Fall and Family

I love documenting pictures of my family. It isn't that often that we all get into one picture. And as you can witness, it is even more rare that everyone cooperates at the same time. Nonetheless, I'm excited to share these two pictures because these boys are my life and my joy and even a less than perfect picture can bring a smile to my face.

I delight in my family!And after our 2 minute picture time outside in the rain, we enjoyed a great dinner at Grandma and Papa Hukee's and then the boys carved pumpkins. I can't remember why their pants were off, but it sure makes for adorable pumpkin carving pictures with Papa.

Ready Set Jump

My boys played this jumping game for about a half hour last night! It was cute to see Leighton tell McCabe what to do, to help direct him up onto the truck, and to tell him when to jump.

Their giggles are so wonderful!

Rub-a-Dub-Dub 3 Men in a TUB!

Bath time is very enjoyable at our house. Leighton and McCabe could sit in the Tub for hours and the water is usually really cold by the time they get out. They have especially enjoyed it when they get to take a bath with Brooks too! Rub-a-Dub-Dub 3 Men in a TUB!

Leighton and McCabe like to watch me give Brooks a bath, which they call, 'helping'! And Brooks only cries when he gets out of the warm water and into the cold air! Brooks enjoys bathing and is very content sitting there. Bathing all three boys at once has turned out to work quite well. Now if only I could figure out how I can enjoy a warm bubble bath in a jetted tub during all of this!

Look at how precious he is ...

He is growing so quickly and is already 3 weeks old! We can't believe how fast time flies at our house. We have already been discussing Thanksgiving and Christmas plans which is crazy! We are doing our best to soak in all these precious memories while time is escaping us.

SWING SET

WE GOT A SWING SET!

We are quite fond of the park. It is a blast to go swing, climb and go down slides. Luke and I have wanted to give our kids a swing set (a small version of the park) for a while. We obvisously don't want to pamper and spoil our kids but we want to give them good gifts and we delight to do so. Making our boys happy is just as much a gift to us as it is to them!

I LOVE seeing my kids smile. I ENJOY making them happy! I DESIRE to give them good gifts.

Matthew 7:7-11

"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him."

A friend of the family gave us this swingset! And not only was the swingset a free gift, we borrowed the church truck (had to take back roads for fear the truck wouldn't survive the interstate), Kathy and Anthony's pick-up, and 7 strapping young men (Luke's friends from where else than our fabulous church!). In just 3 hours our backyard was transformed.

It was a true JOY to show our boys the new swingset and we are thankful for each and every person who served us.

Thank you so much to everyone who blessed us today! We appreciate and adore your friendship and faithfulness in our lives. It encourages us and spurs us on to be a blessing among one another and hopefully to many others as well.

GOD IS GOOD!

Markers

Leighton LOVES to color with markers! It isn't the best idea to let McCabe use them yet, so it is a special thing when Leighton gets to color with them if he wakes up early.

Papa Ludemann was here this weekend so Leighton got to color while McCabe and Papa watched football!

Brooks' 2 Week Check Up

Brooks had a Dr. appointment today. It was his 2 week check-up! I can't believe it has been 15 days already. Here is some info that perhaps only pround parents can enjoy but we are thrilled that he is growing and healthy!

Weight: 8 lbs 6 oz
Height: 21.5 inches

We love him so much! I LOVE having a baby around. He is so snuggly and precious and soft. We still marvel at how amazing the whole process is. God really is an incredible creator. He did a perfect job when he made each of my kids! Thinking about my kids and about new life and the whole pregnancy and delivery process really makes me appreciate the incredible love God has for us, his incredible power and his amazing design!

Sarah Johnson brought us a meal tonight. (I must say it was delicious!) I went on her facebook to tell her thanks and I loved how simply put her status was ...

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!

Praise God for my wonderful children!

Family Day

Yesterday was family day! We went to the library for Leighton to pick out some new books. Then we went to Target to get stuff to wash the car. We saw Anna Judd, her mom and her 2 girls at Target. We are getting to excited to meet her little boy that is expected to arrive any time now! Then we went to Colby park and saw more friends. Dan and Quinn were there, then Laurel showed up with Mille and Stella, then Meg and the twins joined Dan and Quinn, then Bethany and her 2 boys came ... all totally unplanned. Great minds think a like! Then we got to eat Kasey's pizza for lunch, a Hukee family favorite. Then Leighton helped Luke wash his car and Luke helped Leighton wash his red push toy!

Why not get it dirty again right after washing it? Leighton's toy ended up dirtier because leaves stick better when they are wet and because all the water created some mud, which somehow ended up all over his face. Luke's hard went got ruined as well when a storm hit about an hour after he finished washing and waxing his car!

McCabe spent most of the time outside heading towards the road only to get turned around once again by mom. He would get frustrated everytime. What a good picture of parenting. We try to set restrictions for their own good but they don't understand it yet! You'll thank me some day my little man!

We were also blessed today with a fabulous dinner from Steve, Amber and Hudson Rude. Wow are we thankful for our friends and having meals prepared and delivered to us. Thanks Rude's!

Enjoying my BOYS!

Brooks has been such a wonderful addition to our house. He is a good sleeper, like Leighton was, which has really been a great blessing and has allowed me to get rest and prepare for my fun filled days with all my boys!

Leighton has been adjusting well. He only gets upset that I don't let him carry Brooks around the house! Hopefully he will learn to be content with just holding him on the couch! He is great at kissing him and hugging him!

Leighton got to color his farmers market pumpkins the other night. I wish I had more child friendly craft ideas because Leighton loved this activity. He loved the permanant markers and he loved making the pumpkins colorful!

McCabe has a new favorite position. He giggles and giggles while he looks at everyone from upside down.

Leighton, McCabe, and Brooks are such a joy!

Monday Night Football

Grandma and Grandpa Ludemann were here for several days and brought all the boys some amazing Vikings outfits! Brooks' doesn't fit quiet yet ... but hopefully he will have until the Superbowl to fit into it! Leighton and McCabe have matching purple sweatshirts! Here they are watching the game.

And it wouldn't be a football game be without footballs ...

or without running around ...
and especially not without some good tackles ...

Grandparents Visit

Bringing Brooks home has been a joy. It is wonderful to have a baby around again! My parents arrived on Wednesday and were here to help cook, do the dishes, fix the dishwasher, get groceries, clean, and mostly chase Leighton and McCabe around outside!

Leighton & Grandma


McCabe & Grandma

Bringing the toys to the front yard and back again ...

Brooks napping with Papa ...
Precious BROOKS ...

Leighton and McCabe have really adjusted well. I know the real test will come when my parents leave and we settle into our new routine, but it seems like they are very welcoming of him. Leighton asks to hold him, gives him a pacifier when he cries, and loves to turn his swing on. McCabe likes to kiss him on the head sweetly or smell his feet and run away giggling and saying "Pee-U". I am so glad things are going well!

Big Brother Leighton ...

Leighton giving McCabe a ride on daddy's skateboard ...

McCabe running around ... everywhere ... McCabe Skateboarding ...
We have been winding down at the end of the day a little early and have tried to enjoy some cuddling time, long baths, reading time, some Minnesota Twins baseball watching, and a few episodes of Thomas!

At the days end we are all exhausted. Though I'm tired, I find my self somewhat refreshed just by the joy my kids give me. There is a sweet feeling I get when I am climbing into bed and all my precious boys are sound asleep. I fall asleep the second my head hits the pillow but I think I might be smiling while I do so!