Wow!! Where did July go???

Hello again!! Sorry it's been so long! I can't believe it's AUGUST already! We are officially in Utah now! Our first blog entry since the big move into our new house. We are really loving it. We've had the few oddities, like our air-conditioning not working... but really it's been wonderful. We are LOVING having our friends so close, and have been really lucky to have my Mom here for almost a month! She was here helping me out and then went to the genealogy workshop at BYU. Luckily I was able to get her to take some pics for me, as my camera battery is dead. So here's a few pics, and a promise.. I will get a new battery and get back to BLOGGIN!!!

Let's start at the beginning... here's the parade in Molalla. It's a MUST SEE event, every year!!! Here's Dalton, Harris, Logan and Ben mugging for the camera.

Here's the kids with their new friend Holly. She's such a nice little girl, and she's right next door! It's great to have such nice neighbors. We are loving it!

Next was Aunt Kim and Uncle Jared coming to visit. We got to hang out with them, it made us realize how much we miss them! Here's their cute family, and Jennie and Jack feeding Everett...

Grandpa Carter came and we had BOTH grandpas here for a day! Grandpa Harris taught us this new game, kinda like horseshoes, but better!

Last but not least, we got a new puppy! Steven and his fiance Rachel had a gorgeous little min pin that they weren't able to keep once they move into their new apartment. We adopted him, and he's doing great! The kids just love him, and so do we!!! Jack's a bit jealous, so we took him for a ride at Toys R Us to compensate...

We hope this helps you feel like you were here... we sure wish you were! Come and see us! We finally have room!! :)

I'm Batman....

Jack was awfully excited this evening when I cracked out the Batman PJs. He could hardly contain himself...






Here's Jack trying out his cape...




It was especially funny to David and I because Harris was SO obsessed with HIS Batman PJs. The funniest part of Harris's obsession is that he wore those pajamas from the time he was 3 (when they officially fit) until last spring (when they were no longer even remotely appropriate). They were Daisy Dukes by the end, but he loved them just the same...




I tried to find one of him when he was older, but came up short... I will keep looking!

Father's Day

What a weekend! We had Grandma and Grandpa Carter here, as well as Uncle Tony, Aunt Rachelle and their kids! They even brought Spencer! We had a blast!

Saturday we went to the park in Eagle that has plenty of water!

That night we had dinner at Aunt Kim's and just got to hang out with family. We have missed doing that!

Father's Day was filled with Daddy's pasta and more family fun! The boys got sleepy evidently...

The end of the broken nose era?

Here's Riley moments after Jack kicked the cast off of her nose. It was only a little thing being held on by tape, so it wasn't too hard to get off unfortunatly. Anyway, once it fell off we were THRILLED to see the results that we didn't think we'd see until Tuesday. It looks AWESOME!

She was off like a flash into the bath as soon as these were taken. She hadn't been able to since the surgery and was so excited to get to relax in the tub!

Kasey and Courtney come to PLAY!!!!

I sure miss my family. Something as normal as going to the mall became a treasured time when Court and Kasey came to hang out and watch the kids. They were able to come a day early so I could hang and shop with them before David and I left to finalize our new home plans. Thanks for coming guys! I love and miss you!!

Kasey and "our" dogs. We fell in love with these Italian Greyhounds at the pet store and had a hard time leaving. Aren't they CUTE???

Here' s Court and the pups!

I think playing with puppies is about the healthiest thing you can do! OWNING them is another story... but playing with them sure makes you smile!!

Kasey and the kids at the park.

Court and Jack. SO cute!!!

Riley does it again

What a brave girl we have here! She went through surgery for the broken nose today. Ugh. I think it was harder on Mom and Dad. She hasn't even asked for Motrin today! She is such a tough little thing! Let's hope this is the last test of her "tough-ness" for a while!! Here are some pics, I will post more when the cast comes off!

In the waiting room at the surgery center with the dog her teacher Miss McMillan gave her!

In the hospital bed, waiting to be taken back. Again with the dog... getting the feeling she likes it?

Right after we got home. Poor little thing. She looks great so far, just the faintest of black eyes.

Welcome Home Carters!!

So here's the new abode! We will be moving in on the 10th of July! It's in Cedar Hills Ut, on the golf course... hear that Todd and Dad??? Come visit!! Here are some pics! Chek out the HUGE park that is literally across the street!

Poor Riley!

Idaho has not been kind to Poor Riley. I got a call today (of course during Jack's nap) that she and a boy collided on the playground at recess and that Riley had broken her nose!!! First stitches, now this! Ugh. She was SO brave! By the time I got there she had stopped crying, stopped bleeding, and was thinking it was pretty cool that she would get to go to the ER. Can you believe her? We'll see how brave she is after we have to set it back into place on Thursday.

Riley as I picked her up from school...

And bedtime... we'll post more as it blackens...

Dad takes Riley and Harris to the ZOO!!

Dad was a great sport this weekend! It was a special weekend at the Boise Zoo! Dora the Explorer was there, along with all sorts of cool things! What a party!!

The kids were a bit afraid of Momma

goose! But. the fear was worth it! Look

at those CUTE little goslings!

The kids on their paddle boat adventure!

Riley loves dolphins! Just like Aunt Patti!

Harris is more of a tattoo fan... not face

painting!

Harris is putting out the fires! There

were firemen were there letting kids

use the little hoses to put out tiny fires!

David isn't the biggest fan of this picture,

but I love it. It reminds me of what an

awesome Dad he is. We're so lucky!!

Grandma Molalla comes to visit!

Harris is such a good brother! He "helps" Jack with all sorts of things.

My mom got to come and hang out with us a few days back. She got to come and hang with us for no reason! No surgeries, or bedrests, or major life changing things, just to spend time. It was great. As always it goes too fast, but she got to watch Jack open his birthday present from her which was fun. Does that kid's birthday ever end?

Easter

Easter was great this year. We were able to go to Utah and spend it with some of our favorite people! We went to Provo and got to stay with Michael and Karla and family. We are SOOO looking forward to being near them! We spent Easter Eve day with The Wakefields and The Hughes families and got to re-start a tradition from Oregon. We had an "egg" hunt for the kids. (This actually entails throwing candy on the grass at a park). We sat around laughing and eating our kid's treasures while the kids played. At one point it hit me how lucky we are to have friends who feel like you've known them for your whole life. It couldn't have been more perfect. Easter day itself was (as seen above) rowdy. Jack is a terrorizer who doesn't believe in sitting still. Those pictures were an attempt at a cute sibling picture, but ended up being more of a sibling wrestling match. Still cute though!

The trip to Utah was also all about finding our new home. It was rough going until Kasey, Karla and I "broke" into a home that I think might be the one! It's SO great! We'll keep you updated on the house hunt!

Jack's Birthday continues...

Since Jack's party was in Oregon, we left his "BIG" present from Mom and Dad here at home. He got to open it when we got home. He LOVES it! A John Deere pedal tractor! He hasn't quite figured out the pedal part, but he loves it anyway. Harris was anxious to "help". Mostly he wanted to get his turn! He's been SUCH a good big brother recently. David and I think he even likes Jack now! :)