31 Years Young

Yep, I turned 31 years old this week!  I really cant imagine I am any older then 25, but everyone else tells me different.  My birthday was definitely one of my least favorite days I have had in a while.  On Sunday, Kinley threw up twice.  We didn't think much of it since she was acting normal, so we just figured it was something she ate.  Well, when I woke up on Tuesday morning, I knew it was the stomach bug.  By late morning, I had to call Tim home from work so he could pick Carter up since I was throwing up.  It was a horrible day.  The next day I woke up on my birthday, feeling just as weak and exhausted.  This was the day Carter decided to start throwing up.  Lovely!  So, no fancy dinner or cake.  I told Tim he got off pretty easy this year!  The boys tried to make it as good a day as possible, but I was just ready to get it over with!  Here's hoping this year gets nothing but better!   

My Little Ham

This girl cracks me up!  She is so stinking adorable.  She loves to dress up all day long.  Love this little girl!

Seeing the East

Knowing we are going to be moving this summer, we are trying to see as much as we can on the East while we are here.  This past Saturday, we decided to hit up the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum outside of DC.  This place was amazing!  It was so huge, with so many neat planes and other things to see.  Carter loved it, even though it doesn't look like it in the pictures.  My favorite thing was seeing the Discovery Space Shuttle.  I was so impressed with seeing something so huge that had been in space, in person!  They had the aircraft's split up by which war they were used in.  Probably the most impressive was seeing the plane that dropped the atomic bomb in Hiroshima.

After the museum, we decided to drive down into the heart of DC and check out the Catholic Basilica.  This church is the largest Catholic Church in North America, and one of the 10 largest churches in the world.  It was seriously impressive!  The kids even seemed to be in ahhh looking at everything.  The Church felt like it went on and on.  I could not believe how many different rooms there were.  It was also hard to believe how tiny little tiles were put together to make amazing pictures.  If you ever find yourself in DC, this is a must stop.  Even if you are not a religious person, it will blow you away! 

And, of course we had to stop on our way home from some Andy Nelson's BBQ.  What a great end to the day!

Christmas 2013

Christmas 2013 was a nice quiet day hanging out with our little family.  Carter got to decorate cookies to leave out for Santa at the neighbors house before bed.  He was so excited to leave out cookies and carrots for the reindeer.  Carter slept in till 7:00, which was amazing!!!  We had to wake up Kinley for the big day, but she was ok with that.  The kids got right to work opening presents and seeing what Santa had left them!  Tim and I tried to drag out opening the gifts as long as we could, but it gets harder and harder every year.  The kids were incredibly spoiled by family, and spent the rest of the day playing with all their goodies.  

Merry Christmas!!! 

Parties!

With Carter's birthday being so close to Christmas, we tend to have a few different days where we celebrate his special day.  On the 14th, we had what he calls his fake birthday.  He got to invite some of his preschool friends over to play Beyblades and have snacks and cupcakes.  This little boy loves having his friends over.  It is cute to see him interact with the kids he spends so many days during the week with.  

On Carter's real birthday we had planned to go to New York.  So the day before, Tim and I took him to the movies to see Despicable Me 2 while Kinley stayed with Lilly.  We got home very late from Melissa's house, but we let him open all his presents since we were not going to be home the next day.  He loved seeing all his goodies, and was so excited about all his new toys.  When we woke up the next morning, we decided to ditch the New York trip since a big rain storm was headed that way.  Carter was more then happy to find out he wasn't sitting in the car all day!  So, he just got to play with all his new toys for the day!

Happy Birthday Carter Joseph!  I can't believe you are such a big boy already!!!!

  

5th Birthday

Dear Carter,

Today you turned 5 years old!  It is hard for me to believe that you have been around for 5 years, and sometimes I can't remember what life was like 5 years ago.  I can tell you it sure wasn't as good as it is now!!!  You make our family so happy, and we are beyond blessed to call you our little man!  

You love to get up early, and sneak into my room to steal the ipad.  You will watch your favorite shows on Netflix while Mommy and Daddy sleep in a bit.  You also love to get outside and play any chance you get.  You are obsessed with the weather, and that is the first thing you check in the morning.  You always report to me if it is going to be sunny, cloudy, raining, etc.  You love to play with Kinley, especially chasing and hiding.  You love to watch football with your Daddy, and your favorite team is the Seahawks!  

Today I looked at you and told you I wasn't ready for you to go to Kindergarten next year.  I said maybe I would just keep you home with me.  Your response "Mom, you have to let me go.  There is so much that I have to learn at school."  Sigh, you are wise beyond your years little man!

Thank you for choosing me to be your Mommy Carter.  I could not imagine a more loving, caring, or spunky little boy!!  I love you with all my heart Carter Joseph.  Happy Birthday!!!!

Love, Mommy  

18 Months

Kinley had her 18 month check up today.  And, no big surprise here, but she is perfect!!!

Weight: 22 pounds (10-25%)

Length: 31.9 inches (50-75%)

Look at those numbers!  What a stud she is!!!  She had to get one shot, and she didn't even flinch!  Proud Mommy moment right there.

She is going to have to get surgery to fix her laryngomalacia, which we will probably schedule to have done before we move to Montana in May.  We might be dreading that just a little bit...

Kinley is such a joy to us.  18 months is one of my favorite ages, and I just want to soak up all her goodness.  She is starting to talk a lot, and constantly trying to keep up with Carter.  She stands in the bathroom when she has to go potty and calls me.  If I get her on the potty, she will actually go!  We love you Kinley Grace, you are amazing!!!!  

CHEESE!!!!