Our First Family Vacation!

For the first time ever, Scott and I decided to embark on a "Morris Family Vacation." He actually had Saturday off (and of course Memorial Day) so we thought it was perfect timing. At first we were just going to celebrate our anniversary (really in a few days) but thought that having some "family-time" for our little threesome would be so much more fun...and we were right!

We left our home (and little Timmy) Saturday afternoon and headed for Park City. I found a great package deal for our hotel and we actually got upgraded to a King Deluxe Room for free! It was so much fun, they had a 24-hour "hot beverage bar and goodies," a huge gourmet breakfast, and the room was really nice.

Carter has never been to a hotel before, so as we were walking through the hall to get to our room, he kept asking if we were going to leave him at the Doctor's. (So funny) We had a King bed (which I now really want) so Carter slept with us and had a ball!

His favorite thing was playing in the sink! We pushed our cooler up to it and he sat there with a cup and soap playing for ever!

Of course Carter's best friend "Ellie the Elephant" had to join us on our family vacation...and luckily for her they even had a small bed just for her. Carter had so much fun making her bed and covering her up with her "blankets" aka: our towels.

The next morning after breakfast (which was amazing) we took Carter to the Heber Valley Railroad where none other than Thomas the Train was there! Carter just about died! (Though he really did have a great time...the stinkin' kid would not pose for the camera!) This is Carter on the train ride...Scott insisted that we ride in the open boxcar...I would have loved the enclosed one...but Carter absolutely LOVED it! He wouldn't sit still for anything. It was rainy on and off that day, but during the ride it was gorgeous out. Scott really didn't know what to expect because some people at his work said that the whole event was lame...but once we got there... he coulsn't be more thrilled. The look on Carter's face and everything he was so excited about...PRICELESS! Here are my two boys... The Thomas the Train was so clean, fresh and "actual-like" it was GREAT!They had so much for the kids to do and see, it was so entertaining. The next best thing for Carter (other than riding Thomas) was meeting Sir Topham Hatt. (Again with the weird posing for our little man) They had a petting zoo there as well. These horses, some might have been donkeys, were so calm and loveable. There were so many kids, loud noises and weird smells, but these animals stayed so calm. It was neat to see. They also had a temporary tattoo section and the kids chose which one they wanted and got to get "tattooed." It was really cute and Carter picked out a helicopter one, and the entire day made sure it was still on his arm. It was such a fun time, they really did a great job of planning it all out with lots for the kids to do. Carter had so much fun and kept wanting to walk around and see more things with Thomas the Train. This will definitely be a family tradition for us. When Scott put Carter to bed tonight, Carter kept talking about Thomas and wants to know when we're going back. That's all I needed to hear for my "thanks" for planning the trip for us.

Reflections....

So my prego hormones are totally getting to me lately...not really in the "psycho" way, in the "reflecting" way. I think constantly about what it's going to be like with TWO kids, I wonder what Carter is going to do, I can't wait to see what this little baby looks like, and I can't believe how much has happened in my life already!

My dad had us all over for a nice, relaxing BBQ on Sunday. It was just what our little fam needed. Who wouldn't be happy with some good (free) grillin', non-alcoholic margaritas, and a some good ol' fashioned family time in Syracuse right?

What's really cool is there is this "nature park" in Syracuse where you can fish, walk, ride

or just enjoy the nice weather we're having. We love coming here because there's alot to look at and do, and Carter just loves seeing the pelicans "ski" across the water. (Don't mind Scott's goofy grin....he's never been great in pictures.)

Carter has this bike at my family's house that he loves to ride on, mostly because we push him around and all the little guy has to do is steer. (He's not really that great at that part though) It's times like these that really help Scott and I take a step back and realize what life is all about. It's so easy to get caught up in the day to day things (like preparing for a new baby) but when we have family time like this and really just enjoy being together...it makes everything better.

Another thing that got me thinking about how much has happened over the last couple of years is Carter's cute friend, Hunter, came over to play. Carter and Hunter have a special relationship because Ashley, Hunter's mom, watched Carter for me while I worked. He would go over to their house about twice a week for about 10 months. So the boys practically grew up friends.

