The Armendariz Family

Daddy’s girl

2012-01-21T10:33:00.001-08:00

It doesn’t get any sweeter than this. These are the memories I hope to remember forever!
This girl loves her Dada and as you can see he truly loves her. He is letting her brush his hair with a princess pink brush

Christmas Day Recap

2012-01-12T11:02:00.001-08:00

Santa was really good to my kids this Christmas. Carter was so excited awaiting Santa He just kept saying I really hope he remembers my UPS truck. Well…we decided that we wanted to catch every excitement Christmas morning so we put the gate at the top of the stairs so we could see his reaction to what Santa brought. Early Christmas morning (well normal carter wake time) 7am we heard his feet hit the floor. Nick and I both jumped out of bed he grabbed the camcorder and I the camera. We heard Carter yelling in excitement that Santa Came..look at all those toys he just kept saying. He even was calling out everything he saw. Didn’t know that he could use his height to his advantage and see over the railing. Smart kid.

We had to wake Kensi but she didn’t seem to mind once she saw that Trike. Kensi was super thrilled to climb all over it. However, Santa left the UPS truck under the tree it took Carter a while to find it but once he did he inspected every inch of it and was very pleased.

Mom was certainly spoiled this year. However, Nick says he truly believes there is a Santa Claus because there is not way he would have bought the Kris Jenner book for me. It was left in my stocking. I also believe as well because Santa left Nick a PS3 game in his stocking…We still believe in the Magic of Christmas!

This was my favorite present I got. I sure hope it last many years and lots of moves. My favorite is inside it has “More pleased” painted on the bottom of the jar!

Ok..yeah I am spoiled. I got two blue boxes this year. My husband said if baby wants lemons baby gets lemons. Sure enough I got a Tiffany's’ charm bracelet bearing a lemon charm!

Nick got a coin display this year. I think he really liked it. I am soo glad we can see all the coins now instead of thrown on the dresser or in different drawers!

After we exchanged our gifts, and opened most of the Santa gifts we skyped with Grandpa Alex in Texas. The kids opened their presents from him. So glad Kim and Alex were able to join in on our morning of fun.

Say cheese..carter got a camera. he loves it. He is often found taking his own picture or even video of Kensi. Kensi Jo got a tea set, and some clothes.They both really have enjoyed it.

After all that fun and excitement it was time to get ready for church and put the ham in the oven.

Once we got home we got everything ready for Nick’s parents and sister to come over and eat a feast.

Grandpa Ken dressed up as Santa and delivered a few more gifts. Kensi was quite content opening her presents on her new trike.

We really did have a Merry Christmas.

Cookies for Santa

2012-01-05T07:30:00.001-08:00

Well—we made cookies for Santa on the 19th of December. Let’s just say Santa didn’t get a chance to taste these cookies. They were gone in maybe 24 hours. They were delicious sugar cookies! Maybe because they were made with extra slobber and little tiny hands!

This picture says it all. Kensi eating the dough..carter rolling and dad supervising! Love this crew

Hard work for this little one but she insisted on rolling it herself.

Delicious they were. Great memories this day!

Holiday Celebrations

2012-01-05T07:23:00.001-08:00

Wow! I have been putting of this post because there is soooooo much to journal (blog) about. Christmas was very magical this year. Carter was all into the decorations, the music, Santa, and present giving and receiving. Kensi on the other hand wasn’t a fan of Santa, however did enjoy her present opening and the Christmas goodies. We had a great Christmas and made wonderful memories.

Where to start! Ok..here we go!
Preschool Christmas Party
*Carter and his little preschool friends had a yummy Christmas meal. They all got a little present (a book) from their teachers. To end the party Santa came and read the kids a book and gave the class a present as a whole (a play tent to play in the gym during play time)

Kensi spotted Cupcakes

telling Santa to not forget his UPS truck!

Our Next party was the Duff’s side Christmas exchange

I think next year we all need shirts Like Dustin’s! Love his Ho Ho Ho shirt!

Carter loves Dustin and anyone that will play with him so he was right there with Dustin and Polly all night.

Kensi got her first Cabbage Patch doll from Aunt Jess this night. She loves her baby!

She also got a Minnie Mouse play set. Loves her “Mouse”

We had yummy food and great company and the kids enjoyed themselves.

Moving on to our next family party. Mom’s side of the family.

The Hollingsworth Annual Christmas Party was at Aunt Becky’s house this year.
We had the traditional ham sandwiches with yummy sides/desserts. I left super full

Carter got a remote control 4 wheeler at this present exchange

She ate the decorations. The candy cane sticks

Remember the post about pinterest lying…well—I guess they don’t. Aunt Debbie master the cake I tried. Can’t wait to try again after I know it should work! Got some tips from Aunt Debbie maybe I will try again soon!

Megan wanted to sing us some songs. So kensi got up right beside her and sang along!

Opening her gifts. She got a peek a boo baby. Super cute. Also
I choose this picture to remember her curls. I hope they stay but im sure
soon they will straighten out.

We love being with our extended family. So glad they love us.

Shhhhewwww…now on to the Christmas eve and Christmas post! Stay tune

Family Photo Shoot

2011-12-29T11:08:00.001-08:00

Goodness. I was super excited to be able to get one of the young women that goes to church with us to take some family pictures for me! We had a pretty sunny day..with a bit of a breeze but still not too cold to go down to Fort Macon and use the pretty bricks, arches, and beach there. Little did we know that Miss Kensi felt different about having a photo shoot. Oh me…As Nick put it. kensi didn’t get the memo that the only way to make mommy happy is to don’t mess up for family pictures! Take a look for yourself of what we were working with!

If it was up to Nick this one would have been on our Christmas Card.
it said it all!

However, Peyton did great and got some good photos…it always amazes me even though there were a ton of the ones aboved we still have great ones as well!

Breakfast with Santa

2011-12-29T10:46:00.001-08:00

We loaded up a few Saturday’s before Christmas to make sure we made it in time to the annual Breakfast with Santa here at the Parks and Rec Center. 75 kids are able to attend this event and when we signed up for it we were numbers 32 and 33. I didn’t realize that the number in which you signed up for the breakfast was the number you got to see Santa. Very organized. If we are here next year I will be sure to sign up as soon as I see the information that they are seating guest! Maybe we will get #1. Breakfast was nice and the kids enjoyed eating and running around in the gym while we waited for all the other guest to eat and for Santa to arrive. Once Santa arrived he read ‘Twas the night before Christmas to the kids. Carter sat with his buddy Ayden during the reading. Carter has really taking a liking to Santa this year. Hasn’t really showed any signs of being scared as long as he knows he is going to be there. (another story about that to follow soon—if I can get caught up!) After the story was read it was time to wait in line for Santa. Or wait for your number to be called which was way better than waiting in line! Finally it was our turn to meet Santa. Carter told him he wanted a UPS truck and Santa told him he wanted pizza! Carter told him he wasn’t getting pizza he was getting cookies…sheewww glad we didn’t have to find pizza on Christmas eve to leave for Santa! As you can tell Kensi wasn’t very into Santa this year. hence why I am in the photo with the kids. So glad we were able to do that as a family. It really helped make memories of this holiday season memorable.

Attempted photo with dad=failure

The Christmas Challenge 2011

2011-12-18T08:06:00.001-08:00

Well, much to my surprise... There's at least one person that reads through the challenges and had asked Amanda where the one for this year was. It has taken me a little longer to compile a list, especially with the unseasonably warm 65-70 degree weather for Eastern NC this month. Also, with NC State's crushing of Clemson (then #7) and the Tumble of the Terps Thanksgiving weekend, I kind of feel like I'd already seen my Christmas Miracle. (We love you Coach O'Brien)

So, I decided to try and come up with a list that wasn't repetitive from years past, which is difficult to do, because they're such good things, and I guess I like doing the same things at Christmas time. Then I decided that since it is a challenge, I'd shorten the list, and compress the time in which you have to do it. Kind of like at work when doing an evaluated event, just when you start doing something right, the plan changes, or the timeline is compressed to see how you do then.

Lastly, as I scrolled through the pages of the previous challenges, I realized, "Geez, I didn't get to that one that year, or I only did it once." So, in an effort to Practice what you Preach, I've tried doing a few of these already this year. I have a favorite one that I've done at least four times now, so they can be fun.

So here's your challenge. It is shorter so you can still knock it out by Christmas. Do them more than once if you like. But do them. I found that that's the challenge. It's easy for me to sit here at my (well, Billie Jo's computer at the moment) and write these out, but it's another to actually follow through and do it, knowing that the satisfaction will be 99% internal to you. Good Luck, and Merry Christmas! Refer to last December and you can see my top ten of Christmas Songs. Still love em.

7. Just say... yes. Ok, so every store we go to, there's someone ringing a bell, holding a jar, or as was the case yesterday, selling brownies. I have said give to the bell ringer before. Here, I say support your local sherrif. lol. Give when you'd normally otherwise walk by, or say "not today". And if you want a bonus, give them something and ask for nothing in return. Go to the bake sale and say you just wanted to donate, or to anything else the charity is handing out. Surprise them, surprise yourself. as a part b to this, pay for the person behind you at the drive thru. (be wary of the suburban.)

6. Ghost of Christmas Past. Watch a holiday movie. I mentioned one of these the other day,and the response was, "Oh, one of those 'cheesy' holiday classics", with classics in full on air quotes. Sit through it. Watch with family, by yourself. Better yet, ask someone else what they think is a classic. For me, I always skip A Charlie Brown Christmas. My mom loves it and within 3 minutes of it going off on whatever channel it's on she'll call and ask if I watched it. So I made it through on ABC just to notice they edited parts out. Other ones I love that I haven't watched or seen in a while: Miracle on 34th Street-the original; It's a Wonderful Life; Mr. Krueger's Christmas (Gotta get the LDS love in there); Home Alone-great soundtrack; The Polar Express I actually had never seen, read or anything until my Uncle Alex showed it to Carter Finley last year,and I think we've seen it at least every day the last week. So grab some cookies and Hot Chocolate, and fire up the DVD, DVR, or Netflix and watch a classic.

5. Give a Christmas Mouse a Cookie. I have mentioned giving desserts or caroling in the past. Only Terrorists and Communists don't like Christmas Caroling. Combine the two. Don't make it a Ghost Cookie drop. Make a batch of cookies and take them to friends, neighbors, or heck even when you get to that party. Ring the doorbell and grace them with a family tune. I have a feeling that when we get to this one, it might be The Royal Guardsmen's "Snoopy vs. the Red Baron". Carter Finley has sang few songs in his life, Popcorn Popping, I'm a Child of God, NC State Fight Song. But he will, on his own, belt out this tune with Kensi Jo in tow. Simple, short, and hey, may actually get some applause. Sing out.

4. Give Lemons. I know, I know, it has a negative connotation, like a Lemon vehicle, etc. Well, for this one, I refer to my cynical side, and the most downward spiral of a movie-The Break Up. You can only watch about 1/4 of the movie, because then it takes a downward turn, and well, if you haven't seen it I won't ruin it, but it ain't a fairy tale ending lol. But in the opening scenes of the movie, Jen (we're on a first name basis) Aniston's character had asked Vince Vaughn's for 12 lemons to make a centerpiece. Being the guy he is, he drops 3 lemons on the counter on his way to watch the ball game. The clip is here for your viewing pleasure. So, here's the challenge. I always joke with Amanda and say "baby wanted lemons" whenever I try to give her what she wants (though clearly in the clip I'm wrong bc he says "what baby wants baby gets") Anyhow, we think it's funny. In the holiday spirit of Gift Cards-shun them. (If Peepers were reading this, he'd say along with me "Shun the non-believer" Charlie and the Unicorn... anyway I'm sidetracked) So shun the gift card. Shun the "nothings" and "i don't cares" and "i don't knows" or the "anythings" of the season. Give the ridiculous, unnecessary, overdoing it gift of the season. You know why? Because they'll smile. Why, because they'll know that you knew. Why? Well, if it's the thought that counts, you thought. What baby wants, baby gets. If Jen wants 12 lemons, then by gosh, 12 lemons. :) See what it is to give than to receive.

