Easter 2014

After such a busy weekend our Easter was nice and quiet.  Our Easter bunny hid our baskets for us to find before we had to run to church, how did he know that Carson has been into time lately and really wanted a Darth Vader clock?!  Tanner got a big truck.

After church we noticed that the easter bunny hid some eggs in our yard for an Easter Egg hunt! Its so nice to have a big back yard!

Both boys loved it!

Enjoying a quiet Sunday afternoon eating our chocolate bunnies.

Hope everyone enjoyed their Easter and had time to reflect on the true meaning of this special day.

I think I've mentioned this before, but Carson likes watching toy reviews on you-tube and one of his favorites are "egg surprises" so we took a video of him giving us a review of his egg surprise.  I just wish I knew how to do the sound so I can tone down Tanners piercing whine.  Tanner was next to me while filming so it sounds extra loud.  

Sea World

Back in December we bought tickets to Sea World, but both Brad and I woke up that day with flu like symptoms and we decided to forgo Sea World for another day (tickets were good for a year).  We have been having beautiful weather lately, and since Brad had a four day weekend this week due to Good Friday we thought it would be a perfect time to cash in our tickets and go to Sea World.

We went to see the sea lion show first.  

Carson thought it was pretty funny.

Shamu was next, and I must say it was pretty disappointing compared to the last time we saw it.  I think they probably had to change the show, because of what happened with the fatal tragedy in Florida, or maybe even due to the bad publicity from the movie Blackfish.  Either way it wasn't nearly as good as it used to be.  Although they did have an adorably cute baby shamu.

Brad took Carson on a roller coaster ride similar to splash mountain.  I was pretty impressed that Carson wanted to ride it.  Brad said when they were actually on the ride, Carson's face was pure terror, but he liked it enough to go on it twice!

  Tanner and I waiting while dad and Carson ride the ride.

Saw the dolphin and beluga whale show: very cool acrobats.

Our favorite exhibits: the Sharks and penguins

taking a little climbing break

 at the end of the day we spent some time riding the kiddie rides.  I find it funny that Tanner loves going on amusement park rides, but yet freaks out when daddy tosses him up in the air.  Silly boy.

Such a fun day!  The boys loved it and Carson is already asking to go again.  Great way to spend the weekend.

Carson 5

On this beautiful Easter day, it just feels appropriate to post the boys pictures.  Nothing says spring quite like these little boys in the bluebonnet fields.

Age: 5

Tells me every day that he'll love me forever and that I'm his best friend.  How can you not love that?  

Carson's Favorites:

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite show: Star Wars the Clone Wars (its a Star Wars cartoon), Ninjago (lego ninjas), Superhero Squad (a show with all of carson's favorite superheros fighting the bad guys together)

Favorite food: mashed potatoes with "regular" gravy aka: brown gravy

Favorite games: Angry birds and Plants vs Zombies

What he wants to be when he grows up: a dad

Loves: going to school, playing on the ipad, playing at the park, going on short runs with dad, playing with toys, holidays, and going swimming.

I'm so proud of the little man Carson is turning into.  A couple weeks ago at school another little boy told Carson he was an ugly boy.  Carson then told his teacher, the teacher told Carson how to handle the situation.  Carson then went back to the boy, put his hands on his hips, and firmly told him that he was not an ugly boy.  As a mom its a little upsetting to hear that starting in preschool there are already bullies, but I loved how both Carson and the teacher dealt with it.

Carson loves playing with everyone, loves to play tag, and is very inquisitive.  Love him! 

Tanner 2.5

Age: 2 1/2

I think Tanner knows that a change is coming, they just seem to "know."  I remember Carson doing the same thing when I was pregnant with Tanner, but Tanner has been much more cuddly and affectionate towards me, and I love it.

Tanner Favorites:
Favorite show: loves Mickey Mouse
Favorite food: anything sweet (lately he has been raiding my pantry by dragging the chair and then climbing to get what he wants, nothing is safe)
Loves: playing at the park, making messes, playing monster with Carson (chasing him while making a monster noise), and exploring.
 Favorite sayings: "Whats that" and "what'd they say" after I get off the phone
Favorite primary song: Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam

He is such a sweet boy and loves to pat other kids on the back if they are crying.  He is also independent, hates loud noises, and is obsessed with bubbles.  Love him!

