A boy and His Sword

Oh Hudson!  Hudson, my sweet boy, it's time I tell you about you and your sword(s).  You absolutely love your sword and you take it everywhere with you.  You tuck it into your back, underneath your shirt and into the back of your pants.  You take it to the gym, the grocery store, the park, anywhere and everywhere we go, you even try to take it into church every Sunday.  This is where we draw the line, you reluctantly but obediently  hand over your sword every Sunday for church.  Really though, that is about it, you even sleep with it.  You dub Quinn a night (right shoulder, left shoulder and head), "I dub you Knight Quinn", she doesn't know quite what to think.  You excite Quinn and scare her all at the same time, she definitely wants to get her little hand on that magic sword of yours.  The other day when you weren't watching, she army crawled over to one of your swords as fast as she could muster, grabbed it quick and shouted the loudest most exciting battle cry that a 9 month old could manage, she knew that she was holding your prized possession. 

Daddy and I just bought a half dozen swords, to have them on hand for the tragic sword breaking that happens every now and again.  You see, these swords you love are from the party section at Target and cost less then $2 a pop, you play with your sword so much that sometimes they just break.  Then, one afternoon, you happened upon the stash of swords we had hidden in the garage and it was the best Tuesday of your life.  Now, you had 6 swords to keep in your back instead of one.  Your Daddy and I treasure how much you treasure your swords and we never want to forget.  We love that you are  ready at a moments notice to defend the Orme's honor with your sword in hand.  I have a feeling you will continue to defend the honor of our family your entire life and I give you a big thank you in advance.  We love you Hudson the Knight!  

LOVE this girl!

 I am in LOVE.  We all are in love with this little bundle of joy.  Constant happiness and loves all day long from this little gal.  She is is already 8 months old (almost 9), I can't believe it!  This week Quinn has really picked up her babble skills.  She said Mama twice to me today (hurray, the boys never said Mama first) and she is waving at everyone.  Quinn even waved and said "ha" to lady at the store today.  She still doesn't want to crawl but she is getting close to army crawling and loves to roll around.  Her brothers are the highlight of her day and she can't get enough of them,  They get her laughing so hard, it's priceless.  It brings a mama bear so much joy to see all of her cubs rolling around together! 

 I did not condone this!  Hudson was supposed to smile next to Q and decided that jumping over Quinn would make a much better picture.  Luckily he has skills and cleared her no prob :) 

 Holy cuteness, my favorite part of the day is dressing this sweet little thing each morning.  We went shoe shopping today (the boys were at a playdate, thanks Amber) and Quinn was so excited to shop, she loved holding all of the brightly colored shoes. I am starting her young (sinister laugh to the hubs inserted here). 

March & Michigan

Graham went to Brazil for about 2 weeks in March.  It's always hard when the hubs and daddy goes out of town but I am stoked for Graham and that his job provides him with fantastic opportunities.  He was in Brazil for his birthday and spent Saint Patties day celebrating on the beaches of Brazil, sipping fruity delights, with a private driver and hoards of good food. Must have been rough, really rough.  I decided that I needed to do something for me and the kiddos, so we took a road trip to Michigan.  One of my very best-est friends, the amazing Conran family, live in Michigan.  Lori and I have been talking about visiting each other for a while now and it was time to pull the trigger. I decided to brave the Map-quested 5 1/2 hour drive (which took me about 7 1/2 with nursing, eating and potty stops, ext) by myself with the kiddos. The boys were great and Quinn survived.  It was hard without Graham (especially with a nursing baby) but well worth it!
Michigan is absolutely beautiful and we had a great time!  Our boys are great friends and it was fun to watch them play together again!   We worked out at Lori's gym most mornings (2 of the 3) and then did fun stuff in the afternoons like go to the zoo and cute downtown  Rockford where we watched the salmon try and jump up the dam.  It was a lovely trip and nice to get away and spend time with friends who feel like family!  
The rest of March was a busy month, we seemed to have something big/time consuming going on every weekend.  I was super busy doing all of the food for a pretty large wedding reception and we also threw a going away party for one of our YSA (Young Single Adults) who moved back home to Michigan (you will be missed Jessica!).  

Recap in Photos . . .

Michigan 

 The boys!  They had a blast together!  Cayman and Hudson have been asking regularly to see Taylor and Braden since we all left Utah. 

