Trip to Maryland

We went to Maryland a few weeks ago to visit Matthew for his Fire Academy Graduation. While we were down there we decided to visit the Maryland Zoo. I have been dying to take Carter to the Zoo... and this was the perfect opportunity.

This is my little Tortuga... isn't he cute?

The Otters put on quite the show for us. This one was a character. He came directly up to the glass where we were standing... and began performing. He did a little dance, turned around, began stomping his feet... and then relieved himself at us! It was quite interesting to say the least!

So this is the first exhibit when you enter the Zoo. Quite interesting to say the least.....

We didn't get to see any bow-chicka-wow-wow... but he was pacing and sniffing. I think she was on the other side of the gate....

This was my absolute favorite!! They had this really neat balconey that you walked out on and they were just standing right there... like 20 feet away! They also had a giraffe feeding station... which looked cool but we didn't do that. (not this time at least)

Carter was absolutely infatuated with his Uncle Chew all weekend long! Wherever Matt was... Carter was. This picture is a little fuzzy... but you get the idea. I think we may have a future firefighter on our hands!

LOVE this picture. Carter just pulled Matthew around all night... going here and there.

A little big... but someday he'll grow up to fit it!

Just cute!

I have to appologize for my slacking the last month. It has been one crazy ride. We have battled bronchitis, pink eye, sinus infections, and the flu. I hope that this is the end of the illnesses for a bit and we can get back to normal.

On a better note... If you haven't heard... Jason and I are expecting our 2nd child somewhere in mid-January. Yay!!

We took a trip to Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh a few weeks ago. It was absolutely beautiful! The tulips were at their peak... and gorgeous!

This is an amazing room. We figured that this is one of the rooms at Phipps where a wedding ceremony can be held... absolutely stunning!

There are amazing pieces of hand blown glass throughout the Conservatory. These are the ones that caught my eye!

More pictures of the beautiful flowers!

Carter loved wondering around! Checking everything out.. and getting into everything! I even think he did some gardening that day... whether they like it or not!

This was a really cool tree they had out in one of the courtyards. It was huge! They hollowed out the trunk and carved steps in it. Carter and the girls were able to go into the tree... and climb to the top!

Maggie, Carter, Molly and Jenna

The fountain that he fell in love with! It was the perfect size for him. Luckily it was soooo hot that day... the was able to splash in the water for a while.

I found this spot for him and thought it would be a good place for some pictures... boy was I wrong! It was right beside a fountain and all he wanted to do was get in the water!

More water.... and absolute fascination!

We loved the fish!

They had the most amazing orchid room. There were orchids of every size and color. I took a million pictures of them... but this is the one that I loved.

And now we get down to Monkey Business.....

We love bathtime... and soaking Mom and Dad! This is a very good indication that we will be soaked in about 3.5 seconds...

3.5 seconds is up!!!!

Going in for the kill....

Got him!!! Very sweet.. but very wet! The tongue is ALWAYS out!

The innocent Drew look... yeah right!

I guess something was funny! He loves beating his chest like a gorilla... not sure where he learned that one... DAD!?!

One of his favorite things to do with daddy....

Didn't want to look at the camera... but turned out to be a good picture, much to his dismay!

Does it ever stop?

We have discovered that we can climb on tables.... oh what fun! (Definitely trying to break him of that!)

Now that he climbs up on the table... he can see what mommy hides on the dining room table. Obviously he spotted something he likes!

A man on a mission!

See the stairs... conquer the stairs...

What's this? A rock? I will throw it!


We are constantly throwing these stones throughout the yard. I was ok when we weren't mowing the grass... but now that we are, we have to comb thru the grass before we mow! (Don't need a broken window)



He got really quiet the other day... I searched for him and found him at the top of the landing with a book and Sis (Kenzie). He carried the book up the stairs with him... too cute!


WARNING: What you are about to see, was done without a womans supervision!!!!!!



It all started when Jason got his bulldozer running...


Welcome to Testosterone Fest 2009



A few weeks ago, Jason and Bill mentioned about taking out a few of the unnecessary trees from behind my house. I was ok with that... didn't sound too harmful... right? WRONG!


Tuesday I was sitting inside doing some computer work when I heard the rumble of a tractor and bulldozer... That always worries me!


I looked out the back window of my house... and there it was....




A FEW TREES?!? More like all the trees!


It makes me wonder if these guys are even safe...



They definitely tag-teamed those poor trees... they didn't even see it coming. (Oh yeah.. did I mention that the little sheds are gone too?????)

I now sit in my house and look at the pile of trees that were ripped down and the huge hole in my backyard. I'll be sure to put a picture up of the finished product... when it happens. As of now.. 3/4 of the trees are still sitting out back waiting to be burned.

Think Spring!

Happy Easter to everyone! We are beginning to see signs of spring! Some flowers are blooming, the trees are budding, and Bill has begun the planting process... Finally!

One of the few pretty flowers in my weed garden.... I really need to work on that this year!

We celebrated Easter at Bill and Teresa's house. Lots of delicious food and tons of laughs! Jason and Matthew hid the easter eggs for the hunt (boy... did they do a good job!). Carter really didn't get the whole idea of the egg hunt... but had a blast watching everyone running around.

He found a few eggs with the help of Nana and Pappy... but didn't get to keep the candy... BOOOO!

I was hoping that the weather would cooperate for us... The sun was shining but it was chilly. It really was a bummer that we had to wear a coat and hat...

We also spent some time at KC's house (Jason's dad).

Uncle Kenny was 'zooming' him all over! Obviously he was loving it!

All suited up to do another egg hunt!

More interested in the ground than finding the eggs.... luckily they made it easy for him.

JACKPOT!!!! Goldfish for Carter... and chocolate for Mommy!

Mr. Cool. He has an obsession with sunglasses... I guess I should buy him a pair that fit him a little better...

This is a picture of a double rainbow from the other morning. We typically see rainbows in the east...but I was able to see a rainbow in the west that morning. I just went out to get a picture of the sky... but when I got out there I realized that there was a double rainbow goin on!

I thought the contrast of the clouds and the sky were really neat...

I love this kind of stuff... Maybe I should be a storm chaser!

Doin some yardwork.

We went out to Blue Spruce Park on Jason's day off. Carter was really into the bridge and the water running under it. The boys just sat there for a while watching the water...

This would be my son trying to get down off the bridge to play in the water...

Lovin the swing!

I absolutely love this picture. Jason and Carter were playing in one of the tunnels. He was having so much fun! We'll definitely have to go back!