The Break-Up - The Lemon Centerpiece
Get More: The Break-Up - The Lemon Centerpiece

3. Let me buy you a drink. Ok, before my LDS counterparts start in on D&C 89, hear me out. Drinking can be any drink. What I'm getting at is the conversation that comes with. It can be hot chocolate, a soda, or whatever your persuasion. But take that time to visit with someone who you need to catch up with, chat with etc. In the original thought with this, it was to be with your parent. This is good for the dudes, because we just don't whip it on and start chatting it up, especially with our dads. So get out there, and ask someone to lend you their ear. Catch up, and catch on. Our parents are wise when we're young and can read minds and know who stole the last cookie from the cookie jar... when we get older, they don't let on as much, they cherish the time with us, and want to know what's going on from time to time. And I know not all of us our lucky to have our parents around... but ain't nothing wrong with heading out to their resting place and visiting with them too.

2. Provide Quarter. Ok, so in the late 1700's this wasn't cool, having to provide quarter for the Redcoats. And as I wind down the challenge, I realize, I don't know that I'll ever have a list that doesn't involve Troops, caroling, or Christ. So here's my pitch for the troops. Instead of dropping donuts off at the gate on Christmas, or just sending a package, get them into your home. Whether it's on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, whatever. Bring em in. I've overlooked this one lately because I just figured single folks liked to go to Aspen or St. Croix for the holidays. Turns out, if leave plans don't permit, you're at home solo hoping Santa knows where to find you. I know you've always got leftovers, so why not have someone over to help eat em, and maybe even share some of the holiday traditions they'd be doing if they were at home with their family. We can't bring all the troops home, or be with them in the sand, but the ones who are CONUS we can invite.

1. A Baby Story. This one I think is always in there. Read The real and true Christmas Story. I have challenged in the past for you to read it at a party, on Christmas Eve, or somewhere, and realize that the last time I heard this on a holiday was long enough ago that I was a kid. And I'm not a kid anymore. If it's at a get together, allow the elder to read it, whether it's the Matriarch or Patriarch of the family. If the Christmas story offendeth thee, I ain't sorry. This is America, and it is CHRIST-mas. If all else fails, read it to yourself. Remind your kids, why we celebrate, and we give gifts as a reminder of that ultimate gift that was given to us.

So there it is, love ya mean it. Good luck, and happy challenging. Rachel, I know you've got a story of your own on your mind this week, so make Jake get to work. Don't let him think because he's got an Oak Leaf cluster he don't have to work :) (Congrats Jake!)

A stall?

2011-12-12T10:34:00.001-08:00

Carter was being taught a lesson at church about The Manager. The question was asked “Hey guys, do you know what a stall is?”. I was told Carter blurted out (yes he didn’t raise his hand) “I DO!” The Sunday school teacher then asked “Yes, Carter what is a Stall?” Carter replied: “Eric Staal” Yes my son thought a stall which baby Jesus was born in was Erica Staal. A player for the Carolina Hurricanes

Tonight I think we will read the Christmas Story

Deck the House

2011-12-06T10:19:00.001-08:00

It’s starting to look like Christmas here. Good gracious Carter was super excited to decorate a tree this year. Carter and Nick went out to get our tree this year. Carter felt like he was so grown up getting to go with Dad all by himself to pick out our Christmas tree. Carter’s excitement for Christmas has made it so much more fun to decorate the house and to put the lights on the tree. As we hung ornaments he asked about each one. He also would ask if he was doing a great job?! Here is our family finally getting to decorate our tree Monday night at 8:15 pm. This was a three day process. Thank goodness it’s finished and we can now enjoy it the next few weeks while we wait for Christmas.

Kensi was so sweet hanging the ornaments. She LOVED it. She would hang it up and say “there” then take it down and move it and say “there” then finally she would move it a few more times until she got it in the right place then she would clap! Such a silly girl. However, we do love all her silliness.
See Carter’s exciting smile (yea that is chocolate cake on his face!)

(photo by carter)

Now all we need is a star on top so carter says…so maybe the three day process isn’t complete got to find a star to finish off our tree.

Thankful

2011-12-02T12:26:00.001-08:00

This Thanksgiving I really reflected on the last year and how thankful I was to have Nick home with us for a whole year…well minus about 2 and half months total he spent away in “training” . I am also thankful for the families who sacrificed their holidays with their loved ones to serve our country. My heart goes out to them and hope they can find cheer in the Holidays while deployed.

We started our Thanksgiving holiday celebration off with the Mom’s Morning Out Preschool Thankful Feast. They had a Turkey in the center of the table as decoration but the kids wrote things on their feathers they were thankful for of course the most said one was toys, and then following the number one of toys was the playground, mom, dad, Miss Connie, and Miss Karen. I am thankful for preschool this year. I think Carter has grown sociably and has accepted something new into his routine. I think we chose a wonderful program with great teachers and friends.

We had two feast on Thanksgiving. 1st we ate at Nick’s parents were we had fried Turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry, sweet potato casserole, mac and cheese, pumpkin bread, stuffing, and for the sweets pecan pie, pumpkin pie, apple jacks, cake with chocolate cream cheese icing. It was a yummy feast and the kids enjoyed playing outside while waiting for the meal to be served. Most importantly they love playing with Nick’s dad Ken! They love Grandaddy Bear

After we ate with the Harrell family we headed to eat with my Dad’s side of the family. Sorry I didn't get any photos of this event but it had yummy food as well. Nick’s favorite was my dad’s shrimp soup? not sure what you call it. I enjoyed the corn and rolls By this point my kids were exhausted and not wanting to eat they enjoyed all the attention from the “younger” adults.

Thanksgiving week wouldn’t be complete with out a game at Carter Finley Stadium. Yes I will say I am thankful for this Stadium; for it is the name of my 1st born. There at Carter Finley Stadium we make sooo many memories as a family that I hope the kids will soon start remembering all the fun times we had and will have. Last year we spent Thanksgiving weekend with the Wolf Pack however in Maryland. We watched them lose –well we didn’t stay till the end if you refer to an older post you will remember it was freezing and me and the kids abandoned Nick in the stadium for warmth..Nick was soon to follow. This game was one we will for sure remember. The Pack came back from behind..yeah like 26+ points behind in the 4th quarter to win. What a memory to remember.

I hope this is a tradition we can keep up and see the WolfPack play and be Thankful for the memories we make!

Pinterest Lied

2011-11-29T13:45:00.001-08:00

So you know we are all addicted to Pinterest…well most of us..ok I am for sure addicted to Pinterest. I love looking at all the good food to make and craft ideas. I love thinking that I could do that and pinning it to my board and then never actually trying to make it. Well..I ended my streak of pinning and not making and ended up trying to make a banana cake with brown sugar fluff icing. It was suppose to look like this:

however Pinterest lied and mine looked like this….

I have never had to make icing like this but it had step by step instructions surely it would turn out ok if I followed them. Yea…the flour that was suppose to dissolve in the milk on stove top never really did…and when I finally got to the part of putting the butter and brown sugar in with the flour and milk I ended up with crystalized soupy icing. The more I beat it the more it did thickin’ up but never to look like the picture stated it would. I was bummed and didn’t even try it for two days. Finally I attempted it. The cake was good and moist however, the icing had thick clumps of flour in it and I gave up and almost threw it out..until carter tried it. He thought it was delicious. I even caught him dipping his fingers in the icing while it was sitting on the stove. So maybe Pinterest was a success in Carter’s eyes..but in mine. NOT SO MUCH.

Take a Look …

2011-11-25T08:03:00.001-08:00

Birthday Ball

2011-11-20T17:18:00.001-08:00

We attending the Marine Corps Birthday Ball and had a great time. As usual the food wasn’t to our liking but we are pretty hard to please. However, Nick did get a piece of birthday cake this year and that always means we leave happy. We also danced our one slow dance and lucky for me Emily liked to dance we did a few twist and turns on the dance floor. I will admit I felt really old when the DJ would switch songs and all the younger marines and dates would start saying OOHHH SHOOT and jumping up and down all excited about the song..I was like yep I’m old have no clue what song this is! However, it didn’t damper the fun. I really enjoyed myself besides the fact that I have a bad chest cold.

Nothing like seeing my husband dressed in his Dress Blues. I sure am proud of him. The Birthday Ball always makes me proud to be a Marine Wife and also makes me know that their commanders appreciate the role the wives play in their job. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

The “Hair do”. I was glad to have the chance to get my hair done before the ball this year. It really helps you feel like the princess your husband claims you are. Thanks to my mom keeping the kids I had an excuse to go to Mrs. Teresa to get my fabulous hair do!

This is me and Emily busting a move on the dance floor!

This is what you get when you ask Nick to take a picture of hot ladies. He literally held the camera out without looking through the eye hole and continued to talked to his buddies. Hence our facial expressions like dude..really stop talking and take our picture and stop with the flashes!

We made him retake our picture!

GOOF BALL…and here was our attempted at a good photo,
He had lots of distractions and influences.

Happy Birthday Marine. Thanks for a great time and for being part of The Few, The Proud, The Marines

A Mini Vacation

2011-11-13T16:12:00.001-08:00

We were very lucky that Nick was able to take a week off of work, so as Marine wife that never gets to take vacation with her WHOLE family took advantage of Nick’s time off and booked a last minute trip to Myrtle Beach. We stayed at the Dunes Village Resort. It was a condo like building with an indoor water park. It had everything we needed to make our kiddos happy. We ventured out to Broadway on the Beach one night and ate at Margaritaville. We were those parents that took the kids out way passed their bedtime. We haven’t really experienced this feeling before. We were walking around the shops and playing in the arcade waiting on our table. The kids were having so much fun and doing so good to be almost 8:30 at night. I promise you as soon as we walked into the restaurant and order our food they BOTH went down hill. Yes, we were those parents that were trying to entertain the kiddos with Netflix off of our phones…nope that didn’t work. Ok—what next ok we will order them smoothies that should occupy them for a while. Nope..just made our bill more expensive, so finally our food came and they were fine for about 5 mins then the restaurant starts playing Margaritaville and the whole place turns into a storm and let’s just say Carter takes after his mother and was terrified. So nick ate his meal the best he could with Carter in his mouth while I stood up and bounced and walked around with Kensi. Then it was my turn to eat while Nick entertained the kids. What an experience and it reminded me whey we don’t venture out too much after bedtime. Needles to say we learned our lesson and also made memories.

browsing the shops..kensi found what she wanted to buy…and don’t let these smiles fool you at the restaurant

playing in the arcade

The water park was great fun. It had a lazy river and water slides. A kid area with just 1 foot of water that Kensi loved to splash in and do squats. She was too cute playing in the water after she finally got brave in it. Carter was our brave boy who decided he would go down the water slide all by himself the 1st time. Well he chose the slide that had turns in it. He ended up turning around backwards about half way down and freaking out and stopped himself. Nick thinking he could save the day he went down and BOOM crashed right into carter. Needless to say carter cried and never went down the slide again by himself. Can I just say this was the 1st of 3 days we were there. He did go down again in our laps but never alone. Kensi Jo did a few turns down the slide as well. She wasn’t that happy about it nor was she scared!

