My little climbers

Carter climbing on the train table.

I thought Carter had skipped the climbing stage (unlike Cooper who had to be moved out of the crib at a year old, because he was climbing out of it) until yesterday when I walked into the living room to see Carter standing on the train table as proud as can be. I ran to him in fear of him falling and got him down, but as soon as I put him down he climbed right back up. He is now climbing on most everything. So my daily task of keeping Carter from hurting himself has begun! :) I was looking back at videos of Cooper at this age and found this one of him climbing. Cooper was 11 months old in this video just like Carter. I am just amazed at how fast they grow and learn!!

Cooper climbing on the stairs.

Backyard Fun

When we were looking for houses, the one thing we defintly wanted was a big backyard for the kids to play in! Well we got the big backyard! It about kills me to cut the grass with a push mower, but when the kids are having fun and playing it makes all the grass cutting worth it!:) With a little help from grandparents, we recently got the kids a playset to play on! They love it! It makes the yard ALOT more fun! The second Carter gets out the back door and off the deck he runs full speed with his little wobbly legs for the swing. He stands reaching for the swing, shouting his version of up, until I can get there and put him in the swing. Cooper figured out the climbing wall and the slide on day one and finally convinced dad to make things a little more fun by adding the pool to the end of the slide! Cooper is still trying to convince ME that Carter needs to learn to climb up the ladder and go down the slide with him....

Yes those are ant bites on Carters leg. He got into the ants
at Aunt Sharis and they ate his legs up. Thankfully

they didn't bother him too much. We just gave him plenty of Benadryl and Tylenol for a couple of days and they healed up fine.

Finally I am not behind the camera!

The other day I realized that we do not have many pictures with me and the kids together. It seems as of late that I am always behind the camera instead of in front of it. So, when we were home visiting I grabbed my sister-in-law and asked her to take a picture of us! Finally! Now if we could only pull Blaine away from work and get him in the picture too! :)

We Love Our Cousins!

Cooper, Kate and Anna Claire playing in the sand!

Five years ago my sister,sister-in-law, and I decided to have babies together so they could have cousins the same age to play with. We timed the babies within 6 months of each other and had Kate, Anna Claire and Cooper! They have grown up together and LOVE playing with each other when they get together. Then almost two years ago we decided to try it again! This time we had the babies within six weeks of each other and had Carter, Benjamin and Adam. The timing of the babies births turned out great for us, but bad for my poor mom, who took off work and made time for the birth of each baby! :) For the Fourth of July we were able to get all the kids together and man does it make for a BUNCH of kids and babies, but we wouldn't have it any other way! The kids had so much fun enjoying their cousins and the babies were finally old enough to enjoy each other. They were so cute babbling to each together! I am very thankful that my kids will be able to grow up with such wonderful cousins!

Carter and Benjamin matching for the 4th!

Carter and Adam with Papa!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!

Just wanted to wish everyone a safe and fun Fourth of July!!

My Favorite Things

My sister came into town for a couple of days and wanted to take pictures of the kids at the beach. So I took full advantage of having two girls to dress!! :) So we took off to the goodwill in search of cheap materials. I LOVE bargain hunting!! When we got home I sewed each girl a pillowcase dress with bows to match! (My first time at trying bows) That evening we took them to the beach and I took pictures of them. They were so cute! Best of all I got to enjoy some of MY FAVORITE THINGS, bargain shopping, sewing and photography!

Country Swimming Pool

Every afternoon we have small rain showers and the kids LOVE playing in them. They are usually short and just enough rain to make small puddles. The other day I took the kids out to check the mail and before I knew it Cooper had grabbed Carters hand and hauled him over to a big puddle. Carter instantly plopped down in it and started laughing. They were having so much fun! By the time they were done Carter had a soggy, dripping diaper hanging down to his knees and Cooper was soaked all the way through. But oh well, Who needs a swimming pool and swimming shorts anyway?