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While we were in Louisiana for Christmas, Hudson hit the big TWO mark on December 30. 

 I tell you what, having his birthday so close to Christmas KILLS me.  I had every intention of throwing him a party back in Houston once we got home but that never happened (and with all the sickness our family has encountered it was probably better that way).  I really hope I don't slack on his birthday every year.  In fact when he was born, I committed to NOT doing that.  Two years later, this momma slacked. 

Sorry sweet Hudson. 

Well like lots of people tell me, "They don't remember it any."  I hate when people say that.

Anyway, since I had all PLANS and INTENTIONS of throwing a big party for Hudson post Christmas vacation, we did something very small with Kent and my family. 

I was planning on throwing him a construction themed birthday party, so I ran with that for his actual birthday.

 We had all our families over and opened gifts. 

 Between Christmas and then birthday, Hudson was stacked with toys.  I also promised myself  that I'd never say, "Oh, he just got alot for Christmas, he doesn't need much for his birthday!" 

I can say I will ALWAYS honor that.

Boston helped him open his presents.  Maybe helping a little too much at times.

 One of the presents we got him was his beloved FOUR WHEELER.  He has a SERIOUS love for four wheelers (his daddy eats this up) so he was ALL smiles when he go this thing.

 He rode it around and around my mom's house for days.  He had to work on his steering skills but now that he's had it for awhile, he's starting to master that part.

 He felt so special when we all sang Happy Birthday to him. 

I also just LOVE how Boston stood there all proud aiding as the "big bro" and continuously telling him throughout the day that he is now two.

He was in heaven eating his cake and ice cream.  This kid LOVES his sweets.

I can NOT believe this day has come and gone. 

We have a TWO year old now in our home. 

 I seriously can't believe that he's been with us that long. 

Didn't I just bring him home from the hospital?

Happy New Year!

We started off our New Year's Eve taking the four wheeler out for some rounds around my parents neighborhood. 

 Not quite sure how all the neighbors felt about Chad ZOOMING by

 We went over to Kent's mom's house and spent the afternoon hanging out with his brother Ivan and his family before they left the next day back to Utah.  Boston is completely obsessed with the Wii...aka Mario and LOVES that Bryson has the same love.  They zone in and have NO idea what else is happening around them.

That evening, we got the kids in their jammies, pulled out the New Years party hats and got ready for our annual firework show. 

Krew didn't want to wear a hat.  Instead he preferred this BEAUTIFUL crown.  I really don't think that smile ever left his face.  He was PROUD to sport that sparkly thing.

Boston walked by him and said, "Krew are you wearing a crown?" (it wasn't a rude voice at all..just simply asked) and Krew responded "YES!"  Then Boston walked away and mumbled under his breath, "like a girl..."

It definitely wasn't the nicest thing to say but I just laughed.  Kent and Boston tease each other ALL the time about "girl things" and I totally know that's where this comment emerged from.

 Why are sparklers so much fun??

 I swear one day I'll be able to get the perfect picture of sparklers...

 The guys loaded up the big daddy load

 While we sat back and watched

 I'm telling you this kid loved his crown

 Boston has VERY sensitive ears and has a love hate relationship with fireworks.  This year he only covered his ears HALF the time.  I do love that he enjoys snuggling up on my lap during the show...I know he'll get too big for this eventually.

 We put the two little guys down for bed and the guys rigged up the pinata.  Kristin did this last year with her family so we decided to carry on the tradition.

 Everyone got a few good swings (next year we need to get something besides a METAL bat)

And then with a little help from Papa, Krew busted the pinata.

And like expected, the kids made a mad dash for all the candy (notice Kent fighting everyone for the candy).

We decided to let the kids try to hit the midnight mark this year.  Boston ALWAYS begs us to stay up super late, so this was his chance.  We put on a movie while the rest of us watched a disappointing LSU game.  They were SO CLOSE....better luck next year Tigers....

We finished the game within SECONDS of the midnight count down and yelled for the kids to come down. 

CHEERS TO A HAPPY NEW YEAR

 Charlie is the only kid who didn't quite make it to midnight.  Poor boy was so exhausted.

