~General Waverly, White Christmas
The Hudson House has thoroughly enjoyed our time together this Holiday Season. I have no idea where our Christmas break has gone. All too soon, it will be time to return our big kids to their school schedules, and resume the rat race we like to call life. As usual, I feel like we've been running around, living life in fast forward, trying to squeeze in all the fun things, and traditions, while desperately trying to teach our children the real meaning behind Christmas. We've enjoyed making gingerbread houses...
and eating as much of the candy we could possibly cram into our mouths....
...Working on Holiday puzzles...
...Using the Christmas Village as a safe house for Batman from his villans...
One of our Christmas Eve traditions is to take the children to a local Nursing Home, to sing Christmas carols. The children always love walking around, passing out cards they made themselves, and singing to the sweet residents, who were so eager to receive our Christmas cheer. Every time we visit, I'm stunned by the natural love and understanding children seem to show towards our elderly. If you've never been to visit a Nursing Home with your own children, I highly recommend it. You don't have to be related to any of the residents. Just call up the receptionist and let her know you would like to bring your children for a visit. Trust me, they will be thrilled to have you. Seeing all the young faces really do brighten up the elderly people living there. I always talk about going, as if it's a learning experience for my children. And I usually go, feeling like I'm doing a service to our elders. But, the truth is, I always leave there feeling as though I was the one educated, and serviced. I learn so much each time, from the sweet ladies and gentlemen, but also from my own children. No matter the ages of your children, or the time of year you go, I promise, you won't be sorry you went. And as your children grow, they'll be glad you taught them the value of such. I know I certainly am.
One of our precious neighbors, and Her Highness' pretend big sister, joined us at the nursing home, then the park as well. We have been so very blessed by living next door to such an adorable young lady. I'm so thankful that Her Highness has gotten to witness the life of a sweet teenager, who causes ZERO trouble for her momma. And is a huge help to her crazy neighbor! Thanks, "Lar-Lar" for ALL you do! We love you!
Since the kids were still WIRED, and we were starving, yet I had no plans of cooking, we decided to go out to eat. So, just where does The Storm go for a classy Christmas Eve Dinner???
WAFFLE HOUSE, 'cause that's how we roll...
I love how in these pictures you can see Flash Flood's progression of boredom with the story.
I hate I don't have any good shots taken of Christmas morning. I was videoing, praying for that hilarious moment that would win us $10 grand on AFV, but no such luck. I could really use that $10 grand. I live with the Hudson Storm, so you know I'm not joking when I say, I could REALLY use it.
Pictures or no pictures, we had a ball. We opened presents from Santa, then from each other. This was the first year we let the kids draw names, and buy something for each other. Flash Flood gave Her Highness the boots she's been wanting. While Thunder, Lightning and Hail were all pleasantly surprised to find they had somehow all ended up giving each other the same toy shot gun. It was fun to watch them open their gifts, then squeal, "AHHHHH! THANK-YOU!!" to each other.
Then, as soon as we were done opening Santa's loot, we took off for Bert's family's Christmas.
We hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
The Hudson House has thoroughly enjoyed our time together this Holiday Season. I have no idea where our Christmas break has gone. All too soon, it will be time to return our big kids to their school schedules, and resume the rat race we like to call life. As usual, I feel like we've been running around, living life in fast forward, trying to squeeze in all the fun things, and traditions, while desperately trying to teach our children the real meaning behind Christmas. We've enjoyed making gingerbread houses...
and eating as much of the candy we could possibly cram into our mouths....
...Working on Holiday puzzles...
...Using the Christmas Village as a safe house for Batman from his villans...
...Napping....
And of course, our Christmas break wouldn't be complete without at least one (or three) children catching a fever virus, of some sort...
