we loaded up the kids and drove to the Hudkins family reunion. Camilla was only a year old at the last reunion we attended and then we missed the next one because we were in Halifax. It was fun to get together with everyone, even though numbers were few!

After we arrived, unpacked and set up camp, we all went down to check out the zipline. Daddy caught a nice sized frog and Camilla named it Douglas. She played with it for a little while and then released it back where we found it.

Daddy took Hyrum down the zipline a ton of times!

Joseph also got in on the action and giggled his pants off the whole way down. It was pretty darn cute!

The little second cousins spent most of their time on this cute little playground. Joseph learned pretty quickly how to climb up and got so good that he could even do it with a cookie in one hand!

On Saturday a few of the men-folk had an awesome game of horse shoes.

Grampa and Mr. Stannix both managed to get a ringer!

A few of us enjoyed being spectators. Joseph clapped and exclaimed "Yay! Yay! Yay!" every time he thought something awesome happened.

The location was so fun and rustic. I especially loved this front deck and since Mr. Stannix was looking so handsome, I couldn't resist a picture!

There was a lot of playground fun! The swings were a huge hit!

My heart totally melted when I wandered over to check on the kids and found Hyrum pushing his buddy on the swings.

After some afternoon water fights this little dude was due for a new outfit. 

Then he pulled me over to the swing set for a little while.

Love these two cuties!

I had a nice visit with my mamma on the front deck.

And it was super great to see my sis again!

After dinner my Dad organized a hair fight, it was epic.

Love my boys and my Gramma!

When the sun started to set we got our littles ready for bed. Tenting proved difficult for the first night and Camilla and Joseph didn't fall asleep until almost 11:00PM. Eventually I gave up laying with them and left the tent. I came back a few minutes later and listened outside while Camilla sang "I am a Child of God" and "Hinges" to Joseph to try and help him sleep. It was pretty cute! I love her little singing voice!

Hyrum got to have a sleep over in Gramma and Grampa's cabin for the first night, but loved sleeping in the tent the next night!

Joseph ended up stealing my mat, so I slept on the ground the first night. Not the best sleep I've had in a while, but I did sleep!

Little Baking Boy

 "What are we making Mom?"

 "Oh, Cookies? YAY!"