Happy Easter!

On Fri., March 22nd we went to ECFE Fab Friday for the first time in a long time and Hudson made his very first art project!  He created a hand print bunny (*pinkie & pointer fingers were ears & thumb tail) as you see here - how cute!  Gearing up for Easter!

We had also got to visit Daddy & the men at the shop complete with tractor rides!  This tractor ride was sorta special as this was the first time Hudson really grabbed the wheel and the first time we "fought" over who got to drive!  Dad & Mom commented on, "it's only gonna get worse!"  Upon arriving home we were excited to see a big package left by our mail carrier - diapers & wipes from Amazon!  Hudson tore right into the wipes as we love stacking the refill packs & of course he climbed right in the box!  Silly boy!

On Sat., March 30th our whole family enjoyed the Frost Community Easter Egg Hunt & Activities.  They do such a nice job every year and this year I won the grand door prize - very expensive chocolates!  We had so much fun & the best part was seeing our good friends the Hansen's, the Oswald's and other Little Giant families.  We started out with the egg hunt - Hudson even found 1!  With crazy MN winter weather outside the egg hunt was held in the gym which was perfect (*they even added fake plants & flowers to make it seem like we were outside!) 

Here's me on the egg prowl: 

Here's Hudson with Daddy finding one in the flower pot!: 

Once the egg hunt was over we got to participate in an assortment of games from throwing buttons in jars to throwing a football through a tire to go fish to miniature golf.  With each activity we got a stamp in our booklet to spell out Easter and tickets to put towards prizes.  In the end I used all my tickets to get an airplane for Hudson and one for me!  Here's me getting a hole-in-one (*well, almost): 

After the Easter activities we had fun delivering Easter cupcakes to some of our friends & neighbors...I helped Mom put the M&M's on to make butterflies & bumble bees and we even did some that looked like baskets with eggs or Peeps:

After nap we had the pleasure of celebrating the wedding reception of Lance (*works with Daddy & Grandpa) & Sarah at Kiester, MN.  It was a masquerade theme so here's us Prestegard men (*Daddy in green, Grandpa Allen in purple & me in gold) wearing some fun masks: 

We were soon home getting ready for the Easter bunny; how cute are we in our matching Easter P.J.'s: 

On Sun., March 31st we awoke to filled Easter baskets & the Easter Bunny hiding eggs all over the house.  We had a blast hunting for all of them!  Some of the fun stuff I got included an outdoor basketball hoop, books, a little candy, a kite but most important a John Deere Planter - just like Daddy's!  Can you tell how excited I am?: 

Hudson loved his ISU chair (*ready for a summer filled with parades!), his books, candy & a little race car for the bath tub.  He looks pretty excited too!: 

After breakfast we went to church and I went to Sunday School all by myself (*Mom or Dad had been staying with me) - I was pretty proud of myself!  I even took my offering up to Father Leo during the kids collection all by myself - it could have been scary in front of the whole congregation but Dad & Mom said I was a very brave boy.  After church we were blessed to have an Easter lunch with the Prestegard's/Loge's/Fenske's at Grandpa/ma Prestegard's house.  We took some of our cupcakes & we even made some spice cake, egg shaped cake pops - we thought they turned out pretty well & placed them in a basket for some extra flare & more Easter egg realistic!:

In the afternoon we enjoyed dying Easter eggs - Hudson's first time - and this year thanks to Grandma Anne we tried an egg spinner.  A little messy but a whole lot of fun.  Here's Hudson & Daddy giving an egg a spin (*note better to have the top fully shut before beginning for dye goes flying!): 

Here's me doing it the old fashioned way too...notice I'm making a John Deere egg by dipping my yellow egg in green.  Of course!

Here's us with Mommy & some of our finished eggs...notice Hudson & I are talking to & trying to "get" each other rather than smiling for the camera.  It was really funny & Mom's trying hard not to laugh & just smile pretty! 

What a fun holiday weekend...thank you Lord for all you have bestowed upon us and thank you to all our friends & family who made our holiday weekend extra special.  We love you!

XOXO, Hayden & Hudson

Blog Intruder!

 

Apologies to our followers as recently we found out our blog site had a hack attack!  We had to re-post and activate our blog so you should see our happenings over the past couple of weeks shortly.  Sorry for the delay & look forward to updating you soon. 

XOXO,

Hayden & Hudson

Happy St. Patty's Day!

