Just because

I am just feeling a need to write so I figured this was a good spot to come and do so. I am so excited that the weather is finally breaking. I love the smell in the air when the snow starts to melt. I am looking forward to spring and all it has to offer. Yes, even getting the yard cleaned up from Kaysee all winter,yuck! We have kept ourselves busy in the Hudson household this winter. Sydney played soccer most of the winter and is starting some indoor games this weekend. I can't believe it is March! Todd has seemed to adjust to his new job and has even gotten a new job offer that he will begin on the 22nd with DHS. I still think he will excel with the agency. It is nice to have him understand what I have gone through all of these years.

The Christmas Season

I really love this time of year, except for the snow. It should not come as a surprise that I wish to be a bear so I can hybernate during the winter. I think I would make a great bear and a great hybernator. Anyway, as I sit here watching Christmas movies with Sydney I am contemplating the holiday season.
I took Sydney to see Santa about a week ago now. I really love this chore. I take her to Rivertown Mall every year. I am not kidding, this is where the "real" Santa works. I know, you may think I am crazy but I am serious. We have seen the same Santa every year for 8 years. The second year I took Sydney,she was about 18 months old, she cried and cried when I tried to set her in his lap and I had to sit there with themfor the picture. Well, Santa tells me, "You weren't like that when you were her age, you sat with me just fine." He didn't hold that against her of course and the next year she was fine with sitting on Santa's lap. So this is the eighth year we have visited Santa, he always takes the time to talk to Sydney and look over her list. This year he even "caught" her with her room a mess and told her she better start keeping it clean. Sydney looked so shocked I couldn't help but cover my laugh. She tells me as we walk away, "I guess I better start keeping my room clean".
I really love this time of year. The movies, the songs, the presents, the decorations. Did I mention the presents. I love presents, I am convinced if it has pretty paper I will love it, no matter the contents. I am as excited as Sydney for the night of the 24th. Oh, and mock me if you will, Sydney and I have matching jammies for Christmas Eve, I will do this as long as she will allow me to.

Grandparents day

Today was grandparents day at Sydney's school. I missed it last year and felt like a complete jerk because my daughter was the only one without a grandparent. She had to "share" someone elses. So this time we get the notice in the friday folder and I immediately call my dad. He's thrilled, puts it on his calendar, takes the day off of his "retirement" job. Sydney is excited also, she is so relieved that she will have her grandparents there. I've done good. :-)

So this morning grandpa and meemaw arrive, with coffee for me, I love them! As soon as Sydney hears the doorbell she is up and in the living room, normally waking this child is a small miracle and a large fight. Thanks again dad. :-) Grandpa, Meemaw and Sydney head out the door toward their breakfast and book fair morning together. I can't wait to hear about it when Sydney gets home. What a nice sight watching your parents guide your child down the road toward school. It makes me almost wish we lived closer so they could do these things more often. Almost. It's nice that my dad makes sure to attend these events, I just have to remember to tell him. :-)

Chris' Wedding

My "little" brother got married on September 19th to his long time girl friend, Amber. They invited all of us, Todd, Sydney and I to be a part of their wedding. I was so honored to be a part of their big day. Sydney was very excited. Amber's family was awesome to work with during the entire event. Her mom, Vicki, is an amazing lady and did a lot to make sure the wedding went smoothly. Sydney and Hannah were beautiful and sweet in their formal wear I can't wait to see the pictures the photographer took. I am sharing a few that I took.

It was special to be able to share in their day, I loved being able to be a part of the decorating, both families pulling together to add the finishing touches. I "channeled" my brilliant sister in law to put together the fresh flower center pieces. I was so proud of that.

Now the circle is complete, Chris and Amber were both in our wedding and we were able to be in thiers. What a blessed event and a blessing to be a part of.

Where did summer go?

Wow, I can't believe that summer is basically over. Last night we went to Sydney's open house at school to meet her second grade teacher. Second grade, wow, my baby is growing up. The summer has flown by. I have been reflecting on what made the summer go so fast.

We spent two weeks right when summer started in Florida at Disney World. What a great time and Sydney was at such a great age. She was still young enough to enjoy the characters and little rides but old enough to like the bigger rides also. She even rode Aerosmith's Rocking Roller Coaster and the roller coaster at Animal Kingdom. What a great time.

Right when we got back Sydney tried out for the Chicago Fire Juniors soccer team and made the team. So we have had practices at least once a week since then, I'm not complaining at all she is doing so well.

We got the boat out a few times, even got her out on Lake Michigan. We also spent a long weekend at Cedar Lake with the Churchills. I've spent a lot of time watching the Whitecaps play baseball and Todd has spent some time flying his RC airplanes with Jeff. We even spent some fun times with friends.

Overall it has been a fun summer but wow did it go by quickly. I was just at Sydney's soccer practice and it got downright cold to sit there with just my t-shirt and jeans. I guess we never really got the warm or hot summer weather except for a few weeks. Global warming my you-know-what. Anyway, that's our summer in a nutshell it sure was great but short.

the weekend continued....

The rest of that weekend was great also. On the 5th, my actual birthday we went out on the boat again with the Johnson family. The weather was great, sunny and warm but not hot. Unfortunately all of us ended up a little bit sunburned. After spending the morning and a large part of the afternoon at Lake Michigan we came back home and the Johnson's had us over for dinner. Keri is so thoughtful, she even had a cake for my birthday. What a great day; great friends, pizza and beer, a girl really can't ask for more.

I took Sydney with me to a Whitecaps game on Monday. She was reluctant but I convinced her to go. I have a season ticket for half of the home games and Todd wasn't going to be home so she didn't really have a choice. While we were sitting there she was asked to do one of the promotions on the field. Sydney was the Bissell Clean Sweep girl. She got to go around and sweep off the bases at the end of th 5th inning. It was so cute. She said that the baseball players were nice and thanked her for cleaning the bases off.

4th of July weekend

The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. I'll admit, mostly because of my birthday. I have never thought I was one of those people who loved their birthday so much that everyone had to make a fuss, but I will admit having fireworks on or close to my birthday every year is a great thrill. :-) I had a great 4th of July weekend this year. On the 4th we went out on the boat with the Handle family. We had a great time and the girls all got along so well. The Handles are friends through our girls going to school together. Megan and Sydney were in kindergarten and first grade together as well as girl scouts. Their youngest, Kate, fits right in also. We had a great time going out on Lake Michigan. Todd has not wanted to go out on the "big lake" by himself and the Handles are "seasoned" boaters so I think it was a comfort to Todd to have Joe with us. We had a nice time and will definately be planning another boating trip with the Handle family.