The McCarty Boys and Me

Well, the inevitable finally came to pass and Nathan got laid off a little before Thanksgiving. Given the state of the building business, we totally knew it was coming and had fortunately began preparing ourselves. Most of you know that Nathan has been running a little side business doing residential remodeling & repairs...it has been doing well for some time now, but we had no reason to make it a full-time thing... until now! It's official! We have started Jack Hudson Remodeling & Repairs, LLC. He has crews that do EVERYTHING...built-ins, flooring, decks, patios, concrete, fences, painting (interior & exterior), exterior siding, roofing, cornice & framing work, etc. You name it, they can do it. SO, if you or anyone you know is looking for someone they can trust, who does quality work at reasonable rates, PLEASE keep Nathan in mind. His number is 832-344-8620. We have started a little website, though it does not have nearly all that he has done, but we will continue to add stuff. www.jhremodeling.blogspot.com. Thanks and send to your homies!

Not much to say...but, Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Shopping to all!! Here's a few pictures of what I am thankful for...

I know I promised to cease the political talk on my blog, but I have one more very important thing to say- Stop the H8. I am embarrassed that there are people out there that support this proposition...so much so that it passed in 4 states on the same day that our nation elected it's first African American president. One step forward and one step back. I don't know what else to say except- this makes me sad. Seriously, stop the hate. Now.

WWW.JOINTHEIMPACT.COM/PROTEST-LOCATIONS

Jackson on picture day...

Hudson showing off his faux-hawk and "I can kick your baby's ass" onesie. Don't worry- this onesie is not allowed out of the house. :) But, he does look like a bad-ass...admit it.

"Hey- what does this say, Mom?"

FAUX-HAWK #2.

We had so much fun trick-or-treating this year. It was so cool that the kids finally "got it". They had a blast. Jackson had like 6 costumes to chose from- a cowboy, a doctor, a policeman, Incredible Hulk, Batman, or Spiderman. Gabriel showed up in Spiderman, so that was the obvious choice. So, we had 2 Spidermans and princess Ella.

We went to Pawpaw's work Halloween party before trick-or-treating and Hand-me-down Huddy wore Jackson's lion costume for about 5 minutes before he decided that thing was too hot! Then he just sported his whiskers. :) It was cute while it lasted!

Jackson, Gabriel, and Ella all go to Sacred Heart Mother's Day Out in Richmond. The day before Halloween, they had a little pumpkin patch party for the kids. Here's Jackson and Gabriel showing off their pumpkin picks.
Jackson and his friend, Tyler.

My handsome little pumpkin.

Here's a few pictures that I forgot of our trip to Lake Livingston. This was Huddy's favorite resting spot- watching TV with Grandpa Rick. We celebrated Jackson and Nathan's birthday when we were there. Grandma made a super yummy cake. Actually, all we did was eat all weekend.

Our view from the balcony and the pier where Nathan and Rick spent most of their time.

Here is Jackson the Performer...singing Magic Carpet Ride.

This hot tub was awesome. This is where Mommy spent most of her time. :)

One of the many beautiful weekends in October, we headed out with the Fetterman's to the zoo. We ate outside at Hungry's on our way...it was a lovely lunch with great food (of course). Then, we tried to find a place to park at the zoo- which was impossible. So, we parked in some obscure lot, debated whether we would be towed, but decided to attempt the zoo anyways. On the way, we were verbally attacked by a crazy gangster man. It seriously SCARED us to death. So, we decided that was definitely a sign and that maybe as suburban-dwellers we just didn't belong in the city. But, before heading back to burbs, we stopped at a park in South Hampton that I had always frequented as a child. The park was just as fun as I remembered. Then we walked (well, semi-walked) to the village for dessert. Despite the gangster-attack, it was a fun day. Silly boy.

Two silly boys.

We went to Lake Livingston with Grandma and Grandpa Rick this weekend. The weather was amazing and Jackson had a blast. It was his first real fishing trip. I have more pictures, but here are a few until I can get them all downloaded. The house we rented had a hot tub and of course Jackson wanted to be in it every minute that he was not on the pier fishing.

