Golden

This last week of October has been GOLDEN. I mean, seriously, the mountains are 5 different colors right now and I could just sit on my porch forever, basking in their beauty and my boys play happily with their trucks. It's been warm and absolutely perfect!

October is my month to teach our little co-op preschool and it has been a blast! Last Wednesday we had our October field trip. It was "F" week so we went to a FARM! My dad took the little ones on a tour of his friend's farm- showing them all the cows (including the cute little babies) and the tractors and finished at the pumpkin patch where they each picked their own pumpkin. The kids loved it! They are all pretty high energy kids- so an outdoor field trip where they could run and explore a little is perfect for this group. This is such a fun group of kids, I love having them all at my house a few times a week. When asked about the field trip and if he liked it Chase replied, "Yes! All my little friends were there!"

 After the field trip officially ended, Chase and Hudson got their own little extended experience compliments of their Papa. Chase has had a lifelong dream of riding in a combine- he loves combines. That's what he asked for (and got) for Christmas last year. His little dream came true and I think it was just as magical as Chase expected. Hudson got a turn too and was equally thrilled.

 We picked some apples from a neighbor's trees and the boys had a great time. I had to smile to myself at how idyllic apple picking in October is. Hudson, quickly squashed the idyllic pleasantness by assuming the job of promptly and repeatedly turning over the boxes of picked apples, sending them rolling away. Everything is a little more exciting with Hudson around! Chase was excited about picking apples as well and loved when I'd lift him up to pick a few off the tree, other than that he loved just playing in the dirt. Applesauce here we come!

 I took this picture this morning of Hudson playing peek-a-boo with me from the cozy coupe- or the "poop" as Hudson calls it. I love sitting on the porch swing and watch the boys play!

Dear October,

You're the best!

Love,

The Hugos

Fall Family Fun Week Part II

Part II of our fun week together happened today at Park City! We love Park City- it's where Ben and I spent our honeymoon 6 years ago and where I had many wonderful family getaways to growing up. That whole city is beautiful, picturesque, and so so charming. The mountains were still pretty green, with big splashes of bright yellow- the day was magical. We started off eating brunch at the Eating Establishment, one of our favorite restaurants up there. Although not relaxing to eat out with our kids, no one spilled their drink all over the table so we called it a success! Then we perused Main Street, looked in the little shops, road the Main Street Trolley (which Chase was super excited about for some reason), and finished up at the Mountain resort for Chase and Ben to ride the Alpine Slide! Chase loved it and even asked Ben to make their sled go faster. Technically you must be 2 to ride, and while I am sure Hudson could easily pass for a 2 year old, the thought of struggling with a fussy Hudson while 30 feet in the air on the chair lift was reason enough to follow their rules. Huds and I stayed at the bottom, ate Rice Krispie treats and played with a bug, and he was as happy as can be. It was such a fun day!

Fall Family Fun Week Part I

We had a sudden change of plans in our family last week- Ben got a new job! He had been casually looking for something else and Will hooked him up with an interview at the company where he works, MarketStar. Ben interviewed on a Wednesday and two days later they told him he was offered a job! After looking over the offer we decided to accept it- in a lot of ways it's better than what he currently had at Ken Garff- much better hours and more growth potential. We are excited about it! He gave his boss his two weeks notice, but as he was expecting, they told him to finish out the weekend and then he could go home! 

Since Ken Garff didn't require him to finish out 2 weeks, he's able to start his new job next Monday, October 6th. That gave us one week in between jobs of family time! (And even better- Ben had never used his PTO, so they are cashing it out this week and Ben's essentially being paid to hang out with us!) We looked into going somewhere, but last minute it just didn't work out. We decided that we'd stay home and have a little staycation instead. It has been one wonderful week!  

Monday was our get-things-done-day. Once we got a few of those things out of the way, the rest of the week was pretty clear for family fun! Tuesday morning we took the kids to the Gateway Discovery. Ben hasn't been there with us in months. It was really nice to have a 1:1 parent-child ratio. It used to be much simpler when Hudson wasn't so mobile- I'd carry him from exhibit to exhibit, depending on whatever Chase wanted to do. Now we enter the museum and my boys divide and conquer! They are both so busy and it can be a little stressful for me to keep tabs on both of them. It was so nice to be there as a whole family. 

 Wednesday we went out to the fall festival at Black Island Farms. Our kids are the perfect ages to enjoy this place! We had a really great time, our kids didn't stop smiling the whole time. Their favorite part this year was the slides! They were both fearless and giggled the whole way down. When we'd get to the bottom Hudson would say, "ready...GO!" and stand up and head back over to do it again!

We love fall and doing stuff like this! The icing on the cake was coming home to delicious soup and homemade breadsticks right out of the oven- courtesy of my mom. It was another perfect fall day! 

Snippets of September

September seems like it was a crazy month and I kind of can't believe it's almost over! One highlight of September was that Ben's mom and brother Nathan come out for a super quick visit! We loved seeing them, even if it was only for one night.

 This is just a funny picture I took of my super distraught Hudson, who is mad that his pizza is hot. It is WAY too much to ask a baby to wait three minutes for his food to cool down to an acceptable temperature.

 We spent a lot of time outside. Hudson is so into sunglasses these days. He handed me this pair, and instructed me to wear them. And then he wore his. And we hung out like this on the swing for a little while.

 We had a fun birthday lunch to celebrate Will last Saturday. We met at Settebello's in Farmington and had a great time. My kids were slightly crazy, but did as well as could be expected. When Nate came and tried to hug my kids, Hudson refused while giggling and Chase pretended to be asleep. Hudson loves to talk to Nora, talk about Nora (like point out her eyes and mouth), and then when Nana was paying too much attention to Nora, Hudson tried to stab her with his fork. He's an aggressive one.

