Hudson Fun

Mia had some wedding prep to do yesterday.

After my lash appointment, I went to pick up Hudson.

There is nothing better than your grand babies RUNNING to you when you walk in, asking where their papa is, and wanting to go to Gigi's hooooouuuuuuse.

Huds needed some outside/sunshine time, so I filled his little wading pool and he played and played while Gigi sat and got some much needed sunshine as well.

We went with Papa to get Pace's.

Turns out, Hudson is now a HUGE Lime Rickey fan!!!

Jane answered Coop last night.

I am OBSESSED!!!

 

September

Hello, September.

I feel like once September hits, the world slows down.

But the Smiths don't.

I feel like we almost kick into high gear and I can feel my body and my brain preparing me for it.

Football six days a week for both Cooper and Ryker.

Cooper's senior year and all that comes along with that.

Ryker will also start Fall basketball soon.

Braxton and Mia get married this Saturday.

Next weekend is Cooper's homecoming dance.

After that, we celebrate Colton and Diana's upcoming baby boy (due next month!!!!)

Soon, the pool will be winterized and I'll probably shed some tears over that!

My flowers will go to sleep for the winter.

The to-do list for the house will appear bigger and bigger...

And life will just keep going on!

I'm grateful for all of it.

 

Weekend Backwards

Our weekend was crazy busy, per usual.

It's going to be this way forever, I believe.

Last night, Cooper and Ryker got Coop's new bed put up in his room.

While they were at it, I figured it was as good a time as ever to get his new light fixture/fan put in.

I'm brilliant like that.

Note: I don't do any of the work.

I just supervise-ish.

I LOVE watching Burke teach the kids - all of the kids.

I love watching him parent.

Saturday was Ryker's football game.

Duh.

We played in South Jordan.

We had a DOWNPOUR of hail and rain with two lightening strikes, so I did my best to hide 18 boys who smell very badly all of the time under one little canopy.

It went poorly, but everyone was safe, sooo...

Friday night was Cooper's football game.

Duh.

Bubba was able to come and watch.

It was the black-out game which is probably my favorite!

Coop had another good game.

Also, I LOVE when Coop sends me pictures of sunrises and sunsets!

 

Braxton is 25!!!

My Peanut is 25!!

Brax is hardworking, SO hardworking.

He is Hudson's best buddy.

Hudson is his mini me.

He's my forever protector.

He gets married in 8 big sleeps!

We love him endlessly!!

 

Homecoming

 Coopy sent me this sunrise yesterday.

I hope he never stops doing this!

Coopy sent me the idea of how he wanted to ask Jane to Homecoming.

I got the posterboard and ordered the turtle.

He got the flowers and her favorite treats.

Don't mind what's on the other side of the posterboard.

I messed the other side up, but theirs TWO sides, so...

Her sister recorded her reaction:
"Ohhhhhhh I'm gonna cry! I just know Heidi made this. I just know she did. And the turtle! I name him "Tank the Turtle!"

Love these two!

Jackson is 27!!!

Jackalacka is 27!

My first love.

My first bestest buddy.

My little wingman.

The man of the house for far too long.

This guy, though.

He is the most devoted husband and daddy to his girls.

He works so hard.

He loves harder.

We are SO blessed to have him in our forever family.

 

Weekend Football

You Guuuyyyyssssss!!

This kid killed it on Thursday and I am so grateful he was acknowledged!

Ryker's game on Saturday was rough.

We have such a small team to begin with - 18.

Four of them went to the hospital during and after the game.

Literally.

Ryker was not one of them, but Bub was exhausted.

#21

Captain.

I got no pictures.

I was busy team-momming and chasing Hudson around.

CHASING him.

He wanted Papa.

He wanted the football.

It was SO hot.

He was SO tired.

It was rough.

Thankfully, one of the other moms took amazing pictures for me of my boy!

These boys fought so hard, and lost by four.

Sweet Hudson was soo tired.

So was Gigi.

Hudson with Emmy.

Emmy is the baby sister of one of Ryker's previous teammates.

She's been our little sidekick for years.

She always asks who Hudson is - she doesn't quite understand how Baby Hudson is now Big Boy Hudson.

Me either, Emmy.

Me either.

 

Bubba is 31!

Braxton I, aka Bubba, is 31!

This guy is hardworking, motivated, loving, protective and we love him endlessly!!!!

 

Last First Home Game

Last night was Cooper's last first home game.

For five years, I've stayed with Ryker for his football stuff and Burke has gone with Cooper.

It's the whole divide and conquer idea, but both of us have missed out on things.

With Burke coaching Ryker's team this year (as an assistant), and me still being his team mom, we've had to have discussions about Cooper's senior year.

Last night, I went to Cooper's entire game.

Burke and Ryker got there at halftime.

Oh, did this boy SHINE!!

Jane and I found his senior picture and a kind lady offered to take our picture in front of it.

That was the first time I cried last night.

The second time was his first snap.

He's a starting defensive end and this kid OWNED this game.

Tackle after tackle.

Safety.

Forced interception.

Almost a second safety.

His name was announced over and over in the stadium.

Each time, our little cheer section would erupt.

"I know that kid!"

Me: "THAT'S MYYYY KID!!!"

His team won 52-6.

The mercy rule came into play and the game ended after the third quarter.

The game was televised.

One of his buddies caught this screenshot off of the tv and sent it to me.

SO proud of this kid!

The big, sweaty hug after the game was the best!

 

First Day of School 2026

Our two oldest grandbeauties started school yesterday.

Kehlani is in first grade.

I cried.

Aria is in third grade.

She is growing up wayyyy too fast!

It's this boy's last first day.

Cooper is a senior.

SENIOR.

I wrote him a note about his journey... to finish strong, continue to make good choices, to be the friend who makes others better, to enjoy all of it...and that I love him endlessly.

Ryker is starting eighth grade.

My baby.

He hugged me this morning and there is no longer any question... he is taller than me.

I also wrote him a note:

Make good choices - they matter, choose your friends so wisely, I'll always be his biggest fan and I love him endlessly.

Just like that...

It starts again.

 

He Did It

First of all, meet the latest effort at getting protein and fat into the teenager's bodies.

Michelle had them try it at Hendrix's birthday. 

I made it yesterday for Coop.

Greek Yogurt

- mix with Cheesecake pudding mix & protein powder (I used Swole Whip).

Put lemon curd on top with graham crackers or granola.

Tyler got a job as a police officer!!!!!!

We are really proud of him and hope that this is the beginning of a long career.