**When I find the little camera we took ill update the blog with pictures from the water park fun!

We couldn’t leave Mrytle Beach without playing Putt Putt. We told Carter to start looking as we were driving in at the one he wanted to go too. I think he was overwhelmed with all the options so he just told us to choose. how sweet right? We ended up at an Animal Safari Putt Putt course. He had a blast. It was pretty chilly that day but we were able to have fun and get some great photos! After putt putt we went to the Pirate Voyage show. IT WAS A BLAST! Both kids loved it. The food was great and the show was excellent. Carter went and got dressed up for the show at one of their booths (yes we paid for it) he even got his own sword. He was in heaven. I would highly recommend this show for children of all ages!

Look how kensi thought she should help with the playing of putt putt

Kensi and her daddy…she loves her da da and then our pirate ARRRGHHH

all ready for the show

a little pirate fight after the show in the condo…

The last morning we took a spin around the lazy river one last time and got all checked out and went to browse through the outlets. You know what mom really wanted to do on this trip! I was able to get everyone’s outfit for our Christmas photo which I still haven’t scheduled to get taken. So glad we had an opportunity to get away and make memories as a family. We really did have a great time.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

2011-11-04T06:24:00.001-07:00

We went trick or treating at Mebi and Grandaddy’s house. Before we could even get costumed up we had treaters knocking at the door. This was exciting for my kids. Do you see Kensi’s concerned look about this mummy in the yard (look closely through the window!)

BOO! Kensi the Friendly Ghost

Carter AKA Spiderman

We had fun trick or treating. Even though it rained on us. We went to a few houses that I went to growing up. It was fun seeing the kids have fun in my old stomping grounds.

Here are a fewvsnapshots of our night

Kensi is still begging for candy! She constantly stand by the cabinet she knows its in and says MORE MORE MORE..PLEASE.

They get a little piece each day and mom and dad get all they want after the kids go to bed! Good idea right?

Fall Festivities

2011-11-04T06:10:00.001-07:00

Well the last few weeks of October were packed with Fall fun with school and church. We were able to attend the church fall festival which was total fun for the kids. Cake walk, carnival like games, balloon race, and of course to make mommy happy they had tons of chili to eat. Kensi was happy after she won her cupcake and she was ready to go after that! (No pictures of carter at church fall festival because he was mostly the kid that was running crazy around the church..yeah I was that parent that night)

Then the following week his preschool group went on a field trip. Daddy was home and was able to be a parent at his field trip. We were happy to have him go with us. Also happy he is now home for a while. Carter had fun on his field trip. They got to feed the fish..wave at snoopy, get a tiny pumpkin and eat yummy ice cream.

(my kids love some ice cream)

My attempt to get a good picture of my kids…love the attempt!!!

Happy Fall

Get out and Stay out!

2011-10-20T18:59:00.001-07:00

October is National Fire Prevention Month. Preschool for this week has been about Fire Safety. On Tuesday the Fire Truck visited the class and they got to hold a few pieces of equipment and sit in the truck. They also extended the ladder out for the kids to see. Carter loved every minute of it and Kensi was enjoying being a sibling of a preschooler. When I picked up Carter that day he came home all interested in the smoke detectors and if they worked and how many we had. So glad he is learning fire safety and the importance of how to handle a situation if a fire happens. We talked about our plan and what he should do if he hears them going off. Of course his response is “Get out and Stay Out” (at Aspen’s after he looks for cars!)

(*love kensi’s face in this! She is saying OOOOOOO)

Mom’s Morning Out 2 & 3 Year old Class

Kensi Turns 18 months

2011-10-19T19:25:00.001-07:00

How crazy is it that my little tiny sweet baby is now one and half.

I love this age. I know I say that every milestone.

Kensi is a silly girl.

She keeps us laughing, dancing, and eating.

Her favorite toys right now are baby dolls, dinosaurs, cars, and step stools.

She is a climber.

Her idea of fun is dancing to music or doing head shoulders knees and toes.

She can say: fish, No, dad, mama, shoes, dog, meow, bird, grapes, this, excuse me, ball, lots of animal sounds and im sure more words but can’t think of them right now!

We love our kensi jo. Will update more after 18 month check up in November!

Conversations with Carter

2011-10-10T12:24:00.001-07:00

Carter: “What’s your favorite trip”
Me: “going to church with you today.”

Carter: “mine was coming home, I didn’t want to go there today.”

(every night I lay with him for one song and he always ask me what my favorite trip was..what he really means is what was my favorite thing we did today.)

Carter: you had braces when you were a Panther

Me: Oh yeah..at mebi’s house in my high school cheerleading picture I had on braces

Carter: Can you do tricks
Me: Sure can’t

Carter: I bet Aunt Jess can.
Me: I bet she can

Carter: Mom, try..try to do a trick
Me: No, that’s ok I don’t wanna get hurt, how about you try a trick
Carter: No mom I’m a boy

to be continued…

Weekend Away

2011-10-03T17:39:00.001-07:00

Sometimes you just need a little change of scenery. We had a weekend planned away from home to hopefully make the days fast a little faster and give the kids some fun things to do. We started out with Aunt Becky and Uncle Bill. They took us to the Aquarium in Wilmington and we were going to ride the Ferry to Southport to get some ice cream and look around. however, Carter Finley decided that he didn’t want to ride the boat and made his opinion very clear. He won, and we didn’t ride the boat. Maybe I will get to ride the Ferry one day! When my 3 year old stops making decisions for me . We had fun though. Dad joined us for the fish viewing and lunch outside the aquarium.

Aunt Becky broke her ankle in Hawaii while on vacation so Carter enjoyed getting to ride around with her!

(I was getting practice with my big zoom and whoa I need more practice..)

We went on to mom and dad’s to finish out the weekend. Since Sunday we had to go back to Wilmington to Grannie Frances to draw names for Christmas and eat yummy food! Mom, Dad and Carter went to see Quincy play football. However, a storm cell came through and sent them home. Carter thought it was funny but he kept saying I’m cold.

Hog Wild was going on in Beulaville so we went there to see what was going on and get some BBQ plates. We saw some old cars, Carter and Grandaddy jumped in the jump house and we saw some crafts and listened to the band for a bit.

Dancing to the music!

Sunday was filled with great company and great food. A new addition to our family was born not too many days before this gathering. So I attempting ot take some photos of the new baby after practicing a bit on Kensi. Here are my favorites! Thanks everyone for helping us waste time and pass time!

*No babies were harmed in the testing of my picture taking skills!

I love technology

2011-09-23T12:45:00.001-07:00

The kids get to see dad very little while he is away via skype. It makes them both smile!

Carter has to talk to dad privately. He has to ask him questions as Carter calls it. So he has to plug in his headphones just like dad’s! Monkey see monkey do! His questions are usually statements about football, planes, and preschool. However him and his dad get their time together. Carter even makes sure you aren’t looking at him and if he gets his way you can’t be in the room with him.

Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule dad to see your kiddos! It makes the days not seem so long!

Not counting but 2 weeks down

Forget the spoon

2011-09-23T12:41:00.001-07:00

Who needs a spoon when you have your hands? Miss independent always wants to feed herself now. This is what I get! At least she is learning texture, and how to finger paint! Didn’t get a picture of the tray afterwards but it was a beautiful painting! Off to bath she went after this snack.

Time well spent

2011-09-17T19:13:00.001-07:00

Need more than a few minutes of quiet time as a mom?? some days I sure do!

During Kensi’s nap I pulled out a canvas and some paint and Carter goes into his world! He makes me soo proud. Check out those letters he was painting!

Talking Kensi

2011-09-17T12:36:00.001-07:00

I think she grew up over night?! She is our little chatter box and LOVES to run to the phone and try to answer it when it rings. She will just laugh and laugh running to it likes it’s a game. I haven’t really been good about keeping up with all her “new things” so I want to blog real fast about her jibberish! Of course as her mom I think she says a lot but im the only one that can understand her. Clearly she says:

*Hello
*Bye Bye
*More
*Please
*Thank you
*Mama
*Daaaaaddd

She will be 17 months tomorrow.

Here are cute videos to share with you!

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaddddddd

2011-09-16T05:50:00.001-07:00

Kensington is so funny when it comes to calling her dad’s name. It comes out so country and drawn out. Daaaaaaddd. She will say it over and over. Well, nick is away for some weeks and it has been a week now and we have only seen him on skype twice for a total of about 8 minutes total. We have also only talked to him three times on the phone not long either. However, when kensi see’s his face on the computer or hears his voice on the phone she starts calling him over and over again. it’s so sweet but also breaks my heart. She is daddy’s girl and loves him dearly. This morning I pulled out the videos of nick reading books and being silly on a dvd he made for the deployment last year. Kensi is in the living room now just laughing and listening to her dad and saying daaaaaaaaaaaaadd. I love that we have this dvd.

Carter has had a rough time adjusting to Nick leaving this time. He tells me many times a day that he is sad. I will ask why are you sad carter and he will tell me because he really misses daddy. We have had quite a few meltdowns because of it but we are working through them. I am trying to teach him how to understand his emotions and feelings but he is only three! Sometimes we all just need a good cry though right?? Hoping today is better. We have plans to stay home and just be lazy. We have had a busy week so maybe a slower paced day filled with nothing but his normal surroundings will mean a nice day for Carter and hopefully not to many sad moments!

Teaching Moment

2011-09-12T08:16:00.001-07:00

I find it that Carter will learn something if he is shown by example. I have really been trying to teach how important it is to follow directions and why it is important. I decided since we both like to bake and we have time to fill to help past time while dad is away then what else to do then bake some sugar cookies with a little lesson thrown in. I wanted to show him the recipe and explain to him that mom has to follow directions as well. I read it to him and said what was the 1st instruction mom needs to do. He pointed and said this one. I was like yay! We are getting somewhere. It was a fun way to teach him that he isn’t the only one that has to follow directions and it’s important to start now so when he gets older he is able to follow directions and make yummy cookies! Love watching him learn and really enjoy baking with him!!

however this girl may take a bit teaching moments to follow directions!

after telling her to stay out of my purse she moved on to other things! Kensi didn’t have a problem with the outcome of Carters lesson and wanted to eat more of the raw dough after i moved the bowl.

Preschool Boy

2011-09-11T16:22:00.001-07:00

September 8, 2011 was Carter first experience with Preschool . He is going two days a week from 9-12 and his Preschool is called Mom’s Morning Out. Sounds like fun huh? I failed as a parent and didn’t get that photo infront of the house of him on his first day. I did get a stalker photo of him in his classroom waiting to pick him up. When he finally saw me at the door he shot up and said mom it’s time to go home! He said it probably four times while I was trying my hardest to get a photo of him and his 1st artwork from school. As you can tell I failed. these are the best pictures I have from Carter’s 1st day at Preschool. The teacher told me he was a smart kid and very polite and super sweet. I didn’t cry dropping him off however when the teacher told me that about my son I did tear up a bit thinking that those 3 hours I just shared of his life with someone else. I felt kind of guilty. He talked about it all day and when night came he told me he wasn’t going back. We shall see how his 2nd day goes..however for the 1st day I would have to say it was a HUGE success!

*see his mom can we go home please now and stop taking pictures face! I LOVE that face!

STATE’S Home Opener

2011-09-06T19:17:00.001-07:00

Nick has two driving speeds. 1) Slow and 2) Game day fast. I promise you any other day but game day he drives like a Grandpa, but home opener for State he is pedal to the metal. We were all excited to get back into Carter Finley Stadium to watch the Pack test out their new quarterback and see if they could make us all happy with a “W” to their season. They did indeed get the Win but took them awhile to get the game going. It was fun chatting with the “Locals” (as in the people who sit around us) and all updating on our lives. Many couldn’t believe how much the kids had grown since last November. Kensi was a video hog on the jumbotron but can you blame them for wanting to show this beautiful face on the screen?