On the patio in their pjs. I can't figure out what Jackson is doing to Hudson's head. Maybe it's a head massage? Or maybe he is implanting terroristic thoughts into his head...

His first catch!! I am sure it will be HUGE in the stories. But, he definitely threw this one back. When Nathan would catch one Jackson would say "Hurry, put it back, Daddy. Poor fish." He's definitely Mommy's boy.

I am going to sound really, really cliche here, but MY BABY JACKSON IS 3 YEARS OLD!! I seriously can't believe it. Yep, October 11, 2005, 4:30 pm my little man was born...he almost wasn't born because he almost got stuck inside me for eternity because of his BIG, GIGANTIC HEAD. But, eventually, he made it- a mere 12 hours after he decided it was time to make his entrance. I tried to take a walk down memory lane with Jackson on his birthday, but he was so not having that. He looked at me like I had lost my mind and ran off at lightning speed.



To celebrate the big day we had a Pirates and Princess Party at Pawpaw and Gigi's house. Jackson wore his pirate costume for all of about 30 minutes and then decided it was too hot. He wanted to play naked (seriously, he asked me if he could play naked), but he was quickly changed to shorts and a t-shirt! The weather was hot and humid, but I don't think it bothered the kiddos any. I tried to get pictures of all the guests, but I think I am missing a few! Captain Jackson and his first mate, Gabriel.
Ahoy there! Hudson totally looks like he is on the lookout!

Hudson and Princess Kaylie.
Princess Margot. What a sweetie and man is she a flirt! I can't imagine where she gets that from...
The birthday cake. For the last few years we have used this lady named May at the bakery at Gerland's in Sugar Creek for our cakes. We take her the invitation and she copies it perfectly. And, the cakes are yummy and fairly cheap! Try her out.
Keegan and Luke- sharing candy. We were so impressed that Luke stayed in his costume the whole party! Keegs wasn't so keen on the idea...he wanted to be comfy!
So, we never got the candles lit because of the wind, but he didn't even realize it. We found out on Wednesday (Pawpaw's birthday) that they were trick candles anyways. So, it was probably for the best! We would have ended up with a lot of Jackson spit all over the cake. Definitely for the best. Ewww.

The birthday boy in his pirate suit!
Princess Olivia.
Captain Luke.
Captain Brody.
Princesses- Riley and Ella.

The weekend before last was grandparents' day at Seven Acres, the assisted living facility where my grandmother (aka Nanny) lives. We try to go every year because it is such a neat day for the residents and it is tons of fun for the kids. They have a band (a really good one actually), a petting zoo, camel rides (yes, that's how they roll at a Jewish home), snow cone machines, popcorn, candy, ice cream, etc. It was really a fun day- Jackson had a blast (despite the sugar coma afterwards) and my Nanny got to watch all of us have fun- her favorite activity. Jackson is not shy, ya'll. AT ALL. He danced on the stage with the band for at least 2 hours...he was literally sweating he danced so much. Here are some pictures of the day.

Pawpaw and Jackson on the camel. Is it just me or does Pawpaw looked a little skeeered?
Nanny and the grandbabies (minus me- taking the picture). My grandmother has 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Big dorks.
Bigger dorks...Ash and Autumn.

Jackson showing off his moves. He obviously has my love of dancing and Nathan's skills (or lack thereof). That's his microphone... The petting zoo- that duck pecked Jackson's hand. There was also a baby wallaby!
Blue lips from too much snowcone eatin'! Check out these hats they gave them...cheesy, but still really cute.
My cuz, Tyler and Hudson (and my sis in the background).
Jammin' to brown-eyed girl...

Jackson and I had a little photo shoot the other day. When he was younger I couldn't even get him to look at the camera. Now he performs.


This one cracks me up! Deep Thoughts...by Jackson McCarty. "Hmmmm...I wonder if I took that blanket and draped it over my bed and propped it up using the three pillows from the living room sofa, all mom and dad's bed pillows, and the throw pillows from the playroom and then used the tape from the kitchen drawer...and then put Bella and Bea's bed inside...yep, that would make a bad-a$$ fort."