Carter's 1st Birthday

Carter turned one on Thursday, June 8th.  I took the day off work so we could celebrate and spend it together as a family.  That morning we met Pauline and Ezra at a new splash pad in Bluffdale.  It's a pretty big splash pad/play ground, but with all the people there it sure got busy fast.  Even though it was crowded (since it was new), and they didn't turn the water on for an hour (due to the wind), it was still fun.

Nyles going on the zip-line swing at the Splash Pad while waiting for the water to turn on.

Carter hanging out in the stroller then in the swing.  He LOVES swings!

Carter and Ezra on the swings waiting for the water to start.

 The water was finally turned on! 

Lots of people!

After the splash pad we hurried home so I could make his cake.  

I decided to make cupcake Octopuses.  So fun!  

I used gummy worms, dots and googly eyes.

 Carter w/ his birthday balloon!  Cute Nyles and Carter.

Playing in the ball pit (swimming pool) before the party.

We had everyone over for dinner: spaghetti and yummy bread-sticks from Aunt Diane!  

Thanks everyone who brought something for the dinner; much appreciated!

LuDean, Diane, Kim, Stacie, Rob and Cameron.

Joann, Lynsie, Carrie, LuDean and Rob.

Now for Carter's cake, a BIG CUPCAKE!  

Singing Happy Birthday to Carter!!!

He's so excited!

Sophia, Charlotte and Ala watching as Carter digs in.

He mostly just poked his finger at it and licked the frosting.  So cute!

    

Want some?

More frosting! 

Octopus cupcakes again.  The kids ate them first; imagine that :)

Ezra w/ a blue tongue from the frosting.

And Carter has frosting on his ear.

More frosting!

Now present time!  Conor, London and Nyles helping.

Opening presents.

Cute birthday boy!  He loved the puppy, thanks Rose!

 He kept biting its nose, too funny!

Thanks again everyone for coming and supporting Carter for his birthday.  We really appreciate it.  We are so blessed to have him in our family.  He brings us such joy!

Rest of May

May was fun.  We started out the month with our family dinner that Sunday.  We were in charge and did a "Cinco de Mayo" theme, since it was close to May 5th.  We had tacos and the works.  We held it in our backyard/patio.  Melanie/Brandon let us borrow some of their tables/chairs.  We all fit, so that way good.  The kids thought it was fun to hunt for snails and bugs all over our yard, who knew?  We also had some lawn games to play.  It was good to get together as family again.

Fiesta time!  Ole! 

The food is ready to go and so is Carter!  Ole!

 

The kids playing lawn games.

Cute Carter w/ Steve, just sitting in the swimming pool in the front yard.

 

Cute Carter (on the hammock at Lake's house), and Nyles wrapping up Carter for fun. :)

Nyles and Steve shooting Nerf guns at the target Steve made.  Carter just watching them.

SLC Temple.  I went and did initiatories after work one day.  So nice it's close.  Cute Carter.

 

Yuck, Nyles w/ a couple of the many snails we have in our yard.

At the park: Carter just chewing on a fruit snack, and Nyles playing on the playground.

He loves riding his bike at the Draper Park.

Carter playing w/ a slinky and eating a Cheeto for the first time.  He may be hooked now!

Nyles w/ his funny face at Costco eating pizza.

Nyles, Carter, and Steve at the Aquarium.

Nyles being silly again.

Nyles showing Carter how to operate the Submarine.

We got another nail in our tire somehow.  Luckily Big O' Tire is close to us.

And Steve out bow fishing w/ Zach at Utah Lake.

Carter playing in the pool w/ the balls.  

Nyles having a s'more at Melanie's house for Memorial Day.

Lynsie came over to play one day.

Calvin Thomas and Nyles playing at the park.

Steve went up for a few hours to fish at Strawberry w/ his dad and friend Duane Bates.  They had a good time, though fishing was slow.  While Steve was talking to Duane Bates, who is a PA (Physician's Assistant), they talked about Steve looking into becoming a Sonographer.  Salt Lake Community College has a program called Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Ultrasound.  The program only starts every 2 years, so it won't start again until next fall, fall of 2018.  So he could apply in the Spring next year.  The class they select is usually less than 10 people, but usually they don't have men applicants.  Based on Steve's background/credentials, he should have a good shot.  He already took the introductory class which they require, so now he'll wait until Spring.  He might audit Anatomy again next Spring, just to have a refresher course.  Other than that, we will just have to wait and see.  When Steve got home, we talked about and have since prayed about it, and we both feel really good about this direction.  It seems to be a perfect fit for Steve, hands on learning and helping people.

Carter at the cabin.

Carter checking out the dock at Strawberry.

More shade now.

Dave and Nyles getting ready to fish.

Nyles fell asleep on the way back; all tuckered out.

Steve took the boys up on Saturday to Strawberry as well over Memorial Day Weekend, so I could take a 5 hour long test.  I also decided that I want to take the CFP (Certified Financial Planner) test again, so I'm taking a review class now.  I'm planning to take it in November, but I figured I my as well take the review class twice to refresh my memory since it's been a couple years now.  Fidelity (my work) is now paying for the review class AND the test, so I figured why not?  This is the last step to getting the certification.  The financial industry is changing and going towards an "advice model" as well, so the CFP will be helpful down the road.

Joann at the cemetery w/ Nyles, London and Conor, before heading up to the cabin.

They put flowers on graves since it was Memorial Day Weekend.

Nyles putting an American Flag next to the grave.

Nyles, Conor, and Carter at the cabin.

Steve used our edge to pull the boat out of the garage up at the cabin since they didn't bring the Tahoe.  Rob came up for a little while also to help.  Unfortunately, they didn't get to go fishing.

We had a lot going on the month of May, but it was fun and we got a lot done/decided.  We hope you're all doing well.  School is out now and it's officially Summer!  Yeehaw!