We love visitors!

This past week my sister Natalie and her cute boy Gavin were in town. It's always fun to see family! We tried to cram in all the fun we could between naps. Towards the end of her trip my younger sister, Annie arrived with her little boy Cohen too! Before Natalie and Annie headed off we went to Cheesecake Factory with my mom, sisters and kids. We had seven kids with us and it was officially nuts! Why did we not take a picture!!??

A family get together celebrating Dallin's 2nd birthay and Gavin's 1st birthday. This is only 9 of my parents now 21 grandchildren! Ashley, Dallin, Hunter, Gavin, Kassie, Carson, Lauren, Cade and Noah
Me and my cute sister in law, Allison.

Dallin, Gavin and Carson getting some use out of Carson's pool. This picture was the best we could do with three wiggly boys.

Gavin. This is one happy kid! Happy 1st Birthday.

I was sad to see Natalie and Gavin go. I guess there is always next year!

St. George

At the beginning of May we took a little roadtrip to Utah. We stopped in St. George and met up with Natalie, Brian and Gavin. We saw Brian Reagan at Tuacahn. Hilarious. My cheeks hurt from laughing. I had been to this amazing outdoor venue before, but Matt hadn't. He loved it! We'll definitely have to plan a time to go back.

Above is a picture of the four of us before the show. Matt says Natalie and I don't look alike. Some people think we look like twins. I sure do love my sister! Natalie, am I just a smidge taller than you?! :)

1st ER Visit

Yesterday I felt like I should be given the title "Worst Mom of the Year" after our little mishap. I put Blake on our bed to put his clothes on and the phone rang. I pushed him into the center of our bed so I could turn around and grab the phone without him rolling off. The next thing I knew I heard a thud right behind me and Blake started crying. I would have felt really bad, but been fine if that was it. I quickly scooped him up while he was crying and then his eyes rolled back and his little body went limp. That's when I lost it. I didn't know if I should call 911, call my dad, call Matt, etc. I quickly dialed my parents house and got my mom. I was crying, Blake was screaming and my mom went into crisis mode trying to figure out what happened. By the time she got to my house Blake had calmed down. Everything was fine. My dad had called and told me to call my pediatrician. My dad told me that Blake falling off the bed was like me falling off the roof. That didn't make me feel any better. My pediatrician recommended I take Blake to the ER just as a precaution. Matt met me there where they checked Blake out and everything was fine. I knew five minutes after it happened that everything was okay, but watching Blake go limp in my arms was absolutely terrifying.

Beds are off limits for our squirmy little boy. One really cute thing I have to mention is how Carson reacted to everything. Carson ran into my room immediately after it happened. He was asking, "What happened to our baby?" I was crying and told Carson he rolled off my bed and got hurt. Carson ran into his room and was back in a flash with his stethoscope and doctor kit. Talk about a sweet boy. When I told him to get ready because we were taking Blake to the hospital (which Carson calls a "hos-ta-ble") he was sure to grab his stethoscope and bring it along.

Otter Pops

It just wouldn't be summer if we didn't have a box of Otter Pops in the freezer. Carson has been loving them! He calls them "Water Pops" and will correct you if you say anything else! He was eating this green one and told me it was his favorite color. He then ate a blue one and told me that was his favorite color. I think which ever one he is eating at the time is his favorite color. I keep laughing looking at this picture. Carson crossed his fingers like this and said, "Mama, that was pretty tricky."

Baby Brother

Carson has been very into his "little brother" for the past few weeks. He loves to introduce him to random people at the store. He says, "Hi. I'm Carson. I have a baby brother and his name is Blake. Do you like my baby?" People get a kick out of it.

Carson decided to get into Blake's exersaucer the other day. I told him he would get stuck and he climbed in anyway. Of course...he got stuck. Instead of rescuing him right away I went and grabbed my camera. He wasn't amused.

Check out Carson's face! He has had enough camera time and really wants out.

He finally gets out and amazingly wants to take a picture with Blake. This picture makes me laugh because you can see such a difference in their skin tones. Carson has always been able to tan easily. I don't know if Blake will be like that.

Carson apparently forgot he needed to hold Blake in this picture.

P.S. Just for the record...I do dress my children every day! Blake must have just puked all over himself (the kid seriously has puke issues) and Carson refuses to be dressed while in our house. At least he has some Batman pants on. Typically he runs around in his undies. I've decided it's not worth arguing over. He knows he has to be dressed to go out of the house at least.

Bounce

I have found the place Carson and I can spend some time this summer out of the heat! He loves bouncing on all these things. The first time I took him we were there for about three hours and then two days later we went again for another couple hours. The people who work there are really on top of things. They watch out for the younger/smaller people and make sure they don't get trampled on.

Carson's buddy Rome.
They had such a good time! We will definitely be going back soon!

Do I say that?

I often wonder where Carson gets some of the things he says. My sister has been in town and we went out for gluten free pizza. Yum! Carson was sitting next to Gavin (who will be 1 tomorrow) and he kept throwing his napkin on the floor. Carson kept picking it up for him only for Gavin to chuck it back on the floor. This happened several times and Carson finally said, "seriously, Gavin" in a quiet but stern voice. We had a good laugh. He had obviously had enough of Gavin's playfulness.


