Monster Mash

Invitations were sent too late, decorations were being finished at the last moment, cakes were being decorating until the late hours of the night...but it all got finished and Carson's first birthday party went off without a hitch! The weather, though predicted to give us 10 inches of snow, cooperated and just about everyone made it out. Carson was given FAR too many toys (we're considering rewrapping some for Christmas) and he loves every single one of them. He wasn't quite as thrilled about his cake, flinging most of it to the dogs waiting patiently at his feet. After 3/4 of it was destroyed, he did discover that licking frosting off of your fingers is really quite enjoyable. After a well earned sugar high, Carson crashed....taking the longest nap he's ever taken. Three hours. Too bad mom and dad didn't get to rest as well. I can't believe our little man is a year old already! AND that we just have four months left until his brother makes his debut!

The end of birthday celebrations led to a trip to Utah to celebrate the baptism of his cousin Avery and Thanksgiving with his Aunts, Uncles and cousins . The absolute highlight for us was being sealed in the Bountiful temple as an eternal family. Pretty awesome. All of the excitement did, however, lead to his first bout with the crud. The first time he threw up the poor little guy thought it was funny. The 102 degree temperature that followed for the next four days he didn't find quite as humorous. All in all, he stuck it out well. The 8 hour drive home was not exactly what any of us wanted to do, but he was a trooper and if he'd had an appetite, I'd have given him pizza and ice cream to celebrate. Things are finally beginning to return to normal. He's eating....we're all sleeping a little bit better...and we're thrilled to have giggles around the house again.

Now if we can just get our act together and get ready for our first Christmas in the new house. This is going to be so much fun!

Crashed at the end of the party

Trick or treat!

We've survived our first Halloween! It was spent with little trick or treating and much running around, showing off the cutest vampire anyone has ever seen. And I'm not just saying that. Carson managed to tolerate his costume for most of the night, in fact I'm pretty sure he enjoyed it. Well, the attention at least. He doesn't even realize how much yummy candy he got!! His loss = my gain, in more than one way I suppose. Pregnancy and Halloween candy could be my nemesis. We visited the pumpkin patch last weekend as well. It was busy, busy, so we used it as a photo op and skipped out on the gigantic line to buy pumpkins.


Our much anticipated trip to So. Cal has come and gone and we are all ready for another vacation. It was a weekend in not so sunny California, so we didn't get to spend much time with Carson at the ocean, but I'm pretty sure had it been warmer, he would have gone in. Instead, we spent some time at the San Diego Zoo. Carson particularly liked the elephants, the monkeys and the camels. We made another trip to the Meditation Gardens, where Carson decided that throwing rocks at the koi was much more entertaining that sticking his fingers in the water. He is his father's son. He no longer sits still, does not crawl unless he is trying to squeeze underneath something, and continues to amaze me every single day at what he learns. Now, preparation for the visit the Utah family over Thanksgiving. Stay tuned....


Carson at the California Speedway, waiting for dad to drive a race car.

Joy ride in Great Grandpa's wheel chair.

Discovering the ocean

Pumpkin patch

Testing the pumpkins....

Reading about airplanes with great grandma

Throwing rocks

Rolling things around with grandpa

Great grandpa is hilarious!

Four generations....

San Diego Zoo

Vampire!

Carson Walking!

Not enough time in the day....

Well, we're still not settled in the new house. We've got boxes yet to be unpacked, furniture yet to be bought and placed and walls yet to be painted. However, we are working on it. Slowly. Carson continues to command 99% of our attention. He's crawling at near light speed and is now walking!! He'll give us a good 5-8 steps if he really wants something. He still loves the dogs, mawls Aspen on a daily basis and gets his feelings hurt when she runs away. Thor keeps his distance, which sparks Carson's curiosity. He usually keeps his hands off, as Thor is not quite as mild mannered as Aspen, but he wants to be as close to that darned dog as possible. Kind of surprising, considering Thor is kind of scary looking and leaves something to be desired in the personality department; he's missing half of his ears, his eyes bulge out of his head and his fur is beginning to fall out. I guess he's pretty cute in a pathetic kind of way.

Nick continues to work long days and go to school a few night's a week. His car hobby has taken a back seat due to the lack fo time and his truck and the jeep sadly sit in the driveway. At least now we have a driveway for them to sit in. I continue to work my long hours as well. We have penciled in some time for a much needed vacation in a few weeks though to visit family in Southern California. We could use a little ocean therapy.

If life is not hectic enough, as many of you already know, we are expecting baby #2 in April. Why not just dive in head first, right? We are thrilled to expand our family and will keep you posted as we find out more...

Carson thought the zombie babies at the Halloween store were hilarious. Seriously...he was laughing out loud at them.

He loves to be out in the backyard. Forcing him in the house usually draws tears and tantrums.