One of our Christmas Eve traditions is to take the children to a local Nursing Home, to sing Christmas carols. The children always love walking around, passing out cards they made themselves, and singing to the sweet residents, who were so eager to receive our Christmas cheer. Every time we visit, I'm stunned by the natural love and understanding children seem to show towards our elderly. If you've never been to visit a Nursing Home with your own children, I highly recommend it. You don't have to be related to any of the residents. Just call up the receptionist and let her know you would like to bring your children for a visit. Trust me, they will be thrilled to have you. Seeing all the young faces really do brighten up the elderly people living there. I always talk about going, as if it's a learning experience for my children. And I usually go, feeling like I'm doing a service to our elders. But, the truth is, I always leave there feeling as though I was the one educated, and serviced. I learn so much each time, from the sweet ladies and gentlemen, but also from my own children. No matter the ages of your children, or the time of year you go, I promise, you won't be sorry you went. And as your children grow, they'll be glad you taught them the value of such. I know I certainly am.
Later, we took our kiddos over to a playground to run off some of that Christmas Cheer we had been spreading at the nursing home. It was a perfect day to be outside at a park with friends. Plus, Bert was putting together some of the gifts Santa was bringing, and Flash Flood was napping, so it was the perfect place for the rest of the Hudson Storm & Company to be.
One of our precious neighbors, and Her Highness' pretend big sister, joined us at the nursing home, then the park as well. We have been so very blessed by living next door to such an adorable young lady. I'm so thankful that Her Highness has gotten to witness the life of a sweet teenager, who causes ZERO trouble for her momma. And is a huge help to her crazy neighbor! Thanks, "Lar-Lar" for ALL you do! We love you!
Since the kids were still WIRED, and we were starving, yet I had no plans of cooking, we decided to go out to eat. So, just where does The Storm go for a classy Christmas Eve Dinner???
WAFFLE HOUSE, 'cause that's how we roll...
Then it was home, for baths, pj's and The Night Before Christmas...
I love how in these pictures you can see Flash Flood's progression of boredom with the story.
I hate I don't have any good shots taken of Christmas morning. I was videoing, praying for that hilarious moment that would win us $10 grand on AFV, but no such luck. I could really use that $10 grand. I live with the Hudson Storm, so you know I'm not joking when I say, I could REALLY use it.
Pictures or no pictures, we had a ball. We opened presents from Santa, then from each other. This was the first year we let the kids draw names, and buy something for each other. Flash Flood gave Her Highness the boots she's been wanting. While Thunder, Lightning and Hail were all pleasantly surprised to find they had somehow all ended up giving each other the same toy shot gun. It was fun to watch them open their gifts, then squeal, "AHHHHH! THANK-YOU!!" to each other.
Then, as soon as we were done opening Santa's loot, we took off for Bert's family's Christmas.
There was lots of spoiling from Grandmama, along with some bonding time with Aunt Hilaree, Uncle Mike and Uncle Sawyer...
Mix in a Christmas lunch with Bert's maternal grandmother, and all his aunts, uncles, cousins, then a fish fry dinner with his Dad, and all of his extended family and well,
you get one worn out bunch....
We hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
Love, Big Momma & The Hudson Storm
3 comments:
I never thought of how your van must be set up. Huh. Are all three of those boys in back in carseats and boosters? I have the big kids in back, in (probably illegal) boosters (the max speed limit on Guam is 45, so whatever) and the baby behind me and the seat behind the passenger folded down so I can get to the back. But now this baby's gonna have to go there. So can I put Warren between the big kids in the back? I really like having that seat empty and folded down. Hmm. How boring is my life? Your Christmas pics are so cute. Although now I REALLY can't tell who's who. Even Flash is getting tall enough to confuse me.
So cute!!! I love that you went to Waffle House for Christmas Eve. So awesome!! I love seeing what your family is up to an finding out what kind of thing is going to make me laugh. Oh, and I did hear that you met my sister. She said that she thought she recognized you too, but was afraid you'd think she was crazy! And don't worry, you can't freak us out, there were four kids in our family and tons of neighbors, so we KNOW chaos! : )
Looks like a lot of fun! Love all the pictures. I am also curious about your set up in your van.
We have a minivan and not sure where #5 is going or where to put everyone else. we have the 2 bucket seats and a backseat (which is not to roomy). looks similiar to yours.
Which child is where and how do you handle the constant fighting and touching!???
I REALLY do not want to get a new car--this one is paid for and we would get hardly anything for it because it is so disguisting!! lol
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