Carnival Fun!

We all probably remember going to a Carnival at some time in our lives!  For me it was always Ballwin Days...well for Abby it is the local Catholic Church's Carnival that they always put on the weekend before Memorial Day Weekend! 

Don't mind the women who decided to walk in front of the camera!  Snow cones, funnel cakes, beer, and fattening food, what could be better!!  Well for Abby it was all about the rides!!

After I got sick of riding, Abby and her friend Mia took a ride on Dumbo all by themselves!

Then it was off to the Largest bounce house that I have ever seen!

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Next thing you know, Mia's brother Frank won a fish...so guess where we were headed...

Oh yes, to the fish game.  Five dollars later after getting a ping pong ball in a cup of water, Abby finally walked with a fish!  She was a little unsure of the fish once she got it in her hand!!

I think this might be the first cross eyed picture I have of her - scary, I know!  Since the fish was in the bag, she thought it would be a "great idea" to take the fish on a ride...and guess who won that battle - ABBY!!

So hear I am, holding the fish on my favorite space ship ride once again!  And for the record, a week later, the fish is still alive!!  Since my mom used to always play NEMO in her car when she was younger, she named the fish Nemo...what could be better!

Golfing Fun!

Have you ever asked yourself what your hobby is?  Well for my husband GOLF would roll right off his tongue!  Too the extent of when he leaves, Abby says: "Catch you on the back 9 Dad!"  When practicing Softball with Abby, I want her to be a left handed hitter...more options for her...you softball fans can relate!!  Oh no, Mike thinks it will mess up her golf swing, so he wants her to be a right handed hitter so she can golf too!  I have already given in...why...because GOLF pays much better than Softball!  Last weekend Mike was on the coarse with his long time buddy Scott to take part in a Charity event for MV7.

Abby and I ventured out to take part in the silent auction and dinner!  As I was bidding on a professional Photography session, next thing you know, Abby was in the sand trap...

And then it was "golf ball hunting" on the greens so she could take the balls home to practice herself!

...and then of coarse she got her hands on the golf cart!!

Don't worry we got out of the coarse damage free!!  I hope you find a "hobby" to help release just a bit of the stress in your life!!  I can only wonder what our daughter's will be!!

The clean-up tour!

With my work schedule, life has been a little crazy!  Flying all over the country the last thing I really want to do is "deep" clean a bedroom and clean out a playroom!  I would much rather hang out with my fam!  I was in for a suprise on the amount of toys and clothes one toddler could have.  Everytime my hubby or I goes out of town for work, Abby asks us to bring her a "prize."  NO MORE PRIZES!!!!!!!  When it rains all weekend in STL, this is what you get...a picture perfect, clean bedroom... 

Inspired by the beach...one of her favorite places...

Nothing better, but Abby telling us...LUV U in sign language from the beach in FL! We still need to get this picture blown up and hung in her room!

The playroom took a bit longer, but when it was said and done, it was so worth it!

From organizing a child grocery store to a kitchen and what she calls her "project" table, oh and did I mention baby dolls, Build-A-Bear stuffed animals and clothes...and all her purses...what could be worse...

...the art project drawers and the closet filled with puzzles, dresss up clothes and games!!  Abby actually helped clean the mirror!  It's amazing what we do for the little ones!  We love you kiddo! 

Love, Mom and Dad

Meet the Family!

We try to teach Abby about Family and tell her stories from when we were kids.  She now understands who our moms and dads are in addition who are brothers and sisters are.  Ya, it might just be the three of us...but without family, who would you turn to, argue with, drink with, eat with, and just be able to relate to?

From the first day we brought Abby home until just recently when we went to Florida....time has flown by!

I grew up with 3 younger brothers. We always got dragged along to everybody's sporting event and deep down we were each others biggest fan!!  I always wanted a sister, but that never happened!  We never really went on family vacations because we traveled all over the country for Softball and Baseball.  We looked forward to the Lake of the Ozarks every summer and to this day...we still re-group at the lake...now we just have more toys and a bigger boat!  Meet the Mitchell Family...

Yes, my mom seriously made us take a picture with Santa in our PJ's when we were little and more recently we all went to Denver to take part in my cousin Blair's wedding!  We all still live in STL!

