James' Farewell & Valentines

My youngest brother James is now in the MTC, on his way to Atlanta for his mission. Poor guy has been so antsy and ready to go, so we were glad to send him off, although we will really miss him =(

We drove up to Portland just for the weekend.

Carter was so happy to be out of the car, that he laid on the floor at Denny's. So disgusting. He obviously doesn't mind it at all

I shot these pictures while out for a run. You just can't beat the pretty greenery in Oregon!

 Me and Mr. James before his farewell talk at church

 Cute, disheveled Carter at Church with my (half) brother Luke. They are so cute, and had really missed each other =)

 Me and my handsome husband after church

James flew in yesterday morning, so we took him to Kneaders for some French toast, then sent him on his way at the MTC. 

 James with Grandpa Packard, who gave him plenty of advice before taking off ;)

And we got a new pic of my other brother Kent! He's out serving in Houston right now. I have such awesome, handsome brothers =)

For Valentines Day this year, I actually planned it. I am very sucky at planning anything, so Aaron was happy for a break =) We left Carter overnight with our friends while we played all afternoon and evening. I had a posing class for my fitness competition, and then we got in a workout at the gym. We ended up going to sushi for dinner, and a movie, then stayed the night at the Anniversary Inn in Salt Lake. I love short trips like this, to just get away for a bit, but that doesn't require a huge amount of planning or money. I love Aaron- he's the best husband ever, and has been hugely supportive with my training and eating right for my upcoming show!

When the cat's away, the mice will play

Aaron's the cat. Me and Carter are the mice =)

 I made Valentine cookies despite the fact that I'm on a strict diet, and despite the fact that my son is the pickiest eater and I am trying desperately to get him eating healthy. FAIL.

 No pants + mommy's running shoes= awesome

 Another wonderful well-rounded meal. For breakfast I tried to offer him EVERYTHING. Oatmeal- no, cereal- no, applesauce- no. I keep making normal food for him, thinking one of these days he'll eat it, and then he won't touch it, and I get SO frustrated, like it really makes me mad seeing good food go to waste that he usually likes! I finally caved this particular morning, picked him up and showed him in the cupboard, and told him to pick out his breakfast.  SPRINKLES. Awesome nutritious choice there Carter. I gladly accept any advice for feeding toddlers at this point!!

 On a less stressful note, me sister Val and I had a baby shower for our cousin, Heather! It was just in time- she had her baby the very next day =)

 Val and Heather. Tender

Aaron's trips

Aaron's been gone a lot lately on knocking trips and recruiting, and such. I'm used to it. A couple weeks ago, he got to go to the Denver Broncos vs Patriots game (he's a big Tebow fan)!

I just found the pics and wanted to post em!

 And this is Aaron with his good buddy Ryan at Vivint. Apparently Ryan lost some bet and had to wear a UNC jersey (he's a Duke fan). Silly boys =)

Aaron's taking off this weekend for yet another trip.. but to HOUSTON where we're headed this summer. Can't believe it's coming up already!!

As for me and Carter, we just hang out and try to find fun things to do. Good thing he likes Kids Club because I've had to spend an awful lot of time in the gym lately!

Catching up.. umm Happy New Year!

I'm a slacker and haven't posted since Christmas, whoops. I guess a lot of things have happened in the past month, most good!

First off, it's not exactly news anymore since everyone knows, but we're going to HOUSTON this summer, woooo! It's gonna be hot but Texas is fun, plus my brother is serving in Houston, PLUS one of my besties Jenna lives in Dallas, so I'm planning on a pretty sweet summer =)

A few weeks ago, Carter's buddy Kaden came to play.. They were pretty cute, hiding in the toy box

 In case you forgot what me and Aaron look like, here we are. I wish you could see my tights. They are black polka dot and Aaron got them for me. So proud ;)

 Went through the car wash for the first time in a LONG TIME. Carter was intrigued.. plus he got a sucker out of it

 Carter on the playground.. throwing rocks on his head

STORY: So back during Christmas-time, Grandma Belinda and Steve got Carter a ginormous train set and table. Carter got so many presents over Christmas, he couldn't even appreciate them, so we waited to open the train set. It sat in our entryway still wrapped for weeks, and Carter never noticed til the day Grandma Belinda came to visit! He must have been holding out so she could be there =) He kept trying to sneak and open it, and grab her hand so SHE could open it, and finally we all broke down and ripped it open. Carter was so excited...

