Punkin Patches--a review of sorts

Saturday I took the day off from my crazy fall/holiday photo schedule to take Hudson to the pumpkin patch. Last year we went to the Old Baker Farm which was fabulous and I highly recommend it. This year we switched things up and we went to The Heart Of Dixie Railroad Museum and took a ride on the Pumpkin Patch Express.

Hudson is currently crazy about trains and I knew he would love it. It was great! I would have liked it to be a few or 15 degrees cooler, but what can you do? We sucked it up and enjoyed ourselves. Hudson LOVED it! I would highly recommend it to any parent with little boys who love trains. It was organized and very kid friendly.

If you're contemplating the two pumpkin patches and trying to decide which is the best for you, here is my opinion: There are two major differences in two pumpkin patches we've been to. One: The Old Baker Farm provides a fun tractor pulled hayride to the pumpkin patch. The HODRRM provides a breezy little train ride to the pumpkin patch. Personally I preferred the easy breezy train ride to the pumpkin patch to the hayride at the Baker Farm. I also don't like to smell like I just hopped off a tractor. Two: you have pre picked pumpkins versus on the vine pumpkins. I also preferred the pre-picked pumpkins set out in the nice grassy field to the authentic pick-your-pumpkin-off-the-vine-and-beware-of-the-wild-animals-and-pressure-wash-your-dirty-pumpkin-when-you-get-home at the Baker Farm.

Let's just call a spade a spade and put it out on the table: I'm a slightly high maintenance gal. So it should come as no surprise that walking through a grassy field and picking up pre picked pumpkins that are relatively clean is my preference over the real deal down and dirty pumpkin patch. I mean really, do the kids know the difference? I doubt it. Therefore lets make it easy on mom because I don't own work boots and I felt like that's exactly what I should have worn last year to the Farm! All that said, I think both are great choices depending on whats best for your family and your style.

We had a blast on the Pumpkin Patch Express! I look forward to the Polar Express and then doing it all again next year!

Of course I didn't go without my camera, so I'll share a few of my favorites from the day...

Our little Hollis family

My sweet baby boy who looks less like a baby every day...

He's such a big boy now! :*( I swear he looks like a 4 year old in this pic!

Love him.

Having a blast!




Posing.

So excited! :D!!

Getting his ticked punched to get on the train. What pumpkin on the conductor's hat? I didn't notice!?

We sat in one of the open air cars and hoped for a breeze.

The patch.

Can I have this one? He chose a small one that he could carry. Because he can do everything "by myfelf!!"

Searching for the perfect "punkin".

...and we have reached our limit of heat and dusty fields full of pumpkins, jumping (apparatuses...apparati...appa...) whatever. Jumping things! And large blow up yard decorations.

Me, Dad, and some stray cast member from Beach Blanket Bingo. Oh crap that's my Mom! Hey Suzy Q!

Hudson and the Howard's-my parents' best friends and my other mom and dad.

Loaded back up on the train and waving goodbye to the pumpkin patch. Particularly to the pumpkin patch employee with the giant megaphone and overalls. I was waving hello to a breezy train ride.

And look who's family also rode the train with us? Our friends Rachel and Wyatt and their sweet family! I had hoped to get a couple of pictures of Hudson and Wyatt together, but it was hot and we had two year olds with their own agendas and families to keep up with. But I did get a shot of this handsome little fella'--all smiles on the choo choo!

Little Minnows and a BIG Lake!

Two weekends ago we took a little vacation to Lake Martin. We rented a house on the lake there with some friends and had a wonderful time. I've been so busy with everyone else's pictures that finally, nearly two weeks later, these pictures find their way onto my computer and my blog.

Hudson had a wonderful time and loved being the center of attention for 4 adults for an entire weekend. He loved the water. The house we stayed in had a beach-like waterfront so it was perfect for little people. He also fished for the first time and caught his first fish! :) Neither Lantis or I care a thing about fishing, but our friends Jason and Alesha are like Bill Dance compared to us. I think they've made it their personal goal to introduce Hudson to the world of angling. All I gotta say is that they better have a third fishing pole ready when he wants to do it! ;)

Everything about the weekend was fabulous: the location, the mini vaca, the water, the lake, the weather, the company, the food, you name it. We didn't want to leave!! We loved it and we plan to do it again next summer!

