Christmas in August for one little Man...

And then there were presents.... that is due to the grandparents. Spencer and I want to thank them for allowing us to save a little this birthday - only kidding, kind of.
Hudson woke up to a bag pack he is obsessed about - yes it is patent - leather and yellow... (it is a duck)... he had to wear it around until he ate breakfast . Hudson, feeling a little down then wanted to just read books in our bed so it is what we did! He didn't want to open any presents yet. He then went bird watching with Spencer and a good friend of ours, Ben and his son William. Which by the way Spencer saw a golden eagle, which is rare around here... so the real excitement started there. Ummm, not so much for Hudson, but Spencer yes was beyond happy to have spotted that little feathered friend. Hudson was a bit tired so went down for a nap before church and this is when the fun began. Spencer left a little early to get us a seat - because I can not get to church on time it seems. And then about 10 min. later in walks Spencer. He looked a little upset. I asked him if he was okay and he continued to tell me that his engine/CAR blew! Yep - sad to report that Spencer's '97 Camry is a goner. It will cost us 3,000$+ to fix, so we are going to donate it to get a tax write-off (we will be able to get full bluebook price for it). Anyway it stinks. Stinks for the fact that we have to now fork out some (a lot) of money for a new car which we were thinking of buying sometime soon... but still. Never easy to let go of thousands of $ in savings for something like a car... maybe because it will about deplete our savings. Thus we are a one car family for a bit (don't worry a friend with three cars has loaned us one... thank you Crocketts). I was not about to want to get up every morning, yanking Hudson from bed to drive Spencer to work. So we are beyond GRATEFUL to the Crocketts.

Back to the Birthday business:
We had some friends come over in the evening for dessert (Lime Ice Cream - home-made, see recipe below. And my mom's famous brownies.) All the kids (8 of them) played outside with the new basketball hoop - thanks Nana, and chased around some of the willing dads. It was fabulous! The ladies sat inside and talked a little... and listened to all the kids laugh their heads off at each other. When it came time to blow out candles Hudson was on cloud nine. He was so intense, but a quite intense. He just stood there and waited for the candles to come. He sat and watched everyone gather around and thought he was the best thing since sliced bread - he knew they were all watching him and he loved every moment of it. The candles were lit and we began to sing happy birthday to him, which he just seemed overflowing with happiness... it was one of the cutest moments to watch. He just looked at everyone singing to him and swayed a little to the song. When the song was over he looked straight at me and gave me one of those goofy buck teeth grins and blew out the candles, which he was so proud of himself he started clapping and then climbed up his high chair and demolished the brownie and ice-cream. He was so prepared for it all. Almost like we had been practicing for weeks. So great! Anyway - sorry this was so long, I just know that there are a few family members that relish in details. It was a perfect little evening for a perfect little two year old.

Hudson opening presents

Hudson's new tools, he loved the glasses and drill that lights up.

blowing out candles

Watching for birds with dad

Lime Ice cream:
2 cups whip cream
4 cups sugar
1 cup fresh lime juice (about 6 limes - if doing by hand)
1/4 tsp. salt
green food coloring

*fill up the rest of the container with whole milk or 1/2 n 1/2, fill until you hit the line (about 2-3 inched from top, there should be a line) For creamier ice cream alternate the ice and salt frequently around the ice-cream machine. SO thin layers! Enjoy it is one of the better ones! Promise. Spencer could eat it for breakfast, seriously!