Handcrafted

Carter decided to take Grandpa Joe to Home Depot, before we started the drive home, to show him how to do the workshops.  Carter and Grandpa Joe got to build a tool box together.

Grandpa Joe looks a little concerned about Carter's hammering abilities and his fingers being in range.

 

Things got better though and a toolbox was completed.

 

 

 

 

Blades of Glory

Since we were already at Crown Center, we took a few minutes to let Audrey, Ella and Carter do some ice skating before lunch.  And by some, I mean about 5-10 minutes for Carter.  He didn't like that he couldn't really control his feet.  Audrey and Ella lasted a little longer. :)

 

 

 

Seeing how cute he was in the skates though...worth the 5-10 minutes of skating.

 

 

Kansas City Aquarium

Kansas City has a new aquarium that recently opened at Crown Center.  We thought we would check it out while we were home for Thanksgiving.  It isn't huge by any means, but was a good size for Carter.  He had fun checking out all the different kinds of animals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas in the Park

Longview Lake in Kansas City does this great moving light display every year called Christmas in the Park.  I remember going when I was little, and we thought Carter would love it.  We had planned to take him to the Plaza lights Thanksgiving night, but we decided it was a little too cold for him and maybe it would better another year.  Since we couldn't do that, we headed to Longview.  It isn't very close or on the way home from Great Grandma Helen's house, but it was worth it to see this look on Carter's face.  He loved checking out all the lights.  It is a display that you drive through.  They have a ton of moving light displays.  This one in the picture had snowmen that took their hats on and off.  They also had planes that move across, skiers and lots of other things.  It was a great memory I had when I was little and now with Carter too.

 



New Ride

One of the other Christmas gifts Carter got to open while we were in Kansas City for Thanksgiving was from the whole Soltis side of the family.  It was pretty chilly while we were there, so Carter got all bundled up to go outside for a little bit.  By the way, this is the smile you still get lately, when you ask him to smile for a picture.

When he walked outside, his present from everyone was waiting.  Grandma Bonnie thought it would be better to give it to him early because we could take it back with us in the car.  He walked out, saw it and got really excited about it.  When it started moving though (it's motorized), he wasn't so sure.  After a little coaxing though, he was back on it and trying to run over Audrey. :)  He loves it and loves that it looks just like Great Grandma Helen's.

 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving 2013

Thanksgiving was wonderful this year.  The food was excellent, as always, but the company was better.  Not only did we get to see the Kansas City crowd again, but the Berners came in town for Thanksgiving too.  So, Carter was able to get in lots of great cousin time with Audrey and Ella.

 

 

Carter got to open some presents while we were in Kansas City, since we wouldn't be there at Christmas.  He opened his gifts from the Berners.  One of his favorites was a snowman that you made and then he melted.  You could do it over and over again.  He loved it.

And, was very proud of it.

Hoop Dreams

We were in Kansas City for Thanksgiving this year.  We drove over on Wednesday, but stopped halfway through for a break and some lunch in Hays.  We went to McDonalds because it had a Play Place.  Carter wasn't nearly as interested in climbing on the toys as he was playing basketball with the big kids.  These kids were SO good to let him play with them.

 

Battle Day

Twice during the football season the Chiefs and the Broncos play.  Carter's wardrobe is dependent on who the home team is for the game.  Although Carter woke up requesting his Chiefs sweatshirt...

he changed later to support the home team, which was the Broncos on this day.  Scott was all decked out too because he had friends in town to all go to the game.

Fall Fun

One afternoon while Scott was working on some work stuff, Carter and I headed outside.  I decided we could mix work and fun.  Carter helped me rake the leaves up and then he got to jump in them as much as he wanted.

 

 

 

4-Wheeler Fix

More evidence of the previous post's comment.

 

Carter got his 4-wheeler fix in again when we headed up to the farm while home.  He got to ride with grandpa, mom and dad, and...

 

 

even Great Grandma Helen!  Who would guess she is 92!  Carter showed her how everything works, now that he likes to push the button and give it gas himself.

 

 

 

We always love getting to spend time with family when we are in Kansas City.  Apparently getting a picture with Grandma Bonnie is tough though. :)

 

 

 

 

After the long weekend in Kansas City, we caught our flight to head back home.

 

 

 



Love This

Love going home, sitting in the family room and watching this out the front door.  I probably have a ton of pictures like this, but I can't resist.  Carter always wants to be wherever his Grandpas (Joe or Tom) are.