Carter was excited to see Mr. Wuff and the band. He even got into the game yelling whatever he could think of to yell!

He is truly a Wolfpack fan! He got tired in the 3rd quarter and was asking to go home but with a little ice cream he quickly changed his mind. kensi manage to nap the 3rd quarter which I tried to catch on video because every time the crowd yelled and clapped she would sit up and clap and fall right back to sleep in Nick’s arms. Made her dad proud!!!

(see the tired Carter??)

We had fun and made it the whole game with two kids! They were perfect!

Love spending time as a family and making memories.

just a few extra photos to share.

YUMMMY!!!!!!

2011-09-02T07:34:00.001-07:00

Made a few dozen chocolate chip cookies. I think the kids approved!

Happy Birthday Dad

2011-09-02T07:32:00.001-07:00

Nick had a birthday on the 25th. We didn’t forget about it in all the hustle and bustle to prepare for the Hurricane. We had to evacuate our house and had to do so by 8 pm on Friday. Nick’s birthday was Thursday and he didn’t get home till 7 from work and then he went and did some service and helped a girl from church put things away and another girl board up windows at her home here since her husband is deployed. I will have to say the one thing that I love about Nick and will always love is that he is service minded. He will be willing to serve and help anyone when needed. Sometimes it stresses me out because Friday at noon we are still putting up our stuff but it gets done and I am thankful for his willingness to help others and glad he can be of help. So back to his birthday. The kids were so excited. We went and bought a cake and ice cream that day. Nick got home from work grabbed his drill and headed out the door. We waited and waited for him to get home so we could sing and eat cake and ice cream. We were so happy to celebrate his birth!

HAPPY 31st Birthday Nick

The cake Carter picked out because dad likes Carrots he said!

It doesn’t get any better than this

2011-08-23T08:50:00.001-07:00

I seriously love these two kiddos. They constantly bring smiles to my face, many laughs throughout the day and of course they teach me something new about myself everyday. I am thankful for my job as their mother. What an honor it is to be just that Carter and Kensington’s Mom. Some days I think I might just go crazy or as I tell Carter every now and then that he is driving me Bananas but, I can honestly say after each day is done and they are in bed that I wasn’t drove bananas by my kids I drove myself bananas by trying to do something more than just pay attention to them!

I mean look at those faces who wouldn’t love to be their mother!

Swimming Lessons for CF

2011-08-23T08:41:00.001-07:00

The 1st week of August I enrolled carter in a week long session of 45 mins worth of swimming instruction. Let’s just say he did a lot better than I thought he would. The 1st day he was super excited that morning and off we went. The next morning he told me he didn’t want to go he just wanted to stay home. (He went!) Each day he kept getting more and more less eager to go because he said he didn’t want to jump off and go under. He really surprised me in how well he listened and actually did what the instructor said, even putting his face underwater. If you don’t know much about carter then you don’t know that he screams during bath/shower time when water gets remotely close to his eyes. I knew swimming would be a challenge. I am proud of him for trying his best!

Meet the Pack day….

2011-08-23T05:32:00.001-07:00

And happy birthday to me! I turned 26 on the 13th of August. I really really enjoyed my birthday. We had a great family day in Raleigh meeting some of STATE’S Athletes and eating at my favorite place Chipotle. Carter was into my birthday and remembered to be extra good because it was Mom’s birthday. He kept asking what my number was which means age. Every time I told him he would just laugh. Can’t wait to see how much he laughs when dad has to tell him his number on his birthday Thursday.

Of course it was raining in Raleigh but it stopped just in time to head into Carter Finley Stadium and meet the PACK. Carter was all smiles and super excited and super shy when it came to meeting the players but didn’t take him long to warm up. Kensi half way through the defensive line decided she wanted her book signed .Notice her in the picture waiting for her book…he wasn’t signing it fast enough!

We had a plan going into the crowd of anxious fans wanting autographs. We wanted to meet the coach and Markus (the player pictures above with Carter). Nick and Carter got to meet the coach and get his autograph. He chuckled at Carter’s name and wrote in his book GO PACK. While signing books nick had one for his squadron to be signed and he told the coach that they were the squadron that flew a flag for them last year while in Afghanistan. Coach then looked up at him and said oh yeah it’s the one we used to run out on the field with. I thought that was neat. We love making memories with the Wolfpack. Truly makes my boys happy..Kensi and I tolerate it as long as it makes everyone else happy!!

All in all I had a wonderful birthday finishing the evening off with a trip to the mall and a slice of cheesecake from the cheesecake factory for my cake! YUMMY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Tourist

2011-08-15T09:44:00.001-07:00

Living on the beach we try to avoid the crowded areas during the summer but we got brave one Friday night and went out to walk the pier. Something we haven’t done since we have moved here. We ended the night in the arcade and snow cones. It was a grand family time out!

Kensi and Carter enjoyed watching the waves from above..Carter even road on his dad’s shoulders a bit for a higher view…and this face is the please mom not another picture look!

WATCH OUT

2011-07-25T03:10:00.001-07:00

Watch out for that…. Carter got to drive his first power wheel. Maddie and Abigail were nice to share theirs with them. He loved it and you can only imagine Carter’s reaction when it was time to park it. All the way home he kept telling me how he wanted a car to drive!! He really loved it. After him driving a while Kensi had been interested in the jeep the whole time we were outside. I let the most experienced driver (the oldest) take her for a spin. I have to say she enjoyed being the passenger as much as Carter enjoyed being the driver. We always have fun when we go play with Maddie, Abigail, and Jack.

We loves summer play dates!
(Kensi wasn’t into the cars..she pushed this stroller the whole time…)

15 MONTHS OLD

2011-07-25T03:01:00.001-07:00

Kensington is growing fast. She is developing a very strong independent personality.

It’s fun to think back to Carter at this age and compare. He as 15 months when we moved to North Carolina.

*Weight: 20.8
* Favorite Food: ANYTHING…mostly whatever you are eating she likes!
*Loves books
* Can sign: milk, juice, more, ball, food, want, help, and can fold arms for prayer
*Loves watching Mickey mouse
*Loves to snuggle
*Daddy’s girl
*loves her brother
*Loves the beach
*has 6 teeth and working on her top 1 year molars
*loves to sing (Popcorn Popping, If you’re happy and you know it, If you chance to meet a frown)

AND WE LOVE HER!!

4th of July

2011-07-19T05:58:00.001-07:00

Fourth of July is Nick’s favorite Holiday and we were happy he was home with us this year to celebrate and being that we live on the beach we didn’t have far to go to enjoy the American’s way of celebrating the 4th. Our 4th consisted of a long day on the beach, cook out, and fireworks. Nick had duty so he was on phone duty so he could stay around the house but had to go back and forth to base as need and to check on the barracks. I didn’t take the camera over to the beach but we had great day for the beach. Carter is finally starting to enjoy the water and let the waves crash on him. Kensi stayed back with dad and took her morning nap and walked over for a bit and she has no fear of the water. I am not sure who had more sand in their bathing suit when we came back Kensi or mom! We were happy to have our family that could come join us for a day on the beach…food..and fireworks. Melissa, Jeff, and Austin are in NC from UT for a few months this summer and we were happy to have some time with them. Melissa and I ended up getting our camera’s mixed up (we have since changed) so My pictures of the 4th have a lot of Austin in them!!!

sooo I know that Melissa's camera has a family photo on her memory card so until then this about all I have to share photo wise of our 4th of July!

Brown Bear What Do You See?

2011-07-19T05:43:00.001-07:00

Carter is so funny reading this book. Love love love catching him reading this. Finally got it on video!

Reason why..

2011-07-17T17:54:00.001-07:00

I haven’t been catching up on the blog because we have been spending our days out in the sun!

Grandpa Alex comes to visit!

2011-07-06T18:12:00.001-07:00

Alex and Kim were able to take a few days off work and spend it here in NC with us. Carter really enjoyed playing with Grandpa Alex and Kim. We are use to seeing them on skype.

Grandpa Alex and Kensington meeting for the first time!

It was Pirate night at the aquarium. Carter loves Jake and the Neverland Pirates. They had hidden treasure chest in the fish tanks and you had to go through and see if you could find them all, plus there were arts and crafts you could do and Pirates walking around. This was the 1st day they were here and ended the night with some delicious pizza.

I love this picture. I had to take Carter for a check up on his ears and Kensi got the royal treatment of a nice walk and ended up falling asleep. We both arrived back home at the same time. I had to snap this photo! We all relaxed for a few minutes while kensi finished out her nap and headed to base so Alex and Kim could see the Prowler up close and personal. I left my camera in the Car mainly because you normal can’t take pictures of the prowler up close and personal but I did get a few with Kim’s Camera of Nick and them standing infront of the plane..I will have to get her to email me a copy! While I was taking pictures of them and looking around at the plane I failed to keep eyes on the baby in the stroller. It was fairly windy that day and she took sail down the runway. Thank goodness no planes were taxing in! Poor kensi!

After the afternoon at base and lunch at Bojangles at 4:00 we all took naps and hten headed to the beach to make sand art. It was VERY windy so me and Kensi didn’t stay long so we got enough sand in our mouth and hair and headed back to start prepping for dinner. Nick grilled yummy porkchops.

Kensi and me before we got beat to death by the sand. Carter, Kim, and Grandpa Alex building an octopus

The next morning after Kim and Alex’s run Carter mentioned that he loved pancakes and Grandpa Alex said that was his specialty.

So Carter and Grandpa Alex went to making pancakes. See Kensi didn't complain! She even got her own special Mickey Mouse one!

While Kensi napped I stayed behind while everyone else went out on the kayaks. They were gone a long time. The were able to walk the sand bars and find crabs and run and swim and play. Carter had a blast and talked about that trip for a while. (Also I am aware of Carter not in a car seat the car seat patrol (me) allowed him to ride down to the dock to put the kayaks in without being safely and properly belted AHHHH)

We spent a lot of time at the beach and eating. We really enjoyed their company as you can tell! No complaints from the kids of parents!

Can’t wait to play again!

Eyes were closed in the back of my head

2011-06-28T18:30:00.001-07:00

So you know the sayings parents (MOMS) have eyes in the back of their heads. Well I guess mine were closed. While I was busy yesterday doing this…

baking cakes in a jar and other delicious treats to send to deployed friends Carter decided it would be a great time to do this…

Completely rub himself down with lotion while sitting on the toilet. There is good and bad to this. He choose antibacterial lotion (good). However it was scented very strongly and he couldn’t rub it all the way in (BAD)

I guess I can be thankful it wasn’t mascara again..or eye shadow..or marker on a computer screen! Just lotion. I can handle that!

Two Weddings and a Road Trip

2011-06-28T04:54:00.001-07:00

On our way to Ohio for a wedding we stopped by to watch the sealing of Alicia and Dalas. Alicia was a student of Nick’s when he taught that joined the church. It is always a great way to start off the weekend by going to the Temple. We left Raleigh around 1 and arrive in Ohio around 10:30 that night. It wasn’t a bad ride we took our time and I think we stopped more wtihout kids than we would have with kids! Yea you heard it right we went away for two nights without kids. I think I did pretty good about not worrying too much about them but I knew they were in good hands.

The Drive was absolutely beautiful. However it made me a bit carsick looking around at everything.

Of course I found a Chipotle we ventured out in Cincinnati for lunch before a long day of wedding festivities on Saturday. It was raining that morning so it was a perfect morning to just eat hotel breakfast (which is a favorite of mine) and lounge around before having to be somewhere.

