Sorry to leave you hanging...

 I know it has been forever so instead of overloading you on the Hubbard's haps from the last couple of months of intense holiday fun, I will take my time catching up.  It is a good time to do so after all since it is now the months of holiday droubt.

First things first....We have big news and I bet you can't guess what it is.....

Yep I've lost 25 lbs using the slim fast plan!!
Ha ha!..I'm officially prego!  10 or 11 weeks along to not be exact.  I lose track so easily.  We are super excited  to add another rugrat to the bunch and can't wait for the adventures in store.

November 12 of 12
Yes I did remember to do it!
1- My nerdy and creative son using his sweatshirt on his legs and twirling around like a maniac.
2-After two years of living here we finally got a new thermastat that actually works!!
3-The plush fur I got at JoAnn's at a super good deal for the boys blankets for Christmas.
4-My new Van's jacket I got for 20 bucks!
5-Eli's annual sometimes semi-annual chore of fixing our windshield wipers.  He's getting really good at it...either that or he was just holding back the cuss words he was thinking while I was outside ha ha!
6-Grady's reaction to getting snow on his fingers.. yeah he doesn't like it much.
7-We had soup for dinner... intense I know.
8-The actions of popcorn popping for FHE.  Grady was getting into it.
9-Our Thankful Tree we made for FHE.  Axel was naming off tons right and left.  Sniff Sniff I am so proud.
10-Candyland, the game of choice for the finale of FHE
11- Our nightly ritual of horsey rides sometimes motorcycle rides to bed.
12- The other horse/HOG

December 12 of 12
1-Nothing like a mug of hot cocoa with ice cream and whip cream on a cold snowy day... wish you were with me Ma!
2-Evidence of Grady's boot fetish.  He wears boots 24-7.  He threw a fit the other night because I took them off for the tub.  Nothing like a nudy strutting around in cowboy boots.  Yes, I am still talking about Grady not Eli...hahaha!!
3-My project today was baking 45 loaves of pumpkin swirl bread. Phew!
4-I love Christmas music and Pandora in general.
5-Grady sampling the pumpkin bread batter... notice the boots making an appearance again!
6-A craft I am making for an exchange. I'm just excited I actually started it today.  Let the procrastination end.
7-There always has to be a pic that Axel takes and this one was the winner for December.  I do think the tree lights in the background look pretty cool.  Maybe I should go to him for photography pointers.
8-Eli finished crocheting Grady's beanie.  Aah-sigh-
9-I came in too late and their sweet fort got destroyed but on babysitting days they usually end up playing house.
10-A new Christmas tradition has been unwrapping a Christmas book each night.  It has been a highlight for the boys and me too.  What a great idea!  Thanks Tennille.
11-A last minute addition to Grade's hat that Eli just figured out how to crochet.   How awesome is he right?  Dang, he is good.  I mean you always see flowers but never boy stuff.  Way to go Hub!
12-We had a present wrapping party when the kids went to bed while we watched Psych.  We ended up making it a real party by opening some pop and chocolate raisins that were supposed to be Christmas presents.  he hee.

For my birthday, Ruth and Jamie, my friend from my ward, came over and brought me a fancy pants lunch.  I felt so special.  It was really such a nice afternoon and better than any restaurant could have done!!  Thanks, ladies!

My Birthday rocked this year.  Eli spoiled me with flowers and a.... wait for it....Kindle Fire...WHAT?!  He even surprised me and decorated the house while I was gone.  Axel wrote one of the signs.  It was one of the best birthdays yet.

We stayed in Bozeman for Thanksgiving this year and it was really nice.  I made the turkey with many calls to my brother in law (He is reigning Grillmaster two years in a row so yeah I called him).  It turned out so yummy and golden!  

You should be impressed that all of us were not only looking but smiling too just with the ten second timer on the camera.  Here was our Thanksgiving feast and we have soo much to be thankful for!  We've had some great times in Bozeman and now this Thanksgiving holiday spent with our little family is added amongst the memories.

