logan and carter

christmas morning

christmas eve

On Chrismas Eve Charlie's parents and Chris, Lynn and Braxton came over for dinner and gifts. Charlie cooked! Carter got a big soft Lightning McQueen blanket, clothes, a spy kit and more. Logan got a little computer to use while Mommy's working on her's, clothes, blocks and more. Before heading off to bed (and getting out two or three times...) Carter made Santa a cup of chocolate milk and put out a cookie for him with a note.

he's totally faking...so silly!

merry christmas!

Hope everyone had a merry Christmas! I'll get some pictures together of Christmas Eve, Christmas morning and Christmas day this week.

naughty or nice?

What a week we've had! Santa, I hope your checking up on the blog! You'll have to check your list to see who's been naughty and nice...

Here goes! Monday after school I ran to Jewel to pick up some groceries with the boys. Long story short, Tuesday night there was a lemon in Carter's coat pocket. Apparently he didn't know we pay for things we want from the grocerty store and had a craving for lemon pie he thought I could make with him. I suppose we've never really talked about purchasing things with money before or the fact that I don't know how to make a lemon pie! Well, we've talked about stealing and buying things with money now and I think he's learned his lesson. Wednesday, Carter brought the lemon back to Jewel with some change from his piggy bank. He approached the Customer Service counter by saying "Hi my name is Carter and I'm sorry I put this lemon in my pocket but I have money now. I want to buy it." She counted out 4 quarters from his money and told him she'd get him some change and a receipt. Thank goodness she used her own Preferred Card out of the kindness of her heart, because otherwise that little lemon would have been 95 cents! She handled it nicely and reminded him that he can't take anything from any stores without paying. As we walked out of the store he must have told three people "Look I have a lemon and a receipt!" Yep, that receipt is going in his scrapbook for sure! The lemon on the other hand...

THEN, Wednesday night we visited Santa at the mall and finished up some Christmas shopping. We didn't get home until just before nine, so Charlie tucked the boys in bed, or so we thought....We assumed Carter was reading in his room and going to call me for his last story, however he was going to town in the bathroom with a jar of Desitin! Yep, Desitin! He was absolutely covered from head to toe -- hair, eyelashes, belly button, all the way down to his toes, seriously EVERY INCH of his body -- in that thick thick thick white cream. After the initial shock of it all, an hour and a half in the shower and two calls to poison control Carter says "Mom, I've never been to the circus before. I couldn't sleep and I wanted to be a clown." Then he tells me "I know it was bad, but did it make you laugh just a little?" I was too shocked and scared about it being EVERYWHERE and so close to his eyes that I didn't grab my camera to capture the memory.

Carter better watch out! Santa Claus is coming to town...

my little artist

While I graded papers tonight, Carter wanted to do some "homework" too. He sat for the longest time drawing, adding so many details to this picture. Can you tell who he drew? It's Charlie! He kept going and going...Oh, you have ears! Oh, yeah, and you have glasses! And hair on your chin! And, on and on, detail after detail. Don't you love how Charlie's arms and legs come straight from his head! Next time I'll mention that Daddy does have fingers and toes! I love it!

santa and his reindeer

santa and his reindeer

the snowman

here he is...

let it snow, let it snow

After school we went out in the backyard for a little bit. FINALLY a chance to play in the snow! Carter pulled his sled around, threw snowballs, and made snow angels. Logan on the other hand wouldn't even venture out the back door with all his snow gear on. I finally picked him up and brought him out but he stayed in my arms the whole time. Carter and I couldn't coax him down! He's like Mommy, he'd rather be in the sand and sun, splashing in a pool! My summer baby and my snow baby:

i'm not going out there...

carter's wearing my scarf...pink!

putting up the christmas tree

Over Thanksgiving break the boys helped put up the Christmas tree. I wasn't sure how Logan would react since he was so little last year and I didn't want him taking down or breaking any ornaments, so I wanted him to be part of the decorating! He was so funny - he thought every round ornament was a ball to throw (and actually, still does) and he loved the empty boxes! Since that day we've only had one break...I think he learned his lesson. He loves to sneak behind the tree (so cute when he's caught!) and sit in the corner looking at the lights and what few and least favorite ornaments are on the back of the tree. Carter amazed me, he remembered so many of the ornaments as we unwrapped them and got so excited over certain ones. The tree looks more beautiful then ever, even with more than a few clumped together on one branch thanks to Carter! He did a great job putting the star up on top with Daddy! Everyday after school Carter turns on the tree lights - he says it's his "job."

do you see him back there...so sneaky sitting there in the dark watching the pretty lights!

the first snow

This morning we woke up to lots and lots of snow. It started last night just before dinner. At bedtime Carter wanted his blinds open so he could watch it coming down. He got to wear his boots today! He helped Charlie this morning - he brushed the car off while Daddy shoveled the driveway.

He's been waiting and waiting for the stuff to stick and be deep enough to play in! After school I tried to put Logan in the sled and have Carter pull him in the yard once or twice around, but Logan wanted nothing to do with it and stomped off to the garage for the basket ball! So, I pulled Carter a couple laps around the tree in the front yard shouting "wheeeeee!" to get Logan's attention but he didn't care so we headed inside - I was cold anyway and they both have runny noses! It was just too cold once Charlie got home to even go out for a little bit tonight. Maybe another day! This is the first snow...

(the pictures aren't very good...i took them from inside through the window! it was cold!)

holiday photo session

Here are some pictures from our annual trip to Picture People for holiday photos. It was, to say the least, an adventure to get a shot of Logan, especially once we wanted to try to get some pictures of the boys together. Hooray for no sitting fees, coupons, free photo sheet promotions, and patient photographers! It amazes me after the fact how many really do turn out ok. Take a look!

big brother kisses...
logan's getting away....again!

no one's looking at the camera....again!

our elf family

check out our elf family...
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9575495792

happy birthday carter!

Happy birthday Carter! Tomorrow Carter offically turns four! What a big boy! Remember when...

november 2003

november 2004 first birthday

november 2005 second birthday

november 2006 third birthday

november 2007 fourth birthday

Yep that's Carter, four years ago we brought home our first baby boy weighing seven pounds, eleven ounces and just 20 inches long! My how time flies.

Sunday we had the family over to celebrate Spiderman-style. Carter screamed and cheered with extreme excitement for each and every gift he opened, from golf clubs to football gear, pajamas to clothes, books to movies and more! Once he finished opening presents he insisted on wearing his new Bears jersey, helmet and pants and even wanted to wear it all again on Monday. He took some time to play with everything he got. He had such a fun-filled day. We were so happy to celebrate! Here are a couple pictures from the party.

evan

Here are some pictures from last weekend, or was it the weekend before...I don't know. Anyway, when we went to Grandmas last and saw Evan. Isn't he cute when he's sleeping!

sleep + smile + bubbles = cutest moment ever!