The wedding started at 3:00 however The “guys” (the marines) needed to be there by 2:30 to make sure they all knew what they were doing. After the wedding their was a punch reception in the church where they served lemonade and goodies. Everyone was coming up to the guys dressed in the Dress Blues and thanking them for their service. So nice to see that people appreciate what they do. Also, in the picture below is a group of young boys that were interested in their uniforms. They asked a bunch of questions about their medals and what each one meant. Super cute. After the punch reception it was time for the “Sword Detail” where the bride is welcomed into the Marine Corps.

I love seeing a Marine in uniform especially mine. So glad I got to accompany him to this wedding because originally they were just going to fly a jet up to Ohio and fly back. However, you have to have working jets to be able to do that and let’s just say the Prowler isn’t always dependable.

Drawing the sword out to make an arch for the bride and groom to pass under. At each arch it is lowered and a kiss is required for them to pass through.

At the end after they were asked to kiss to pass through the Bride is then smacked on the butt after she was told…welcome to the marines!

Loved the Church where the wedding was. It was old and so pretty.

After the Wedding we went over for the reception. A sit down dinner with lots of dancing. Nicholas danced the night away. Let’s just put it this way…I will never complain again that he doesn’t dance!!

Me and Michelle enjoyed our weekend with our hubbies and no kids. It was a long day but had a good time.

Couldn’t blog without sharing with you the shoes I wore. I think nick laughed at me for a good 5 minutes in the hotel room before we left. He claimed they looked ok but after that laugh I have to say he thought they looked funny! I thought they were cute!

Finally it was time to drive back home. We ran into a road block on the interstate and got off at an exit before a complete stop and found out from locals that if we took this state road we would be back on the interstate in about 20 miles. We were like sounds great..next time they need to inform me that it is straight up a mountain and straight down. I do believe I left my stomach on that mountain.

(don’t think the pictures of the road look as bad as it was..but trust me it was no lie a curvy road..not sure if it had any straightness to it)

I am this many…

2011-06-20T10:43:00.001-07:00

oh wait… Carter is 3 not Nick!

OH what an exciting day June 11, 2011 was. We started our celebration early. Well—not by choice of the adults in the house, but by choice of Carter rising and shinning early on his birthday. He awoke around 5:45 and was announcing to everyone the he was 3..showing it to you on his fingers!

Erica and Dad were the lucky ones to get caught on camera being woke up by Carter! Im the smart one that’s why im the mom I stay behind the camera!

Carter choose to have a dinosaur themed party for the BIG 3! We invited a few friends and just aunts and uncles and grandparents. Carter kept asking when his friends were going to arrive for his birthday every sine Kensi’s 1st birthday party in April. We talked about his birthday a lot and who would come and what we would do. Don’t worry it didn’t all go as planned but I do believe fun was had by all.

We started the party by decorating some white treat bags for the piñata candy when it was time to hit the dino! Afterwards we painted wooden dinosaurs.

Surprisingly ages 2-5 year olds aren’t into wearing aprons. However, some didn’t mind it! They each got to take the apron home as their parting gift along with a treat bag of little dino activities.

After some arts and crafts Dad lead the kids in a hunt for dinosaur bones! Can you believe dinosaurs roamed so close to the beach!?

The kids got to trade the bones they found in for a 3D puzzle of a dinosaur to take home and put together with their mom and dad!!

So my lesson learned from this birthday is that a piñata for a 3 year olds birthday is a bit too hard. Maybe should have bought that pull string one! Oh well..after everyone getting a lot of turns hitting the poor dino I finally just tore him open a bit and sprinkled candy on the floor..the kids didn’t seem to mind how it came out as long as they got some!

To wrap the party up with sang Happy Birthday to Carter, he blew out his candle and we ate pizza and then opened gifts. I really think he was the happiest boy on earth that day! It was fun celebrating a birthday that the child was excited about! We also are glad that dad was here to help celebrate in person instead of via web cam!

Carter got some great gifts though he didn’t expected anything he really didn’t even want to stop playing to open his gifts. Honestly he could have cared less! We got him a bike for his birthday. Look how big my little man is!

HAPPY 3rd Birthday Carter Finley

That’s a wrap…

2011-06-07T04:54:00.001-07:00

I have been not so great at keeping up with May 2011 on the blog. I just want to make sure I get all the memories I can jammed into this blog world so that I can actually tell my kids one day I kept a journal of their lives! So here are a few unblogged about events in May. Have I meantioned how lucky we are to have AWESOME babysitter(S!). I am not sure the best part about them are..either I don’t have to pick them up they live next door or that they love my kids and not only do the babysitters love my kids their whole family does. OH yeah and another good part is they have great friends that if Aspen or Summer can’t keep them then Morgan is willing to make a few bucks! Summer is a senior this year and will be heading off to UNC in the fall. We will miss that one extra helper around but we wish her well. It was her prom in May. She opted to take her sister. How sweet! Morgan went with another senior girl as well. A group of I think 10-14 girls all went together and they talked like they had a blast! They all ate dinner the Summer and Aspen’s house before they went so Carter and I enjoyed looking at all the pretty dresses! Carter even told me two days later while I was dressed for church that I had a pretty dress like Aspen and Summer’s! (he is so sweet!)

We took a few trips to the aquarium in May. I think this was an effort to get out of the house. Sickness is a theme for our last year. Kensi was sick I think the whole month of May. This is a place Carter can run around and not really have structure and let out some energy. He loves it..and she was liking the change of scenery . I always have to make sure I have some change with me before we enter the building. While leaving they have this feed the tank money pit! Carter loves to watch his money go round and round. He has now discovered that Wal-Mart has a money spinner too as he calls it. I must make note to enter into the other side of Wal-Mart to avoid a 2 yr old melt down because I don’t have change.

Outside fun. It wasn’t hot yet so a lot of our afternoon time was spent swinging and roaming outside.

Let’s just say I wanna make a record of this trip. We went all the way to watch NC State play one Saturday. Baseball that is. Also Scotty McCreery was suppose to throw out the 1st pitch of the game. (The AMERICAN IDOL winner…which was in the top three only at this date). So we go to Raleigh early do some shopping..eat a must place for me (CHIPTOLE). Get to the game an hour early to watch the dark clouds roll in. Before we could get everything in the bag and out of the car it started POURING. So Nick decided to go buy umbrellas and ended up at Rite Aid and bought an 18 dollar piece of CRAP. Let’s just say Nick thought 4 people could stay dry under this umbrella that was way over priced and the size of a football helmet. Let’s just say we stuck it out for 35 mins in the rain waiting for it to blow over and Nick pulled a Thomas and said let’s go. Well Nick called it at Thomas (my dad) we all know that Thomas would have NEVER went out in the 1st place. No pictures taken of us soaked standing in the rain under our puny umbrella. Im sure you have a vivid picture..did I mention we had two kids with us as well! Here are a few pictures of Kensi taking after her mommy loving the Chipotle

WHO TOOK MY BEANS??? Yes that is beans smeared all over her face and arms

A lot more happened. Dad was out of town for two weeks..no fun but we made the best of it! Maybe you enjoyed reading about our MAY!

BABYTON

2011-06-03T19:35:00.001-07:00

Lately Carter calls Kensington KENSI JO due to Kensi being mobile (getting into everything, banging on the TV, climbing up the fire ledge) that he hears me raise my voice at her. If you want to know what I sound like when Kensi gets in trouble just listen to Carter call her name. Not always does he use that tone of voice but more than not he will.

Another name for Kensi by Carter is BABYTON. I think this is my all time favorite. Maybe this will be her nickname from him..instead of the usual siblings use like sissy. Sometimes when asked whats your sister’s name he will reply: “Babyton” I love it!

Well—Carter loves to go with me upstairs to get Kensi up from morning nap. He always begs to get in with her. I had a pile of their clothes to put away one morning so I allowed him to get in with Kensi and be her entertainment while I did the task. He loved every minute of it and so did she.

These two are true siblings…one minute they love each other and they next can DRIVE each other crazy!

Celebrating Another..

2011-06-03T19:11:00.001-07:00

50th Birthday! Ken turned 50 in May. LIttle did he know a surprise dinner was planned with friends and family. I think he was really surprised and enjoyed himself. Monica ordered the cake and had it iced in Black icing. Everyone who ate the cake had a black mouth…lips…teeth..fingers…well you get the picture! Great time had by all and Ken deserved a special night!

I like the pictures above…all his kids helping in lighting ALL the candles!

Me and Nick used this night as a date night and got a sitter we got a bunch of grief from friends and family,

but didn’t regret it one bit as we watched those with kids not get to sit down and eat their meal!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ken!

Routines

2011-05-27T09:00:00.001-07:00

A lot of people joke with me about my kids going to bed at a certain time and how strict I am about bed times. With Carter we started around 7-8 months with his bedtime routine and the crying himself to sleep. That only lasted about 3 nights of him crying and then since then it has not been a problem to put him down at night. Even the transition from crib to twin bed was a breeze. Don’t get me wrong there are some nights where he will get up a few times and his reasons sometimes require a chuckle. Some of his reasons for getting out of bed are he has to PP (which is ok…so we take him to go pp), sometimes he claims he is thirsty but he just drank 8 oz of milk 20 minutes before laying down since that is part of his routine. Let me see my-- favorite reason he comes up with us he needs his finger nail clipped…and oh yeah he comes down and peeks his head around the stairs and goes hey guys what you are doing to me and nick!
So..back to the routine. Kensi is finally catching on. We ( I ) started her self soothing around 5 and half months. She has been going to bed like a pro for almost 6 months now. I think its so cute that once she has drank her milk and patting and blasted off with the gang of little einsteins she crawls to the stairs and starts blowing kisses..she knows its time for her crib!

The kids routine consist of:

*Clean up toys
* an episode of Little Einsteins
*Cup of Milk
*Family Prayer
*Books
*Then lay down and turn music on.

Kensi hasn’t been getting music but she loves her fisher price fish tank that plays music and lights up in her crib. I have recently started doing music for her because I noticed she doesn’t go to sleep that easily if we stay somewhere else and I think its because she wants her fish tank. An ipod of music is easier and simpler to pack than that fish tank.

Now you have a look into our nightly routine which starts around 7:00 if I am lucky!

my attempt to get a cute picture of them drinking their milk and watching their show together..they were so cute sitting side by side. Kensi heard that flash on my camera pop up and she gets excited. So much for the cute picture of them from behind…this is what I got instead!

**and ignore the dinner room chair and the side table on both sides of the tv..that’s to keep little miss Kensi Jo from banging on it! Now that she can’t do that she has managed to figure out that the cable box has buttons on it and that actually do stuff as in change the channel and turn it off and on…she keeps us busy and frustrates her brother if she turns it off during his “movie”!

*not at bedtime just a picture I snapped of them with their milk and blankies..Can I say we go through a gallon of milk in about a day and 1/2! MOOOOOOOOOOO

How does your garden grow???

2011-05-24T17:08:00.001-07:00

Ok we have a garden thanks to Nick Jr. There is a little commercial (Cartoon blurp) about growing a garden. EVERYTIME it is played Carter will ask where is my garden? Of course he is asking me so I always reply with you have to ask your dad when he gest home. Finally, Carter remembered to ask his dad and the next time they were out on an outing they stopped by Lowe's and bought some seeds and potting soil and little trays to start our garden. Nick was out of town for two weeks so that left mom ( of course right??) to water the seeds and to make sure they weren’t getting eat by the deer that love to lay around in our yard. Surprisingly they sprouted.

Here is the planting process

Kensi and I Supervising

So after two weeks of growing in the little planters we had a big mess! Dad got home built a little garden box and now we have this….

now we have a garden and a happy boy and probably deer food!
I’ll keep you updated

Purple and Gold

2011-05-24T16:23:00.001-07:00

May 7, 2011 Aunt Ash graduated from ECU with a BS of Fine Arts. We were all so happy for her and very excited to be celebrating with her. Kensi missed out on the graduation due to another double ear infection with high fever. The day included her ceremony, lunch to celebrate of course, then some cake at her apartment made by Cherish!

