This and that in the Gates household.....

This is for Mom and Erin- my new kitchen table and sassy chairs! Love it!

Hudson's first basketball game! Juston took them to a Michigan State basketball game and he loved it! Actually, when I asked him what he loved about it he said "the girls!" (meaning the cheerleaders!) And for several days afterwards, he would ask me if "the girls" could come over! 

Our first trip of the year to the park! Still bundled up- but we had to play outside for a little bit!

Hudson found some mud in our backyard.  This was the first time he has really shown any interest in the tractor and playing in mud! He stayed outside as long as he could stand the cold to dig in the mud!

This was the scene after breakfast this morning that melted my heart- both boys playing side by side- Hudson playing his drums as Hamilton watched so intently offering an occasional smile or giggle! It was absolutely a moment for me as a mom!

And lastly, here is a picture of me for all you people who say I am not in the pictures enough! :)

Sunday afternoon family fun....

Mommy and Hudson going down the big hill!

It was pretty cold on Sunday, so Hamilton and I had to watch from the car most of the time!

Daddy and Hudson climbing back up the hill!

Ready to go back down again! And again, and again, and again......!

We had a fun time sledding! It was Hudson's first time to sled and he loved it!

Some new pics of the boys....

Hamilton holding his first sippy cup!

Daddy and the boys! 

Hudson picked out this scooter thing the other day at the store and I must say it is pretty cool! Even Juston and I can ride it! 

Pictures with the boys today!

Hope everyone is having a good week! Life is good here in Michigan!

Juston and Rebekah go to Miami!!!

Juston and I just got to spend a long weekend in Miami just the 2 of us and we had a wonderful time! It was really refreshing to be with eachother without kiddos! We had such a relaxing time! We slept in until 8:45 every morning, ate brunch, shopped, got a massage, sat by the pool, drank margaritas, ate some fabulous food, and just enjoyed each other's company! These 2 pictures are taken from our balcony. We stayed at the Hilton Bentley on Ocean Drive in South Beach. It was such a nice place!

Headed to the hot tub! I didn't realize how much I enjoy wearing a robe! I wore mine every chance I could get that weekend!

Thanks to mom and dad and Hal and Sonya for keeping the boys so we could enjoy a getaway weekend! 

Life with the Gates the last several days......

Hamilton's first bath in the big bathtub!

And his first bath with Hudson! They had a blast! Hudson got a "shaving" kit from Santa, and so of course he had to let Hamilton shave too!

Saturday we drove over to see FROZEN Lake Michigan, and I must say it was a pretty cool sight to see! Those black specs are people walking out on the frozen waves!

More people walking out onto the waves.

If you look closely you can see the ridge of the waves! Crazy, but so cool!

Me standing in front of a frozen wave!

Hamilton ate his first baby food today! Green beans! And he seemed to like it!

Sweet Hamilton!

We are heading to LR this Sunday! Juston is flying to Miami for a business trip, so I am driving to LR to stay a few days, then I am leaving the kiddos there and flying to Miami to meet Juston and stay for a long weekend! Yea for some "Rebekah/Juston" time! 

HUDSON'S 3 YRS. OLD!!!

Hudson got a drum set for his birthday! He was so excited to say the least!

Juston showing him how to use the pedal for the bass drum.

This picture is one of the first ones I snapped after he saw them and sat down to play! I love the smile- that says it all!

Opening presents

Blowing out the candles of his drum cake made by me! He has been so excited about that drum cake for weeks! And on Sunday I went to the grocery store to get all the ingredients and he knew I was going for that purpose. As soon as I pull into the garage and got out of the car, he opens the door and says "thanks mom for making my drum cake!" It is moments like that that melt my heart as a mom!

The cool drum cake- thanks to my mom who found the design from an old 1993 Betty Crocker coupon clipping that she had stuck in one of her recipe books. How cool is that!?

Thank you Lord for Hudson!