Christmas Memories

Christmas Vacation

Our Christmas vacation didn't start out very good. Last Thursday (18th), Ashton woke up about 9:30pm with the stomach flu. So, Ashton and I slept downstairs together. He was fine when we woke up the next morning. On Saturday (20th and Paul's birthday), Carson and I both got the stomach flu! So, Paul spent his 32nd birthday taking care of all of us. We had to cancel our dinner plans, also. We are going to celebrate Paul's birthday next weekend instead. On Sunday (21st), we were supposed to pack-up and leave for our trip back to Minot. However, later that morning, Paul started not to feel well. He stayed in bed most of the day until about 3:30, when he informed me he was feeling better and wanted to leave and drive to Fargo. So, we packed-up the car and by 5:00pm we were on our way to Fargo. We stayed with our friends Ross and Allison. Monday we woke-up, got ready and headed to Minot.

It was freezing in Minot! So, we didn't have much to do, besides relax and hang out with our friends and families. Carson was pretty bored and kept saying he wanted to go back home. He did make it outside once, for about 5 minutes to help Papa feed the birds. We celebrated Christmas Eve with my parents and Christmas Day with Paul's. It was a very good time. We packed-up the car on Friday (26th) and drove the entire way back to MN. It wasn't a very fun drive because Ashton wouldn't sleep and screamed a lot of the way! I think we will be staying home for awhile. We hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Christmas Play

Last night our day care had the kids put on a little Christmas play and sing some Christmas songs. It was cute! They did the story of baby Jesus being born. Carson didn't really do much, but did sit in the stable like he was supposed to. He didn't want to sing any songs, though. I guess theater isn't going to be his future career path. We are very blessed to have a great day care provider, that really cares about all of our kids. Thanks Heidi!







We will be heading back to Minot on Sunday, weather permitting, to spend Christmas with both of our parents. We haven't been back to Minot for 2 years, so I guess it's time to go back. We are planning on staying until Friday. Hopefully it will be a relaxing vacation. We hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

9 Months

Today Ashton had his 9 month check-up. He weighed in at 17 pounds 14 ounces, he was 28 1/2 inches long and his head is now 17.5 inches. He only gained a pound and a half in the last 3 months, but his head grew an inch and he also is two inches taller. Plus, now that he can crawl, he never sits still. He is also starting to pull himself up now. We only did flu shots today for both Ashton and Carson. So, it wasn't too bad.

The same...But different

Here are some pictures of Carson and Ashton either wearing the same outfits or in the same poses. At the time, we didn't think Carson was so tiny, but Ashton is in the clothes now that Carson was wearing when he was one. I guess they both can't be the same and they definitely have different personalities. I'm just glad I had two boys so they can share clothes and toys!

Carson 15 months

Ashton 8 months

Carson 1 year

Ashton 7 months

Carson 6 months

Ashton 6 months

Carson 3 months

Ashton 6 months

Carson 1 month

Ashton 5 months

Turkey Day Fun

We went to Paul's brother's for Thanksgiving, up in Brainerd. Paul's parents were also there to join us. It was pretty nice outside, so Carson got to play for awhile and go on the 4 wheeler with dad. The turkey dinner was very good! A little more playing and then it was time to go back home. Carson didn't get a nap, so he fell asleep on the way home and went right to bed! He was in bed by 7:30....which hasn't happened for a long time. Thank you Neil and Eileen for having us up and doing all of the cooking. It was yummy!

Busy Busy Boys

Well, we haven't been up to too much these past couple of weeks. We have had some management issues at our Buffalo store, so Paul has been working more, especially on the weekends. So, the boys and I have been spending quality time together. Carson and I made brownies.


We have been working on potty training, which is a lot more work than I thought it would be.


Ashton has been getting into things he shouldn't!


Playing with his toys and learning to play the piano!




They are both mobile and full of energy and keeping us very busy! I am looking forward to a relaxing Thanksgiving in Brainerd, MN with Paul's family.

