Happy Ween

We had a great Halloween weekend. We headed out to Schnepf farms for train rides, pumpkin patches, carnival rides, chili, corn mazes, pig races, etc. Carson had a blast. I would recommend not eating dinner there though - way over priced for the quality of food. Re-admission is no problem so if we go again we'll just pack some sandwiches or something and go eat in our car. Carson loved the carnival rides and we ran around crazy in the corn maze for awhile. Unfortunately the pumpkin patch was all picked through and the ones left were starting to go bad. That's what we get for not going until the 30th. Overall, a really fun night. Below is a video of Carson at the pig races. All the other children had been called up to help cheer on their pig. We figured it wouldn't be the end of the world if we just let Carson hang out up there too. But then the guy gave Carson a prize - I felt a little guilty, but it was cute...so, oh well.

Halloween was great. Carson was the cutest little pirate. His "Arrrgh" and "Walk the Plank" were in rare form. He thought it was hilarious when I drew the mustache on his face. He kept smiling and then relaxing, so it was a little hard to draw it straight. He was very polite as we went trick or treating - always saying thank you. There were a few houses that scared him a little, but knowing there was candy through the fog always gave him courage. We trick or treated for over an hour. I was shocked Carson didn't poop out. Below is a video of Carson trick or treating at his great grandma's house.

Also - who is this cute big boy? How is my little baby this big?

As for me, I've joined a new club. The nerds. I've always prided myself on perfect vision, ever since I was 7 and my Grandma told me I had "sharp eyes" when I helped her find her medication pill that had dropped onto the carpet. I had an eye exam a few weeks ago and my vision was not perfect. I now have reading glasses. The doctor said staring at a computer screen and/or staring at tiny numbers on a piece of paper all day for work has started to ruin my eyes. The first time I wore my glasses at work, I felt so uncomfortable. I just knew everyone was staring at me. I thought I might take the Stephanie Tanner route...you know...from Full House. When she had to get glasses so she decided to make everyone laugh first by wearing lots of silly glasses. That way no one would make fun of her for wearing her real glasses later. I'm sure wearing eyeball glasses to work would have made the whole situation a lot better. Well, if I learned anything from that episode, it's that....mmmmm...nevermind.


Also - I have to report a travesty. I went to Target and Walmart to buy some Thanksgiving decorations. I literally found zero. All they had were some turkey paper plates and a pilgrim greeting card - both of which wouldn't look good on my shelf. I was shocked. But, they had a 15 person team setting up all the Christmas isles. What happened to Thanksgiving? I know the stores like to cash in on Christmas as much as possible, but at least give Thanksgiving one measly isle...or even a half. I guess I'll have to go to Michaels or something...but this situation is very upsetting.

Looking forward to Thanksgiving - this is the best time of year. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas...one right after the other!

Funny Monsters

Costco is like a wonderland. They have all their products out and displayed. They carry different yet awesome stuff all the time. But the last two trips to Costco (often a family event to cure boredom) have resulted in the “end of the world” for Carson. They have a big horse/pony that children can sit on. Each time, Karl and I try to run past that area in hopes that Carson won’t see it…and each time he does and then tells us he wants to ride it. Now, other children are sitting on the pony and laughing and being the happiest little children in the world. I can see the lure. But putting Carson on that pony, and then taking it away would result in an even bigger melt down. Anyway – thanks to Costco’s pony display we have had to do our Costco wandering with a crying little boy in our cart. He eventually gets distracted by something else – the snowman display, the Handy Manny toy, etc. But it’s put a definite kink in our Costco trips.

I love life's little mess ups...they usually make me laugh pretty hard. The other day, Karl worked really hard to make this chili. He was up cutting vegetables for a very long time (while I got Carson ready for bed, etc). He was really proud of himself for doing it the night before so dinner the next day would be easy. Unfortunately, he didn’t read how many servings the recipe made. So we have 24 servings of chili in our fridge. I went on all night making jokes about what we could do with it – I thought it was hilarious. Luckily Karl is a good sport. Karl filled eight Tupperware bowls and had them all lined up on the counter. So if you like chili…

We got Carson some spider gel clings for his bathroom mirror (for Halloween). Normally when Carson is learning a new word, we’ll say it and then he says it back to us in the form of a question. Then we’ll usually say it again and he feels more confident in his pronunciation. So when we put them up and he said “What’s that?” we told him they were spiders. But every time he repeats the word back to us, he says “Spidersaur?” It makes me laugh, so yes…we have several “spidersaurs” on his mirror. The little ones he calls baby spidersaurs.