 We set up a few tracks and let him just play with that for a few days...

And then one day, during his nap time, I earned the Mom award of the year. I set the whole dang thing up! Three hours later, we had this beauty (which I might add, is STILL sitting in our entryway since our condo is too small for it to be anywhere else).

 Happy boy=happy mommy

 BUT poor Mr Carter got sick.. well, we both did with annoying colds. Poor guy had diarrhea, thus diaper rash for a solid week. Not fun. Between his train, and kickin back watching Rio for the 1000th time since Christmas, he did just fine =)

 Not thrilled about having our dirty laundry dumped out everyday, but then I can't help but chuckle that Carter climbs in the basket and hides under it...

Carter has been working on his drawing skills.. at Menchies frozen yogurt (new favorite sneak food!)

 My little boy bringing home his drawings from nursery.

 Found this super cute fedora the other day for 10 bucks. Wasn't super hopeful he'd keep it on because he hates hats. 

 But behold!

He's even making a silly face, that he actually likes his outfit for Church. Kept it on the whole time. I was so glad

 Carter has an interesting relationship with Winnie the Pooh here. He thinks it's funny to walk around with Pooh's shirt strapped to his foot. I checked on him during nap time, again with Pooh's shirt wrapped around not one, but BOTH feet. Amazed at how this even occurred...

 Costco trip yesterday morning, and this is the snack he wanted. I could not object. 

Had a fabulous baby shower for one of my best friends, Paityn this weekend!

Yummmmy food.

 Some of the amigas, Lauren, me and Carley

 Paityn with the shower planners... Malia, Stacey and yours truly. We had a fantastic time. I love hangin with the girls

And my last batch!

SNOW!!! Utah has been so weird this year, but we finally got some! Carter thinks the word for "snow" is actually "snowman" and asks me to sing Frosty the Snowman everytime we step outside. It's cute, he's actually catching on to a lot of the words

 Licking the slide... more than anything, he just likes to eat the snow..

 So happy outside.... which would explain the tantrum he threw when we had to come in for lunch... snow was all he wanted to eat.

 Since the mountains got snow FINALLY, Aaron was able to go skiing! His stepdad Steve was in town, so they went up to Canyons and had a blast. Aaron hasn't even been since we've gotten married, so I'm glad he finally got the chance =)

That's all folks!

Christmas fotos

I'm an idiot and didn't take any pictures during Christmas. I feel like Christmas really crept up on us and it was weird because A, there was no snow, and B, it was our first Christmas in Utah, without going home to one of our parents' houses.
My mom and 2 brothers, Craig and James came down, and we all spent Christmas at Valerie's house in Lehi, and it was great!
We have a family tradition of watching Santa come and deliver our presents, while we're hiding behind the furniture. Everyone is supposed to be QUIET, so Santa has no idea you're there, he thinks you're asleep in bed, and if he hears a peep, he'll get scared and run away and you won't get your presents!
Well, this year Carter didn't get it. We practiced the night before, and Carter seemed to understand that you gotta be quiet and stay in your hiding spot. But for some reason, early Christmas morning when Santa came, Carter wiggled loose, and ran right out in the open, pointed and said, "SANTA!!!"
Needless to say, "Santa" (aka my little bro James) made a quick, awkward exit, not having been prepared for that. But he did leave Carter's new wiggle bike =)

Well, all we got are shots of Carter... 

Playing with sprinkles in the suitcase.

Carter is obsessed with milk- that's all he eats, and I swear he must overdose because every once in a while, he'll throw up his milk in the morning. It's getting bad.
Anyways, he was a happy boy Christmas eve. Check out my sister's awesome beautiful new kitchen in the background =)

 My mom with Carter.. they had fun together =)

 Auntie Val with Carter, again. He calls her "buddy"

 Carter's uncle Ryan sent him the coolest present- a light up runway bib and an airplane spoon that also lights up! Hopefully this means the kid will actually start eating...

We had an awesome Christmas and were very spoiled by our families. We love them lots