Easter weekend - lots of pics

So first off - I read somewhere that people hate reading blog posts with an incessant amount of pictures. So I apologize in advance.  I should also learn after 8 years of blogging how to easily put together a photo collage, but apparently there's no time for that.  So, you just get lots of pictures - because seriously, this is how I document our lives and my kids baby books - sorry kids!  And there is a 5 minute video on Charlie seeing what he got from the Easter bunny - which I realize seems like Santa and is a little overboard.  But I promise, the kid got books, bubbles and the cars DVD and the easel?  Well it was $15 from IKEA and I have been dying to buy it for like 2 years - and it was a Friday night IKEA date on a whim purchase.  

Now that I have that off my chest, let's talk about Easter weekend.  

It was a busy one.  We kicked it off a day early too because the stock market is closed and so was Maddie and Charlie's day care.  Convenient...haha for them.  We started the day with a visit to the doctor (another ear infection for Maddie - yes 4th round of antibiotics) and then to Monkey Bizness with Nana.  Charlie played his freaking heart out.

Saturday we had a BUSY morning.  I will share those pictures later - but Charlie had soccer again and it was my first time going.  Needless to say, soccer at his age is interesting.  But he did really good this week.

Then it was off to our best friend, Jack's THIRD birthday celebration.  No idea how he is already three, but what a little cutie he is.  Charlie was SO jealous of his race car present and told me already that is what he wants for his birthday!  What a stud Jack is!

After naps, we headed to church for their annual Easter egg hunt.  it is seriously SO much fun.  They have a photo booth, baby chicks, lots of eggs (had over 5000 this year!) and lots of other fun things like decorating sugar cookies, some cake walks and a playground (\duh that was his favorite).

Here we are with our only family picture of Charlie trying to get eggs!!

And for fun - a this year and last year of our photo booth pictures.  It's seriously crazy to me what a difference a year can make.  Cannot imagine our family without sweet Maddie!!

What's nice is that there is a church service immediately following the hunt and they had sandwiches and chips for everyone to eat before.  I love that because I'm not kidding when I say sometimes the most exhausting part of my day is getting my kids in and out of car seats - so one less trip to make a non-stressful Sunday morning of Easter - I'll take it!

Here is a picture of my sister, her boyfriend and us!!

Like I said, church on Saturday means for a fun Easter Sunday morning.  And the Easter bunny did not disappoint this year!  Maddie and I were up early and got some eggs hidden, breakfast ready and saw what the Easter bunny left for them!

Here is a ridiculously long home video - but I think it's kind of funny when Charlie shares his animal crackers from the Easter bunny with Maddie and then Willy eats it.  Oops.  #parentfail

Playing with his basket goodies!  New books and bubbles and a mask!

After that excitement wore off - everyone attacked dad.  Per usual.

Maddie tried on her adorable dress that the Easter bunny got her.  She looks like Jimmy here!  Love how sweet this picture is of them!!  And FINALLY Charlie is old enough to use the easel!!

OFF TO AUNT LULU'S HOUSE!

My sister hosted lunch this year; we brought smoked chicken and ham and some salad.  My grandmother made her famous Easter cake and it was so cute!!

Charlie peed his pants.  And the pee ran ALL down his leg and onto my sister's floor.  So he ran around in a diaper the whole time.  Chasing her poor dogs.

We were running on empty and it was nap time, so we quickly did an egg hunt and then my mom and sister gave my kiddos their easter baskets.  Complete with silly string from Nana.  Charlie was NOT a fan - but I think mainly because he was so tired.  We will try again, mom!

Three generations in pink!

Using his new minion blanket and pillow from my sister.  He freaking loves it!

THen - oh yes, our weekend is not over yet - after naps we headed over to Jimmy's parents house.  Jimmy apparently was on the hunt for his new go to beer and did a blind taste test with his brothers complete with a bracket.  Only something the Carter brothers would come up with.  Seriously.

Coors Original ended up winning.  Gross.  And fattening.

And what Carter event is complete without a delicious meal?  The cousins all enjoyed a meal together with lasagna and garlic bread.  They all forced Charlie to eat.  I love peer pressure and wish that some of them would come home with me and make him do things there!!

