Food and Travel, our week in review

Christmas was great for us this year. To make things easier on all of us and keep expectations in check, the kids were each allowed to ask Santa for three things. And they actually only came up with two firm things, and Santa came up with the third. And that's all they got, three things. And a stocking full of a few goodies, socks and a new toothbrush:)
It was nice to have them expect just three things and value the things they did receive. And it sure helped out Santa's pocketbook, and kept out all of the junk!
We were thankful to spend the day at home in our pajamas. We just hung out and played with their new toys. It was nice not to have to get dressed and rush out the door. Then we had my parents and grandparents over for dinner:)

It's been a whirlwind of traveling for us this week. We had Boyne last weekend, then xmas, then we headed up to Jeff's parents house for the weekend. It seems like all we do is drive and eat. Eat and eat. After-all what do people do when they get together? Eat! Jeff made his fantastic prime rib on Christmas and then Paulla spoiled us all weekend with fantastic food, and lots of it!
It just so happens that last week and the next two, my brewing baby is supposed to quadruple it's size. And with all of this holiday food, my belly has sure "popped" out. It seems daily it grows! And with all of that scar tissue from two previous c-sections, it feels great! (aka, mildly painful). I've been feeling the gravity more this time, after having stretched out ligaments and non-rebuild abs before this pregnancy. I'm 18 weeks now and the baby is about six inches long! We have an ultrasound on January 14th and can't wait to see this little peanut and see how it's measuring. Our babies were always measuring large.

The kids are enjoying their holiday break, but are starting to fall of the wagon. Their manners were apparently taken by Santa up the chimney along with their patience! They've been ALL over the place and without their normal routine. These two thrive on routine! And without it, they quickly start to fall apart. One week left... wish mommy some patience and energy:)

Ok well I just wanted to give you all a little update. I have Christmas pictures coming soon:)

Our Carter Family Weekend at Boyne Mountain

This past weekend, The Carter Family met up at Boyne Mountain to celebrate Christmas. (except for Tom and Joan, we missed you guys! Hope you're feeling better soon!). We stayed in a condo on the resort. We did this two years ago as well, and we all enjoy it very much. Lots of homemade cooking, snuggling on the couch, wrestling on the floor and skiing on the hill. I was able to enjoy hanging out with the kids on the bunny hill this year, as my belly prevents me from partaking in the snow-sports. But Deagan and Olivia both tried skiing again and absolutely loved it. Olivia caught on quick and became a lover of speed, just like her Daddy. Towards the end, the spend most of their time up on the big hills. Deagan, Kelly and I chilled on the magic carpet hill... up and down, up and down, up and down. We all really enjoyed the weekend!

Olivia, the ski bum!
Deagan the Magic Carpet Master!
Mommy and Deagan
Deagan at his ski lesson

Olivia would start at the top of the hill, ZOOM down and weave in and out of ALL of these cones. It was AMAZING!
Mr. Deag skiing
Olivia on her first run up the chair lift. She was soo excited! An those were our condos on Disciples Ridge behind them.
Deagan coming down from his run on the chair lift hill. With a little assistance from Daddy.
Mommy and Deagan on the "Magic Carpet" hill. You just step on and it takes you, standing, up the hill. The kids loved it!

kelly
melissa
Zach shoving his feet in the girls' faces, for some giggles!
Deagan trying to suffocate Zach
Zach and Alexis getting ready to tear up the mountain!

A week in review

Okay, so I've been super busy this week sprinting to the finish line. I had a great holiday season with photography and am now placing, packaging and distributing orders. It's been a busy week!
Yesterday Olivia had her xmas party at school and I volunteered. There were multiple stations of craft choices for the kids and treats. It was fun. All of the kids love to see my growing baby belly, and the girls want to touch it. You can tell that this is ALL they talk about. Mrs. Bogus (her teacher) said that all of the girls have been coming in saying, "yeah well my mommy is pregnant now, and she has SIX babies in there!" And the number keeps growing into a giggle fest!
After her xmas party I went to pick up Deagan from school and got to sit and eat lunch with the kids. It was fun... until Deagan shoved his WHOLE half of a bologna sandwich into his mouth and proceeded to vomit it back out all over, struggling for a breath, and tempting mommy to do the h-maneuver! Showing off for mommy?!?!?
Last night we starting crazy packing for our ski trip this weekend.
The kids had a SNOWDAY today as we got about 6 inches over night and are expected to get another 6 throughout the day!
It's nice to start vacation a few hours early:) Should make for a great weekend on the ski hill, too bad mommy has a bun in the oven and will be watching Deagan from the bottom of the bunny hill! Bonus for you- lots of pictures:)

Well don't worry, I haven't snubbed you on the xmas card list this year. I just haven't sent them.
At this point I'm thinking maybe a happy new year card?!?!?