 My mom bought these boys these cute BYU jerseys and Hudson has proudly worn his often. I have to bribe Chase to wear his during BYU games.

Last Saturday was cold and super rainy, which foiled our original plans for the day. The morning found us at the indoor playground at the mall, where the boys had a blast. Chase could have stayed all day, but Hudson decided it was a fun game to try to sneak out of the playground and run away from me through the mall- laughing the whole time. So we left after an hour. I love seeing Chase run around a playground with a huge smile on his face and making friends with whatever little kids are around him. 

September was awesome. My only regret is that my little boys are now a month older, but there really isn't anything I can do to stop that. We have so much fun with these cute boys!

Out of the Mouth of Chase

After coming home from a date with his dad:
"Mom! The great pumpkin has arrived! I spotted him! And daddy spotted him too!"

We were outside, Ben and I were sitting on the swing talking and the boys were playing away. I was explaining (calmly, seriously) to Ben why I was stressed about something or another and Chase comes right up to me with a huge smile and his twinkling blue eyes and says,
"Mom, you have a big family! So just be happy and don't fight with daddy. Just be happy okay?"
(I think this may have come from him hearing my dad tell me when I'm stressed about things before to not worry about it because I have a beautiful little family and that's really all that matters in life.)

Chase: Dad, do we have enough money to buy a house yet?
Ben: No, not yet buddy.
Chase: When we do can we get one with a basement?
(This once again confirms to me that Chase listens to everything we say- it's not like we discuss financial/house buying stuff with Chase, but obviously he overhears these discussions, like the one above. Clearly we need to carefully screen what we say around the crazy little guy)

I had made crepes for breakfast and my mom and Chase were eating them.
Nana: These are so yummy! Chase, you are so lucky that your mommy is such a good cook.
Chase: Well.....(insert huge eye roll) she can't make pancakes.
(This is true.)

Chase came into our room the other night while we were watching a show in bed:
I just can't sleep! I need a girl to come snuggle with me in my bed!
I think he was angling for mommy to come snuggle with him, but Ben assured him that he can't cuddle with a girl in his bed until he's married :)

Daddy, did you know that spiders come in all shapes and sizes?
"Did you know?" has become a very common phrase around here these days.

13 Years Later

I'm feeling a little sentimental today on the 13th anniversary of the September 11th attacks on New York City and Washington DC. I remember that day so clearly, the sadness and panic and feeling that the world would never be quite the same again. My sweet neighbor died in one of the planes that hit the towers, so even out in Kaysville, UT, the attack hit home.

I've been thinking about that tragedy a lot today, mostly I think because lately I've had some perfect (and I really mean perfect) moments with my kids the last few days. This September weather has been wonderfully warm and crisp and we've been outside enjoying rich blues skies and just a touch of red in the mountains. Yesterday we went to the park to feed the ducks. My boys giggled and quacked and loved every minute of it. Today we played out in the front yard blowing bubbles. I loved seeing my children run to pop them and squeal with delight. I can't really put into words how much I love experiencing the world through the eyes of these innocent little loves, but my heart just swells with gratitude that they are mine.

So as I've thought about the tragedy that happened 13 years ago contrasted with the love and happiness I've felt lately, I can't help but feel so grateful for this country. I'm grateful for the beautiful life I have here and the chance I have to raise my family here. There's no place I'd rather be.

Chase goes to Preschool!

 My sweet Chaser started preschool this week! As I tried to figure out the right thing to do with preschool a lot of different factors came to my mind: was I ready to send him? Could we really afford it? Would he love it? The answer to the last one is definitely YES. He loves other kids and loves being around them. Academically he is already way ahead of where he needs to be. So while I didn't think he really "needed" preschool academically, I did feel like he would thrive with the social interaction. Ultimately I think we came up with the best option for us right now- a neighborhood co-op preschool. I got several moms together (all of whom are wonderful) and came up with a basic curriculum for the kids to learn. We are switching off months teaching. I'm excited to be able to be part of his preschool experience and this way is easier on our budget.

 Chase was so excited to start his "little school". We let him pick out a backpack a few weeks ago and as soon as he saw this Transformers one he had to have it. Preschool is on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 to 11:00 am, and let me tell you- getting all the way to 9:30 is a long wait for all involved. Chase is ready to go at 8:00.

 Chase loves the kids in his class and loves being there. He's not so much into learning to write the letters, which doesn't surprise me at all. He's never really been that into coloring or writing, but he's so smart I'm sure he'll figure it out when he's ready. He loves story time and playing time! My friend Jodi is teaching this month- the friend he's always telling me he wants me to just "drop him off" to (she babysits for me all the time), so it was an easy transition for him.

 He comes home just delighted and will tell me all about what they did and learned, eagerly emptying his backpack to show me his work. Then if anyone else (Dad, Nana, Papa, etc.) asks him later that day how preschool was he responds with, "It was good. And I don't want to talk about it."

Preschool also means I get three hours a week alone with Hudson! This baby is still just winning my heart over again every single day and I enjoy a little time to just dote on him. He has a hard time when we drive away without Chase, but quickly gets over it when he realizes how fun it is to have mom and dad to yourself! Here are pictures of him playing in the front yard- where we spend hours every single day. Hudson is hard to share with these days- always wanting exactly what Chase has- so I think we'll enjoy this time of peace since he won't have to share.

*Earlier this week, right after being released from time-out, Chase ran over and promptly pulled the basketball out of Hudson's hands and made a basket. As I was hauling him back to time-out and talking to him about why that was wrong he replied with, "Mom! I was just teaching Hudson to share!"