2nd Annual Carter Family Reunion (Long Picture Post)

 We had our 2nd Annual Carter Family Reunion in Mandan at Uncle Scott and Aunt Connie's House. It was the same weekend as last year and it was just as much fun:)

 The first day was beautiful outside and we spent the day playing outside on the sandbar and watching the kids slide down the homemade slip n slide!

 These pictures are from the second day when the little ones were downstairs singing karoke with Sophia! I love Svea laughing at Kieran because he was imitating her sing.  She thought it was SO funny!

Svea's crush on Sophia last summer turned into a crush on Lara below.  The girls are only 9 months apart and with their dark curly hair bouncing around it was fun to watch! They had a blast going down the slip n slide together and would hold hands with each other.

 We were missing Joe, Andrea, Owen, and Lydia for the big family picture.  Here's all of the cousins' kids minus Owen and Lydia. It's hard to coordinate 28 people at once!  I don't know...Dan's family makes it work with approximately 100, I don't know why we couldn't:)

 Quinn holding Kye. Lara, Luke, Kieran, Jonah, Svea, and Sophia.

As you can see Kye is walking now.  He was just learning to take his first steps and he was having a blast.  Svea and Lydia were mimicking the adults holding their arms out to Kye.  Those two little girls had fun too!

 Giving Uncle Scott a high five after the slip n slide!

  Cheese!

Owen is ALL business!  Kieran didn't ever go down the slip n slide.  Maybe he let me push/pull him down once, but he mainly camped out near the hose and tried to eat the water:)

 I love this picture because Kieran is doing his sideways dance that he does where he rocks from foot to foot with a cheesy grin on his face!

 My Dad and Lynn made it this year!  I love how Svea wanted to pose with her doll...her naked Barbie.  Awesome!

 A girl and her Papa:)

Airplane rides with Uncle Scott!

 The Talent Show.  This side of my family is known for doing original activities. Some years at Thanksgiving we used to do a gift exchange, but you had to shop at the dollar store or the thrift shop.  It was more for laughs than anything and to see who could make everyone laugh the most.  My cousins and I would make homemade movies, build forts in the snow, week the garden, etc. So for the talent show Svea popped up and sang in front of everyone.  She wasn't nervous...she just did it.  I was so proud!  Dan had to leave by this time to go back to Moorhead for church, but I so wish he could have seen it.  Later she got out there again and danced for everyone.  She did ballet moves and toe points and I think my heart melted. 

 This is my cousin Kelly and his new girlfriend Sarah.  We love her.  She is awesome and its felt like she has always been with us.  My Aunt Jane (his mom and my dad's sister) has lung/liver cancer.  She was a trooper and rested and hung out with us all day everyday even though I know she was exhausted.  She was the one who finally coaxed Svea into the water last summer when I couldn't because I was chasing a certain 12 month old:) I'll never forget (and I still have a video) of Jane getting her in by tossing her a rock and Svea would have to pick it up and toss it back.  Jane would toss it out a little further each time.

The best talent of the night was Josh.  He stuck a suction cup to his head and his magic trick was it wouldn't come off unless he did it.  Dan could have joined him:) 

 

It was such a great time.  Dan got to be there with us for more of it this year.  We got to stay with my cousin Jill, her husband Matt, and their little guy Kye.  We ate awesome food and WAY too much.  We talked and laughed and just spent some great time together. I always leave and want to do it over again the next weekend:)

Lake Lida 2014

 In mid-August we traveled to Lake Lida for my families annual get together when my Uncle Jeff comes home from New York. Svea LOVED the lake.  She would walk in up to almost her neck while holding the dock.  We built sand castles with moats and then she'd wear her life jacket and she'd want me to take her "swimming".  I'd pull her around on her tummy back and forth and she'd laugh and smile the whole time. 

 I was a bit nervous for this trip because since moving to Moorhead and going to "new" people's places for dinners and get togethers Kieran has been nothing short of a monkey on speed.  I pictured myself running after him on the dock tirelessly tiredly and being so worried about what he was going to do next that we all couldn't relax and enjoy the lake.  However, I was pleasantly surprised.  He loved playing in the sand and loved the lake, but each time he'd go too deep (to his knees, ha!) I would tell him to stop AND he listened to me!  I love his little smile.  He is having so much fun!

 She is not having ANY fun!  I didn't have her take any naps (because who wants to take a nap when you are at the lake!) and she did great.  No meltdowns at all.  We would come in for the night and she'd have dinner, get her jammies on and then tell me she was ready for bed:)  So cute.  It took her awhile to fall asleep though because she was in a strange place, but she finally would drift off.

 Laura, my cousin was there.  She was studying for her boards to become a P.A. (as of yesterday she passed!).  We didn't see much of her as she would disappear to study.  I stayed home on the beach with Svea when Kieran would nap and My uncles, Shawn, Ryan (Jeff's new boyfriend/he is awesome and SO sweet) and my Mom would go out on the pontoon. Both kids LOVED the boat too.  Again, I couldn't believe how calm Kieran was.  He'd open the cooler and suck on ice cubes and just walk back and forth. 