The most amazing part, is that now that the two boys can run around, talk and play with each other, they really have such a great time. They do so well together and really feel so comfortable with each other. Ashley and I love seeing how they play. It's amazing to me that Carter was not quite a year old when he became friends with Hunter, and now he'll be three years old in a matter of months! CRAZY!

They are such cute friends and now that I'm home and they live closer to us, it's so much easier for us to get the boys together.

The last few weeks have been great...I've been getting things accomplished, making headway with Carter with disciplining, and just getting excited for this new baby boy to arrive. Being emotional (which I'm usually pretty level headed) has made me think about the things that we've done and gone through over the past few years...it's amazing (and a little stressful) and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for us.

Carter's Driving Guys! .... Dinner Side Made FUN!

Carter has this car that we got for him when he turned one...and he has LOVED it ever since! He drives it everywhere, and because it's blue, he says it's his Blue Camaro just like Daddy. The engine comes apart and it came with its own set of tools, so while Scott is out in the garage working on real cars...Carter is out there too, working on his own car. It's really cute.

The other day we all went for a walk, and Carter decided it was time to introduce his "Blue Camaro" to the real outdoors.

He is getting a little too big for it now, so the walk was waaaay slow! But he enjoyed every mintue of it! We have this great park by our house with a paved walkway and huge fields to play in, so it really was a fun time.

That night I made "Snail Breadsticks." It turned out way cute! And was really easy too! Basically, all you do is take the breadsticks (from the tube) and roll almost all of it up in a ball and then roll the last part down for the head. I used some cut pepperonis for the "eyes" It was really fun....and Carter LOVED it! Scott was even a little surprised at how well it turned out.

We're just enjoying being outside, soaking up the sun and having some fun times as a family of three...for as long as that lasts!

Our version of Camping...

So, for those that don't know, I'm not the "outdoorsy" type of person. I really try and though I don't hate it when we go up in the mountains or camping, I would much rather be in a hotel room ordering room service and watching movies and taking a bubble bath. But I married an avid "outdoorsy" type of guy, so I really try to enjoy it more now. And I have noticed that Carter just adores being outside and going off-road up in the mountains. (So what do you do when you're outnumbered?)

GIVE IN! (or in my case, COMPROMISE!)

We bought a cute little firepit, marshmallows and found some sticks and had a blast in our own backyard! Scott had to use some "boy scout water" to make the fire really blaze, but I have to admit the marshmallow roasting was AMAZING! Carter takes after me and loves marshmallows, so this was a special treat for him as well.

We've also discovered that we have the PERFECT backyard for water sliding! Though Scott has hated mowing our "terraced" backyard for the past three years, it's really a great yard for Carter to play in. And the water slide is no exeption.

We finally had to drag the little man inside when his lips started turning purple. But he was loving every minute of it!

Being a Mommy...Soon of Two...

Lately I've been in the "get 'er done" mode because our new arrival is coming shortly. Our "to-do" list before the baby has been getting bigger and bigger...and our time is getting shorter and shorter. But, it's when things get really crazy for us that it forces us to take a step back and reprioritize. We have really been focusing on spending a ton of one-on-one with Carter lately and it's been great!

It's a little sad, but so exciting to think that this past Mother's Day would be the last one with only one little boy. I have done so many things in my life (and they all started at a young age) but being Carter's mommy has been, by far, the best job ever! I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Today, my family took Carter and I to our first-ever Jousting Contest! In North Ogden they were having a Renaissance Fair and we had a BLAST! Carter had never seen men in ful-body armour before riding on horses. It was such a fun experience!

Here's the gang watching the show!

In baby news: Our little guy is already 4 pounds 5 ounces! So for sure he's going to be bigger than Carter was, but everything seems to be going as planned. This time around things are so easy, though I am sick more, the pregnancy part is great! My belly keeps growing everyday, along with other parts of my body too. (That part isn't the greatest, but what can you do?)

We are just doing the day to day things, spending time with Carter and getting everything we want done before our second little boy arrives.

