Family Portraits....

It's definitely time for an update on our family pictures. Especially now that the boys change and grow so much! I will say, Wendy is amazing...she's taken our pictures before and has done such a great job...so here are a few of the latest ones...

My little "opposite twins" are so cute! Carter is a little goofy in this one...but the boys are adorable!
This one makes me laugh...

I love getting pictures taken, though getting 2 small children to smile at the camera is impossible, I do love going out as a family, posing and coming home with some really great memories.

Traditions....Catch Up....More Traditions....

St. Patrick's Day is a day that always used to be a big deal in my family growing up...because we're Irish...and Carter of course has continued that tradition.

My sister and Carter have the same shirt that they've worn two years in a row on St. Patty's Day...

It was really fun for Carter to wear his shirt to preschool and show everyone!

Another tradition is...The Pinewood Derby Family Edition! Scott and I started this tradition last year, and I will admit it's a really great time for our family. (Carter's a tad-bit obsessed with cars, so a big racetrack, lots of kids and racing your own car is a BLAST for our little guy.) Last year Scott and I each did a car...this year we did a "family" one that Carter decorated all by himself!

He was so excited! It was even funnier when he went to the weigh in with Scott (the cars have to stay in the library over night) so Scott kept explaining to Carter how the cars were going to "spend the night" at the church and be ready when we came back the next day.

The best part of the derby is Carter finding his friends and racing along the sidelines with them. It's such a fun family activity!

Another tradition I can't wait for....the Hill AFB Easter Egg Hunt! The base truly puts on the best hunt and ever since Carter was born we've been going! I can't wait for this year with 2 boys. Carter loves the Easter Bunny that comes out afterward to say hi to all the little kids.
Next weekend is the big Easter weekend for us...stay posted for more pics...

A Creative Way to Discipline....

Carter has always been my child to verbalize what's going on in his little head. He's been very articulate and conversational since he was little....which is usually a good thing. About 2 months ago Scott and I began to notice that Carter wouldn't pay attention to things as long as before, he wouldn't be able to get the words out to explain to us what was going on, he just had some issues....well we all know that ADD is rampant in America. Carter hasn't been diagnosed or anything, but I think everyone has a little ADD, it's just to what extent.

So, because I can't just sit and hope for the best...I did some research about vitamins and minerals that will help with focusing, attention and controlling behavior. Here's what I found: you have to have the right balance between the Omega 3 and 6...so here is what our little guy is on every day,

I will say, it's been 2 months and I can tell a big difference. Carter takes 2 of each and we also cut out the majority of sugar that the little guy was getting. (It amazing how much they really get once you start noticing) But overall he is just happier because he can communicate with us, he can focus on what he's doing and our days are much more fun because I can "reason" with him usually.

Another thing that I've implemented at our home is Carter's Good Deeds Rewards Chart.

He loves this. Every time I catch him playing nicely with Brax or cleaning up something I let him put a sticker on his chart for the day. It's even worked for me to "bribe" him with lately too! So for a few dollars and time I was able to make this cute chart that he loves! The stickers are way cute...and I found them at the dollar store!

They're foam and bright colors so Carter gets a kick out of picking which one to put on each time. It's a really easy thing to make and you can customize it for each kid...it's made a world of difference at our house.

Antelope Island...

It was such great weather the other day...so Scott and I took the boys to Antelope Island for the first time!

I will say, it was windy and a little chilly to fully enjoy the outdoors...but the pictures I got are amazing!

Carter thought going to the "beach" was really cool...while Brax loved the sand...It was really fun....and I can't wait to go again when it's really warm and let the boys get their feet wet!
Anyone interested in going it's now $9 a carload but so much fun! You can drive around a see buffalo, there's a restaurant there, plenty of BBQ areas with tables, and some really fun picture backgrounds!

A Few "Firsts"

Braxton has been changing and growing, I swear by the minute lately. He rolls and "skooches" everywhere, he eats a ton of baby food and his first word is MAMA! Carter said DaDa first, so to have Brax look right at me and say MaMa is so fulfilling!

Today was an unusually relaxing day for the the boys and me. For those that know me, I can't just sit still....so out came the sissors and Braxton got his first hair cut!

Here's the little guy with his long, crazy hair...

I'm all about the "messy" look for my kids. Carter has curly hair, and Brax's is still uneven in many parts...so the messy look works well for our boys.

Carter has been changing so much too. He now wipes all by himself (sorry if that's gross) he is learning about lefts and rights, he knows his alphabet, and can name every city that this grandparents, friends and cousins live.

Here's funny Carter getting ready for his hair cut too...
Here are my sweet boys after their hair cuts! Carter's going through a weird grin phase and Brax wasn't so sure about the sissors...but they both look cute! On another note of firsts...Carter has been asking me for awhile now when his "sister" Ellie is going to have her birthday party. (He now calls her "Elle") He loves that sweet stuffed elephant so much....what's a mom to do...deny her 3 year old a party for his only sister? No way!
Carter and I made a mini cake with 1 candle in it (because Carter says she's 1 year old) He was thrilled to throw her a party and have cake. It's the little things in life when you're 3.
And what's a birthday without presents?

