Time for an update!

My best friend, since 2nd grade, came down to NC with her family!

Lily's first plane ride, we flew to MI!

Randy and I in Atlantic Beach for our anniversary

After much thought and heartfelt discussion, Randy and I have decided to take a break from motocross. Many things led us to this decision, mainly the safety of our children. Although Hudson and Randy are both a bit heartbroken, we are all enjoying a slower paced lifestyle. We've even taken up golfing! The kids have had a few lessons already, I have my first lesson this afternoon! Yikes! I'll be sure to updated about that!

Work has been going well, lots of ongoing jobs, a few new ones. However, the base is just starting their new fiscal year, which means no new projects to bid on. This creates some worry for the winter months, but we hear things should pick up in the next month or so.

The kids are doing well in school; we just went to their fall festival last Friday. Lots of food, candy, blow-up activities, and of course, tons of youngsters running around!

While I write about everyone else, I'm trying to think of anything new and exciting that has been going on with me personally. Well, let's see... I've gotten some new clothes, from my favorite Ann*Taylor of course! I've starting working out every morning or so, at 5am! It sure does come so early every morning, but I have found I truly enjoy having a peaceful house so early, and doing a little something for myself. I have also been on a quest to quit smoking, since July. I still have one or two a week, but nothing like I used to. But other than the normal work and home routine, not much has changed!

Hudson's Birthday

For Hudson's birthday, we went to Mac Daddy's in Cape Carteret. They have a driving range, putter golf, go karts, an indoor arcade, and bowling. Being winter time, only the driving range, arcade and bowling were open. So we tried all three!

Happy Birthday Hudson! Still can't believe you are 10 years old already!



Opening presents! And thank you, Nini and Pops!

Almost ready for the pros!

Isn't he handsome?!

Lily girl, taking a swing!

Hudson is a pretty good bowler, even though he did get to use the bumpers! That was until he tried the "granny shot"!

And Lily, well, she put those bumpers to good use!

A snow day in NC!

Yes, you heard that right! In January, we had two snow days! And lucky Hudson, he ended getting a five day birthday weekend out of it! I am a bit behind in posting, but what else is new?!

My neighbor's boys, Artie and Jack. Jack was hilarious crawling around in the snow!

Lily trying out our make-shift sleds, boogie boards! Hudson, about to pound me with a snowball!



What a good brother, pushing Lily down the hill in our front yard!

Lily, giving it a run on her own! Oh, and in case you were wondering, I tried out the "sleds" first. I had to make sure they would work!

The motorcross awards banquet for District 29, which is all of NC and some of SC, December 13, 2008.

We all got a little bored while the speaker dragged on and on and on and on and ........

Wake up Randy, you're missing the excitement! Oh wait, we are all missing the excitement!

Okay, let's get serious!

Yay Hudson! First place in the 65 7-9yr olds and 65 7-11 olds. That means he got all this stuff twice! We are so proud of you, Hudson! Great job!


"What? Two trophies taller than my brother? Can I have one?"

"Not yet, Lily. Maybe next year!" Just kidding, this was during the oh-so-exciting speaker!

Here are a few pictures from a field trip with Lily's class, to Mike's Farm. Of course, it was over a month ago, but hey, I've been busy!

Lily and Cowboy Earl, and yes that really is his name! He even has a radio show!

Lily in the back with her friend Nia, kind of doing the dance to some crazy honky-tonk song!

And again, Lily and her friend, or as they say, her BFF, in the back behind some classmates. Little trouble-makers!

A quiet Thanksgiving

Hudson and Lily spent Thanksgiving with their mother, so Randy and I had a quiet day, I cooked and Randy watched. Hahaha! He's a good re-heater, but as far as cooking, I'd rather do it alone! So all in all, we had a nice peaceful day, with just enough food for the two of us! I forgot to take a picture of my homemade cheesecakes! It was scrumptious! And we still have one left!

Say hello to Tom, or goodbye really. He was delicious! I'll be honest, while I have roasted plenty of whole chickens, I knew Tom here would be completely different. But after watching the Food Network the weekend before, I found what makes the turkey keep its moisture and flavor! It's called brining. And if you ever cook a turkey, please take the time to brine the silly bird! You won't be sorry!

Here's our spread! Just enough for the two of us! And it was quite tasty! The only pre-made thing we ate were the brown-and-serve dinner rolls. Some herb bread would've been nice, but I have no clue (Mom!) how to make that stuff! Anyways, I had a great time trying new recipes and enjoying myself in the kitchen. I even made the stuffing from scratch! So, our menu was: turkey, corn, rolls, butternut squash, stuffing, and cream potatoes (for you northerners, cream potatoes are really just mashed potatoes with cream, butter, cheese, and I throw in a secret ingredient along with some herbs). And of course the cheesecake for dessert!

School Parties

The day before Thanksgiving Hudson and Lily's classes each had parties. Lily's class had a feast of all different foods, even sushi, yummo! And Hudson's class had a pie bash. Hudson ate six different pieces of pie! Yikes! But we all had a fun time!


Lily decided to tell me the morning of the party that she needed a pilgrim costume! Oh the joys of motherhood! I knew I at least had to make a hat! Couldn't let her be the only one without! So what did I do, you wonder? Grabbed some elmer's glue, some construction paper, and yarn, and headed to work to look up directions on how to make a pilgrim hat! Well, I suppose it turned out all right, you tell me! And in case you were wondering, not many kids dressed up, and Lily was the only one with a hat!

After five minutes of coaxing, she finally made a half-way serious face!

Lily and one of her girlfriends.

Hudson and his boys trying to wait patiently for their pie!

Clearly this was after the pie! Can you say sugar buzz?!