Merry Christmas Card

Even though December 25th is past, I still wanted to post our annual Christmas card picture and letter for our blog readers to enjoy (if you didn't already receive one in the mail).  :)  After attempting to get a family photo (which I included a few of below) we decided on a picture of Hudson alone.  

Here is the picture of our precious little boy...  

And I added a bit of my creative touch to the picture to make the card...

And finally, our letter...

The Swinger Family

Year In Review

2011 has been a year of new adventures for us.  This picture pretty much summarizes our year.  Our hearts (and our time) were filled by this precious, little, blond haired, blue eyed, happy, chubby cheeked boy named Hudson.  I would like to write a whole letter just telling you how wonderful he is, but I decided to include a few highlights instead.

January – This month was spent preparing for the arrival of our son.  Between last minute house projects, cleaning, organizing, setting up the nursery, and wrapping up last minute lesson plans the month flew by. 

February - On the 3^rd of February Hudson John Swinger joined our family at 8:49am.  Everything went well and we continue to celebrate the strong healthy boy that God has blessed us with.   

March - We made our first road trip to Northwest Iowa with Hudson to celebrate my Grandma Dorothy’s 90^th birthday. 

April – Roy continues his work at Pioneer and studying, working towards his master’s degree in agronomy.  I spent ßçanearly every second of my maternity leave with Hudson. 

May - Roy coached track at Adel while I returned to the classroom for my last 20 days of teaching.  Hudson had lots of quality time with his Grandma Sue and Grandma Minerva while I was at school. 

June - I finished my teaching career for the Waukee Schools and officially accepted the title of a stay at home mom.  

July – We enjoyed the summer by spending lots of time at home, swinging outdoors, and going on long walks around the neighborhood with Hudson.

August - We spent a week relaxing in northern Minnesota at a resort with my family. 

September - Roy accepted responsibilities as head cross country coach for the ADM Tigers.  I tutor twice a week and substitute teach every now and then, which helps keep me connected with education.

October - Hudson started crawling and has been on the go ever since.  He amazes us daily with his new tricks and interest in books. 

November - We traveled to Colorado (Hudson’s first airplane ride) to visit my sister Angela.  For Thanksgiving we traveled again, this time to Arkansas, to celebrate with friends. 

December - Roy turned 30 and we went on a weekend getaway to Chicago.  After attempting to get a family Christmas picture we decided on one of Hudson alone.  We figured he was the one that everyone really wanted to see anyway.

Check out our blog for frequent pictures and updates…

The Swinger Days http://theswingerdays.blogspot.com

Wishing you God’s joy and blessings in 2012.   

Here are a few other pictures from the photo shoots that I wanted to share.  

Good, fun, but not exactly what I was going for.  :)   

i created :: fort kit

Let's just begin by saying I am pretty excited about this.  :)  I initially saw this idea from my friend Emily (whose son had received a similar gift) and I instantly became excited.  This is totally my kind of project I thought.  A few weeks later our small group decided to do a gift exchange with the kids.  Hudson got Evan's name (age 3).  The fort kit idea came to my mind instantly and I got right to work.  The kit includes a full size sheet with ribbon ties, rope, flashlight, clothespins, suction cups, clips, and a glow stick all inside of a tote bag.  Here are some pictures of the finished project.  I had so much fun making it for Evan that I'm already thinking of the next child I could make one for.  I can only image the fun this little guy is going to have over Christmas break building and exploring in his fort.  Merry Christmas Evan!  

chicago style

As promised I have some pictures and stories to share from our weekend in the Chicago area.  I only took 3 pictures, how bad is that?  I guess that is what happens when you spend time with 3 boys and no female to remind you to capture the memories.  :)  To be very honest I do not like the fact that Roy's birthday is so close to Christmas.  Totally not his fault (or his mom's for that matter since he arrived 3 1/2 weeks early) and he knows exactly how I feel about this.  When Roy suggested going to Chicago to see Kyle over his birthday weekend I was less then excited and dragged my feet the entire time.  There is too much to do during this busy time of year and hasn't Hudson been away from home enough lately?  Anyways, I did not get my way and we headed out Friday night.  I will spare you all of my reasons and hesitations, but to my surprise I had a great time.  Hudson was a champ and did so well, which means Mommy enjoyed herself too.  :)  

Roy showing off his birthday gifts from Hudson and I.  He got 2 pairs of shoes, now he just needs to decide which pair he wants to keep.  

