Christmas goodies from Germany

John helping the kids open presents for Lulu and Becca. Harrison thought it was so cool that there were presents for the dogs.
John, those sausages are NOT for you!!!

To late.

Hudson and his new Legos. He was building this sooner after!

Madalyn and her new watch and bead set. Our girlie girl is very ready to make a bracelet.

Harrison and his new Playmobil circus dogs. He is having a blast with HIS puppies.

Merry Christmas! We miss you guys and we are throughly enjoying the cookies this evening. Hope Santa was good to you all!

Happy Birthday Harrison!

One year ago today, I woke up not feeling very good, and had a feeling that my plans to wrap pressents and get the Christmas tree up were not going to happen. By 8:30, I knew that we were heading to the hospital, so with Hudson and madalyn in tow, we headed off to "get checked" at the hospital. We were there 15 minutes when my water broke. So much for Monday's scheduled c-section. My doc showed up with his daughter in tow (he was planning a Father/daughter day of shopping). John was frantically calling around for someone (anyone) to come and get Hudson and Madalyn. With Aunt Susan on the way they rolled me into the OR, and I was getting worried that John would not make it. We got all prepped, and they started the big C, and John walked in minutes before they had Harrison out. My 3rd baby was born and weighed in at 9 pounds 3 ounces. And he had a BIG head! Sort of glad I did not ask for that v-bac. Here is his 5 days later at home.

And here is my little man at 1 year! He was such a ham, and an absolute doll baby. A Momma's boy all the way!

Harrison, a big boy at age 2.

Today, my big man is 3. He is totally daytime potty trained, talks NON STOP, loves to do puzzles, and is trying to write his name. Tonight, we took him to see Santa and eat Chinese food. He came home and played with his 5 new puzzles (Thanks Oma Ufer).

So here I am reflecting on the fact that my last baby is growing up so fast. I miss snuggling a newborn, and nursing a sweet tiny baby. Those days are gone. Now we snuggle up and read book after book after book. And I love that my kids are gaining their independence. This weekend, all 3 kids will head to their grandparents with Daddy. I have not had a Mommy only weekend since before Harrison was born, and while I need it, I know that I will miss my babies.

Pics from Thanksgiving Day

Uncle Michael playing with Harrison. Harrison soooo wanted to be in the pool!

Madalyn and her Opa Ufer

The kids spent all day running around the pool with the dogs. i am not sure who was more tired - kids or dogs.

Little Miss Maddie - I cannot believe she is almost 6.

Harrison was going to enjoy the pool despite it being to cool to swim. He loved the waterfall!

And finally, all the Ufer grandchildren in one spot. This does not happen very often, and my Mom was in camera heaven!

We had an awesome Thanksgiving at John and Nancy's NEW house in College Station. They moved in 4 days before we got there. Brave souls that they are. It was a great time. We got there Wednesday evening and enjoyed grilled salmon on the back porch. Thursday we cooked and ate and ate and ate. Friday, Nancy and I got away for some much needed Mommy time and shopping. The kids all went to Oma and Opa May's and shot 22 rifles. The boys all loved it! We head home today and totally redid the boys room. Bunkbeds are up and we redo the closet tomorrow. I am very ready for MY bed tonight!

Halloween kiddos

Ready for trick or treating

Why do 8 year olds have to be so weird?

My messy faced pirate!

The "Phantom" getting the "witch"

Harrison pirate, Hudson the phantom, and Maddie witch!

Halloween was fun for all. John took the kids trick or treating with some friends, and Anji and I sat outside passing out candy to the few kids that came by. It was such a treat for me to be able to sit and enjoy the evening with a good friend. Later, Hudson and John took off for a Halloween party and I got the little ones settled in with jammies and movie. I nice night for all!

Halloweens past

I always look back at pictures of the kids on holidays like this and feel amazed at the changes that take place in a years time!

Madalyn, age 19 months as a sweet fairy

Hudson age 4 after John made them the jack-o-lanterns!

Maddiebug and Darth Hudson, Halloween 2005

Halloween 2006

The May pirate crew, Halloween 2007

Happy Halloween!

Yes, I know it has been a LONG while since I updated, but with school starting, things are crazy. Hudson is doing great in 3rd grade and we are soooooooooo proud of him. madalyn made the jump to "big school" without a problem and I love having her right down the hall from me. She is doing great and was the only kindergartener to get a 100 on the Fall assessment test. WTG MADDIE! Harrison is almost 3, and is completely daytime potty trained. He has 1-2 accidents a week and ALWAYS on Mondays. What is up with that?

Soccer season is widing down and what a season it has been. The Texas Bulls have really struggled with the addition of 3 new players, and I have struggled watching them drop. I am such a competative person, and watching the games this season has been painful. And I have to be careful what I say because the new players attend my school and their parents are always right there. My thoughts as the season ends - I do not see the Texas Bulls coming back as a team next season. That makes me very sad because the core team has been together since the boys were 4. But I will not have Hudson play on a team that is bringing him down as a player, or for a coach that has given up. If they decide to come back as is, then Hudson will go into the player pool and be placed on another team. Sorry for the rant. This is a safe place for me to do that.

Madalyn's team, the Soccer Monsters, had an AWESOME season. And much to my excitement, Madalyn finally "got it" and is playing hard every game. I love seeing her play and as weird as this sounds "I LOVE HER COACH"! Coach Rachel is everything a soccer coach should be and more. She plays adult rec soccer herself, and if I were not so out of shape, I would love to play too.

Happy Fall everyone! Halloween pics to come after tomorrow!

Story time with Opa

Mom and Dad (a.k.a. Oma and Opa Ufer) came to Ouray and spent 2 days with us. The kids LOVED having them there to play games, read books, and enjoy the wonderful city of Ouray.