What We've Been Up To

The last few days we've been getting lots of snow. Ashlyn went out for about 1 minute today to play in it. It was a little too deep for her.

Carter is growing like a weed. He is a happy boy and we love his smiles!

Last Thursday we went to Gardner Village with Tiffany and Kyle to see the elves. It was not nearly as crowded as our October visit and the kids had fun sitting on rocks, 

and watching the ducks!

Carter spent the entire trip sleeping in the stroller. What a champ!

I have been back and forth about what to do for Christmas cards. I had a family portrait session scheduled for Tuesday, but we had to cancel it because of the snow, so we don't have the pictures . . . So, I've decided that I am going to email Christmas updates and for those of you who expressed a desire for a family picture, I'll mail some out in January (when we have our picture taken).

We've enjoyed everyone's Christmas cards and we hope you are having a wonderful holiday season!

Christmas Cards

Okay, I have a question for everyone. How do you feel about emailed Christmas cards? I am considering emailing our picture and card this year instead of sending it in the mail. I know some people prefer a tangible card and picture, while maybe others don't care as much. Could you let me know what you think?

Hippopotnus

I was washing the dishes and Ashlyn was playing with this nativity set. I hear her say "baby, horse, sheep, hippopotnus ."  I asked her, "where is the hippopotamus?"

She showed me this:

I said, "oh, that's a cow."

She looked at it again and then said emphatically, "no, hippopotnus."

I just realized that our poor cow is missing an ear. Maybe I shouldn't let Ashlyn play with the nativity any more!

What!?!!

What in the world?!!! How did this happen?

Carter's Blessing

On Sunday November 23, 2008 we blessed our precious little Carter William. My parents traveled out from Georgia to be there with us. We had the blessing at Brad's parents home and it was beautiful!

I made sure that Carter was well fed before the blessing, and he was just as alert and good as could be. 

Ashlyn was not happy about having to pose for pictures when she could've been downstairs playing with her cousins!

Carter showing a little leg

These are all the men who participated in the blessing - Bryon, Brent, Lance, Bishop, Brad's dad, Brad, and my dad.

Grandma and Carter

We ate taco soup, breadsticks, and vegetables after the blessing and later on in the evening we enjoyed some pie (compliments of Heidi).

My two favorite boys!

Brad's parents and us. Our kids are so not into looking at the camera.

Ashlyn was done with pictures.

My parents, Kari and Bryon, Juston and us.

We didn't get pictures of everyone, but Heidi, Marley, Berkley, Allison, Mabel, Will, and Brigg were there as well. Thank you everyone for the food and the support!

Cheney Grandparents' Visit

We enjoyed a visit from my parents and Juston this past week. It was wonderful having them around. Dad had a chance to meet Carter for the first time and I think they liked each other. Ashlyn was in heaven with all the attention! We miss them already!

I think this picture makes Carter look like a little turtle - it must be the lack of teeth. I just love it!

All smiles.

Carter is such a little chunk. It looks like he is busting out of this newborn outfit!

Carter's 2 Month Appointment

We had Carter's 2 month appointment today (a few days early) and he weighed in at 12 pounds 1 ounce and measured 22 inches long. He is developing just great and seems strong and healthy! We love you Carter!

Carter Man

Since I don't want anyone to think that I have a favorite child, I figured I better post some pictures of my Carter Man.

He is a wonderful sleeper, a wonderful eater, but quite fussy when he isn't being held. He did not want to be put down. Is it bad that I find this picture cute?

These pictures were taken Sunday morning before we went to church. I am looking forward to January when we have 11am church instead of 9am! In these shots I think Carter looks like my brother Bryon did in his baby pictures. 

Carter is growing quite well. When I went to my midwife at 6 weeks, she weighed him and he was 11 pounds 12 ounces! We'll see what he's at next week at his 2 month appointment. 

George

Recently Ashlyn has become quite scared of the dark. She likes to have the light on in her room when she goes to bed at night. Well, we are trying to help her feel comfortable without the light on, so we bought the Curious George stuffed animal to keep her company. She loves, loves, loves her "George." 

Here is a picture of her giving him a kiss on the head. We kiss heads a lot in our house.

Today I put my wrap on to carry Carter around, and Ashlyn wanted a wrap too. Brad tied her jacket around her and helped her put George in it. She really enjoyed carrying around her baby.

First Snow of the Season

Wednesday was the first snow of the season for us. It had all melted by the end of the day, but Ashlyn got to enjoy it a little bit first. 

Peeking out the window

The view from our front door

Heading out to play

Posing

Ashlyn played outside in the snow for about 20 minutes all by herself. She just loved it! I kept on asking her "are you cold?" and she would say "I okay mom." I couldn't believe she lasted so long!

Funny Girl

We sure love Ashlyn. She continues to be a great big sister and is really quite helpful and obedient. We are trying really hard to give her plenty of attention so that she doesn't feel neglected and I think she is adjusting quite well (knock on wood).

She can sleep almost anywhere. Yesterday afternoon she fell asleep in her brother's portable swing. She had even turned it on, so she was swinging back and forth.

This afternoon I decided to take a quick shower while Carter was sleeping in the swing and Ashlyn was eating lunch. As I stepped out of the shower, Ashlyn came into the bathroom and said, "Carter crying. Where firework go?" I responded, "it's in the crib," and she promptly ran to get the pacifier. She had it in her hand, but then got distracted by some diapers and didn't make it back to the swing to console her crying brother. When I went to get him, I noticed that he had lasagna (Ashlyn's lunch) fingerprints on his clothes and face. Hmmm. . .  I wonder why he was crying . . . 

Also today, Ashlyn was playing with some wooden dolls. I heard her singing her version of "I love to see the temple" and saying "knock or treat" over and over. So precious!

Goodbye Halloween

Ashlyn really enjoyed her third halloween. This was the first year that she went trick-or-treating and she loves all the candy. She went at Brad's work as well as to a few houses in our neighborhood. We laughed really hard when she would say "trick or treeky." The highlight of the evening for her was handing out candy to the "kids" who came to our door. She was actually pretty good at it!

Our little chicken turned into a witch.

Ashlyn and Carter are all ready for tonights football game in their Cougar blue.

Our two favorite boys! Carter is turning into a little chunk, isn't he?

The Tire Swing

Yesterday we met Kyle and Tiffany at the Discovery Park. It is a really fun place for the kids to play and a really easy place to lose track of your children. Ashlyn and Kyle spent a little bit of time spinning and swinging on the tire swing. These pictures aren't the greatest (it was hard to get a good shot), but I still think they're cute. 

I would love to have a tire swing in our backyard, but I don't think we have a place to put it. They're so fun!

On Wednesday Ashlyn tripped on her pants (they were a little too bit) and fell on her face. So, her nose is all scratched up and she has a good sized goose egg on her forehead. 

The Fall Social

Tonight was our ward fall social. Ashlyn was very excited to wear her chicken costume and she also wanted to wear Carter's pumpkin costume (I don't think it would've fit). Ashlyn played Bingo, Go Fish, Beanbag toss and did some dancing too. She loved getting candy and would not let me hold it for her! Carter slept in his dad's arms for the majority of the night. We sure had a fun time with our neighbors!

Here are some cute shots of the kids before the social.

More Pics that Mom Took

Grandma Buttle came over for a visit and Carter was very content in her lap.

Ashlyn loves her hooded towel.

Ashlyn loves her Uncle Bryon. 

Say "cheese."

Carter was not very happy about his first bath.

The longer the bath went on, the less happy he got. 

He was fine when it was over though.

We had Ashlyn try on her Halloween costume for us.