Kate & Kevin's Awesome Snowman

Well we had so much snow this past week, that Kate and Kevin were able to build an awesome snowman. This was Kate's first snow man...and she had so much fun building it!
Proud Daddy-o and Kate!

Well done!

Prego together!

We have two prego's in the family this year...and their due dates are only 11 days apart!
My sister-in-law (to be) and I are pregnant together this go around. This is their first baby and they are expecting a boy. Of course you know that this isn't my first rodeo and we are expecting a girl. Our due dates are really 11 days apart so my family will be very busy with traveling and visiting new bundles of joy next year. I am really excited for my brother and his wife and can't wait to meet my newest nephew!

Thanksgiving in Arizona

Auntie D and Abram.
Auntie D and Kate!

Kate and Mommy!

Abram reading his truck magazine!

This year we went to Arizona for Thanksgiving. We had so much fun and it was so nice to see all of my family. We invaded my dad's house, which was kinda a struggle for him since he lives alone...in peace and quiet, but nonetheless...it was fun!

My Little Super Hero

Ta....da...what a studly boy!

Halloween

This year for Halloween we had a busy schedule...and didn't get started until LATE! We were going to go with a bunch of friends, but we ended up running really behind. I had to wake both Abram and Kate up at around 6:30 to start getting them dressed up. I guess they are still totally clueless on what is happening...I was excited though! So we finally got them out the door at about seven. People had already started coming to our house before our kids were even dressed in their costumes! Oh well, they had a great time and could not believe that people would just voluntarily give them candy. I rather enjoyed the benefit of all the candy around the house! But I probably gave myself a cavity...oh well...

Kate went as a pixie this year. Grandma Carpenter made her tutu.

Abram went as a monkey...Kate's hammy down...but it worked perfect!

Fall Fun

We went to the park to gather leaves to make a trash bag spider...notice no picture of it...well that is because it turned out to be a pretty sore sight! The same night we made it, we had a snow storm come in and destroy it. The spider is still on our front lawn, but literally looks like a pile of trash! Oh well...we did try to get into the Harvest spirit this year!

Here are some pictures that we took at the park. I love visiting the park in the fall and will probably go back there this weekend to get some fall pictures of the kids, camera and child permitting. My camera is about five years old, and doesn't always work (hint for Kevin...Christmas is approaching and we are going to have another child soon...maybe a reliable camera is on my list)!

I love this picture of Kate, she is growing into a very pretty little girl! I was lucky to capture a picture of Kate and Abram because Abram thinks it is funny to run away from the camera...he is at that age!

Here is Kate raking leaves...she was really getting into it! She made me laugh, and everyone who walked by asked if they could take her home to help rake their leaves...I am sure she would have gone if I would have let her!

Happy Fall Season everyone...it is my favorite!

Venting Time...

Well, today I officially nominate Abram into his terrible twos! He has the sweetest face...but is driving me insane. I can't believe the little monster he has become. He won't eat...anything...this morning I went into the kitchen and Kevin had given him lunch meat, cheese, and cracker for lunch. He didn't take one bit, but threw it all on the floor. He won't sleep. I put him down for a nap this morning and two minutes later I heard a little voice calling "mama.......mama...." I went to his door and realized he had learned to crawl out of his crib. It's a sad day in the Carpenter home. Needless to say he hasn't slept at all today. Kevin and I decided to turn his crib into a toddler bed, but we both know it isn't going to work. I just don't know what to do with him. I tell you...Danner's kennel is looking pretty good right now. All I have to do is clean it out, put some blankets in it and shut him in! But don't worry...I won't...no need to call CPS!

Naughty...Naughty Boy...

Funny man...thinks it is fun to swim in MY bath with his clothes on! All I wanted was 15 minutes of peace with a yummy smelling bath to relax in. Instead I was invaded by my troops and ultimately had to surrender my bath is this butt head. Oh well...the pictures are worth it!

Month 5...and counting!

Well...we will be welcoming another beautiful baby girl into the Carpenter house hold. I am so excited! I am kinda scared of another attitude joining the "girl clan" at the Carpenter home...but none the less...I am ecstatic! (As I say this...my son is running around the house with a blanket over his head so he can't see...I guess either way...busy is all I can say!) We haven't decided on a name yet...we can't agree. So we have a few options...nothing stands out yet. Some suggestions have been Bella and Violet, but we will see...I guess I have a few more months!

New Christmas Present Idea

So Christmas is in like three months...and my stress has started. I don't know why...but I want to get things done. I think I am nesting...at five months...the next four months are going to be very very long! My house should be magazine picture ready by the time this baby comes!
Anyhow...back to what I found. I was chatting with one of my friends about buying christmas gifts for my kids. I don't want to just have this mass of presents that mean nothing in my living room that ultimately I have to find room for. She mentioned that her sister does "something gifts". I had never heard of it, but I loved the idea. It gave me some direction on how to organize my christmas shoping for my children. So here is the list:
1. Something needed
2. Something wanted
3. Something for church
4. Something to read
5. Some kind of toy
6. Something from Santa
That is it! Once you are done with these six gifts you are done! I am way excited to try this out! Hopefully I can stick with this for Christmas from now on...that way I don't have just junk toys filling the toy tubes. Hope this helps you all out...or at least gives you some direction. For me, this year...it is a must!

I want my ears pierced...

