New Year's Eve 2013

We know this will make everyone jealous of our fancy life, but this is how New Year's Eve was spent this year,  An easy going dinner out, a trip to Bass Pro Shop to look around and ride on the glass elevator and a movie on the couch.  It was a great night!

 

Big Decision

December 29th was the start of a big change in the house.  Scott and I decided it was time for Carter to ditch his binky.  The last visit to the dentist was the tipping point.  He said Carter's teeth were getting pushed out a little from having it in his mouth so often.  We decided the longer we waited the harder it would get.  We had three binkies in the house so we did three consecutive nights of the binky fairy coming to visit.  The binky fairy would take his binky and leave a toy in its place.  We talked it up big and Carter was on board with it.  We waited until after Christmas but while Scott was still home with Carter on break in case it didn't go well.

 

 

 

 

 

The first two nights went great.  There were no questions asked...because he still had a binky in his mouth for bedtime.  On the third night, Scott and I figured we wouldn't get much sleep.  When we went to bed that night, we put the last binky in the dragon.  Carter had a small breakdown and looked at Scott and I and said, "just one more".  It was heart breaking, but we decided if we gave in, we would have to start all over.  So, we made him put it in the dragon and headed to bed.  He cried a little, but nothing like what we thought would happen.  He woke up the next morning, asked for it a few times, but hasn't looked back since.  The blanket and lion are still a necessity and he can have those until he graduates high school if he wants. :)

 

We are binky free in our house and Carter did GREAT giving it up.  We should have known with the kid takes so much in stride and just keeps going.  He rarely has a fit over things we tell him he can't have. 

A Cut Above

Scott took Carter to get his hair cut at Floyd's during break while I was at work.  This is what I saw when I came home. 

 

Yes, that's right, blue hair.  Carter was so excited to show me.  The lady that cut his hair had it in her hair and he told her he wanted some too.  Although I knew Scott wouldn't get his hair colored blue, I was relieved to find out it was a gel that just washes out.  Hopefully this is just a phase. :)

Snow Much Fun

Now that Carter is getting older, he wants to help with everything.  Snow shoveling is no exception.  He "helped" Scott shovel the snow off the driveway and then got a little sledding in too.  Our driveway has just enough slope to it for sledding.  It is the perfect slope for Carter.  We just have to make sure one of us is at the bottom of the driveway, so there isn't any sledding in to traffic.  Carter loved every part of it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quite the Display

During Christmas we were tipped off by Aunt Ellen and Aunt Sally about a house in Englewood that does an extravagant display at Christmas.  One night when after we all met for some St. Louis style pizza, we headed over to check it out.  It was quite a sight and Carter was in awe.  They had a train that ran around it and a tree with about 75K lights on it set to music and that was just two of the items.  It was pretty impressive.  This picture and sideways video don't do it justice.

 

We also drove by the city and county building while we were out looking at lights.  The snow definitely added to the experience.

 

 



Sweet Memories

The day after Christmas, Scott, Sarah, Stephen and Liana went snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain Park.  Carter, Grandma Ann and I stayed home.  I wanted to be home, since I had the day off and Carter got to have fun with Grandma Ann.

We bought a gingerbread train for Carter and Grandma Ann to make and he loved it.  He also loved eating the candy that was supposed to go on the train. 

 

 

 

 

Love these faces.

 

The finished product (with bad lighting).  Notice the missing wheel off of the engine.  "Someone" took a bite out of it.  :)

 

 



Christmas Dinner 2013

It worked out great this year to do Christmas at our house.  It is easier for Carter, and us, to be able to be home and be comfortable, than fighting crowds at a restaurant.  Carter's attention span is only so long right now.  :)  He does great, but being at home is much easier.    We had everyone over to the house for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Some joined us for a tamale dinner on Christmas Eve and then we had great food made by everyone on Christmas Day.  It was a wonderful day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post Christmas Fun.  Carter was exhausted.

 

Christmas Morning 2013

We were in Denver for Christmas this year.  It was a Troy year and Grandma Ann decided to head to Denver for the for holiday.

We woke up Christmas morning and opened the first round of gifts.  It was great to get to be at home, hang out in our pajamas and take it easy.  Carter loaded up again this year and received lots of wonderful things.  Everyone knows him very well.

 

 

Eddie and Carter were both excited for their stockings.

 

 

 

 



Naughty or Nice?

 

He's Making a List...

Our Santa visit this year took us to Bass Pro again.  We planned a little better this year, after it not working out as planned last year.  We sent Scott early to get us a pass and then Carter and I came later.    Even with the pass it was a fair amount of time standing in line, so it was good they had other things to do.

What says Santa's Wonderland and Merry Christmas like shooting a gun and working on your target practice.

 

 

They had remote control NASCARs and a train you could drive.

 

 

 

A carousel.

 

 

 

And, the whole reason we went...Santa Claus himself.  Carter was a little nervous when we first walked up but warmed up to Santa and quickly told him he wanted a blue car for Christmas.