I think this is the end . . .

Is anyone out there still blogging?  I feel like I hung on longer than most, but with the advent of Instagram and me finally getting a phone (barely) smart enough to handle it, I've changed the way I share pictures of the  kids.  Also, I used to blog on Sundays while Jonah was napping, but that has all changed, so I just don't think I can keep it up.  If you would still like to follow me (or more accurately my children) find me on Instagram: karijaneolson.  If you happen to be someone I see on a regular basis there is a good chance I won't accept your invitation as I have kept my Instagram for just family members, so you'll have to let me know that you really do want to see what my kids are up to on a regular basis.  Farewell blog world!

Jonah and His Scooter

Scooters are a big part of our life.  They are how the boys get around.  Carter has been using his for actual transportation for about a year now.  When we go somewhere out of the neighborhood and he doesn't want to walk (which is always), he brings his scooter.  For Jonah's birthday, Carter gave him his scooter and Carter got an upgrade.  Jonah is quick to follow in Carter's footsteps and has been practicing every chance he gets on his scooter.  Here is a little video to show his progress.  I think I'll shortly be stroller free (yeah!)

Four More Years

We followed up Uncle Skyler's wedding with a quick trip down to North Carolina for more family fun.  Other than Kari's extended battle with a stomach bug, which left her quarantined in a hotel room for a couple days, while the rest of us struggled to have family fun without her, we had a great time.  Unfortunately, there is little evidence of said fun, but it happened, I swear.

While we were there we celebrated Carter's fourth birthday.  Special thanks to Grandma Lucy for helping us have a wonderful birthday celebration by, among many things, making sure we had a delicious and colorful birthday cake and getting Carter his birthday hat (pictured below).  The hat was basically the birthday version of the Harry Potter sorting hat.  It would sing happy birthday and move on his head.  Carter loved it, but it did not make it out of North Carolina.  Not surprisingly, Carter celebrated his birthday topless.  We've made it through four years of our very busy boy, and despite his insanity, I think we'll keep him for at least a few more.

Family Trip to Utah

We went on a family vacation to Utah for Skyler's wedding.  I am a very proud and distracted Mama, so if you want to see pictures of the bride and groom, you'll have to go through the Snell Blog.  Thank heavens someone was paying attention to what they should be!

We rented a little house in Midvale and enjoyed our cousin time.  Carter brought along a Hot Wheels set and it was the excitement of the house.  That could be because it was the only toy in the house, but all the same, it was the cause of a lot of joy and crying.  

On the wedding day, our good friends from NYC, who were in Utah at the time, volunteered to babysit.  It was so great to see them, especially because they are moving to DC and this was the last time the boys would get to play in a long time.  Thanks again Margo!!!  We miss you already.

Jonah has learned what the camera is for and loves to pose with a "cheese."  I don't know why we say cheese, because the smiles never turn out that great.  Here was Jonah's best.

It was nice to visit a free standing temple.  We talk about the temple a lot at our house and Carter knows that you go there to get married, but I'm not sure he realizes that there is a temple in our church building.  I think he liked it and hopefully started to get the point that the temple is special.  He did, however, throw a toy car at the temple and it caused quite a stir . . .

 At the reception, the older cousins were having fun climbing on rocks and running around.  Everything possible to get there nice clothes dirty.

 Carter won the prize though.  He figured out a way to get of them entirely, with the help of Abe of course.  He knew Mom always carries spare play clothes in her bag.  He looked cute while it lasted . . .

 We spent the rest of the week playing at the house, in the pool and trying out fireworks for the first time.  We made it out to a farm where Carter learned to drive an old tractor and . . .

give Grandma the love she deserves!

So despite an all-nighter Jonah pulled, me spraining my toe by falling down the stairs and having our credit card shut down due to a possible fraud alert, it was a nice vacation.

4th of July

For the 4th of July this year, we decided to participate in the local neighborhood Firetruck parade.  All the kids decorate their scooter, bikes or whatever and walk behind a fire truck for a few blocks.  The best part is that afterwards, they turn on the fire hose and the kids get to go wild.  Carter was a HUGE fan this year!

 Jonah and I decided to keep uor distance, but Daddy couldn't help himself, so he tried to coax Jonah in.  It didn't go well.  After the parade we SAT DOWN at a burger joint and had lunch.  We have never done this outside of vacation when it was necessary. Surprisingly  the boys did great and now Carter asks to go to restaurants on a regular basis (that doesn't mean we go).

 We also took advantage of the long weekend and went to the Bronx Zoo.  Isaac had never been and it's actually an amazing zoo.  Despite the hot, hot weather (can you see it in their faces??), we had a pretty good time.  Jonah liked the lemurs best.  He was so excited he didn't know what to do with himself.  Carter was fairly uninterested by most of the animals.  Maybe next time we can just send Isaac and Jonah!

 This is just how we get home from church.  Most of the other bus goers are charmed at our well dressed children.  If only they could see them the other days of the week!

On an unrelated note, Carter has started coming in bed with us in the middle of the night. Often we are too tired to try and move him back so either Isaac or I move to his bed.  Carter quite likes waking up next to me.  One morning he woke me up by scratching my back.  Another morning he sang "Skid-a-marinke-dinke do" to me.  He also asked me about wives one day.  When I explained that someday he could choose a girl to be his wife, he got very upset and told me that I had to be his wife . . . I'm hoping he figures out that that is not really what he wants!

June

We are so excited summer is finally here!  Carter finished his first year of school (even if it was just a twice a week preschool, still very exciting).  He was so excited he couldn't even give me anything but silly smiles!

Jonah's favorite activity is to watch "shows."  He really only likes the preschool prep videos I got for Carter, so I feel less guilty about it.  After all, how many not quite two year olds can correctly identify and say "octagon" or the word "go"  I'm convinced he'll be able to read before he can really talk!

Carter is all about Hot Wheels these days.  All he wants are new tracks that he can combine with all this other tracks.  This is one he built himself and I was quite impressed.  I am generally left to do most of the heavy building, so it's nice to see that him take some initiative.

What a May!

It's been a really busy month.  We started with a trip to the gardens to enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms.  I have to be careful when I ask Carter to put his arm around his brother for a photo.

 The Mr. Softee truck is back!  Here is a look at our first of many indulgences.

 Mother's Day was a smashing success this year.  The boys made me a beautiful steak dinner.  There are talents in this house being hid under a bushel!

We celebrated Isaac's Birthday (and our anniversary).  My attempt at a two layer cake did not go as well as I'd hoped. 

Besides these fun occurrences, we had two major events.  One devastating and was exhilarating.  Over a year ago, Carter chipped his front tooth.  I noticed a cyst above the tooth a few weeks back, and long story short, after 3 dentist visits, the tooth had to come out.  It was the most horrifying experience of my life, so please, protect your children's teeth with your life.  Luckily he seems to have recovered from the trauma of it all.

 The better experience involves my hair!  I saw a request for a hair make over from Ladies Home Journal and thought that maybe it was time to do something different. So I did! You can see the whole transformation in the upcoming September issue due on news stands in August!

It's been a lot of running around.  How's ready for a nap??