Hayden

2011-12-24T23:29:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas! From Us to You!

2011-10-06T21:34:00.000-06:00

Carson knows his family!

Momma name...name Tayce
HayHay name...name Brudrrr

Tarsen name.....name me....TarSON

Dadda name...name JAYson

2011-09-27T06:45:00.000-06:00

Another Season of Soccer.
We've all enjoyed Hayden's fall soccer league. Not only was in very competive, he played with mostly 8 year olds and he kept right up with them. He has gotten so much better! He scored a few goals even. He played goalie many games and only had 2 balls get past him! Their team was undeafeted the whole season. I am going to miss this group! But we are having a kids vs parents game tonight and a pizza party on Thursday. His coach was amazing, so patient but stern with the kids. They learned so much from him. I hope we are lucky enough to have him as a coach again!

2011-09-12T10:35:00.000-06:00

I think its time for a little Carson update!
Boy is this guy full of it! He is what my brother calls a Sour Patch Kid. He is so sweet but watch out sometimes.
He loves his choo-choos still. Still has his 2 loves in his life, his buffy and his "mmmm" (blankets). He loves Dora and Diego lately and sings along to their theme songs. He counts to 10 in spanish and 12 in english. He knows all his colors including white, brown and wello(yellow, my favorite he says). He says "O-Tay" instead of okay. He knows all his letters big and small and is working on the alphabet song. He doesnt like loud things and always is letting us know when something is "too noisy".
He loved traveling on our trip always pointing out the sky, sun, moon and water. He still talks about the "Big Heads" and "waafalls" (waterfalls).
He knows his brothers favorite things and plays Harry Potter with him. With both of them casting spells on one another and falling down backwards into the chair.
He is going to a new babysitter and he loves it! He always wants to go to "Natie's" and see her baby.
He loves playing with Breckie and Baby Ky. He loves Haira(Sarah) and is very open to her. He talks about the one time Sarah pushed him in the double stroller with Kyler, he loved it.
He loves to help! Which is a mixed blessing.
He is a dare double and loves going on rides at the fairs this summer. He also "Mounces" all the time!
He is wearing 2t clothes, size 8 shoes and size 4 diapers. He weighs about 33 pounds and 36" tall (I think!)

2011-09-06T07:06:00.000-06:00

Happy 1st Day(s) of School
Hayden has started 1st grade with a bang. He was advanced enough to be reading at a F and G levels! This momma was proud! His teacher is Mrs Larson and she seems great. Her classroom is warm and inviting with so much to do! She has a whole wall with a books, that she has in order, I love it! She has a Smart Board in her classroom and was letting the students play around with it during The Great Start Day. Carson wowed her by saying the names of the letters as Jason pointed on them. He has bunch of friends in his class including Jed and Marianna who we've known since last summer. His pal Jolene who adores Hayden too. He is so excited to be at school again!
Jason and I know what a great little boy we've raised when we go to the school and teachers and aides and other students say Hi to him, constantly, we seriously couldn't walk down the hall without being stopped. Some teachers had talked about him to Mrs Larson, and she had heard nothing but positive things about him and saying that Mrs Walt called him her cheerleader.
Have a great year Hayden! We know you'll do us proud!

2011-09-04T08:59:00.001-06:00

Summer Road Trip 2011: Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Teddy Rosevelt National Park and South Dakota!

2011-07-17T07:33:00.000-06:00

Some Summer Fun

2011-06-13T09:37:00.001-06:00

I'm Two!

Carson is amazing us more and more. I sure can't believe he is 2 already. He is a toddler but very much a snuggler and cuddler like a baby still, this momma likes that a lot!
-Knows many colors(Orange...favorite color by far, purple, blue, red, pink(mink), black and yellow.
-Know many letters( E, O, P, T, W, Z, Y, J(well sort of he calls it L), L, A, B, and H for sure)
-Counts to 3, but it sounds like 1, 3, 3.
-Wears size 4 diapers
-Starting to potty train.
-Wears 24m and 2t clothing mostly.
-Loves his Bunny Milk
-Loves fruit
-Loves Ice Cream, lots!
-Loves, loves, loves being outside.
-Loves Animals
-Loves Trains
-Loves anything with wheels
-Can be quite the couch potato
-Love and admires his brother so much
-Does not like dirt, fuzz or hair. Freaks him out.
Those are a few things! He loves his new "Mounce House" he got for his birthday. Hayden and him spend lots of time bouncing. He loves animals and kids so much too. I keep trying to find ways for him to be exposed to them more. He is such a funny guy sometimes. He loves to make sure laugh and has some crazy faces he makes. He loves music and Glee! He also can be quite the stinker. He screams, pinches and has been known to punch his mama in the face. The temper gets him(must be from those Smiths =) ) He tells us no regularly, and likes to do anything and/or everything by himself or help us. But boy does this boy have our hearts. Lots of love for the little monster! He impresses us everyday with the things he picks up like operating the ipod(turning it on, and unlocking it, finding his favorite apps and music), the colors and letters he knows. He picks up on the days of the week and knows what happens when.
Happy Birthday Carson, we love you!

2011-06-10T15:59:00.003-06:00

Okay huge slacker mom! 2 year old is just about ready but while you wait...

Potty Training 2011!

Carson decided on the last day of school that he wanted to go "pee" in the potty and has been doing great when we are at home. He tinkles a little and then throws his hands in the air and says "yay" so cute. He also tells me his pee is stuck when he is done going. So proud of him! Hopefully we'll be potty trained by the end of summer! If we have a summer!

5x7 Folded Card

2011-05-16T10:55:00.001-06:00

Bold Dots Thank You 5x7 folded card

Unique party invitations and announcements by Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

2011-05-10T07:58:00.000-06:00

Yup, I'm Two Now!

2011-05-01T10:14:00.000-06:00

Yup.....someone is getting close to 2!

2011-05-01T10:08:00.000-06:00

Easter Egg Hunt at Nana's. Easter 2011

2011-05-01T10:06:00.000-06:00

Easter Bunny Came! Easter Morning 2011

2011-05-01T10:03:00.000-06:00

2011-05-01T09:20:00.000-06:00

Proof that nice weather does exist in Superior, WI.

