Sunday, June 10, 2018

Carter's 2nd Birthday!

We had a great day celebrating Carter's 2nd birthday on Friday, June 8th.  I took the day off work so we could be together as a family.  We cleaned and got things ready in the morning for his party, then played in the afternoon.  We went up to the Draper pool, but ironically it was closed, so we stopped by at a splash pad instead.

Carter loved getting his feet wet at the splash pad on a hot day (over 90 degrees).

Carter and Steve at the splash pad.  Carter's favorite thing was going up and down the stairs, all by himself of course.  He refused to take our hand.  He is 2 now so naturally he wants to be more independent.

Carter putting his hand over the water spout.

Nyles playing w/ the fish blocks.

Nyles getting wet from the bucket, and using the sprinkler to get others wet.

Carter stepping on the water, and resting on the rock for a minute.

On the way home from the splash pad Carter ate some crackers and had to share w/ his bunny.

The dinosaur cupcakes for Carter's birthday w/ chocolate rocks.  

 He likes to say "rawr" these days, so we figured the dinosaurs would be perfect for his birthday.  
We had Carnivore, Herbivore and Omnivore food for dinner (aka meatballs, dino nuggets, bbq chicken, veggies, fruit, chips, pretzels, popcorn)

Carter wanted to eat the chocolate rocks off the cupcakes.


A big volcano cake w/ lava (Steve decorated it).

Singing Happy Birthday to Carter!  Thanks Jeff for the pics.





Nyles giving Carter a hug and a kiss as we sing him Happy Birthday.

Eating his dino cupcake, yumm.

Eating cake and ice cream.

Nice evening in the shade on our patio.

Charlotte, Lynsie, Nyles, and Cameron eating cake and ice cream.

This is there smile apparently. :)

Carter opening gifts.  Cute farm tractor from Grandma/Grandpa Hegerhorst (or Grandma/Grandpa on the farm as we call them).  He wasn't sure what it was at first.

Carter opening a book from Grandpa/Grandpa McGrath.

Cute dino shape book.

Cousin Charlotte was a big helper opening gifts.  A fun ball from Jeff/Kim.

A beautiful crocheted fish blanket from Aunt Diane.  
It will match the shark one she made for Nyles last year.  Thanks Diane!

Nyles thought he would help Carter w/ his new tractor.  It moves on its own and makes farm animal sounds when you press on them.  So cute!
               


   Carter loves to pull Grandpa's glasses on and off.

 Here are some fun facts about Carter:
-His favorite word is "this", and he points to it, whatever he's pointing to.
-He loves to look for and find Nyles in the house.
-He is sad when Nyles goes to school and happy when he comes home.
-He says wow, momma, dadda, yes, and shakes his head no if he doesn't want something.
-He likes to jump.
-He loves to throw dirt and wood-chips.
-He loves water, splashing, and squirt-guns or water-bottles.
-He loves stuffed animals and animals in general.
-He loves to wrestle and sit on Nyles or just play w/ him.
-He loves music, especially "Baby Shark" song lately.
-He loves to eat popcorn, strawberries, pretzels, Popsicle's, ice cream, eggs, cheese, fruit-snacks, etc.
-He loves to ride on the Corolla's hood when I'm leaving for work.
-He loves to talk w/ me while at work or coming home from work.
-He likes to play w/ trucks and cars.
-He says "ow" when he sees a bruise or scratch on you or himself and gets a very concerned look on his face.
-He gives a cute smile when he knows you're taking his picture.
-He loves to pray and folds his arms before naps and before going to bed.
-He loves to make grunting noises when going up and down the stairs.
-He says "num" when he wants to eat something.

Thanks everyone for coming and supporting Carter on his birthday.  He felt loved for sure!  We are so happy that he's in our family and he is a joy to be around.  We love you Carter!!!!! :)

Saturday, June 9, 2018

Nyles' Kindergarten Graduation

Nyles did a great job this year in Kindergarten.  Though he was one of the younger ones in his classroom (with an August birthday), he worked really hard and did his best.  He learned a lot and grew a lot, both mentally and physically.  He not only learned his ABCs and 123s, but he also learned how to read and write!  He's come a long way.  We are so proud of him for sticking through it, even when things got difficult at times.  We love you Nyles!

First day of Kindergarten: August 28, 2017.

Last day of Kindergarten: June 1, 2018.

Steve and Carter waiting for Nyles and his class to come into the auditorium.
Carter keeping quiet w/ a sucker.  
 

We said the pledge allegiance together before staring.

They sang lots of songs.



And a smile from Nyles ;)

One of their songs about vowels.

Nyles giving his part in the program:  "N is for name.  Some are different, a few are the same."  Nyles walking off the stage after the program was over.

Carter watching the program w/ Grandpa Dave McGrath.  Back at his classroom, Nyles showed us his desk and a cute flower w/ a picture of him in it. 

 Dave and Joann came too to support Nyles. 
Trying to get a picture but Carter was pretty into his cookie.

Nyles didn't want his graduation cookie w/ black frosting, so Carter helped him out.
He really went to town on the black frosting!

Haha, silly kid!

Family picture.

Nyles w/ his teacher Mrs. Graham.  This was her last year teaching before retiring, and we're so glad we were able to have her as his teacher.  We had a lunch at the park after the graduation ceremony.
Here is Nyles writing and how it's improved over the year.

Nyles said he wants to be a Fireman when he grows up.  The teachers made a cute slideshow during the program w/ all the kids saying what they wanted to be and a picture of them dressed up as it.  They sent us home a DVD copy of it too, along w/ other photos of the kids throughout the school year.  Nyles had to watch it as soon as we got home!

Here are some drawings and saying from Nyles as well; too cute!

Now on to 1st grade!  Nyles is so excited to go to school all day next year and eat lunch w/ the big kids!