She's soooo funny!!

I decorated Lexie's bathroom a couple of days ago. When I went in there this evening, I noticed she had made a few changes. She cracks me up!!

It was supposed to read "SNOW". I took the "I" off before I took the picture; she changed it to "I SLOW."

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

We went to Silver Dollar City over the weekend. I love going there at Christmas time because I love the lights. I wish I had enough time and energy to put lights like that on my house. When we got to Branson on Saturday, we decided it was way too cold to go to SDC. We just hung out and tried to find things to do to keep us entertained. (That is not normally a problem, but traveling with a baby made it quite difficult.)


The weather was much better on Sunday. We had a really good time. Carter liked all of the lights, and Lexie liked the short lines for the roller coasters. Carter fell asleep right before the light parade, so he will have to catch it next time. I can't wait to watch him watch the lights. The season is so much more magical with a little one around. Every thing is new and exciting. I remember watching Lexie's face light up at Christmas when she saw the lights on the tree and it was okay to rip paper. I can't wait to experience it all again.



Lexie is smiling in this picture, but she was thinking, "Mom put down the camera and help us think of something to do."






Carter was playing in the suitcase. Out of all of the things in the suitcase, he pulled out his two swim trunks. He carried them all over the hotel. I think he was trying to give us a hint of something we could do.






The Petting Zoo consisted of two goats :-(



Carter liked the Saloon Show. (He LOVES pretty girls!) This was my first year to see the Christmas Saloon Show. Something always happens and I miss it. One year Lexie and I stood in line forever to see it. Then when we finally got in and sat down, she leaned over and said, "Mom. I have to go to the bathroom." We had to leave the show before it even started. Fun times!! (I am sure she doesn't mind me posting that story. She tells it every year at Christmas when we pass the Saloon.)



Carter's first time to see Santa.


The good big sister is helping Carter put is letter to Santa in the mailbox.

I plan on keeping her locked up until she's 35.

I love the lights!!

First Haircut

Carter got his first haircut today. I was not ready to let him look like a big boy, but I must say I do like the way his hair looks. A bloggy/bunco buddy told me that her sister cuts hair, and they have an airplane for kids to sit in. They also have a TV for kids to watch. I was thrilled that I didn't have to take a road trip for a haircut. She did an amazing job! As you can imagine, cutting a 10 month old boy's hair requires patience. She did not mind chasing his head around as he turned to look at everything in the salon. She will be his hair stylist for many years to come. (If you are interested, her name is Heather and she works at The Kutting Crew in Farmington. It is not very far off of 540. I think they also had a pink, glittery chair for girls.)

***Notice: In some of the pictures you will notice a very large scratch on Carter's face. I promise I did not beat him. Tuesday, he fell and landed on a plastic food storage container. I have come to the realization that no amount of baby proofing is going to be good enough!!

Before Pictures

The Cut

The cape says "Baby's 1st Haircut." I thought that was a nice touch.

She's showing him his hair.

After pictures

I'm Giving In!

Monte and I have discussed (a lot) Carter getting his hair cut. Monte wants in done yesterday, and I wanted to wait until after his first birthday. I just think little boys look like big boys after they get their hair cut, and I want Carter to stay my baby forever. I love the way the hair sticks out over his ears when it's not tucked behind his ears, but Monte does not. (I think he looks like a cool surfer/skater dude.) Well today when he was eating lunch, I looked at him and I all I could think was, "He looks like Joe Dirt." You see, Carter has a mullet. Also, his bangs are in his eyes when I don't push them to the side. So, I am giving in. I will allow a small trim.
For his first cut I want to take him to one of those really cool kids places where the kids sit on horses or in race cars, but I can't find one around here. If any of you know of one, please let me know. I am willing to travel to Tulsa, Kansas City, etc. (Not just for the cut, we can make a weekend getaway out of it.)
Also, where do you get your kids' hair cut around here? I am pretty sure Carter is not going to sit still, so I need somebody that can cut a very active little boy's hair.

Ready for Christmas!!

As you can tell by my new background, I am ready for Christmas!! I am hoping to get my decorations out and start putting them up this week. We are also planning to go to Silver Dollar City if the weather is not too bad. I love all of the lights. I normally get pretty down this time of year. The trees look sad and less sunshine just depresses me. I hate the end of fall and winter, but Christmas makes me happy, so I decided to decorate early this year. Plus I will have to take the decor down early to get ready for Carter's birthday party, and I want to enjoy them as long as possible.

AND... Starbucks is now using their Christmas cups; that always makes me happy :-)

One Year Ago

One year ago today was when I had my car accident. (My very minor car accident that turned into a big deal.- click here for a link to the post about it) It was one of the scariest times in my life. Thanks to an ignorant teenage driver, my precious baby almost came 2 months early. I am so thankful that I ended up carrying him to full term. I have read several blogs lately about babies that didn't make it, and I feel so blessed that Carter was a healthy baby. Carter has brought so much joy and happiness to our family, and I can't imagine not having him. His laugh, smile, and growl make us laugh. It is impossible to not smile when you are around him. I thank God every day for giving him to us.