We love you Aunt Ash! Very proud of you!

Boo Boo

2011-05-11T17:57:00.000-07:00

Early Sunday morning…well I say early but not as early as we are usually getting ready. This Sunday we had a conference for church held in New Bern so we had to be there at 10. I was ready and dressed and was trying to get nick and carter to get moving off the couch so we wouldn’t be late. I finally got them up and moving and went upstairs to get Carter’s clothes and came down around the comer of our kitchen and saw two naked boys with a wash cloth against Carter’s head. Well—he slipped getting into the shower and knocked a perfect quarter size circle in the back of his head. We called the ambulance to avoid the long wait in the hospital. Last time we took Carter to the hospital with a hole in his head we waited 4 hours before it was every closed up and three days later he got strep throat. Anyways—so he rode on the ambulance to the hospital with his dad. I later met them there just in time to pick them up. With the help of a neighbor and my always helpful mom Kensi was taken care of.

Carter was brave he told all the paramedics that arrive about Jake and the Pirates while they were examining his body. He received a Boo Boo bear in the ambulance ride so now sadly him and Kensi have matching bears. Nick said they were seen right away after arriving to the hospital. I think it was a great experience for nick. I think every question they asked him he texted me for the answer. Like who is his pediatrician and what's his SS# , etc. They numbed the spot on carter’s head with cream, cleaned it and then stapled two staples in it. We couldn’t wash his hair until the staples were taken out 5 days later. It healed nicely and he still has a scab there.

If you ask carter what happened his story is:
I fell in shower
got hole in my head (shows you a circle with his fingers)

I ride in ambulance
I watch TV (the big screen in the ER with all the patients stats on it)
I get staples

I get milkshake.

Sunny Days

2011-05-06T18:30:00.001-07:00

Well Carter fell in the Shower recently and ended up with two staples to close the wound in the back of his head. (another post to come shortly) Well my good friend Kristen knows Carter LOVES milkshakes so she stopped in to check on carter and bring him a yummy treat. Didn’t get a picture of the milkshake or Kristen with Carter but I did get a cute photo of Kensi at Kristen’s legs drinking from her Sippy cup and then from Nixons. They were the exact same thing..water with a splash of apple juice. However, she would drink from one and then the other. SILLY girl. After being inside for a few days Carter really wanted to go for a walk and his idea was to pull Kensi and Nixon in the wagon. The little ones loved it and Carter thought he was such a big boy pulling them down the road. He would even stop and go to them and tickle them and say Nixon you’re so cute…or Kensi you’re so cute. (wonder who he hears say that?!) I love great friends and sweet babies and Sunny Days!

Easter 2011

2011-05-06T18:18:00.001-07:00

The Egg Hunt at the church was put on by four great ladies! HAHA One of them was myself! We started off with a breakfast, craft, singing time and then what all the kids were itching to do..hunt some eggs. Ages three and under got to go out first for a few minutes and Carter was ready. He had went the week before with Mebi to her church’s egg hunt so he had a trial run and knew what to do this time --and that was run fast and pick up even faster! Kensi was all excited about being outside. She just liked putting eggs in and out of her basket. Which is just as cute as running around and finding them.

We enjoyed our family being together for this egg hunt and cherish the memories being made.

We love “Baby” Nix. Only 3 days older than Kensi they play so well together!

Cheering for the Hurricanes

2011-05-03T19:24:00.000-07:00

MOOO BAAA LALALA

2011-05-03T19:22:00.000-07:00

This book is a favorite or mine. I read it over and over to Carter. I love this author. Well needless to say we have started reading this book to kensi and the best part is her brother can read it to her. I was in the kitchen and I heard her MOOO'n and i had to grab the camera when I saw she had the book in her hands!

At Base with Dad

2011-04-25T07:43:00.001-07:00

It was family day at the squadron and Carter got to get up and go to base with dad. Carter no longer calls Nick going to base work. If you ask if his dad is at work he will reply back with nooo he’s at base. To carter you see going to work means Afghanistan and base means he comes home at night. It took us a while to figure this out but once we did we totally understood his response and use his terms to make it more easier for him to understand.

Their morning started off with a shower and then out the door they went. I had to go pick up Carter around lunch where they then had a prowler set up for the families to look inside..well just the front two seats…the back two seats are top secret so we couldn’t peek back there. Carter’s day at work consisted of calling mom about 3-4 times asking what me and Kensi were doing and watching some tv in the ready room. Oh yeah, nick said he spun around in the chairs for a while too, not to mention the drinks and snacks he consumed in the 3 hours he was there. Over all I think Carter really enjoyed going to base with dad. I think he was a little disappointed that going to base with dad meant sitting at a desk and not flying in an airplane!

that’s a wrap let’s go home!

Kensi Jo Is ONE!!!

2011-04-25T07:34:00.001-07:00

You know everyone says it but really has it been a year since this little baby girl full of hair was placed in my arms and welcomed to this world by her daddy and me! When I think back to this time last year what a rollercoaster of emotions resurface. I thought I was going to have to give birth to a baby with her daddy miles away but as many of you remember this girl had a different plan and that was to come early and to even come while daddy kept getting postpone for deployment due to the volcano eruption. We are blessed to have a beautiful girl in our family. What a true daddy’s girl she is. She looks like him, she acts like him, and you have to work really hard to get a smile out of her…however she is full of giggles late at night (just like her dad!)

Nick cooked a pig for her birthday with the sides being green beans, baked beans, potato salad, slaw and fruit. We had lots of family here to help us celebrate and some friends from work and church. Weather threatened NC all day on her party day but many braved the storms and possibility of bad weather to help us celebrate and we are thankful for that. The party went smoothly and when it came time for cake she did totally opposite of her brother. Carter was scooping cake up by both hands…Kensi was being all clean and pinching her fingers to get little pieces of cake into her mouth. That’s my girl!

a few decorations

The cake. Kensi’s smash cake. Cupcakes by Allison! Delicious

Smashing her cake..or more like picking at it!

She had a great 1st birthday! Thanks for sharing it with us for those that came and sent gifts!
We Love you <3

VMAQ-2 Family Fun

2011-04-22T07:13:00.001-07:00

Nick’s squadron had a lunch for the families. It was a nice sunny day and the kids had a few play grounds to choose from to run around and play on.
Kensi Jo enjoyed practicing walking. Carter enjoyed playing with his friend Maddi and Abigail!

This is Abigail and Maddi’s mom with her son Jack. He is 9 months old!

Always smiles when his friends are around.

Sports, Sports, and More Sports

2011-04-11T18:10:00.001-07:00

Our family revolves around sports. When one season ends another one starts. I see my future being busy with sporting events for the kids. Which is fine!! We went and watched Apsen’s (our wonderful babysitter) soccer game. They were playing the one and only Swansboro High School—if you are from around here you know what that means….it’s a big game! We had fun however it was pretty cold out…when the wind blows off that ocean its mighty cold. The kids got into the cheering and Aspen even scored a GOOOALLL!!!! They ended up with a tie. They play over time but that’s it.

(look at her red nose! BRRRR)

Also, we witnessed the Hurricanes not make it into the play offs. They had to win the game but sadly lost badly. However—it was great fun and we were able to hang out with our friends. Carter loves baby Nix and we love him too!!

Baby Austin

2011-04-03T17:41:00.001-07:00

We were so happy to finally get to meet Austin. Austin was born in January and since I gotten the phone call that he was finally here I have been wanting to meet this baby boy! He belongs to my 1st cousin Melissa and when I explain it to people who she is I usually end up saying-- well she is like a sister to me. We grew up in the same grade and lived 2 minutes apart and luckily we were best friends. Austin flew in from Utah to visit with us on his mom’s spring break. I was excited to see Melissa as much as I was to meet her baby.

(Austin sorry I had to post this picture of you in Kensi’s bouncy seat! We know you are a tough boy only real men “wear” pink!)

Carter enjoyed seeing baby Austin but really was concerned where Jeff was! Jeff and Melissa visited us during our LONG 6 month deployment last year and Carter really enjoyed playing with jeff and all the fun things we did. So when carter heard we were going to go see Baby Austin he thought this included seeing Jeff as well. He didn’t seem to mind that Jeff wasn’t there as soon as he saw Melissa and Austin.

We enjoyed some great company and great food at Austin’s Grandparents who were excited as I was for everyone in NC to meet him. Kensi enjoyed seeing her 2nd cousins and was looking super cute in the outfit Mebi made her (MOOO!!!) It was great to see Ashlea and Adalea as well. Fun was had by all. Just take a look can’t you tell??

Looking for someone?

2011-04-03T17:26:00.001-07:00

This girl is FAST. If she is missing (now I don’t lose her too often) you can 99.9% of the time find her in the bathroom…splashing in the toilet or unrolling the toilet paper. This day Carter actually remember to put the lid down. THANK GOODNESS!!!! Trying to train him right so his wife never falls in the toilet late at night—or ever!!

Cordelia turns 5

2011-03-30T18:06:00.001-07:00

We headed to the other side of the state to help Cordelia celebrate the big FIVE. Carter had a blast playing with his cousins and enjoyed the birthday party.

Sorry I didn’t get a picture of all the cousins together. No one was really feeling that great in our family so just taking care of myself and sick kids was on the agenda mostly!

DINOS, Picnic, and Deer

2011-03-16T18:44:00.001-07:00

I love this girl. She is a mess. She loves to play by herself or with her brother. She is very easy going and almost 11 months. My baby is almost one. (EEEKK) So..back to DINOS! I couldn’t resist not taking her picture while playing with these Dinosaurs. She was playing the right way with them…knocking things over making growling sounds. BEWARE

Disney has a new show call Jake and the Neverland Pirates. Carter’s favorite episode is about a picnic and Capt. Hook stealing the food. He asked if we could have a picnic so his dad provided. It was a cold rainy night so this is where the picnic took place. During the picnic Carter kept running places saying Capt, Hook was on his way! So fun to watch his imagination at work!

Living near the beach you wouldn’t think this would be the scene you look at all the time. Can I just say this entertained bought me 30 mins of uninterrupted laundry folding. He loved it and enjoyed counting them. I think this day their were a total of 5 back there eating the grass they could find.

Kensi’s 1st tooth

2011-03-13T18:11:00.001-07:00

If you look close enough you will see the whole its made coming up through the gum. This tooth is taking FOREVER to push through. Aunt Jess noticed it one Saturday night while watching Kensi. YAY for teething!

Getting Around

2011-03-07T17:35:00.001-08:00

This is so fun to see in our house. I can’t believe its time for her to be walking around pushing things. She has really been moving an grooving this last week. Getting strong. Also yesterday we taught her if you are happy and you know it clap your hands…she can clap and shout hooray! So fun to watch her learn! We all love our DoodleBug (Kensi Jo)

A Little bit of this…and a Little bit of that

2011-02-28T18:34:00.001-08:00

We ended a week long of Nick being gone at the RBC Center. Nick flew into to Raleigh and joined us for the game. We missed him the week he was gone and were so happy to see him especially me. While he was gone we got visited by the stomach bug. EWWW I still wasn’t completely back to normal Friday night but we made it through the game Carter enjoyed Uncle Quincy cheering on the Canes with him. Carter and Nick both got new jersey’s. Spoiled boys!

Working at the Car wash..NOT. Working for daddy. Nick bought some supplies to keep our cars washed. It finally warmed up enough one Saturday to get this chore accomplished. He had great help!!! Carter was soaked by the time he was finished. Carter kept saying I wash you car mommy! He was so proud.

