Sunday, December 27, 2009

Happy Birthday Matt

It was December 27th 1978 when you were born and changed your parents lives forever! And now, 31 years later, you are a wonderful husband and amazing daddy. We are so lucky to have you in our lives! Happy 31st Birthday! Love you enough!
ps. Thanks Holly von Buchler Photography for the great family photo....we love it!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas

from our home to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Breakfast with Santa

Last weekend we went to Breakfast with Santa at the Indiana State Museum. They have just the most beautiful set up and the sweetest Santa. This Santa, he smiles, he laughs, he listens and he ends with God Bless You....love it!

Carter thoroughly enjoyed sitting with Santa and telling him all about the toy he wants the most and it looks as if Santa is listening to every little wrist turning detail.


Below are a few pictures of the rest of the decor at the State Museum. They had on display some of L.S Ayres old window displays from when Ayres was downtown. I can remember when I was little walking downtown or going on a carriage ride and seeing all the displays. They were so beautiful and it was really neat to see them on display again.
I LOVE this picture. Carter and Ceili were also enjoying themselves while looking at the window displays.




Auntie Holly, Uncle Justin, Ceili and Keaton are all smiles as we get ready to meet Santa!


Mom and dad with the grandkids in the their Christmas outfits, of which Ceili is most proud to be wearing. Isn't she gorgeous?!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Baking Day 2009

One of my very favorite things to do during the holidays is get together with my sisters and my mom for our little baking day. We make everything from cookies to buckeyes to chocolate covered pretzels and more. The house is loud, the kitchen is hot, the mimosa's are cold, but the kids are laughing with joy and there are bites being snuck by the boys....what could be better?!
The only thing missing was Shawna and her little cuties. There is always next year!
Above the kiddos give it try and really put it on thick with sprinkles and red hots!!
We get in the spirit with the traditional red and green attire and the little Christmas aprons my Granny made us years ago....we just couldn't have baking day without them!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Polar Express Night

Last weekend was jam packed full of holiday festivities. On Friday, Carters Stay 'N Play hosted a Polar Express Night. We watched the movie, ate cookies and sipped some hot cocoa and even had a little surprise visit from Santa. Carter invited Ceili to come along with us and they had an absolute blast together. Although they are cousins they are more like brother and sister, and above, their little smiles just show how much they truly love one another.
Check back later for more pics from our busy yet all too much fun weekend!

Saturday, December 12, 2009

This week

he painted me a "rainbow" at Stay and Play
and
out of know where, he leaned in and said, "mom, you my best mom in the whole world! Big hug!"
and
"mom, I have a secret."
mom: Whats that?
Carter: "I want to marry you"
talk about melting my heart and making my eyes tear up.
I just love the things he comes up with! and somehow after all that, it makes the times he is throwing his shoes at me a little easier to take....

Monday, December 7, 2009

Don't laugh

these pictures are from Thanksgiving but to me they are worth posting. I just love when all my sisters are able to get together and have fun with the kids!! Here is just a glimpse of our jam-packed, fun-filled weekend!
Justin working hard, in the rain, on our Thanksgiving Day Turkey!
Below is the finished product...we thought about going out instead!
But hands down, no question about it, this was the BEST turkey I have EVER had!! You rock Justin!

and here is Mr Kalen sporting his Turkey!
Then on Friday, after waking at 3:00 to find the huge deals, it was off to the Circle of Lights Festival on Monument Circle. Love this picture of A and Carter!




Saturday we were off to the North Pole via the Polar Express Train Ride in Connersville. Carter once again loved it and had a blast riding the train and dancing with his cousins in the isle.


All the kiddos in their matching pj's!


Carter waiting patiently to see Santa at the North Pole!



The kids were all smiles on the Polar Express!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Quiet Mouse

Last night, after hours of never ending chitter chatter, Matt came up with the idea to play "Quiet Mouse, Quiet Mouse". So we told Carter the rules. We would count 1-2-3 and then whoever stayed quiet the longest won!!

Matt: 1-2-3

about 5 seconds later

Carter: Umm, I'm done being the mouse!

Well, it made us laugh and it was worth a try. It was then back to about 3 more hours of chit chat.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Cowboy Carter

After weeks of wanting to be a train and then a few more weeks of wishing to be a bat, Carter finally decided to dress up as a cowboy for Halloween....and I think he might just be the cutest little cowboy I have ever seen. And, well, since he is my only one, I took about thousand pictures. Here are just a few of my favorites.

