Double holy communion fun

This last weekend, in addition to celebrating Jimmy's 31st birthday at T-Rex, we also spent a lot of time with Jimmy's family celebrating our sweet niece, Kenlie, and our wonderful nephew, Eli, and their first communions in the Catholic church.  

I am SO sad I didn't get a full shot of Kenlie's gorgeous dress!  When we first walked into their house on Saturday afternoon (we were late because our kids actually decided to take somewhat long naps), Kenlie was walking down the stairs of their house and she looked like a little bride!  It made me tear up a little thinking of her being old enough someday to get married!!!  But luckily for me, Shellie posted a cute little collage of her at church with her dress.  It was gorgeous!!!

I did get this cute shot of this sweet girl at the party at her house though.  She loved the purse on her shoulder too.

And even better about the dress?  Grana (Jimmy's mom) made Kenlie's American Girl Doll a MATCHING first communion dress.  So Shellie had her on display on the table with other adorable pictures of Kenlie.  So so cute!!

And just like Ben's communion 2 years ago (which was the same weekend 2 years ago because it popped up on my time hop - so crazy how fast time flies!), we all sat around in the same spot to watch her open her cards and presents celebrating her special day.  She got her very own bible too, which is pretty special.  And some holy water!!  So she walked around the room letting people do the cross - but of course I messed up because I'm not Catholic - I just blanked, even though I know exactly how it goes!!!

Charlie always takes a little bit to warm up to so many people and kids before he goes off with the kids and starts playing, but once he does, we don't see him at all.  He had a blast in the basement wrestling with his cousins and even made some new friends with two of his cousin's cousins from Shellie's side (got that...??!!).

And Maddie's outfit??! Well it's 12-18 month from Gap and it's almost too small.  This girl is growing too fast! I'm glad I tried it on because now she's going to wear it all the time- it's so cute!

We are blessed to have lots of nieces and nephews - three of which are all in second grade this year (yep, all three my SILs were pregnant at once, which makes me wish I was pregnant with them at that time too - how fun!!  Now I just need to convince my younger SIL to get pregnant the same time as me next time!).  So that meant we celebrated another first communion the next day, this time for Eli.

And I about DIED when I saw him in a suit.  Oh my goodness.  Seriously the most handsome little man ever.  He even wore it most of the party!!

All the cousins were back to celebrate Eli together and play with new toys with each other, just like the day before.  And we got to watch him open all his presents/cards too.  In just two more years, I'm guessing we will be in that same place watching Eli's sister, Katy, do the same thing.  How fun!

And the weather was GORGEOUS.  I mean seriously.  So that meant, it was nice to gravitate outside, even though the Royal's game was on.  Charlie is obsessed with baseball lately and hitting the tee - so a few of the kids got together to play outside while Uncle Jimmy pitched.  

Even Maddie wanted to join in the fun!!!  These two boys love her so.  Jimmy and I were even talking on the way home on Sunday that our kids have no idea how lucky they are to have such amazing older cousins.  Older cousins that love them, teach them to do the right things, cousins that want to hang out with them.  So so lucky.  Built in best friends.  Can't get better than that!

At the end of the playing, Maddie apparently was done with dodging all the balls and escaped under the net!  And Eli came out to announce that the Royal's WON!!  Eli is a sports expert and a huge Royal's fan - so he was super excited and that made his special day even better.

Funny story - Shellie asked Eli what he thought the wine tasted like at communion and he said "metal" - hahaha!  I guess it kind of does for kids!  Haha!!

What a great weekend celebrating two special kiddos and their first communion - we are so blessed to have them and their families as part of our family too.

Basketball weekend

So before we had kids, I would like to think we were just the greatest aunt and uncle duo.  We loved playing and spending time with all our amazing nieces and nephews...and tried to get to their games/activities as much as we could.  When we weren't busy.  Ha.  Well being the parent to two little kids now, our busy has a whole new definition and it makes it a lot harder with early bed times and nap schedules (let alone the fact that kids aren't really a fan of being dragged everywhere or constantly sitting through basketball games) to attend their activities.  We have been totally slacking the last two years and realized we have been missing out.  Missing the mark as our important role of family and aunt and uncle to our wonderful nieces and nephews.