Lantis rolling up on our 'bu.

Me and the Hud

I love this picture: the cool morning light, Alesha serenading us, Hudson enjoying the affects of a restful night and a lazy weekend-still in PJ's, and Hudson just happens to be wearing his "I'm with the band" PJ's.





My handsome hubby.





Pretty scenery and waterfront. As if any of you care about the scenery! ;)






Me and Lulu in our polka dots...no it wasn't planned. Complete coincidence!

Hudson holding one of Jason's big catches.

Check out our waterfront and the view! Heavenly isn't it? If I didn't have to drive to B'ham every day I think I could live here.

Counting down...1, 2, 3, GO!

Nose pinched? Check.

...and head down!

Alesha, Hudson and the big catch.

Hudson and the little minnow. :)

So excited about his big catch!

Alesha helping Hudson reel in his prize.

"Whoa Mom!! Look at these fish!" The water was so clear we could see the fish swimming below our pier.

Here is the full set of photos from our big weekend on the big lake if you so desire...

Click here to view these pictures larger

Milk and Mischief

Remember the weekend of nothingness I hoped for? Well...that weekend of nothingness went well but not exactly as planned. There's just no such thing with a two year old. I didn't watch any movies and I didn't catch up on any TV, but I got in lots of family time and Hud love so that's even better!

Saturday included a photo shoot, a birthday party for Maw Maw and a three hour nap for me and Hudson. Then we grilled filets and Hudson caught lightning bugs. Sunday included lots of yard work, me cutting the back yard with the push mower (You're welcome, neighbors, for the entertainment I provided), and gutter cleaning. Our backyard looks like a zebra, but at least the job is done and Lantis had some help. Yard work was followed by some baby pool time for Hudson and popsicles for everyone.



Hudson did and said some hilarious things this weekend. Such as:

me: Hudson do you like your ice cream?
Hudson: uh-huh, I do Mommy. My ice cream is so good! I eat it up!

me: Hudson do you need to go poo poo?
Hudson: (straining) yes
me: Would you like to go sit on the potty and do it?
Hudson: No. Put my diaper on Mommy.

me: Hudson we have to get dressed to go. We are going to Maw Maw's birthday party today.
Hudson: I can eat cake?
me: yes
Hudson: ok. Where my doos (shoes) go? (then starts singing while trying to put his own shoes on) Haappy birrday to yoooo.


All three of us were sitting at the dinner table tonight and Hudson stopped eating and grabbed my hand with one of his and Lantis' hand with his other and then started singing, "I love you, you love me, we're a happy family..." Lantis and I both melted. I love that guy! No, we do not watch Barney at our house, but he watches it at my mom's. The big purple creature isn't allowed in the Hollis house. Barney would make me want to poke my eyes out with a dull object.

My favorite quote of the weekend:
Lantis: Where is Hudson, he's way too quiet.
me: He's in the living room drinking some milk.
Lantis: Yeah, he's only that quiet for two reasons, milk and mischief.

Hudson, Lantis and Maw Maw. She let Hudson have the first taste of her birthday cake. They have the cutest relationship. He loves his Maw Maw! Judging by this picture I know why! He also led the group in "Happy Birthday to Maw Maw"

Maw Maw and her boys.

Lantis' Maw Maw is an amazing woman who has left her mark on this earth. She has six children, 12 grand children, 21-1/2 great grand children (#22 is on the way), and 1 great-great grandson. What a remarkable legacy she has left. Happy 91st Maw Maw! I hope I'm as sharp as you at 91. We love you!

Beach Report

We just returned from a nice little vaca to the gulf coast! We were a little nervous about the condition of the beaches, but we were so desperate for a get away that only a hurricane would have kept us from going and possibly not even that. Just kidding. A friend of ours was nice enough to loan us his beach house for nearly a week. It was so comfy and cozy and perfect for us. We can't thank him enough!

