Brother Bath time

Every nite after dinner, Anderson asks - "can we take a bath tonite", when we give him the usual favorable response "yes" - he is sooo excited because this means fun in the tub with baby brother. Carter just as excitedly climbs in the tub. They have a blast in the tub - I hope that they always enjoy this time together and willingly climb in the tub!!!


Here the boys are sporting their matching 'mo-hawks'

Cousins - Carter & Avery

We had the fun priviledge of watching my 1year old niece Avery while Paul & Rebekah took a weekend to get-away with some of their friends. This was their 1st time away from Avery and they all did great (parents & Avery) alike! Recently Carter & Avery have starting interacting & playing with each other - it was neat to watch them. I'm so sad that now that their cousin friendship is truly beginning, we're seperating them. Reunions will be that much more fun.

Is this denial?

It's no secret that the Judds are moving. At first I didn't post about our move thinking the date was still aways away, then I didn't want to post because the cat wasn't completely out of the bag in regards to our workplaces, but lately I haven't wanted to post because I don't have eloquent words to say and can't think of the words to capture the thousand different feelings & emotions going on in my mind. It's amazing that you can have so many different thoughts & opinions on one topic. We are excited about our move to Atlanta, but more than anything my heart hurts for the soon to be 600+ miles between me and my best friends. What makes my eyes water even faster is the distance we are putting between my boys (mainly Anderson of course) and his best buddies. His best buddies since birth and even before! We have such an amazing support 'network' here that I'm scared about 'starting over'. When we left Atlanta, we weren't parents, so this will be a brand new experience for us.

So that's enough for now, I can't think too much about it all or my head will explode. Off to find a box to pack I suppose....

Soccer - in the grass!

My original post of Anderson and his 1st season playing soccer was in the gym at the YMCA due to a field conflict so I decided to blog again with the 'real' soccer experience - in the grass! Anderson is loving playing soccer. Rebekah & I (read Rebekah) 'hemmed' Anderson's dress (um shirt) to the best of our abilities. Anderson spends more time on the ground than he does on his feet, but enjoys it thoroughly!!


dribbling downfield, notice the tongue a la Michael Jordan!

Anderson manning the goal

the Seattle Sounders

Halloween Bonfire!

We had a great Friday 'halloween' nite. Our friends the Jacksons, had a 'fall' party complete with a bonfire and an amazing feast! We had a great evening fellowshipping with all our friends. The kiddos did a mini trick or treat run and the grown-ups just enjoyed the food & friendships. Thanks Jackson family for a wonderful evening!!! We will soooo miss events like this!!!

This is a pic of Madeline and Carter - I so wish you could see Madeline's face - they were so cute being pulled from house to house!

This was Anderson's 1st time trick or treating - he acted like an old pro!

A rare photo of me & Jamie - one of my very best VaBeach buds!

Anderson & Jacob 'winding' down from the nite!

The early bird gets the worm? I voted.....

You ever hear the saying "the early bird gets the worm"? Well, I arrived at the poll this a.m. at 6 thinking I'd cast my vote and be home in 10minutes for Mark to do his duty. Yeah, right!! I got there at 6, waited in the rain for 10minutes, then got to wait inside for another hour & half! It was somewhat chaotic as one of the 'volunteers' kept letting people go ahead - she didn't mean to, she just didn't have a clue! Anyway, after finally getting out of there, I headed home to let Mark go to work. As painful as the hour and a half standing in line was, I was sooooo glad I didn't have 2 precious little Judd boys with me!!!! Shortly I'll be heading to Starbucks & Chick-fil-a to redeem my "voting perks"!

Please please pray for our country and its leadership.