The boys waiting for the train (aka The L).  

The best story I have from the weekend accompanies this picture.  Does anyone see the diaper bag?  On Sunday afternoon we decided to venture out to downtown Chicago to see "the bean" and a few other sights of the big city.  It was intended to be a quick trip because Hudson needed to nap and we needed to be heading back to Iowa.   After getting off one train and transferring to another I soon discovered that I had left Hudson's diaper bag on the last train.  I panicked, even though I realized it within minutes.  After searching and asking around about an hour later the bag was back in our hands.  Thank goodness, I was so relieved.  Needless to say, we headed back to our car and never made it downtown Chicago.  Oops!  Sorry guys!  Totally my fault.    

The little guy was so tuckered out from our adventures that he fell asleep in Roy's arms (amazing).

A few other fun memories include...

1. eating take out Tai food by the fireplace in the lobby at the hotel

2.  watching one of the most interesting (and confusing I must add) movies we have ever seen, 

The Tree Of Life  

3.  a birthday cake and ice cream made by Kyle

4.  tour of Trinity Seminary (where Kyle goes to school)

5.  hamburgers at Five Guys

6.  lots of good conversation and hang out time in the hotel room

birthday bash #1 and #2

Last night started a 3-day 30th birthday celebration for Roy.  Birthday Bash #1 began with dinner at Jethro's BBQ followed by a game, cake and ice cream, and gifts at our house.  My parents drove from NW Iowa to surprise the birthday boy, which was special.   

Showing off his ROY BINGO board.  

An Italian Creme Cake per Roy's request.  

Opening gifts and enjoying the fun.   

What a handsome guy in his new shirt!  

Birthday Bash #2 took place at 2:00 this afternoon.  Hudson, Ed & Sue, and I surprised Roy (and his coworkers) with treats at Pioneer.  2 of his favorite things, Scotcheroo Bars (I made) and Homemade Ice Cream (Ed & Sue made) with fudge sauce (I made).  

Hudson was the life of the party, especially in his birthday hat.   

Birthday Boy...LOVE this guy!  :)  

Bill and Sarah enjoying the birthday celebration.

The Swinger 3...Emily (31) Roy (1 day short of 30) Hudson (10 1/2 months)

Hudson playing horsey with Gpa Ed as the party winds down.  

We are heading out to Chicago for the weekend to celebrate Roy's 30th and visit our buddy Kyle Butson.  There will be many pictures to share when we get back I am sure.  Happy Weekend!  

little feet ~ new shoes

Hudson is finally starting to wear shoes.  I will be the first to admit, I have been a bit slow at this.  Why does a baby boy really need shoes anyways?  Plus, they say walking without them is better for babies.  Yet, people have started to ask me...does he have shoes?  :)  So when Gma Minerva was here a few weeks ago she picked these out for the little guy.  They are PERFECT, because they are soft and comfortable, and he doesn't seem to mind them one bit.  I am thinking/hoping he will get a few new pairs for Christmas too.

Oh the places these feet will go.  Our prayer is that these little feet will bring the good news of Christ to the world!  Isaiah 52:7...How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"  

ten months

On December 3rd Hudson turned 10 months old!  We got his picture taken and he wasn't one bit interested in smiling for the camera.  Nevertheless, I think we still got a cute picture.  

Hudson's happenings during the past month include...

...1st dinner outing at Hickory Park in Ames (Daddy's favorite)

...trying LOTS of new foods (kiwi, pasta, yogurt, cottage cheese, black beans, turkey, mango, blueberries, crackers)

...waking up at night (inconsistently thankfully) and wanting to be rocked back to sleep

...getting into all of Mommy's stuff (pots, pans, containers, towels) in the kitchen 

...wanting to grab the iPod, cell phone, camera, and remote control

...taking his first trips to Colorado and Arkansas

...standing by and cruising along furniture

...climbing the stairs

...noticing the rain and snow fall from the sky

...stopping to listen to the dogs bark, the geese fly above, and the trucks (mail and garbage) drive by

...enjoying Baby Lap Time at the Clive Library on Monday mornings

...drinking little bit of water out of a sippy cup and insisting to hold it himself

...clapping his hands and "singing" to the music

...making new sounds with his tongue

...yelling in a big room, or hallway, and hearing his voice echo

...sleeping about 12 hours each night YIPEE!  

