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!  

You Are Invited

In honor of my 31st year (I turned 31 on Oct. 3rd) and my prayer to be a Proverbs 31 woman, 

I am hosting a Thirty-One party and You Are Invited!  I also thought this would be a great opportunity to enjoy some "girl time" and kick off the holiday season.  

Join me for a shopping experience you'll never forget!  At a Thirty-One party you'll get to spend some time with friends while purchasing stylish, practical products like totes, purses, accessories and more to help you organize your life and look good while you're doing it!  

Details...

Date: Thursday, December 1st

Time: 7:00pm

Location: My Home @ 135 SE Westgate Drive in Waukee

Phone: 987.6535

To shop now and place an order go to www.mythirtyone.com/jpennings then click “my events” then “shop now” then "Emily Swinger."  Or here is a direct link to my shopping page Emily's Shopping Page.


And below are the December specials...

Take a Friend!  Come and Hang Out!  Let Us Celebrate You!

colorado trip {part 3}

The last full day of our trip (Tuesday) we headed up to the mountains, specifically Estes Park.  I got nauseous during the winding drive up, amidst trying to keep Hudson happy and entertained.  We stopped at The Stanley Inn (sorry no pictures) and had lunch and looked around.  Since it was super cold, windy, and was snowing at the higher elevation, we decided not to head into the park.  So instead we checked out the shops (while the boys napped in the car) and then got Starbucks (perfect in my opinion).  Hudson was a real trooper and seemed to enjoy the adventure.  

Aunt Angela and Hudson are buddies...

 

The beautiful Rocky Mountains...

 Posing for a family picture before leaving...

colorado trip {part 2}

On Sunday afternoon/evening we made a trip to Colorado Springs to meet some more of the extended Swinger family (Roy's aunts, uncles, and cousins).  It was great to introduce them to Hudson, enjoy dinner together, and reconnect.  Too bad Colorado is so far away.  It would be fun to see them more often.  Thanks Becky for hosting and getting the clan together.

   

Hanging out with Mr. David.

Hudson says...I have never seen so much dark curly hair before and I want to grab it!  

Rinnah was happy to have a buddy (a small Swinger) to play with.  

Posing for a picture with Aunt Karen.  

All the Swinger's got a chance to hold Lil' Swinger.  

We wanted to get a picture of Hudson and Rinnah before we left.  

Hudson grabbed her glasses in the process so she decided she better hold on to them.  :) 

colorado trip {part 1}

On Saturday, Nov. 12, we headed to Denver, Colorado, to spend the long weekend with my sister Angela (or Aunt Angela as we call her around here now).  She recently bought her own place so we made the trip to see it and also to enjoy time with her.  This was Hudson's first trip on an airplane and he did GREAT! Several flight attendants even commented how he was such a good boy.  On the way to Colorado he fell asleep 5 minutes before landing and played the whole way on the flight home.  We were proud parents.  It looks like we may have a little traveler on our hands.  :)  

Soon after arriving in Denver we headed to the zoo.  Again, Hudson's first time.  Not sure how much he saw or what he really thought of it all, but it was a beautiful day and it was free admission so we took it in.  Hudson's favorite book is Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? so we were especially interested in pointing out the bear.  

Hudson enjoyed exploring and checking out all the new things at Angela's place.  Pulling up on the corner of her baker's rack and grabbing at her basket was his favorite spot.  

We made a stop for ice cream at Little Man's Ice Cream.  The eggnog (Roy's choice) and Oatmeal Cookie (my choice) ice cream was a yummy treat, even on a chilly afternoon.  Sorry Hudson, no ice cream for you...yet!    

I have lots more pictures to I will post those in my next free moments.  

Thanks Angela for a wonderful time.  We miss you already.   

i created :: birthday gifts

As you saw in the previous post it was my mom's birthday this week.  Trying to figure out the perfect gift for those I love always takes me a lot of time, to think through all my options, until I come to the very best idea.  Mom had asked for an address book so I decided to create one for her.  Below are a few pictures of the finished product.  I know she loved it and is excited to fill it up.  

I also made some personalized cards with her initial.  

I got this idea from the November Better Homes and Gardens magazine and got right to work.  

We are heading to Colorado for the long weekend to spend time with Aunt Angela.  :)  

It will be Hudson's first airplane trip...here we go!  

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Sending birthday wishes to Grandma today!  We love you!  

And another picture to show Hudson eating the birthday sign. :)  

nine months

On Thursday, Nov. 3rd, Hudson turned 9 months old.  He is becoming quite the little boy!  He was home with Gma Sue on his 9 month birthday (because Mommy was subbing in 1st grade) so she did the photo shoot.  It looks like they had a fun day together don't you think?  :)  

During the past month Hudson has...

...learned to pull himself up and stand

...eaten lots of new foods (bread, cauliflower, oatmeal, grapes, cranberries, potatoes, kiwi, hamburger)

...gotten his first 2 teeth on the bottom

...started getting into and exploring everything

...stayed healthy, amidst Mommy and Daddy both getting sick

...made new sounds including bababab and mamamam

...been sitting at the table and eating with us during meal times 

...started throwing his toys on the floor and thinking its a fun game

...been wearing 12 month and some 18 month clothes

...started laughing at himself