22 Months, WOW!!!

This sweet baby boy of mine turned 22 months old in July. I can't believe how big he has gotten in what feels like just over night. He charms everyone with his smile and high fives. He is starting to say sentences and can carry on little conversations. We've started planning this special guy's 2nd bday, he has picked Buzz Lightyear as his party theme... it all doesn't seem possible. :)

Carter's Favorites:

Color: green

Food: waffles

Toy: any kind of car

Tv show: toss up between Mickey Mouse clubhouse or Bear in the Big Blue House. Although, he doesn't really sit down and watch much tv because he's too busy exploring.

Activity: climbing and pushing buttons (any button will do... remote control, garage door opener, cell phone, dishwasher, etc etc).

Playdate @ Hayden & Peyton's

We had a lunch playdate at our friend's Lana, Hayden, and Peyton's house last week. After we ate lunch, I put Carter down for a nap and he slept for a whopping 3 hours, guess he was tired! I did get one pic of him playing on the big toy before he went down.
Cristian enjoyed swimming
Ava too
He was so excited that he was able to pick up all these dive toys under water in one breath!
Cristian and Hayden, buddies since they went to preschool together at age 3 :)
Hayden, Peyton, and Cristian
Ava, Peyton, Cristian, Hayden, and Elise enjoying their popsicles on the big toy

BBQ w/Friends

The Sunday we got back from the cabin, we went to a friends house for dinner. Another fun, summer evening full of kids laughter, good food, and great company!!
Carter, Ava, and Elise swinging on the swing set
Cristian riding a moped (sp?) up and down the driveway.
Hayden, Peyton, and Cristian swinging across the monkey bars.
Peyton riding a little tricycle :)
Carter going down the slide
I thought this picture was adorable of Charlotte :)
The guys. Obviously it was not planned that they were all wearing navy blue shirts and khaki shorts :) (Scott, Clark, and Kyle holding Carter :)
The girls... Lana, Amanda, and me
The big kids... Peyton, Hayden, Cristian, Ava, and Elise
and the babies... Charlotte and Carter
A rare photo of just Kyle and me :)
Carter taking a turn on the moped
Carter discovered a blueberry bush :)
and enjoyed quite a few :)
Charlotte trying to trade Carter for his popsicle for her empty stick :)
Loungin' in the car

Trip to the Cabin 7/15-7/18

We enjoyed a mini vacation (more like staycation since it's only an hour and a half away :) at the Cabin last weekend. Despite being there for 4 days, I didn't take very many pictures. With three active children, more adult hands and eyes are now required to keep an eye on them.
We enjoyed spending time throwing rocks into the creek
Carter (still with sleepy eyes) LOVED this activity!
He even sat in the freezing cold glacier/snow melt water creek.
Cristian trying to free a log that was stuck

And of course we enjoyed A LOT of time at the pool. Probably close to 3-4 hours each day!! Here's Carter swimming with Auntie.

Cristian playing with a torpedo water toy
And we roasted Marshmallows by the fire pit. Carter, again, was a big fan!
Although it was a lot less messy for him to just eat them straight out of the bag :)
Here is the view up the creek right outside our cabin
And a view down the creek (the cowlitz river starts right where that other cabin is)
Cristian loves s'mores!
Ava enjoyed all the pool time too!
Cristian made some new friends at the pool, 2 boys named Ben and Nick.
Carter swimming with Daddy in the kiddie pool. He could touch in the shallow end which was so fun for him to be able to walk around by himself.
Cristian enjoying a snack with Grandpa
Daddy and Ava swimming
Nannie and Auntie soaking in the sun!
Ava floating
She could take a nap like this :)
Cristian practicing his snorkeling for our upcoming Hawaii trip.
We also enjoyed playing at the park and playing tennis. This, however, is the only picture I got of either activity. Ava is pretty proud she can swing all by herself.
Grandpa and his 3 grandkids... super cute picture, minus the bunny ears. Can you tell he's in elementary school, LOL :)
Kyle, Cristian, and Carter with Mia doggy :)
The traditional picture of all of us around the camp fire.
Taking Mia for a walk one morning... one thing about being in the mountains, it may get hot during the day, but the nights cool off nicely!
Bye bye Mount Rainier... we'll be back soon. (View of mtn and foothills taken from inside our moving car)