My how he's changed in 10 months!

More Birthdays!!!

I think we have finally hit the end of the birthday train in my family (until January). My nephew Zane's birthday was Oct. 29, my niece Lydia's was Nov. 1, my birthday was Nov. 2, and my little brother Matt's was Nov. 4. That is a lot of cake!!

Happy Birthday Zane

"Hey Zane, can I have some of that? Obama won, so you have to share it!"

Zane had a great birthday party. As I mentioned before, his parents had a haunted trail ride. It was so much fun. Several of the adults got to hang out in a field and try to scare little kids all night. I was dressed in a long dark robe, and I wore an ugly old woman mask. One of the kids punched my in the chin when I jumped out and grabbed him. Don't worry, I'll get him back next year.

To end the festivities my BIL played doctor with me. Get your mind out of the gutter, that's not what I meant. My BIL is a doctor, and he took my stitches out for me :-) Thanks Jared!

Happy Birthday Matt (and me)

After church on Sunday, we went home and I opened my presents from Monte, Lexie, and Carter. Later we went to my parents house for a party for my little brother and me. It was a lot of fun. Yesterday, my mom took me shopping for my birthday. We had a great day! I love getting to spend the day with my mom. I really missed it when I lived in Cali. For those of you who don't know-- I am a mommy's girl. Plus, she likes me best ;-) Just kidding.

My precious babies and me


My two main men (Carter's shirt says "Mommy's Little Man")

Carter was a good helper when it came time to open gifts.

my sibs and me-- I really miss Dan's Village People moustache.

My grandma made this banana split cake. OMG, it was yummy!!

Happy Birthday Matt!!

I am posting this picture as proof that Matt has more hot air than I do. If you look closely you can see that he has already blown out his candles and I am still working on mine.

Monte's parents got me this wonderful pair of pliers to use when I open cans.

Happy Birthday Lydia
Lydia's party was last night. I can't believe she is already a year old. (Click here to see the post when she was born.)

Angie, Lydia, and Jared

The cake-- isn't it beautiful!

Lyddie liked the cake. At one point she was licking the icing right off the cake. It was so cute. I didn't get a picture, but look at my sister's blog. I am sure she will post a pic.

Carter liked the cake also. He's like Mikey, he'll eat anything.

Bye-bye House!

Yay, it's official. (Well for a week now.) We sold our California house. It has been such a headache. With the terrible real estate market, I was beginning to wonder if it was ever going to sell. Now that we don't have that burden, hopefully we will be able to buy a house here next summer. Fortunately, we found a great house to lease for a year when we moved here. If it had at least one more bedroom and a 3 car garage, it would be exactly what we are looking for. It has a huge backyard and it's in a nice neighborhood. I am just ready to paint some walls. I keep seeing on other blogs that people are painting their walls beautiful colors, and I am getting jealous. Beige walls aren't bad, but I want some serious color.

Finally, Halloween Pictures

We had a great Halloween. We didn't make many stops, but we did manage to see most of our family. Lexie and my nieces and nephews trick-or-treated in my parents' neighborhood. Carter trick-or-treated for a little while, and he loved it. He really enjoyed seeing all of the kids running around. He is also quite the little ham, so he loved it when people smiled at him. The sound of candy hitting his pumpkin also made him happy. Speaking of pumpkins (the plastic candy holding kind)... Carter drug his around for weeks. He would put toys in it. It was his favorite toy. But, on Halloween, he wouldn't touch it. Monte had to carry it for him.
Lexie enjoyed getting to run around the neighborhood in the dark with her cousins. She wore tall boots with heels, and I must say she walked very well in them. (She takes after her mom; no heel is too high!) She looked way too beautiful in her costume.(She was Bat Girl.) I think next year I am going to make her be an ugly, warty witch.
Carter was a koala bear. Lexie gave me the idea for his costume. One day when I was holding him, she said, "He looks like a koala." (He wraps his arms and legs around me when I hold him.)


I just love his mischievous smile in this picture.


At first, Carter liked to feel his furry ears.


First stop: Brian and Melonie's (with Jim and Deanna)
Cadence was dressed as Mariposa (a butterfly Barbie). This was Carter and Chandler's first Halloween.


Next stop: My parents' house (we met up with my sibs here)



This is my brother Dan. We can't wait every year to see what crazy costume he comes up with. This year he was the biker from the Village People. He even shaved his goatee into a funky moustache. He goes all out!!

"Do you think I'm sexy?"

This is Dan's family. Obviously they are extremely easy going to put up with my brother!

This is my nephew Harrison. He is Indiana Jones. This little guy is awesome! He is always telling me tips on how to be brave. (H's brother Zane went to a sleepover, so I don't have any pictures of him. )

"So what do you think of the whole candy thing?"

Lyddie was a beautiful ballerina.


Carter grabbing some goodies.

My nephew Colin (Spider man) went trick-or-treating with the big kids!!

Lexie went to a school dance Saturday night. She was a finalist in the costume contest. (A Twister Board won.)