2011-04-16T19:24:00.000-06:00

2011-04-16T19:15:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday to You! Jason's birthday was a couple weeks ago....better late than never!

Blowing out the candles!

2011-04-09T15:44:00.002-06:00

After 18 months I though that monthly blog posts about Carson were silly, things slow down a little at that time, coming up with new things each month were getting a little hard. But I feel like I've missed so much stuff here on the ol'blog. Some things that can't be forgotten: -Carson has been calling his blankets "Mmmmmmmes" Jason figured out that when we snuggle we say mmmmmmmm. So he just adds a little s at the end. -He is VERY independent lately. Everything has to be done by him and it has to be his idea. Like he must climb into his carseat, and he has to ask for "Bunny Milk" (His name for his No Sugar Added Chocolate milk mix in,yup I'm that parent) I can't give to him. -He loves his Elmo Daddy and Elmo Abby. Don't judge. We use movies to put him to bed. Its what took over for Nursing at 19 months, when Mommy had, had enough! -He amazes me with what he knows. His colors for sure. He can point out Orange, anytime and anywhere. He loves Orange. Orange Choo-Choos were talked about for days after we saw them! He also knows Blue,Red and Purple most of the time. -He went potty in the potty and has taken interest in potty training! I won't push it until summer for sure. -He still loves trains and blocks. I could probably take away all the other toys and he won't care. He does loves his golf clubs and balls too. Daddy is happy about that one! -He can identify places and where were going often. Everytime we go past McDonald's he says Dada's Work. He knows Hay Hay's School and Mama's work too. He wants a kiss everytime we go past the high school! -He is a funny little guy. He knows what can make us laugh. One thing he does is rapidly looks around with his head and says "huh, huh, huh, huh" pretty cute! -One of my favorite things he does lately when playing with puzzles and blocks he'll say "This One............Noooooo". He also likes to take turns and always declares who's turn it is. "Mama's Turn" "Hay Hay's Turn" "Carson's Turn" This week both boys were sick and past on their lovely cold/virus to Nana, Papa, and Smith. Some how Jason and I avoided it, so far. But Hayden actually missed a day of school, which is crazy that boy is never sick. They had fevers for a few days, runny noses, lots and lots of coughing, sore ears, goopy eyes and scratchy throats. And they were CRABBY! Carson is a bear, Hayden actually did pretty good and probably should have stayed home more days but he was the leader and duty called. There was no talking him into staying home, the kid loves school. Hayden amazes me with reading lately. He can pick up a book and read many of the words and has a set of books he can read all the way through. He has all of his sight words down pat. He is also Mr. Social Butterfly. Next Saturday he has 2 birthday parties, and soccer. Today he had another party. All the kids always come running up to him to say Hi. He can light up a room, I tell you! I am looking forward to the summer when we can spend lots of time together. Summer is quickly approaching thank goodness!

2011-03-25T21:33:00.000-06:00

Our second part of our mini spring break trips was at a one night stay at the Second Wind County Inn B&B. We had a loft that fit all of us plus some! Jason even joined us late at night and ate yummy breakfast with us. The innkeeper Kelly and her husband made us oven pancakes, bacon, strawberries w/creamcheese dip and smoothies. They were very welcoming and we enjoyed staying in their home. We will be back! They also have a farm with some animals that my boys loved. Hayden even touched the goat and dog, big steps for him! A couple cats and dog run around and really liked Carson.

2011-03-25T21:23:00.000-06:00

Carson love the "hot" as he refers to the Hot Tub. He isn't quite like Hayden who would swim all day every day, Carson prefers sitting in warm water, his Nana's boy! Carson loved the horse ride too!

2011-03-25T21:18:00.000-06:00

Craguns fun.
We had a few mini spring break trips this week. Here is Hayden's 4 blogger limit Cragun's photos.

2011-03-25T21:13:00.000-06:00

This is Carson's "Cheese" face. How cheesy can it get?

2011-03-25T21:10:00.000-06:00

Another Lost Tooth! Lost by a mitten on 3/10/11!

2011-03-09T20:55:00.000-06:00

2011-02-05T19:10:00.001-06:00

Sledding!

2011-02-05T09:19:00.000-06:00

First Lost Tooth!
Feb 3rd 2011
At School during Lunch eating an apple!
Growing up so fast!

2011-01-14T09:33:00.000-06:00

Please excuse the poor pictures! Here is Mr. Hayden doing what he loves. Basketball. Their team is a good little team and play very well together. Hayden and Austin have lots of fun and pass the ball often to each other. Now if we can get them to pass to other people......

2011-01-08T22:51:00.000-06:00

Ohhhhh and Ahhhhhh

Look what my wonderful husband(see him in the wedding pictures?) made me for my birthday!
I am in love!
With the shelves!
Okay him too!
As many people know this use to be my photo wall, all my pictures randomly hung, sometimes crooked. I told him that I wanted him to make something for me for Christmas or my Birthday. I choose some different ideas from Ana White. Don't know who Ana White is? Find out, NOW! She rocks, just saying. Some of my other wants were a table, picture frames, other shelves and a island for the kitchen. These beauties are called $10 ledges and Jason said they did come in right around that. I love the color he stained them.....Espresso. The way he did it the grain sticks out just perfectly. When touring a historic home in our area(Glensheen) In a few rooms of the house they have a Japanese wood that the grain is actually risen during its finishing, it really reminds me of that. Of course he choose Espresso due to my unnatural coffee habit. Each ledge is just under 8 ft. I really love how my different colors, sizes and styles of frames really work well. We are thinking of adding another shelf, because 3 is always better than 2 right? He said these were very easy to make and now he is scouring her site for more ideas. Our basement now in the last few weeks has a handy little workshop area too! An Archery Range too, but more on that later!

2011-01-03T08:05:00.000-06:00

Christmas Day-Part 1

2011-01-03T08:03:00.000-06:00

Christmas Eve 2010
As always Christmas Eve was spent at James and Michelle's. Yummy dinner and nice visiting. The kids of course received many wonderful gifts. Hayden's favorite Transformers, Carson's A Thomas Book....Choooooo, Chooooo.

Grandma Moe Skyped Christmas with us!

Mommy and Hayden's matching pajamas.

2011-01-03T07:58:00.000-06:00

December Time Fun!

