LOTS to catch up on!

It's been way too long since I've updated. Sorry! I've purposely cut back on my computer time lately, so this blog has suffered as a result. Anyhoo, I'm back to report what all we've been up to!

First of all, a few weekends ago we got the opportunity to go to Mexico Beach for the weekend... just the 4 of us {or 4 1/2}, and we had so much fun even though it wasn't typical beach weather. It was soooo windy, but we still couldn't resist some sand time.





THIS is who he's pointing at...
{we can't believe it either. i can't even begin to describe how cold that water was.}







Last weekend the boys and I visited family {particularly "aunt" Ariel!} over in Jacksonville for a few days, and had a lot of fun! It was just nice to hang out with everyone and have the boys get to know them more. I just wish I had my camera when we were with the rest of the family too.



We managed to plan some things simply for thier entertainment, which always helps!





Thankfully, Matthew's cries turned into this when Hudson decided to have an ice cream sling fest...



And here's the little maniac responsible for the big mess...





Lastly, here we are enjoying some Jacksonville Zoo!

for sale.

On Monday we put a "for sale" sign in our yard. It's a little bittersweet. We have so enjoyed our house, our neighborhood, our church, our town, our family & friends close by, etc.

At the very beginning of the year we had a heart to heart about 2010. This is a big year for us... baby arriving @ the beginning of July and Matthew starting pre-school in August! For many reasons, we came to the conclusion that a move to Tallahassee just might be the best thing for our family.

So, we've put our house on the market to test the waters so to speak. Above all, our desire is to follow God's plan for our little family. We're excited to see what's in store for us because we really don't know the timing of anything. Our house could sell in 6 months or 6 weeks or 6 years {hope not!!}. It's a bit scary thinking that we'll be bringing home a precious little boy in about 4 short months, and we are not sure what home that will be... but we are trying to trust in the Lord with all {our} heart and lean not on {our} own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

local frozen yogurt.

If you're local and haven't heard of Fuzions yet, you have got to check it out. {if you aren't local and it sounds good, you can go HERE and request one near you!}

Gus and I tried it out on Sunday, and I cannot wait to go back. {in fact, i'm hoping to go back on thursday after the boys' haircuts!} Basically, it's frozen yogurt like no other. And the concept is really cool... self-serve, pay by the ounce, healthy & really delicious at the same time, loads of toppings including fresh fruit... LOVE it!!



{after you try it out, go HERE and give them some feedback... they will email you a $1 coupon!}

hudson's wittle words...

We're not sure if it's coincidence or what, but in the last couple of weeks Hudson's vocabulary has kind of exploded... might be a result of the tubes in his ears, which are allowing him to hear better. Who knows, but it's so fun to hear that little voice speak so much more clearly. Here are some of his favorite words!

the best saturday.

I'm a little late posting on this, but we had such a fun day last Saturday... had to share. As most can relate, we have had such a COLD and wet winter. So when we found out that Saturday was going to be bright & sunny & near 70 degrees outside, we had to plan something fun. We took the kids to the recreation park @ Maclay {not to be confused with the gardens} for a picnic lunch and playtime. Sadly, Gus and I in all of our years in the area, have never been there. We had no idea what to expect. Well, we discovered a place we plan on taking the boys often. We all had soooo much fun! There's a lake and a big grassy area where we had our little homemade picnic on a blanket, and then the boys played on the playground afterwards.











When we were ready to move on, there was no whining because our next stop was Marble Slab Creamery for ICE CREAM!





And if ice cream wasn't enough of a tweat {in Hudson language}, girl scouts were selling cookies almost right next door. We could NOT pass up a box of thin mints! So, while Matthew & Gus took a potty break on the way home, Hudson had to have his very first thin mint...

never a dull moment {with Hudson around}...

Last Friday, we had just finished lunch and I was trying to straighten up the kitchen a bit before naptime/room-time. {Hudson & I take naps while Matthew plays in his room... and may or may not fall asleep} Then Matthew informed me that Hudson had locked himself in his room. Hudson has locked himself in numerous rooms, and I've become a master at picking locks. Plus, his room has another door that goes out to the balcony, so I just knew I'd have him out in a second. No such luck. Thankfully, my Dad was a few minutes away {Gus being 25 minutes away @ work couldn't help, obviously}... and thankfully, he was with cousin Freddy who is a true handyman! {no offense, Dad!} So after Hudson had been in there for about 40 minutes, Freddy got him out by prying off the doorway trim.

Thankfully, Hudson did not tear up his room OR decide to climb on his bookcase that is not bolted to the wall OR get really upset over being trapped in his room... he whined briefly, but mostly said "Heyyo" and "Pwease" over and over :)

And really the least of our worries, thankfully, getting him out didn't really do any damage...



*And wouldn't you know, Hudson locked himself in again on Monday! I thought I had fixed the issue with the balcony door... good thing I watched Freddy last week :)

eight years ago :)

Today is our 8th wedding anniversary! We just got home to an empty house {thanks to Mom & Dad!}... we had the best time tonight. Went to dinner @ Kool Beanz and then stopped off at RedEye coffee house on the way home. Fun to hang out in hip midtown Tallahassee! So, in honor of our eighth anniversary, here are some of the things that I love most about the last eight years:

1. Our Miami honeymoon. Miami is certainly not the typical honeymoon spot, but we LOVED it.

2. Starting out our marriage in a new place, just us. We lived in the Jacksonville area for two years before moving back "home", and we had such a great time seeing new things and living in a whole new place all by ourselves!

3. Moving back to Quincy into a house I had always loved when I was younger... being close to our parents/families; Gus' new job; getting back in touch with old friends & making new ones. It was a great move at such a great time in our lives.

4. The birth of Matthew Nicholson on August 17, 2005 :)

5. Our 5th anniversary trip to NYC... that was THE BEST! We walked all over that city even though there were record-cold temps outside. I can't wait for our 10th anniversary trip!

6. The birth of Hudson Bruce on May 20, 2008 :)

7. Our recent involvement with the students/youth @ church back in September. We feel so unqualified, yet priveleged to teach them each week... and just get to know who they are individually. They are such a blessing to us!

8. Finding out we were pregnant with baby #3... and then finding out that this baby is in fact another boy!!