Family Pictures... These were all taken at the lake house in Minnesota... Fun times!

Sorry for the Delay!!! We were on vacation and had a great time. Below are the pics and a quick re-cap.

Great Grandma Jean... She's so awesome... Carter was all smiles listening to all of her great stories.

Just a little family pic in the woods... We took a billion of them and plan to enlarge quite a few.

And another... Carter seems pretty used to the camera flashing in his face... I think he got pretty bored by the end of our photo shoot.

The grandparents with Carter at their lake... Carter swam in it quite often and loved it... Can't wait til' next year!

Andy and I were able to get away for a couple of days to the beautiful North Shore of Lake Superior... It was such a nice time. We thought it was a bit weird at first not having to unload two dogs and carry a baby, but we managed to adjust pretty quickly :) We got home to Carter as soon as possible though.

Look at that face... He melts my heart on a daily basis!

Summers in Minnesota... gotta love em'... I hear this is what y'all were wearing down in Texas :)

Carter confused himself with the dishes... He's so big, the sink was hardly big enough... He loved splashing around and making a bubbly mess.

Its the summer version of A Christmas Story...

A beautiful double rainbow at the lake...

Focusing really hard on sitting up by himself... He tipped over a few moments later... but he is getting better.

Baby Banz... too cool for school... Thank you Grandpa Jack. I love my new shades.

SUPER cute pic of cousin Sully smooching Carter goodbye. She was just precious.

Hey guys... sorry it's been so long. Andy, Carter, and I were on a 3 1/2 week vacation. We started out in Arkansas at my family reunion. I haven't been to one in over 10 years, and it was a lot of fun! Carter got to meet lots of family and he and his sweet cousin Sullivan really hit it off. Her mom and dad generously gave us a place to stay and we were very relieved that they didn't kick us out after our two dogs decided to mark their territory all over their living room floor... Toby and Ally, if you are reading this... again, sorry and thank you! :):):)

Next, we made it up to Minnesota where we spent the majority of the time at Andy's parent's lake house. It is so beautiful up there. We got to see friends and lots of family and had a really great time. We spent the 4th of July with Andy's aunt and uncle and their kids, and Carter met even more of his little cousins... It was really fun to see all the kids playing together, although Andy's brother, Ben, and his grown cousin, Steve, were quite entertaining as well... Just think family style Mixed Marshall Arts between two thirty-something year old men...

We spent many long and gloriously lazy days at the lake, enjoying the mild weather and cold water. Though we had to get back to the blazing heat of Texas, we are glad to be home and are looking forward to the rest of our summer vacation. We have about 4 1/2 more weeks to soak it all in.

I hope you are all great and God bless!

Fab Four and Pictures Galore!!!

The Fab Four!!!! Meet Carter, Demi, Nico and Helia!!!! From left to right...me and Carter, Alison and Demi, Dee Dee and Nico, and Courtney and Helia! I've known Alison and Dee Dee since 1st grade and Courtney since my freshmen year in college. These babies are going to be life-long friends whether they like it or not... and NO, this was NOT planned!!!!

Seguin girls and their precious babies... do not be fooled by the calmness in the picture :) This was the aftermath of quite an eventful dinner :)

Carter flirting with Helia... He may appear like he just wants her toys, but he's just being smooth... Check out the look on her cute little face, though... Yep... he's quite the ladies man :)

Carter and Nico in their first wrestling match... It was hilarious, and I'm sure there are plenty more of these in their future.

Cousin Christopher and Carter just chillin' in Brenda's pool. This is the life!!!

Like father like son! So, so cute!!!

Uncle Warren and Aunt Caroline surprised us with a great visit to Seguin. Carter looks so tiny when Warren holds him... It's all an illusion :)

"As long as I have my grandma and my giraffe, I am good to go."

" Great Grandma Geri couldn't believe how big I was... She's so cool... she does pilates at her new house... If I knew what that was, I'd be even more impressed!"

