Cookies for Santa

Another Artist in the family

Remember Vincent Van Gogh way back when.......you can click on Van Gogh to take a trip down memory lane.

Well, now we have a Picasso in the family also.

No more Vodka!

We went out on a double date last night.

Anyway, we had a blast. We went out to eat at a fabulous restaurant,Sams by the Sea, click on the name if you want to read more or see the menu. It's a bit pricey but oh so good.

Afterwards we went to the Officers Club for some drinks. We caught a cab home and this morning I couldn't find my wallet. I don't carry around purses I just carry around my cards in a little Credit Card holder. It fits easily in my back pocket and I never lose anything. That record was broken last night. I lost my Credit/Debit Card, Military ID, Japanese License, Regular License and all my punch cards that you get on this island. It's a sad, sad day here in the Hudson Household. I think I am in mourning.

Dinner with Santa.

A picture is worth a thousand words and this one is SCREAMING Chase loves Santa!!

Carter the Reindeer

Carter had a show at the BX. It was so cute and he did so well. He is quite the character and would make funny faces at us in between singing. He kept the show very entertaining for us. I didn't get any photos of the crazy faces but I did get them on video. ha ha ha

Decorating the Christmas Tree

The boys love to decorate the tree. I on the other hand have a love hate relationship with it. I love to see their excitement although I don't like all the mess it creates. Dragging out all the Christmas stuff just for a month really is hard for me to get excited about. That makes me sound like a scrooge doesn't it? ha ha ha

Here are some pictures of the kids this holiday season.



Joe showing that the ornaments are above the Chase line. ha ha ha
Time for the Angel. Chase tried but didn't quite understand the concept. Maybe next year.
Bryson's turn. Almost got it!

Daddy finishes it up.
The boys were given Frosty back in 2006 by our family friends. We took a picture of the boys with Frosty to show them that he is alive and doing well.

Happy Thanksgiving

I didn't take any pictures for thanksgiving. Oh well!! We did have a blast though. The Salas family came over and we had a lot of fun eating. We had so much food.

After we let our bellies settle for a bit we played some games. We did a lot of boys vs girls and I say the girls one. It was an awesome Thanksgiving.

I am so thankful for the family and friends that I have.

How we almost missed our flight.

I forgot to tell a funny story about Chase and I and our return flight back here to Okinawa.

It all started really early in the morning October 20th. Happy 18 months to Chasers. Anyway we got up really early to head to the airport there in Albuquerque. Shannon's husband Ryan was taking us and I had him stop by Starbucks to pick me up a coffee. Yummy. We had to wait about 10 minutes for it to open and I was wondering if we would have time. Ryan and I discussed him driving really fast afterwards so we waited.

Finally Starbucks opened up and I placed my order and we drove around. I love this Starbucks because when we drove up they said it was free. SCORE!! It's funny because a week prior I was at the very same Starbucks ordering my coffee and muffin when I drove up to the window the lady said I didn't owe anything. I was surprised and she explained that the gentleman in front of me had picked up my tab. AWESOME!!

Anyway back to the story again. We make it to the airport and head on through security. Now traveling with a child and no extra help can be a bit challenging at times. Because we all know the best way to hide a bomb is on the stroller. Alright not funny but the stroller has to be emptied of the child and the pockets that collect lots of trash and boogie wipes has to be emptied as well. I even have to take the babies shoes off. Seriously...I am not making this up.

I collect Chase we walk through and we get beeped. I empty the rest of my pockets and we walk back through. Once through we collect our things and off to the gate we go. They are already boarding so we show the lady our ticket and head right on to the plane.

Once on the plane I get Chase settled I put up my bags and we sit tight. About 10 minutes later they are walking through the cabin shutting the over head bins and telling everyone to turn off their electronics. All the sudden I remember my phone.....my phone....I stand up to feel my pockets, I look in my bag. I realize I don't have it. Not that big of a problem but then I remember the security point and my wallet. My WALLET, with my ID.

I jump up and tell the flight attendant the story really quick. She says "Oh well, we can't let you go get it but would you like to wait for another plane to LA?" Um no lady!! I tell her "That wouldn't be a problem if I was only flying to LA, but that if I didn't make this flight I would miss my connection to Tokyo. "Oh" she says, "That does sound like a problem."

She then tells me that it's the pilot's decision. Chase is sitting in his seat belted in so I walk up to the front with the flight attendant. She tells him the story and thankfully he gave me the go ahead.

Now in the split second I thought do I take Chase with me and run to the security and risk them changing their minds, or do I leave him on the plane knowing they wouldn't leave me behind?????

Of course I left my baby are you kidding me....I knew they wouldn't leave me with Chase on board. He was my golden ticket.

I ran all the way to the security check point. Out of breath I tell them what i have lost and anxiously wait to see if it was turned in/found. Yay it was!! I have to sign my life away before they give it to me, then I run all the way back to the plane.

So....that's my story of almost missing my plane. I am just thankful that I remembered when I did. I don't know what I would have done in LA without my ID and Credit Cards. I would have been stuck there with no money and only my passport which wouldn't even get me into Okinawa. I have to show my military ID.