Maddie was having a blast in her seat snacking with Will and Norah.

And finally - my amazing MIL put together an Easter egg hunt for all the grandkids with their names on the eggs.  So the hunt was on!!!  Let's just say, Jimmy and I appreciate this part.  While Charlie is obsessed with the candy that day, luckily once we hide the basket he forgets about it and we can snack on everything left.  Reeses eggs - thank you very much!

My mom had Easter Monday off, so when she came over the night after Easter to watch our kiddos while we had to go to something - this is what I found.  I LOVE that she bargain shops for my sister and I.  And with that said - I am already looking forward to Easter next year to use all these amazing decorations!  Thanks mom!

So yes, this is a week late recap, but nonetheless - we had a BUSY and fun Easter weekend.  The recap is late because it's taken us a week to recover from all the fun we had.

Hope you had a great Easter too!!

Kansas Beta turns 100

So let's do a rewind back to the last weekend in March when I went back to my alma mater with 850 of my sisters.  Ha- no but really.  It was the Kansas Beta Pi phi chapter's 100th anniversary and my oh my did they put on a celebration.  And it was so fun that so many of our Kansas Beta sisters made it back to celebrate!!

I haven't been back to Manhattan in a long time and boy has it changed!! So many new developments popping up and all the things that we didn't have in college (they even have a chick fil a now!!).

But truly, it's weekends like these that make you realize that man oh man somehow you got so lucky in life to be blessed with just the most amazing friends.  Friends that have been with you through both good times and bad and friends that just get you.

And also a few friends that haven't changed one bit in size or there spunky personalities- like Van.  Case in point- she STILL fits in the cabinet outside the bathrooms in the chapter house and STILL has a good attitude about getting in it and scaring people. 

Pretty much this moment while we were all touring the chapter house (after a delicious lunch at so long saloon!!) made me realize that while we may get older...some things will never change.  And it made me so happy!

What else made me happy was how AMAZING the house looked!!  The house corporation has done wonders in the past 5 years or so since I've been back.  The updated furniture, decor and wall colors and carpet seriously looked amazing.  I especially liked the Kansas Beta bench in the entry way.  Maybe Maddie will sit on it one day as a Kansas Beta Pi phi? (No pressure, Maddie!)

And what trip back down memory lane at a place that holds so so many wonderful memories is complete without a picture outside??  We have SO many of these over the years and had to get just one more!  Seriously love these ladies so much!

And in usually fashion, after the tour, we headed back to aggieville for some day drinking at Porter's.  The weather was perfect and the company was even better.

A few of us did make it to the banquet that evening at the Hilton - and while it might not have been the best food (yes, Coco Bolos would have been better and cheaper!), it was fun to get dressed up and hang out with some Pi Phis from different pledge classses.  Older and younger!!

I loved seeing so many women that I have worked with over the years through Pi phi as an active member, an alumni volunteer on the AAC and as a regional adviser.  It gave me an itch to get back involved, but we will see how that goes.  My plate is pretty full with kiddos and work!

Best part? Finally got some pictures with my little sister!!  Haha.  She claimed we haven't had one since my wedding (not true)- so I made sure we got some good ones. 

Love her!!

And then we ended the night BACK in aggieville. I wish I would have taken more pictures or stole them from Van!!  But I did get a shot of my $2 pounder- you should have seen our faces when the bartender told us it was $5.75 for my beer and her run and coke. Gotta love college prices!

Emily and I were held against our will in Aggieville - haha - by Van.  Lol - just kidding.  But we were staying at her husband's parent's condo and Chesney was driving us and Courtney (dr. seacat) wanted late night Hunam - so we pulled up our big girl panties and stayed out.  Luckily, we stopped drinking in time so we were not hung over.  But we did get some Pita Pit - AND watched our friends that MIGHT have had one too many drinks enjoy some Chinese food and make some interesting conversation with other drunkards in line.

I will NOT type the funny things that were said, but let's just say they will not be a forgotten memory (thanks Gart!)

It was nice to be away (my first night away from Miss Maddie) while Jimmy held down the fort at home - but it was so nice to come home.

