Daddy's New Look

First off, I'd like to report that this picture was taken by Carter. He is constantly asking to take pictures on our camera. Funny how I had tried to take a few pictures of Nate so I could show off his new look and Carter's were much better. Our little budding photographer.

Anyway, as you can see Nate is now sporting a beard. It took a few days to get used to it, but I actually quite like it. People from church have made good comments, except for the whole, "he looks like he needs a couple of tattoos with the look". It takes quite a bit more maintenance but I think Nate is enjoying the change.

Craftiness

I wanted to show off my craftiness. We made these signs at a super Saturday activity we had back in October. It just finally got put up on the wall this week. Thanks to Kari for putting all the stuff together for it. I thought it turned out really cute and I'm hoping it will help me remember to have FHE more often.

The Cave

Carter and I have been going to the Museum Center a ton since he loves the holiday train display. However, his new found favorite is "The Cave". This week when we went he was thrilled to discover I just happened to be carrying a flashlight. We went through twice and he begged to go through even more. It might be hard to tell, but it is actually quite dark down there, oh, and wet, and cold. There is even a bat area where you can watch them fly. Fun.

Museum trip

We had a great time as a family going to the museum last weekend. First, we visited Egypt, the camel being the highlight. Then we headed over to the holiday junction for lots of fun train stuff. It is Carter's favorite thing in the museum and he asks to go everyday now that it is here for the holidays. We have yet to see Santa there, but I'm sure I'll have future pics of that.

Carter's Photography

Carter has become a little photographer. He loves to take pictures. He usually just wants me to pose for the camera but he is getting pretty good at it. Here are some of his pics. I just have to hold my breath that he doesn't drop/break the camera. It is weird to actually be in so many pictures. I am usually the one taking them.

Standing on his head

Carter decided to stand on his head while watching TV. He got there all by himself and stayed there for quite awhile. Silly, huh?

We have been enjoying wonderful weather this week. Sunday is a great chance to head to grandma's house and take a tractor ride. Grandpa is pretty much Carter's favorite person right now since he is the one that lets Carter drive the tractor. Notice that he really does steer all by himself most of the time. He can even turn it around by himself. It was fun to hitch up the trailer and all go for a ride in the hay field together. So Kentucky, huh!

Nate's New Hobby

Nate found a new hobby a couple of weeks ago and he has already bought about 15 discs. Disc golf is the new popular sport in our ward and there are tons of courses around here, including one about a mile from our house. It is a fun social thing for Nate to do with the boys and it is much gentler on his back than softball or the demolition derby. Too bad he picked it up right before winter. He is already planning for next year. Oh, and obviously this isn't him. We don't actually have any pictures of him playing.

Halloween

Halloween was so much fun this year. It was our first official trick or treat with Carter. He loved it. We invited a friend over and she brought her two kids as turtles. Carter loved being a bunny. He hopped up to each house and said trick-or-treat. He even kept his ears on for over an hour. I was surprised. Thanks goes to Erika for letting us borrow the costume. She wore it when she was little.

More Landscaping

Well, I think Nate is finally done with landscaping. We are all relieved although Carter will miss being outside with daddy all day long. Notice the paver sidewalk. Many hours were put in and I think many pills were taken (for Nate's back!). It looks great!

Landscaping

Nate has been busy landscaping our front yard. He built this wall from rocks he hauled from his grandparents creek and planted a tree and some other plants. He is now working on a paver sidewalk next to the driveway and another area for a tree and some other plants. It looks so great. Can't wait till it is finished.

Family Pictures

Here are a couple pictures from our shoot with Kristin this summer. Carter was not very cooperative, but I think we got a few good ones anyway. This is my favorite family picture. Thanks Kristin!

WINNER!

I actually won something. My library called today to say that I won the drawing for summer reading this week. A $15 gift certificate to Kroger. Considering I only entered for one book, I was pretty excited. I wasn't even going to put my name in but I happened to be standing right next to the booth once. You get to put your name in every time you finish a book. I guess it can pay off. Yeah for me!

