So Behind On Blogging

Coming soon.... Catch up time on the summer of 2011.

Here's a picture of Carsen to give you an idea of what's to come. Here he is being one of the "Swamp People". LOL! He watched that show while my brother Vinny was babysitting.... go figure.

You're My Favorite Deputy! Carsen's 3rd Birthday Party

Turning 3... so many emotions are tied up into that statement. We are proud of the little boy Carsen is becoming. Underneath the "tow head", blue eyed, pasty white boy exterior there is a genuine loving boy. Following around Travis is his favorite thing to do. He enjoys helping T with any project. Whether it's changing light bulbs, planting flowers, pulling weeds, hanging a picture, Carsen is right there to hand him a tool and ask "why do that?" Or if he doesn't understand what you are saying, he says... "what you said?' It totally cracks us up. He's very curious about everything going on around him and he doesn't miss a thing. Tricking him is becoming more of a challenge. He is already quite witty. This will go one way or the other... Ha! Ha! I love every minute we spend together. Carsen knows his role as big brother and he takes it seriously {even if Chloe feels otherwise} They are the best of friends and I hope it always stays that way.

His latest obsession has been the Toy Story Trilogy. What better way to celebrate his 3rd birthday. This party was super fun to decorate {minus the concussion and black eye}. I actually made most of the things instead ordering them on ESTY. That was a shout out to myself. TOOT TOOT. Lol. Thanks to my mom, Ulli and Mary for helping put my vision together.

The Invitation

Food Table...

Watering Hole...

Mantel... the drawings here are from Andy's room in the original Toy Story. The banner was purchased on Esty.

My First Subway Art...

Thank you favors...

Drink Dispenser labels... One was "alcolholc" and the other was just tea... LOL! Long story.

Cake was from Market Street decorated by me.

My sweet sister Mary made the banner. Love having this talent in the family! Notice the army men coming down from the light... just a little touch from the movie.

Alien cupcakes made by Emily and decorated by Emily, Mary and Tamra. Thanks girls!

And now the actual party. The inside was for food and eating and the entertainment was outside. The weather wasn't as bad as last year. Everyone was able to enjoy the pool and other water activities.

Sweet Nash and sister Presley

The kiddos enjoying the movie Toy Story while eating "Pizza Planet" Pizza. (shhh... it was really Little Caesars )

We had around 40 kids from a month up to 7 yrs old. Everyone had a great time!

Kimmy and Braydon... Did you plan your outfits?

Krissy and Addison. I think she was the youngest there.

Aunt Myssy and Peyton

"Can someone PLEASE help me?!

G'Ulli, G'Clo, G'Aunt Jane

Katie and Kylie

Birthday Boy enjoying the pool!

The Neighby's

Birthday Cake Time... And yes he sang along! He loved that it was finally being sung to him!

Chloe Bear taking a rest. Partying can be exhausting.

Late night with Landon and Ava

I see future trips to the ER. Thanks Hampshires!

Birthday brunch with the family. This was his actual Birthday.

Chloe enjoying her some icecream!

Thank you to everyone who helped Carsen celebrate his 3rd birthday. He still talks about it. We are blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. XOXO

Amanda and Travis

Chloe's Half Way Mark To 2!

Well technically Chloe will be 19 months in 4 days. I'm a little slow on the blogging these days. The weather has been so nice. Chloe is such an AMAZING little girl. I could go on for hours bragging about her. I'm just so blessed to have two healthy, loving, and remarkable children. They are the best part of me.

So let the gloating begin. Chloe can count to 10, sing her ABC's, Twinkle Twinkle, Happy Birthday {of course} Itsy Bitsy Spider and many more. She knows her shapes and colors and can speak in full sentences. She can keep up with her brother with almost everything. Our latest task is potty training. She has been coming up to me and saying she needs to poop. I think this will still take a while but at least the process has started. I can't wait for the day I don't have to buy diapers {but I will also be very sad}. She is my child that I really have to watch what I say because she repeats EVERYTHING. She is Carsen's little shadow and I think that it's absolutely precious. He is very protective of her around others but loves to aggravate her at home. Sassy is her middle name. I'm willing to take any advise on that one. She laughs at EVERY form of discipline. I will have my hands full raising this one. Thank goodness Carsen came first. LOL! Although he is not perfect either.

A walk down memory lane... Chloe is 5 days and Carsen is 16 months.