2011-01-03T07:48:00.000-06:00

Bentleyville

2011-01-03T07:35:00.001-06:00

Christmas Time = Cookies!

2011-01-03T07:33:00.000-06:00

Routh Family Christmas! Iron River Wi Dec 18th 2010. Carson was Jesus....again! Hayden played a wonderful Donkey. We had a wonderful time playing with the cousins, enjoying a great dinner and even a carriage ride in the Winter Wonderland we had this Christmas. Carson stole the show running around on the stage! One of my favorite days of the year.

2010-12-26T15:24:00.001-06:00

Hayden you are 6!
Can you believe it? We sure can't!
How you've grown into such a great boy this year. You are so kind, funny and great. You can make us smile, you are a great big brother and the highlight of every body's day.
You started Kindergarten this year and show us daily how smart you are and how you love to learn.
You learned to tie your shoes in September.
You love sports and played soccer, tball and basketball this year on teams. You golfed often with Daddy....going to Nemadji lots!
You read every night before bed with your favorite book being Llama, Llama Mad at Mama.
You love to play Wii and received many new games for Christmas. Lately you like to color and draw us pictures. But any chance to play outside you take it!
You still sleep with your fringes and lots of animals have taken over your bed.
You like always love the water being the shower, bath or Smith's Hot Tub.
You kind of are a poky little puppy!
You were size 13 shoes, S/M Shirts and size 6 pants.
You are very polite and have great manners!
You are good friends with Jack and Jed at school, talking about them often Jolene too!
You are still quiet and shy at times, other times we can't get you to stop talking!
You truly amaze us each and every day!
Happy Birthday Hayden!

2010-12-13T10:15:00.000-06:00

Smith Family Photo! Here we are on a hunt for a christmas tree. We had lots of fun exploring Smith and Papa's woods. The whole clan was there, Michael and Laura, Smith , Papa and us. It was actually pretty warm out too! The boys had the Royal Treatment getting pulled around in sleds and sipping on juice boxes. We actually found a tree, that was about 4 feet too tall for our house, but with a little trim its all set and decorate in the living room! It even had a huge, nasty cocoon living in it. I found it when I was home alone with the boys and pretty much freaked out. It was the color and size on a chipmunk. Mike opened it up and found a HUGE dead, black Caterpillar. Still gives me the creeps!

The Winter Weather as set in! We don't mind though....and the baby loves his mittens! We still are working on getting ready faster with Hayden, snowpants, boots, mittens take a Looooong time for our resident slow poke.

I got a new computer! Yeah! I am finally learning where everything is on Windows 7!

We are very excited for Christmas and Birthdays!

2010-11-09T08:53:00.000-06:00

18 Months!
27 pounds 10 oz
33 inches
Size 4 diaper
Size 24 Month Clothes
Size 5-6 Shoe

Whole cow has your language exploaded in the last month! You know how to say: Choo-choo, Mama, Daddy, HayHay, Papa, Nana, Hot, Eye, No no no, ear, love you, sit down, up, whats this, where is, all down, cheese, apple, elmo, baby and grandma! You speak Chinese with Russian too. You say all these words regularly and know their meanings.
At Dr. Maria's yesterday you answered all of her questions with uh-huh. It was very cute to see you sitting in the chair in just a diaper answering the doctors questions.
You love to play with blocks, trains and balls still. You have been carrying around up to 4 big bouncy balls about the size of you fist, not sure why though!
You love to wash your hands and brush your teeth like a big boy. You use our IKEA stool and can reach the sink in the bathroom.
You love apple juice and will only drink milk with a little(very small amount!)chocolate added you simply don't like the taste of milk.
Applesauce and yogurt are favorite foods at the moment.
You love going on wagon rides, we bundle up and walk.
You are so much fun! We love you Carson!
We won't talk about the wonderful tantrums you throw!

2010-11-01T06:29:00.000-06:00

2010-11-01T06:26:00.000-06:00

Happy Halloween!
It's BobaFett and The Dragon

THat is just Carson's candy....

2010-11-01T06:23:00.000-06:00

2010-11-01T06:20:00.000-06:00

2010-11-01T06:03:00.004-06:00

This is me trying to play catch up!

**Carson is talking, talking! List of words to come!
**Jason got a 8 pointer with his bow on Saturday the 30th. He was very excited and even caught the whole event on video.
**The boys had a blast with Halloween! Trick or Treating was so much fun with both boys going up to the doors. Carson even saying Thank You to people! Hayden has SO much candy its crazy. I don't know what he is going to do with it all! The night was a perfect fall night too. Brisk but not freezing.
**Jason has been on vacation all week and it was so nice to have him home. We had no school Thursday or Friday, so courtesy of my mom and dad we went to the cities and stayed at the Residences Inn in Downtown Minneapolis at the Depot. They have a smaller waterpark that we had all to ourselves! We had Brandon with us and had a fun time going to Ikea, A Baker's Wife, Wild Rumpus, Toys R Us, and a walk over the Stone Arch Bridge Friday morning. The hotel served dinner and breakfast too! Thanks Nana and Papa!
**Hayden had conferences at school a couple weeks ago and his teacher raved about him and his kindness. She said he is a good friend and always has a smile on his face! That's our boy! Oh yeah he is smart too! But we knew that! =) His teacher had to point out to us that he knew all his shapes(of course) but when she asked him what shape an oval was it repeatedly told her it was called an Ovalgon.
**On Saturday we went to Madeline Island with my mom and dad in my mom's brand new Honda Pilot. We had lots of fun and enjoyed the outdoors!
**My photography hobby is going very, very well! I love it and have been thinking about submitting paperwork to have a tax id and stuff! So if you want your pictures please, please let me know! I'd love to do them!

Pictures in upcoming posts!

2010-10-13T19:58:00.000-06:00

2010-10-13T19:39:00.000-06:00

Nothing better than this smiling face!