Swing Batter

We bought a baseball tee for Carter and he absolutely loves playing with it. We collected a bunch of house friendly balls so that he could practice in our living room. He definitely enjoys it most when Daddy is playing with him. Here's a cute video of his efforts.

Water Fun

We got a slip and slide for Carter to play with. He's not the best at it but he sure loves it. Luckily we have a great hill on the side of our house that helps him get to the bottom.

Saturday again

Here they are mowing the lawn last saturday. Carter loves it.

Saturday is a special day...

Every Saturday Nate goes out and mows the lawn. Carter always wanted to be outside helping so we went ahead and got him his own lawnmower. He loves it. It blows bubbles too. So every Saturday I trek outside to keep an eye on him while he mows the lawn with Daddy. He is such an outdoor kid! He is also happy to head out with a shovel for the dirt or a bat/club and ball.

Our Cutie!

Some silly pictures of our little boy. The top one he was sitting for a haircut. I don't think his hair had ever been that long before.

Granny and Grandpa's visit

We had such a great time with granny and grandpa in May. We were busy going to the museum center, seeing the airplanes, walking across the bridge, going to the park, and of course shopping. We were able to cover my dining room chairs (which we love!). Thanks mom and dad! We wish you could visit more often. Too bad I did a terrible job taking pictures.

Take me out to the ball game...

So, I have a bit of catching up to do, so I thought I'd start a couple of months ago. We went to the Reds stadium for a Shriner's Employee appreciation day. We had a great time. They let us visit the dugout and go through the musuem they have there. Carter loved it. He is definitely going to be a ball player. We actually just bought him a baseball tee yesterday so he can start practicing for tee ball.

Go Hospital

Carter periodically asks to go to the hospital. I think it must stem from the fact that he likes firetrucks and ambulances and we have a firefighter friend that lets us visit the firestation and climb in the trucks. So I decided to explain to him that you only go to the hospital if you are sick or hurt really badly. Shortly thereafter he began telling me " I sick mommy, how about go hospital". Here he is on Easter in the back of the ambulance. (Thanks Matt!)

Carter really enjoys the outdoors. We started heading over to the park to play in the sand volleyball courts and he loves it. I have collected quite a few sand toys. He is equally as happy in the dirt, mud, or water.

One of Carter's favorite things to do is climb in his toy box. Of course he usually dumps all of his toys out of it first. And it is always more fun with a friend.

A little of what's happening this week

Well, I haven't posted in forever so instead of trying to back track I thought I would go ahead and start with what is happening this week. Carter and I went to the Conservatory with friends and saw the butterfly exhibit. It was a lot of fun, but Carter really just liked this fountain the best.

For some reason the park seems to be so much more fun with Daddy. I certaintly don't go down the slides with Carter. We have been enjoying the nice weather by walking and being at the park almost everyday.

This is at my friend Erika's house. Her boys love fireman gear because their daddy is a firefighter. They have tons of dress up and they love to run around fighting fires.

It was actually so nice today that we had to turn on the air conditioning and break out the hose. Carter had a blast.

Granny's House

Carter and I had so much fun in California. He was such a trooper. He did absolutely great on the airplane and has asked to go get on another airplane several times since we got back. He also asks to go to Granny's and feed the ducks about every day. It is amazing how fun something as simple as feeding the ducks can be when we are buried in snow here in Kentucky. I loved these pictures of the cousins. The kids all played so well together.

Happy Birthday Carter!

We have had birthday celebrations for Carter for the last two weeks. It has been so much fun and he has loved getting so many presents. Here is a classic--his attempt to blow out the candle on his cake.

Train Cakes!

This is the cake that I made for our party here in Kentucy.
These are the cupcakes I made for the party we had for Carter at Granny's

This is the one my mom made--for her, Carter and Kara

Carter is all about trains right now. Here are the cakes/cupcakes from all three of the birthday parties he had. He loved them all. He seems to think he has a birthday every week. Wouldn't that be nice.

Emily and Zoe's visit

It was so much fun to have Emily and Zoe visit. We went to Sears and got the cutest pictures taken of them together. It is fun to have a cousin come and visit us. We look forward to seeing them again in April (I think).