A glimpse of her personality. Always trying to make us laugh.

Can we say DADDY'S GIRL!

Check out the thought process in this picture. She has no fear.

Loves to eat! Just like her mama! Mi Cocina is her and Carsens favorite. LOL!

Loves to play with Carsen and his developing imagination. Here they were on a boat {basket} playing with their Shamus. Chloe just goes along with anything.

Her favorite toy is Elmo. Although she has to have the whole "Street" in her bed with her. We have Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, and Ernie. Not to mention she also loves Woody, Jessie, Blankie, and paci. Yes all in her bed.

Elmo goes everywhere with her. Here she has Elmo wrapped up in her blankie. That's a pretty big deal for her to share.

They love each other so much!

One day the two of them were too quiet. I instinctively grabbed my camera and went into Carsens room to find him "reading" her a story. It totally brought tears to my eyes.

Working together to water the plants.

She has the prettiest curly hair.

Her sad face...

Her Independence. She is getting her own Kleenex to blow her nose.

She loves her bubble baths with Carsen.

I'm sure I'm forgetting a ton of things about her. She is changing and maturing everyday. Her 18 month appointment went well. She was 40% in weight and 90% in height. She might have a problem with her eyes and we are meeting with a eye doctor next week. I'll keep you posted. I love everything about this girl. She was the BEST surprise I've ever had.

Couples Retreat 2011

Have I ever mentioned how much I love my neighborhood and neighbors? They have become my family away from home. This year we decided to get a little crazy and take a trip together without kids. Only 5 couples were able to go and we had the BEST time. T and I headed down a day early to spend time with my Mom before we left the kids with her. {That will be a whole separate blog.} Anyway, we had a fun filled packed adventure. There was never a dull moment. Follow along the pictures as I will tell you all about it. Ha! Ha!

The house was called Lazy Lane Lodge. It had 4 master bedrooms and a private loft. The lake views were awesome. It also had a wrap around deck with hot tub and fire pit. Overall it was a great house. The owners... not so much. Ugh!

Friday....

The girls had a spa day planned while the guys played golf. First stop, the Arlington Hotel for "brunch" which really was lunch. We went there for the "historic experience" but I think the experience we had was definitely historic LOL! Let's just say someone in our group who was pregnant and was served the wrong drink {if you know what I mean}.We had a good laugh. This was my first drink of the day. LOL! I'm so dramatic! After lunch we walked around downtown the headed down to the spa for our facials and massages. Now that was nice. Awe.... I'm still thinking about it.

Later that night we headed off to the Belle of Hot Springs for our sunset dinner cruise. The scenery was fantastic... the food not so much. What can you expect from a 100 year old boat. We still manage to have an awesome time. Did I mention it had a full bar? Yea I think you get what I'm saying. LOL!

The Boat...

All Aboard!

The girls...

Sunset kiss! As Carsen would say... "that's nice"

The Ashwood Gang!

The original Three Amigas!

My bestie {Lara} and her hubby {Justin}

Once the boat ride was over we headed back to the house. The guys made a fire and we roasted marshmallows and made some yummy smore's. Good old fashion fun. I haven't done this since I was a little girl.

Katie roasting her marshmallow..

Tamra tasting the final product. I believe this was a success.

Saturday...

Race day! Every year we go to Lone Star Park for the day to watch and bet on the pony's. {This is what inspired the trip.} We woke up Saturday morning to the awesome smells of a breakfast feast. Tamra and Kylie put together one incredible breakfast. The menu included egg casserole, cheesy hash brown casserole, fresh cut fruit and dip, chocolate chip sticky buns, biscuits and gravy. Is your mouth watering yet? After we filled up our bellies we showered and headed off to the track. I was a big loser all day but still managed to have a blast!

Maybe I should have gone to a "person" to place my bets... hmmm

Ya I didn't pick that horse. Boo hoo...

Kylie, Katie, Me, and Lara... dang we look good. Hehehe

My sweet sweet brother Vinny. I love and miss you!

More pics of the hotties!

Travis and Vinny mapping out their plan of attack!

This guy is always smiling! Even when he loses. Love you babe!

That night we grilled ribeyes and complimented it with twice baked potatoes, green bean casserole, and homemade yeast rolls. Needless to say I gained like 10lbs over the weekend but it was all worth it!

Can't wait to plan our next trip! Where to now?