I read on a website that when you’re taking professional pictures, you shouldn’t have your child say cheese because they usually end up not looking like they are smiling. Instead, it suggested you ask them to say their name as most children naturally smile when saying their own name. I did a test. The first picture below was Carson saying cheese and the second was him saying his own name. (Oh, and he likes to put on swim goggles and pretend he is swimming all over the house...which is also hillarious). The third I asked him to say hi (and yes, he looked very stylish in my necklace and sunglasses). Looks like cheese is not a good face for Carson (although still adorable).

I got Carson some Halloween jammies. With his fear of “scaries,” he saw them and started saying “Scary monsters.” I was not about to have wasted my money, so I told him they were funny monsters. That’s all it took. He wanted to wear his jammies immediately after dinner and was very upset when we had to take them off in the morning. He ran around, pointing at his pants, saying “funny monsters.” Here is a video of him demonstrating his jammies. He is too cute.

Note: my ringtone for Karl is the song “I Believe in Miracles” and so it is often stuck in my head. Carson copied me singing it one day and it made me laugh. Now I make him sing that line every once in awhile because I think it is funny. That’s why I ask him to sing it at the end.

Here is a pic of me choosing my battles. He was really excited about his new shoes and didn't want to take them off. So after he fell asleep, I went in, took this pic, and then took the shoes off. In the morning, the first thing he asked was "where's my shoes?" (He had just rolled over, hence the one very pink cheek)

Scaries

Karl and I went to Michaels the other day to get some Halloween decorations. While we were there, we came across the life size, red eyed, talking, moving skeletons. Carson was terrified. He kept saying "No scaries" and whimpering. Poor thing. As we quickly tried to find halloween decorations while avoiding the "scaries," I kept telling him it was okay. I was pretty sure we had traumatized him for life. As we left the store, Carson turned around and yelled "Bye Scaries!" He was very happy to be leaving the store. He said bye to the scaries again as we drove off in the car.

Karl and I were playing Harry Potter Scene It the next night, and a few of the videos would seem scary to a child. Carson was sitting on my lap and said "Oh, scary" to one of the videos. When I asked him if it was scary he replied "no, not scary...it's okay."

So when we finally did get some Halloween decorations up, I was worried that Carson would just think they were all too scary. Luckily, he absolutely loved them. We put a whole bunch of gel clings up and Carson just sat on the ground staring at them for a few minutes. He ran around yelling Halloween and was very excited.

Carson has also been up to a little mischief lately. This was our first encounter with coloring on the walls. Carson and his purple crayon (just like Harold). After he did it he came and found me and was so excited to show me what he did. It was really hard to tell him it wasn't okay to color on the walls because his little face was so proud of his artwork. A few days later I came around the corner and he had grabbed a rag and was trying to rub it off. So sweet.

We always let him take a book to bed and Karl, for some unknown reason, thought a pop-up book would be okay. Carson is usually pretty good about not tearing books, but leave him alone with a pop-up when he is trying to procrastinate sleep...well - this is what happened. Every single page.

On a personal note, I hit my one year mark at work yesterday. It has gone by really fast. I'm getting all my docs together to apply for my CPA license now!!! Yeah!!

I am very excited it is cooling down a bit...let's hear it for the low 90's coming our way this week!

Sleep Procrastinator

Oh...I have issues. Sometimes I just don't want to go to bed. The house gets quiet at night and I can do whatever I want. (I get this trait 100% from my mother...thanks a lot mom). Then I get on a roll (doing something useless like looking at rental properties in Hawaii...very probable) and soon it is way too late. So tonight, I find myself...yet again, procrastinating sleep.

I haven't taken any pictures in the last two weeks - sorry. But the new things Carson does each day are just more and more adorable to me. Here are just a few things that make me laugh.

A few translations:
1. "Pillows" = Marshmallows
2. "Goggles" = Sunglasses
3. Random syllables yelled at the top of his lungs = He wants you to stop singing (this one is usually followed by a "Shhh" with his hands pressed to your mouth).

Yesterday he patted my chest and asked "Bra on?"

Every morning he greets me with the sweetest "Hi Mommy" ever.

