Spending time with the grandparents.

Chase had so much fun spending time with his great grandparents Gigi and Poppy (my grandparents).

Then he spent time with his Gramie and Pop Pop (Joe's parents).

He hung out with my mom Mimi.

And also with his "adopted" grandparents Gammy and Gampy.

My brother's family photo session ~ Okinawa Photographer

While I was in New Mexico my brother and his wife asked if I would take their family photos. We drove up to Cloud Croft and had a blast. They were very easy and I feel so blessed to be able to do this for them. Here are a couple of the shots that I got today.




If you would like to see more of my work check out my website at Dawn Hudson Photography.

Meeting up with old Friends.

We were stationed with them back in North Carolina and after we left they got pregnant and had baby Cora. I was so shocked and excited when I learned of Cora and was so happy I was able to meet her. She is just precious as can be and looks just like daddy.
We met up at a cute little restaurant called El Pinto. It was so yummy and I couldn't believe how big it was. They had tables outside on all the patios surrounding the whole restaurant. We sat outside and it was beautiful. I am so thankful for wonderful friends that would drive up to come see us.
When you are in the military and moving every 3 years you leave a lot of friends behind, or you are left behind. When you are so far away from home a lot of your friends become like family. It was an honor to be able to see Joanna and Ian again and to meet sweet baby Cora. I do hope our paths cross again because it would be so wonderful to live down the street from you once more.

Meet my new niece ~ Taylor Grace

Shannon had a very long hard labor, but in the end we got a very perfect little baby girl. Chase was a trooper the whole time. We arrived at the hospital around 10am on October the 8th, we left for about 3 hours in the early morning of the 9th and then we were right back at the hospital because it was time to start pushing. After a couple of hours of pushing Shannon ended up having a c-section.

Taylor was born at 11:37am on October 9th, 2010.

Weighing in at 8lbs 2oz and she was 22 inches long.

Happy Birthday Taylor Grace

Albuquerque Balloon Festival

Chase and I got up very early this morning and headed to the Balloon Festival with the Hein Family. Joseph and I went to high school with Ed and they were best buds. They graciously allowed us to stay the night with them and take us to the balloon festival.

Like I said before we got up way before the sun rose and headed to the field. Shannon called me around 330 when we were getting up and said she was at the hospital and in labor. I saw this balloon and thought it was quite fitting.

Apparently it was windy up higher and it was pilot discretion. A few did go up but most stayed on the ground. Which honestly was probably better for Chase so he could actually see the balloons.

Ed just found out that he and his wife Michelle are going to be having twins. When I saw this picture I thought it was perfect.

Carter loves Darth Vader.

The crowd one direction

and then the other.

This is the inside of the Jack balloon above.

This is Ed, Michelle and Daken. Their daughter was with grandma.

Daken loved the balloons

Ed and Daken.

Chaser's First Pumpkin Patch

One of the reasons I was so glad to head back to the states was so that Chase would be able to see his first pumpkin patch. In Japan there are no pumpkin patches. We buy our pumpkins at the commissary (grocery store) and that's the extent of our pumpkin adventure. Instead of finding a pumpkin in a patch we are looking for a pumpkin that doesn't have mold already growing on it.

Chase had so much fun running around and picking up pumpkins. He loved all the guards also.



He didn't have so much fun in the corn maze when he thought I was going to leave him.




I am so glad he was able to experience his first pumpkin patch.

My Sister's Maternity Session

Chase and I are having a blast being back in the states. We have gone to Target, Walmart, the Mall and many other places. We have had our fill of fabulous American food.

Here are some pictures I took of Shannon and her husband Ryan. It was real quick and in their backyard. She is 2 days overdue and counting.





You can check out some of my other work at Dawn Hudson Photography!

Headed back to the States!

Chase and I are headed back to the states today. My sister is having a baby and her due date is in fact today!!


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The flight went quite well and Chase was awesome. We flew in to Albuquerque and arrived around dinner time. Shannon and her husband picked us up and it was nice to see her big ole belly. Then they took us to Red Robin and it was amazing!!!