What is the minimum age for American Idol? Here, Mclain sings "The Santa Claus One." He makes up the words and says "Santa Claus will bring me presents, presents, presents." (Yes, we are clearly doing a good job of teaching him about "giving" during Christmastime.) He also sings "Fa, la, la."

Misfit Photo Shoot, take 2: Different clothes, different day, same results. We did manage to get one decent picture for the card. You'll have to wait until you get in the mail ...

Take 1: Here are a few outtakes from the Christmas picture photo shoot (the first day I tried). Needless to say this try didn't go too well. I really needed Shannon to help baby wrangle.

Hudson and I were having a nice little conversations the other day at lunch. I'm not sure what all the crazy blinking was about. He's such a total sweetie. You can hear Mclain in the background. He had finished his lunch and was talking to George (aka Curious George).

Mclain and I made fudge the other morning. It was well "tasted."

He's only 9 months old and he's using the walker! Yeah, we're proud of him.

A normal afternoon in the basement with a jumping 2 1/2 year old. I'm trying to get him to do the "hot dog" dance, but he's not much into it. More interested in the crackers I guess.

We went to Nana and Papa's house this weekend in NC. We worked on the farm, played in the leaves (tasted the leaves) and visited Old Salem.

Happy Halloween!

We had a dress rehearsal for Bob the Builder yesterday. Since this photo was taken, we've decided to go with a tool belt. Sorry, no photo available. He went to school this morning dressed up (left the tools at home) and is very excited to eat cookies. I think we're ready for the big night tomorrow!

Last morning at Babo and Gee's house. Here's Mclain singing (and dancing) in the rain.

Pure joy.

Mclain: "I guess this is ok. Hudson clearly doesn't know what he's doing, but if you're all ok with it, I'll just wait until he's out to show him how to use this correctly."

Hudson: "Mom, look. I'm in the Jeep. See me standing? I'm standing up in the Jeep."

Shannon made it through India without getting Delhi-belly and now is in the Philippines. He didn't have any meetings on Sunday and was able to take a fancy carriage tour around Manila. He's having a really great trip!

We're having lots of fun in Florida while Shannon is overseas. We've painted, fished, had boat rides, visits with Graham, picnics and bug projects.

Since Shannon had today off work and he's going to India for 10 days leaving tomorrow, we decided to spend a little family time at the putt-putt course. Mclain actually scored a hole in one on the 18th hole (pictured here)! Hudson enjoyed the scenery and Jimmy Buffett music.

Halloween comes early

We got out the Halloween decorations Friday afternoon. I had help going through the box. Mclain was going to be Bob the Builder, but currently loves this Teletubby outfit (which I didn't even remember we had.) Hudson is going to be a pumpkin and is excited about it.

It is official, I've become one of "those" moms who drive the ridiculously large shopping race carts through the store trying not to knock things off the shelf. Mclain loves it though. I told him we were going to Publix and he said, "Green race car?" Yesterday I broke down and let him get in it. Now I'll never be able to go to Publix without using the green race car.

I still have Hudson in the Bijion, but he'll be in the driver's seat soon enough. Good thing there are two steering wheels!

We went down to Florida last weekend to meet little Graham. He is absolutely adorable and quite the snuggler!

Here's Babo with all his grandsons (he looks pretty happy, doesn't he?)

I've been a little camera-crazy lately and taking lots of pictures of my poor kids. Here are a few recent ones from the backyard. I was constantly telling Mclain to sit next to Hudson and taking grass out of Hudson's mouth.

Now that the weather is cooling off, we've walked to the duck pond a lot lately. We don't just look at ducks while we are there, we play soccer and take naps too.

I should have posted these on Sept 2, but here are the first and second day of school at Haygood Methodist. He's getting the hang of being dropped off and even uses the potty at school.