All she wants to do is DANCE!

"Dance Party" is becoming a daily request at our house. It's pretty cheap fun actually. It simply consists of me finding some suitable music via the television and Carter and I go to town in the living room. I've never felt freer. I've always considered myself fairly uncoordinated and would be quick to say I am one bad dancer. Let's put it this way, my family requests the Roger Rabbit at any gathering so they can all have a good laugh. So, it is quite fun to dance with Carter. She is anything but judgemental and her constant giggles give my ego a boost. Dancing is always more fun with a crowd and we had just that this past Saturday night. Carter enjoyed playing with her good friends Elli and Ava during a dinner date we had planned with their mom Mindi, who just happens to be my good friend, which makes things pretty perfect. The girls were entertaining themselves quite nicely and the first photo op was of them all dressed up for a "walk", which was imaginary of course.

Ava, Elli and Carter...Tut, Tut it looks like rain!

Rain gear progressed into Princess dresses, butterfly wings, and the request for music. I love it when Carter gets to play with Elli and Ava because she does her darnedest to imitate them and it is just so cute. She came running through the kitchen saying, "Dance Party" and I couldn't stop laughing. So the music was blasting the party was underway and only a video can do this trio justice!

So, needless to say it was more than entertaining and we all had a lot of fun. On the topic of dressing up I just have to share this photo of Carter who has become rather obsessed with my shoes! Here she is sporting some major heels, we won't tell her they don't match.

Miska, Mouska, MICKEY MOUSE!

Last weekend we made the trek to Seattle along with several of our friends to see Disney Playhouse Live! We had been looking forward to it for a couple of weeks and Carter was very excited.

She packed her own little backpack and was ready to go:

We picked up our good friends Jon and Lydia Brown and after strapping in the munchkins we were all set! Carter loves Lydia and they had the best time riding in the third seat of the Expedition. They were thrilled at the fact that they could touch the ceiling of the car and spent most of the trip playing an emphatic game of "Up Down". This consisted of them touching the ceiling and then quickly bringing their hands back down to their laps while saying, "Up, Down, Up, Down" and so on. Quite entertaining.

The Munchkins:

After a stop for lunch at Panera Bread we finally arrived at our destination the Key Arena in Seattle. We were a little early and had ample time to browse the numerous food and souvenir stands. We are pleased to announce that we managed to make it out of there having spent less than $30 on snacks. You think that sounds like a lot? Well, let me tell you, I am fairly certain some people may have to take out a second mortgage on their home after visiting the Disney souvenir stand. Carter actually managed a souvenir cup out of the excursion and she now happily sips water from it before bed every night. It was worth every penny of the $8 it cost us!

Carter and her posse:Lydia, Connor, Levi, Cooper and Carter eagerly await the show!

We finally made our way to our seats and had a little time to hang out before the show started.

The show finally began and much to our delight Carter quietly watched the whole thing. I was personally somewhat disappointed that The Little Einsteins were played by 20 somethings who danced around like they'd had a bit too much caffeine, but Carter didn't seem to mind one bit! It really was a great show.

As we were leaving the arena we managed to grab a quick "Seattle" shot with the space needle in the background:
We had such a great day and Carter is sitting in my lap right now telling me she, "wants to go again" so I guess that means the small fortune we spent was worth it! On a side note here are a couple of random photos I've been wanting to post. They have nothing to do with our Disney trip, but here they are just the same. The first is one of Nate that I took and love because it just shows him for the cute, smiling, naval aviator that he is:

The second is one of Carter and I from my sisters wedding this summer. I know it's been awhile, but I just got it. I don't have many pictures of the two of us because I'm usually taking them so, here it is:

The Sweetest Sound

My heart is melting. Tonight as we knelt with Carter to say her prayers she did something that makes both Nate and I feel as if our hearts could burst. She say's "I do it." Sometimes this comes with some prompting from us, but tonight it was completely unsolicited. Is there anything more precious than listening to this little pixie as she does her best to imitate the prayers we so often say....tonight's went something like this:

Dear God, jibberish (which is my term for the word like vocabulary she uses when she is trying to imitate something), Molly and Kenny (our good friends here in O.H., we spent the evening with Molly hints the reference), more jibberish, thanks good day, something about play-doh, more jibberish followed by an emphatic AMEN.

Nate and I spend the entire time nudging each other and smiling because we are just bursting with pride at this wonder who occupies our whole hearts and has stolen them forever. What a blessing to be experiencing God's greatest gift...my cup runneth over.

Pasty...I really don't like that word.