2010-10-13T19:36:00.000-06:00

I can it be in only a month you will by 1 1/2? You still seem like our baby! You love to snuggle and be held close. You don't talk in sentences and still look like a baby to us! You however it seems have grown lots in this last month. You are getting taller and more independent. You are trying to say lots of words now too. You have fully enjoyed the great fall we've been having with lots of crazy trips to the park and playing outside. We've been on train rides, hikes, the Apple Festival, in Caves, to Waterfalls and this was just in the last month! You love Ttchoos(trains) and very much enjoyed our relaxing train ride. You love all the apples we've been blessed with too! A new favorite past time is "helping" Mommy bake. It seems that you are the official taste taster of everything not containing raw eggs! You still love all fruit and Mom has found your fingers in the butter many times lately! Juice boxes and Chocolate milk are greatly loved too! You've been using Mama and HayHay more and more all the time! You still are signing a bunch too! Keep up all your greatest Carson, we love you!!! Clothes mostly 18 months, shoes 6, diapers size 4!

2010-09-19T09:46:00.000-06:00

2010-09-19T09:39:00.000-06:00

2010-09-19T09:30:00.000-06:00

State Fair Fun! We went to the fair on Labor day this week....we've never done that! I had to work on our normal day, but we still had lots of fun! It definitely felt like fall though. Carson loved it too. Both boys were a little on the crabby side, but its okay!

Carson loved the Little Hands Farm. He is SO independent! Hayden blew through the thing and loved his item he "bought"....cereal.

Carson won this inflatable cow, the drawing was rigged.

Relaxing at the end of the day.

Sweet Marthas! Carson didn't even know what to do with all those cookies!

2010-09-19T09:23:00.000-06:00

Hayden's School Picture! Loved the option to buy the cd and order your own pictures! Of course the photographer in me had to edit a little bit, getting rid of some shine and flyaways! Don't you love he is wearing Burberry? Nana got this for him in New York City in the Spring and we've been waiting for a special time to wear it! I realized that the Christmas outfit I bought for Carson last year are the same colors, so I am sure Hayden will wear this shirt for Christmas too!
Hayden is loving school and hasn't complained once about going. He looks forward to playing with his friend Emma on the playground every day(Emma was on our soccer and TBall team this year) They are buddies! He has a couple friends in class that he talks about regularly. He also tells me about what the "naughty" kid does, and that he'd never do that. He really likes his teacher and loves going to gym, music and art. We have a rule that he must tell me 3 things everyday that he does at school. He is trying to learn to tie his shoes because they are going to have a competition to see who can do it the fastest and wants to win!
The other day I got home from work and was talking to him about school and everything was great....then like an hour later he says "Oh I forgot to tell you, I was playing football and tripped and hit my head on the fire hydrant" I look at his hair covered forehead and see a big black and blue goose egg and swollen bridge of his nose. I asked him if he got ice for it and he said no, he didn't want to tell anyone. I felt so bad for him, he was scared to tell someone he got hurt. So the next day I kindly asked the teacher to give a little lesson on telling people when something happens.....the only person he told was Emma.
We decided to not do any fall sports this year. The poor kid is so exhausted when he gets home everyday, I don't know how we'd put football in the schedule 2 times a week. He goes to bed at 8:15 and wakes up at 7 every morning, he needs all the sleep he can get!
My Mom saw his teacher at East End days and she said that Hayden is quite the perfectionist and wants to do everything exactly right....not sure who he gets that from!

2010-09-19T09:12:00.000-06:00

The Sunday before Labor Day we finally got to experience Target Field! This was the 1st game we could get 8 seats together! It was also the Legends game, which old baseball players played a 3 inning game. It was very cool, all the it, the field, the game and the people!

2010-09-19T09:10:00.000-06:00

Last Saturday we went with Nana and Papa on a little day trip to Osceola, WI. We went to a book/car show, ate lunch and walked down to the waterfall, which has always been a Moe Family Favorite!

Love, love, love my Ergo! Carson does too!

2010-09-19T09:06:00.000-06:00

16 Month Pictures!

2010-09-15T07:59:00.002-06:00

16 Months!! Wow!
You are a crazy boy, who loves to make us smile! Your silly and serious, loving and a bit of a bully. We are amazed at the things you do! This month you've decided you can talk. With any length car ride resulting in at least 20 "All Done. All Done? All Done!" You can Thank you very politely too. We ate out on Sunday and the waiter even was impressed with your manners. You say "Mama" a lot pretty much in general or when looking for me, still not direct at me. You will try to say most things we ask. Emma, Brandon and Vacuum have came out of your mouth when asked. You know lots of animal sounds too. Moo(actually you say Boooo), woof, woof, and then you pant with your tongue. You love Brown Bear, Brown Bear and we read it all the time and you can do most of the sound from the book.
We went to Craguns in the end of Aug and you remembered it when we pulled up to the building and got so excited and wanted to go to the beach. You love walks in the stroller still and being outside. You are getting better at sleeping, usually sleeping through the night one or two times a week, we'll take it! You love to play blocks and cars lately. Mommy loves the little motor sounds you make!! You are not shy and will blow kisses to everyone. You love to visit Mum Moe at the nursing home and always go right up to her and tell her stories and give her love. She loves to watch you sign too. Which you've been doing more and more. Signing More, Please, Water and we're working on some more.
Mommy has no idea what you weigh or your height! You've seem to get taller this last month so maybe 32" You are wearing 18m and some 12m. Shoe size is 6(they are a little big) and Size 4 diaper!

2010-09-02T17:22:00.002-06:00

Happy 1st Day of Kindergarten Hayden! Today was technically your 2nd day but yesterday we went as a family for an hour and half...doesn't really count! You woke up so happy and ate a yummy breakfast of pancakes, banana and milk, you didn't eat much and that made Mommy nervous you'd be hungry(which you did say your tummy was grumbling right before lunch! Listen to your mommy!) After getting dressed we sat around the house for over a half hour! We got to school and we waited until the bell rang and went into your "wing" found your coat hook(which is actually more like an area, you get like 5 hooks!) hung up your stuff and went into the classroom. Your teacher Mrs Szymomowicz(yes I get to write that name on all his stuff!) calls everyone "my friend" makes mommy think of Billy Madison for some reason. And then you were off like you'd been doing this for years! Carson and I waved goodbye to you and your school from the parking lot!
Daddy picked you up after an exciting afternoon of locking his keys in his truck at Cirrus. You said you had a good day, ate lunch with someone in a vikings shirt and played playdoh. You also colored a picture of a snake, turtle and yourself. You are excited because if you bring your Blue Folder back tomorrow you get a sticker and are looking forward to that!
I hope you are this excited about school your whole life Little Buddy!

