North Carolina

For Carson's spring break we headed to Rick's parents place in the mountains in North Carolina for some r and r. Rick, Carson, and Gpa T. headed up after the races were over and Grandma, me, and Brynnli and Cole made our way up slowly over the course of two days. We stopped to shop at outlets, eat, and to sleep. Brynnli came down with the most horrible looking rash as we drove (turned out she had 5ths disease, which we found out by checking out the local pediatrician in N.C.) and I spent my first night in N.C. without Rick cleaning up Brynn's puke:)

It got a lot better though. Everything is slower up there, there's no malls, and the kids LOVE just doing the outdoor stuff they don't get to do here in suburbia. We took walks in the woods, fed the deer, watched the fish in the pond, helped, gpa cut down trees, and had a great time as a family. It was a much needed break.

Cole would barely leave Grandpa's side the whole week. Two peas in a pod those two:)

Smores in the fire pit were a hit everynight.

We hit the park too and took the kids real horseback riding. Poor Cole was devestated he wasn't old enough to ride, it was heartbreaking, but the other two had a blast!!!

Our little "deer" pretending to eat the corn they put out for the deer.

Gem mining as a family, Cole REALLY got into it:) I haven't laughed that hard in awhile.

Thanks Tolberts for letting us come hangout!!!!

First time at the Races

The day after Carson's bday Rick picked him up early from school AGAIN (it's just Kindergarten right?) to take him up the the drag races in Gainesville. Rick and his dad have been going to these races together since Rick himself was five, so it was Carson's year. He was so excited. Going on a trip by himself with daddy, and staying in a trailer as close to the track as you can get.

He got to meet lots of the "famous" drag racers, and had a blast with Rick. They drove his monster truck in the empty parking lot after the races were over.

Carson had the time of his life and couldn't stop talking about the cars and drivers etc. The boys left the races early on the last day because of rain, so Carson never got to find out if his favorite driver (Schumacher-drag racer, John Force-funny cars) won or not. He finally asked a few days later and Rick said he sort of let Carson think that he won:)

Six

I can't believe it's been six years since I became a mom. This sweet boy is such a blessing in our lives. We took Carson and Brynnli to Disneyworld this year for their birthdays, which they chose instead of a birthday party. I will blog that eventually...... Carson had school on his birthday, and I got to bring him cupcakes to his class. He was so excited to celebrate with all his friends, and especially loved helping sweep up the crumbs all over his classroom and collecting the garbage. Hilarious kid.

I picked him up early from school and took him on a mommy/son lunch date with me. It was so fun. We went to Firehouse subs, I was LOVING that he picked that instead of McDonalds.

We came home and played outside and Carson drove his birthday present from us and Gma/Gpa T. around outside. He got a remote control monster truck. I"m still trying to figure out how Rick convinced me to let him get it....but Carson LOVES it. And he should for how much it cost, that's all I"m saying.

We had dinner at our favorite pizza restaurant with Gma T. and the Wernlis. It was a circus, with seven and a half kids between us, under the age of six, but hey, it was fun.

Then we headed off to Carson's flag football game. We brought cupcakes for the team, and I should've snapped a picture, and might have, but can't find it or remember. Very sad.

The night before Carson's bday we had cake since the football game was the night of his bday. Carson wanted a monster truck cake, and due to some crazy scheduling/packing/etc. I had going on, the cake got made but never decorated. So.....I let Carson and Brynnli decorate it themselves. They had a great time designing it with some help from me. And it took five minutes. Heavenly.

Some important facts about Carson at six:

He's into monster trucks, garbage trucks (still but slowly faing...)

Ninjago, and LOVES playing school and playing outside on his scooter and bike.

He's very helpful, wants to be good, and gets along great with Brynnli and Cole.

He's a great prayer giver. His prayers always come true.

He's LEARNING to read. He is stubborn and likes to give up easily when faced with something he doesn't think he can do easily. He is great at math, like his dad. Things he has learned how to do this year that were hard: Ride a bike, tie his shoes, and reading.

Funny story: When we told Carson we were pregnant with baby girl (our fourth) he said "okay, but this is it guys! I can't take care of any more kids!" and "does this mean I have to ride in the back now?"

He was our hardest baby, but has been our easiest tempered kid. We are thankful everyday that he's in our family and I am so happy to have him as an example to his younger siblings. WE love you Carson!!