For My Carter...

..... on your 3rd birthday.

It's hard to believe that yet another year in your life has passed. You continue to amaze me daily with everything you do and say! Even though I am your Mommy, I feel that you are constantly teaching me things about myself, your Daddy, and all things in life that I somehow never knew. You are a fun loving, sweet spirited, highly energetic, smart, and caring little boy.... and I hope you always will come and snuggle me like you do now. I look forward to another year with you.... teaching you, shaping your heart and guiding you to be a kind and loving little person, cherishing each and every funny thing you say and sweet thing you do. I just can't wait to watch you grow some more, yet it feels hard to say goodbye to the times that have already passed us by. You are such a joy, and there isn't enough space in this world to hold all the love that I have for you. You are my best little friend, and you will always be my baby boy, even 50 years from now on your 53rd birthday! I love you dearly, my handsome little man. We are going to have lots of fun today, and celebrate YOU! I can't wait. :o)

Happy 3rd birthday!
Love always,
Mommy

Easter Weekend

All day Saturday and Sunday morning were spent at Eric's parent's. Carter had a blast playing outside, canoeing, and fishing. Ella had fun trying to crawl in the floor and playing with Grandma and Grandpa. Carter hunted eggs early on Sunday morning, and we finished just before the rain started, thankfully!

Ella watched with her Great Grandma and Grandpa while Carter hunted eggs.

 Where to start?

 Silly boy!

 Little cuties.

 Carter sharing his eggs with Ella.... too sweet!

 Excited to have found lots of eggs!

Sunday evening we went to my parents' for dinner and family time. We waited until it was almost dark to do an egg hunt, that way it would dry out a little bit. Fortunately it was dry enough to hunt eggs, but by that time it was almost dark, so none of my pictures really turned out. But I can assure you, it went just as egg hunts go with 3 year olds. :)

Ella and her Grandad

 Ella and Nana 

 Nana getting some love from both babies!

 My family and my brother with Granny Mary

 And Mommy and daughter!

Playgroup Easter Egg Hunt

Our playgroup had it's 2nd annual egg hunt this morning! It was at a great park in Frisco with lots of space to run, a great playground, and a picnic area. And the weather was great, too... a little windy, but really beautiful! It went really well. I didn't see or hear even one scuffle over Easter Eggs! The kids were all very excited, and all seemed to have so much fun! We had a picnic lunch and lots of playtime at the park just afterwards. Fun day! I sure do love our little playgroup!!

Carter & Mason patiently waiting while the Moms "hide" eggs

 Ella hanging out, too

Hillside full of eggs 

 First thing is first.... group pics.

From top left: Aspen, Tyler, Avery, Graham, Taylor, John

Braydon, Connor, Damon, London, Mason, Carter, Ella, Hayley (hidden), and Avery (patting Ella on the head!)

 Another group shot, including Colton on Brooke

Gavin & Lucy not pictured.

 Opening the eggs as he's hunting.....

 Ok, now we've got it down....

 ....still going.

 Love these two!

 Mason, Carter & Tyler getting into their eggs

They are taking it quite seriously

Laura took these two pictures of our kiddos. Two of my favorites, for sure!

 Especially this one!

And I have to say that this.....

......is quite a change from last year's Playgroup Egg Hunt! :)

Gardening with Daddy

Eric's company has started a garden recently, and Eric took Carter today to go work on our plot. They planted jalapenos, tomatos, and asparagus for us! I'm pretty sure Carter played in the dirt the whole time, but could you really expect more from a 3 year old boy? :) Anyway, they both had a good time, and Carter will be very proud when Eric brings home our first produce!

Grandad came for a little while, too!

 A little work....

But mostly play.... 

 Into the shop to change clothes and snap a quick pick with some switchgear.....

there is a picture of me somewhere like this when I was about 3 or 4.

 And lunch with Dad at Subway. He was such a hungry boy after all that hard work! He ate every bit of his lunch, and got a cookie for desert! Fun day for Carter and Daddy!

Silly New Habit

Ella lately really loves to grunt.... all the time! Sometimes it almost sounds like a growl, too. It's pretty funny. She's starting to get to that age where her little personality is really coming out, and we love it!

Silly girl!

Bananas

Ella has her first fruit today.... bananas! Carter was eating lunch, and she was giving him a hardcore stare down, like she usually does when someone is eating. I asked Carter if he would share his banana with his sister, and he excitedly said, "SURE!" So broke off a chunk and mashed it up in a bowl for her, and fed it to her on a spoon. She definitely gave me some funny faces, probably due to its bitterness and texture. But I think she liked it because she ended up eating quite a bit. I'd say she ate about 1/3 of his banana!

A few funny faces.....

Bluebonnets 2012

There is a really great field of bluebonnets near our house, and this morning I took the kids for (an attempt at) some pictures. Poor Ella just wasn't feeling it. She was either crying or so distracted by the flowers that she wouldn't look up at me, much less give me any smiles. Carter was very sweet with his sister and cooperative with Mommy. Thank you, bud! Maybe next year will be easier! Here are the ones I got that were halfway descent.