Tailgate pictures

Some cute pics I got from my cousin's blog :) Mommy and Carter
Cousins

Mariners game 9/17/09

My parents took all 3 kids to the Mariners game on Thursday, it was the game that Ichiro hit a walk off double to win the game in the 14th inning! The kids each came away with a baseball, and got spoiled with many treats! I love how my mom, Cristian, and Ava all have the same expression on their faces in this picture :) I think they both have her eyes.

Greatest Upset in Husky History!

Our Husky family :) Very excited for the big game!!
The coaches and players arriving, and Meredith cheering them on!
It's so cool to see her every Saturday down on the field cheering on the Dawgs!
We had one last little birthday celebration for Carter, and the other September birthdays in our family, so I made a cake. Happy Birthday Grandpa, Aunt Denise, Aunt Daria, Dane, Samantha, Abby and Carter :)
The 6 siblings
The huskies lining up to kick what would be the GAME winning field goal with 7 seconds left on the clock! (note all the yellow jacketed security and cops on the field)... it's as if they knew this was about to happen...
This was probably the biggest upset in UW history!!
No, we did not storm the field... but we sure jumped, danced, and screamed at our seats... and took pictures of all the crazy fans :) Some of my cousins were down there SOMEWHERE in the mix though, LOL. Oh, WHAT A GAME!!

Carter's 1st Birthday

Wednesday morning Carter woke up to the fire place mantel all decorated for his special day. Although he doesn't care now, this has become a tradition the kids really look forward to :)
My Birthday boy at 8:24am (the exact minute he turned 1)
playing with his decorations
checking out his presents from Mommy, Daddy, Cristian, and Ava
That night I made Carter a special birthday dinner... some of his favorites: chicken, rice, squash, and green beans.
Carter loves water
My mom made him a yummy peach dessert. Here we are singing happy birthday to him.
diving in...
and he ate it all :)
opening his presents from us
The kids picked out this musical instrument set for him, it has a drum, tambourine, maracas, and a few other things in it.
So excited about his yogurt puffs :)
In his new snow suit
It was so funny watching him walk around with this on... here he is giving me a big hug :)

My Big Walker

I've been meaning to post a video of Carter walking for a couple weeks but just got around to it today! He started taking "steps" about a month ago, and now is walking around the house about 90% of the time (still does the occasional crawl to get something, but I bet by next week he won't be). I can't believe how fast his first year went! And I can't believe I have 3 mobile children now... Carter's seeming less and less like a baby :(

Gymnastics

Ava started another gymnastics class this week on Monday mornings. (she also goes on Thursday's). She is so excited to have her cousin Tori in her class through the end of December!
Lined up to vault
Ava and Tori, what big grins :) They both love gymnastics!

Balloons!

Carter loved playing with his deflated birthday balloons the day after his party! Such FUN!!

Carter's Birthday Party

Sunday we had Carter's birthday party at our house and luckily the weather was really warm, so we got to have an outdoor party :) Thank you everyone who came and helped us celebrate Carter's 1st bday!! Here's my big birthday boy!
Mommy and the bday boy

Guests starting to arrive...
Daddy dishing Carter up. We had noodle bake, salad and bread for dinner.
My friend Stacy and her two kids in line to get dinner
Grandpa feeding Carter one of his favorite dinners
My Blonde cousin-in-laws... Christina, Carly, and Erin.
Two of my really good friends, Alison and Jenn. And I have to mention, Jenn has never missed one of my kids' first birthday parties. She drove all the way to Yakima for Cristian's, came to Ava's, and flew from Texas for Carter's (well, his party wasn't the only reason she came... but still!!)
Twins... Auntie Tricia and Cousin Emily born just hours apart, and will soon be 29 :) Emily and her two girls are in town for the next 4 months while her husband Jason is deployed. (we're so happy to have them here)!
The Grandmas eating dinner
Marcus showing off his muscles! (and Alison's daughter Kaylee in the background)
Carter playing with his balloon boquet
And I'm outta here... (and clapping for himself:)
Time for birthday cake!

(note: I gave him one without blue frosting, it just had his name written across it in red)
Mmmm... this is pretty good
Pretty happy to be eating something this tasty.
It's cupcake time for the kiddos. (I made a German chocolate cake for the adults)
Ava enjoying her cupcake
Cousin Claira in her lion mask
Carter ate the entire cupcake... the first one of my kids to eat bday cake on their First bday!!
He needed a drink of water after all that sweet cake
Happy boy
Covered in cake
Silly baby
The kids running off the sugar :)
Carter opening presents... he got a lot of great toys, outfits, and $$. Thanks everyone!
Carter pulling out tissue paper
looking at one of his new toys
Carter had a lot of helpers. He was more interested in taking his socks and shoes off and playing with the paper
See all my helpers :)
Cousin Cami giving Carter a bday kiss :)