The week of March 11th introduced a lot of changes for Hudson at Little Giants...1) he started being introduced to the Tiny Tots room as we hope to move him fully from the infant room by mid-April; 2) he began "school" lunches with just baby food to supplement and 3) he had his last ever bottle on Tues., March 12th!  He was down to just his early a.m. bottle so wasn't huge transition but still full fledged toddler now!

 

For me, March at Little Giants has been about lots of laughs as we've learned to try to outsmart the leprechauns.  They have been very tricky like messing up our room, leaving green "inked" kisses on us when we nap and stealing some of our snacks!  We also learned about Lions/Lambs the week of the 4th; Rainbows/Leprechauns the 11th, Bunnies this week and next week Wind & Kites!  I've also greatly improved going potty at LG & home.  How quickly Hudson & I are growing & changing! 

 

As at DC (*daycare) Hudson is eating big boy food at home so it's been fun to have him officially sit at the dinner table with us each night.  He's not up to the praying yet but I'll teach him soon enough.  On Mon., March 11th we kind of got into giggling fits at the dinner table and continued before bath time with us running around & tickling each other.  Here I am finally catching Hudson!

On Wed., March 13th Mom had a fun picture of Mr. Smee or Hudson the pirate from DC teachers we just have to share.  He had on a pirate shirt that said, "Yo Ho Ho & a Bottle of Milk" so the ladies thought it would be fun to put a little cap on him like Mr. Smee (*the only pirate we know with glasses) and Hudson wore it ALL day!  Here's Mr. Smee:

On Sat., March 16th we celebrated St. Patty's Day a day early with shamrock pancakes, wearing green and hosting the Hansen's for dinner/St. Patty's Day treats.  I even got to wear shamrock sunglasses that were straws to drink green Kool-Aid!  So cool to watch the liquid go around my eyes to my mouth!  Here's Hudson & I in our St. Patty's Day best:

 

  After nap, before the Hansen's joined us, Hudson decided to do some "light" reading...recently he's really gotten into books.  Loves just sitting, looking at the pictures, turning the pages by himself, carrying the books all over and will bring books over to you, sit on your lap & want you to read to him.  We call him our "Little Professor".  The thing about our Little Professor is he has to take ALL the books off the shelf before he starts "reading".  Here we caught him just finish emptying the shelf & "reading" one of his books.  Silly Hudson!

 We had a wonderful St. Patty's Day weekend and after church on Sunday we made some deliveries of our Irish corn beef dip/spread with rye bread over to Grandma Great Betty & Grandma/pa Prestegard.  We closed our weekend at home with movie night & homemade popcorn with green/white M&M's...Hudson's first candy!  In case you were wondering we both loved them!

 

Special thanks to the Hansen's for celebrating with us & for our awesome shirts all the way from Hawaii - how cute are we!  Thank you!

Up next Easter weekend...egg dying, egg hunts, the Easter Bunny, family, friends & taking the time to thank the good Lord for his unconditional love & forgiveness...the true meaning behind Easter.  We are so grateful each & every day for our many blessings - Lord, we praise & thank you!

Disney On Ice: Worlds of Fantasy

On Tues., Feb. 26, 2013, we are happy to report Hudson's 15 mth & post-hospital stay check-ups went very well.  His lungs had much improved and other than losing a little weight he seemed to be back to our happy, healthy Huddy!  At 15 mths Hudson is now at 32.5 inches long and 27 lbs. 8 oz.; in the 87 percentiles.  Growing little man.  On Wed., Feb. 27th I ended up with a 24 hours tummy bug but was myself by Friday so we're thankful to have everyone back to normal, finally!  I was a little bummed to miss a day of daycare as that week we were learning all about dinosaurs.  I really like the triceratops and T-Rex.  This week it's now been all about lions!

 

On Sun., March 1, 2013, we had a family fun day by going to the Twin Cities for Disney on Ice: Worlds of Fantasy.  It was fun walking around downtown by the Target Center & getting lunch before the show.  Our show started at 1 p.m. and it was a magical experience.  The show featured four favorite Disney stories including Cars, The Little Mermaid, Pixie Hollow with Tinker Bell & Toy Story 3.  Our favorites were of course Cars & Toy Story as I LOVE Mater & Woody the Cowboy.  Here's our family ready for the show:

The show started with Mickey & friends or as I call it, "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" (*one of my favorite shows!).  Then we got revved up for non-stop fun with Cars that were actual cars!  We got to watch thrilling, high-speed stunts with Lightning McQueen, Mater, Sally & gang. 