2010-09-02T05:47:00.000-06:00

Happy Hayden.

2010-09-02T05:44:00.000-06:00

Oh Carson!

2010-09-02T05:42:00.000-06:00

Cragun's Beach Fun!

Trying to antagonize his Uncle.

And again.

Speedo Butt!

Stopping everything to look at an airplane.

2010-09-02T05:39:00.000-06:00

Paul Bunyan Land!

2010-09-02T05:28:00.000-06:00

A few random pics from Craguns that made me smile!

Brother to Brother talk in the giant hole.

Hayden being an Ostrich? He did not like being called an Ostrich.

Loves. Awhhhh.

Carson pushing Hayden on the Lounge chair. He'll try to push anything! My coffeetable is in the middle of the room frequently.

2010-09-01T07:55:00.000-06:00

1st Day of School!

2010-08-29T21:42:00.000-06:00

Black and White Beauties

2010-08-29T21:40:00.000-06:00

Choo-Choos in the EC

2010-08-29T21:38:00.000-06:00

More Smith Family Summer Fun!

Eau Claire

King and Queen in their Castle

Rowing the Boat!

2010-08-20T09:53:00.000-06:00

What We Did This Summer: Part 3

2010-08-20T09:50:00.000-06:00

What We Did This Summer: Part 2

2010-08-20T09:44:00.000-06:00

What We Did This Summer: Part 1

2010-08-20T09:31:00.000-06:00

Apples are good! Another great reason that Fall is a good thing!

2010-08-20T09:21:00.001-06:00

This is Carson signing more! Finally...after months and months of trying to get him to say the word while I signed. I guess the sign stuck more than the whole talking thing!

Also Carson got his top 2 molars....no problems too! No screaming, ear infections etc! Score for us!

Carson is obsessed with Brown Bear, Brown Bear, we read it about 8 times a day. He also sits down and reads it to himself. So sweet that he loves books.

And in case you didn't know a cow says "BOOOOO" well according to Carson that is!

2010-08-13T08:58:00.000-06:00

2010-08-13T08:48:00.000-06:00

The Tale of Trembley's.

Once there was a baby named Carson, his Nana took him to a candy store and told him he could pick out a couple pieces of candy.
So they grabbed a basket and walked around putting baby friendly candy in it.

Then Carson spotted some the Tootsie Pops. Carson knows he likes suckers and those orange ones looked ohhh so tasty. So he thought he'd grab 3.

But Nana told him "Only 1 Carson" and that statement resulted in this:

But than he realized he had 1 orange Tootsie Pop and life was good again.

2010-08-13T08:41:00.001-06:00

Well my baby is 15 months! He is such a great kid! His vocabulary is growing(not as fast as mommy would like) and says funny things, not your normal baby talk. He says:
-Right There(Bird, Airplane, Dog, Bus, Firetruck can all be described as Right There with a point!)
-Thank You
-Hi actually pronounced Heeeeey
-Hayden
-Bless You(He has said this multiple times when we've sneezed?!?!)
-Breakfast(he only repeats it when I say it. He LOVES breakfast, his favorite food? Cereal with milk. Hayden HATES milk and cereal, so funny these two boys!!)
-eh eh that pretty much sums up anything he wants with a point. Successful talking right? -All Done

He still loves to be outside, sliding, playing in the sandbox dumping sand into a bucket with a shovel or spoon...yes spoon. We've set a little pool up and he loves to be in there too. We usually keep 1 of the strollers in the house and he loves to go sit in there and says eh eh, he wants to go on a walk so bad! Its usually how he falls asleep for his nap. He loves spoons and forks and cups, they usually are all over the house. I find forks(little plastic ones) in drawers, in the fridge etc. Whatever makes him happy right?
He loves to climb, on the chair, coach, my computer chair, my computer desk whatever he can get up. Such a monkey. He likes to sit on the couch and sits right between the two couch cushions and looks so proud.
He still carries his blanket and buffy around. The other night in bed my pillow got throw on my head and it was Carson in a frantic search for his blanket...he was sitting on it.
He loves cars and trucks too. He makes a cute little motor type noise when playing or driving in a truck. He also loves his Corn Popper lately, mostly because Hayden hates it because it makes so much noise! Ahhh brothers.
He still loves, loves animals. We went to Fawn Doe Rosa in the end of July and he was in animal heaven, he was so happy and walked around following animals, kissing on bunnies and sticking fingers in calves mouths. He has no fear of them, which is great. At the Kitchen store in Hayward they have two dogs and Carson was so excited and gave them loves(hugs) and kisses.
Carson loves to give love and kisses. He blows when mean kiss too! Complete with a giant Mwah sound at the end.
Lately he has been playing blocks, we have about 80 different kids of blocks and he is getting quite good at building towers, the highest I've seen is 7 high. But as we all know knocking them down is a lot more fun than building.
He loves to play ball with Hayden and Daddy too. Even caught the ball the other day. Hopefully we'll have their love of sports.

We visited Dr. Maria on Monday and all is well, except the whole talking thing but we know he is smart and we think he chooses not to talk. He easily does 2 and 3 step commands and knows exactly what we are talking about when we say something. He nods and shakes his head to answer questions too.
Carson weighs 25 pounds 3 oz and 31 7/8 inches long. A little over 50% for weight and a little under 75% for height head is 75% too. He wears a mix of 12 and 18 month clothes size 4 diapers and size 5 shoes! Getting big!

2010-08-07T08:35:00.000-06:00

Yay! Mommy got a new camera...here is some Hayden pics from its first outing!

2010-08-03T09:38:00.001-06:00

Finally after 5 years of living in our house we've done something to our bedroom! I wanted something that would match my bedding and curtains...two items I had and loved. My bedding is pretty old but its simple and we like it! I just put the curtains up when Carson was born...yeah it was 4 years before we put curtains up, we always had blinds!

I just couldn't come up with an accent color until I was at a store in the cities...Patina and saw my inspiration! Orange, white and turquoise! When I returned home I googled up my color combo and saw that it's a trend right now! Go me! I tried to stay simple and not done yet! I still have on my wishlist:

-A tall dark wicker basket with lid for laundry

-Dark wooden or faux wood blinds

-Orange Lamp

-Orange Pictures. I have some flower pics I took just need to print them! I already have the frames too!