Maternity

Couldn't help but to have some maternity pictures taken.  Brad did a great job!

Brothers in Bluebonnets

They were tired after being woken up early to go to daddy's race, so I bribed them with some candy if they would be good for the pictures.  Under the circumstances (being tired and hot) they did a great job.

Words can't describe how much I love these two! And I love how much they love each other.  They are always wanting to know where the other one is and they stick up for each other when one gets in trouble.  They are quick to forgive one another or when one is sad they try to cheer them up.  They love hugging and wrestling together, and I can't wait to throw another into this mix.

Blue Bell Fun Run

This weekend Brad participated in the Blue Bell Fun Run.  Its a race put on by the Blue Bell ice cream factory to raise money for the local high school.  Its a gorgeous race (according to Brad since I was on the sidelines) out in the country fields, but the main draw to this race was the free all you can eat ice cream.

The boys watching daddy in the race while eating their free ice cream next to some Blue Bonnet flowers!

Brad did an excellent job.  He ran a 10 k (6.2 miles) in 50 minutes.  Thats an 8 min. mile!  So proud of him.  Next up is the Ogden Relay Marathon where Brad will be running his first half marathon!  This will be a fun one because he is doing the marathon relay with his siblings/bro in-law up in Utah. 

 Carson holding daddy's medal.

Brenham is about a 45 min. drive from our place, but the drive is beautiful.  Especially this time of year with all the Blue Bells in full bloom.  The country side was lined with these beautiful flowers as well as indian paintbrush.  Everyone was pulling their cars off the highway to take pictures in the fields (us included).  Its so breathtaking.  I love living in such a gorgeous place!

Soccer Mom

Just call me soccer mom for I am now the owner of a mini van!  My sister Marilyn said I am  now officially a mom.  I guess the two almost three kids doesn't yet qualify me yet huh Marilyn?

We knew the moment we found out we were expecting that we would have to get a larger vehicle.  There was no way I was gonna try and squeeze three car seats into our Murano.  Brad also knew we were getting a van and not a SUV.  I've never understood why people hate the van so much, they are so nice!  Maybe its because I grew up with a van I dunno, but to me I like the easy access and space that a van can provide.

We weren't planning on purchasing a van until we got back from our trip to Utah in June, but this weekend Brad just wanted to "get the Murano appraised" to see how much we could get from it when we were ready to sale.

The first place we went to the appraisal was what we expected, but Brad wanted to try one more place plus test drive some of the vans we were thinking of.  They appraised our car for more then double then what its really worth.   Then we test drove the van.  It was the upgraded version of the van we thought we could afford.  You would never have known it was used.  Its spotless, inside and out.  It has all the bells and whistles and super low milage, and even better it was in our price range.

So with a better then we thought trade in, plus the perfect van we were sold.  Plus I think Carson would have freaked out if we didn't get it, because it has a DVD player.

It's a Honda Odyssey and its my dream car.  Except one of the features I was most excited for has turned into a hassle.  The automatic sliding doors.  I still love it, but the boys love it too, and love to open and shut the doors by themselves.  I was buckling one of the boys in and they pressed the button to close the door and me and my belly got smashed.  I was not happy. Hopefully the novelty of that button will wear off on the boys so we don't have any more problems.

So I can now cross off one of our baby preparations off the list.  We are getting that much closer to being ready for our little one to come.

28 Weeks

I turned 28 weeks this week.  I have officially hit my 3rd trimester and boy did it hit me like a brick wall.  My energy is completely gone by the afternoon and I am once again needing to take a nap once a day.  I also felt him hiccup for the first time yesterday.

He is so active!  This little boy knows he has two older brothers, because he has been practicing his upper cuts and kicks  in preparation.  He's gonna be a fighter!

Although the circumstances weren't ideal, I do miss having ultrasounds once a month like I did with Tanner.  It was so fun seeing him all the time and wish I could see more of this little one.  My doctors appointments are now every 2 weeks, which seems to help, and also make the time go by faster.

Time has sneaked up on me and before I know it he'll be here!