Loves loves loves playing with brother’s toys. Cars are her favorite. She loves to dump them all out of the bucket and put them back, also chewing on them is a choice of hers. Pushing them on the floor to see what kind of sounds its makes and even banging them till she smiles (as pictured above!)

A few rainy days and Mama has to get out of the house. We timed everything perfect…as in Kensi was napped and fed to take Carter to the Pottery Paint place here on the Isle. He loved it..only thing he didn’t understand is why he couldn’t keep getting things to paint. Mommy only allowed him to spend so much money here! He had fun and kensi did great eating her snack and waiting for Carter to finish up! I loved watching him paint. As he brushed each stroke he would say “ I put some here” and then he would keep repeating it!

Afternoon out for some fresh air. Carter riding his trike and kensi in the wagon. It appears if it might be cold or hot. Being that my kids are dressed in two different seasons. It was rather breezy but about 63 outside. I bundled Kensi up because she wasn’t exerting energy like Carter was. We enjoyed our nice walk..went towards the beach with camera is tow but it was so windy I didn’t think Kensi would enjoy it.

Well this is just a few little exerts of what has been going on in this household. Lots of events fill the gaps that aren’t documented.

Milk Please

2011-02-19T19:13:00.001-08:00

Well…I was trying to finish up my lesson for Church tomorrow morning and wanted to print everything out before I fed Kensi and laid her down that way the printer didn’t wake her up. So I ran upstairs as Kensi was for sure telling me she was ready for her Milk. Well nick walked out of the living room and into the Kitchen to get Carter’s Milk and I noticed Kensi had stopped crying..I started feeling like I should really check on her. It only took a few seconds to actually listen to that voice in my head and when I started down the stairs I noticed that Kensi was about 5 steps up the stairs. HOLY COW I tried not to freak so she wouldn’t fall back but I flew down the stairs while yelling Nick’s name. She didn’t fall down but all we can say after my heart stopped pounding is…she will go after what she wants. This time it was her mom and her milk. She watched me go up the stairs and figured why not go on u??. Let’s just say the last two weeks Kensi has become mobile and fast! She has played at the bottom of the steps for the last week and hasn’t even tried once to go up them. Time to pull out the gate!! No more heart attacks for mom!

Silly Kids

2011-02-14T19:12:00.001-08:00

This little rascal loves to hang onto to things she can fit under. It is quite Hilarious watching her do this—however she hasn’t figured out how to get down. So once she is finished being a monkey and hanging on to ledges she starts panting and crying.

Carter isn’t the best eater. We allow him to eat where he will. Most of the time it is in the living room..well if Kensi is near she is begging for food or eating anything dropped on the floor. Here she is hoping Carter drops something for her to nibble on.

Carter loves feeding Kensi. She doesn’t seem to mind but he sure does make a mess helping.

And She’s off!!

2011-02-02T16:40:00.001-08:00

Of course Nick has been encouraging Kensi to start crawling--me on the other hand is the one at home with her daily is very content with the fact that I can put her in one spot and go fold laundry and come back and she is still in that spot! However the last few weeks have been milestones for Kensington. Kensington has master the army low crawl…then crawling on all fours…then got faster at it…and now pulling up on EVERYTHING. I have yet to see her pull her self all the way but she can get to her knees and is quite happy about that. My favorite to see her do which i am still trying to get a picture of is…I think called downward dog in yoga so she is up on all fours but on her tippy toes. Silly girl.

This picture I was trying to capture her stuck in the bucket with feet straight up in the air but she managed to get out and start laughing before I got the picture!!

so BIG

and don’t forget big brother who encourages her..he loves watching her move and is a great tattle teller (sp?) He will run and say oh no mommy kensi ________________. !

Insert

2011-01-25T11:50:00.001-08:00

Told you I would leave something fun out of the California post. How could I forget we got to meet up with friends that moved from Washington to CA for a short visit at the Temple in LA. We truly miss hanging out and playing games with Russ and Aspen but one day..yes one day we will be able to travel and hang out for longer visits!!
Thanks for meeting up with us

When these two last say each other Carter was 14 months and Allie was 8 months old CRAZY!!

We hung out in the Visitors Center and chatted until they had to drive back to church.

(excuse my lack of appropriate attire.)

Until next time friends…and friend Ciera be jealous and get your family out to visit us

I DID IT

2011-01-24T08:28:00.001-08:00

“I Did It” this is the phrase Carter shouts as he gets off the potty and sees his PP in the toilet. Yes..we potty trained last week. At first I was starting to think I was potty training because every 10-15 minutes I would sit him on the potty and tell him to go pp. Eventually we got to the point where he was telling me himself. I think it went very well and me and Nick are super proud of his achievement. What a big boy we have now!

Big boy loves talking on the phone..only he he wants to

WAY TO GO CARTER!

California Dreaming’ on a Winter’s Day

2011-01-23T16:36:00.001-08:00

Wow I Have been putting of this post FOREVER. I would really like to have it in my virtual journal so here we go. Since we got about 5 inches of snow today I think this will take me to thoughts of warmer weather. We traveled to California the end of December. We spent a week in the LA area visiting Nick's grandmother and his Aunt’s and Uncle’s. We had a great time and were spoiled the whole time there. The last 3 days we spend in the San Diego Area visiting two friends we made while living in VA and FL. That’s a plus about being in the military having friends in lots of different places. Thanks to one family we didn’t have to rent a car they let us use theirs while we were in CA that was a huge help and penny saver!!!!!

Ok Let’s see while in the LA area we hung out, ate lots of food, watched some football (NC State Bowl Game---they won!). We also went to Knott’s Berry Farm with everyone else in the State of California (talk about crowded) enjoyed Santa Anita Horse Races and I got a Diva day to the Ivy and stalked the DASH store in hope to see a “Kardashian” no luck but I can now say I have been to the DASH store.

In San Diego we did a bit of mall shopping, ate Chipotle which is a must for me if I find one and explored Old Town and toured the Mormon Battalion.

Meeting Great Granma Elva. Kensi had pneumonia while in California she was tired and mostly only wanted her mom

Uncle Alex was a favorite in California Carter still talks about him. They really enjoyed each other.

The Ivy. (A place Brad Paisley sings about in a song—a place celebrities are found eating at) This was part of my Diva day. Aunt Cathy and Aunt Patty took me and Kensi out for the day. I have to say it was a day to remember. These two ladies are great and really know how to spoil their guest. We had breakfast at the Ivy, drove around Beverly Hills (it was raining so we didn't walk Rodeo Drive).

After the Ivy we found DASH. I was smiling ear to ear

KEnsi and Carter were the people to see. Uncle Mickey and his wife Doris and 3 girls were all about our kids. Kensi of course enjoyed the extra cuddle time since she was sick. Carter enjoyed all the extra people to play with.

Camp Snoopy is where we camped most of the day. Rides for little ones. Carter is riding the the Red Baron ride which he was super excited about (sense it was his favorite Christmas song)

Nana joined us for Knott's Berry Farm. Also Aunt Susie came to meet Kensington for the 1st time so we took a pause from the park and went to eat at a Chicken Restaurant near the park. The park was crowded so waiting in lines for rides were not Carter’s favorite thing but once he got on the ride his face showed that waiting was well worth it.

Santa Anita Horse Race

I loved this place. I had a blast. We sat in box seats, ate lots of food, watched 7 races and I won about 40 bucks off of betting. We agreed to only bet 20 bucks while there so I basically kept placing bets off of our earnings. I was pulling for the Jockeys we knew off the TLC show JOCKEYS. I will have to say I would love to go back and do this again next time we are in CA…or maybe even Kentucky?

Watching the Jockeys take their horse to the race track.

One of my winning tickets.

A little JOCKEY interaction. Watching them walk back to their locker room. The one in the red and white stripes not so friendly ... His name is Garrett Gomez (I think he was upset he didn’t win..nick shouted good run ..he didn’t respond) However, Mike Smith the one looking up and smiling did win and Nick said good run Mike..he looked up and said thanks AWESOME!!

shooo I’m tired how about you?? Now on to the San Diego Fun. I didn’t get any pictures of us with Sheina and Ryan. They are a busy family. They are starting their own fitness business so most of their time was in the gym setting it up. Since Ryan is in the Marines he was on Christmas break so was using his time off to help set it up. We love them and were thankful to see them and spend time with them.

We left Sheina’s and headed to Sea World. Carter enjoyed it but was really curious where all the rides were. He wasn’t into watching all the shows. I think he was getting sick and was just ready to get to his bed. After two nights in CA he kept asking for his bed. I really enjoyed it especially the Sea Lions LIVE show! It was hilarious!!

No pants?? Yeah they were drying she actually pooped through her clothes (this is the 3rd time her whole life she has done this)

The Camp’s we only saw for a night but we packed it full of fun. A trip to Costco for the ladies and to get In and Out for dinner to bring back to the hubby’s who were watching football and in heaven. Just like old times. Jake and Nick didn’t skip a beat..both holding diet dr pepper and shouting at the football players. I miss the Camp’s. If you are a loyal blog follower they have a daughter that is 2 days older than Carter. We met up with them in TX when the babies were maybe 2 weeks old. Then again when they were about 14 months old in TX again. We enjoyed seeing them and hanging out in San Diego and going to the Temple and Old Town with them. This ended our trip in CA. We were happy to get on the plane fly home.

THE CAMP FAMILY

Kensi pumping water in Old Town… Nick eating cookies and milk out of the almighty BYU Cup

At the Mormon Battalion. It was super neat and kid friendly. An interactive narration of the Mormon’s that enlisted into the United States Military and how it helped the families money wise, and the only battle they encountered was a stampede of cows. At the end the kids could mine for gold.

I’m sure I left out something but all in all we had a great time and were more than happy to get back to our house!!

Again…

2011-01-20T09:56:00.001-08:00

It happened again he got into my make up while I was showering..

I know the Scriptures are true.

2011-01-17T15:41:00.001-08:00

So I get the privilege to work with the small children in church (ages 4-11) it is a very challenging thing for me but very rewarding as well. I will have to say I am very excited about this year theme and the ump it has giving me to do my own personal scripture study.

I love church music and can remember a lot of songs that I learned in Young Women’s my favorite being “Choose You This Day.” Last years theme song (if you want to call it that) in Primary I really liked but this one I love.

I wanted to share it with you!

Delta Airlines... Our Experience. Find Another Airline

2011-01-10T19:19:00.000-08:00

I know I rarely blog on this thing, but felt I would with this one because I know some of y'all fly. This was our experience from the holidays with Delta. So before you book a ticket, read this, and consider your options.

To Whom It May Concern:

My family and I recently had the worst corporate experience that I hope to ever have. We originally were scheduled to fly out of Raleigh-Durham (RDU) to Ontario International (ONT) on Christmas Day, to arrive Christmas night, in California. This was through confirmation number xxxxxxx, Flight DL1763 and DL1284 respectively. I was traveling with my wife, and two small children. This flight, however, did not happen.

My wife received an e-mail four hours prior to the flight that DL1763 had been cancelled, with no explanation given, and that we were rebooked on the next available flight, two days later on the 27th. I called Delta seeking an explanation. For an hour, the line would not even ring. I simply received a message stating that “due to extreme weather” no one could answer my call. This seemed to me that a company that I had spent my money on did not care to even bother to answer the phone. Unacceptable. Upon finally gaining someone on the other end of the line two hours later, the response given was that we were rebooked due to weather, and that there was no compensation for hotel, skymiles, voucher for upgrade, because Delta cannot control the weather. So, at this point, not only has Delta in effect taken Christmas with our family away, they also have put us out two days, for weather. I am not a Delta employee, or involved with their logistics. I am, however, an aviator. I know that when it is clear, and over fifty degrees, that there are no weather concerns, which was the weather at RDU on Christmas. No weather moved in that night until the late hours into the morning of the 26th. Weather at Atlanta was not a major concern either, because Flight DL1284 left Atlanta on time to Ontario. If the flights were overbooked, fine, let me know ahead of time and give me options. But if Delta makes a mistake and because their hub is overcrowded, that is on your logistics, not due to weather, and certainly is not my fault. It was made clear two days later that there were other options to transfer flights to get people to their destination. Stopping operations until the mess cleans itself up and then not owning up to it is poor business.