So last weekend, we didn't have much scheduled- so we decided to compile the basketball schedules of five of our nieces and nephews and hit the ground running on the times that worked for us.  We ended up not being able to attend one game (Kenlie's) because it was during nap time- but she was Charlie's entertainment later at her brothers game.

So we started off Friday night heading to KCMO to watch Eli play at St. E's - it was so fun because it was the last set of games so they announced each kid's name and they ran to the center court before the game!!

Charlie got spoiled by uncle par off the bat by being introduced to the concession stand- lets just say he didn't have to actually "go potty" 14 times during the game...but he made sure to walk by the concession stand every time....

I love this picture of Eli after being announced!!

Eli DOMINATED.  Like I'm not kidding- he was an animal on the court and scored 16 points- I think his all time record!! He plays a mean man to man defense too- we were so proud and so was he!!

We tried to snap a shot at the end but apparently only he got the message to look at the camera!

Totally unrelated to basketball- but we got up and got going early on Saturday for Maren's game at 8am and look at what jimmy brought upstairs for me to eat after he went to the gym.  #yum #winninghusband #21dayfixapproved

Oh - and these two.  Yeah, they were excited to wake up if you can't tell!

Anyways- we braved some icy roads and made it a little late (let's be honest, if we are on time that is the anomaly these days...) to Maren's game.  She was amazing too- such a great dribbler and leader on the court. She is so smooth with the ball and much more in control than many of the other girls- very impressed!!!

I love how Charlie has already had enough of life- and how Maddie is grinning at Maren!  She was a rockstar!!

In between games, we played dress up at home while organizing the basement toys a bit.  Charlie is obsessed with Scooby Doo - so this was pretty exciting for him.

Then Charlie took his first instagram at Norah's game.  I seriously had no idea.  He was playing with my phone (in an attempt to keep him sitting down) and when I got my phone back I had a text message from my sister with a screen shot of my latest Instagram post.  Oh Charlie Carter.  Should I be impressed or not that he can post on insta??

Oh wait - Maddie was there too.  But she was much happier just sitting there watching.

Charlie was not a fan of these pictures - but Norah looked so adorable!!  She had too much fun during her game because the girl she was guarding was a girl that was in her class and they wanted nothing to do with the game.  I love girls in kindergarten.  And watching them play basketball - it's amazing and hilarious all at the same time!

In between Norah and Ben's game - we needed to eat.  All of us, including little miss.  So we decided to dine in somewhere - which if you have kids or have ever had little kids, you are well aware is a feat in itself. So we went to this old Pizza Hut by our house that we have never been too that is like a small town Pizza Hut with the dining room and salad bar.  And guess what?  There was NO one there.  SCORE.  So while Maddie slept, Charlie ran around the restaurant and read lots of books that they had and climbed in booths and it was marvelous.  Because that's right, no one eats in at a Pizza Hut anymore in Kansas City - except us.

Try it out friends with small kids!

When we headed to our final game of the night at a middle school by our house, I was worried the kids would crash.  But since there was more room to run around and more cousins to entertain Charlie and Maddie - all was good.  They had so much fun and so did we watching Ben. 

Have I mentioned that Charlie is obsessed with his older cousins??  Yep, he is.  Look at how sweet they are together!!  This melts my heart.

And the one picture that he finally posed for.  So cute!  Just missing Will and it would be a complete Carter boy cousin picture!!

Ben did awesome and it had been a while since we had watched him play - it's crazy the difference just a few years makes - from watching him in kindergarten versus fourth grade is a HUGE change.   And the cutest thing?  When we were all walking out, Ben and Charlie were holding hands.  Pretty sure I died of cuteness.

It was a crazy 24 hours driving all over and getting in and out of the car with all our STUFF and kids - but so worth it.  We were so proud to watch Eli, Maren, Norah and Ben play - and we are sad we missed Kenlie's game that was during nap - but at least we got to see her at Ben's game...and she seemed to have more fun not playing the game and just playing with her friends!

It made me realize how lucky we are that our families are both here.  It's just pretty great to have everyone so close and get to experience life with them.  And even more now that we have our own kids.  It makes me realize how lucky Charlie and Maddie are to grow up with BOTH sets of grandparents just a few minutes down the road and all of their aunts and uncles and wonderful cousins so close.