The did an excellent job at creating an enchanting undersea kingdom for the Little Mermaid and it was fun watching the fairies of Pixie Hollow fly around (*even in the actual air!).  Finally it came time for Toy Story 3 and Woody!  Here's Buzz Lightyear wrangling up Jessie, Bullseye, Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head & team.  It was a rambunctious adventure at Sunnyside Daycare as in the movie when they raced to get home to Andy.

The star of my show Woody (*note whenever he or Mater were not on the ice I would ask where they went - very cute!):

Soon it was time for the show to end and all the characters came back out to say good-bye.  Hudson loved the show and kept clapping the entire time and I was all smiles & giggles.  The skating was dazzling as were the special effects, and it was fun to spend the afternoon with some of our favorite characters.  What fun memories.  We were barely on the road and both Hudson & I were out - two very tired boys but such a fun Sunday!

Big news this week is Hudson is now forward facing in his car seat!  He's past the limits and was so excited to be able to see everyone and look around.  Here he is on the big day, Wed., March 6th right after Mom placed him in his new direction.  He was a little sad to learn he still needed to be restricted or buckled in but still happy fella. 

This was a big week for me too as I was the Superstar this week at daycare!  I got to pick out pictures to take in and even got to answer some questions and put together a paper Hayden!  Of course we decorated with a John Deere tractor shirt with work boots and I think it turned out pretty good.  Here's me with my board, I was so proud and kept telling everyone, "I'm a superstar!"

This weekend we've enjoyed a quiet weekend indoors, for the most part.  We did enjoy going to church today where I got to participate in my first Sunday School class (*Mommy stayed with me too!) and then we got a special treat by seeing Grandma Great Betty, Grandma & Grandpa Prestegard and Cousin Hannah at the local pancake breakfast.  I got to see some of my friends too like Addison, her Dad & grandparents, Ava's grandparents & even Great Uncle & Aunt Loren & Jean!  It was an awesome family affair.  Hope all of you are staying warm & enjoying, what we hope, are the last few days of winter!  XOXO, Hayden & Hudson

What a week...

What a week! Since our last update Hudson had developed a throat infection and by Fri., Feb. 15th it turned into RSV/bronchitis and had to be hospitalized as his oxygen was in the lower 80's. By Sunday late afternoon Hudson was released with a variety of neb medicines and to rest but was starting to breathe easier & feeling a little better. He's been home all week and by Thursday was eating & playing again! Daddy & Mommy had déjà vu as this same time last year Hudson was hospitalized for RSV/pneumonia!  Good news is he’s back to normal and almost done with his treatments.  We look forward to his follow-up appointment this upcoming week to hear good news!

 

This past week we also enjoyed a nice Valentine's Day at home with some fun presents & cake!  Yep, Mom made us a 4 layered white cake filled with love or a red-velvet heart:

Here's the inside:

And by the slice:

Of course on Valentine's Day we had a party at daycare and for the first time I got to make a Valentine's Day "box".  I wanted to make a firestruck and Mom helped me make it happen.  For the past few weeks we worked on it here and there and here's our finished product - Hayden FD Firetruck.  I was most excited about the wheels as I cut them myself & Mom trimmed.  I'm getting really good with scissors & actually favor my left hand!  Here I am with my firetruck Valentine's Day box; I was pretty proud!

The front complete with me driving & my fire dog, Spot:

Side view & the top had a ladder which we lifted up to put the Valentine's Day treats inside:

Back/other side view: 

On Sat., Feb. 16th we got to go to the Hilton in Ames, IA for Hudson's first ISU Men's Basketball game and we won! We played Texas Tech and won 86 to 66. It was our Christmas present from Uncle Jared and it was awesome to have Jared and Grandpa Scott there with us. Jared even stayed the weekend with us. We ate at Wallaby's afterwards where Mommy worked in college! Unfortunately our camera's battery died during the game so the only photo we have is this one just before the game started!

