3rd Week of July

 Here are some highlights from last week.

Our watermelon is growing, pretty "wild flowers" also growing we planted from seeds, our pumpkin not doing so great (we found our there are bugs eating it), and Hudson getting a ride w/ Nyles.

Hudson getting in our drawer w/ toys/books for the kids.  He found the Friend magazine.

Baby Hudson turned 11 months old on the 20th. He has progressed so much this past month. He has another tooth in the bottom now, so 6 total (4 up top and 2 on bottom), he's able to get around now and can go from sitting to his belly, he's trying lots of new foods and doesn't want us to feed him purees, he prefers finger food and feeding himself. He's happy and loves everyone. He's finding his vocal chords and likes to use them. He loves the water and outdoors like this brothers and dad. We're so thankful to have him in our family and love him so much

We planted another Honey Locust Shademaster tree on the South side of the yard.  It's really hot on that side so we want to get more shade between our house and Karolen's house.  It is a big tree (as big if not a little taller than the last 4 we planted 2 years ago).  

The boys in the hole for the tree, then playing in the fine sand that came out of the hole.  

Hudson thought it was fun to eat the sand and rocks.  Silly boy ;)

The boys got the little tent out and put all their stuffed animals and lots of blankets in it.

Nyles cut down the bamboo sticks that were giving support to our other Honey Locust trees.  

The new tree looks great!  Piper snuggling next to all the blankets and stuffed animals.

The boys doing their marital arts class at a park.

Cute boys!  Another pretty "wild flower" growing.

Saturday we went up to Rockport Reservoir to go kayaking.  It was quite muddy since the water levels are so low, but we still had a good time.  Hudson took a nap in his car-seat shortly after we got there.  We even saw wild turkeys as we were pulling into the reservoir.

Hudson sharing my watermelon for lunch.  Steve out on the boat trying out his "new" motor (was from his grandpa).  Steve w/ Hudson, Nyles and Carter on the kayak, and Piper on my kayak.

Steve back on the big boat w/ Carter, Hudson and Piper.  Nyles and I went out further on our kayaks while Steve went back and forth in the big boat.  It was great once we were on the water.  So much fun!

All 3 boys fell asleep on the way home.

Beautiful Rose of Sharon in bloom in the back yard, and another "wild flower."  After we got home from kayaking, we changed then went over and had dinner w/ LuDean and Diane for the 24th of July.

On Sunday, we went up to Melanie/Brandon's place in Midway for dinner.  Their son Chandler came home this week, a month early from his mission.  He found out he has Type 1 Diabetes this week and his Mission President wanted him to go home.  He was released the day after he got home and has been to Dr.'s to help him learn to regulate his glucose.  Ironically it was his 20th birthday on Sunday, so we sang him Happy Birthday as well as welcomed him home.

Steve being silly, trying to help Phill chop up some bacon for baked potatoes.  Joann playing with baby Hudson.  We have smoke coming in from Oregon and California, which makes the sun look red.

Great quotes.