Milestones

It's hard to believe that Ashton is now 8 months old. He is turning into a very curious little boy. He has been sitting up by himself for awhile now and is now officially a crawler. He's been able to move around for about a month, but in the last couple of days has figured out how to really crawl. He also loves to eat Cheerios and Puffs with his six teeth! We can't wait to see how he changes in the next couple of months.

Tagged

Here are the rules:
1.Post the rules on your blog
2.Write 6 random things about yourself
3.Tag 6 people at the end of your post
4.If you are tagged, just do it, and pass the tag along!

1. I love reality TV shows. I love to watch them. I watch Survivor, The Amazing Race, Big Brother, Dancing with the Stars, and Jon and Kate Plus Eight. I do have to say that I don't really watch The Bachelor anymore since they never seem to stay together. I only watch it if there isn't anything else on TV.

2. One place that I really want to visit is Italy. I think the food, culture, architecture and religious history would really be amazing to see and learn about.

3. I love the fact that Carson randomly tells me he loves me. It's the best feeling in the world. He will tell me when I pick him up from day care or when he wakes up or just anytime that he thinks of it.

4. Ashton has the best laugh and makes me happy no matter what type of mood I'm in. Sometimes he laughs so hard that he gets the hiccups.

5. I love working only 4 days a week. It's nice to have a 3 day weekend every week. It's nice to be able to spend an extra day with Carson and Ashton.

6. I hope owning Jimmy John's pays off in the next 5 to 10 years, so I can retire!

The only people left for me to tag are Anne, Allison and Lindy. Everyone else I know has already been tagged.

Happy Halloween

Carson has been really excited for Halloween this year. We have been practicing all week saying Trick-or-Treat. Carson was especially excited to get candy, he really wanted suckers. So, on Wednesday night we carved our two pumpkins. Carson didn't want to help me clean them out. However, he did want to help Paul carve them.





Tonight, we got the boys dressed up in their outfits. Ashton was Tigger and Carson was a fire fighter. Paul took Carson out for about an hour, while I stayed home to give out candy.





Carson was very excited to get all of this candy! Happy Halloween!

No more stone

Surgery went well. We were a little delayed in the start time and it took awhile to get discharged. But everything went as it was supposed to. It's definitely a weird feeling to be put under and not remember anything. I got home about 2:00pm and haven't felt sick or have any pain. Still a little tired, so I got a nap in this afternoon while the boys were sleeping as well. Paul's been a good helper!

Before



After

Stone Removal Day

After two CT scans, the doctor finally figured out that I have a 7 mm calcified stone by my bladder, which has been causing the pain in my lower back/side. There is less than a 10 percent chance that I would be able to pass the stone on my own, so I have to have it removed. I will go in on Friday morning and the procedure should take about an hour. I have to get put under, so I'm a little nervous. I've never had any type of surgery before. It's just an outpatient procedure, so I should be back home around noon. I will be glad when this is finally over and hopefully I won't have any more pain.

Summer Memories

Birthday Weekend Fun!

This weekend was Carson's birthday party. My parents came to town on Friday afternoon. Carson had his 3 year wellness check-up on Friday. He weighed in at 27.6 pounds and was 36 1/2 inches tall. He is still in about the 10th percentile for weight, but jumped up from the 10th percentile for height to the 25th! He wasn't a big fan of the doctor and nurses trying to take his blood pressure, check his hearing or anything else! So, next time Paul will be taking him.

Saturday was the big day...the birthday party at a hotel with a water park! My grandparents came on Saturday, as did Paul's parents, Neil and Eileen, my brother, our friends and Carson's friends. He had a good time at the water park, but was a little timid. But, I took him again Sunday morning and he was willing to try more things. He had a Cars cake and even drove the car that came on the cake on the road that was on the cake. Sorry to those who got the pieces without the frosting! Carson received lots of presents and we thank everyone for everything! Now, we just have to find room for everything in our house. Sunday we went to breakfast will all of our family. I took Monday off to spend the day with my parents and then they left this morning. Now, Paul is off to Chicago until Friday.