Way to go Cyclones; good luck vs Kanasa Monday night!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Many Hugs Kisses Valentine's Card

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February Frolics

On Tues., Feb. 12th by nap time poor Hudson had a temp of 103 degrees!  Upon the doctor's visit we learned his ear infections may have left but the drainage caused a throat infection...on with more meds.  Dad stayed home with Hudson while Mom, Grandma Judy & Grandpa Allen came to watch my February Frolics spring daycare performance! 

 

Our performance started off with a Sharing Show at 6:30 p.m. in which each child brought in a favorite toy and/or "costume" to show off.  We even got up in front of the audience and talked into the microphone to tell everyone about our toy/outfit.  Of course I brought in a tractor, a front loader to be exact, and dressed up as a farmer.  I told the audience I want to be a farmer when I grow up like Daddy & Grandpa.  Here's me, Farmer Hayden with our Director, Ms. Lynn:

Here's me sharing with the audience; Mommy & Daddy were so proud of how brave I was.  There were over 50 people there; pretty intimidating for anyone let alone a 3 year old!

After our Sharing Show we had our Preschool Concert in which we sung & danced.  The dancing part was my favorite and Grandma Judy said it looks like I have natural rhythm.

Here's me & my buddy Ava:

After the concert I got to show off my room, my locker and my Valentine's Day box to Grandma & Grandpa.  Here's the three of us; say cheese! 

To finish raising money for our playground project as DC is a non-profit we hosted a bake sale & art show.  Here's some of my art work that was purchased; yep, I'm now considered a professional artist as I've sold paintings!  Mom said my paintings were priceless though!

Me & my buddies: 

Although Hudson had to miss the event the Sweetpea room contributed to the art show with some finger & feet paintings.  Here's his owl: 

And his feet penguins!  So cute! 

In the end our February Frolics was a hit!  Everyone enjoyed our performances and we raised the funds necessary to finish our playground project!  What an event!

The Reptile Zoo

On Thurs., Feb. 7th Mom had to be in the cities for work so we enjoyed a dude's day with Dad which was nice as early Fri., the 8th Dad left for his annual snowmobile trip for the whole weekend.  Did we miss him but Mom kept us busy while he was gone.  First up, having fun at Fab Friday at ECFE on Fri., Feb. 8th.  I even made Dad a glitter heart with painting glue with a paint brush! We were suppose to use our hands but when we started that method I did NOT enjoy getting sticky so a new method invented.  Here's Daddy's valentine:

On Sat., Feb. 9th Hudson, Mom & I met some of our Ehr cousins in Owatonna for our annual gathering.  I had so much fun running around with Owen & Issy.  We started the day by going to Cabela's to see their renovations and all the animals.  I loved walking through the fish tank tunnels & playing in all the tent displays.  After lunch we went to the RAD Zoo or Reptile & Amphibian Discovery Zoo.  The zoo is home to over 100 kinds of animals from all over the world.  It was so fun to see the crocodiles, pythons, banded bamboo shark, eels, snakes, etc up close! 

 

Mom who is deathly scared of snakes said she really wished Dad was with us but was a trooper & determined for us to experience everything so we don't share her same fear (*Cousin Deb says she wishes you could see Mom's face when we were with the snakes though - sheet white!)  Here's Hudson & Mom petting "Sunflower" & the handler was nice & kept the head hidden.

The best part of the day was holding "Sally"!  An alligator who is 13 years old and who was so cool & mild mannered.  Here's all three of us with "Sally"!  Dad was super impressed when we sent him the pic.  Hudson loved petting her & it was fun feeling how rough her back was but soft her belly was.  Such a hands on learning experience.

Here's Cousin Issy, me & Hudson going through the Danger Zone with Cousin Deb & Mom. 

The zoo is pretty special as you're only feet away from all the critters.  Here's me getting face to face with "Johnson" a boa constrictor who was Justin Bieber's pet snake!

Our day ended by watching "Big Al", a 12 foot long American alligator being feed a chicken and the boas being feed mice!  I loved watching all of it and was right up at the glass.  I was still talking about it on Monday at daycare!  We highly recommend checking the RAD Zoo out - so fun for the whole family & just in our backyard.  Here's a couple more alligators; don't they look like the crocodile in Peter Pan?!  I think they look like they are smiling at us.

  

Thanks Ehr's/Culbertson's for some fun memories; can't wait til next time!  Once we got home of course we had brother bath time!  Here's Hudson & I having a blast splashing around.  We sent Dad the pictures and he said, "Look like brothers!"

Brotherly love!

Up next Daddy's home!