Bursting with Pride- Mommy's Glowing

Carson had his first dentist appointment last week. I thought it went very well and thought it was because his dental hygenist is a personal friend of mine dating back to the late '80's. She is a super sweet, gentle person and Carson loved her!

Well, she just emailed me and I am bursting with pride. Have to share what she wrote:

Before I let any more time go by, I wanted to tell you how adorable Carson was at his dental appointment. He is a doll and that is truly rare for a 2 year old to let us look in the mouth on the first visit...let alone polish teeth. You are a great mom and you must have done all the 'right' things to prepare him for his visit.

Debbie, you're the best! You just made my day!!!!

More Maui Please

Trying to pick just a few favorite pics out of the 350 that we took was challenging! And we haven't even seen the hundreds of other pics taken by the Leo's and Hook's!

Maui was amazing! The kids had a fantastic time and played very well together. Nothing out of the ordinary for three two and a half year olds! Even the airplane ride was pretty uneventful, phew!

Our rooms were awesome! The main hang out area was a living room, kitchen and dining room. There was a bedroom on each side of that for the Leo's and the Hooks. We were just down the hall a little ways in our own bedroom but it had a washer/dryer and kitchenette! Talk about making it an easy vacation!

The weather cooperated pretty darn well considering it is "winter" in Hawaii ;-) Only one or two rain showers and two days of gale force winds.

I sprinkled a few videos in. I promise they are all very short and cute. Please turn up your volume to really enjoy them. The high pitched giggles and voices are worth it!

Before we even got on the plane, the boys discovered how to keep themselves entertained. I thought it was great! Daddy wasn't so sure.

First time in his own seat!

Daddy and Carson sharing a video! Mommy napping!

Check out our super cool rides and shades!

The boys "cheers-ing" before our first dinner in Maui

Watching the hula dancers
Eating lunch on the balcony after pool time
Playing a little ping pong!
Eating lunch by the pool

Upside down shades

Aren't I cute!

Daddy pic before the luau
Still young enough for matching outfits

My fair lady

Luau time yet?

Happy family!

This was absolutely hilarious! Eloise and her daddy went up on stage to learn how to hula during the luau. I didn't think Carson would be interested so he and I sat below the stage to take pictures. All of the sudden he snuck up on the stage front and center. He LOVES to be the center of attention, wonder where he got that from ;-)
No encouragement needed!

I heart Eloise!

Boys learning how to kill time in a hotel room!

Burning off energy before dinner - take 1

Burning off Engery before dinner - Take 2

Feeding the fish! You touch it! No, you touch it!

Hi ducky!

Another Woody!

So that's how you shell a coconut!

Pineapple Express train ride

Carson dancing at Cheeseburger in Paradise

Lunch on our last day!
Stop right there!

Making a Goldfish disappear at the Maui Aquarium Cafe

More pictures to follow from the other families in the next few weeks.

Christmas Catch Up

Just some random post Christmas pics!

Mommy & Carson goofing around in his new sleeping bag

Practicing for summer camping trips in his new sleeping bag
Mommy, the Craig's List addict, just happened to buy a HUGE box of track, trains, and more. Daddy cursed Mommy for at least 15 minutes as he tried to assemble Satan's spiral track without directions. Mommy googled "spiral track" and discovered that there isn't a SINGLE good review of this product. Everyone that purchased it, returned. Perhaps that's why she got such a GREAT deal on it on CL.
But isn't it beautiful!

From Wolf to Woof- The World Forestry Center

Today Nana, Poppa, Carson and I headed to the World Forestry Center to check out the Wolf to Woof display. We discovered they also had many other fun displays and activities!

We planted seedlings!

We drove a tree picker.
Poppa practiced being a smoke jumper! He made it 23 meters from the target!Nana practiced being a smoke jumper . . . she landed in the fire!We all rode the rapids!
Then we checked out the W2W display! We all took turns learning what a hyena hears!

Carson thought we were nuts!

But it didn't stop us!

Finally curiosity got the better of him!We rode on a dinner train!And, Carson drove Nana & Poppa on an African safari!

Last but not least, Carson drove the train. Not Thomas but his BIG brother!

Christmas with the Bride Tribe- Final of the Four!

And just like the movie "Four Christmases" which I LOVED, here is our final Christmas!

Jeremy's mom's side of the family is known as the Bride Tribe. All of us were present and accounted for on the Sunday after Christmas with the exception of Lori, Brian and Thomas who stayed home in sunny California. That's around 30 people!

Our drive to Salem was extra long this year due to a horrible tanker accident. In fact, most everyone got stuck in the traffic jam created by a tanker truck blowing up on the side of the freeway! At least we weren't the only ones late!

Lots of fun had by all!

Carson got to meet his second-cousin, Baby Ashlyn. She's adorable, quiet, and sleeps anywhere! We REALLY encouraged her parents to ENJOY EVERY MINUTE of her portableness at age 3 months.

Proud grandparents . . . they caught him for a quick photo before he escaped. This kid does NOT sit still at celebrations.
Reading a book from Daddy's childhood collections. Grandmas are VERY good at saving EVERYTHING!

Oh boy! This is stylin'!!! Daddy is jealous!
Seriously! Could I be any cuter?

I outgrew my pack'n'play so Grandma Levy gave me my first sleeping bag!!

Christmas Day (3rd of 4 Christmases)

Christmas Day- We braved the icy roads and traveled down I-5 to spend the day with Grandpa & Grandma Rader. Cousin Becky and her family host along with Great Aunt Judy & Great Uncle Joe. It's a BIG celebration, as Becky & Corey have NINE children. No, that's not a typo. Nine of the cutest, most well-behaved, sweetest children!

Our normally 2 hour drive took 3 hours due to the snow, ice, and traffic but fortunately the delay gave Carson the opportunity to nap in the car. That made trip much more bearable for all involved!

The whole crew!

Thanks Grandpa & Grandma Rader! The fam!
Books are the best!

Carson adored Elizabeth and her pink video game.

The highchair line up for Christmas supper

Proud grandparents!

In lieu of gifts, the kids decorated gingerbread houses! Many thanks to Corey for making the houses and thanks to Becky for making 12 bags of frosting!

More candy in mouth than in house

Becky, the mom with the most and the hostess with the mostess! Somehow she still found time to make these beautiful pies. I can't figure how out how she does it!