His favorite game is hiding. Lately he has incorporated a new stealth technique. He hides under a blanket and then yells "No Carsons here."

His prayers are the most precious thing I've ever heard - even if he does just shout amen the minute he gets bored with what Karl and I are telling him to say.

He keeps Family Home Evenings interesting. He usually performs #3 above while Karl and I sing the opening song. Then he usually runs from the room saying "No Jesus, no, no Jesus". I think we have a long road ahead of us.

Karl also had his 31st birthday last week. We went out to dinner and then grabbed some FroYo. Very exciting. I can remember as a kid when birthdays seemed so far away and then the minute they were over I would feel disappointment because that meant I had to wait a whole 365 days till the next time everyone would focus on me and shower me with gifts. It's funny how it isn't as big of a deal as you get older. Don't get me wrong...attention and gifts are always welcome. But I don't look forward to my birthday with excited anticipation anymore and I usually feel just the same as the day leaves. Hmmm.

Well - to all a good night. I think I've procrastinated long enough. Time to sleep....Perhaps I'll read a chapter in my book.

Errgg...Blog Slacker

So I have been a bit of a slacker...but there was vacation and then a few really busy weeks at work (this one being one of them, but I needed a break).

We had our annual lake cabin trip up in Spokane a few weeks ago. We couldn't really afford the plane tickets so Karl and I decided to drive. Day 1: Drive to Orem, UT. Carson did surprisingly well. He got to watch a few movies (mostly for our sanity), but colored, sang songs, and slept for most of the trip. We got to Orem and stayed the night at my sister's house. Day 2: My sister, her little boy, and us three drive to Spokane. Carson was a little less pleasant on this day, but still bearable. I can't really blame him...I was even going crazy. We make it to the lake cabin pretty late at night, but we made it - that's all that matters, right? The next week was filled with sun, sea dooing, swimming, sand castles, reading, hammocking, charades, and commantors. A perfect week. Cordell and Carson loved the beach and wanted to be outside all the time.

Carson contemplating the meaning of life down at the end of the dock.

The boys developed a love for spicy commantors (chex mix) as seen in the two pics below.

The boys watching for squirrels. We would put peanuts out every morning and then the boys would watch as the squirrels (usually just one very industrious squirrel) would come and take all the nuts.

Unfortunately at the end of the week, Cordell got really sick. The poor thing had an ear infection, a really high fever, and an awful soar throat. This also meant poor Jackie - who had to spend the nights administering medicine and holding a sad little boy. Here is a picture of Cordell wanting more medicine.

Where the cabin is on the lake, the water is shallow for a really long time. The boys would go all the way out to that random stick sticking out of the water and it was still only at their chest. You can see the drop off line in the water. We always take a few walks out to the drop off.

Carson also got stung by a bee for the first time. He looked up at me with a confused face and started to whimper and rub the sting. By the time I made it over to him, he had rubbed out the stinger and had already moved on to his next activity. It swelled a little but that was all. At least now we know he isn't allergic.

Then we got two days back at the house in Spokane. There isn't too much to report...we did a lot of relaxing and it seemed to be over too quick. Then we had the long drive back home. We had a really great time and it was fun to be with all of my family. Now we're back to the heat...yeah! Priest Lake documentary below.

We have also started the idea of potty training. We are taking it slow though and just letting him have fun with it. He usually wants to sit on the potty at night because he sees it as a way to procrastinate going to bed. He has gone a couple of times for us so far. I'm sure this is going to be a long process though. In the mean time, Carson has assured me the money we spent on the potty will not be in vain...such a resourceful boy.

Durango Doug!

We just got back from a quick Woodard camping trip in Durango, CO. By the way, I was singing the Durango Doug theme song the whole way there and back...I assume very few people will know what I'm talking about.

So I was so excited to leave Arizona. I am not a huge fan of the AZ, as I'm sure I've mentioned several times. Then I looked at the weather report for Durango...rain...everyday. Boo Hoo - I don't want to go. I was dreading the monster Carson that occurred on our last rainy camping trip. So we got there Thursday night and it was dry...one day down. Half way through the night Carson started crying. He doesn't do this at home, probably because he knows we would just let him cry and calm himself down. But we can't do that in the middle of a camp ground, surrounded by blissfully sleeping campers. So Karl and I are running around the tent at 3 am trying to keep him quiet. Luckily, all it took was bringing him into my sleeping bag...unluckily, that means I slept not like a rock at all. Carson also got up with the sun at 5:30 am, so...fun. He was a little cranky through the day...but again, it was dry! We did a little hike and put our feet in the freezing cold stream.