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Our Trip to Chicago

Olivia with Kit
Maddy and Olivia, just where they left off 2.5 years ago!
Our American Girls!

Best Buds!
Miss Angie and ME
They have all grown up so fast!
Maddy coating her cake/cookie with her pudding!
Sophie giving Betty Baby a drink... too cute!

Delaney
Maddy
Olivia
Sophia
Tatum (their cousin)

The beautiful hot pink and black room.
A girl's favorite xmas trees...
The lights... covered with flowers!
Pink tree.
Can I have these presents.

The table talker cards that got the girls thinking, "what if, or where will you be in ten years..."
The mini cups and saucers they brought for the dolls.
Olivia mixing sugar into her lemonade.
more yumms
Cheers!

Delaney poking at her food:)
Silly girl with a wide eyed- mom stop taking my picture- smile.
Olivia and Maddy
Sweet Sophie
Mmmm... the cin. rolls they brought out first!

Jeff Monday Morning

My idea of Jeff's Monday morning conversation this morning in the parking lot going into work....

"Hi Jeff, how was your weekend?" says a friend.
"Interesting and exciting, how was yours?" says Jeff.

"Dude, what the heck happened to your car?" says the friend looking at the mirror hanging off and the scrapes down the side.
"Oh, that, yeah- my wife backed into my car coming out of the garage and sideswiped it!" says Jeff nonchalantly.

"Wow, man that sucks!" says the friend trying not to bust out laughing.
"You're telling me!" says Jeff with a smirk!

Santa 2008

Today we took the kids to the mall to see Santa. In previous years they were WAY too scared and would start crying. Primarily Olivia who would just about have a panic attack the moment she went to sit on him. But not this year! She had too many important things to tell him that she wanted. So with a little practicing on where to put your hands and when to smile, we ended up with a picture perfect shot!

It's COLD outside

Ok, so the kids LOVE the snow and LOVE to play in it.... but not when it's 19 degrees outside after school.
They RUN from it. They hate the cold! They were Louisiana kids and the fun of the snow is already wearing off!
It's only November, we shouldn't have this much snow and it shouldn't be this cold for this long!

Plus we are all getting sick, some of us more than others! Not going to be a fun weekend with a house full of sick-o's!

More pictures coming soon, I promise:)

t

Our visit to Chicago

Monday and Tuesday we went to Chicago to see our old (and very much missed) friends from Louisiana- Delaney, Maddy, Sofia and Angie:)
We spent Monday at the American Girl store... the girls were in heaven! Then we had dinner there that night. More pictures to come soon. Tuesday we went out to breakfast and did a little city walking before they had to leave. We missed them so much, as we hadn't seen them in OVER TWO YEARS since we moved up to Michigan! The girls were adorable and we all fell back into the good old times. Wish we didn't live so far away!!!!! We miss you guys:(

A same day blog post- NO WAY!!!!

This afternoon while I was working in the studio, Olivia came up to me and said, "Ma'am can I please have a ticket?"
I said what for? She said, "My bear and I want to have a photoshoot, what time is good for you?"
I said, well in five minutes will be a good time. So she left. Sure enough, she came back with her bear, in matching dresses that my mom made. So we started snapping pictures. Then Deagan wanted to join in. So he brought his animals. Then the dogs wanted to join in, so they sat with us too! It was pretty funny and cute! So I thought I'd share our little photo session this afternoon.


Best Buds!

She loves her bear:)
Olivia's 2nd best friend, Mav!
He said he wanted to bring in his stuffed animals, but then Maverick laid in front and refused to leave, it was cute:)