All smiles in his bounce-mobile... Andy and I often wish they would make these in adult sizes :)

Flyin' high and lovin it!

Bottle belly anyone???? There's like an entire keg of milk in there!!!!

Carter LOVES his jungle-scape... he doesn't seem to mind at all that it is totally covered in his drool and spit up... It just blends in so well.

Just a quick pic with mom... this camera guy follows me everywhere.

This is a pretty recent picture of our pond. Andy and I dug and built it last year, not knowing that we had a stone quarry in our backyard. Our rose bush is now in full bloom, and we plan to install a rock border around the whole thing to finish it off.

These are some lillies from around our pond... we had more in our front yard as well... They're enormous and really pretty.

"One day, I'm gonna be this big!!!"

What a WONDERFUL start to our summer!!!

Andy, Carter, and I went to Seguin to see lots of family and friends! We were able to have a fabulous, yet tad chaotic dinner with 3 of my closest friends, along with their husbands and babies, all of whom were born within months of one another. It was so much fun, and I would like to commend the staff at Trudy's in South Austin for putting up with 7 brand new parents and their 4 infants... THANK YOU!!! At one point 3 out of the 4 babies were crying all at the same time... Carter seemed to sleep through it all... Moms and Dads were up and bouncing around the whole restaurant, dozens of pictures were being taken, and I'm pretty sure our table was the only one that thought the whole thing was in any way cute... but I guarantee you it was :)

We also got to see Great Grandma Geri, and Carter put on quite a show of smiles and acrobatics the whole time for her to oooh and ahhh over... It was so much fun!

Of course, my mom and dad and family all loved his visit, and I think they even enjoyed mine and Andy's company as well :) Carter had his first swim ever at Brenda's on Sunday and absolutely loved it. He got to meet all kinds of family, in addition to a little cousin just a month younger. It was such a blast, and our summer has just begun!

Tropical Wedding and Family Fun!

The softer side of Warren with his beautiful bride... how sweet.... but it was soon followed by... wait for it....

Harlequin Romance Fabio poses and...

Manly chest bumps on the beach... so much fun!!!

Warren and I after the ceremony... notice the little boy in the background... is he doing the slap dance????

Carter's first attempt at rice cereal... this is pretty much what the 2nd-5th attempt looked like, too.

Hey man... I'm ready for the beach... Mom tells me the guys do chest bumps there.

There is nothing wrong with a little pampering from time to time...

Warren got hitched!!! Yep... my little brother tied the knot in a beautiful beach wedding in Riviera Maya, Mexico. The Barcelo Maya resort was amazing, the weather perfect, and the overall experience was wonderful! He and Caroline make a beautiful couple, and everyone had a great time!

I did cry like a baby when I had to leave Carter, but he and Andy had a really nice man's weekend, and he was full of smiles when they picked me up from the airport. It was a great vacation, but even more wonderful returning to see my husband and baby boy's handsome faces.

We have less than a week and a half left of school, and I couldn't be more excited! Andy and I definitely have Teacheritis, and we are counting down the days. This summer will be so much fun hanging out and traveling with Carter. We plan to visit Seguin, Arkansas, and Minnesota this summer, so we'll be making the rounds for sure.

I hope you are all wonderful! God bless and talk to you soon!

Men's Weekend!

This weekend it's just me and Carter. We took Trish to the airport early Friday morning. She flew to Mexico for her brother Warren's wedding outside of Playa Del Carmen. There were lots of tears from momma as she kissed her boy goodbye. It is the first time she has been away from him for more than 6 hours or so. She'll be back Sunday evening. This means that it's just the guys for the weekend.

I took Carter to the doctor Friday morning for his 4 month check up. He is very healthy and strong at 26 1/2 inches long and 14 lbs 15 oz. He loves to flirt with any lady who smiles at him and the nurses were no exception. I was nervous about him getting his shots because the last time he got them he cried most of the day. Trish and I spent that day taking turns rocking him. I was wondering how I would handle that situation on my own... but the little guy saved his daddy by being perfect after the shots. He cried hard for a few minutes but once I got him in his car seat he fell asleep. He slept on and off throughout the day and when he was up he was very sweet. He even talked to his grandma and grandpa in Minnesota. He also talked to his Great Grandma Jean this morning. He can't wait to meet her this summer.

