Hudson runs away with the spoon...

On Wed., July 17th we got to attend the Festag Twilight Parade in Minnesota Lake, MN with Grandma & Grandpa Vogel, Great Grandma Betty and Great Uncle Butch & Aunt Patty!  It was a lot of fun and it was HOT!  Just sitting there we were hot.  They had a great turn out though and it was a lot of fun just being with our family.

Hudson got to show off his new candy picking up skills again!  Everyone seemed very impressed.

Some of our favorite parts of the parade - the Shriner's!

of course the trucks, trailers, tractors and finally...

the skid loader with all these saws!  Very cool.

By the Friday the 19th we were excited to just spend a weekend at home!  We lucked out with awesome weather & Friday we filled our pool and spent most of the day outside.  Here's me jumping in!

Hudson loves the water table so spent a lot of time playing there with Mommy:

Here we are taking turns going down the slide!  Hudson wasn't too sure at first but I taught him to love it and then we had a hard time taking turns!

Friday night the Hansen's joined us for dinner and more pool time.  Hudson even went for a ride with Addison:

The week of the 15th Hudson started really using a spoon to feed himself and by Friday the 19th he was running away with it!  He started to refuse assistance from anyone & is becoming a real champ!

On Sat., July 20th we spent the morning with Daddy and again enjoyed more outdoor time with tractors & the 4 wheel!  After super we again tried a movie at the Kee Theater, Despicable Me 2.  I thought it was really funny and loved seeing all the minions & Hudson sat through most of it but did take a break in the middle with a little walk with Daddy.  I had so much fun going though & can't wait for our next movie, Planes!

 Sunday other than church we just hung out at home; here's us just enjoying some down time Sunday night the 21st.  Hudson and his "new" favorite toy - our service truck:

Here's me "gone fishin'"!

On Monday, July 22nd Hudson said another word - "water" during bath time!  We've been working on it and then all of a sudden said it!  Today, Thurs., July 25th Daddy & Mommy picked us up and took us to the Faribault County Fair!  We enjoyed seeing the horse barn, all the show animals, going on rides & even watched/listened to a concert while we ate dinner.  Here's Hudson & I on our first ride of the night (a little blurry - going so fast!):

It was some nice family time before Mom & Dad embark on their trip to AZ!  Yep, tomorrow Hudson & I will be spending the weekend with Grandma & Grandpa Prestegard while Mom/Dad & the Oswald's meet up with the Olson's in Phoenix for Olson's new baby, Cameron's baptism.  We'll miss each other but can't wait because cousins Hannah & Elise along with Aunt Jenni are coming to stay with us too!  The fab 4 cousins will be back together again! 

Farmer's Day 2013

 On Friday, July 12th Mom, Hudson & I headed south for our annual Farmer's Day visit at Grandma & Grandpa Vogel's.  As soon as we arrived Grandpa was ready to go!  We all walked or as you see below rode to downtown Jesup for kids afternoon of rides.

Here we are waiting with Grandpa waiting for our wrist bands for unlimited rides!

First and overall favorite was the train ride - here's Hudson on his very first ride ever!  He loved it!

As soon as we were done we went again but this time sat right up front and loved ringing the bell!

We also did the boats, carousel, motorcycles, train again, boats again, cars, etc.

Hudson was too little yet but I LOVED the motorcycles.  Because no one else was in line I got to ride 7 times in a row - it was awesome! 

Here we are on the boats which was one of Hudson's favorites and while I was on the motorcycles he rode the boats a few times in a row too!

Here we are heading towards home - I got to lead - and we made a quick pit stop by Grandma & Grandpa Great Vogel's house!  It was fun to visit and relax a bit before heading home for supper and a bonfire.

The next morning after breakfast we headed over to watch the parade & get candy!  Here's Grandpa Mark, me, Hudson & Mommy (*Grandma Dawn is taking the picture!):

The Grand Marshall's were Chet & Maxine, great family friends!

As the veterans went by none other than our Great Grandpa Richard (*Grandpa Mark's Dad) is sitting front & center - here you can see him in the passenger seat waving at us: 

As this is Hudson's first parade in which he's mobile this was the first time he picked up candy & by the end he was a pro.  He loved the game of pick up and put in the bag and have to admit did most of the work!

Here's us with Grandma Dawn & Grandpa Mark as the parade wraps up.  We then headed back for lunch, naps and of course...

playtime!  Before and after nap since it was sprinkling on & off we set up trains and also played tractors. 

After church we got to do a few more rides and met Uncles Keith & Derek for a walleye fish fry caught none other than by Grandpa Mark & Grandma Dawn!  Here we are relaxing afterwards at the fire roasting marshmallows!

After a bit Grandpa, Uncle Derek, Hudson & I played at the park and then were completely tuckered out!  Came back for bath & then bed and we were tired.

On Sun., July 14th we slept in, had breakfast and then went to wear down some energy before our car ride home at the park.  We loved climbing around, the slides and even played music on the bars below:

We napped most of the way home and were pumped to see Daddy!  After a few days of relaxing at home by Wednesday we were ready for more.  Up next FestAg!