Silly Carter and a CREATIVE Mother's Day Craft...

Scott and I have been living in our home for almost 2 and a half years now...and of course we first focused on the inside of the home (where we live 10 months out of the year) and have completely neglected the outside. So, now that the inside of our home is where we want it to be, we're focusing on the outdoors.

I found this pot at Savers for $1.50. Now when I foudn it, it was a grey-ish and completely worn out looking....of course though I saw its potential and knew it was going to look great on our front entryway.

Carter had to "help" me spray paint it the color that I wanted...and once it was dry I promised him he coudl play with it.....silly little boy!

Scott and I were orgainzing our bills at the dining room table today and Carter pulled up a chair, climbed up on the table and put on Scott's hat just like this.....

Our little 2 1/2 year old is sure keeping us on our toes!

For Mother's Day I found this great idea in a magazine (I of course tweeked it a little to make it more "my style") and wanted to share...it's easy, fun, creative, and inexpensive.

The supplies you need are: colorful handprints, toothpicks, and tape.

Basically, you "roll" the fingers of the handprints and then twist around a toothpick to make them look like flowers...and this is what you get!

I found these mini pots and tied a bow around them and filled them with paper. I always hate giving flowers to people (especially my mother) because it doesn't do justice to how grateful I am and how much they mean to me...but this is a great way to "give flowers."

The Great Outdoors....

Ahh...the Great Outdoors. I've decided that I am a "sun-person." I need to be in the sun, feel the heat from it, play outside, go for walks and just enjoy relaxing in the rays! Lately the weather has been getting better...and I can tell a difference in my attitude as well. :)

Last Sunday Scott and I thought it would be a good idea to "re-introduce" Carter to water balloons.....it was a hit! This little kid could throw water balloons all day long if we kept them coming his way!

It was such a nice day out so we took advantage and just relaxed in our backyard. Carter loves to swing in the tree swing we got last year...he didn't love it last year...but this year he wants in it all the time! And the best news....I actually got him to smile for the camera! This is a rare occurance...so enjoy it!

Last week Carter and I got to spend the day with his Grandma Margaret...and what's a day with her without going to the Gateway? We stopped off at the "treat shop" first and then walked around everywhere. Afterwards, we stopped by the fountain to see the water show....he absolutely LOVED it! We had so much fun hanging out with Grandma Margaret!

On Monday, Scott took us up to the "B" in Bountiful for some fun "mountain-time." I'm not really the "outdoors" type of person, but it was such a fun time to just hang out. There's not really a lot to do up there...so it forces me to relax and just enjoy the moment. Of course Scott took advantage of this time and showed Carter how to shoot the pellet gun of his....so funny how little Carter knew just how to look through the scope! (I'm not a gun person either...so the fact that I'm sharing this pic is amazing!)

Scott also brought his "protective ear gear" (as he refers to it) and of course Carter just had to try them on for size!

I am having so much fun doing things outside....playing different games with Carter and just hanging out as a family lately! Though I'm getting bigger by the minute, I really am having a blast being pregnant! (Never thought I'd say that before!) Last week at my check up, my due date got moved up again because this little baby boy is growing like a weed. He's already 3 pounds...which means we're most likely looking at another 7 to 8 weeks and he'll be here! I can't wait...but still have a few things I want done before he arrives...so I better get crackin!

Easter and Family Time...

This Easter was so much fun! Carter actually "got" the idea of collecting Easter eggs and getting the treats inside. We actually took part in 3 Easter Egg Hunts...and all in very different ways.

The first was Friday night, Scott's Aunt Janae and Uncle Craig put together one of the best ideas ever! It was a "Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt." We went to a field at night, gave the kids a flashlight and their Easter Baskets and let them find the eggs. It really was so much fun and I am so making sure this is a tradition for us from now on!

Then on Saturday Hill AFB puts on a great hunt for the kids...the eggs even have toys instead of treats (and you know I'm all about less sugar!) Though I was so excited to have Carter take part in this egg hunt, he had other ideas. They had the Easter Bunny come...and once he saw him it was all over for the actual hunt.

