Christmas at the Carr's - the PERFECT gift!

Christmas 2010 was yet another special one!  From the lights, friends, family, food, and presents, there was ONE present for the first time that we were dying to open.  Such a small box, but such a HUGE gift!

Back in mid-Oct, we found out that we were expecting our second child.  In a GREAT way it was a shock.  From surgury to fertility and everything else in between we are awaiting the arrival of another Carr on June 7.  So for two impatient people (Mike and I!), we decided to find out the sex on Dec. 23.  To make Christmas even more memorable, we had the ultra sound tech write it down and put it in an envelope - SEALED to perfection.  It was then passed off to be wrapped and Christmas Eve night, we opened the box as a family!  Results showed...it's a GIRL!!  Abby was super excited...she said, "I can't wait to dress her up and be a BIG sister!"  We were thrilled...and now the name game... and of course the countdown to June will take place.  My side of the family already knew because I gave my brother Scott a bakery envelope and he of coarse shared the news...keep in mind they knew about 12 hrs before we did!  So since Christmas dinner is spent with the Carr Family, they also had a box to open.  We gave the present to Mike's mom since this will be her 22nd grandchild.  And after it took 5 people to view the ultrasound, they too announced that we would be having a GIRL!!

So for our family of three this Christmas, we can't wait to meet the little girl who is about to change our lives yet again!  And yes, PINK is the color of choice!  I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Our first week of Pre-K

With the school year, comes a home visit by Abby's teacher two weeks before school, a visit to the school to check out her classroom, a.k.a. "Early Bird"...

Meet and play with some new friends...

Get the measured at the Magic House...44 inches to be exact!

The first day of school in Pre-K at the "Big School" as Abby would say...

And a broken arm on the 3rd Day of School...

Mike and I have never felt so bad since both of us were traveling home from meetings in KC and Indy.  Our hearts felt broken as we were not there to hold our baby, but thank goodness for Mimi who picked her up from school, took her to the Pediatrician, and then onto the Orthopedic Surgeon to get her cast.  It's safe to say our baby is acting like "Abby"...and we have such a great family who has gone the extra mile with love, cards, and gifts to make her feel good!

As sad as it may look, she still wants to go back on the monkey bars!!  We love you kiddo and gald that you are ok!!

Peach Picking!

Growing up, I always remember going apple picking and strawberry picking.  Mike and I decided to take a day trip to Eckerts in Bellville, IL to go peach picking last Sunday.  Our good friends, the Hayden's joined us and $100+ dollars later, we had peaches seriously comming out of our ears!!!  Now I understand why my parents only took us apple and strawberry picking...not too mention both of these have "cooler" temps to go with it!!  Besides the fact, we had a BLAST! Here are the kiddo's getting ready for their tractor ride to the field....

Then it was off to pick peaches and lots of peaches...

Then Abby came across a double peach...a peach that grew together with another peach! As you can see, she was SUPER EXCITED!!

Lots of peaches...

Family Time...

Topped off by a family picnic...

...and a day of FUN!

Tennis Anyone?

This week, Abby started Tennis officially!  Her cousin Connor has been playing since the age of 4 and everytime Abby would go to KC to visit, she wanted to take her racket and practice with him.  Well, one month ago she turned 4 and guess what...yep, Tennis lessons here we come!  As many of you know sports have been a huge part of my life as well as Mike's.  I remember finishing my college career and thinking "gosh, what am I going to do now!"  This is why I love that Abby ASKED to play tennis...a game that can be played forever and and ever.  Just ask my neighbor who is 83 and still plays 3 days a week..."gosh, I hope that's me!"  Abby was geared up and ready to learn as she headed to the courts!

Two young male teachers and all eyes were on them...I've never seen kids so well behaved!

Here she is loving it...and over the net it went!  As soon as she hit it over, she yelled "Mom, I did it, can I give you a hug"...of coarse, I said YES!!

For a family that really has never gotten into Tennis, I must say I am excited to see where this sport takes us!  What a great week thus far as we have started yet another journey in a new sport!!

FUN, FUN, FUN at the Lake...again!

When I think of the 4th of July, I think of sunshine, the lake, fireworks, drinks, and bbq!  Not much has changed as once again the family is back together on the water!  From the American Flag that waves in the sky from the condo...

...to the boat with the American Heritage logo representing 6 stars for the Mitchell's and our families, what a great place to live in the land of the free. 

When the anchor gets thrown and the boat gets parked in a cove for the day, we all know FUN is about to begin!  Before you knew it over 20 people were in the water and on the boats.  We were all just jealous of the "boat" that our neighbor Jeff from the condo complex had!

Abby and I chilled for the most part, watching some of Cinderella downstairs, playing with we think Uncle Scott's I-phone, and getting in the water only for a short time...let's face it, she was more entertained by Uncle Willie's silly friends!

And then Journey hit the sound system on the boat...Don't Stop Believing...and the dancing began!

It was such a fun weekend, topped off by a lot of laughing, family bonding, and of coarse the fireworks display at Tan-Tar-A. We were all amazed by the number of boats in the water...this is a glimpse about 30 minutes before they started! I can assure you, there was well over 100 boats! Thanks goodness for the white lights so we could spot them.

At first Abby was unsure then before you knew it she saw pink fireworks in the sky and all of a sudden LOVED fireworks!!

 

Lots and Lots of Family Fun!

Topped off by pink fireworks...

and yet another 4th of July we will all remember...thx DAD :)!!!

Happy Birthday Abby!

Our little girl turned 4 last Friday, June 25.  Hard to believe that she is already four...as it feels like just yesterday that we brought her home from the hospital.  If somebody has a way of slowing things down, please let me know!  It's been tradition that when Abby wakes up, she gets her favorite breakfast...this year it was a Cinnamon Crunch bagel from Panera Bread, balloons tied on her chair, and of coarse presents!!

And off she went...opening presents...

Then it was singing to Taylor Swift and Kenny Chesney with her new microphone!

And of coarse asking when we can go to "2G" so she can ride her NEW! PINK Jet Ski!  Did I mention all of this took place by 7:30am in her PJ's!

So what better to do than have her grandparents, aunts, and uncles over for dinner and cake! 

After asking Mike and I if she could open her presents 132 times, 45 minutes later we finally gave in.  Abby is very fortunate that so many people LOVE her and that so many people wanted to take part in her birthday...it was presents after presents....

...and smiles after smiles...

to the cutest 4 year old ever!

...and by 7:48pm when she was born...it was all over!

Saturday we treated Abby and some of her friends to a Chuck-E-Cheese party!  The kids had a GREAT time...played every game possible...ate pizza, and of coarse cake!  Here she is loving ski ball...aka "the bowling game!"

She even took time out to ride Clifford with her cousin Will...

and then Abby was getting into the Happy Birthday fun...crown and all with Chuck E himself...

...oh and don't forget the medal!

...and of coarse more presents!

Our little princess was all smiles for three days...Thursday-her school party...Friday-her family party...and Saturday-her friend party at Chuck-E-Cheese!  Withing minutes of walking out of Chuck-E-Cheese, she was out...didn't even get the car seat buckled.

Next up her 4 year old check-up!