Well...this year...Kate has been begging me for about six months now that she wants her ears pierced. I have put it off and put it off, and finally told her that she could do it for her birthday. Her birthday came around and she reminded me that I told her she could get it done now. We took her to the mall and she got it done. She was so brave. Kevin and I kept telling her that it was going to hurt and she kept saying..."I know". She sat there so bravely and let the two girls pierce her ears. However, right after they were done...she started crying. She had this look on her face like what the heck just happened...five minutes later she was fine and we were picking out new earrings to go in her jewelry box. Good job Kate!

Kate's 4th Birthday

Kate wanted to have a princess birthday. I didn't want to start with the big "friend" birthday thing yet so we just have close friends and family. I found a princess cake online and with my amazing cake decorating skills created my own version of the cake. She was very proud of her cake...and I was proud that it tasted normal and looked like a cake! She had a great time with all her friends. We went to the park near our house, but the weather decided to be absolutely horrible and to top it all off...there was a stupid mini fair right next to the park. It kinda ruined the mood of a birthday...but oh well. At least she is only four and wasn't nearly as disappointed as I was. Maybe next year will be better.

First Day of Preschool...

Kate started preschool this week and she loves it. Here is a picture of her first day...she had to strike a pose! She goes twice a week (Tuesday and Thursday) for two in a half hours. There is a lady at our church who does preschool from her home. All of Kate's sunbeam classmates are in her class with her. Funny story...when I was driving Kate to her first day she told me to just drop her off. She didn't need me to go in with her. What a sass!

16 Weeks...Peek a boo...

Here is my sixteen week picture...kinda funny...but I just feel gross right now! Only a couple more weeks until we find out...any guesses...

Kate's turning 4!

Finally, we were able to take a descent picture of Kate. She is at the awkward stage where she doesn't smile pretty...if you know what I mean...so it took about a dozen pictures and one yelling match to actually get good picture for her invitation...and here it is! She wants a princess birthday so we will see what we can do! I can't believe she is turning four...crazy! But she is a great little girl...a blessing for the whole family!

Such a Pretty Boy!

Need I say more! Abram brought these shoes to me and wanted me to put them on. He thought it was hilarious that everyone was laughing at him, and kept them on the whole night. I told Kevin that he should be proud of his son...showing off his feminine side! He just rolled his eyes at me. Anyhow...he is just such a pretty boy with his pink shoes on!

My Babies...growing up!

Well my babies are growing up...Kate will be four in a couple weeks and Abram is a year and a half. I just can't believe I have two beautiful children...and another on the way.

When did I get so old! Oh well...at least I have a family and a husband who loves me...through my monster phase and all!

Twelve weeks...making progress!

So I am making progress...slowly but surely! I don't think I am much bigger than my last picture, but come the next couple weeks I will start to pop out even more. Oh the joys! To be honest, I am just happy to be coming out of my first trimester...it is the worst! I am also excited to see what this little ball of joy is. Boy or girl...it really doesn't matter...I just want to know so I can start planning. Unfortunately, we won't be able to find out until the first part of October...patients...

I think I found my sciatic nerve...ouch!

So this baby is already making me uncomfortable! I am eleven weeks and my back is killing me. I swear I am an old lady with a hot rice bag plastered to my bum...very attractive let me tell you. I am excited though to be almost out of my first trimester. I hate it! Finding out that I was having a baby was exciting, but then if I could just be placed in a coma for the rest of my first trimester (about eight weeks) that would be heaven. I know I would miss a lot and neglect my family...but I am okay with that. I hate feeling sick for so long. I feel like a monster, but soon that will be over! HOORAY!

Baby Number 3...hooray!

Alright...it is official! There is a baby in my stomach (I'm not just getting fat) and it is due Feb. 21! The doctor said everything looks good...so that is nice. He said the heart rate is 183, which means it is fast, which means it might be a girl. He said that myth isn't always true...but I guess we will see! Either is fine with me...so whatever. I am just excited for my little peanut! I have been feeling better lately...I am still sick but it is mostly at night, which is a blessing since that is when Kevin is home. Poor Kevin...works all day, then has to come home and take care of his family. Sorry Honey! Three more weeks and we will be done with the nastly...second trimester here we come!

Belly Pics...ugh!

Alright...so I am eight weeks...almost nine...and feeling a lot better. Holy cow...a semi truck must have ran me over because I was struggling! Then all of a sudden...a little belly popped out! So through all that sleeping...something else was growing. I know I am not supposed to really show right now...and for the most part I do just look fat...but I like to pretend that it is a cute belly...helps the self-esteem when I am not really fitting into my clothing comfortably anymore. I showed really early with Abram also...kinda crazy. Anyhow...here are my first pictures...not anything special, but they are the first of many...

FuN In ThE SuN!

Yes...he is actually sleeping...snoring and all...so much help!

Oh yeah! This doesn't happen very much...but here is pic of yours truly!!!

What a big girl swimming in the deep end by herself...whohoo...

Abram is "Super Cheese Head"!

We were finally able to have a family day and went swimming in my mom's pool...it was so nice to be together! Everyone had fun basking in the sun...

Atlanta Aquarium

While in Georgia, we had the chance to go to the biggest indoor aquarium in Atlanta. Kate and Abram had so much fun looking at all the fish!

...Trip to Gerogia...

This year we had a family reunion in Buchanan Georgia. We had a blast! Here are some pictures of where we stayed...it was so beautiful. I am so glad we had the change to go!