Christmas Pictures

Today during Carter's nap (yes, December 20), we finally put up our Christmas tree. Let me just say that we'll definitely have to get a much bigger tree next year - this 6 foot one looks so tiny for this house! Carter was being a pretty good sport and was actually wearing his antlers, so I was quick to snap some pictures. We always try to send Derrick's grandmother out of town a family picture for Christmas, even pre-Carter, so I didn't want to fall down on tradition this year. Here's hoping that if I mail it tomorrow, it will make it in time!


My little reindeer


There's my smiling boy


About to rip off the antlers

Just a shot of Carter...looks like he's about to make a break for it

The last shot - he was probably tired of me dancing and singing trying to get him to smile!

The Little Gym

On Saturday afternoon, we attended Emma's 2nd birthday party at The Little Gym. Carter had THE BEST TIME, and Derrick and I kept saying that he thought it was his birthday. He kept up with the big kids so well, and would just run around and do his own thing without even looking for Mommy and Daddy. The instructors there loved him and kept picking him up to help him with all the activities.


Carter by the basketball goal


Oops, fell down...but right back up!


He was quick to grab any stray ball and try to get it in the goal

Check me out!

Climbing up some of the foam structures

Carter doing back flips on the wheel...he was the only kid doing this and kept raising his hands to have the instructor pick him up....literally about 20 times!

Laying on the jumping ramp

Jumping, jumping, jumping bean!

Weekend Pictures

On Friday afternoon, Derrick was going to get the mail and I snapped a couple of pictures of him and Carter. These (though taken from behind where you can't see their faces) just melt my heart. Look at how big my baby is these days! We are working to help him gain more independence, especially before the new baby comes and it's more difficult for me to hold him / do everything for him. I'm trying to remember to have him walk as much as possible, letting him eat with big boy utensils, and we're even starting to expose him to the big boy potty. The things he is able to do never ceases to amaze me....he was helping me throw away trash, pick up toys, and taking items back and forth to Derrick and I all weekend.


Going to get the mail


Surveying the neighborhood


A quick snapshot on the steps

My big stuff wanted to take a real shower with Daddy!

Tub Video

Here's a little video I shot last night while Carter was playing in the tub. I had just asked him a series of questions, and he was babbling on and on....UNTIL I got the camera out. Oh well! He does at least tell you what a dog says and bye-bye :)

Jacuzzi Baby

Since we are moved into the new house but still mainly living out of the master bedroom, Carter got to take a bath in the jacuzzi tub last night. He loved it and didn't want to stop playing long enough for me to wash his hair and get him clean. He has had a runny nose and cough, so I put some vapor bath in there and just sat by him and let him play with toys and stand up and sit down a million and one times.

I remember when he'd cry at bathtime every night when he was just a baby, then I remember his first smiles and splashes in the infant tub....my, how time flies! It is hard to believe that this baby will be a big brother in 3 short months.


Hey Mama...check me out!


He looks so little in the big tub

Reaching for the camera...I just love his pretty eyes and eyelashes!

Failed Christmas Card Attempts

I'm not sure if you remember last year's failed Christmas card attempts or not, but they involved Carter in a Santa suit doing a LOT of crying and pouting under the tree, on the couch, by presents, laying down, sitting up, etc.

This year, we attempted to get a picture of both Carter and Katlin, and really, that was just double the trouble! Neither really wanted to have their picture made or be still, so the best ones are the ones of them individually. To get the 10 decent below pictures, I had to take about 50...


Sitting on the sleigh together but definitely not smiling


Now, Carter is eating an ornament


Smiling but looking far off in the distance instead of AT.THE.CAMERA!

Grumpy pants

Get me off of this thing!

There's my sweet girl - this picture is so cute :)

Carter singing and dancing on the fireplace

Hello babies...up here!

Stop clapping, scoot closer together, and start smiling...PLEASE??

Katlin giving Carter a kiss...she does so by sticking out her tongue. He looks skeptical!

Feeding Himself Jell-O

Carter thinks he is such a big kid when we let him use utensils. I know I have to get better at letting him try to feed himself more often, but it is so much easier if I feed him myself...and way less messy!

I decided to be brave and let him try Jell-O in a cup with a big spoon (he hates using baby spoons these days), and he had the best time.


Look at me mom....still using my hands


I told him to use the spoon, so he just picked it up and licked it!


This is the best morning ever!

Dancing Video

You are in for a real treat...turn up your speakers, smile, and dance along with Carter!

Thanksgiving Continued

This year, we are thankful for so many things. We are thankful for a God who is merciful, forgiving, and kind and who provides for us in just the right way every time. We are thankful for one another, for Carter, and for this new little boy growing inside my belly. We are thankful for our families - parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. We are thankful for our jobs, our home, and our cars. We are thankful for our troops, our freedom, and our ability to worship God without fear of punishment.

It is nice to take the time out each year to recognize all of our blessings, and it is our hope that we will continue to feel the wave of thankfulness as we move past Thanksgiving and keep that spirit alive all year.

For all of our friends and family who read this blog, we are thankful for you and the critical roles you play in each of our lives. We love you!


Decorating the tree at Kelley's


The whole gang minus me and Uncle Jim - we are taking pictures


Derrick & his siblings

Just the girls

Just the boys

It warmed our hearts so much to have Kristi & her kids with us this year. It has been so long since we've all been together, and we relished the time we were able to spend with them :)

Thanksgiving

We had the best Thanksgiving this year and hope you did as well. On Thursday we went and visited with my Aunt Pat's family first then my Aunt Donna's family. We celebrated Thanksgiving with Derrick's family on Saturday, and it was so nice to be able to spend so much time everywhere and not be rushed from house to house like we usually are. I know Carter enjoyed playing with his cousins at each stop as well...he was a trooper and powered through the afternoons with no nap and a smile.


Saturday at Kelley's


Putting up the bride & groom ornament that symbolizes Mommy & Daddy


Say cheese, Carter!

Helping (or hindering!) Pop decorate the tree

Abbi, Len, and Carter at Aunt Donna's house

Santa at Carriage Crossing

On Tuesday, November 24, Santa arrived at the Carriage Crossing Mall via semi-truck...with the Trick my Truck guys. We decided to brave the cold and misty weather and headed over for dinner and a visit with Santa. The restaurant wasn't crowded, so we thought the rain earlier had kept the crowd down, but boy were we wrong. By the time we got a parking space and Santa arrived, the line to see him was about 1,000 people deep. I guess we'll have to see the fat man at the Enchanted Forest again this year!


Carter coloring at Firebirds...I can't believe he's old enough to do this!


Carter on Daddy's shoulders watching people instead of Santa!


The cookie I decorated for Carter that he smeared

The Pennington's

MiMi & Carter

Ducks!

In our new subdivision, there is a playground and duck pond with waterfall. I've been wanting to take Carter to feed the ducks, and last Sunday after church, we were able to go over and enjoy the nice, cool weather and the ducks. Carter kept pointing at them and saying duck, but he didn't want them too close, as evidenced by the 3rd picture below. He absolutely LOVED the little playground, though, so I know it's a place we will spend many hours over the next couple of years with him and baby brother.


Here come the ducks...


Daddy was throwing the bread really close to Carter


Too close, Dad...pick me up!

Carter decided the ducks weren't the only ones who needed a snack

The best family shot we could get that day...Derrick looks mad, my eyes look closed, and Carter isn't even looking at all!