Poppin Wheelies

It has been a busy couple of months for us, and I want to be able to post about everything we have been doing. So this week will be a busy posting week. Instead of posting about the most recent things that have happened with us, I'm going to go back and post things from November first. So to start off I'll highlight Carson.
The day after Thanksgiving I went shopping-of COURSE! When I came home from shopping Carson said he had something he wanted to show me. So he and Ryan take me outside where he hops on his bike. The training wheels are off so I anticipate what is to come. I imagined Ryan would run along beside Carson as he wobbly pedals the bike. Much to my surprise Carson hops right on and takes off...no Ryan trailing alongside. I guess they started working on it together, and Carson didn't need Ryan for long. Carson isn't exactly popping wheelies yet, but he isn't far off. He is so happy about his new accomplishments, and asks every day to go for a bike ride. We have been meaning to do this for a long time, I think he really could have got the hang of it back in the summer but we were so busy with our new baby that we didn't do it then. Congratulations to Carson!

School days

Carson has started kindergarten! His first day was August 19. I can't believe he is in school now and away from me 5 days a week. I thought I would have a really hard time with it and miss him terribly, but I am doing great with it. Not that I don't miss him-I do-but it is nice to have some time with Halli, and to have him learning so many things. One of the first things he has been learning is what to do when someone hits him. He has had someone hit, kick, or push him everyday except yesterday. We are taking some time this weekend to teach him some self defense moves and what to do if someone is beating on him. Here are some photos of his first day of school. It will be fun to watch him grow as we take pictures every year.
On the third day of school Carson got sent to the principal's office! He was helping another kid that was getting picked on at recess, and ended up getting kicked down. He had to go tell the principal what happened. He didn't get in trouble, but I think it is funny he was sent to talk to the principal so soon in his school career.Please excuse the "I'm not yet awake" face I'm sporting...I wanted a picture with Carson and didn't know how "great" I looked!
It makes me a little sad to think of all the fun things Halli and Carson have done together in the past year, and now they won't have all that special time together with Carson in school. They really are best friends! Halli misses Carson, and asks me everyday if she gets to go to school today.

I wanted to establish some back to school traditions we could do every year, and thought long and hard about what to do. Here is what I came up with. The night before school started we put together a little time capsule. I traced Carson and Halli's hands and feet and had them write their names on them. We also used a piece of string and measured how tall they were. Then I recorded some of their favorites. We put them all together and will look at them and how things have changed next year. After school on the first day I took Carson out for ice cream and talked about how things went, his teacher, what he learned about, and about the new friends he met. When we came home we ate muddy buddies. My mom always made those for us on the first day of school when I was growing up. I remember having them every first day from elementary to my senior year in high school. So I will continue on with that tradition. Oh, I also let Carson choose our meal for dinner the night before school started. Of all the things in the world that he could have chosen he picked grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. I think these are all things we will want to continue doing each year...and maybe Carson will choose a more exciting "last supper" next year!

As a side note, Bentley is already 1 month old! I'll post about that in the next couple days!

Super kids

So yesterday Carson and Halli were playing superheros-well spiderman/spidergirl, and they were being so silly. I just had to take some photos of them in action. First here they are as normal people in the everyday world

Mid transformation

And spiderman/girl are here to save the day

Carson and Halli

So after posting about Halli a week or so ago, I realized I hadn't ever put their photos up that my sister took a couple months back. I put 3 of Halli's up in her post, but wanted to put Carson's up too. So here are 3 of our favorites. As soon as I find frames I have a cute idea for all these wonderful photos my sister Aubry took! Thanks again for your fabulous skills sista!

These ones of Halli I took, but just wanted to include some photos of her new favorite thing. She absolutely LOVES this bike! It is the best birthday present I have ever purchased for anyone ever. Definitely worth the money we forked out for it! If it wasn't so darn hot here all day, everyday I'd let her be out riding it more. In the fall we'll be out riding non-stop.
Just a side question for everyone...does anyone have a recommendation for an excellent jogging stroller-probably needs to be a double stroller? I am looking to buy one very soon, and it needs to be able to hold our new infant and Halli. I'm excited to get back to running in the very near future!

T Ball

Carson has been playing T-ball this spring/summer and we have all really enjoyed it. He loves being out there playing, and especially hitting the ball. We have had fun going to the games and watching him. This is the first team sport he has participated in, and we are excited for more sports in the upcoming months and years. Here are a few photos of him in action.Prep talk before his first ever batting. I almost started crying after he hit the ball and started running around the bases-must be the pregnancy hormones. It was really cute though (him batting, not me almost crying!)

The first hit

Running to first base...he was safe.

2nd spring recital

I just finished my second year of teaching piano, and had the big recital. It was pretty good. It was a great evening, and Carson did great. I am so happy with how fast he is learning. I had 12 students this year, and I'm hoping to have at least that many in the fall again! I really enjoy teaching, and helping my students develop a talent and skill! I love my job!