We completed the costume with vest, chaps, rope, hat, boots and even a little campfire coffee tin that was Carters great grandfathers.

Just couldn't resist taking a picture of his cute little buns in blue jeans and chaps.


Our pumpkins....mines a haunted house, Carters is a bat with moon and Matt's is a tree with tombstones....very spooky don't you think?


Cowboys and Indians for the annual Halloween Party at Holly and Justin's house



This year as we headed out the front door to go Trick~or~Treating Carter had a slight meltdown because he wanted to ride his bike...and well since it is all about him , that is exactly what he did. He did such a good job! He rode his bike from house to house and stopped about million times but he had so much fun! And personally, I found the pictures to be kind of cute!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

All smiles and two thumbs up

It was all smiles and two thumbs up for Huber Winery Pumpkin Pickin'! There is no better way to spend a fall day than with a crisp chill in the air, blue skies, tons of pumpkins and apple cider!


Carter finds a seat just his size and takes a break from a long afternoon of wagon rides and pumpkin picking!


He picks the perfect one!


Pulling up yet another seat to rest those tired feet! It is hard work running around from pumpkin to pumpkin trying to find just the right one!


When all is said and done, I asked Carter what he thought of the orchard and this was his response...a huge smile and two thumbs up!!



Have I ever mentioned, that "I heart my men"!!

Monday, October 5, 2009

Latimer Lane

Over this past weekend we took a little trip to Nana and Papa's house and man did Carter have a blast. He played outside from sun up 'til sun down with just about every toy under the sun. From rocks and diggers to skateboards and basketball hoops, he tried it all! He even managed to ride a big boy bike with a little help from Papa! And then once it was dark, well we stayed outside for that too and made pizza pies on the bonfire.






On Sunday we drove into Nashville and visited the Cheekwood Botanical Gardens....it was so pretty!! Carter loved being able to run around, walk on the stone pathways, and look at all the flowers and water features and in between him darting off and running ahead I was able to get a few pictures. I know, imagine that!! But, to me pictures are priceless!


It was so funny. Carter loves riding in the car especially on bumpy or hilly roads so when we were driving to their house on Friday I kept telling him, "just wait until we get to Nana and Papa's road because it is an old country road" knowing that he would love all the hills and bends. Well, when we pulled onto their street and started up the first hill Carter said, "mom, this my favorite country road"! Too sweet and too funny, Matt and I just laughed! Carter had such a good time at their house and I am so glad that we went. I know he is young, but I just want him to grow up knowing and remembering their house and the memories he makes while there!

Friday, October 2, 2009

Carter goes to Stay and Play

A few weeks ago Carter and I started going to Stay and Play once a week at a local church. It is such a neat opportunity to meet new people, play with new kids, and learn simple instructions and listening skills from a teacher but still have all the comforts of having your mommy there. So, every Tuesday from 9-1030 Carter gets to "go to school" as he calls it and he even requested SEVERAL times for a "pack-pack". Usually when we get there he tells me "mom, I do it myself. I play with friends and you go home". Then usually about 30 minutes into it he is done playing with others and spends the rest of the time playing and doing crafts with me...he still needs his momma!!
He enjoys making crafts but I think what he likes even more is when he gets to bring it home to show daddy.

I just love this picture because you can tell in his smile that he is truly having fun!!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Today....

Carter said, "I use my muscles and dance, mom!".
so of course he grabbed his guitar and played along with CMT.

Monday, August 24, 2009

'round here

Here are just a few pictures taken over the past few weeks. We have had a blast while keeping busy! Last weekend Matt's work had a company picnic at the State Fair. It was HOT but we made the most of it. Carter had a blast trying out some of the rides but what I think he liked even more was the Riley Kids Park! There he got to try his hand at several farm activities like collecting eggs, planting crops, harvesting, tractor riding and even milking a cow. Well, it was all just pretend but he LOVED it...and I loved that it was educational! Always an added bonus!

Love the way he is sporting his hat...he flipped it around to get closer to the cow!


Collecting eggs from the chickens which immediately reminded Carter that we are way over due for our trip to visit chic on the farm.





Then we spent some time at Nana and Papaws cooling off!



We also enjoyed a little trip to Brown County in the Bronco!




Carter climbed up here and said, "take my picture here" so of course I did and here it is!


Carter loves finger painting by the pond and this particular masterpiece was what Carter wanted to paint for Uncle Travis' 40th Birthday!

So that's what we have been up to! Hope everybody is enjoying their last few weeks of long, sunny days and flip flops!