-Branches painted white in the vase on the nightstand.

-Orange Pillows.

-Pillows with orange and turquoise!

The walls are Summer Rays...its not as yellow as it appears here and at night it looks a lot more beige/brown. The fabric in the frame was bought to make pillows, but I don't think it goes anymore. The other fabric swatch I am trying to track down, they have a whole line with the colors.

2010-07-25T13:36:00.000-06:00

Here is Hayden playing some Tball this summer. He really knows how to hit that ball! Last Thursday he hit on over every body's head! We are s proud of our little athlete!

2010-07-11T22:29:00.001-06:00

My newest artwork that is going on the wall! I am printing it on a 10x20 metallic canvas!

2010-07-11T20:43:00.002-06:00

This Post is my personal opinion--which I am entitled too!

Every weekday between 11:30-12:00 you will not find me and the boys at the Park a half block away. This use to be a great time to go to the park right before Carson's nap but now its awkward and frankly makes me angry. Why?

The School District is providing free meals to anyone under the age of 18 through a program funded by the USDA. This is an addition to providing breakfast and lunches to any student who is just willing to go to any of the schools that provide a meal. 6 schools in our district have both meals for free and 2 have a small cost. In addition to this they also serve breakfast at 1 community site, lunch at 10 sites and an afternoon snack at 6 sites. In an article published by the Superior Telegram the Food Service Director is quoted on saying "Helping parents meet the nutritional needs of their children is the strength of this program." Well shouldn't we then be teaching parents what the nutritional needs are? Shouldn't we be spending our tax payer money on something more useful then a bag lunch? Do parents even know what they SHOULD be feeding their children? How hard would it be to educate the children too?
At our site, a woman sits on the park bench for the half hour and gives out the bags and pushes the lunches on to anybody else that is there. Can't she easily go over the food pyramid or hand out nutritional recipe cards? Teach and Preach. Nobody should be given something free, make this a teachable moment. I have seen mothers with their children that I know have jobs as do their spouses getting free lunches for their small(not yet in school) children everyday. This is wrong. Feeding starving children in Milwaukee is different, even feeding those who need it in Superior isn't wrong, but when children start going to the park to eat and not play, that is disturbing. When my child wants to know why he can't have a bag of fruit snacks and every other kid can at the park, what do I tell him?
When did the world become more responsible for my children than me. Isn't my job, my #1 priority to make sure my children are taken care of, feed, bathed and clothed? I know that I do need to have money, by having a job and saving money for the times when I do not work. I work hard on finding nutritional, low cost meals for my family and you know what I am proud of that. Its great to sit down as a family to a home cooked meal that I spent time planning and preparing, it is rewarding. People need to take appropriate actions for their families. If you are a hard working individual and you get laid off and need assistance that is one thing, to take it, use it wisely and be done with it when you return to work. We don't need people milking the system their whole lives and living off me the tax payer.

Note: I am not cold hearted nor do I like to see hungry children, but this isn't not the long term answer. Educating parents how to feed and take care of their children is.

2010-07-09T11:36:00.002-06:00

Happy 14th Month Carson!

You've started talking more and more!(finally!!) You say "here" pronounced "ere' when you hand stuff to me. You shake your head "No" rather frequently, you sure the heck know what you don't want! You say "what's this" at any animal or something that really sparks your interest like water and buses. You say "Mamamamama" when you whine especially when you are tired. You say "Wheeeeeeeeeeee" when you are swinging or riding on your rocket too!

You still love to be outside, we spend most of our long summer days outside in the yard or at the park. You love to go down the slide and climb the stairs and do it like such a big boy. You love to play in the sand...mostly dumping it on yourself but occasionally getting it into the bucket. You love, love the water just like Hayden. We stayed at Craguns in June and you were such a little fish, swimming in the kiddie pool and always trying to get into the lake, even in your clothes.

You are such a boy and have discovered your love for basketball and golf. Anything that even slightly resembles a golf club is used to hit one of the 1,000,000 balls we have lying around the house. You love when Daddy holds you up to the big basketball hoop and you make a basket, you even clap for yourself. You love to play with your Little People Farm and your Retro Rocket making little car sounds on it.

You are sometimes a little stinker! You are strong willed and determined, those aren't bad qualities to have if you use them usefully, please, please remember that!

Weight was exactly 24 pounds and length was 31.75(i think!) You are wearing size 4 shoes(you just got super cute leather Sandals from Nana, you love them bringing them to me to put on when you find them) Clothes are 12 months and 12-18m. Diapers are a 4!

We love you Little Monkey!

2010-07-09T11:32:00.002-06:00

Taking care of a sick baby is a lot of work. Poor Carson caught yet another illness! He had a barky cough, running nose/eyes and a low grade fever over the 4th weekend. And since this Mama is not a fan of Urgent Care we waited until Monday to go in...yup Dr was closed on Monday for the holiday! Grrrrr. So Tuesday morning bright and early we made our way to favorite doctors the Kundels(love them! =) ) Carson has some "lung infection" Dr Ray didn't go into details just gave Carson some strong 5 day antibiotics and called us good! Carson finally came back to life last night, Thursday a whole week after it started. I have been tired, not sleeping and cranky too! Jason has one of his FOR's coming up and working long, longer, longest hours every! So I am so burned out! Thank goodness for getting better!

2010-07-02T23:43:00.003-06:00

2010-07-01T11:55:00.003-06:00

Book Review!

September Fair by Jess Lourey

When finding books for our CSI class who reads 1 fiction book relating to murder, mystery, forensics etc it gets a little difficult to find books that our good choices for our high school students. So when I read a book review on this title I knew we had to get it. Being a MN author and curriculum used book, I felt like it would be a sure win, boy was I right! I am going to go use my rest of my BN gift card to get the rest of the series, since I read the 5th book in the series. The school is going to need them too! She is witty, and writes with so much detail to us "Locals". This book takes place at the Minnesota State Fair and she describes it to a T. Using the street names and other markers that only people who have been to the fairgrounds would appreciate. Her mystery also had a good storyline. I think she writes much like Janet Evanovich, one of my favorites. A funny mystery book sounds wrong, but she got it right!
Her website....http://www.jesslourey.com/

2010-06-20T20:17:00.000-06:00

Happy Father's Day!
Jason spent his day with his boys at Como Park and other Twin Cities Adventures!