These girls.  My college friends.  My Pi Phi sisters.  They really are one of a kind.  I literally never thought that decision that I made as a 17 year old starting my freshman year of college would shape my life - but it has because of these amazing women that I met and have been friends with through thick and thin.  They are amazing.  We are there for each other in good times and bad and I am so lucky to call these women my friends.  Through engagements, heart breaks, weddings, marriages, pregnancies, lost babies, new babies, new parent struggles, lost parents, lost siblings, etc.  The things that we have supported each other through is amazing and I feel so so blessed for each of them.  Our arrows for sure have an extra bit of sparkle.

Until next time Manhattan....

5 years of marriage

Well our actual anniversary (April 10) has come and passed, and here I am blogging late (per usual).  But no way I can let this momentous occasion pass without a post (even though we are really celebrating together at the end of May).

So here we go.  FIVE YEARS.

It seems like forever ago...

...but also like yesterday from when we said "I do" at St. Joseph Catholic church in front of our family, friends and God.  

Forever ago because so much has changed in our lives since that day.  Two kids, a new car, a new house, a handful of new jobs, new day cares, new church, new friends, old friends and growing families.  But at the same time...when it's just Jimmy and me hanging out alone (after the kiddos are in bed at night) and we are talking and laughing - those times it feels like we are still in college or in the early days of our marriage.

I literally couldn't ask for a better partner in life.  Yes, we have our ups and downs and fights and disagreements.  With two kids - life in general is challenging.  But it worth it.  Because he absolutely gets me.  And I get him.  It is a relationship I have never experienced before and I could not love it more the way our relationship and life together is developing and growing.  

So cheers, Jimmy.  Cheers to the last 5 years and cheers to many many more together.  Through good times and bad - I promise to be by your side.  

While we didn't do much to celebrate on Friday (besides dropping off our kiddos at my parents for a quick and delicious sushi train dinner!), we are on the countdown to our first kid free trip since Charlie was born in Mexico.  We are going back to where our honeymoon was and we are so excited.  Days with nothing to do and no one to take care of and just each other to talk to - throw on top of that unlimited food and drinks - yep, count me in!!!

Some selfies from our sushi date.

And in the mean time, our children found a fun activity at my parents house - Charlie pushed Maddie around in a buggy that we used to play with at my grandparents house in Iowa.  Seriously - they did this for a good 30 minutes straight.  Only a few falls from Maddie with some aggressive turns.  Haha.  These kids.  Love them more than anything.

And for some fun - a few throw back pictures of us that Jimmy recently posted.  Oh my!

It is true - she's 9 months old

Length:  30 in (98%)

Weight:  22.6 lbs (95%)

Head: 18 in (93%)

How in the world you are possibly already 9 months old is beyond me, but it's come and gone on April 4th.  It's crazy to look back last year and think you were just a little baby inside me that we didn't even know yet.  We just love having you here with us and in our family.  Nothing better than having a sweet baby girl!

Milestones:

• You LOVE to smile.  
• But you can also just freak out and cry and scream in an instant and it's so sad.  Your poor ear.
• So last month you had your first ear infection and I'm pretty sure that it never went away.  4 rounds of antibiotics later...you poor poor thing.
• How do you have 5 teeth?  And they are NOT straight at all.  Haha!!
• Crawling, standing, you do it all.  You don't like you sit still and like to go all over.  You have tried to stand by yourself a few times. Oh my.
• Well, because of said ear infections, you are not a fan of sleeping really. I absolutely don't blame you because that cannot feel good - but let's just say we are all tired.  You and me and your dad.
• You are still in size 4 diapers - but your tummy and thighs are not getting any smaller.
• Trying new things to eat and drink.
• Sippy cup!  We introduced that and you can drink out of the straw, but sometimes like to spit it out.  I even put some breastmilk in a sippy cup and sent you to Nana's and guess what?  You drank almost all of it!!
• Still nursing.  I still love it.  So much.  But I'm thinking that it might be time to go down to pumping just once a day at work.  It's a love/hate thing my baby girl.  I love nursing and I hate pumping - but I still do it over and over again just for you!
• I love that you mimic everything that we do from blowing bubbles to belly laughing to talking/babbling!