Saturday we headed up to Durango Mountain for a day of funtivities. Karl's parents watched the kids so we could act like kids. We rode the ski lift to the top of the mountain and then mountain biked down. It was my first time EVER mountain biking. As we are getting on the lift, the worker looks at our grinning, innocent faces and says "There is no easy way down this mountain, you guys know what you're getting into, right?" Karl confidently answered yes, but the smile had faded from my face. Wait...what? I was picturing the Sound of Music when they are all on their bikes in their new curtain outfits. "You mean I won't pretend I'm Liesl?"

I had a very long ski lift ride to contemplate my life and conclude that I could die happy. Just kidding - I was actually singing The Hills Are Alive, Do Re Mi, and Edelweiss at the top of my lungs (thoroughly embarrassing Karl). What is a ski lift ride through beautiful mountains covered in grass, flowers, and trees without a few show tunes?

So we get to the top and ask to be pointed in the direction of the easiest trail. OK - easiest trail...this is a good start, right? Everyone hops on their bikes and gracefully descends the steepest, rootiest, rockiest trail I have ever seen. I walk my bike down. I am now so sure I won't make it off this mountain alive, I shed a few tears (secretly under the protection of my helmet). If you haven't deduced from my previous posts, I am a bit of a cryer. Everyone is trying to be helpful and I'm getting tips every two seconds...which is helpful but also makes me feel like an idiot. I walk my bike on all the scariest parts and whine the rest of the time. All the sudden I see every one standing in a group...right next to the beginning of the chair lift. Wait? That was it? Oh, I'm a lame-o. Let's do it again! So we did it two more times and I'm proud to say the third time I felt really comfortable and only walked my bike a few feet. YEAH! I can mountain bike.

We also did the Alpine slide. Very fun. Also a bunji/trampoline activity. I thought I had done this before when I was in college but I was wrong. This one went way higher!! I tried to do a front flip (unsuccessful). But I managed a back flip. The harness killed me though so it wasn't the funnest. It was fun though every time I would soar up in the air and then my stomach would drop...I love that feeling (roller coaster anyone?).

Then we drove home. Carson did really well on the car trips, which surprised me a little. The last little leg of the trip we put Kenzi in our car too so the kids could have fun together. The first ten minutes was ridiculous laughing. Kenzi would do a silly laugh and then Carson would do one and then they would both laugh for real because they thought they were so funny. I was laughing so hard I was crying in the front seat - they were too cute. Carson adores Kenzi and does everything she does. Luckily, Kenzi doesn't mind having a shadow. Every time they would part Carson would cry for "Kenzie, My Kenzie." And every time we pulled up somewhere, Carson would ask "Kenzie? Kenzie?" (times 25). Kenzie was too cute as well with her "Tum here, Tarson."

Well - we had a great trip and I recommend Durango, CO to anyone outdoorsy. It would be beautiful in the winter as well - covered in snow. Back to life now...for a little bit (then I'm off to Spokane!)

2 Year Stats

Real Quick - Carson had his 2 year doctor's appointment and I thought I would update the fam on his stats (not that it is as interesting as when he was real little, but still fun for me).

Weight: 32 lbs - just under 90th percentile
Height: 36 inches - just barely off the charts

Carson has followed the same line on the curve so perfectly that it is a little crazy. He is always around 90% for weight and 95 - to off the charts on height. I think we are going to have one tall boy on our hands...and with a healthy appetite. We will probably go bankrupt in his teenage years from buying food and clothes...and milk if he is anything like his Dad (and me in my younger years). Maybe I will just invest in a cow now. Then if he wants to drink milk, he'll have to get it himself.

It was the first time they measured him on the regular big kid scale and not on the baby scale. It was also his first shot in the arm instead of the thigh. The arm shot made it a little more personal for me - I could relate to the pain because I hate shots with a passion. He screamed and bucked but then he got a cool band aid and said "Down, Shoes, Bye-bye." I think he wanted to get out of there. I love that he is communicating more. There has even been a few times where he started to throw a tantrum and then stopped and decided to talk to us about what he wanted instead.