HELLO FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!

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Thursday, January 24, 2013

Jan. 14

Even though actual party day wasn't until the following Saturday, we still had to make Carter's birthDAY special and great for him!

 He wanted to get dressed in this that morning. It lasted a whole two minutes. =)

Breakfast was cinnamon rolls and eggs.  (I have totally and 100% converted to the frozen rolls, thawed and risen and yummy and delicious that tastes like the real bakery! No more Pillsbury for me!) Kevin was off so he got to enjoy the day with us. AND it so happened that Eli had to stay home sick that day, so we got to have the day together. At first I was bummed cuz it meant we couldn't out that night but it actually turned out pretty nice. 

After I dropped Hannah off at preschool, Mommy came back with a balloon delivery.
 He got to open a gift from a friend
 Lunch was chicken nuggets, apples, and Cheetos.

Tried to get a picture with the birthday boy, but he didn't want to be in it, so I grabbed Hannah instead.
Carter's always asking for Pizza Hut when we drive by so that's what I planned for his dinner.  We brought it home instead. And watched a movie.
A

Another fun day in the books!  =)

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Happy 3rd Birthday, Carter!!

Wow.  I can't believer Carter is THREE!  My YOUNGEST is THREE! My baby, our last.  *sigh*  Things are rapidly changing around here.  There is no more diaper cupboard. No more baby/toddler silverware in the drawer. No cribs. No need for a pack n play, or binkies, or baby monitors. Board books are gradually getting phased out to make room for longer stories. And booster seats are optional (at the table). We are officially making a new step in parenting. Just a taste of the next phase.

But Carter, my sweet Carter. This day is about who HE is and where he's at in life right now as of January 2013.


* Carter is nearly fully potty trained. Except at night, and we don't push that one. He was pretty easy, and the hardest part of it was ME remembering to take him, or ME deciding to stop putting pull-ups on him.  HE did great, and we are all so proud of him!! 
* Carter has never been super verbal.  Chatty and communicates well but not really in fluent sentences or anything, as is familiar with many of our little friends.  (I try not to compare, but sometimes it's hard not to!!) His words and clarity have improved a great deal over the past couple of months though, and he speaks in 4-word phrases at most.
* He has a very delightful and silly personality. Quick to smile and never very serious.  He's shy around strangers sometimes but other times seems he's saying Hi to everyone.
* His very biggest struggle is sharing (imagine that) but he's otherwise pretty obedient and helpful.
* Of the kids, he's one of the biggest eaters. And besides cheese and tomatoes, there's not much he doesn't like.
* He loves cars and trucks and trains and diggers. He's gentle with baby dolls. He loves sledding down the stairs in a pillowcase. He loves the trampoline. He loves books, play dough, helping in the kitchen, or cutting with scissors.  He's a busy little boy indeed!

We are overflowing with joy!!


New Years Weekend

When Christmas with the Brown family was over, we came home ....without kids!!  We try to arrange a kid-free weekend at least once a year sometime roundabouts our anniversary (Jan. 8th) so New Year's weekend it was!

We didn't get anything actually planned, so instead of doing nothing at all, I thought it would be nice to just come home and enjoy the QUIET! Sleep in, get some projects done around the house, see a movie a two, and eat out.  It was all perfect and sooo relaxing!!  Because it was home, it didn't feel like we HAD to be DOING something.  It was very refreshing!!

But we, however, kind of have an inability to be still.  A project came forth.  The living room carpet.  Kevin's been wanting to pull it up since the time we pulled up the office carpet.  But I've been wanting to leave it because I like the neutral color it provides and don't super prefer the bright orange color of that woodwork that's there.  But I finally agreed and we got to it.  

Here's the BEFORE.  It kind of all got a lil makeover.

In process...
staples, staples, and more staples. pulling these was a majority of the work!
 this was just a sample of Phase 1 complete! But more to come...


After a day trip to Nebraska Furniture Mart, phase 2 is complete, and all is done!
(for this time)



 HAPPY NEW YEAR'S!! 

Christmas - Round 3

Being a pastor my dad always works Christmas so we typically travel in and celebrate AFTER the fact.

I do believe Grandpa has finally found his fellow game lover!!
 Present time!

 Love our family so much!! Much to be thankful for!!