Disneyland!!!

We finally got Disneyland annual passes again and took the kids for the very first time on Sunday. Dave and I love Disneyland and have so many fun memories there since we have had annual passes for many years but the last time we went was on our anniversary in 2010, so almost exactly 2 years ago. I felt a little nervous about the day and wondered how it would go. It was absolutely perfect! It was raining when we arrived which was a bummer but as soon as we got to the entrance it stopped and didn't rain at all until we got in the car to leave that night! Our original plan was to go early and come home after lunch so the boys could nap in the car but after Pirates of the Carribean (yes, I took my 2 month old baby on it despite feeling a bit anxious about it. He snuggled up against me in the baby carrier and slept through the whole thing so whew!)... after the ride both boys fell asleep immediately so Carter napped in the stroller while we ate a very leisurely lunch and when he woke up, he was ready to explore some more so we ended up staying till 6pm. (I don't think I have ever in my life been that exhausted!)

Carter loved Disneyland but did NOT love the characters. He was fine when viewing them from a distance but did not want them to touch him (You will see his reaction when Donald Duck touched his hand!) Dave took Carter on the Roger Rabbit ride and we did a few rides in Bugs Land. We ate a lot (at least Dave and I did!) and walked around both parks. I took Carter into Mickey's house, which he liked but I think he was a little nervous to be around so many people. I think his absolute favorite was the animation room in California Adventure. They have different containers with cartoon pictures that you can spin and watch them animate (kind of like a flip book.) He was in heaven!

Aimee and Torrey met us there to help wrangle our little monkeys and Archer loved being carried and snuggled all day instead of sitting alone in the stroller. As we left, we shared a cup of hot cocoa or as Carter likes to call it "coffee." He took a big swallow and shouted DEEEEWICIOUS. What a way to end a perfect day. When we got home I was so tired and I thought for sure that Archer would be up all night since he slept most of the day but to my surprise we both fell asleep at 8:30PM and didnt wake up till 1:45AM. It was glorious!

I can't get enough of the picture below. I laugh every time I look at it!

So apparently when there isn't a mirror around, Carter likes to have heated conversations with his shadow:

It's days like yesterday that make me realize how much I adore my family and how wonderful my life really is and how much I have to be thankful for.

The Rants and Ramblings of a 2 Year Old

Anyone care to interpret this for us??

Archer Dancing

Archer likes the new Cursive song as much as we do!

Carter or Archer?

At first I didn't think the boys looked alike but Archer is looking more and more like Carter each day. Below is a picture of Carter at 4 months old and Archer at 6 weeks. What do you think? Can you tell who is who?

Merry Christmas!

It's a wonderful  life and this was a wonderful Christmas. After enduring two pretty miserable Christmas seasons in a row, this year turned out to be pretty amazing. We have two healthy kids and an absolutely wonderful home that was decorated and cozy and Christmasy and perfect all month long. I had been reading books to Carter for a month on Christmas and Santa to see if he could actually understand the concept this year and we were nervous for how he would react Christmas morning. He is not a fan of opening presents at all but this year proved to be a success as every gift we helped him open was followed by an enthusiastic "Oooohhhh!" Dave and I really felt the spirit of Christmas this year as we hung out all morning in our pajamas as a family and relaxed, opened presents, and ate breakfast (french toast, eggs, and bacon--Carter's favorite!) A special thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Cushman for the "big present" this year--Carter got a Jeep Powerwheels. It is the most awesome thing ever and I totally wish I had a real one! Santa also brought Carter a remote control helicopter that he is fascinated with and although he is much too little to control it on his own, he loves watching his daddy fly it around. My house is FULL of toys and my children are so spoiled by their friends and family members! Merry Christmas and thanks to everyone for making this one so great!

Two Years

Dear Grayson,
Two years ago we said goodbye. I think about you every day. We have a big picture of you on the wall in our new house and every time Carter goes up and down the stairs we ask him, "Who is that?" and he says, "Grayson!" I love that he can recognize your face but my heart breaks knowing that he will never remember you. Today we decorated your grave for Christmas. Your daddy held Carter in his arms and we both wondered what life would be like if you were still here. I wonder if Carter would be a different person somehow if he had you in his daily life. I wonder what you would look like at 2 years old. Your little brother Archer is one month old now. Sometimes he makes faces that look just like you. He has that sweet little crease under his lower lip that you have too. Today I realized that Archer is now older than you will ever be. But remember, he is still your little brother. I love you Grayson, more and more each day. Having another baby brought back a lot of memories of you and it has been hard on me lately. It's almost Christmastime but somehow the month of December just isn't the same. I still feel like a piece of me is gone at this time each year. But don't worry--I know you are still with me. I know I will always and forever be your mommy.

Family Time

I love my family! Yesterday we got to spend all day together... we layed around, watched football, went to the Christmas tree farm and cut down our tree, and then listened to Christmas music as we decorated. I LOVE my sweet husband for not only tolerating the Christmas music but for actually helping me decorate this year. (Although he still says he will not put lights up outside--but I am determined to change his mind!) Carter loved the Christmas tree farm--it was extremely hard to keep up with him as he ran inbetween all the trees. He was given free chocolate and a candy cane--both of which he devoured very happily. Archer wasn't too thrilled and just slept the entire time (although he had many adoring fans ooing and ahhing over him.) I felt a little guilty when people asked how old he was and I said "Two weeks." Is it bad to have a two week old baby out and about? Oh well. At least it was fresh air and not a mall! Both boys fell asleep on the way home, much to our delight! As much as I love my boys, if I can synch nap time to be at the same time, I am in heaven!

Carter loves to sing with Dave--I wish he was singing more in this video but you can get the idea:


The coolest swing ever--thanks Grandma and Grandpa Hill!