Thankfully God was watching over my forgetful brain.

How many lives does Carter have?

We were out in town yesterday. We had gone to a professional soccer game here on the island with the Salas family and afterwards we decided to walk down the street to get ice cream.

He was just in his own world I think. We were all walking as a group on the side walk, we were coming up to the street that we needed to turn left. The traffic on the street was rushing by and as we walked up the sidewalk we all turned left and stopped....everyone except Carter.

He continued to walk right into traffic, right as a fast car was passing by. It was so close.

Leann, her mother and I all shouted out to Carter at the same time, "CARTER!!!". As we were yelling his name I leaped forward to pull him back.

I could see it happening right before my eyes. So scary, I am talking about inches. I don't know what to do with this child of mine.

Christmas Card Picture Set Up

So I decided to take some pictures of the kids for our Christmas Cards this year. I had taken pictures of Leann's kids the previous day and just left the living room all set up to do my kids today. Here is what my living room looks like when I have a newborn session or a kid session with backdrops.

It's so much harder to take photos of my kids.

Bryson is always super easy. He always has been since day one, even at his monthly pictures and then yearly pictures he would smile on cue and we were in and out of the studio in under an hour tops.

Carter on the other hand is awful. His smile is fake and I can't seem to hold his attention very long. I very seldom get a great photo of him. I do have to say he has gotten just a tad bit better as he gets older.

Chase just doesn't want to sit still "PERIOD"!!!

A lot of you have seen these pictures already since I have already sent out Christmas Cards. Technically it's January 15th but like I said earlier I am backdating all these posts and writing them like they happened on that day. Sneaky I know!!

Anyway one special person who hasn't gotten this card yet is my BFF Lindsey Lou. Lindsey I planned on sending your card to you with the shirts for the girls but then realized your birthday was coming up and I was headed to Korea. Well, Korea was great but I didn't really see anything that I knew you would like or that might be your style so I am trying to find something for you here, though at the moment my favorite gift shop is closed. They have a huge shipment coming in from China and I am wondering if there might be something for you in that shipment so hopefully your gift will be headed to you soon and the girls shirts still fit them.

New Mexico Equals Spanish

Carter: Hey Mom did you know that Bryson is Spanish?

Mom: (me half listening to him) "What did you say Carter?"

Carter: "Yeah, he is spanish because he was born in New Mexico."



The things kids say.....hilarious!! Though it does make since, when we visit New Mexico you hear spanish everywhere you go.

A Broken Collarbone

Guess Who????

Yep, that would be Carter. He was out running with his friends and fell on the outside of his left shoulder. He of course came home crying and I looked at it and give hims some Tylenol. He sat on the couch for awhile and seems to be getting better. After dinner he sits back down on the couch and screams out in pain. I then take off his shirt to have a better look and there was a big bulge.

Joe took him to the ER this time and it was in fact broken. There isn't much you can do for a collar bone so they put his arm in a sling and then took two ace bandages and wrapped it around the front of his arm all the way around his back so that his arm wouldn't move while it lay across his chest. It was quite funny really. I took photos but can't seem to find one of my point and shoot cameras. I hope to add a photo later.

Our Poor Carter

Happy Halloween

We started off carving pumpkins.

Smile babe

that's better

I made the boys wear their costumes from last year over again. I know bad mother right?? Well, they weren't sure what they wanted to be and then the deadline passed for buying something and mailing it here. I had bought their costumes in a bigger size last year so they still fit great this year.

Chase didn't want his picture taken at all!!

Chase wore the same costume that Carter wore 4 years prior. We had different patches put on and had his name custom made. I think it looked better this year than when Carter wore it. You can also see the size difference between them. They are both the same age when they wore this flight suit. Carter was so much bigger at this age then Chase is.

I missed my Bryson and Carter.

I missed the boys so much that when I got home I took them outside and took a quick photo of them. They are growing so fast.

My Very Special Friend Sarah

Sarah is another one of my very special friends. There aren't enough words to describe her, but a few of them would be creative, loyal, talented and willing. She is one of those friends that will bend over backwards to help you. Sarah and I became really close as all our other friends were moving from Pope AFB in 08. Remember me talking about my other friend Joanna in a few posts below, if you aren't leaving your friends then you are being left behind and that is exactly what was happening.

All our friends were moving away, Pope AFB was preparing to be turned over to the Army. Sarah and I clung together. Both of our husbands were deployed so we hung out a lot. We would take turns cooking diner at each others houses and going out to eat. We would load up her carseats in my Tahoe and off we would go. Click HERE to read about one of our adventures.

My family and friends think I am talented and creative but I don't even make up a quarter of the creativity that Sarah has. Joe will always remember Sarah as the girl who got us started on recycling and how easy it really was. She went as far as to clean and disinfect her old recycling trash can and set it up in our house. Honestly it was that easy. All we do is put the recycling in that trash can instead of the other. Now we are doing our part, living here in Japan it is mandatory so we were already set up thanks to her.

