Auntie Time!

We got to meet up with Tasha and Willow at The Discover Station in Hagerstown on Friday, March 29th. It was fun to play together and for Tasha to get in some baby snuggles too!

2nd Grade Field Trip

Nolan was supposed to go to Fairview Outdoor School at the beginning of March but since we had a snow delay, they had to postpone the field trip until Friday, March 29th. The good thing about the new date was now his dad got to go and be a chaperone!!

It rained almost the entire day but it didn't stop these 2nd graders from having an amazing time exploring the outdoors and learning all kinds of fun facts about nature. Nolan then had soccer practice after school and declared it "the best day ever!"

Happy Boy!

This boy is just such a sweetheart!! Sure he has his moments of grumpiness if he's overly tired or hungry, but overall he is just a pleasant little fellow. He is very observant about the world around him and loves to be around people. We sure do love our little Hudson man!

Park Days

We are taking advantage of some of the milder days in March by heading to different parks in the afternoon after school. This is the boy's favorite park...it's all about ropes and climbing!!

Heartthrob!

Oh boy this little one is just too cute!! We all love him and his sweet personality that is beginning to shine more and more as he gets older. Tummy time still isn't his favorite thing in the world, but he'll at least do it for short periods of time during the day!

Baby Lashes

Oh how I love this sweet view when I'm watching Hudson sleep in my arms!

Abby's Birthday Party

We had a busy few weeks right around Abby's birthday so we held off on having her birthday party until Saturday, March 9th. She invited 9 of her friends over for a donut-themed party. Two of them weren't able to make it, but the girls who came all had a great time together. 

They started off by painting some pots in the colors of their favorite flavor of donut!

Then they played a few rounds of Telestrations (one of Abby's favorite games) and this game we made up where they stuck a donut hole in each cheek and tried to tell a joke to each other without laughing. It was pretty hilarious to watch!

Then it was time to blow out the candles on her donut cake and eat some dinner!

Happy Birthday Abby!!

They finished off the night by playing together in the basement and watching some Studio C. It was a great way for Abby to celebrate entering into her teenage years!

Outdoor School

Landon had the opportunity to attend outdoor school on March 5th-8th. This is a special school designed for all 5th graders in Washington County. They get to spend 4 days and 3 nights learning all about different aspects of biology and earth science in a unique environment in Clear Spring, MD which is about 20 minutes away. Landon was a little nervous when he left the house, not quite sure what to expect spending his first nights ever away from home. 

Here is the boy's bus bursting with excitement...

And all the kids loading up their gear onto the bus the morning that they left...

Here he is with his good friend Bennett who slept on the bunk next to him.

They had a great time learning all about the great outdoors...

And ate all their meals together too!

On Wednesday night they even had a magic show to entertain them all!!

Unfortunately early on Thursday morning Landon got a bit of a stomach bug and had to come home after throwing up. He seemed to be fine at home so after 24 hours without any more problems, he was able to go back up on Friday morning and participate in their big final activity...Predator and Prey!! He was really bummed about having to come home but was so excited about being able to go back and finish out this amazing experience with his classmates!

 

All the 5th graders from Paramount Elementary!!

And their three amazing teachers...Mrs. Mastronardi, Mrs. Crane, and Mrs. Leap!

Hudson's Baby Blessing

It was finally time for Hudson's baby blessing on Sunday, March 3rd, 2019. To be honest it was a bittersweet day for me. I was sad that my parents weren't able to physically be at his blessing. They had been at each of my other children's blessings and I really felt their absence on Hudson's special day. However, we were blessed to have Jason's parents and my sisters Tami, Lara, and Tasha and their families join us for this special occasion. And I'm sure my parents were there in spirit for their littlest grandchild's special moment!

He definitely looked handsome in his little blessing outfit!

I took those three little buttons up near his collar from my Dad's white church shirt and sewed them onto Hudson's outfit. I wanted to have a piece of my Dad present in the circle during his blessing.

The kids were all so excited to share this special day with their little brother!

All those who came to Hudson's blessing...it was quit the group!!

I was so thankful to have my three sisters there for this special day! 

Those who were in the blessing circle...Darrell Call (Grandpa), Jason Call (Dad), and Brian Neal (Friend). 

Oldest and youngest grandchild...Chloe (21) and Hudson (3 months)!

Blessing of Hudson David Call

(March 3, 2019   Hagerstown Ward given by Bishop Jason Darrell Call, Father.  Others in the circle were Darrell Call, grandfather, and Brian Neal, 2^nd counselor in the bishopric.)

Our Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ and by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood, we take this infant in our arms to give him a name and a blessing. And the name which he shall be known upon the records of the church is Hudson David Call. And Hudson at this time we give you a blessing that you might have a healthy body that will allow you to serve your Father in Heaven and your brothers and sisters while you are here on the earth. We bless you with an understanding of the gospel and the desire to follow the teachings of your Savior. We bless you that as you strive to be obedient to those things that your parents and church leaders will invite you to do, that you will receive an outpouring of the gift of the Holy Ghost and you will recognize the truthfulness of the gospel and of your Savior’s love for you. We bless you with the ability to reach out and help those who are hurting and have individual pains and that through your talents you might be able to witness your Savior’s healing power helping them heal their wounds and return to activity in the church. We bless you with the Gift of Charity, a testimony that you are a child of God and loved by your Father in Heaven and these things we bless you with in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

 ( A side note is that Dadra, Hudson’s mother added three little white buttons, from Grandpa Don Cleveland’s white shirt, to Hudson’s blessing outfit. This was done in memory of him)