So, I put on a pair of running shorts today and thought to myself, not only are my legs a pretty pasty shade of winter white, but there is definitely some post baby cellulite I'm still proudly sporting. I know it's been two and a half years and I should be back in shape by now, but the problem is sometimes I don't remember what the "in shape" me really looks like, let's just say it's been a while. I begin to think about all the things that have led up to and contributed to my new bod and it makes me feel just a little bit better. I mean pregnancy and birth really aren't a piece of cake, although as often as the process is repeated it seems like this fact is quickly forgotten. And, I truly did have the best of intentions post baby. I thought I would hit the gym with reckless abandon and be back in shape in no time. Those first few weeks stretched into months, I went through a few great phases don't get me wrong, but I must be the first to admit I have been anything but committed. Partly because my life was filled with something I hadn't realized would be so consuming in every way. Her blue eyes followed my every move and working out and "me" in general somehow just didn't seem so important anymore. Is it bad that for this reason, which has now turned into a pretty feisty 2 year old, I'm pretty happy with my mommy body. Sure, it's far from perfect (not that it ever was), but it is well earned. I'm not giving up or anything, I've never been a quitter. I'm enjoying the new gym membership I've had since the beginning of the year. They have a great kids room and for the first time since Carter was born it is actually possible to spend some time everyday breaking a sweat. I'm also resigned to the fact that my body won't ever look like it did before I had a baby. I guess in some weird way I feel like I traded in the old me for something much more meaningful than looking great in a pair of running shorts...and ironically, she looks REALLY great in a pair of shorts!

L is for the way you Look at me...

Happy Valentine's! I love this day. So many people say, "Valentine's is over-rated" and "I'm just not into a day dedicated to LOVE!" I say what could be better! We really get into Valentine's around here. I think nothing is greater than a day that reminds you to think about all the people you love and care about. We should live that way everyday but it's great to have a little reminder to go out of your way to show your affection! Maybe it stems from growing up with a Mom who made every holiday extra special. I wan't to be that way for Carter, I want her to grow up loving the special things about each holiday. She has been under the weather this week and we've spent most of our time at home. So, we had ample opportunity to create these little Valentine's I found on MarthaStewart.com, we thought her little friends would love them.

Love blooms! Paper Valentine's with a lollipop center:

I also decided to make a few Valentine's for my friends:

We enjoyed a Valentine's Day Party hosted by my good friend Janelle. It was Carter's first outing of the week and I think she really enjoyed having a little social interaction with someone other than her parents! She was sporting a brand new "Valentine's Day" jacket which arrived in this very cute box, compliments of Roxie...

Here is my little funny Valentine...

Carter would also like to wish everyone a very "spitty" Valentine's Day:

I had planned on ending the day with a nice steak dinner for my hubby, but he isn't feeling so hot himself. So, I made some homemade soup and thought adding a heart shaped grilled cheese to the plate was a nice touch if I do say so myself! We all enjoyed a little gift giving. Carter received a sweet little puppy (stuffed of course), Nate got a bubblegum pink Polo shirt (that I can't wait to see him in), and I got Chanel perfume (my husband should give a class on gift giving, he's that good!) I think we all felt very L-O-V-E-D!

Ok, now at the risk of making this the longest post ever I thought I would include a copy of a story I wrote for a contest. It was just a drawing for a weekend get-a-way, but you had to drop off a romantic story to be entered.

Falling in love with Nathan is the easiest, and best, thing I've ever done! Here's a few of my favorite pictures from way back when...


Meeting my parents for the first time:

Headed to Austin for a night on the town:

Swimming in the lake:

Kissing in the snow:

I love you Nate, I'm so glad you're mine, I'll always be your Valentine!

R.I.P. Zoe and Elmo

So, we decided it was time to give Carter the opportunity to have something she could help care for. You know, give her a little responsiblity. We felt like she was really ready for that at the ripe old age of two and a half. We weighed out the options and decided a fish would be right up her alley, and ours for that matter, they're about as low maintenance as you can get.

These are about to be the proud new owners of a goldfish...

When you decide to get a fish in Oak Harbor look no further than the local Wal-Mart. Upon entering the metropolis we head straight for the fish. You might be surprised to know there is actually a man who is very knowledgeable, and can tell you just about everything you would need to know about fish, working right here in our very own Wally World. After much deliberation we go with what can only be described as a ping pong ball shaped gold fish and, so it won't be lonely, a little orange one that only cost 10 cents. I mention the cost because that is what we based it on, I mean if you can buy something a friend for 10 cents it's sort of a no-brainer.