I so hope that their cousins will not only be their cousins but some of their best friends and of course, role models.  Because our nieces and nephews, they are pretty special and we are so lucky that we are able to live everyday life with them!!!!

The next day, my parents met us at our church and there was a phenomenal sermon on generations and the important role parents and grandparents play and that just made me even more grateful - especially when my parents took Charlie for a special day alone with him at their house where they played Barbies, pinball, made cupcakes, took a nap and had a grand old time.  So when they delivered him back to us that evening when we all met for dinner at my sister's house (again, just down the street) - I couldn't have felt more grateful.  I missed him so much during the day (yes, it's so crazy but true....) but it was so nice that he had such a fabulous day with them.

I think the lesson is learned - we need to do less "stuff" and make it a priority to go to our nieces and nephews games, be a continual part of their lives and remind them how much we love them...because yep, they are that important and I never want to forget that!

Oh and now Charlie won't stop playing basketball....so if anything, Jimmy loves that.

Katy turns 3 - Hello Kitty style

Now that the week is almost over and the weekend is almost here again (yeah!), I will finish with the final post of our weekend parties.  Sorry, no post on the bachelor party that Jimmy attended on Saturday because I wasn't there.  However, it might have been beneficial to everyone if I was there, being sober and all, because they are still piecing together the evening.  

We were up early on Sunday morning to head out to Deanna Rose Farmstead in south Overland Park to celebrate little miss Katy turning three years old!!!  It's crazy that she's already 3 (I know I said that about Kenlie too in her bday post) because I remember when we went to the hospital to see Pat and Trish on Emily and Adam's wedding day just 3 years ago!!  And then going to the lake that summer with her - she was SO little!!  She's growing up so fast!

Here is a cute picture that Trish posted on facebook on her birthday!  The little princess herself!

Jimmy apparently thought the party was at 5PM (regardless of the several calendar's that say 11AM and the invite on the fridge)...so I got to get home the next morning and force him to at least shower to go hang out with lots of kids!  I love birthday parties out here and while it sprinkled a little bit, the weather held off and it turned out to be a great day and was the perfect temperature!  Katy loves hello Kitty so that was the theme of the party and it was very fun!  Check out all these kids!!!

Everyone watching Katy open presents...

Katy even took the time to open the cards!  What a sweetie!!

Oh I had to get one of old Jimmy.  He looks so alert, right?  He did wander off at some point with like 6 kids in tow to go look at the buffalo.  We sent his oldest brother Tim out for reinforcements given the state that he was in.

There was lots of chatting and cousin time at this party!  Maren with Will always cracks me up because she just picks him up and spins him around and loves on him.  I was happy I caught one of her!

And then the dude club chatter complete with a handshake!  Ben is so old now too!!!

Once the food, cake and presents were done and Happy Birthday was sung by all to Miss Katy, Trish passed out the favor bags to all the kids which had some fun stuff in it, including some quarters to use in the farmstead for animal food, tickets for a pony ride, AND these cute little animal masks that were all different.  Of course some of the kids wanted to be "stars" and get their picture taken with them on....commence photo shoot!

Kenlie the pig

Ben the bear

And sweet Norah the raccoon

Everyone was then off to explore all the animals and enjoy the park!  This place is pretty cool if you haven't been here.  We have been here a few times now for some birthday parties and I know I'm looking forward to bringing our own little guy here once he's a little older and can enjoy!  There is just so much for the kids to do!  Including man picture ops...

Kenlie and Maren as flowers!

And this garden they were in was sponsored by K-State...so they found this tile in there and wanted me to take their picture by it.  Maren said that her Aunt Vanessa and Uncle Chris would love this picture...I agreed!!

My one animal shot of the day?  These pigs all crammed into a baby pool!!!  So funny!  And Libbie and I were in deep discussion about how pigs aren't really THAT cute and I would agree!!

After some more walking around and a stop by Ben's bank, it was time for pony rides.  All the kids loved these!!  It's crazy because as I mentioned, we had been here before for Kenlie's birthday party - but that was back in 2010!!  I kept saying I remember that Norah was so little last time we were here and I was right.  Check out this post!!!  I even have a picture of little Norah who was stuck in the stroller and not happy about it because she was too little to ride the pony.  Well guess what?  This time she was old enough and loved it and it was her little brother Will that was stuck in the stroller and had to miss out on the fun!  Seriously - TIME FLIES!!!