My Great Grandma Hansen's chocolate pie and a freaking sweet banana cream pie recipe.   YUM!

My sweet companion helping with the cleanup.

Grady is TWO

COUNTING UP Grady is now two.  He has grown so much and has already been through so much in his short life.  He copies everything, even Axel's naughty side!  He talks sooo much and has a cute little chipmunk voice which is my favorite.  He brings so much laughter and joy into our home and we are so thankful to have the opportunity to help him become the young man God wants him to be!  Happy Birthday Squirt!

Opening presents.  He had the same look on his face the whole time.  I think he was overwhelmed.  Thanks everyone who remembered him on his birthday.  Lora he loved the banner and particularly the kisses (I loved the container :) Tennille the animals were a big hit.  Mariah and Great Grandma thanks for the moola, he will use it to buy something awesome! Grandma and Grandpa Titcomb thanks for making the trip to Bozeman and for the Mater and animals. It was a really special day for him and he totally felt important strutting around all day. 

It soon wore off as he rolled around in his birthday spoils in his diaper!

The masterpiece Mater cake.  Thanks Mom for helping me transform it from my mind to reality!  

Grady liked Mater's special appearance.

The favorite part:  Blowing out the candles.

Halloween was a fun one with great costumes this year.  Darigold passed out milk and took this picture... see even Joker loves his chocolate milk. 

The fam trick or treating.  Can't you tell Eli and I are super hero's too, only we are maintaining our secret identities!  It was an awkward moment in front of Eli's professors house, as we posed forever as she busted out her camera.

BATMAN.  Ya gotta love the pose by the tree.

I love the look on his face and his pointed toe. 

The happy duo ready for candy

We do lounging out really well at our house.  Grady is our copy cat!

Grandpa reading a book.  It must be a really intense part.  Don't worry Grady, I am sure it will all end well.

October12 of 12

Look at me posting 12 of 12 sooo on time.  I figured I wouldn't wait til I had a million pictures to post all at once.  Look at all the time I am saving you by my simplified post.  So, here was our day.

#1 My sweet advent calendar made by my super creative sister, Tennille.  We totally love Halloween, so being able to countdown to it is sooo much fun.
#2 Axel's gloved hand holding a quarter to get a beloved gumball.  Gumballs = A Good Bribery Tool
#3 Axe getting on the bus to go to school
#4 Grady is pro at putting out his lower lip... and here it is, I call it the heart melter.
#5 The awesome cowboy hat that also works as a good disguise since earlier I partially ran a bus stop sign to the same bus that drops Axel off.  I have a fear of being scolded I guess since I went to all the trouble to "change my look"so she wouldn't recognize me.   I should have taken Eli's classic advice and shaved my head and got a face tattoo.  That is our answer for every escape-from-the-police-movie when their best attempts is to put on a hat or color their hair. :)
#6 I finally busted out my massage table.  Let's see I think it has been a year since it has seen any use.  Don't worry though, I still got the magic hands. 
#7 The big grocery shopping day.
#8 My Halloween Village.  I totally LOVE it.  This year one of my additions was a bat boy in honor of my Batman-obsessed boys.  Did I mention how much I love Halloween?
#9 The remnants of Axel's grilled cheese sandwich.  He set it on his plate looked at me and said, "Look Mom a heart!" Then he pushed it towards me saying, "For You!"  It was so sweet and hilarious.
#10 This awesome text from Melissa totally made my day in a laugh so hard I almost peed my pants sort of way.  It says, "What did one saggy boob say to the other?  We'd better perk up or people will think we're nuts!"  I'm sorry if that is offensive but I found it pretty dang funny.  Plus I justified it since the person who sent it to me is sweet as pie!
#11 The nightly ritual of light saber fighting.  I recently found a blue one to add to the collection so Eli doesn't have to use the broom anymore.  Oh boy the fun we have.
#12 Grady using the remote as a phone.  I loved listening to his conversation.  In his high pitched voice he would say "Hello! How Are You?" 