Ellie got some crafts to do with Carter and Braxton....that mystery shopper is smart! :)

We've been enjoying playing with the boys, teaching Brax new things and working with Carter on becoming a well-rounded little guy. The joys of parenthood.

7 Months...Safe Kids' Fair

Our little Braxton is now an entire 7 months old! I know everyone says this...but it's gone by way too fast. He's a whole 18.5 pounds and 28 inches long! He's such a happy little guy and I couldn't imagine my life without him.

Carter and Brax are so cute to watch now that Brax can interact with Carter. They laugh, share and make crazy faces to eachother...priceless! I'm all about matching the boys...

Yesterday my mom, sister and I took the boys to the Safe Kids' Fair at the SouthTowne Expo Center. I have to say, we've been to so many shows there and this one was by far the best yet! This was Brax's first show....don't worry little guy there's more to come!

They had a hair cutting booth where the kids sat in cars while getting their hair done....Carter sat in the car and once he saw the clippers coming at him he was not having it! (I cut his curly hair with scissors at home, so he's not used to the clippers)
They had a booth there with snakes, lizzrds, turtles, spiders, etc. It was so fun to watch Carter look at the scary things! My sister even won him a pet frog (pics on Howard the frog to come)

Anyone who hasn't been to the SouthTowne for their shows is missing out! It's so much fun and our boys always have a great time!

Preschool Parent Day!

Last week Carter had his second parent day at preschool. It happened to also be their Valentine's party that day too.

Here's the little guy making his Valentine Bag....

Here's me and my little guys! Don't mind Carter's "grin" or my dark circles (it's been one of those weeks)
I'm so glad we've found a preschool that does so much and how much loves it!

Valentine's Snack...and little late!

Carter loves to be my little helper in the kitchen...it's really cute how well he listens while we bake together. He sits so still and listens to everything I say...it's our little "one-on-one" time that we have and I love it.

So what better way to cook with your little guy than to make it silly right? For Valentine's weekend we made our famous cinnamon and sugar "chips"

Carter cut out each tortilla into a heart for me...

And then you fry them up a bit, add cinnamon and sugar and done!
Such a fun and easy thing...you could do them in any shape or size!

Winter Fest with Grandpa Steve...Boondocks with Daddy!

My dad had a long weekend last weekend....so what better way to spend it than with the grandkids right?

I have to say, Weber County puts on some amazing events for the family...and the best part is they're free! Ogden had their very first Winter Fest this last weekend and I'm so glad my dad and I took the boys because it was a BLAST!

There were snowmobile races, horses pulling skiers up and down 25th Street (they blocked off the whole street and piled it high with snow) There were so many things for the kids to do and make (thanks to Home Depot) it was just a great event!

I know my dad's still a young grandpa (45 to be exact) but every time the two of us take the boys anywhere everyone assumes he's my husband! Come on now, there's almost a 21 year difference between us! We've gotten used to it and just go with the flow now though.

Brax loved being outside, here's the little man in his snowsuit...

Carter and I hit up all of the booths to get our "freebies" and can I just tell you...we walked away with some really cool things! Carter's favorite place was this little house...It was a great time, decent weather and really just fun experiencing different things!
That night when Scott got home from work we took the kids to Boondocks. I've been there a few times now with the boys but Scott had never been with us...there is an entire outside area we've never been to...They have bumper boats, race cars, mini golf, you name it! Brax and I waited by the race track while Scott and Carter drove around in the cars!
Here they go....

I didn't get great pics of them driving. (The lighting was hard) The great thing about Boondocks is that you can be 36 inches tall and be a passenger in the cars and bumper boats...you don't find that in many places! Overall, I'd say we had a great time!

Happy Valentine's Day!

It was so fun this year to have Valentine's Day on Sunday because we all dressed up for church....and of course that meant we were all cute for some pictures!

Scott and I talk all the time about how cute our boys are and how much we absolutely adore them....he is an amazing daddy to them and truly enjoys being there for them....

I wouldn't have it any other way....my little guys are the BEST Valentine's in the WORLD!
I'm all about the matching outfits....but the little guys couldn't look anything alike!

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day!

Grandma and Grandpa Fat Cats Time....

Apparently Fat Cats is the place we go for fun lately because I'd say we've been there about 5 times in the last 2 weeks!

We went out with my mom and dad the other night and had a blast! We played games first and then ate dinner (a little better of an idea I might add than dinner first)

Carter loves games and putting the tokens in...

Braxton just loves the bright lights....

Carter is still obsessed with Skee-Ball! Which is actually a great thing because 2 tokens lasts him forever! He doesn't get the ball all the way up on the first try so it's easy to spend about 10 minutes on one game with him...

Here's Grandpa and Brax racing away!
They have a little kid area and Carter loves it....this time I thought I'd introduce Brax to the slide!

So fun!

Fat Cats with Friends....

Scott and I have a new "couple" in our lives....Joe and Cari. They have a 4 year old boy, Matthew, and a 5 month old girl, Emma. Our boys play so well together (Matthew is such a good example for Carter) and the parents all get along...so we've been hanging out with them more lately and having a blast!

Here are the boys playing Skee-Ball...

Brax got to ride the Merry-Go-Round for the first time that night...pretty sure he's LOVING it!
It was so much fun having dinner at the Pizza Factory and then playing games with the kids...good friends are priceless!