Carter checking out the 10 cent goldfish...

As we headed home with the newest members of our family we encouraged Carter to name her pets. Much to my delight she actually came up with Zoe herself. Elmo just seemed the logical choice for fish number two and we set them up in a very attractive vase on our kitchen counter. Carter was taken with her new "pets" which were just the right amount of responsibility. I mean all she really had to do was feed them a pellet three times a day it wasn't rocket science or anything. We were all co-existing quite nicely until this past Sunday when we came home to find little Elmo bottoms up. I send up a silent prayer in moments like this that Nate is home and I don't have to flush the fish myself!! I think Zoe just couldn't go on without her friend and she followed him to fish heaven 24 hours later. I know what it sounds like, we're unfit to have fish or something. But, I swear we did everything that really knowledgeable guy at Wal-Mart told us to and they still died. Sorry I don't have a picture to honor them with, I kept meaning to take one, and then I kept forgetting and well, then they were dead and that just seemed like a really creepy thing to take picture of. So, I just thought I'd share their short tragic story with you and their memory can live on in your hearts. Maybe we'll get a Beta fish to replace them, I always had great luck with those as a kid. To Be Continued...

Mommy you look aDORable!

WARNING: These words from the mouth of a two and a half year old might make your heart melt! When I received a much needed cut and color today Carter told me just how adorable she thought I looked (major emphasis on the DOR). This left me feeling like I could pose for the cover of Vogue. She sure does know how to boost my self-esteem!

Me feeling adorable...

*Note to self: Get hair cut and colored just a little more often! :)

S I C K

So, we've been M.I.A from all facets of life for the last three days. What I thought was a cold had Carter running a 104 degree plus fever at 2 o'clock Sunday morning. Nate and I, who tend to error on the side of concerned first time parents, rushed her to the ER. The good old ER...you know the place where no one is in a hurry to see you go home except for you, yeah, thats the one. Anyway, needless to say, over 4 hours later we had one tired trio and the diagnosis of acute bronchitis to ease our worried minds. After such an altered schedule Carter was bouncing off the walls until about 11:30 last night which I chose to laugh at seeing the alternative was to be frustrated which would get me no where. So, today is finding us getting back into our normal routine...I'm hoping for an 8 o'clock bedtime for little C so that mom can get some much needed R & R. For those of you feeling the effects of old man winter with some kind of cold, flu, or other annoying sickness...feel better soon!

Skittles, Popcorn and Pirates

A couple of weeks ago a day we have been anticipating for quite a while finally arrived, we took Carter to her very first movie! We love the movies and have always looked forward to the day when it could be a family affair. The new Veggie Tales movie The Pirates who don't do Anything was showing at the local theater and we thought is was the perfect opportunity to give it a whirl.

We arrived at the theater just a few minutes late and were the only ones who had planned on seeing the movie. They were actually going to cancel the showing for the day but after a little coaxing the manager cheerfully agreed to show it just for us! We let Carter choose a candy, purchased the largest tub of popcorn, a gallon of coke and $20 later we were all set for our private viewing!

She wasn't too sure at first. She sat very quietly and was intensely focused on the screen.

But, once she got to snacking I think the sugar in her blood did some good and she started enjoying the whole experience!

We all had a lot of fun. Nate and I were pleasantly surprised at how much WE liked the movie and I think this outing will soon become a new family favorite.

Snow Day

In our little corner of Washington gray and wet are a way of life. However, snow is something that we rarely see, at least not in our own backyard. So, Monday morning Nate and Carter woke me up with the news that there was a blanket of white thrown over our entire view. Quite exciting for the adults in our house and you can double that for Carter. As Nate got off the phone and announced that he would be staying home due to a "snow day" I was reminded of how those two words could bring so much happiness to my school age heart not too many years ago. I felt a little of the same excitement as we all got bundled up and headed out to enjoy making the first tracks through our yard. Our footprints and a small snowman that Nate helped Carter build were all we left behind...



Carter brings a new sense of fun to things we have been doing our whole lives. It's like you get to re-experience everything again, and in most cases it is always a little more fun the second time around.



After playing in the snow we had worked up quite an appetite. It was only 9 o'clock, and the roads weren't nearly as bad as everyone would like to have pretended, so we headed for our favorite breakfast spot The Calico Cupboard. You'll find us here most Saturday mornings. If you ever make it to Northern Washington it's a MUST. They may quite possibly have the best blueberry pancakes I've ever put in my mouth...and now I'm hungry.