Are you still there?

            It's pathetic to think that I haven't even had a couple minutes to post my september 12 of 12 let alone all that we have been up to lately...which has actually been quite a bit.  But I don't pretend to understand how the moms do it that have five kids, homeschool, have creative and planned in advance Family Home Evenings, cook elaborate meals, keep up on all their sewing and craft projects, keep an impeccable house, and maintain a regular cooking and personal blog.  Yeah, in my dreams that would be me.  When I get busy sadly the blog is one of the first things that gets shoved aside.  So, here is me attempting to catch you up.  We've got everything from Labor Day to Potato Harvest.
            Before we get to the events, we just wanted to thank everyone out there who remembered us and our little bro, Alex.  The Lord definitely heard all the prayers and fasting in Alex's behalf and that is the only reason that he only stayed a week in the hospital and has no brain damage!  It really has been a miracle to witness.  It will still be a long and rough recovery to the boy but I can't tell you how great it was to have him home and joking around telling stories like same old Alex.  We love you, man.

#1 The morning began with the wind carrying off with my Costco receipt only to land perfectly in the middle of the underside of the car.  Come on!  How in the world am I going to reach that with my stubby arms?
#2 I don't know if that is a happy or mad face Grady is pulling while climbing the tree.  Either way it was funny.
#3 I spent the afternoon with an awesome woman, Wendy Roth.  She reminds me of my dear mother and being far away it is nice to be able to hang out with someone like that!
#4 The mini wheelbarrow equals hours of entertainment
#5 This is Axel's makeshift unibrow that he artistically created this morning using my mascara he found in the car.  Being the awesome mom I am he wore it most of the day.  Mainly cause I found it hilarious.  Hey Bert!
#6 A dancing snowman toy that plays music.  Grady finds it every time he goes to Wendy's and it is definitely a favorite among the kiddos.
#7 Chillin on the grass.  This is a total "enjoying days of summer" picture!
#8 Eli reading Gems of our Valley.  It is amazing to read all the rich history that Grace has.
#9 Brothers having fun on the big wheel.  Axel is such a great big bro.
#10 Me, being a goober to Eli when he was trying to sweep the floor.  I know what is harder to believe me being a goober or Eli sweeping the floor?  Well, they are both regular occurences.  Eli, you are a good man!
#11 A definite "show your prom date" picture.  It's one of my favorites.  The water is cloudy because it is pure soap.  Axel is facinated with lathering Dad's soap.  I expect him to pee pure Dove.  :)
#12 This is what I get to look forward to when Grady eats Frosted Flakes.  Grrr.

Grandpa chillin on the chair for a minute in the cellar.

The beautiful Melissa that I can no longer compete with in best daughter in law cause she drives a windrower and the potato truck.  All I can do is laundry.  Shrug.

Eli showing all the cousins the potato operation

Braxton and Camille not forgetting Grady.

If we get to participate in many more harvests then you will find us living our dream!

Dirt is a boys best friend.  If you wonder where Axe is in all these pictures he made instant friends with Melissa and her little guy Jax.  They were inseparable.  They even rode the tractor with Jarom.  He said it comparable to being stuck in a cage with two monkeys...bare feet and all.  Farm life rocks.

I got to play farm wife right along side Lora as we made all the meals and kept the house managed.   The boys got to know their cute cousin, Ben.  Grady welcomed him in for sure as he kept trying to get a horsie ride from him and was completely frustrated when he wouldn't take his binkie. (Axel took the picture...he's getting good)

A very dirty Grandpa.  This was a regular end of the day sight when we could barely see his eyeballs.

We finally got to take a Harley ride together.  My first ride with all the leathers was awesome!

A historical site along the way...(the statue, not me!)

