Karson turns 2!

Our little guy turned 2 on May 24th! I can't believe it has been two years since we were driving back and forth to the hospital to visit him in the NICU for almost a week. We are so blessed to have Karson in our family.  He is such a good little boy that is so sweet and mild mannered.  He likes to cuddle and still be held (which we can do since he is not much over 20 1bs.)  He is a mamma's boy that is turning into a daddy's boy.  He loves Karlee (Kar Kar) and wants to do everything that she does. He is starting to talk a lot more and put words together.  He is an excellent sleeper at night and for naps! He loves to eat and anything that is sweet (he says MMM) is his favorite.  Sometimes I still think of him as a baby but in only 2 months he will be a big brother.  We just love our Karson!!

We had a train birthday party for him the Sunday before his birthday since Aubrey was still in town.  How cute is this invite my friend made?

Aubrey and I made this train banner.

We tried making train tracks on the table cloth and made the little bowls of food into trains.

We had train cupcakes!

This is the picture of the guest (minus Alec)! You can see how much they wanted their picture taken:) I didn't even try for anything better.

We sang to Karson and he blew out the 2 candles.  We practiced earlier so he actually knew what to do. It was cute!

We didn't do much on his real birthday but he got to open more presents from grandparents,Ashley and us. 

Karlee wanted to help because it has been so hard that her birthday comes last of everyone in our family.

Most of his gifts were train stuff. He got this table, lots of tracks, and several trains to play with.

He loves the trains but his favorite gift is this toy vacuum!  He loves the real vacuum and wants to use it all the time.  He usually cries when we turn it off so this was the perfect gift for him:)

I would say for someone that didn't even know he was having a birthday Karson is one spoiled little boy.

Dance Recital

Karlee also finished her first year of dance last week.  Since she had a big recital in December they just did a little performance for the parents and showed off all the things they have been learning for the last few months.  It was great because she still got to go on stage but I didn't have to buy an overpriced costume that she would wear once. 

Karlee has loved going to dance because she gets to take with two of her friends, Addy and Hailey. We started carpooling and she really loved when one of their moms picked her up and she got to ride with her friends to dance.

The three girls were in a beginner ballet/tap class in January and they were doing so well that the teacher moved them to the intermediate class a couple months later.  That class didn't have as many kids but they have loved it.  They got to do more bar work and learn some technique. Dance has been such a fun thing for Karlee to look forward to once a week. 

Karlee graduates!

Ha ha, not really! She just finished 3 year old preschool on Monday.  The last day was at my house so I tried to make it feel like a little graduation.  They didn't really get it because they don't know what graduation caps or diplomas are but they still had fun. Karlee has loved doing preschool this year and going to her friend's houses each week.  Now she is all ready for 4 year old preschool:)

Aubrey made these cute graduation treats for them. They didn't turn out like we wanted because the chocolate was melting and the cookies were sticking together but the kids didn't complain.

SeaWorld 2012

My friend Meesha went to SeaWorld a little while ago and came back and said how much fun they had. We decided it would be fun for us to take a little family vacation before the baby comes and drive to San Diego for a couple of days. We made the plans and then Aubrey decided to join us.  We got to go to SeaWorld two days and we had a great time.  We went last Thursday and Friday.  Thursday was not busy at all so it was nice walking around and having hardly any lines. The weather was really nice too which is always good. Here are a ton of pictures from the trip.

at the Shamu show

the Shamu show was really cool so we went both days

a sea lion

They had a little area called Sesame Street Bay of Play.  This was Karlee's favorite place to hang out.  There were a few rides and other fun things for kids to do.

Abby's Sea Star Spin

There was a little play area for Karson that he loved.

Karson wasn't sure about Elmo's Flying Fish but I think he liked it.

We got to see dolphins up close.

Karson didn't nap the first day but the second day he was so tired he just fell alseep walking in the stroller.

Blue Horizon Show with dolphins and birds

The kids got to see Elmo and Cookie Monster

Karson cooling off and getting wet



We had plans to stay another day and go to the beach but the temperature was only supposed to be high 60's.  We decided to just stop at the beach on our way home since 60's is not laying out weather.  Karson was a little nervous with the sand and cold water but then he cried when we had to leave. 

Karlee wanted to stay and play in the sand but we only stayed about 15 minutes because we had a long drive home. I'm so glad we had a chance to go.  It is always nice to get away for a few days and just enjoy each other and not think about everyday life.

Jeff's Birthday

Jeff"s birthday was on Friday.  I think he had as good a day as you can when you are turning 32. He went to work.  Then he came home and played with the kids and got to open a few presents.

The kids and I sang Happy Birthday and had a birthday treat.

Our great friends from Utah were in town celebrating their anniversary so we got to go to dinner with them that night. Thanks to our other friends, the Rose's, we got to go without kids!  Jeff and Nick have known each other since they were little and Lindsi and I were roommates here in Vegas before I got married. So fun to see them!

My Golden Birthday!

I had my golden birthday on Monday...turned 30 on April 30th! I can't believe I'm so old?:) A few days before my birthday I told Karlee I was going to be 30 and it was so old. The night before I told her I only had one more day to be young and I was going to look so much older in the morning. She then asked, does that mean we can start parking in the front spots at Wal-Mart?? LOL! I had a good laugh and told her that mommy wasn't going to be any different the next day. I did feel better when my almost 78 year old grandma called to wish me a happy birthday and asked how old I was. When I said 30 she said is that ALL? I guess to some 30 is young! :)

I had a wonderful birthday and was spoiled completely! Jeff got up super early and decorated the house with fun 30 stuff that Aubrey had sent.  I got packages in the mail from family, treats and flowers from friends, lots of cards, and many birthday wishes throughout the day! What more could I ask for?

My mom sent this silly but cute flower arrangement that is suppose to look like me!

Jeff gave me a certificate to get my nails done at christmas and I hadn't used it yet so Karlee and I went for pedicures in the afternoon. It was her first time and she loved it!

Aubrey made this cute 30th birthday banner.

Karson celebrating mommy's birthday!

For dinner we went to Chili's for some yummy food and free birthday dessert.

It was a great birthday and we are just starting birthday season at our house. Jeff's is in two days, followed by Karson's in a few weeks and then Karlee's a few weeks later. Then only a short time after that we will have new birthday in the family! Jeff's mom actually sent a really cute card from the baby. One of the lines said, I'll be at your next party so have no fear cause this time next year I'll be out of here! All I can say is thank goodness:)