I'll start off with the condition of the beaches because that has been the big question. We arrived Thursday. Thursday and Friday the water and beaches were beautiful! Here is a photo from Thursday: It looked very normal.




Sometime in the night Friday night the winds changed direction and started sending the oil directly our way. This is what we saw on Saturday and Sunday: with every wave that crashed onto shore it was nasty, dirty, water. The ocean looked orange.










Sometime in the night Sunday the winds changed direction again and no longer saw any oil or any traces of it. CRAZY! Monday-Wednesday we saw sparkling blue water and pristine white beaches once again. They even raised the yellow flags and gave the public the green light to get in the ocean again.

Nothing but sea shells here.

As beautiful as I've ever seen it on Tuesday.

Some things we saw a lot of on Saturday and Sunday when the beaches were at their worst were these:

(clean up crews reportedly being paid $14/hr by BP)

and this:

(tractors, tents and potties for the workers about every hundred yards.)

My other concern was how Hudson would like the beach this year. Last year he really hated it. This year, he's a big fan! He loved the sand and was intrigued by the ocean. The first half of the trip my sister and her family were down. The day they left, Lantis' family arrived. So not only were we able to get away, but we were able to have some family time as well. Here are a few more pics of us enjoying our trip with my sis and her family:

Bailey, Grayson and Hudson in the pool

How cute is this sandy hiney!?

Hudson practicing safety first by wearing swimmies in the baby pool.


The boys playing in the sand.

Hudson and "day-day" playing in the sand.

Ready for a dive mission I suppose.

Sassy britches enjoying a snack poolside.

Me and my sis.

Living the good life.

Bailey and her Malibu Barbie photo shoot.

Of course we had a picture night. Who's shocked? Didn't think so...

Hudson and me with news reporter hair...which brings to another topic: what the beach weather does to my hair. OMG! Scary!

Hudson and Daddy

The classic beach family portrait. What's a beach trip without the family sitting in sand dunes like its a completely natural thing to do.

I'm losing him. He's zoning out.

I heart this little boy!

I heart these kids too!

On Sunday Angie and her family and left and Lantis' family arrived.

Hudson showing Bebe the ocean upon their arrival.

Later that night we went to The Wharf. Home of the largest ferris wheel in the world. I don't know that to be a fact, but its the biggest one I've ever seen, so that makes it official, right?

We rode the ferris wheel at sunset. Pretty.

The big wheel.

I took a pic of a moving object at night. Quite an accomplishment for those of you who don't know!

The big trees I like so much.


This picture cracks me up! If you don't find it funny then you need to stop reading right now. Kidding. Poppy was taking a pic of us posing for Bebe's pic. Hudson's FACE!!! He's captivated by this ride we're on. Ha!

Bebe and Poppy on the wheel with us.

Checking out the wheel. And/or breaking his neck.

I think I would like a giant palm tree in my yard...to remind me that I'm unfortunately not at the beach every day. Jokes aside I love the trees at the Wharf!

My handsome men.

Ironically we went to the Hangout where they freely throw up the hang 10 sign which Hudson loves to do. Had to get a pic of him by the hand throwin' up his sign. Look closely or click on the pic to enlarge. There's a little Hud sized hang 10 in there.

...and us and Emma by the hand.

...and just us by the hand.

Hudson LOVED the Hangout! This place is genius. You can let your child run loose like a maniac and watch them play in the sand and tunnels and foam. We were there when the live music cranked up and they passed out 25 cent margaritas for the parents. We all had a good time!

Hudson watching the band. He was dripping in sweat because prior to this photo he had been cutting a rug in front of the stage.

Playing in the sand and tunnel. I imagine he's saying "I'm gonna watch what this big kid does and copy it."

It was a great trip and I was not ready to come home. Hudson was however! He told us the night before he left that he wanted to go to "Huddy's house". The first thing he did when we got home was run up to his room and crash onto his bed. He had a good time at the beach, but he was happy to be home!