Hallelujah Harvest 2008

An event our family looks forward to year-long is Hallelujah Harvest - it's our church's "halloween" alternative. I am so grateful for this option and ministry - I love that the kids still get to enjoy the 'fun' but aren't introduced (more than they have to be) to the 'dark' side that typically accompanies the day. It's so funny, if we are out shopping and Anderson sees something related to Halloween - he says - "mommy, looks -that's for Hallelujah Harvest!". It's not always the best picture, but I'm glad that for him he has a different definition than the 'traditional' view. There is enough dark & gloomy in this world, that I'd rather keep that from my boys to the best of my ability as long as possible!!!! Anderoson was 'Dash Incredible' and Carter was a puppy (or bearcub)....... I figured that next year Carter would have an opinion on what he wanted to be, so I fully exercised dressing him like I wanted to this last year!!!!


trying to take pictures of both boys together really didn't go very well (can't you tell!!!!!!)

my baby punkin puppy dog, Carter (17mo)

Anderson (R) and his best bud Ryan (L)

Wagon puppies - Carter & Anna - the cutest puppies around!

Jacob Judd??

Jacob was a Judd for the day - David & Katy went out of town for the day so we gladly adopted 1 of the 3 Schrodts for the day. Anderson loved having a sidekick. We started the day with soccer games, came home for a hot-dog lunch, took naps and took the boys to the YMCA for a Fall Festival. It was rainy so much of the festivities were inside. The boys had a fun time and both got spiders painted on their faces. Then it was home for bedtime!! I had a few comments during the day like "you have 3 boys?, bless you!" - Nope!!!!!!!!


Jacob

Anderson
(in his costume from 2 years ago - can you say TIGHT!!!!)

spider friends

Pumpkin Patch, take 2!!

We headed to Hunt Club for a 2nd Saturday for Anderson's buddy Niko's 4th birthday party. The weather wasn't as great as it had been the weekend before, but nonetheless, a great time was had by all.


the brothers!

Ahoy Anderson!

Notice the signage in the back 'extra large pumpkins' - yep, I think Carter fits the bill!

fun on the hayride

Learning, the 'fun' way!

Took the boys to the Portsmouth Children's Museum with Jen & Jamie - we have been hearing about this place for some time and were excited we were finally able to make it come to fruition! The kids had a great time in this 'learn thru play' museum.

uh oh, looks whos driving - Carter & Emily - - hold on Jamie!

Happy Birthday Avery!!!!

My sweet niece Avery (parents Paul (Mark's twin)& Rebekah) turned 1 on October 12th. We celebrated her special day with family and some of Paul & Rebekah's friends. I can't believe she is 1 already!



Rebekah made this amazing 'Happy Birthday' banner to use for her children's birthdays - isn't it amazing! She is so crafty and is great with a sewing machine!

Here's the bday girl!!

Nana bought Avery this GA Cheerleading uniform - I love it!!!! I guess I have to have a girl to get one of those!!! ; )

Anderson is 4!!!!

For Anderson's 4th birthday party, we joined forces with the Schrodts to celebrate birthdays with some of his best buds - Jacob & Josiah. We celebrated at Hunt Club Farm and it was an amazing day - we are so blessed to have so many wonderful friends & family to celebrate these occasions with!

all of Anderson's cousins came to the party here are 4 of the 5 -MaryScott (2), Catherine (6), Benjamin (9), Anna (4months)

Jacob, also turning the big 4!yummy, this is good!!!!!!!!!!

Carter, the toddler

This is kind of a random post, but Carter has recently graduated from pure babyhood to toddlerhood - now mature at 16months, he suddenly looks like a little boy to me and not a baby anymore (of course he'll ALWAYS be my baby, but you know what I mean!). For about a week he had a yucky virus that left him grumpy and sensitive and he has now returned to the land of the living (I'm soooo grateful). As he was emerging from his 'funk' - we spent the day with the Saunders - Here are a few pics of him when he wasn't feeling well that I thought were cute...


Seriously, he is checking out the bike with his fingers firmly in his mouth - I don't think his fingers left his mouth this ENTIRE week!

I love him in shoes!!!

Carter was so upset I wouldn't share my Kashi cereal with him - I had to take a picture You'd think it was Lucky Charms or something. Seriously, if you've tasted Kashi, you understand my delight with this picture!