Mike, on the other hand grew up with 4 sisters and 3 brothers...yes a large Catholic Family!  With so many kids, the Carr's didn't go on many vacations either.  Dad remembers going to the Lake of the Ozarks as a kid and staying at Point Breeze which is now torn down.  He always looked forwarded to Christmas and his birthday because he got to chose where the family could go out to eat! 

The only picture I have of all the kids...this is like 10+ yrs old!

A little more recent at our wedding...but Kelly was unable to make it.  Dad was always close to his little sister Kelly who passed away of complications of Diabetes, right after Abby turned 1.

As we start out family traditions, we can never forget where we came from!

Love, the Carr Family :)

Just another Saturday!

What a SaTuRdAy...9:15 and we were out the door to Abby's first practice for T-ball. Mike and I really didn't know what to expect, but out of the blue Abby knew exactly what to do!

First time out she throws a line drive from 3rd base to 1st base!

Mom stepped in to help her with her form...and from here on out Ms. Independant took over!

Check out the follow thru!

Dad stepped in to help her with fielding...and provide a little fun!

T-ball is officially underway at the Carr household!  And that was just the beginning...then if was off to gymnastics...then to the Bridal Store to get Abby fitted for her Flower Girl dress for her cousin, Megan's wedding.

She was soooo excited that she had to check herself out in every mirror!

And finally she got ahold of the flowers to ensure the dress fitting!

Picture perfect Flower Girl!

And no the day was not over yet...it was off to the H's to see Cousin Mary's prom dress and wish her luck...can I just tell you I feel so old because I used to babysit her when she was Abby's age!  Then back to the house where Cousin Jackson met us for afternoon fun and a slumber party! I am exhausted...and so are they!

The couch is calling my name - good night!!

It's all about the PURSES!

For all the dog lovers out there, you will probably appreciate this MORE than anybody else! I decided to get a dog when I was single because the only thing I had to worry about was barking, letting them outside, and a walk now and then...well was I wrong!  I traveled all the time for my job...the dog ate my shoes, bra's, and anything else he could get his teeth on. Meet LOUIE....

Yes, I know...he is CUTE! And because of Louie, I met my husband Mike! After 3 months of this dog, I couldn't take it anymore...he was Marley...and low and behold Mike was going to take Louie and within 6 months, while we were dating, we decided to attend an auction where my wonderful husband got in a bidding war with a gentleman that had missing teeth...so yes, you guessed it...meet COACH...

Yes, these dogs are named after my two favorite purses!  Thanks to Mike these dogs get fed...and when we are both out of town the 83 year old lady Mary (she is the best!) lets them out and at night my little brother Willie spends the night so they have company.  Between Mike and Abby, I don't know who loves them more...they LOVE the dogs! 

So if you are thinking about getting a dog, let me pre-warn you they are like having a child...which translates to they are a lot of work!  For example drying them off when they decide to jump in the lake or poop on the dock...and you have to clean it up...yes, that really has happened!

Oh, and just wait until there friends come over to play...

Thanks goodness George does not leave our backroom...the dog hates our wood floors!  Oh and did I mention rain...trying having Cousin Casey over when it rain and now you have to dry off 3 dogs!

Then there are my parents dogs who they think are angels...ya right!  Maverick is busted after the pillows have been thrown to the floor at the Condo at the lake so he can lay on them.  Did I mention vacuuming dog hair is no fun either!

My dad even tried to get his dogs to take part in his commercial, but that never worked either...Abby was the only one who made the cut!  Most dogs only listen when they see treats!

At the end of the day, I highly doubt that I will ever be a dog owner again!  Love them while you can...they make great pets, but boy are they a lot of work!  I am just thankful our two labs are loving towards Abby!

Gymnastics Champion...AKC

Mike and I decided to sign Abby up for Gymnastics when she was 1 1/2.  Yes, many people thought we were crazy, but she has always been in the 95% or above percentile for height so it only made logical sense to teach her coordination at a young age...especially when the DR. says she will be 6' tall!  And might I add...she LOVES gymnastics and looks forward to the gym!!

Abby is the little cutie in pink on the balance beam!

Smile!

And don't forget her bar routine...

After what seemed like eternity for a young child, she finally earned her first medal at 3 1/2 and was so proud of herself!

And of coarse her mommy was the most proud of her!!

Our little champion was all smiles...all day...thank you St. Louis Gym Center!!!