 I heart you Lori!  So does Quinn!  

 The babies chillin in their strollers at the zoo, just making small talk . . . . 

 Best Buds!

We made an ice cream stop at the end of a fun hot day, the kiddos were loving life!.  

Going Away Party
I wish I took more pictures!  Thanks everyone for showing up, having a good time and supporting Jessica, we wish her well in MI!

 We played for hours on the Wii Dance Game- super fun!

 The men folk getting their groove on

 

 The boys all tuckered out after a fun night with lots of play time and treats.  Brody is Cayman and Hudson's favorite buddy!  Cayman and Brody are in the same preschool class together.  They are so cute together and play so well!  We are grateful for new friends here in Columbus!

Playtime Around The House

 Quinn at 8 months old- she is such a doll! 

 The boys sure love their sister!  Please ignore that alien leg on the side, just making sure little Q didn't roll off of the couch. 

Cayman truly adores Quinn!  He has all of these pets names for her like, "sweet baby girl", "Quinny Q", "little darling".  He says things to me all the time like, "Oh, isn't our little girl just growing up so fast, she's so precious" (in this high, soft voice while squinting his eyes). Can you picture it Uncle Carson?  Cayman has the biggest heart! 

 Hudson came out of Quinn's  room with a basket full of bows and asked if he could "decorate Quinn's head". Cayman thought it was a great idea too and joined in on the fun . 

 "I can't believe you let them do this to me Mom" 

 So much joy everyday watching the kiddos play together! 

Attacking her sippy cup, she can't quite figure out what this thing is for but she sure likes to chew on it. 

Laying Low in Jan & Feb

January and February have been pretty low key around here and we have enjoyed it.  I find myself enjoying being home and spending quality time with my little ones! One highlight was my Mom coming and staying with us for a few weeks, the boys miss her so much and ask about her almost every day.  It was like having a live in Nanny, come back soon Mom, I miss you too! Here is a photo log of everyday life with the Orme Clan this Jan and Feb.  Just doing the deal . . .

 Morning cuddles with their little girl.  The boys LOVE when Quinn wakes up! 

 Quinn loves all the attention she gets from her brothers!

 Indianapolis Childrens Museum- we use our season passes often! 

 Cayman's obsession continues.  I think he is pondering what a good dino mother he would be if there were still real dinosaurs on earth, he takes his job seriously and is in major palaeontologist training mode. 

 Hudson copying Cayman

 Building a Dam at the waterworks play area

 Quinn just chillin in her stroller while the boys play- such a doll! 

 The boys got to lead the end of the day parade, they were feeling pretty cool! 

 Daddy and Quinn taking a Saturday afternoon nap together. 

 

 Cayman likes to read to Quinn.  

 Our resident cutie pie! 

 

Hudsons first full day in big boy undies.  He choose Star Wars undies and is feeling pretty darn sweet in them!

 Our local childrens museum, it is fantastic!  We took Candy Grandma there with us while she visited. 

 Grandma and Quinn playing together. 

 

Grandma left the day before Hudson's birthday, so he got to open Grandma's present early.  He thinks Mator (From Cars) is amazing, he loves it and plays with Mator pretty much everyday- thanks Mom! 

 Happy Valentines Day from Quinn!  She wore her new dress that Grammy Marja got her, doesn't she look so darn cute?  I sure think so! 

  

Nana and Bumpa sent the kiddos a fun Valentines package, we opened it on Valentines day and the boys had fun decorating the window in their room. 

  

Cayman & Quinn 

 I figured out how to push all 3 kids in my Double BOB running stroller!  I am running a marathon next month so this is very helpful!  The kiddos think its a blast.  Cayman just sits right beneath Quinn's feet.  It's a great workout too!

 A house is being built right next to ours so there are gigantic piles of dirt all around.  The boys are amazed and could play in it for hours.  Its a pretty sweet thing to have around temporarily. They get sooo dirty, which is great, they're doing what kids should be doing but I am glad it's temporary. 

 They love to launch big rocks off the top, can you see the big one that just flew out of Cayman's hands. 

 Cayman says this is his palaeontologist face, you will have to ask him to explain this one. 

 Hudson's method, he just slides right down on his bum when he is ready to head inside.  It was getting dark and cold and Mom said dinnertime!