Once the short Egg Hunt was over, Carter got his wish, we went over to the Easter Bunny and he gave him a big hug! It was just what the little guy needed to make him in a better mood.

Then on Easter our little family went to church...Carter was adorable in his sweater-vest, compliments of his cousin Hunter. And then headed over to my step-dad's for a BBQ and some relaxation. Scott's family came over as well and we had, yet another, Easter Egg Hunt in his backyard. Pretty much though, by this time Carter was all "Egg-Hunted" out and just wanted to jump on the tramp.

Overall it was a great Easter: the weather was gorgeous, we got to see lots of family, and just relax.

This week has been a little crazy: I have been so busy, Scott has had some harder days at work, and Carter has definitely reached the "terrible twos" now! So after a phone call from Scott saying he needed a break from reality, I came up with a cute idea...

In the Morris house we love to have Family Movie Time. Carter gets to help pop the popcorn, lick out treats and hang out with Daddy in the recliner, while Scott and I get to just relax for once. Though I knew Scott would like to just chill last night, I knew I had to make it a little more fun and special...

Introducing.......Mommy's Concession Stand!

We all got some "Mommy Money" to use at the Concession Stand and buy what treats we wanted...

Here's the little man "buying" his goodies!

Very cheap, very fun and way to easy to spice up a simple family night!

Well folks, I know all of you really want to see my belly (okay so I know that's a lie, but I wanted to include a pic so that when I look back I can remember just how gigantic I'm getting) Here is the little guy sitting way low, he enjoys kicking my ribs (they must be in his way), doing summer-saults and creating a ton of pressure on my body! :) Though I'm now at the uncomfortable stage, I am getting more and more excited to him to come.

I'm 26 weeks, and if I go early like with Carter, we're talking 12 weeks and he'll be here! CRAZY!!!!

A Trip to Arizona....and a Dentist Appointment...

Last weekend Scott, Carter and I were lucky enough to take a trip to Arizona to visit the other side of my family. It's actually worked out pretty well over the last few years, because we get to see eachother every two to three months. Being the only grandkid, Carter sure loves the attention! The weather in Utah was awful while we were gone, which made the trip a much-needed "getaway" for our little fam.

Carter is over the age of being a "lap-child" on the plane, so this trip he actually had his own seat! It was hilarious! Every time we go on the airplane, he gets better and better. (It helps that it's only an hour and 40 minute flight too!) But he does so well, it's fun to watch him explore every detail of the plane.

This is the little man, seated with his seatbelt on and reading the safety instructions for the plane! So funny.

The first day we were there, we took advantage of the nice weather and went to the Zoo. It's such a nice Zoo there and it really was a perfect day. What's a two-year old going to do when he's done sitting in the stroller....

That night we went out to dinner at our favorite...Texas Roadhouse. Though it really wasn't my dad's birthday, we totally embarassed him and said it was! Carter of course had to get in on the action....

We also went to the Titan Missile Museum. It's really cool because they have this gigantic missile completely underground and we got to go and check it out!

The taller people had to wear hard hats because of the equipment and everything we were going to walk through....of course though, Carter needed to wear one too.

And it just wouldn't be a complete trip if Carter didn't get a chance to go Go-Cart Riding with Grandpa! He remembers this everytime we come here and doesn't forget! Scott, my Dad and Carter all went one morning and Carter came back talking up a storm about it!

It was such a fun trip! My step-mom planned a surprise Baby Shower for me too! I really had no idea...but with all the sweet goodies we got to bring home I feel so ready and excited to have this little boy!

Yesterday, Carter had his very first Dentist appointment! The place I took him to, Castle Creek Pediatric Dentistry, is AMAZING! I love it and will be bringing Carter there until he's 18! This was his first appointment, so really it was just a "meet-and-greet" but it was fun.

Carter did so well, which amazed me! And it was all good news about his teeth, which makes me feel good too!

It's always fun to getaway and relax away from reality, but it's also fun to come home and get back into our routine. Scott's on day shift, the weather is great and in about 3 months I'm going to be a mom of two kids.....things are coming along nicely for our little family!