2010-06-13T15:45:00.000-06:00

2010-06-12T07:21:00.004-06:00

Ever have a hard time coming up with a good book to read or buy as a gift? I have a great list for you to look at! I now have read 5 books from this list and loved them all! After feeling this way and giving a few students books from the list I can confidently say its a sure win list!
www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/Choices%202010%20citations.pdf

The Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) is a gathering place for ideas, books and expertise in children's and young adult literature. Now thats from the CCBC's website. They are also located in WI down in Madison and they are known as a expert in choosing great literature and children's books. Every year they come up with a huge list of great reads! Here is what I've read so far:

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti
And Then Everything Unraveled by Jennifer Sturman
Once was Lost by Sara Zarr

On my shelf at home right now is:
Purple Heart by Patrica McCormick
No More Us for YOu by David Hernandez
How to Steal a Car by Pete Hautman (MN/WI Author!)
Candor by Pam Bachorz

Plus a ton more books I need to read this summer! Check out their list, has something for every reading and age level!

2010-06-09T08:47:00.003-06:00

For months we've been trying to decide what car/van/suv to buy for me. It would be our primary family car the one we drive to soccer, to the cities and to Target. It had to have a few pieces of criteria even for me to consider....It had to fit 3 carseats, just in case! In my car we can't take any of Hayden's friends anywhere, the seats just to fit in the back. I wanted captain chairs in the middle, with 2 carseats I don't want to be climbing over seats or taking carseats out to get to the 3 row, which is another need. And of course it has to fit all my photography stuff! Good gas mileage was a plus too, and we wanted something reliable. So first we wanted the Ford Freestyle(2nd picture...I goofed!) We looked and looked for one to test drive, finally found one at Sonju in Two Harbors so we drove up there and drove it, Jason didn't like it, the transmission was a cvt and wasn't to his liking. I also left not all that thrilled with it. Than came the Pacifica, but yeah its a Chrysler, enough said.

Mountains cost extra!

The beloved Freestyle...the fruit of many, many Internet searches!

Now this is the Nimble, Zoom, Zoom, Zoom Mazda5. Hopefully the newest family member coming sometime this month! Its a Mini-Mini Van and I am so in love! It drives like a car and is basically the size of one too but its 3 rows, fits all my criteria, 30 mpg and pretty cheap!

But I can't decide on silver, grey or red. I drove the silver one and it was fine, whatever as long as its not black or white i am happy!

Thanks to the websites where I borrowed these pictures from...they aren't mine so don't use them!

2010-06-09T08:03:00.002-06:00

13 Months! Carson weighed in at 23 pounds 6 oz and was 31.5 inches! Both were at the 60th %. Dr. Kundel said he is perfectly healthy little boy! Carson has started blowing kisses with a little mwah sound at the end....so cute! He has 8 teeth now, 4 on top and 4 on bottom. He still loves his buffy and blankets(we have 4 in rotation) His favorite food lately is Strawberries and anything with peanut butter, things he didn't really have before he turned 1. He would eat strawberries all day long if I'd let him. He also loves pizza, oh soo much, he'll eat 2 pieces, sometimes more than his brother. Animal crackers are to a new favorite. He loves, loves being outside playing in the sandbox, playing on the jungle gym or even just walking. I had him at home alone one day and the stroller was in the living room and he went up to the stroller and tugged on it and than turned to me and yelled at me, he wanted to go on a walk! So we did. He may not really talk but we sure know how to communicate! We test him to see if he knows what the heck we are talking about, and always does the command or get what we tell him, pretty sure he just chooses not to talk. He does babble, and babble and babble. Its quite entertaining trying to figure out what he is saying! He says "WhatsThis" as one word a lot especially when he sees a dog or something outside. He also has fallen in love. With Elmo. He even hears the music and he literally runs from where ever he is and stands at the bottom of the tv and than says "yeahh" He loves that fuzzy red guy! Its funny how much a like Jason and Carson's personalities are alike sometimes. Both love to lay in bed in the mornings, they just can't pop up and go. Carson loves to watch people's reactions to him, loves being the funny guy!

Carson is in size 3 diapers, 12 month clothes(Some 18m shirts for cuteness factor!), 12 or size 4 shoes.

2010-06-06T00:47:00.000-06:00

2010-06-06T00:45:00.000-06:00

2010-06-06T00:41:00.002-06:00

Oh Soccer! My Kiwi team is getting better that's for sure! We have finally started listening to us(Coach B and I) and getting that ball towards the goal. These last few games the kids really have opened up and tried kicking some butt! Only 2 goals were scored on us the last game. I am getting a killer workout, running up and down the field for an hour! Its fun, but I am so ready for it to be over! Its actually a lot of work, but fun work!
Hayden is a great player, of course. He is driven and focused. He wants to make a goal so bad! He was goalie today and blocked 4 attempts, he was a very proud boy. Hayden and a girl named Emma are a great team, she reminds me a lot of Emily. A couple other kids are really doing well too! Its great to see the improvement over the last month!

2010-06-06T00:36:00.003-06:00

Hayden finished up his year at Shooting Stars this last week. What a great program it is too! I wish I had known about it long ago. He made some great friends, Mackenzie and Lanita, always together! He excelled in his swimming--making it to a higher level than his age even allows! His teacher, Mrs Starry had so many wonderful things to say about him and how he will wow his teacher next year at kindergarten. She was excited to know that he is going to school at the same school as her son too. We celebrated with a swimming party for all the families followed up with pizza and ice cream. We even went on the waterslide, a highlight for Hayden. They built mar shallow sculptures on the last day which will always stick with Hayden I think, the boy has a deep love for marshmallows.

Congratulations Hayden on completing Preschool!!!

2010-06-05T08:10:00.002-06:00

I have all these ideas to blog about and no time!!!
-Hayden finished up Preschool this week.
-Carson's crazy behavior lately!
-End of the school year.
-Soccer
-Memorial Weekend

My hope is to get it done soon!!!!

