Carter is 7!

We celebrated Carter's 7th Birthday on Saturday. I can't believe that I am the mother of a 7 year old, I feel so old! Here is a little bit about Carter:
1. Carter loves science, G.I. Joes, dinosaurs, and art. He has an amazing imagination, and I love to sneak up on him and watch him play.
2. Favorite Color: Green
3. Still loves to cuddle and gives the best hugs.
4. Favorite Food: most anything with cheese
We discovered that Carter has a sensitivity to milk, soy and red and yellow dyes this year. His milk is limited so anytime he can get his hands on something with cheese, he is one happy boy!
5. Least Favorite Food: Lasagne
6. Favorite Candy: Kit Kat
7. Favorite Subject in School: Art

Carter has such a fun loving personality and we are so greatful to have him in our family. Happy Birthday Carter man!

We started off the his special day with breakfast and opened a few presents.

Aunt Nancy and Uncle Todd gave Carter this remote control spider. Hailey was terrified of it at first! I feel like such an awful mother taking pictures of my child as she is scared to death, but I couldn't help but laugh! By the end of the day, she would say that the spider was cute, but if it got too close, she was still a little nervous! The cat didn't approve of it either!

Carter found his "Hidden Cupcake" with legos and bubble gum inside.

We had a little party at Color Me Mine this year. Carter loves anything artsy, crafty, so I thought he would enjoy this. Here are his cousins Ty, Daxton, and Nic painting their projects.
All of the kids stayed busy for quite awhile painting quietly. I think it is the first time I have seen them all sitting still for so long!

Grammy

Grandpa, Aunt Cami and Meili

Carter and Kai

Bryan and Hayden

Opening presents

I think the hit was the "Spy Kit" that Grandma and Grandpa gave him, all the kids wanted to play with it.

Blowing out the candles

Izzy and Hailey acted like they haven't had food in a week! I am guessing that they enjoyed the cake!

Thanks to everyone who helped Carter celebrate this year!

Snow, Snow, Snow!

We had to drive home in this icky stuff on Saturday night, and I think Bryan was having second thoughts on the whole 11 year thing because I was so freaked out in the car..........but at least we got to play in it the next day!

Carter and his "wall"

Carter gettin' Whopped!

Preparing the snow balls.....

Building a wall for the snowball fight

Hailey lying down sticking her tongue out trying to catch the snow......what a silly girl!

Our 11th Anniversary!

11 years ago I married my best friend who makes me smile every day. Bryans parents took the kids over the weekend and we were able to get away for awhile. We wanted to stay somewhere close. We wanted to stay in Park City, but I was having a hard time finding a hotel that didn't cost an arm and a leg during ski season, so we ended up in Salt Lake instead! We stayed at the Hotel Monaco, which was really nice.

Here we are at The Bambara Restaurant. This was inside the hotel and had pretty good reviews so we decided to check it out. It was Super Delicious! My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Here is Bryan showing off his new bling. His wedding ring is made of Titanium, and the bad thing about it is that it can't be resized. It had gotten too small for Bryan, so I decided he needed a new one. It is Titanium as well, but I did learn the second time around! I purchased a warranty that will cover it, if it gets too small or big, they replace it for no cost!

After dinner we went up to our room and had a Couples Massage which was super relaxing! The next morning we laid in bed until about 11 watching The Truman Show, then headed to the mall, lunch at Macaroni Grill, and a movie.

We had such a good time and it was so nice to have time by ourselves. It always feels good to reconnect and remember what we love about each other so much!

Valentines Day

Our Valentine's Day was pretty low key. While the kids were sleeping I made a trail of chocolate hugs and kisses from their beds to the living room to find a couple books. I was worried that our cat would mess with the chocolates on the floor during the night, so at about 6:30 a.m. I heard some noises in the hall and thought it was the cat. I ran out there to grab her, and it was Carter I saw instead! He had grabbed one of his toy buckets, dumped out the toys, and was quietly following the trail and collecting his loot. He was so excited when Hailey woke up and he could show her the treats.