...getting super excited when Daddy gets home (crawling quickly towards him or reaching for him)

..."dancing" to the music while playing at his activity table

...getting 2 new teeth on the top

We Love You Hudson!  

The Most Wonderful

As the song says..."It's the most wonderful time of the year..."  Here are a few of the random sights and sounds around the Swinger home that makes me feel the same way.  Welcome Christmas!    

What is Christmas without making a batch of these chocolate star cookies?  

Yummy, soft, and sweet!

Hudson enjoying his afternoon snack while watching the snowflakes fall.  

 The reason for the season...

The white nativity set was a gift from my Grandma Ann when I was just a girl.  How special to display it in my home as an adult, as a reminder of her.    

Hudson playing with his new nativity set from Gma Minerva (via Pat J.)  I had everything all set up and displayed nicely and then Hudson decided he wanted to play with it instead of pose with it.  

This post wouldn't be complete with a few pictures of our Christmas tree.  This years tree is perfect, and we didn't even have to cut any branches off the top or bottom to get it to fit.  

Every Christmas my mom has given me an ornament, which now adds up to a pretty big collection.  This year she added to that tradition by giving Hudson his first ornament, a sock monkey.  How fitting.    

And the 3 stockings were hung...

Another splash of red...

Our small group from church did an Adopt a Family project.  So far, they are the only gifts under our tree (until they are delivered to the family on Sunday).  

Amidst the long shopping lists, treats to bake, and cards to send, I am reminded of the amazing gift of a child, so innocent and so sweet.  The love I have for the one I hold is only a glimpse of God's love for me.  Enjoy and cherish the wonderful things of this holiday season.

our little climber

About three weeks ago (yes, I am a bit behind on blogging Hudson's achievements) our Lil' Swinger mastered the art of climbing the stairs.  Since then he has had plenty of practice and can get to the top in less then 60 seconds (yes, I have timed him before).  Here are a few pictures from one of first trips up.  He went up with great ease and confidence.  The neighbor girl Caitlyn was here, encouraging him along the way.  He is a strong and busy boy.  Have I told you that before?  :)    

Just getting started and reconsidering.  

going...going...

Come on Hudson...we are almost there!  

Now I want to go back down.

This is NO big deal Mom!  

An Arkansas Thanksgiving

For the Thanksgiving weekend we made a road trip to Arkansas to visit the Wurpts family.  They moved to Fayetteville in May and it finally worked for all of us to get together.  Hudson did well in the car (for the most part) and it was the first ever time to Arkansas for all three of us.  It was great to spend time together in their new home, watch the boys play together, eat together, laugh, and make memories together.  Here are several pictures from our time.  

We made Thanksgiving dinner (complete with all the fixings) and some international students joined us too.  My favorite dish was the super yummy sweet potato casserole Emily made.  Still not sure if it would be considered a side dish or a dessert?  :)      

Grayson and Hudson had a feast of their own.  Hudson had his first bites of turkey on Thanksgiving, how appropriate, and Grayson was a big fan of the cranberry fluff salad and turkey. 

 

After filling our tummies, we headed out for an afternoon walk.  The park was just the right size for Hudson and he loved crawling around and exploring.  

We took a walk on campus on Friday afternoon.  Go Razorbacks!  

Hudson got his first taste of Christmas at the Lights of the Ozarks display.  

Spending time with our buddy Grayson was such a treat!  We...

...made pizza together

...had matching lion pajamas together

...played guitars together

...took a tubby together

On Saturday we went to the Botanical Center and saw the model trains.  

Hudson and Daddy had fun watching them go by.  

And one more random picture I had to include.  Hudson enjoying his sweet potato!  

What a delicious mess.  :)  

As I reflected upon thankfulness this Thanksgiving season one thing is for certain...I'm so thankful for my baby boy, Hudson John.  How much my heart has grown!  Children truly are a blessing from the Lord.  With that, I am so thankful for the opportunity to spend my days with him.  Leaving a job that I loved was not easy, but without a doubt I would do it 100 times over again, to be home with Hudson.  I will be the first to admit, some days are hard and long, yet I know that God is strengthening my character through it all.  I too am thankful for the supportive friends and family through my first year (almost) of parenting.  I have called and emailed Emily more times than I could count about random questions I had.  Sue has come over countless times to love on both me and Hudson.  My mom has heard my joys and frustrations, and encouraged me through them all.  Roy has faithfully and lovingly walked alongside me, given me grace and patience, challenged me, and spoken truth and love to me.  Thank you!