Buddies

This is THE best.

8 Months

At 8 months old, Quinn

• Claps her hands when she's excited
• Has 6 teeth
• Crawls backwards
• Understands baby signs
• Is a champ sleeper
• Loves to play with Carter
• Loves to eat table food! Her favorites include blueberries, bananas, and green beans.

Quinn is such a treat to have in our family.  She's such a happy and calm baby and we love her so!

Training has begun

This boy is pretty serious about his bathtub training.  Watch out Michael Phelps!

First Day of Preschool

Carter has officially started preschool and he loves it!  I was a bit apprehensive when I dropped him off for his first day wondering if he wouldn't want me to leave.  I should have known better!  Once Carter set foot inside he was off, waving and saying "Bye, Mom!!"  He has great teachers and great friends and each day he comes home telling me something new he has learned.  I'm so proud of him and so excited to see him enjoy this next phase in life.

First day snowman craft glued all by himself!

The interview speaks for itself!

Future Fan

15 Degrees

You think he's crying because he doesn't want to go outside in the 15 degree weather.  Nope!  Just mad at mom for making him wear boots and gloves so he doesn't freeze!  I'm convinced Carter is just like his daddy and can't feel the cold.

Cousin Time

Baby Cecilia couldn't be cuter!  We loved getting to see her in person.  These two were instant buddies!

2013 in Review

January: New ward, new house, lots of new friends! C stays in nursery!

February: Survived Nemo, Dershin visits from Taiwan!

March: Swim lessons for C!

April: C turns 2, J turns 29, infamous Boston marathon.

May: Welcome Baby Quinn!

June: Heat wave 1 & 2, survival mode with 2 kids while daddy travels for work.

July: Heat wave 3, 4, 5..., Rockport day trip, Cousin E turns 1, 4th of July swimming fun!

August: Vacation in NH with the Nelson crew, Gpa's 60th birthday, 4th anniversary.

September: Chris turns 34, BF Katie visits from CA, Cousin C is born!

October: Busy!  Trip to UT (with kids!), trip to CA (with kids!), Cougar Capital Reunion, Bruins game, C turns 2.5, Red Sox win the World Series, Halloween!

November: Cooked first Turkey for Thanksgiving, Q cuts first two teeth, Chris begins long term travel....again.

December: Visit with Santa, Boston Pops Holiday Concert, Christmas at home.

Happy New Year!  Here's to 2014!

Happy Traveler

Make Way for Ducklings

Boston Public Garden, Boston, MA

One of Carter's favorite books lately is Make Way for Ducklings, so we thought it would be fun to go see the ducklings in person in their holiday attire.  We braved the cold and strolled through the gardens on Christmas day.  Carter loved saying each duckling's name while trying on their Santa hats and Quinn was pleased to ride along in the stroller.  Chris and I (mostly I) froze but Carter's enthusiasm made it all worth it.

Ho Ho Ho!

Santa came...and it was magical for our little two year old.  For months Carter had been asking for Santa to bring the same 3 items and at last, there they were, under the tree, just as promised.  He was so excited to unwrap each box that he even offered his unwrapping skills to everyone as the packages were passed out.  It took at least two hours to get through the gift opening, not due to the quantity of gifts, but rather because our official gift opener was distracted when each new item appeared.  We took a breakfast break to enjoy cinnamon rolls and then we resumed the gift opening until a few gifts remained for other family members.  Carter wasn't convinced that we should leave the remaining gifts to share with the others, but we worked through it.  Quinn was happy to suck on the torn wrapping paper even though Santa generously provided her with lots of new toys.  Chris made out with new Red Sox and Bruins gear along with several Star Wars lego sets.  I enjoyed my new flannel pjs and lots of fun goodies in my stocking.  All in all, it was a successful Christmas for our little fam of four.