Norah on the pony!

Kenlie loving it!

Maren was a pro!

Libbie looking SO stylish as always!

And Ben...

I think Ben was more upset because he didnt' get to ride the horse named Jimmy and he really wanted to because he thought it was funny that his uncle and a horse had the same name.  The guy did say that Jimmy was moody today and temperamental so he couldn't come out.  Hmmm - ironic because that was how Jimmy was feeling the rest of the day! Haha.

After that, and several bathroom stops in between, it was time to go because I needed a nap BAD!  And luckily I actually came home and took one.  Staying out until 2:30 isn't good for anyone, but especially 8 months pregnant and then getting up at 8 to get ready for a kid's birthday party!!!

Overall, it was another fun Carter birthday party and we had a great time!!!  It was fun to see Katy so excited to see all her friends and family and open up her presents and have a great time!! Cheers to many more wonderful birthday's Katy - we love you!

Kenlie turns 5

This past weekend, our niece Kenlie celebrated turning FIVE!!!  Holy moly, I remember the year when Maren, Eli and Kenlie were all born in 2006/2007 and now they are all going to kindergarten this upcoming school year.  Cannot believe it.

Kenlie celebrated in style at a Barbie-Q which was a fun celebration at her parents house full of family, fun and lots of BARBIES!!  Which I love Barbies, so it was that much more fun for everyone.  Shellie always throws such wonderful parties and goes along so great with the theme.  So there were Barbie's everywhere and Barbie cups and Barbie themed punch and even a Barbie themed scavenger hunt with all of the kids.

Shellie baked a cake that was delicious and lemon and had a BARBIE in the middle!!  Kenlie got to blow out her candles with a Barbie in the middle.  Even better.  I see you are catching onto the theme quickly right?

Then it was time for presents.  She got lots of wonderful presents many Barbie themed - including a Barbie bedroom set, a few more Barbies AND a Barbie laptop even, which she loved.  Well for our present we went with something similar to what I made for Maren for her 5th birthday and for Eli...but a little modified.  I made them dress up carts to hang their dress up clothes and store their shoes that were about 4 feet tall from the Ana White website.  They looked a little something like this but Maren's was purple and pink and Eli's was red and blue.  Instead of a spot to hang her dress up clothes though....

Shellie suggested that Kenlie would really like a place to hang up her American Girl doll clothes.  So that is exactly what I whipped up in the garage.  It was 24 inches tall to account for the 18 inch doll clothes and even had a little spot to store her shoes.  She has Molly the American Girl - which is the one that my sister had growing up (I had Felicity) so that was kind of fun.  She really liked it....

But then Jimmy had the idea to get her Abigail the interactive storybuddy from where else but Hallmark??  We got all the kids Jingle last Christmas and they really liked them and since then Hallmark has come out with more everyday ISB's that are super cute and this little rabbit Abigail is pretty adorable.  Kenlie thought so too - she was pretty much in love with her and she had me sit down and read her like all of the books.  Abigail responds with some cute sayings like "I love my mom" and "I want to grow up".

So after the present opening I had to steal a picture with her.  Look at her awesome shirt that Shellie made too!!  Libbie, her older sister, had a matching shirt but just with a little Barbie silhouette on the top right.  She was having a wonderful night!!

Here were some of the fun decorations that she had out and then the cupcakes!!

We stayed late and and even got to open up some of her presents and start to play with her!  It was a very fun night!

And our other sister in law brought over some of our nephew Will's clothes that he has outgrown for little Baby Carter and boy were they cute!  It's was very fun to hang up the clothes and put the shoes away and imagine of all the fun that is to come with this sweet little boy.

The weekend didn't end there.  On Saturday afternoon, Jimmy and I went to Kenlie's dance recital and watched her dance to the song Day-O.  She was the star of the show in our opinion and has quite the moves!!!  She was like a professional.  And I loved the costumes too!!  Check it out!!  It was so fun to see her after and see how excited she was!!

Cannot believe all these little kids are growing up so fast!!  It feels like yesterday we were just holding them as little babies and watching them learn how to walk and talk - and now they are all grown up!!!!  If I feel like this as an aunt...I cannot imagine how it will feel to be a mom!!!