the festivities-part 1

Our friends threw an amazing costume party last week for Halloween.  Aaron went as an Amish man and I went as a totally awesome 80's girl!  It look me 2 hours to crimp my hair but it was worth it!

Some of my best gal pals

before we left.... compliments of the babysitter

my boy

Our little Carter is 3 months old now

What a joy he still is

He is smiling and laughing and cooing and talking

He has been sleeping great sense about 6 weeks old. Most nights I am only up once to feed and sometimes i get lucky and he sleeps all night.  Oh how that makes a mama happy!

The girls love him so much. Anna loves to hold him and kiss him and try to make him laugh. I have to watch them though because sometimes they think the harder they shake him the harder he'll laugh.  It is a miracle these little babies survive older siblings.

We feel so blessed to have Carter in our family. I thank my Heavenly Father that he is healthy and strong. I am trying to count the simple yet so important blessings I have in my life.

My favorite thing in the entire world is going to get Carter after he's woken up.  He smiles and kicks his legs frantically. He looks like a little burrito all swaddled up. 

Look at those cheeks

He loves his baths so much.

10-10-10

peek-a-boo

another first: what a difference a year makes

Brooklyn's first day of preschool

I can't believe both of my girls are in school

Yikes!

Carter and I were a little bored at home..... who am I kidding...

we loved it!

1st day of 1st

Anna turns 6!!

We celebrated Anna's 6th birthday while we were in Idaho.  She was so excited to be able to have some of her cousins and grandparents there to help her celebrate.  She wanted to have cupcakes, vanilla ice cream (she doesn't like chocolate... is she my child) with fresh strawberries on top.  We sure love this little girl.  She is pure spunk and independence. 

 Carson, Ryan, Anna, Brooklyn, Emma, Ellie, Paige, and Emily

 Carter relaxing with grandma Tonks

Bear World

My mom and Alain were so generous to take us all to Bear World one day while we were in Idaho.  It is a huge outdoor "compound" where you drive around in your car slowly and watch all of the animals. They have elk, deer, moose, wolves, and BEARS!! The animals are just walking around and can come right up to your car.  After you go through the park, there were small carnival rides, and a little petting zoo with things like pigs, chickens, fawns, and goats.  The girls had so much fun and the moms stayed busy trying to keep hands clean and poop off of shoes.  Then after that we went through the park again. The highlight this time was that all the grand-daughters rode in Papa's truck and they each got a turn to drive! They were in Heaven.

In the petting zoo

I love Brooklyn's face here. She wasn't too sure about this turkey

This deer was licking Anna's arms up and down. Then it decided to go in for a kiss!

 Against my better judgement I decided to caravan back to Idaho with my in laws when Carter was just 2 1/2 weeks old.  I think if it would have been with my first I never would have done it, but anticipating the month of August alone, while Aaron worked 70+ hour weeks I decided it would be better to brave the torturous drive than to be single parent at home.  Also Angie was going to be there with her girls, so why not.   Despite the truly long car ride I was so glad that I went.  Carter was absolutely wonderful both there and back and the girls did as well as can be expected.  The weather was so beautiful while we were there. We spend a  lot of time outside in mom and Alain's beautiful back yard.  The girls called it "Nana's park."  They have a huge garden, a play structure, a gloriously relaxing hammock, and the most delicious raspberries that we picked and ate until we were sick.  Heaven!  We went on scooter rides, 4-wheeler rides, made smores in the fire pit, went to Bear World,  shopped, ate, relaxed,  and ate some more. It was so nice to be able to just relax and know the girls could play with their cousins, I could take care of Carter, and hang out with my mom and big sis.

Gary had to work and Lynette was just getting back to work at the school, so we spent less time with them, but still made many memories.  The girls loved to go to "grandma's school" and eat lunch with her in the cafeteria.  The girls played in their awesome play room and loved the Chocolate milk that grandma would being home for them.  We missed Aaron so much but I knew he could work without worry and feeling bad about being gone so long.    

                                                        Raspberry milk shake mustaches

                                                                         Before church

                  Grandma and Grandpa Tonks took us all bowling and Grandma Tonks beat us all.
                                                 Brooklyn, super cool Ryan, and Anna!

                                                                  Brookie and her papa

blessing day

 Today we blessed our little Carter. His daddy gave him a beautiful blessing. We were lucky enough to have Michael, Chelsea and the boys come from Seattle to share in his big day.

blessings

disclaimer: its late... and I am going on very little sleep

right now I am watching the food network.  i don't know why I watch food shows late at night because it makes me hungry and I try not to eat after 7pm.  it hasn't happened this week.  i am learning I am an emotional eater.  aaron is in the final couple weeks of  his "busy season."  i really don't like it.  when it is quiet and I am bored and feel sorry for myself for not having a husband home i eat. Tonight it was a bowl of cereal and two Reese's pieces cups. (i heart those very much)

as i started feeling sorry for myself I said to myself..... jamie knock it off... you are so blessed!!!

and i am

i am grateful that truly i am not single parent. i have a husband who goes to work everyday and works really really long hours... for us. So I can go to target and get things I need. and sometimes things i don't need.  So I can stay at home with our little ones and create a home where i hope they can thrive.  Some days I'm not the mom I want to be. I'm not the "fun mom" that I wanted to envision myself being.  Sometimes I yell at the girls when they splash water all over the bathroom floor (like tonight).  Sometimes I am just trying to survive dinner, to then survive baths, to then survive stories and then bed. 

then it is all worth it when anna snuggles up to read and book with me. or I finally get them quiet as I attempt family night. i realize that each day is new, and I can start over and be better. a better mom, wife, friend, sister, daughter.

carter couldn't be a better baby. i love him more than I ever thought. what a privilege it is to be a mother. i think that the challenges that motherhood beings, also brings its greatest blessings.  i am trying lately to enjoy the small moments more.  they pass too quickly. 

anna is my challenge lately.  i think we are a lot alike.  she is feisty, and emotional.  i love her.... when I don't want to send her to join a Russian circus :) jk

brooklyn is growing up too fast. she is suddenly a little girl and not my toddler.  i always tell her to stop growing and stay little forever. she says, "mom, you know I can't do that"  I know and it makes me sad. it would be nice though when she can wipe her own bum.

carter is a doll. if he wasn't, getting up 3 times a night to feed, burp and change a diaper would make me crazy.  i can't wait to see what kind of little boy he'll be. my friends that already have boys have warned me. bring it on!

aaron is my hero.  i don't know how he works the hours he does.  He is a great dad and always makes time to fullfill all of his responsibilities.  he only sees me in my pjs with no makeup... probably drooling on my pillow. that stinks.  i hope one day we can go out to a super fancy dinner and I can wear a new dress and some fierce heals. Then go out to a swanky hotel and spend a glorious child free night together and then get breakfast brought up in the morning. 

i love you A!

I am blessed