My Daddy is SO STRONG...

because he can carry a WHOLE CHRISTMAS TREE. ALL BY HIMSELF!!

I thought only boys had these contests! I overheard this and other funny things about hair or the lack of it on their daddy's chests in a conversation between Ellie and our neighbor Kate!

A Few Cute Things about Kevin

I wanted to get these things written down for his baby book...

Kevin thinks that Carter means you've done something wrong. When he gets upset with me or Ellie or anyone else, he says, "Carter NO!" I guess he's heard me say in disappointment, "Kevin Carter..." too many times! When I took him to the dentist, Dr. Roy came in and said, "You must be Kevin J Carter." I think that put the good doc off to a bad start with Kevin. Kevin refused to cooperate and eventually bit him!! This dentist is super calm and relaxing, so it is a little funny remembering it now because Dr. Roy was saying, "Ow, ow, ow..." and shaking his finger! I had to pry Kevin's mouth open! He had a good bite going!

A couple of months ago, I knew Kevin was really capable of saying what was on his mind when I asked him what he wanted me to order him for dinner, "a hamburger or a hot dog." He said, "Pizza." It seems so simple, but it was a big step for him!

He loves to go into the playroom and say, "Happy." He's telling me that he's about to start his CD - the first song is "If you're happy and you know it." He dances and loves to shout "Hurray!", while jumping and throwing his hands over head! Of course, he's always a few seconds late on the hurray! During the "If you're happy and you know it" part, he pokes his fingers into his cheeks and smiles, bobbing his head and raising his shoulders.

Today, Kevin said to me several times, "Tetin happy." It's really cute to hear him express an emotion like that. (Tetin means Kevin)

Baby Makes FIVE!

Baby #3 at 15 weeks and 6 days




Baby #3 at 12 weeks and 5 days


Baby #3 at 9 weeks and 5 days

Baby #3 at 6 weeks and 5 days

We are expecting our 3rd baby in late January. The due date is Jan 26. If you've seen me lately, it's not a surprise because I can't hide it anymore!

We've had some complications (subchorionic hematoma, if you're curious), but I'm assuming that it is going away. Hopefully, I'll know for sure in early September! That's why we have had so many ultrasounds.

Ellie will have just turned 5 and Kevin will be 2.5. Ellie is excited, and Kevin is clueless!

Mr. Fixit

Kevin is trying to repair his battery-operated Thomas the Train. He pushed the buttons a few times and said, "battery". He knew the battery must be out. So I changed the battery, but it still didn't work. I told him it must be broken, and we'd have to take it back. He complained long enough that I gave him the screwdriver. He walked around for at least 15 mintues trying to fix it!

Visit from Grandma and Jessica

Ellie and Jessica giving one of their star performances.


Getting ready for the show - making their costumes!


Elle's Grandma and cousin came to visit for 3 days. The girls had a great time. They put on a new "show" for us everyday - complete with wristbands for entry and sign in sheets! We went down to the creek to catch a tadpole and two snails for Jared, Jessica's brother, for his birthday. Unfortunately most of the tadpoles were gone, but we were able to fine one unlucky little guy who ended up in Jared's birthday tank! We had a great time, and Kevin has been asking for Keh-ki-ka all day!

They Start the Night in their Own Beds...

And inevitably end up something like this! It is really great to see them want to be together. As long as they continue to enjoy it, we will let them share a room!

Kevin Gets into the Yogurt

I left the kitchen to check my email while the kids ate breakfast. Ellie came running in saying that Kevin had done something very bad! He had smeared yogurt all over the counter, his hair, and his shirt while eating it with his hands!

Ellie Dresses Kevin

Ellie and Kevin went upstairs one morning for Ellie to get dressed. It had a been a while and I was wondering what was taking so long. Shortly after, Ellie and Kevin came downstairs and Kevin was dressed, too. Ellie said she picked out his clothes and helped him get dressed. But she was quick to point out that Kevin picked out his shoes. I guess she didnt think purple and pink butterfly shoes were a great choice with his dino shirt! She was very proud of herself.

More July Photos

Chris got free tickets to the Rangers game. He and Ellie sat right behind home plate. I was able to watch them on TV. Ellie looked like she had a blast. Every pitch, I could see her drinking sprite or eating or talking! Chris said the ice cream was free, and Ellie was scared of the crowd cheering! Some things never change. She was the same way 4 years ago when we brought her to a game!


Kevin is so mischevious. I caught him in my bathroom painting his toenails! I have a better pic than this, but my phone is acting up so I can't get to it right now!

Kids collecting tadpoles at the creek during "nature camp"

Ellie and Cole checking out their catch!

Making pet rocks by the creek during "nature camp".

Love the sleeping siblings pics!

There are only 3 or 4 white buffalos in the US (or maybe even the world), and we got to take a picture with one in Santa Fe. I was a little nervous, but Ellie thought it was really fun!

Ellie and Kevin painted some Lizards for the playroom.

This show how exhausted we all were near the end of our Santa Fe trip. Ellie never falls asleep in the car anymore! This is a rare afternoon nap for her!

Ellie was selected to participate in a magic show. I don't even remember the trick, but she was so proud when everyone clapped for her at the end!