Then, yesterday we went out to Cheesecake Factory with my mom. Carson picked up his own napkin (which was cloth) and dangled it in front of my face. He said, "Does anyone need a hankey?" Now that word is not in my daily, weekly, monthly or yearly vocabulary!

I love this little boy of mine! He definitely keeps us laughing.

Dirt vs Junk

I just had the following exchange with Carson:

Me: Look, you have some dirt on your leg.
Carson: NO! It's not dirt.
Me: Well then what is it?
Carson: It's just a whole (pause) bunch (pause) of (pause) JUNK! Not dirt I said!

Glad we got that cleared up. Whew! In the future I'll be sure to not confuse dirt and junk.

Father/Son/Papa Campout

For the past two years Matt has taken Carson to the ward Father/Son campout and luckily they have had Papa join them too! Carson is still talking about his camping trip and about the fish he caught. From what I understand, Carson LOVED the worms and HATED the lifejacket.

Dad and Carson with "Carson" the fish. What an original name for a fish!

Carson & Papa

Getting ready to head out!

I'm sure this is the first of many future fishing trips!

Grandma Renie & Papa Jack's House

When we arrived at Matt's grandparents house in Utah lots of family were there for a BBQ. We don't get to see our Utah family often enough and had lots of fun visiting and catching up. Carson was thrilled with the mountains just out the back door! He immediately insisted we buy him some better "rock climbing shoes" so we did that the next day and he was in heaven!
Carson with some of his 2nd cousins-

Jaxon, Savannah, Quinn and Carson

Superior, AZ

I'm not even sure when exactly these pictures were taken. Matt had to go to work in Globe one day and took Carson along. I remember Carson being really excited to go with his dad. They stopped in Superior to check out the train and mine. A day with his dad AND trains!? Now that's a good day!

6 Months = Rice Cereal

I tried to give Blake rice cereal this morning. I couldn't stop laughing. He had no clue what to do witht he spoon and ended up with more on his face. I guess that's how these things go the first time around. Don't worry buddy, we'll keep practicing!

Getting a little taste.

I think I could like this stuff!

I really like this stuff! Bring it on.

Blake - 6 Months

Blake is 6 months old! We took these pictures on his 1/2 birthday before Matt took Carson to the Father/Son campout. Blake stayed behind with me. It was lots of fun to be able to spend some one on one time with him. He is such a sweet and happy baby! He only cries when he's tired or hungry. He has been rolling like crazy. We go into the doctor next week and will see how he is progressing along. I couldn't pick a favorite picture, so I am just adding all of them!

What a life!

This kid leads a rough life. Look at the treatment he got when getting his haircut earlier this week. He has been getting his hair cut at a salon for pretty much his whole life, but he has never had his hair washed like this! He was making the funniest face and thoroughly enjoying every minute of it.

As long as he has a Tootsie Pop he is good to go!

Utah!

So we went to Utah for a few days and this is the only picture I have to show for it!? What!? Matt has some on his camera so I'll work on getting those uploaded. We had a great time! We headed to St. George and met up with Natalie and Brian (sister and BIL) to see Brian Regan the comedian. Funny! My cheeks hurt from laughing so hard. Carson and Blake were great travelers which was quite a relief!

The funny story behind this picture....we went to breakfast on Saturday morning in St. George. Carson was acting his usual 3 1/2 year old self. Matt was ready to do anything to keep him quiet/happy which included going along with Carson's request to each sugar packets. Yes, Matt was giving Carson sugar packets! Matt even showed him how to make them last longer by licking and dipping his finger in it rather than throwing back the whole packet at once. I think this is going to win Matt some "#1 Dad Award" or something!

Blakey-Bean

Fresh from the tub and looking cute - as always.

This boy loves his tongue and to make funny noises. He sounds like a racecar.

Our young Jedi or Sith?

A few months ago Matt introduced Carson to Star Wars. A young Jedi was born! Actually, not a Jedi, but a Sith. Is that what the bad guys are called? He has me wrap his blanket around his head and calls himself Darth Maul or Darth Vader.

Photo Updates

I always wish there were a reason as to why it takes me so long to update our blog. I don't. So, here are some random pictures from my camera.

BYU Roomates - Diane, Allison & Me. We lived together Fall 2000. It was so fun to get together and catch up. It always amazes me that so much time can pass, but you put old friends/roommates together and it's like you just saw each other yesterday. I have lots of fond and funny memories with these two girls.
My Carson is growing up. Here he is chatting away with Grandma Gail while on the bluetooth.

Is it really 104 degrees already? Unfortunately, yes! I bought this pool for $29.99 and it has proved to quite possibly be the best $29.99 ever spent. Carson loves it and loves to have friends over to cool off. Come on over. Sit awhile. Have a popsicle or two for that matter.

Matt cracks me up. He was out working in the yard and the next thing I knew he was cutting up and old shirt to make a sweatband. That's hot. Ha. He made one for Carson too. Carson thought they looked like pirates hence the "aargh" pose.

Salvador

This is our neighbor, Salvador. He and Carson are great buddies. Salvador has lived behind us since we brought Carson home and hasn't missed an event or holiday to give Carson a gift. Matt took this picture about two weeks ago. I got it printed and framed so we could give it to Salvador as a gift. He loved it. I can always count on Salvador to come over and say hi to Carson whenever we pull in or out of our driveway. "Hell-o. Car-son. Son of a car." We get a kick out of it.