This only began our experience with Delta Airlines, who claim to not be building a bigger airline, but a better one. Upon arriving to the airport Monday two hours in advance, all we had to do was check in to our flight and be on our way to Ontario, albeit two days later. When we entered the terminal, there were a lot of people. Only one Delta employee was roaming between the lines and the self-service kiosks. She was petite, short black hair, and seemed to speak some French to International customers. Had she stood still long enough, I would have been happy to provide her name to you. We attempted to check in using the kiosks. The screen said that we needed to be checked in at the Special Services desk. We entered that line. After 45 minutes in this line, and with the line not moving, I had a growing concern that we might miss our flight, just because we were in line. I tracked the roaming agent and asked her if she could help me. She flat out said, No, although smiling at me. She said that if the screen said I had to go to Special Services that was where I needed to be. I went to her again, because the 30 minute prior to departure deadline was fast approaching and we were still in line. I told her that our flight would depart at 8:45 and we were going to miss the flight simply because we were in line, and all we needed to do was check in. She said, “Don’t worry, we’ll handle your rebooking.” I explained that we had already missed Christmas, been delayed two days, and had a flight, and it would be easier if we could just make this flight instead of having to rebook the four of us for a later flight. Her answer was for me to return to the line and wait. Then, she had the audacity to come to our line and standing in front of my wife and I and ask, “do I have any nine o’clock departures in line who need to just check in.” Just moments after I asked for help because we were an 8:45. I then asked, “what about 8:45 departures?” She then said she was only looking for 9 o’clock. With it now being 8:30 a.m., my frustration was growing in leaps and bounds. Finally, the agent at the International Desk waved us over and told us we would have to run to make it. We had nine minutes to get from the desk, through security, and to the gate. With a two year old and an eight month old. All of which could have been avoided had the roaming agent provided more solid answers, been courteous, or had more desks dedicated to the Special Services line. There were two open for First Class, Two for internationals. There was never more than two deep in either of these lines. Meanwhile two desks were for Special Services and one family was being served for 70+ minutes of this wait. The only reason we were unable to be helped at the self-service kiosk was because our boarding pass needed the writing in of “infant in arms”. Something that took 15 seconds, and could have been done by a roaming agent, took us nearly two hours, and almost cost us our flight.

I wish this were the end. Our re-routing carried us to Minneapolis, then Salt Lake, then Ontario. Upon arrival to Salt Lake, our carseat for our oldest didn’t make it up to the bridge. Our other daughter’s stroller and carseat made it. The pilot went down himself and looked. He said he didn’t know what had happened to it but to ask at the next gate if the rampers could check to see if it made it on to the plane. This was a satisfactory answer and a change in the way Delta employees had been treating us all day. Then, when we get to the gate for the flight to Ontario, and we ask them to check to see if the carseat made it, the response was that there was no way they could ask the ramper to check the plane and that the best that they, and we could do was “cross our fingers and hope it makes it to Ontario.” And if not? Then the other agent at the gate says, “Well isn’t Ontario home for you anyway?” I am not sure what she meant by this comment at all. Whether home or away, our two year old would still need a carseat.

Finally, we arrive to Ontario. Two days later, and tired from three flights with two children. At this point, we say hello to family, and just want to get our bags and go. As you can expect with this day, Delta lost our bags. According to the agent in baggage, two were in Atlanta, and one was in Minneapolis. She said that they would be there around 8 p.m. later that night. I asked if they could deliver them, and I could just stay in the local area for a few hours. She said that if they delivered them we might not see the bags for a couple of days. I said ok, and told her I would wait for them in town, instead of continuing to my destination an hour away. I waited, and waited for the call that the bags had arrived. I ended up having to stay in the Ontario area as the bags still had not arrived. At 12:30 a.m. I got a call that the bags had arrived, and that the baggage area would be staffed at 4:15 a.m. and I could get my bags then. I get to the airport at 6:15 a.m. No one is in the baggage area. I go to the ticket counter and the person at the desk says, “was no one over there?” Obviously, had someone been there to help with baggage, I would not be at the ticket counter asking for help. Then, she tells me I have four bags. I told her no, I only had three and didn’t need someone else’s luggage. Upon getting our luggage, the outer pocket is flapped open, its’ contents missing, and zipper busted. I ask the agent about this, and tell her this is not normal “wear and tear.” She then says, “Baggage is not my job, you will have to come back another time and take it up with someone in baggage.” I ask if I can do this on my return flight, she says “fine.” When the time comes to file a claim, then I’m told that I have to allow them to visually inspect the bag within 24 hours. Not to mention the fact that when I first saw my bags it was 12 hours after we had landed. But again, as was a common theme with this trip, “There is nothing Delta can do for you at this time.”

I have never been treated like a number worse than I have been treated in this experience with Delta. And that is saying a lot because I am in the military. We were lied to about why our flight was shifted. Our bags were damaged. Still, at every turn, it was “not Delta’s responsibility” and there was “nothing Delta can do” at that time. Where is the responsibility? When does a company take ownership of taking care of the customer? I assure you that at no time were they looking out for us at all. Delta already had our money and didn’t care when they delivered, if at all on their half of the transaction.

It is unrealistic for me to say that I will not fly commercial again because I fly a lot. However, it is very feasible for me, and my family with the large commercial airline industry to say we are encouraged to never fly Delta again. This is especially sad because of our Skymiles account through American Express, but we know through them, that we can switch our rewards on their card. Besides, with all the restrictions to use our “free” annual Skymiles companion tickets, they are more hassle than they are worth to use.

I write this letter, and these comments in the hope that someone will read this and realize that customer service is not just something to overlook. Although at this point, I doubt that anyone will read through this complete letter, that anything will be done about it, or that I will hear a response other than a standardized “we thank you for your comments”.

Sincerely,

NA.

WE BELIEVE

2011-01-08T18:06:00.001-08:00

Santa came to see Kensi and Carter. They sat patiently in front of the tree the night before for Mom to get her Christmas Eve PJ picture. (Thanks Kids). After leaving Santa some cookies off to bed they went and Santa came not long after. It was exciting this year to see Carter get into the Christmas spirit. His favorite part I think was the Christmas Music. His favorites were Jingle Bells and Snoopy and the Red Baron. Carter woke first with Kensi following about 2 hours later. He was so excited that Santa brought him trains and a train table. Kensi was happy to play with new toys. Carter and Kensi must have been good kids Santa was very good to them. Mebi and Grandaddy stopped by to see what Santa brought. Grandaddy enjoyed playing with Carter’s guitar.

After an exhausting morning of playing this is how Carter told us he was tired. He fell asleep as mom and dad ran around the house trying to get everything all packed up for the BIG trip to California.

Sick Baby

2011-01-08T17:47:00.001-08:00

Kensington gave mom and dad a good scare on December 21, 2010. Nick had just gotten home from work and I had just put Carter to bed and Kensi in her PJ’s. I was just talking to Nick in the kitchen when Kensi decided to throw up her dinner. Nick came around and took kensi from me so I could take off my spoiled clothes and hers as well. When I turned back around from putting our clothes straight into the washer I noticed that she was green and her eyes were rolled back into the back of her head. I quickly brought this to Nick’s attention and he assured me things were ok. Well that is his role in our relationship as parents. He is the calm one..I panic. After telling him again that kensi wasn’t breathing and putting his ear to her mouth he quickly agreed and we called 911. In no time the Paramedics were in our house as well as all the police officers on duty. They laid her on the counter and by this time she was breathing and kind of zoned out. Her O2 levels were very low so they were prompt in getting her to the Hospital. After arriving to the ER they drew blood and told us that they were going to keep her over night. We were told by the ER doctor that he believed she Vasovagal. Which means she caused her shelf to pass out after throwing up. However, the pediatrician we saw after being admitted to the hospital ordered an EEG to see if their was any seizure activity and also requested a pediatric gastroenterologist consult after talking about her bowel problems. We had a long night and a big scare. Thankfully we are blessed with good friends, neighbors, and family members who came to help at the last minute. To the parents of young children out there….know Child CPR you never know when YOU may need it.

CHRISTMAS PA LOOZA top ten!!

2010-12-16T18:04:00.000-08:00

Again, I'm a Christmas junkie and probed by the wife I got to thinking what are the ten most that I love. It was hard and there are many more that I love. At least that was my justification for coming home from Sams the other night with 72 new Christmas songs. :) Kick off the shoes and click on each to enjoy my favorite ones. Who will be #1?

#10. Getting this list off right is Bing Crosby. I'll Be Home for Christmas. Isn't that a nice thought? Take time while listening to this tune, and think of those you love who can't be home (Moss's you're almost there ;)) I'm grateful for you guys and gals who picked up the winter shift. Christmas is for family and friends. If you can't go home... at least you can sing of home.

#9. Nat, what a voice! A most peaceful holiday song... Oh Holy Night in at #9.

#8. You may notice Garth is absent from Itunes. He also is absent from YouTube. But, I still love his version of Silver Bells. Gosh, what a happy time to stroll down the small streets of a small town. Buy local.

Garth Brooks - Silver Bells

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#7. This is a double. I have always loved Carol of The Bells growing up. It is easily a super favorite of mine. I learned to play this song on my violin in 5th grade to earn my Music merit badge. I had to bribe my Orchestra teacher Mr. Leak by making him 2 cherry pies so he would find me the sheet music to learn it. It was a challenge from him because he said if he was going to sign off on my merit badge I had to challenge myself and learn a new song. I was 3rd chair that year in the All-City Orchestra. Go Tucson!

In at #6, fighting it's way to the middle of the top 10 is Straight No Chaser. They've been around for 12 years and it wasn't til last year that I first heard this version of the 12 Days of Christmas. Who doesn't miss the rains down in Africa? Now you'll love the 12 days much more!

#5, BareNakedLadies and Sarah McLachlan (sp?). I love harmony. I'm not much of a singer, but I love to hear it. You already saw a newer fave with Straight No Chaser on the list, but this one has been a favorite for years now.

You know, in addition to doing the challenge, watch some classics. Give It's a Wonderful Life a chance. Love it. Many still haven't seen White Christmas or even know it's a movie. In, at # 4 is Bing and White Christmas.

# 3, I blame, or give credit to my Uncle Mickey for this one. He had a love for The Boss. He would sing this song loud and proud. In other news the Boss is tied to my little love triangle. I'd never won anything in my life. I finally knew a trivia answer, which was the movie "Meatballs". I one 5th row seats to see The Boss at Carter Finley. "for some reason" I didn't go. Who did I get to entertain at my apt (with other singles too) but the would be Mrs. Armendariz. So I missed out on The Boss, and found MY boss. lol. Love u.

#2 was hard for me, because it was merely a toss up of a fun loving Christmas tune or a classic. Carter Finley calls this the Christmas Drum song. Makes me so glad he takes a liking to the things I like... least for now, right? Some say he's brainwashed... I say he's my little man. Who doesn't love snoopy? Almost to the top, Snoopy and The Red Baron Christmas Song by the Royal Guardsman. Enjoy!

And... Number One, for me, Nat King Cole. Love love love to hear the opening strings play and then hear the soft and soothing sounds of Nat. If this song, the Yule Log, and some hot chocolate don't put you at ease, you just ain't right. Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a Good Nat ;)

Love, Nick.