Swim Lessons 2013!

The week of July 1st was kind of a big deal - it was my first week going the entire week in underwear at daycare!  Although I've been doing strictly underwear at home on weekends for the last month this was my first full week & no accidents!  So proud!  In addition we spent lots of time painting red, white & blue items at daycare.  As you can see below one day we made a flag and underneath my flag is a glitter splatter painting.

Both in Hudson's and my room we also talked a lot about stars & stripes as well as fireworks and other 4th of July / Independence Day traditions.  Great way to gear up for our big holiday weekend!  Here's stars by me:

and here's handprint stripes by Hudson:

 On Monday, July 1st Hudson and I started swim lessons!  Since we're in the same age bracket we actually took them together!  Most of the week Hudson was with Mommy and we hired Bailey to assist me.  On the 4th of July though Daddy came to class!  Here's Daddy & his boys horsing around: 

Here's Mommy & her boys, note looking into the sun not so good for pics!

Our family of 4 at the pool:

Of course Daddy helped me with my diving for sticks/rings by tossing me in!

No worries though he rescued me!

We had a great 4th of July as we spent the morning sleeping in, the Hansen's joined us for lunch and pool time at our house; then after swim lessons we went to their house for dinner & sparklers and fireworks!  Hope you had an awesome 4th too!

 

On Friday, July 5th we woke up throughout the night to Hudson with a high 103 fever (*out of no where!)  Mom and I took him to the doctor first thing in the morning and sure enough strep throat!  Seriously!  We got meds & a follow-up appointment with our ENT for the 9th but no worries as on the mend.  After a long nap he was feeling much better but again, poor guy!

 

We were lucky as Daddy's best friend, Alan Meyer came all the way from San Francisco for a visit!  The next morning all 5 of us headed south to IA where Hudson & I spent the weekend with Grandma / Grandpa Sergeant and Mom/Dad & Alan went to good friend Bret Pierce's wedding!  First time we both stayed at Grandma & Grandpa's but we had a blast.  I made a new golfing buddy in Grandpa Scott and we got to see lots of family while in Waterloo.  Since DC is closed the week of the 8th Hudson & I stayed at Grandma & Grandpa's until Monday the 8th.  In which Mom met us half way in Mason City for dinner & to take us home.  We were all excited!

 

On May 9th Mom took the day off and we all went to Mankato for Hudson's follow-up ENT appointment.  Strep throat seemed in the clear with meds and she said he healed nicely since surgery.  At this point we hope a fluke thing and we'll just have to monitor it.  While in town Hudson got a haircut (*you can see below) and was ready to roll once we got home.  Good to see Hudson happy & playful again...here he is with his favorite buddy - Kato!  His latest is saying, "Ruff Ruff" every time he sees a dog or any animal as to him all animals are dogs!  We're working on the rest though!

Well since Hudson got sick we couldn't make our final swimming class & graduation on Fri., the 5th so Mom picked up our certificates for us.  As my third year of swim lessons Dad/Mom say I'm an old pro but for Hudson's first year he did great.  First day a little timid but by day 2 he was jumping off the side to Mommy, blowing bubbles and by day 3 doing great front & back floats with support.  Can't wait til next year's lessons!  Here's our "we passed" certificates! 

Here's the back which lists off all the special skills we need to know:

Yesterday the 10th and today the 11th we got to spend our days with Grandma Judy!  We had a blast playing around, visiting the shop & getting to see Grandpa, Daddy and all the neat equipment!  It's going to be tough returning to daycare on Monday, the 15th after a one & a half weeks with family!

Prestegard's Drive In Movie Theater

Summer is officially here!  Hudson & I enjoyed our first pudding pop of the summer on June 21st and it was good...note this was Hudson's first popsicle ever!  He refused before as too cold.

On Sat., June 29th we hosted our first ever Prestegard's Drive In Movie Theater!  We invited several families to join us and with busy schedules knew not all could make it however we were happy to welcome the Hansen's, the Oswald's & the Spencer's.  We encouraged everyone to make their own cardboard box car, decorate it and bring along for the show.  We started the afternoon with playing outside, then dinner and then time to set-up for the show.  Here's all 5 kids ready to go:

Now showing - The Incredibles:

Yep, the movie for the night was The Incredibles which surprisingly not many had seen, even though one of my & Daddy's favorites! 

Here's the back screen view - don't worry we even had theater type snacks and Ava's Mom even made us cereal/candy necklaces to wear/eat during the show! 

 After the movie we got to play outside more and even did sparklers!  Here's us older kids (*Hudson & Rex were sleeping!) doing sparklers outside...here we come 4th of July!

It was fun running around and trying to write stuff in the air! 

We had a fabulous time and hope everyone else did too!  On Sunday Daddy was gone so Mom took Hudson & I to church all by herself for the first time - a little bit of a challenge!  After church we hosted our annual church picnic with Bishop Quinn and we got to sit with the Spencer's again!  It was a really fun time although missed Daddy!  Today was beautiful so we spent all day outside and was  bummed when we finally had to come in.  Hope next weekend is just as awesome!