Carter's many parties!

So I am a little late getting all of Carter's birthday photos on here. I swear we had an entire weekend long celebration. We had a lot of fun though. It all started on Fri. morning. We weren't' going to give him any presents until later that night, but Camden (yes Camden not Carter) started throwing a fit that Carter wasn't getting any presents and it was his birthday. So we caved in a let him open one small gift. Carter was just thrilled to throw off the paper but ended up loving the gift as well. Just for your info---we gave him the Leap Frog DVD "Letter Factory" and it is great! He already has learned so many more of his letters and the sounds they make so if any of your kids learn as well as mine by watching shows (I swear they have no attention span when I sit down with them and try to teach) then this is a great!
On Fri. night we decided that instead of having our big family party we would take the boys down to the ES Arena and see the Monster Truck rally! Now you moms of all girls just wait until you get a boy! I read of all of your princess dresses and girly stuff, but just wait until the excitement of cars crashing and unbelievable noise!! I didn't tell the boys until that afternoon, mostly because I didn't want a week of questions wondering when we were going. Camden was actually more excited than Carter---for some reason Carter was afraid that the monster trucks would spit fire at him. I reassured him that there would be no fire spitting and off we went!

We stopped first at Lesli and Brandon's house for dinner and a very quick speed party. We were done in about 45 min. We were running a little late. We had a yummy Italian dinner (Thanks Les) and some party cupcakes. We brought one more present for Carter to open and did a quick rendition of "Happy Birthday"! Carter loved all of the attention.

Here is Lesli and her cute Hubby and baby Clara!

Camden's favorite holiday is anyone's birthday. He just can't wait for the presents, candles and cake! He just keeps wondering when it will be his turn for a party---only a few more months!

Quick family shot! Say cheese!

Here we are at the monster truck rally. Our friends, Cindy and Ryan and their little boy Daxton meet us there. It was fun---however it was so loud we didn't get to do much talking!

These trucks look like little toys in this picture, but they were huge! I couldn't believe that my kids little monster truck toys looked so much like the real thing!

Carter liked the 4-wheeler races the best. Camden just kept making that mean face and loud truck sounds. He was in little boy Heaven! He kept taking those ear plugs out though and it was seriously so loud I feared he might loose his hearing! It was so LOUD!!!!

Overall we had a great time---Probably the kids more than me---but it was for them so I was happy to see them smile. However one side note. At intermission they turned out all of the lights and had these two big transformers come out. They transformed and started spitting fire and shooting each other. Carter DID NOT like that at all. I felt bad because I promised no spitting fire---oh well I guess you learn you should find out more about the show before you tell your child they have no reason to be afraid!

Carter held on to Darin for dear the the remainder of the show---the funny thing was is after it was all over he couldn't stop talking about the transformers as if it was the highlight of the night! Funny boy!

Party # 2. We let Carter pick a theme for his "real" party. He wanted a "Bob the Builder" party. I looked everywhere for decorations, but just had to settle for a cake. I should have made it myself, but on the day of his birthday party, I was feeling pregnant and tired and figured that I could settle for a cake from Macey's and I think it turned out much cuter than I would have come up with. Plus the stress it took away was worth every penny! I realized I didn't really get any pictures of those we invited, but Ashley (my sis) came along with my brother Charley and his wife Holly and Max and Gabrielle. Darin's mom also came (we love you Oma). My parents were off soaking in the rays and sunshine of Hawaii and weren't able to be there. We had a fun night!

Carter was having a hard time showing 3 fingers, but he finally got it down.
Sorry the picture to the left I forgot to rotate before I downloaded. Anyway Carter was so funny opening presents. He was having a blast ripping the paper off, then he would get the most excited look on his face as he looked at his present. Then he would chuck it the other way and look for something else to open----it was hilarious.

And last but no least, cake time. He was pretty excited to blow out his candles and have everyone sing to him. I think he had a fun night, everyday he asks when it will be his birthday again!

My baby is 3!

Carter has made us smile since the day he was born! I am thankful everyday to have him in our family! Happy Birthday!!

Happy Valentines Day!!

Hi, it's me Darin. I haven't done this before so I hope it turns out well. It's actually late at night on February 13th and Joanna thinks that I'm typing some cheesy valentines card for her. I guess I am. Well, I hope I caught her off guard anyway. Let it be known unto you the reader and to Joanna especially that I love her very much. She has truly been an inspiration to me throughout my life and is very much so the love of my life. I know that I don't give her enough credit most of the time, but ohhh does she deserve it. I want Joanna to know that she means the world to me. She makes me laugh, sometimes cry, lifts me up, and carries me through some of the more difficult times in my life. She is a great support to me. She is also a great mom. She loves Camden and Carter soooo much. She would do anything for them. I know she is looking forward to having more girl power in this house and I am too. Just a little though. Joanna and I have been through some difficult times together but she has been my strength during those times. Joanna is my angel. I really like Jack Johnson's new song "Angel". I'm not really great with words and describing how I feel, but I think this song describes my feelings about Joanna pretty darn good. So go ahead and listen. Joanna, I love you Babe! Happy Valentine's Day!

Is spring ever going to come?

So I have been in a little blogging slump lately. I think it is mostly because I am feeling the winter blues and we haven't done anything really worth posting lately. We have all been sick at our house the past week---Colds and ear infections---no fun! It has been snowing non-stop. Everyday I look outside and it is cloudy and snowy. I don't really remember a winter where we have got this much snow in a long time! I feel a little guilty because we really need the moisture, but the thought of green grass and flowers is almost more than I can handle! I think being 8 months pregnant doesn't really help either because I don't really feel up to bundling my kids up and venturing out in the snow. However yesterday was beautiful! It was probably around 40 F. and sunny. After church Carter and I were standing outside without jackets and it felt great. It made me very excited for spring so I thought I would change my blog to spring colors (however I am still trying to learn how to customize my blog---I tried for an hour one day with no luck and am hoping someone out there could show me an easier way) and post a picture of my favorite flower---Tulips! Today looks nice as well, so I am just going to enjoy the sun and try not to think about tomorrow's forcast of more snow! Hopefully soon I will have something great to post about. Carter turns 3 on Fri. so I am sure I will have something fun to write about. Hope you all are having a great week!