The diner which apparently was the place for all the retirees to go.  Boy did I get some stares from the older women.  I couldn't tell if it was disapproval or envy at what their younger days used to be like!

yeah, check out the view.

The Bobcat Homecoming game.  I colored the boys hair with finger paint and we had the school spirit baby.  It is nice to finally have a college sports team to route for!

He loves to hang from anything and everything

We commissioned Axe to take the picture...Aaaah isn't it sweet!

So, close we could smell the sweat...or my zoom is really good on the camera.  Either way it was a great game.  We creamed the Bears.

And now for some labor day fun.  Sand Volleyball the event we all wait for in anticipation

The whole fam lovin the yard games

All the kids checking out a burrowing toad under the well. 

Master of the Court

Boche Ball

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August 12 of 12

Yep it is that time of the month again...for 12 of 12 (what were you thinking) aah ha ha ha 

So, here is what you have been missing lately at our house...

1- My morning began to a wake up call of Axel nudging me awake with the words, "Mom, Grady pooped!" That can never be a good sign and it wasn't.  I thought that I was preparing myself for the worst but I wasn't prepared to have to mop my kitchen floor and shampoo my carpet due to my almost two year old having the rocky mountain quickstep BIG TIME.  I will spare you the rest of the gory details.  But I will say that the bissell hand held carpet cleaner is heaven sent and anyone with kids should have one!

2- The regular licking-of-the-Bosch-bowl-session that occurs every time I make something.  This time the batter was brown sugar muffins.

3-The brown sugar muffins as mentioned before.  They are the best!  And a definite contributing factor to my own muffin top!  For good reason since they are divine!

4- Our home-ade podium consisting of the garbage can and the bike pump for the microphone (which even moved up and down).  The purpose of the podium was solely to warm Axel up to the idea of giving his first talk in Primary today but ended up being more fun than expected.  Eli ended up conducting an entire program consisting of: "We would like to welcome everyone out today.  As far as announcements go we will be going to the Malczk's for dinner tonight.  Please bring some peach cobbler.  We will have the opening prayer by Grady and turn the time over to Axel for the lesson."  I was dying laughing.

5-Axel's turn on the podium.  He even had a slip of paper he would unfold to "read" off of.  His "talk" consisted of "and it came to pass Batman and Wolverine fight" or something to that effect.  We closed with a song and a prayer after I gave a "special musical number".  After it was all over, we unanimously agreed that we need a podium for family home evening.  It is a must have after this experience.  

6- The pictures Axe drew for his talk...A CTR shield to stand for what the Holy Ghost helps us do and a smiley face for how we feel when we have the Holy Ghost and a sad face for how we feel when we don't!  He did great on his first primary talk and loved it so much that he had a complete meltdown when we tried to drag him off the podium when his talk was over.  

7- Wolverine using his healing powers on Axel's hurt toe.

8- Playing Batman...Axel's recent superhero obsession

9- The newest additions to our family...bunk beds and a huge yellow slide. We had the brilliant idea to hook the slide to the top bunk and let me tell you the kids haul bum down that baby!  The kids love it and Grady is doing awesome in his big boy bed!

10- Axel's nightly verse reading in his Book of Mormon.  We draw a picture next to the verse after he reads it to help him remember.  He's a boy so naturally he was intrigued with Laban's abrupt end.  

11- Our box of peaches that are the most delicious things ever.  Is it weird that we have been eating them like crazy and still aren't sick of them?  Who buys an entire case of peaches and doesn't can them?  We do!

12- This one catches Grady in the act of taking out his rage on Axel as he is posed to strike him in the head. He often tries to beat on Axe...I remember a time when Grandpa Hubbard came and brought Coke with him.  Axe had a coke and Grady didn't and tried desperately to tackle Axel to the ground to get that Coke.  It was to no avail but you should have seen how red his face got and how loud his grunts of rage were in his attempt.