I was in charge of Carter's Valentine Party at school, and Bryan was so sweet to take it off work and go with me to help. Carter was excited to have him there also. Here's some pictures of his cute little class decorating Valentine cookies. I love getting involved in these things, the kids are so cute! It's fun to see them get so excited over the little things!

We then spent the evening at home as a family and ordered pizza!

Our California Trip!

Our trip to California was a blast. I was a little worried about the weather with going in January, but it was absolutely perfect. It was low 70's all week and we didn't get a drop of rain. Here are the kids showing their excitement right before we headed out the door the first day to Disneyland. I love how Hailey is taking her cues off of Carter.

We were able to meet up with Bryans two sisters and brother-in-law during the trip and hang out with them for a few days. They have never met Carter and Hailey, so we were really excited that we could finally get together. Above is Paula with Hailey. The kids took no time at all warming up to them. They spent one day with us at Disneyland, one day in L.A. and one day at SeaWorld. Thanks Paula, Nancy, and Todd for meeting up with us!

Hailey meeting Aunt Nancy and Uncle Todd

In no time at all the Aunties and Uncle were spoiling them rotten! They bought each of the kids a treat at the candy store. I thought Hailey looked adorable licking this sucker that was as big as her face!

Dad helping Carter "break out" of Jail

While we were standing in line for the train, Hailey saw this little girl and bee-lined straight to her. It was cute watching her interact with her and act like such a big girl.

Nancy, Todd, Carter, Paula, Krista, and Hailey

After our first day at Disneyland we headed back to hotel to get our tickle on.

Carter informed us that now Uncle Todd is The Best Tickler Ever! He knew just the right spots to get him good!

The next day we headed to L.A. to check out the city that Paula lives in. We went to the Petersen Car Museum which was pretty cool. The boys were in heaven seeing all the famous cars that have been in movies.

Herbie

They had a really awesome Hot Wheels Collection that was fun to look at.

Then we headed to the Getty Museum. This is where Paula works, and it was so beautiful.

It had a breathtaking garden that you could walk around.

Getty Museum

All tuckered out

All of us at the Getty( minus me)

Then we headed to Aunt Paula's house where the Auntie's and Uncle proceeded to spoil our children rotten :) Paula left her Christmas Tree up, and they had gifts under the tree for the kids. They are so thoughtful.

Second day at Disneyland

Meeting Mickey!

Hailey "asleep" in Minnie's bed

Meeting Handy Manny at California Adventure

Waiting for the Toy Story Ride at California Adventure. This was probably my favorite ride.

My Super Hero

Carter picking his treat for the day

One happy boy!

Carter took me on the Tower Of Terror. This isn't the best picture, but if you can see me, you'll see that I am clenching my seat with everything I have! Carter told me after the ride that I screamed too loud, and that I annoyed him. It was pretty funny!

We spent another day at San Diego Zoo

Bryan petting a turtle

The Petting Zoo

We went into the Souvenir Shop and Hailey found this little Panda Bear. The kids weren't supposed to pick something until the end of the day, but Hailey intently looked at this bear, and then another and looked up at Dad with those big brown eyes and said "I want this one Daddy." I will let you guess what he said :) She was soooo excited and carried it for the rest of the day.

The cute Panda Bears

Our last day we met up with Bryans sisters and brother-in-law at Sea World.

Bryan got some food to feed to the Sea Lions. It was hilarious to watch. They open their mouths really wide and Yelp at the top of their lungs until they get food.

A very hungry Sea Lion!

Shamu!!

Carter and Hailey got to feed a dolphin and pet its nose. Carter said that this was one of his favorite things from the vacation.

Paula, Todd, Nancy, Bryan and Carter went on this ride that got you soaked. We decided Raincoats would be a good idea! Bryan and Todd were sorry they didn't get them afterwards, they were SOAKING wet!

The Human Dryer

Bein' Silly

Carter holding a starfish