 Our first family picture of the New Year (minus huddy).  Both boys barely made it to midnight.  Can you tell?  Why is it that midnight used to be SO easy to stay up for but now its SO HARD!  We successfully did it this year though!

Here's the a HAPPY 2013!

POST Christmas

Since Boston was sick for church the Sunday before Christmas, I never got a shot of them in their Christmas outfits so while we were in Louisiana, we got some POST Christmas shots.

First, a group shot of the Combe's. 

 I feel like I'm in charge of documenting their family in pictures since Kari is HORRIBLE at picture taking of any kind.  You will thank me one day Kari...

 Then a few pictures of my boys.  They were absolutely being silly and would NOT cooperate for a great shot (thank you Hudson).  I guess that's reality.

 Hudson finally just stood up on his own and said "CHEEEESE"...messy hair and all.  If you look closely you will notice his scratched up nose from his fall and another random scratch from who knows what on the side of his face.

 And a little cousin love.  Gosh I miss that boy.

Louisiana Adventures

Every time we go to Louisiana for anything, we always seem to just stay busy.

This visit was no different.

Of course we had to take everyone down to Mike the Tiger's habitat. 

 It was FAREEEZING that day and Mike was tucked away in a corner trying to stay warm.

See him in the back right corner??

Sometimes taking a family picture doesn't always work out

Hudson did NOT want to stay on Mike any longer for any more pictures...sorry Mimi.

In her heels, she wasn't QUITE able to make it up to the top without a little BOOST!  Brandon's so strong he about threw her off the other side!

On another day, we headed down to New Orleans.  Our bellies were hungry so we stopped for some food at Gordon Biersch.  New Orleans food NEVER disappoints.

We headed over to the Insectarium which was surprisingly alot of fun (yes, that is coming from a family who makes a living off of bugs)

We went to the bug cooking show and learned all about how much protein bugs contain.  She also cooked up a few bugs for the audience to taste test..  Kent, Tanor and Boston were the only ones interested.

They didn't seem to mind the taste....just thinking about it makes me want to VOMIT!

And Hudson was upset because he didn't get to eat a bug cookie....

Successful day in New Orleans COMPLETE...RIGHT before the rain just started POURING down. 

Perfect timing.

On another day, Kent's dad treated everyone to the Global Wildlife Center.  It's such a fun place where you get to ride in covered wagons on a "safari" to see AND feed all of the animals...from zebras and giraffes to camels and kangaroos to TONS of deer. 

It was another FREEEEZING day and was definitely managable AT FIRST.

Our Utah cousins were in town for a bit this Christmas and we were SO happy to see them.  Boston LOVES Bryson (pictured below).  We don't get to see them very often since they live so far away so it nice to take advantage of it when we can.

Hudson turned into an ice cube.  When I checked the weather before leaving Houston, Louisiana wasn't supposed to get THIS chilly, so I only packed light jackets and sweatshirts.  These poor boys.  Shortly after this picture, Kent looked away for a BRIEF second and Hudson tried to get off the seat with his hands in his pockets and ended up falling FLAT on his face!  He was just crying in pain.  Poor boy.  He cut his lip and scraped up his nose pretty good.  When one bruise starts to go away, another one happens.  It's never ending for this boy.

Jeff being Jeff and was mimicking the zebra's reaction when trying to eat the food.

The ride was ALOT longer then I remember.  Towards the end, everyone was just frozen and trying to stay warm. 

One thing that is NOT pictured on this post is the day that Kent took Boston, Chad and Charlie with some of his long time friends to go four wheeling (yes, we some how managed to loud a four wheeler and ALL of Christmas into Kent's truck). 

Kent used to ride with these guys way back before we got married (Kent actually sold his four wheeler to help buy my wedding ring) and really wanted to do another adventure during the holidays.  From what I heard, they had a blast getting stuck, getting muddy and just being BOYS. 

 I love that this "hobby" makes Kent SO happy...but I REALLY wish I could join him on his adventures more (life of a mom).