BIRTHDAY FUN PART II

Pinata fun...each kid loaded up a leg of candy....it was so so funny!
Here's the party in full effect. We are a WILD bunch!
I forgot to take a photo of Carter's cake. I think that's a cardinal sin!
The birthday boy right after opening his gifts. Cole, of course showed Carter how to play with all his toys.
Carter is quite proud of himself!

A BIRTHDAY PARTY

I'm still trying to wrap my arms around the idea that Carter is 1. One year old. It doesn't seem possible. He's not walking yet. He takes steps...but I'm not in a huge rush for him to walk. I'm trying to savor these last moments with him as a "baby" before he turns into a little boy.

Birthday morning. Opening Aunt Anne's card.

Here he is with Grandma LeeAnn's and Grandpa Gil's card and Aunt Anne's. He was very serious and looked them over thoroughly.
The two boys. Cole 4 3/4 and Carter 1
Daddy is home from work (he worked a night shift) and Cole is very excited to "help" Carter open his gifts.
This is at the party....Carter enjoying his cake!
Mm.....
Yummy
He figured out how to use his spoon...with his LEFT HAND. We'll see how that goes....

Pinata time. This was a blast...
Cole then wore the pinata
He really did....
Carter with his push toy from Uncle Ryan and Aunt Melanie.
I"ll post some more photos this afternoon.

A YEAR OF CARTER

AND THEN HE WAS 1 YEAR OLD

MONDAY FUN

So in an attempt to regain some normalcy after last week....Cole and I decided to make some cookies. This was my first attempt at "no bake" cookies. I think we need to stir them a little more on the stove. The sugar didn't dissolve all the way and they are a little grainy....but we had a good time. I suppose it's time we look into purchasing new pots....I'm almost too embarrassed to post the pictures because they are so scratched....but we have used them alot so I guess that's not all bad. Cole stirring the chocolate chips and oats. I'm suprised we had enough for the recipe between him and I snacking on the ingredients. Chocolate chips are just so good! Cole has my sweet tooth that's for sure!
Notice...the swim shorts....we had a FULL day of fun.
Here's the butter, milk, and sugar...coming to a "rolling boil" I don't think I let it "roll" long enough. Hence the grainy cookies.
Cole pouring in the oats. I measured for him and he poured. It was a great time and between the two of us...the cookies will be eaten...Chris will just remind me that they are grainy....he's such a stinker....but that's OK! We have a good time!

KICK OUT THE JAMS

WE BE JAMMIN' PART 1

Here are some pictures from Youth Jam. This is what has consumed me for 2 weeks. In all reality it takes 6 months of planning to make this event happen but the last 2 weeks before the event is really "crunch time". I had 14 different art activities and this is the Graffiti City. Ryan (Chris' brother) set it up along with Matthew (my cousin) and they did a fantastic job.

This is Mask Mania. Aunt Wendy's tent. YJ is truly a family event!
Here is Trudy, YJ extraordinaire and Whitney my trusty side-kick and Carter. It was a very cold day on day 3. I got to the river at 8:30 a.m. and nearly froze until 3 pm. It was around 60 degrees all day. I spent most of the day in 2 sweatshirts. Very chilly. My art tent leader requested Youth Jam (YJ) sweatshirts for next year. Ha!
This is Trudo and Aunt Wendy. They just bonked heads.
Here is Cole painting his beads. Sadie is holding Carter.
Cole at the Sailboat Regatta
Making his sailboat....
This is Junk Jam. It's 6 frames of wood that various pieces of junk hang off of. The kids then bang on all the old car parts and plastic bins to create percussion and beautiful noise. One of the big favorites at Youth Jam.

Cole and Chris. Cole has a tennis racket in his hand. I pretty much go to the Goodwill and pick up as much random stuff that 30$ will buy. By the 3rd day most of the stuff is destroyed. The kids really go crazy banging on the junk.
Chris and Carter. Chris bundled the kids up and it was a little warmer when they arrived....but it was still chilly.
Sadie hanging out.
Chris and Cole at The Ocean
Cole painting his ocean creature to put in The Ocean
Holding his sailboat
Uncle Dave and Aunt Madie hula hoopin' at the hula hoop yard.
National Guard climbing wall
This is 5 am. The LDS missionaries help us set up the event every year. Here we are at the Colonial Theater we were loaded up the Uhaul. All my art supplies including the Junk Jam, festival tents, and cinder blocks to hold down the tents are in the basement below the theater stage. It's ALOT of work to get everything upstairs for the event and then to my delight...we put it all back when we tear down......
We have live entertainment on the greenbelt. Here are some performers. This gal in the pink was so very good and so very cute.
Shaun and Ryan taking a break Day 1.

WE BE JAMMIN' PART II

Oh......the festival is over. I am soo glad! Here are some more pictures from the festival.

Graffiti City. Ryan was the Tent Leader here along with my cousin Matt.
Cole is painting his name in black. Look closely you can see C-O-L...
Me helping Cole.
Ryan in the background in his YJ shirt and Matt with a volunteer giving Cole his paint. He choose black.
The paint covered picnic benches.
Uncle Shaun and Cole. Couldn't do YJ without the Smith boys that's for sure!
Shaun, Cole, in front of Aunt Lisa's tent (it's a family affair!) with Sadie, Whitney, Chris and Carter (in the stroller)
Cole at Unbeatable Beads.
Cole at the Xtreme Xylophone. This is layered with a few inches of paint...so the kids paint and then play it then paint it and then play it.....
Hm...where should I go next?
Grandpa Drew in the background...Cole working out his rhythm's on the xylophone.
Dad and Carter.
Carter. Almost 1
Cole again at the xylophone. He loved it!