 It was a great trip and a good time to be away from home.  Dan was just starting his second week of work and was a little busy.  We were gone a Mon-Wed and he no longer has Mondays off, which by the way I am enjoying because in the summer we get two whole days off in the summer.  If feels like a "real" weekend. 

 I was so proud of these two.  They were so well-behaved and we had a blast doing the "lake" thing.

I love these two!

Kieran's Curious George 2nd Birthday Party!

We chose the Curious George theme for many reasons.  They would include the fact that Kieran is a monkey and crawls on top of everything.  Secondly he is obsessed with "nanas".  He is also a very curious little boy and he enjoys the cartoon as well and asks for Curious George when we turn on a the t.v. although it sounds like Cerah Joge:)

 It was a relaxed morning.  My Mom, Stepdad, Dad, Lynn, us, and Lynda and Gina came.  It was great for the kids to see Lynda again.  They missed her very much!

 Kieran got into opening his presents a little bit and would open them on the floor and then bring them over to someone else to open in front of them.

 Monkey shot!

 Svea helped him a little bit...maybe a little too much with the actual ripping off of the paper, but overall she was really good about the day being about him.

 He got a Monkey kite, which we haven't been able to fly yet.  It hasn't been crazy windy yet, which I should not have even brought up since now it will and I've jinxed us:)

 Showing off!

 I think he liked the attention a little bit. It was just so much fun to just sit back and watch him interact.

 At one point he took his Hippo toy that he got from my Dad and Lynn and wrapped it up in tissue paper and brought it to my Dad.  I think he wanted them to join in the fun too!

 We gave him a pirate ship.  Svea has been enjoying it more than he has, but eventually maybe he will show more interest.  I think it's my favorite toy right now to play with her:)

 He got a wagon from Gaga and Grandpa.  He loves to be pulled in it or pack things into it and pull them around the room.

 He was excited about his cake! So much so that he....

 ...grabbed the Curious George car off the cake and started licking the wheels.  We all laughed, but then laughed harder when he had a lick and then stuffed it back down into the cake so he could get more frosting:)

 Dad brought him home a monkey balloon! He ran in circles with this balloon until he'd get so dizzy he'd fall down and laugh...and then do it again.  Dad's are such suckers:)  He and Svea went to the party store to get "a" yellow balloon and he comes back with this:)  Kinda cute too!

It was a low key event, but a wonderful 2nd birthday party!  He slept well after that.  I've figured out that mid-morning is the best time for a birthday party.  No more waiting until they wake up from a nap hoping they get a good one.  Happy Birthday Baby Boy!  Wow!  You are two and it's hard to believe.  Being in the hospital with you as a newborn seems like just months ago.  We LOVe you sweet boy!

2 Years Old! Dr. Update Too!

Clothes: You wear some 12 months, 18 months, and just starting 24 month clothes although that is a stretch and they are too big. You are still in your 18 month jammies, but we will move you to your 24 month ones soon.

Shoes: Still size 4

Diapers: Size 5 diapers day and night.

Sleep: You sleep approximately 12 hours a night.  Usually 8-8. You sleep through the night except for once a month you'll have a bad dream or be getting a tooth and you'll just want to be up and snuggle.  Sometimes I am so tired that I bring you into bed with Dad.  You lay nice for a few minutes and then you goof around.  I take you back then and you cry a little bit, but then go back to sleep.

Teeth: I am not sure, but I know you have one tooth left before your little mouth is full. 

Traveling: We traveled to Jamestown for you to stay with Gaga and Grandpa while Mom and Dad finished the move.  You also made a big move and we traveled to Moorhead for good.  We now live there.  You celebrated your birthday two weeks after we got here.

 

Talking: You are repeating a lot and can say up to a 3 word sentence.  Some examples are "I jump" and then you try and jump.  "I fall down" as you cry and wail to us after you fall down:) "Your common words are Mama, Daddy, sister, ya, uh-oh, all done, Grandpa (in stories if anyone looks over 20 they are a Grandpa), and a lot of gibberish.  You also say "love you", but it sounds like lah-yoo:) You do talk a lot, but we can't always make it out.  Sometimes our brains process it after the fact and you are already onto your next sentence.  We had your hearing check-up this month and they were a little concerned.  They might do the test over where they check to see if/how much your hearing has gotten worse.  We are PRAYING it hasn't.  The audiologist isn't concerned with how much you know or how much you are talking it' if he/strangers can make it out.  I think it wouldn't be a big deal if you had normal hearing, but since you don't they like to stay on top of it more in case you really can't hear the words.  Otherwise the cute way you say your words won't ever go away.  We are so thankful that you are social, get your point across, and love to be read to and read yourself.  Those are all good signs that at least any hearing deficit is not affecting your learning and only possibly your speech at this point. 