Today we went grocery shopping. He had fun riding in the cart and looking at all the people. A lady in line told me that I was a brave dad but I assured her that he makes it very easy. Oh yeah, when Trish gets home we will be starting Carter on rice cereal. I'm very interested to see how he takes to eating from a spoon. In a few weeks we'll be able to see if he likes bananas as much as his daddy!

Life is Good...

Just me and my mom on Mother's Day... thanks for the whole birth thing, Mom. I owe ya.

Happy Baby! Daddy is hilarious!

I love my daddy... and I love my new monkey pajamas! They were so comfy, I wore them to church... Good thing I'm a baby... otherwise that would just be weird :)

Mom's not too good at Chess... My drooling didn't seem to help any either... Don't worry, Mom... you'll get em' next time.

Excuse me... Grandpa Jack and I are trying to have a private conversation... He's trying to tell me about all the trouble Daddy got into when he was a kid.

Hola!

Today is Mother's Day... my first of many, and it was so nice and relaxing. Andy and Carter woke me up with the sweetest letters and gifts; we had a lovely time at church and a very low-key afternoon, just spending time together as a family. Andy plans to continue pampering me by making me dinner tonight... I'm one lucky lady, that's for sure!

Andy's parents were in town last weekend, and we had a great time. Grandpa Jack hadn't seen Carter since he was 3 weeks old... Holy smokes has he changed! He's grown so much and has such a sweet personality... Life with Carter is like the Discovery Channel... we all learn something new everyday.

Thank you for your conitnued prayers for my mom. Though the cancer has returned, it has not spread, and she is able to go to my brothers wedding!!! She is so awesome... She told me today that she bought all new make-up and two new dresses and can't wait to get down there and MAMBO!!!! She'll out dance us all I'm sure! Plus, after a second opinion from MD Anderson, it looks like she and my dad won't have to move, as she can continue getting quality treatment in Seguin! So... your prayers are working... THANK YOU!

I hope you are all doing great, and for all you mothers out there... HAPPY MOM'S DAY!!!

Growing like a weed...

Family picture taken at Warren and Caroline's wedding shower. Carter was a huge hit!

Here's lookin' at you kid!

Like father, like son! So cute!

Does this look comfortable to anyone else? Carter loves sleeping like this... Crazy kid.

One day I'll be this tall!

Lots of pictures of me flying... You're lucky I'm not afraid of heights.

Warren and mom at his shower/ man party. It was a lot of fun, and we can't wait until his wedding in Mexico in a few weeks. Vamos a fiesta!!!

Uncle Warren trying to explain what its like to be an Aggie... Carter doesn't seem to get it :)
Me and my Grandma just hanging out. She adores me :)

Uncle Peter from Colorado stopped by for a quick visit... I broke him in quickly by spitting up all over his shirt. He handled it pretty well... he's welcome to visit anytime :)

Hey y'all! How's it going? Our little Carter is getting bigger by the second. Andy took him to the doctor for a little cold and he weighs 13lbs. 8oz. He's such a big boy and changing everyday. He's so alert and happy and smiles and talks all the time. The ladies at the daycare tell me that he loves getting in their conversations :) He's very strong and quite the flirt... he loves to smile at the ladies... We'll have to keep an eye on him when he gets older :)

Andy and I are great! 5 more weeks til' summer... Woooo Hoooo!!! This is the time of the year when the countdown really begins, and we are totally looking forward to some quality time off with family and friends.

Thank you for your continued prayers for my mom. She is meeting with MD Anderson on the 30th, so we'll know more then. She will be able to go to my brother's wedding at the end of May, so that is wonderful news. We are all looking forward to it.

God bless and keep in touch!