We're Alive

Everytime I think about making a post I just think "what am I going to write about?" There hasn't been too much happening with us. I am just excited the weather is warming up a bit and we don't have to be cooped up in the house all day. I just don't do the cold so we haven't left the house much this winter. We did some yard work this past weekend, and it felt really great to get out and work in the yard again. There is a lot of work to do out there so we'll be spending a lot of time in the yard this spring/summer. I'm excited for the upcoming weeks and months.
Today is a sick day here at home. Carson and Halli both have colds...again. We spent the morning on the couch watching movies. Carson and Halli both got to choose one movie and we just spent too much time staring at the TV, but it was nice not to do anything. I didn't worry about cleaning, laundry, dishes, or anything else on my list of things I need to do. I just had a good time hanging out with the kids, and snuggling with them. I sure love those two, and the wonderful time I get to spend with them everyday. Here they are in their spot this morning.

Finally a Post

I'm finally getting around to posting again....I know it has been way too long. Have I mentioned that we have a problem with our computer, and it won't load photos properly? (I know I have, probably about 20 times!) Well I just never feel like trying to load things, so I just never post. Ryan has been researching our problem though, and thinks he has figured out what is wrong. So...hopefully, with $50 and some new RAM we'll get the little problem fixed and loading photos will be a cinch. I'm hoping to do better at posting and reporting what is happening with us more often (starting next year-when we get the RAM in January).
Life has been rolling on for us. We had a great Thanksgiving here with my sister Lindsey, and her husband Kenny. They got to spend a week with us here in Kansas. Also, Ryan's sister Jenny, and her husband Nick got to come up for the day and hang out and eat with us. We were really sad they couldn't stay longer. We are excited to see them some more at Christmas though. They took the time off work for Christmas rather than Thanksgiving-understandable!
Carson's birthday is this week. Our little boy is going to be 5 years old. I can't even believe it! Speaking of birthdays...my sister Aubry had her little girl on the 3rd of December and she is oh so adorable! So if you know her, or just want to see her cute little Jada Monet (cutest name huh?) go check her out here (I think she is putting up photos tonight....if not, they better be up soon!)
I have still been working on my projects. The years is almost up and I still have a handful of projects to do to make my goal. So...hopefully I can get things together and finish it by the 31st! Here's some of them.
#36 I made some pumpkins for Halloween-don't underestimate how much time it took to cut these out and glue together! It was time consumingI made Carson this cork board to match his room. The photo is supposed to be turned the other way, but oh well-you get the idea. Project #37I made two of these earlier in the year...or maybe it was last year. And I have wanted to make one for myself since then. I finally got around to doing and finishing it. I'll hang it in my kitchen after the holidays are over (I've got something else hanging in it's place for the season.) #38A couple friends and I got together and tied the ribbons on these buckets then made some tags for them. They will be perfect for giving away some goodies this month! #39Ok, I know I still have 13 projects to do in just a couple weeks, but I am determined to get them done. They won't be super time consuming projects, but I'll be reporting my progress as they get completed! Here's to a jam packed month of crafting!

Other October festivities

We took a trip to the pumpkin patch in October and the kids both picked out their own pumpkins. Here are their choices (along with the other pumpkins we purchased).
Here they are in front of the pumpkin patch sign this year

Here they were last year (2009) in front of the same sign. Looks like they've grown!

I made these fun snacks for a party my friend had (AC#33)

Here is another one of the projects I did at the beginning of the month #34

And this is the finished shelf i posted about a while back-I just need to get it on the wall #35

This is the story of a girl (and boy)

There once was a young maiden who was ruler of her castle. Any wish she made was quickly granted. She had the entire household in the palm of her hand.
One lovely summer day she decided to get all dolled up and enjoy a nice afternoon outside. The king and queen thought she look especially nice so decided to take some photos.Princess Halli wasn't happy about it, but her older brother prince Carson got some pictures taken too.Then they had to take some together. She decided it would be better for the pictures if they held hands...at least for one photo.The queen requested that a photo be taken of she and princess Halli. The princess first tried to stand in front of the queen, and after many attempts the castle photographer was able to get a decent shot with Halli beside the queen...not directly in front.Today was going to be a special day for the princess. She had a big party to attend that evening, so she wanted everything to be perfect for it. She demanded that her carriage be cleaned and shined for the big party. Of course she put Prince Carson to working scrubbing and scouring. Once she saw how much fun Carson was having she decided to join in (an apparently do so topless...sorry)After all the hard work she took a break and stopped to smell the roses...or daylilies.Excitement and adventure were on her mind so she decided to try out tree climbing for the first time. She wouldn't let the queen or king tell her climbing was too hard. She went inside and found a box to use as a stool so she could step up into the tree. She found climbing to be exhilarating. Carson was there to make sure she was comfortable.At last it was time to go to the party. Her first item of business was to go on the blow-up toy/slide/maze thingy. She was appalled at the length of the line, and couldn't figure out why there was a delay in excitement. After a horrendous wait (in little princess time) her time arrived to do a run through. It was the most fun she'd had all day!The party continued on. She enjoyed games, treats, prizes, balloons, music, dancing, and face painting. As the sun set in the sky she thought to herself, this has been the most magnificent day I've had all week. She rode off her in carriage, and returned home to rest her pretty little head and get her beauty sleep.

Tanganyika

We went to the coolest zoo yesterday. It is a small private zoo where you can interact with some of the animals. We got to feed and pet lemurs, pet kangaroos, turtles, camels, and giraffes. It is a really cool place-somewhere we will definitely be going again! And if anyone comes to visit us here in Kansas we'll take you there if you want!!! Here are some fun photos.