Apple Picking and Animal Feeding

After much debate, we decided to pack the kids in the car and spend the morning at Carter Mountain. We weren't sure if Carter was going to enjoy this outing or if we should wait until he was a little older. Aren't we glad we chose to take the trip. When we arrived, Carter immediately began to talk about all he was seeing. He loved learning about the life cycle of the apple tree. Before picking apples, we posed for a mommy and boys photo. Just the beginning of a great day. Then the picking began. We found apples that would be perfect for making applesauce. Carter was allowed to pick ten apples and he enjoyed each and every pick!

The sun was out this day which make it a very comfortable adventure. It also lead to some great pictures due to the way the rays shined through the trees. Michael and Carter picked most of the apples together. This provided them with some great father-son time.

And this picture is my favorite. Carter endlessly talks about this trip and he can't wait to go back and pick more apples!

After Carter Mountain, we ventured to Virginia's Safari Park. I was the only of our family members who had been here and I have been wanting to take my family for sometime. Since we were half way there, we decided to drive a little further and make a day out of our adventure. As we arrived to the Park, we realized we were just in time for the tram. We were so excited because this would allow the kids to get out of their carseats and Carter would have opportunity to feed the animals. His favorite animal to feed was the bison. Carter's laugh was contagious each time he fed an animal. I think I will remember this day for a long time!

Park with Granny and Gramps

Sundays bring church, football, naps (for all), and on a nice day, the park. On this Sunday, we decided to call Granny and Gramps and see if they wanted to join us at the park. Carter and Connor enjoyed playing with each other and their grandparents. It is so much fun to watch them enjoying each other's company. Here they crawled into a tube and smile so nicely for this shot.
Connor used this time at the park to practice his sliding. He loves going down slides but once he gets to the bottom, he lays down each time.
"I'm king of the castle!" This was heard throughout the whole park while Carter climbed up this wall over and over. He felt like such a big kis as he quickly climbed the wall and threw himself over the ledge. Some quick thinking allowed me to get this cute picture.

Connor thinks he is Mr. Independent and I think he would roam the whole park by himself if we let him. As he climbed up these steps, he laughed and smiled the whole time. Granny was having a blast talking with him as he climbed.Smile Carter! I remember when walking across all of this equipment was a challenge. Now it is a piece of cake. Watch you goAnd Connor is on his way to making tackling this equipment as well!

First Day of Preschool

Carter has been attending Primrose since January of this year. Since I was home on maternity leave from January through March, we thought it would be good to put him in school part time so he wouldn't been with just me and Connor. To our pleasure, he loved school. Once he got through the shy stage, he talked about his friends and his teachers non-stop. This of course was music to my ears. Carter stayed part time until the end of August.

He adjusted well to attending five days a week and was looking forward to moving into his preschool class. As I was preparing to welcome students into my school for the 10-11 school year, Carter was beginning his first full year of preschool.

Doesn't he look so grow up? Where has my baby gone?

Giving Back

Everyday, we pass a fire station on the way to Carter's school. It has turned into part of our daily routine to discuss fire fighters, their job, and what they do for us. With Carter's new interest in fire fighters, we decided to use this as an opportunity to teach Carter how to give back to the community.
Carter decided that a way to say thank you to the fire fighters would be to make them dessert. One morning while Connor was napping, Carter and I made brownies. After the batter was poured, Carter enjoyed cleaning up!

Michael took Carter to the fire station we pass everyday and delivered brownies to say thank you for all they do. Carter was excited to thank these gentleman for all they do for our community. The firemen allowed Carter to look at the trucks. Carter enjoyed seeing all the American flags at the station!
Thank you to Chief Henry and all the other fire fighters who risk their lives to save the lives of others.

8 months and counting

This was a busy month for Connor. He went from eating pureed baby food to eating several different finger foods, including crackers, baby mum mums (a fan favorite!), and cheese.


He began playing with new toys like this ride on truck. He can't move it himself but he can balance enough so that we can push him.

He experienced new toys in a different way. He is now able to place balls on his rain forest track. He is pulling up on this toy and knows how to get it to make a lot of noise!

He can move around like crazy and loves getting into Carter's golfing set. The golf club is one of his favorite new toys. He enjoys crawling around with it.

All though he is learning a lot of new things, Connor has not forgotten how to have fun and smile a lot! Boy, I love that smile!

Daddy time

A busy August for mommy meant a lot of daddy time. Michael is a great father and the kids enjoyed all their time with him the last few weeks.


Carter loves to sit on his daddy's lap. Carter looks up to his daddy and wants to be just like him. He loves to play catch and tackle with his dad. Michael enjoys finding ways to get Carter to laugh and he helps Carter find ways to have fun throughout the day.

Connor enjoys hanging out with daddy as well. Bouncing on daddy's knee can bring out a giggle in Connor that can make anyone laugh. Connor just wants to be one of the boys with Carter and daddy.

The boys enjoyed a day with Michael at a miniature golf course. This was the first time either boy had been miniature golfing and Carter worked hard to hit the ball. Michael was so proud of him. It was great to get home from a day at work and see pictures of all my boys having a great time.

I'm so glad I have a husband who is such a great father.

Thank you, Michael.

Where's my baby gone?

Where has the time gone? I was looking at pictures of Connor and I was amazed at how much he has changed in just a few short months. I can't believe that in the beginning of last December, we were a family of three. It is strange how once you have a child, you can barely remember what life was like without them. I figured now was a good time to chronicle our journey together.

Connor arrived on Monday, Dec 21, 2009. That previous Friday (the 18th), we had a very large snow storm. Michael and I had gone out to dinner with his parents for my birthday. While eating, the snow began to fall. We had no idea how bad the weather had gotten until we finished dinner and headed home. Knowing that I was supposed to be at the hospital at the crack of dawn on Monday, I began praying for the snow to slow and VDOT to have success clearing the roads. Sure enough, we all made it to the hospital on Monday morning and at 7:19, Connor was born.

Family and friends visited at the hospital, however with it being flu season, Carter was unable to visit us. We were very anxious to get home and introduce our boys to each other.

Connor was the best Christmas present I could have ever asked for. We enjoyed a low key Christmas with each of our families. After the holidays came and went, the time started to fly. Here are some pictures of Connor since his first Christmas.

Happy Mother's Day 2010

Almost Crawling!

Over the last seven months, I've learned that Connor enjoys life. He laughs often and loves to be around people. Connor enjoys giving his whole family kisses and has a sweet disposition. As he continues to grow, I am excited to learn more about who he will become.