 

Favorite Activity: Reading or Running.  Our old neighbors from Paynesville nicknamed you "Speed" and you are just so stinking fast.  I am sprinting all over the place to catch you from dangerous situations.  What is so great though is you can still sit down to read.  You did tonight before bed.  You sat down in your room at the rental house and read book after book to yourself until they were all done. You like to count and almost everything is 8,9, 10!  When you sing it's either ABC or Baa Baa Black Sheep.  Svea has been singing her Bible School songs and at times you are trying to imitate her.

Favorite Books: Right now you are loving Danny and the Dinosaur.  You read that one to me tonight. You sit for the longest books.  It's amazing what you will sit and listen to.  It's also a great sign as far as your hearing goes.  If you couldn't hear I wouldn't think you'd want to sit and listen to a story.

Favorite Foods: Peanut butter, yogurt, bananas, strawberries, and cheese. We wish you would eat some vegetables! Mealtimes are pretty frustrating:) 

Foods Dislike: Veggies:(
Favorite Songs: When we go to sleep at night Mom sings you your nighttime prayers, a generic I love you song, and Eidelweise.

Dislikes: Getting into your carseat, sitting still, or diaper changes.

Favorite Word: Ya!  We ask you all sorts of questions and you usually answer with Ya!

Things we are learning: Counting-occasionally you will say 1,2,3 or 8,9,10.  Today you were counting all over the place, but I'm not sure if it was in order:)  You are starting to recognize colors although most colors I ask you are just "brown".  We are working on manners and saying please and no, thank you.

Kieran-sometimes we are just overwhelmed with happiness and joy from you.  I could kiss your cheeks and snuggle you all day if you'd let me, but alas you are a "hurricane" and you were born to run:)  We are two very tired parents, but we LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT:) We love you SO VERY MUCH! We can't believe you are already two!

Dr. update!  At Kieran's 2 year appt. he weight in at a whopping 24lbs. (7th%) and was 2 ft. 9 inches tall or 33 inches tall (11th%).  According to growth charts he is predicted to be anywhere between 5'7 to 5'10 at adult height.  The dr. said he is doing wonderful.  He's social and healthy.  Very thankful!!!

We're Here! Moorhead That is!

We've officially arrived in Moorhead.  Well, at least over two weeks ago, but that is how long it's taken us to get settled and get internet hooked up.  It's been a busy couple of weeks, but honestly a very rewarding and "our hearts are full" kind of time:)

 The kids went to Jamestown and stayed with Gaga and Grandpa while Dan and I finished up the move.  A huge thank you to them.  I know they were worn out and my Mom took days off of work to make it happen.  We COULD NOT have done it without them so thank you SO much!  The move is a blur.  We did get everything packed up, the movers came and loaded it all, we cleaned, and then drove to our rental home in Moorhead.  The next morning they came, unloaded everything, we unpacked the bare minimum, and set up the kids' rooms.  I went back and got them a couple of days later and we started our new life in Moorhead:)

 Dan started work and so far things are going very well.  He comes home so excited about the relationships with co-workers and the people we are meeting are just great.  It feels weird to say this, but it already feels like home.  We've had two Sundays there now and just tonight had a 5K fun run.  It's so nice to be immersed in young and old, but to have a lot of young families with kids is so awesome!  Svea was bound and determined to "run" tonight and we couldn't believe how much she ran.  At the end she was running with Dan and people were cheering her on as she got closer to the finish line.  She sped up and wanted to "win the race"!  When we left outdoor worship she cried in the car so hard that I turned around and let her run back out to Dan:)  We had left because Kieran was antsy.

 So far we are loving Moorhead.  There is so much to do, so much opportunity for s and the kids, and there is a TARGET!  And it's within ten minutes.  I am in love:)  Our monthly Target bill was higher this month than normal so we'll have to get that under control:)  Here's what we've been up to (the kids and I) when Dan has been at work and some with him after work.

 -7 different parks, wade pool, city zoo, splash pad x2, library x2, Children's Museum, and Jamestown for Bible School (Svea is still singing the songs), Kieran also got his haircut today and we have two appointments for him in the next week.  We've been to a neighborhood party (for our house we are buying), dinner with the call committee, a 5K fun run, and tomorrow another council family dinner at one of the congregation members house.  It's been a great busy though.  I feel like so much of the first part of summer was spent packing that now this quality time with the kids is heavenly.  I am so glad we are getting a few weeks of doing this together.  I start back to work in two weeks and I know I am going to miss these precious days and moments with them.

  Kieran and Svea are handling the move better than we thought they would.  The first week Svea would just call out for Jaley and Brody (our neighbors in Paynesville) or say she wanted to go "home".  It broke our heart, but it didn't last too long.  They got used to the new house quickly and were napping and sleeping through the night right away. Our next biggest hurdle is how they do when I go back to work and they start a new daycare.  Today I drove them by Rita's house (new daycare) and Svea said she wanted to visit her "this year", which really means today:)  We will have the kids meet her this Friday morning.  Svea said she missed her and was worried she missed her even though they haven't met yet.  I like Rita, she said.  I hope that continues:)  We've been talking about her here and there and dropping her name to get her used to it.