Things you like:

• Breastmilk - from the direct source or bottle; girlfriend, I watched you take a bottle at school and you SUCKED down 7 ounces in literally 2 minutes flat.  Holy moly.  It kind of makes me ok possibly to stop nursing before the 12 month mark.
• You love mum mums - you will eat other food at school but at home you like to play with it!
• You are a crazy crazy crawler.  And you pull up on everything.  Trying to go upstairs, etc.  Watch out world!
• Playing peek a boo

Things you don't like:

• Diaper rash, ear infections, medicine - AHHH!  Make it stop.
• Mom leaving your sight - talk about separation anxiety - it's in full force

Special memories this month!!

• You started CRAWLING!!!  And now you are everywhere.  It's crazy and so fun at the same time - I think your brother thinks differently of it - just for now.
• You made it through another daylight savings time - I'm not going to lie, I just dread these a lot - but you did ok!
• Having oh so much fun at day care these days and getting so big
• We had another road trip - this time to Wichita, KS to visit Lauren and David (and meet up with the Ruddick family).  Unfortunately, that was a very expensive trip, as you ended up in the ER (after some disappointing doctor's diagnosis at urgent care....).  Girlfriend - let's stop at going to the ER after 3 times, ok??
• Your first St. Patrick's Day!! 
• You had ANOTHER few ear infections.  For real?  Right before your official 9 month "birthday" you were diagnosed with your fourth one - I don't think they ever healed and your poor bottom hasn't either from those silly drugs.
• On top of that - so so many teeth!  Three more this month - which is crazy.  You are not a fan.
• Tagged along with your brother to a fun play date at a coffee shop - yeah!
• You "talk" and say "da-da" but not "mama"yet!

A note to our girl:

This month has been ROUGH.  You have just been so sick with ear infections and diaper rash and getting teeth and puking.  My poor baby.  We are trying to get it figured out and are hopefully on your last round.  I already made an appointment with the ENT in two weeks - so hopefully we can get it fixed lady!

But we also had some great times this month.  And it's so fun to see you when you are happy and playing and laughing.  Your gummy smile is not so gummy anymore with your 5 teeth that are popping through. We just love seeing you grow up, even though it's a little bittersweet, but you are growing into a beautiful young baby girl - that has a tint of RED hair (ah!!).

We are looking forward to spring time with you!

Love,

Your parents

*******************************************************************************

Comparison picture at 9 months-

Some outtakes from the 9 month photos - Charlie was the only one who could get you to smile!!

And then you were off down the hall and Charlie was playing with you by crawling back.

Ummm--- your hat is too small and SO much fun at day care.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

So so cute at day care playing!!!

Fun with friends.  Look at those babies!

So so big girlfriend.

Enjoying an indoor picnic.

With Great Grandmother

SMILES

Acting like you are a little baby still!!!!!

Looking like your daddy!!! 

Some great people

So before I get into the happenings of this past weekend in Manhattan, I took these pictures the previous weekend when we were hanging out at my mom and dad's house - enjoying the gorgeous weather and my dad's new fire pit he bought at the Iowa state fair. 

Hanging out there and doing nothing is pretty amazing.

Especially when no one judges you when your son brings over a (clean) toilet brush as a sword.

(I promise it really had never been used - not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing in terms of how clean I'm admitting our toilets are - or aren't)

And even better when you add family time + nice weather + SMORES

My favorite things and my favorite people.

Girlfriend and I were having fun watching from afar.

Papa even made me a smore (sorry Maddie - maybe in a few months!)

These two love their Nana.  But Charlie does not like it when Maddie has something that he wants.

Hence him kicking her out of the chair she was sitting in!  Big brothers sometimes...

And finally - we enjoyed the basketball hoop.  The same one that I shot at SO many times as a kid.  My dad always said free throws are the most important because you need to make them.  So he would sit at the kitchen table and watch me shoot through the window - most of the time having to make 10 in a row before I could come in.  Haha - it's funny to think of those times and I feel lucky that my kids get to play on this same basketball court and experience all these times with my parents too.

Counting our blessings for both sides of our family.  Because we are so lucky to have all them in our lives and all live in Kansas City.  Thankful for each and every one of them.

Charlie and Norah last weekend at Grana and Pop's house.

All the Carter boy cousins... *dudes club*

Do me a favor and remind your family members how much you love them today.