Happy, Happy Birthday Carson dear

Carson, we love you and enjoy every minute we spend with you.

We have enjoyed watching you grow.



This time last year you were just learning to walk and now you are learning to talk.

Every day is an adventure and we can't wait to see what this year brings!


Thank you for letting us be your parents, there is nothing we would rather be doing!

Carson in a nutshell at two:

Brings us books and will sit and read book after book, saying more when our mouths become dry and parched.

Loves smoothies, tractors, trucks, cars, elmo, and music

He likes the water and enjoys going to the pool

Tries to fit into our shoes by walking around the house in our shoes

Requests chocolate milk by bringing us the rather large Nesquik box.

When he is on his way to time out he cries, "no, no" while shaking his head and pulling your face in order to gain eye contact and possibly avoid the no-fun zone.

He went #2 on the potty for the first time Monday, and Tuesday recognized that he had to go again and went potty! We were so proud but I am not getting my hopes up. Carson wants to be super independent which most of the time is endearing, oh but that attitude-we love him anyway!

He loves to be outside and has many neighbor friends who rush to greet him whenever he goes out front...he is quite the social butterfly

hApPy 2nd BiRtHdAy!

Celebrating not one but TWO years!!

Carson is two! It seems like we just celebrated his birthday, what a year! Happy Birthday! We had a small get together for him on Monday with a few of his favorite things, Sesame Street, pizza and a little guitar hero! To prepare for our guests we made "la-la" (Elmo) and Cookie Monster cupcakes

He blew both candles out all by himself, it took a few tries but he did it! There is a little look of achievement on that face of his.

We also dusted off the guitar and drums...can you tell that he was excited much?!


After we ate dinner, Andrew had his hands full


Carson was such a great host greeting each person when they got to our house with a big "HI!" and a hug. We are so lucky to have him as part of our family and we can honestly say that we don't know what we would do without him!

Our attempt at a family picture...I am sure you can tell that holding still was not on his list of things to do.

We are also very fortunate to live close to both of our families, he is very loved!


Grandma Lois and Uncle Eee (Ian) and Aunt Robin, Andrew, Uncle Rico, Mimi, and Chels

A highlight of the night was watching a video that Mimi (Andrew's mom) made with a few photos but mostly clips of video footage of his life so far. It was awesome to see his little personality and to hear his sweet voice...made me realize that I need to get our video camera out more!

Carson's lady friends

Uncle Dave and Mike

Moi, Gigi, Aunt Brina

Linds

Uncles Taylor and Tanner

good friend Jax who was dancing to the music and Cat

Tasty Tuesday

The recipes are back for the summer...when I remember. For the summer I will try to post things that have been a hit at family/friend gatherings, I'm thinking salads and such.

This weeks recipe is a cake with cherry frosting that I kind of made up.
It sure looked pretty and I am a big believer in that if it looks pretty it will taste better...and it was delish! I also like to make things that look like they took awhile and taste as if they were from scratch but they aren't. I am tricky!


"We" are presenting what I'm going to call Cherry Blossom

Cake:

• 1 package of any white cake mix, I used funfetti because that is what I had on hand
  
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/8 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting

Make the batter following the directions on the box, EXCEPT replace 2 teaspoons water with an equal amount of vanilla. Fold in sour cream. Bake according to directions given for baking a bundt cake. Cool on rack, place on serving plate.

Frosting
2 c. powdered sugar
1 c. butter
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/3-3/4 c. milk
canned dark, sweet cherries to garnish and use 1/2 juice in frosting.

Pour frosting over entire cake... I then used sprinkles to accent it's curves and then dusted the cake with powdered sugar...it was yummy and serves 18-20 people- we had leftovers and my neighbors were more than ok with that!