Happy Birthday Avery Jean!

Happy Birthday to our little Boogie Bear!  6 years ago after a frantic rush to the hospital and an incredibly long wait, we got to meet a little angel that would change our lives forever.  Little did we know what a special, kind-hearted person she would be.  It is amazing to watch her interactions with the world and the kindness and happiness she spreads with her actions, smiles, and love.  We could not have wished for a better daughter and Carter could not have dreamed of a better big sister.  

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Random February Pics

We didn't do much exciting stuff over the month of February (with the kids), other than hang at home mostly with the kids over the weekend.  Laura and I went on a long weekend to Asheville, but the kids stayed with Gigi and Ru.  Anyways, here are a bunch of February pictures.

Avery got this Disney princess cookbook that she really enjoys cooking out of.  She never will eat what she makes and so far the recipes have been pretty terrible.  But her and Laura have fun doing it together and Carter can't stand not being in the center of the action.

Speaking of Carter, never turn your back on him.  Ever...  "Carter BIG!"  He really enjoys speaking in the 3rd person.  "Carter Eat! Carter Run! Carter Jump! Carter Hug!"

Carter has started to show his big sister more and more affection.  Avery had really enjoyed it.

Doing some outside chores.

I mean if you go to Lowes, how do you not sit on all the lawn mowers.  I am 36 and still enjoy it.

 Taking care of his baby.  He enjoy's pointing out every baby that he sees because it is one of his 20 or so words now.

Carter Jump!



Carter Climb! "I did it!"


Laura got to go to Avery's dance practice the other day to see how she is progressing towards her recital later on this year.

Trip to Monkey Joes

Laura was traveling some weekend in January for some reason, so I decided to take the kids to Monkey Joes to run off some steam.

Avery was a great big sister and helped her brother on and off the inflatables.

 I have a lot of blurry pictures.  I don't know if it is from poor camera work or the kids were running so fast that they were actually blurry.  Probably both.

 About to go down the slide.

Once he figured out there were bigger slides in the bigger kids area, that is all that he would do.  Thanks to his sister for helping him up the big ladder.

 The Barney tractor was a hit.

 He played so hard that he ended up having a fever later that day.

 He sure was happy when mommy came home.

January Pics

I still can't figure out why Laura's phone isn't backing up the pictures on it, so here is a bunch of January pictures.

The kids had a blast playing with all the New Years Eve leftover party favors.

Carter is starting to figure out his power wheels.  Steering is still an issue and he doesn't like having to hold the button to go forward, but look out ankles, here comes Carter.

These two...  It is fun to see how much more they play together now.  It doesn't always last long, but those sweet, precious 4 minutes can be glorious.

Carter being Carter and enjoying his pockets.

They love to put each other in the back of the rock truck that David got Carter for Christmas and run around the house, launching each other into the wall.  #PrayForOurFurniture

I mean that's what it is obviously used for.

 Laura's idea.  Just saying.

Eating out with these two is an adventure.  Sometime it is great and we get to be normal, but then sometimes only the adults actually eat.  Carter had to have a ponytail like his sister one day for lunch, so a ponytail is what he got.

 Wednesday mornings are Carter's favorite because the garbage trucks come early enough before we head off to work and school.  The other day when he was sick, he watched 20 straight minutes of garbage truck videos on youtube.  Just like his dad when he was a kid, except for the youtube thing.

Christmas in Vass

One more Christmas post...  I had to drag these out a little bit because we didn't really do anything exciting in January or take very many pictures, so gotta make these last until the weather warms up and we can get these kids outside more.

Anyways.....One more car ride..

Nothing like climbing things on the farm.

 Carter is getting more and more comfortable around the horses.  I don't think he would hang out with them on his own or anything, but will at least approach them and feed them a treat.

 Avery hanging out with her older cousin.  It's so much fun to see how they play with each other and how much they get along.

 Lots of presents to open!

 I just thought the expression on Carter's face was funny.

 Once again, Carter got a hold of our camera, so there are about a hundred pictures on the camera.

Christmas in Taylorsville

Shortly after finishing opening presents from Santa, we packed up the kids in the car and headed off to Taylorsville to visit my grandparents and family.  First stop was Nanny and Pa's for a great lunch followed by at least 6 different types of dessert.

Avery was of course excited for more presents.  Bonus was a dry erase board so she didn't have to share with her brother anymore.

Carter was pretty proud of himself for balancing this bird on his finger.  He is also getting the hang of the presents opening thing.

Carter also did a great job cleaning up all the wrapping paper.  I think he may have had more fun cleaning than opening presents.

Shortly after, he got a hold of my camera again.  Luckily, I brought 2 cameras so i could capture him taking pictures.

I think he caught Pa napping in the background...

Avery and Anna didn't waste anytime playing with their presents and Barbies.

 Little man refused to nap, but of course fell asleep the moment we got in the car headed over to the Marshalls.

At the Marshall's we never seem to take many pictures, because of the food coma we usually find ourselves in after a big lunch at the Tarlton's and an early shrimp dinner at the Marshall's.  However, the kids had a great time running around with their other cousins.