Can I use a lifeline?

I've officially entered my insane portion of the year. Hence the reason you haven't heard a peep out of me in a few weeks. I wish I had something new and exciting to report but I do not. I'm busy watching football, scheduling photo sessions, designing Christmas Cards, editing photo sessions, working two crazy jobs, trying to keep the household fed and alive, trying to have a life outside all that, getting Hudson to and from school with everything he needs, trying to be an A+ room-mom (yes I'm following closely in my mom's foot steps for all that know her and I volunteered to be the room mom this year) at his school, and wishing this were "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" and I could use a lifeline! Despite the hectic schedule, we're alive and well and happy to have too much going on.

Since I last posted something, we've officially bid summer farewell.

We've done a little tailgating in Tuscaloosa.

We have made it a point to have some fun and most importantly enjoy Hudson.

Which obviously isn't hard to do...look at this guy!

A little superman never hurt anybody.

And prayers from somebody this sweet must be God's favorite!

My recent obsessions

Ya'll know I love fashion. Like fo real. I love it all and I wish I had lots more to spend on clothes, but don't we all? This is my time of year as far as fashion is concerned. This time every year I start combing the internet and magazines to see what everyone is wearing. You may remember this post last year. This year I have a few things I'm totally pumped about and can't wait until it drops below 80 degrees so that I can wear them. :) Such as...

My leather riding jacket

My jeggings

My boots

But there's one thing I just don't know if I can handle: OMG. OTK BOOTS!!!! Are you serious? Is there ever a good place in a normal person's world where these over-the-knee-boots are acceptable? I really love them and wish that I could wear them, but where!? I think I would feel overdressed, tacky, out of place, like cat woman and/or like a hooker. What are your thoughts? Are yall wearing OTK boots this year?

I'm also loving everything J.Crew this year. I broke up with J.Crew for awhile but Oh. My. Heavens. Their. Fall. Line!

Another little lovely completely unrelated to my closet is this little nugget. I want this table so bad I can taste it!!! (sans cat)

Why is it...

Why is it that at the first sign of fall I'm ready to...

bring out the red wine and cozy by a fire (in my imaginary fireplace because we have gas logs which I loathe. I guess someone thought that carbon dioxide poisoning would be better than having to clean up after a real fire)

make some chili in my crock pot (even though Lantis doesn't eat it)

carve a pumpkin

rake leaves into a big pile and jump into them

buy pretty sweaters and boots

make appointment TV

go camping

make smores (even though I don't particularly like smores or marshmellows)

start making my Christmas lists

and most importantly...shake my red and white pom pom and scream ROLL TIDE!!!!!!

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

Boogey in my nose

A little video of nothing in particular. Just us being us.

Hudson-thunder and lightning 2-8.17.10 from Erin Hollis on Vimeo.

Back in the grind

This week marks the beginning of Hudson's second year at school. Tuesday we will become backpack wearing, lunch box toting, nap mat users all over again. This time last year I was just starting my blog and Hudson was only 18 months old and was entering his first school year. You can see that post here. Every one tells you to enjoy it because the time will fly, but you can't imagine it until you blink and not only is the first school year over, but the second one is starting.

Hudson is stoked to get back to school. We went to meet the teacher and orientation last Friday and he seemed to love his teachers and class mates. He even has a few familiar faces in his class. I loved his teachers as well! I am going to miss the sweet ladies that he had last year and they have some big shoes to be filled, but I have no doubts that these ladies are going to do the job.

We were so glad last year that we decided to put him in school. We saw that boy grow leaps and bounds! I can't say enough about the positive changes and influences we saw come from it. I am excited to see what God has in store for my baby boy this school year. There is nothing that melts my heart more than hearing him come home from school with a new song, a new prayer, or new art work.

I have just enough OCD tendencies that I'm actually excited to get back into our routine and have some structure again. I feel like the last three months have been a free for all. So...tomorrow we're back in the grind!

Stories of wild things

I've been so consumed with work that I haven't taken time to do one of my favorite things--read. I've been missing my books and stories that allow me to slip off into another place and time. I haven't stuffed my nose into a book (or my Kindle) all summer long; unless you consider reading about engines that can, dumptrucks with big loads, or Max being king of the wild things appropriate summer reading. ;)

I hope that I can work some reading time into my routine again soon. Books: oh how I've missed thee.