She taught me how to quilt and I was able to make my sister a beautiful quilt for her wedding.




She is able to free hand henna. She also does henna on leather which is beautiful. You should check out her ETSY SITE as there are many more handmade items there. Actually I just checked and she doesn't have any items up for sale right now but check back. Here family is getting ready to move to England so I know they are super busy.

She made these out of corn husks, this is the kind of creativity I am talking about.
Joe was gone the whole time I was pregnant with Chase and the first three months of his life and Sarah was there by my side. She helped me more than she will ever know and I am horored to call her my friend. She is an amazing woman.

Like I said earlier her family is getting ready to move to England and will be living in Albuquerque for 6 months prior. Her husband has to do a bit of training before hand. Since she knew I was going to be in Albuquerque she decided to fly from North Carolina and visit Chasers and I. What an awesome friend right??!!





We went out to eat and shopped at the mall. She talked me into buying something from Fredricks of Hollywood ;) We had a good time visiting again. I can't wait until next time.
Click HERE to read a very funny post about Sarah's daughter when she was a baby and I watched her.

Taylor Grace Newborn Session ~ Okinawa Newborn Photographer

So today was Taylor's newborn session. I was so glad that my mom and sister were there to see just how much work goes into a newborn session. They are HARD and very time consuming!

Conversation with a (typical) Newborn

Me: Well hello bright eyes! I am so pleased to meet you. I am excited that you are going to share four hours of your day with me. I have been looking forward to holding you and playing with you. I have the house all nice and cozy for you at about 85 degrees, everything is quiet here, your mama is going to make sure you have a full tummy, and then I want you to just sleep sleep sleep. Sound good?

Five minutes pass.

Baby: HEY! WHERE IS MY MOM? A picture shoot is not how I had my day planned out. Your crampin my style lady.

Thirty minutes pass and we have little or nothing to show for it.

Baby: We need to have a one on one. I think you missed the memo. About a week ago, all was perfect in my world. I was warm, snuggled, it was quiet, I never got hungry, I never needed to be changed and my mom was always holding me. That all came to a rather abrupt halt on my birthday and I am still trying to adjust to the changes. While there are some advantages to being out of the womb, I am having to cope with quite a bit these days, the very least you could do to make this transition easier would be to hold me. What makes you think I can balance my own head on my hands and who says I want to? Please pass me back to my mother now. She’ll know what to do.

Me: Ahhhhh…yes….I do see the difficulties I am creating for you today. I am doing my best to make this easy for you but it’s probably going to get worse before it gets better darlin.

Baby: You say that as though I have no options here. I’ll have you know that I am firm believer in boundaries and I will enforce my lines as needed. If you continue to push me on this, I am going to have to give you a presentation of my power.

Me: I have no doubt that is true and I expect no less. I have learned to be a woman of patience though and am pretty determined myself. Unlike you, I have had years to hone my skills and you, babe, are brand new player in this grand adventure of life. That puts the odds in my favor.

Baby: Now I am getting very angry. Maybe you are unaware of the cards I hold. I can cry – very loud and very long. I can flail. I can refuse to be swaddled. I can insist on being fed every five minutes. If that doesn’t work, I can spit up on your best blanket and I can potty on everything you’ve got. But we don’t have to go there. We can stop all this right now. Pass me back to my mama.

Me: You do indeed hold all those cards. I expect you to play each and every one of them. When you fuss and flail, I will smile at you and think you a perfect little creation. When you insist on being fed, I will be your champion and ask your mommy to abandon her feeding schedule and give you all the nourishment you want. When you potty all over my stuff, I will gladly clean it right up. I am a persistent woman sweetheart. My own mama taught me that with children, you have to be willing to go farther than they are. I have learned that lesson well and I confess my strategy to you upfront. All is well baby. Just go to sleepytown now.

Hour one passes and the duel continues.

At the ninety minute mark, we still have very little to show for our efforts and mom and dad are breaking into a sweat.

Somewhere between hour two and three, after baby has insisted on being fed again for the umpteenth time, the conversation winds down.

Baby: I am feeling an odd sort of sensation now. It’s toasty warm, my tummy is more than full, and I am getting quite exhausted. Yawn…..still though….I have some fight left…..sssshhhhhhhhhh.

And then…there is a twitch…and a few sleepy smiles….and…out for the count.

And then…I lean down close and whisper this…

Me: Good night sweet thing. You put up a gallant fight today and I applaud your efforts. No one will fault you for abandoning your grand plan to unravel our photo shoot. You are sufficiently milk drunk now and can no longer resist my charms. Now I can move you into many different positions, switch hats and blankets and baskets and beds, and you will sleep in blissful oblivion and we will accomplish a lot in the final stretch of our shoot. I realize that you have given up several hours of your fine day that you can never get back but by the time you wake up this will be a distant memory. You will forget.

But know this little one…your Daddy and Mommy will never get these precious few hours of your life back either. Because of what you and I did together today…they will never forget. Sleep baby sleep.