Birthday Fun

Yesterday we had a birthday party for Jacob, and then I realized I hadn't posted Hudson's b-day party yet.  So here it is.....

Grandma and Grandpa Hirst, along with Aunt Tara came over for a special birthday dinner--Lasagna, Hudson's favorite!  This kid really loves lasagna, and can eat a ton of it. 

First we opened presents.  This part was kind of hard for Jacob.  He thought everything should be for him. 

Then we had dinner.  Just look at that excited face!  I told you he loves lasagna:)

Time for cake!  I chose a penguin theme, since he really loves this book called "Your Personal Penguin" by Sandra Boynton.  He gets so excited when we read it.

Hudson is no stranger to the sweet stuff, unlike Jacob when he turned one.  I tried not to give Jacob anything sweet until he turned one, but it was a little harder to do that with Hudson.  

He gobbled it right up!

Can't believe my little baby is one.  He is a little stinker, but so funny too!  He does a cute little booty shake when he hears music, and is really attached to his little bear stuffed animal.  he loves to snuggle with it.  He is also very obsessed with cars.  He will push a dump truck around the kitchen and living room all afternoon!  We love you little Huddy Bud:)

And now onto my big boy.....

As you probably could guess the theme was trains again for Jacob.  He was just as obsessed with them last year as he is now.  

I found a ton of free printables for train parties on Pinterest.  All I had to do was print and tape!

Jacob really wanted to have his cousins over for his party.  Unfortunately most of them were sick that day, but Aunt Tara came and Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Dianne with their kids, and Jacob had a blast playing with them!

Of course Kevin had to pull out the helicopter....I love how Hudson's eyes are glued to it.

Cake time!  He loved his cake.  It actually didn't take that long to make either.  I enjoy making fun birthday cakes.

Time for presents!  He got money, skittles, a Clifford book and plush, and subway trains!  He was one happy boy.

My boy is getting so big.  He is so social and loves to be around people, and is definitely not shy!  He will go up to anyone and start chatting with them.  He says the funniest things to us and unfortunately already loves potty humor.  But I should have expected that:) He is also such a snuggle bug, and I love that he still loves to snuggle and "get cozy".  He loves cats (or rather the idea of a cat) and is still totally obsessed with trains.  He keeps me on my toes but overall is a very good boy.  We love you buddy!

They are growing up too fast.

The Polar Express

When I found out that the Sacramento Railroad Museum does a polar Express themed train ride for Christmas, I knew I had to buy tickets (Jacob is obsessed with the book and movie).  Tickets went on sale back in October, and we got online right when they went on sale at 9:00 am.  We tried and tried, but for some reason it would not let us purchase any tickets.  Turns out, they sold out almost immediately!  I was so bummed because I knew Jacob would have loved it.  I got my name on a waiting list, but I didn't think anyone would cancel.  But then last Friday, there were two tickets available for the 3:30 train!  Kevin was working so I took the boys myself up to the train museum in Sacramento.  It was a ton of work by myself, but Jacob absolutely LOVED it!  When we got on the train, they brought us hot cocoa and a big snicker doodle, while two tap dancing waitresses entertained us.  Then the conductor read the book to us, and we all followed along in our own copies.  The conductor even signed Jacob's copy.  Then the hobo guy from the movie came on the train and tried to get them to question their beliefs in Santa.  Meanwhile we are riding along the Sacramento river and Jacob is having a blast looking out the window.  Then we got to the "north pole", and saw Santa and his elves.  On the way back, Santa hopped on the train and gave everyone a bell.  Oh, and everyone wore their pajamas.  It was very magical:)

checking out the caboose

"I hear a train!"

Tickets please!

the hobo

We made it to the north pole!

Waving to Santa

Santa is here!

I probably wouldn't do this again because it was a lot of work by myself (and a little pricey) but it was so much fun and Jacob is still talking about it, so I am glad we did it:)

Christmas in San Francisco

Last week, we decided to head into the city with Aunt Tara to deliver Jacob's letter to Santa at the big Macy's in Union Square.  It was a lot of fun being in the city.  It made me miss the big city life of NYC, especially when it is all decked out for the holidays.  We took BART in, and I think that was the highlight of the trip for Jacob!  And of course we had to eat at the Cheesecake Factory, and indulge in the peppermint bark cheesecake.  Santa had already left by the time we got to Macy's, but Jacob didn't seem to care.  He had the most fun on the train ride home!

Family pics

In October, my sis-in-law took our family photos and I love them!!  Here are a bunch that she took:

Hudson was a little cranky when we were taking the pics but she still got so many good ones of him!  Jacob doesn't look at the camera long enough for me anymore but he did a pretty good job during this photo shoot.  Thanks again J&C!