Cousins

Chase likes attention no matter the source. Cade really wanted to hold him, so we sat him down with all the mommies closely watching. My camera (err...camera skills or lack thereof) didn't even come close to catching how fascinated Cade was by Chase. Chase cooed and talked to Cade and was pretty laid back about the whole thing. Carter came over to see what had all the moms' attention but I couldn't get her to stick around for a nice picture...still on camera strike and no good bribes in site.

Christmas Eve at Gramma and Grampa's

We had dinner on Christmas Eve at my parents house along with my sisters family. I managed to lose my camera on Christmas so these were the only pictures I got of the unwrapping chaos. Carter really liked wearing her Santa hat. I'm still rather sad about missing all the pictures on Christmas, but I'm glad I got these.

All the little kids tearing open the presents. Carter and Chase both got some wonderful gifts. Dress up clothes were a favorite on Carters list among books, new clothes, blocks and other toys. She received quite a great haul. She's so lucky to have such a large loving family. Chase isn't quite old enough to get into the spirit just yet, but his parents were very grateful for the additional new clothing, toys, etc... Surprisingly no diapers for Christmas. I think news of my enormous stash has been leaked (He's ready to move into size 3 diapers but I bought WAY too many size two's and I'm trying to figure out how to either return them or get him to squeeze into them for another month. Ha.)

Play dough

Carter loves playing with play dough. I found a great fast recipe online and we spend hours playing with the stuff. Carter likes me to make her a bird nest that she fills up with round "eggs". She also really likes using the rolling pin, cookie cutters and a fork for whatever reason.

Having Blake come play too is just icing on the cake.

Graduation!!

My cousin Wynne graduated from nursing school this December. It's been a long hard road for her and I'm so proud of her. However eye surgery the day before the party (not her fault since the party was a "surprise") might have been a bit much. She wasn't feeling too hot. However, we were glad to all come together to celebrate her accomplishment. Aunty put a lot of work into the party and it was a nice get together right before Christmas.

Chase enjoyed all the attention....

Carter was in her hide from the camera mood, but I did sneak one in. She loves parties. I can get her to do almost anything (including curling her hair) if I tell her we're going to a party. Her favorite part of this party was all the cookies!

Visiting

I got Chase all dressed up warm to go see Gramma. The weather has been so darn cold and I thought Chase looked so cute in his little snow suit.

I think Gramma enjoyed holding Chase!

Yummy

Chase has discovered that he really likes to suck on his fist, although his fingers are a close second.

Uncle

Chase wasn't nearly as impressed with Uncle Clint as Carter was.

Tummy Time

Chase is growing so fast...I just put away the 3-6 month size baby clothes and broke out the 6-9 month size. They actually fit pretty good! At his two month doctor's appointment, Chase was 90 th percentile for height and weight. Yah, no kidding. My arm muscles are struggling to keep up with him. He's mostly a pretty happy baby, lots of smiles and lots of talking. The last couple nights he's slept through the night, although his idea of bright and early is WAYYY earlier than mine. He's generally up, bright eyed and bushy tailed at 4:30 or 5 am. If I'm lucky, he'll go back to sleep by 7 and I've got an hour or two before Carter gets up. Some days, it's just a really long day.

I'm actually really enjoying my little boy and despite my earlier misgivings when I found out I was pregnant, I'm glad he's here. He's added so much to our lives already.

Playing with Brother

My sister sent over a little play mat for Chase. He's just started grabbing at stuff and is fascinated with the little frog that rattles. (He's even more fascinated with the wicker basket that right next to where I change him) It's a great place to lay him down for a few minutes and it keeps him happily occupied...for a bit anyway. Carter occasionally likes to join him!

Carter hiding under the frog...I had to bribe her with marshmallows so that she would show her face and smile. Grrr! I'm sure I set a bad precedent for future pictures....

Chase really likes getting attention from his sister and loves it when she plays him. Good thing she really likes him too!

First Tricycle

While Gramma Howell was here, she picked up a little trike for Carter. She rides it every where. It really cracks me up when she follows me around on her trike trying to help me out without getting off. She loves the little basket in the back and keeps it filled up with trinkets and whatever. She particularly likes to put Hadley's dog bones in there so that the dog will follow her around.

She spends part of the day racing around the kitchen wheeling around as fast as she can. I'm constantly tripping over her or that trike. It's great to watch her having so much fun.

Good Charlie Brown Tree

After Thanksgiving, Robert took Carter and Gramma Howell out to cut down a Christmas tree. They found a great little cedar tree that made our house smell so good. I love real Christmas trees with lots of character. Plus I think going out and hunting down just the right one is part of the fun. Carter had a great time helping decorate it and loves to change the ornaments around every chance she gets. I just hope she doesn't knock it down before Christmas.