2010-05-10T08:13:00.000-06:00

Happy Mother's Day!
My Boys and I enjoyed a great day. We made brunch for Nana, Papa and Brandon. Went Golfing at Poplar. Had Pizza in Iron River. Life is Great!

2010-05-10T07:32:00.001-06:00

Birthday Party Recap!
Mod Monkey Theme
Menu: Pasta Bar: Penne or Linguine. Marina, Pesto or Alfredo Sauce. Chicken and Meatballs. Cesar Salad. French Bread.
Treats: Cake made by Nana. Cupcakes from Sam's Club(We actually had 30 extra because they screwed up the frosting on the first ones!) Blue and Yellow two toned yellow, cake balls, candy bananas, sparkly marshmallows, blue licorice, blue and yellow sour gummy bears, blue and yellow jelly bellys, banana chips, animal crackers and baby blue punch.

I found some super cute plates, napkins and cups with a monkey on them, so I based the whole party around them. So my mission for Blue and Yellow was born. I was a little obsessed. I made the Birthday banner and pennants, also the table toppers that held some candy. I was pretty proud of myself!

We set up some outside activities for the kids. Bubbles, big long wands, basketball, lawn golf, jump ropes, chalk etc. We of course had lots of kids playing on the jungle gym!

The guests that came were Nana, Papa and Brandon, Smith and Papa, Michael and Laura, Big Gram, Grandma Sandmon, Grandma Moe, Grandpa and Grandma Routh,Sherrie, Jim, Crystal and Jennifer, Kathy and Dick, Lisa and Jessica, Renee and Odie, Linda and Dave, Marilyn and Bob, Kristi, John, Brennah and Lilah. Jodie, Kenzie and Callie, Angie, Greg and Jacob, James, Michelle, Kaitlin and Joe stopped by later on.

Even though the invitations said no gifts, Carson received so many nice things! Lots of cute clothes, were set for summer now! Pajamas. Radio Flyer Rocket. A Little People School Bus. Books and of course toys! Nothing obnoxiously loud or battery suckers! Yeah!

Thank you to everybody who came and made Carson's First Birthday so much fun. It's still hard to think my baby is 1!

2010-05-10T07:05:00.000-06:00

Birthday Cake Pictures!

2010-05-10T06:47:00.000-06:00

2010-05-10T06:46:00.000-06:00

The Birthday Boy!

2010-04-26T07:13:00.000-06:00

2010-04-26T06:45:00.003-06:00

So I was told I don't Blog enough. It is true!

So this weekend Jason went turkey hunting, didn't get anything, saw a few and had a good time!

Hayden had soccer. He is the Kiwi Team(in his book, Green) He is very happy. Oh and I'm the Coach. I couldn't handle the fact no one was the Coach, so I stepped up. I have everything organized at the moment and my "lesson" all planned for Tuesday. Like I always say you can find ANYTHING on the Internet, Soccer coaching too.

Carson was sick all weekend, still is. Poor kid has had a fever of 101-104.8. Scared his Mama. Urgent Care was a nice 2.5 hour visit with nothing but telling us he has Tonsillitis. Which of course is a virus. But we saw a very nice Doctor and we were in a room pretty much the whole time, so no germy people around us. As long as he gets his Tylenol or Motrin every 4 hours he is doing okay. Poor baby, his cheeks get SO red. And we've been using the "Sucky" thing frequently. And my does he snore!

Hayden is such a good big brother. He is so concerned about Carson and helps with everything. Thanks Hayden!

I didn't take any pictures this weekend....so I dug a few up! PS Not Edited Pics!

2010-04-10T08:40:00.000-06:00

2010-04-09T06:53:00.003-06:00

Carson is 11 Months Old!

Oh Carson where has this year gone. It seems that you grew up too fast, but it also seems that you are still just a baby, you are. You are a sensitive soul, easily upset at little things, like Mommy leaving the room or checking you mouth for something you aren't suppose to eat. You like to be close to me basically at all times. You dislike me going on my computer lately. You will stand next to me and whine! You do like to dig in the drawers of my computer desk and find treasures. You sense of humor is great. You are funny little guy, you love to make people laugh and seem to know how already.

You have a mouthfull of teeth that have popped all over. 4 on top 3 on bottom...you love to use them to crunch and bit off your morning banana. You refuse to say the "mmmm" sound so you wouldn't say more, we've worked out a system though you like a lip smacking sound which we now know what it means!

You are walking more and more! We don't call you lazy as much anymore. Grocery shopping the other day you would walk all over at bright colored packages and cried when I would pick you up. You wanted to be free!

You went on your first Spring Break! We drove to Sanibel Island, FL. You were SO GOOD! We were a little worried you'd be a stinker, but nope you are a great traveller too! You loved the beach and being outside. You played at your first park, went into the ocean(Kind of, Gulf of Mexico), ate seashells, watch a few baseball games(you clapped for the Twins when they announced the starting line up, everyone around us thought it was SOOOO cute!), had your first taste of yummy Florida orange juice and so much more. We were so proud of you for being so good! You did however get sick, but Dr. Maria sent us a prescription to you and made you all better so you could enjoy our trip. You spent a lot of time in the Baby Bjorn and Sling just snuggling and being close while you weren't feeling the best.

You still are a good eater. In the morning you nurse, have a banana and toast/cereal/pancakes. Lunch is veggies and yogurt/cottage cheese/rice cereal and a fruit. Dinner is sometimes whatever we are eating or a meat, veggies and something else.

You still say Hay a lot! You also say Hi. You call me something that sounds like Dada, but its not!

You love your pacifier(buffy) and blankets you are always loving on them.

You seem to love dogs. Always getting excited when you see one outside or on tv.

You love to be outside. Its been so nice this spring. You really like playing in the sandbox.

You love water and your sippy cups. You have to have one pretty much at all times.

You fall asleep every time we go walking/running with the jogging stroller...you are suppose to be keeping me company Monkey!

You still wear 9 month or 12 month clothing. You don't fit well into Hayden's old clothes at this age. Hayden must of stretched them or something! You are still in size 3 diapers, size 6-12 month shoes. I don't know how much you weigh because you wiggle too much to go on the scale!

Stay tuned for 1st Birthday Party details! Get ready to Monkey around!

We Love you Carson!