Going to work naked?!?!

In this story, Ellie is using the work "you" as in "you, in general", not me!

While we were waiting outside Blockbuster for Chris to pick out a movie, I showed Ellie a shirt I had just purchased for myself. After a few minutes of silence, Ellie said, "Mommy, I just realized something very bad," in a very distressed voice.

"To buy clothes, you have to have money. Daddy said you get money by going to work, and when your work is all finished your boss gives you money. But if you don't have any money and you get a job to make money, you won't be able to buy panties or shorts or a shirt or shoes. So, you'll have to go to work naked because you won't have any money to buy the clothes you need because you haven't been to work yet. Your boss won't want you to go to work naked. So what will you do? How will you get any money? This is very, very serious."

I just love these kind of conversations with Ellie. She has such a black and white perspective. She is so literal. She's also very logical, and I love to watch her break down a problem! Usually she comes up with creative solutions, but this time, she was just perplexed!

Kevin Turns TWO!!!

Cupcake #1

Cupcake #2 (He looks like a scary clown!)


Violet, Maddox and Ellie playing piano. Kevin was with them until I came back with the camera! Yes, I know I need to move that mirror, but I haven't figured out where to store it!

Sleeping with his new bear book after a long, fun birthday!

Cute little Kevin turned 2 last week, and he LOVED the cupcakes! I think he had about 5 whole cupcakes, and he sneaked many other bites from unsuspecting friends and family! I couldnt keep him out of the cupcakes. I finally put them on top of the refrigerator, completely out of his reach!

We decided not to have a big party for him, but we did invite a few families over for an afternoon playdate on Thursday (his actual bday). When Chris came home, we went to the park for a dinner picnic and more cupcakes. Ellie picked out a cute cloth boook for Kevin since he always falls asleep holding a book on his chest. At first, he didnt know what to think of it and cried because he only wanted to eat cupcakes - not play with his new bear. But by bedtime, it had become a new favorite. I forgot the camera, but I did get some video!

He has finally shown some interest in trains, and he still really enjoys building with Legos. So, we bought him a train table from craigslist and a table topper for legos that will go on top of the train table when he wants to do legos. He has about 4 Ikea trains and one Thomas train, but his favorite is "domas". He puts it in his shopping cart or his ride-on car and carries it around the house!

His favorite color is blue. He started potty training about 2 weeks ago and did really great for the first week - several consecutive days with no daytime accidents. We gave him M&Ms for a reward, and he always searched for a blue one. He usually picks out two and says "Ellie candy" because we give Ellie a candy after he uses the potty as well. Our sugar monster, Ellie, would lose it if she saw Kevin getting candy all day without her!

But, I think Kevin has tired of the M&Ms, and he really only wants to go #2 on the potty now. Regression. Oh well! He's only 2. We'll figure it out before Kindergarten at least!

Over the last month, he has developed a little bit of attitude, and I would no longer say that he and Ellie never fight! Now that he can say what he is thinking, he feels much more powerful and won't put up with much from Ellie (or anyone else). Maybe it's just the terrible twos!

But he still a sweet little guy, and I think he's just so cute!!!

Lots of Rain Last Week

Poor Kev. I couldnt find his blue pancho, so he was stuck with Ellie's ladybug raincoat! He didnt seem to mind.

Trying to catch some rain his mouth

Trying to catch some rain in a bowl.


One of our many, many snails!

Last week brought lots of rain our way! We played in the rain, and found so many snails. We put them in one of those big salad boxes and poked holes in the top. Ellie loves to play with them and lets them have races!

Santa Fe

We took a trip to Santa Fe, NM in mid July. Chris had a conference for work, and the kids and I kept ourselves entertained during the days. The hotel pool was great, and we explored the area a little as well. We really enjoyed the Children's Museum, and took a hike as well. The hike was about 1.5 miles and I had to carry Kevin most of the way at 12,000 feet elevation.

I didn't take many pics because I was too busy trying to keep up with the kids!

We also visited an old ranch from the 1700s that is a working museum today. After driving 45 minutes just to get to the ranch, at first I thought it was going to be a flop when we arrived. It looked boring and not many people were there. But it actually turned out to be lots of fun for Ellie. She...

Got to pet about 10 horses

Ate a snow cone

Made a tortilla

Watched Mexican dancing

Bought a $2 pony from the gift shop

Saw HUGE frogs - bigger than my hand!

Made a Lilly from corn husks

Cleaned wool and watched others spin yarn from it

The trip to Santa Fe was fun but EXHAUSTING!! I was so glad to be home and get some rest!

Ellie's "Nature Camp"

Our tadpole home

Our first frogs!

Digging for worms

Making snow.

In early July, I held a "nature camp" for Ellie and her friends. The first day we had 7 kids and by the last day, we had about 11. It was busy and fun! The best part by far was taking the kids to a local creek and collecting tadpoles. We spend 2.5 hours there, and no one was ready to leave! There were hundreds of tadpoles and tiny, tiny frogs - about the size of your pinky nail! We kept about 8 tadpoles, and 5 of them have already graduated to become frogs! We have three tadpoles left and one water snail.