Wednesdays

Wednesdays are quickly becoming one of my favorite days of the week. Vashti's been coming over after school to help me out, play with Carter and give Chase some attention. Some days Blake comes along too which is nice since she plays with Carter and I get a chance to visit with Vashti. It's a great time for me to catch up on cleaning, get dinner going or just spend time with which ever kid thinks they need more attention. The picture above Blake is taking Carter sledding. She'd had the sled in the house for weeks hoping for enough snow and someone to go with her. She was so excited when Blake offered to take her.

Vashti has been a great help and I've really enjoyed having her come over. Chase loves getting attention and it's a big help to me to have someone holding him while I race around trying to get caught up on stuff. I really appreciate how she is willing to do whatever I need help with. Last week, Vashti and Blake came over along with Sterling and Chance. It was quite a houseful. Lots of commotion but it's great for Carter and I even find that I enjoy the lively chaos. (Especially since I know it's only for a short time before everyone has to go home!) Robert's been wonderful about picking the kids up from the bus and taking them home at night. It makes a nice break in the week for me and I find myself counting the days until Tuesday when I have a playdate with my sister or these Wednesdays.

Chase looked so peaceful!

Pictures of Chase by Carter

I let Carter take some pictures last week when we were running out of things to keep a busy 3 year old busy on a cold day. She about a hundred pictures, mostly of the Christmas tree and Chase. It was fun for about an hour...

Chase's hand on mom

Big yawn!

Titan, the Christmas Pony

I knew it was only a matter of time before Carter got her first pony...although Titan isn't exactly a pony. Robert took him over to Gramma Aunty's for her first riding lesson. I think Carter had a ball and can't wait for her next ride. The snow hasn't helped in that department. Now we just need to find a saddle where she can actually reach the stirrups! All Carter could talk about all day was riding Titan, so when Robert got home, he got everyone loaded up and headed over to Aunty Linda's. She loves teaching kids how to ride and is very good at it. ( I can still remember riding with her when I was a kid...Keep your heels down! Sit up straight! Don't drop your reins! Stop sneezing!) Aunty also has a lovely arena for working with horses and kids of all ages.

Titan apparently was a Boy Scout horse for several years and seems really good with Carter. He needs some grub and a little love. Sounds like he's 22 or so but should be a nice starter horse for Carter and maybe Chase in a few years.

Carter riding around with Dad riding Picky. She's a long ways from riding all by herself, but you have to start somewhere. She really loves horses so we're doing our best to foster it and make darn sure she is safe and doesn't get hurt.

Carter posing with Gramma Howell and Gramma Aunty.

10 dozen cookies...more or less

Our neighbor Gretchen is hosting her cookie exchange again this year and I quick made up all my cookies while Robert's mom was still here. This year we only had to make 8 dozen instead of 12 dozen like last year. (That was a LOT of cookies!) I found a great easy recipe for Peanut Butter Blossoms with only 5 ingredients: 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup of peanut butter, 2 cups of Bisquick, 1 tsp of vanilla. Mix, make into 1 inch balls and roll in sugar. Bake for 8-10 minutes then take out of the oven and press a hersey kiss in the middle. Carter and I whipped these out in no time. She was really good help with rolling the balls in the sugar and really liked pressing in the kisses...what she didn't eat. This was a really kid friendly recipe as there were lots of things she could help do. I'll be making these again, with my little helper. Anyway, I figured I better post a picture of all these cookies!

Gramma and Chase

Robert's mom headed home today after visiting for two weeks. Her flight was over-booked so they bumped her to the next flight and gave her a free round trip ticket for her hassle...so Gramma may be back again sooner than expected. That will really make Carter happy. Carter and Chase are really going to miss all the extra attention. Barb was a big help to me as she would play with the kids and keep them happy and busy while I raced around the house trying to get things cleaned up and dinner started. I'm really going to miss having time to take a nice shower every day rather than the splash and dash version I generally get!


Chase liked to sit in his bouncy chair and have Gramma talk to him. Carter liked help as much as she could. She was trying really hard not to let me take her picture. Hopefully Gramma enjoyed her stay and I know she enjoyed all the time with her grandkids.

Getting some love

At Tricky's birthday dinner, Gramma Pat snuggled up with Chase for a little bonding. Chase talked, cooed, smiled and had a great time with his Gramma. This little boy likes getting attention...I think Gramma was having just as much fun!