We've been busy!!!

Braxton being a very brave boy and pets a snake at the SEWE


Over the last couple of months we were lucky enough to enjoy a quick trip to Charleston over Valentine's Day weekend which also coincides with the South Eastern Wildlife Expo. I had very high hopes for this weekend that Braxton would be able to interact with a ton of cool animals. Well...mother nature had her own agenda and it rained the entire time. We had a great time anyway. We went with Aunt Ses and her crew, met papa as well as Ryan, Blake and a few friends and even met up with Ashley (my sister's sister in law and good friend of mine) and her fam. It was nasty weather, but we made the best of it. And to top it off had a great burger at Ye Old fashion Ice Cream...it doesn't get any better than that. After the Expo we took the kids to an indoor jump castle and let them exert some energy.

We were supposed to have a date night with Leslie and Rhett. Grandmomma was going to watch the kids so we could enjoy a much needed night out. We even bagged on that and ended up with take out from Outback...my how times have changed!

Lovin' with Aunt Sessie

Jump Castle fun with daddy.

We decided to do a quick getaway this past weekend and enjoy a relaxing weekend at Bald Head. It was just the three of us and we had a great time. It was really cold, so when we weren't enjoying movies by the fire, we were out and about all snuggled up cruising the island or taking the nature trail. We really had a fantastic time!

I promise my intentions are not to wait 2 months in between blogs, but time literally flies by. We have been busy folks and having a great time. Braxton is growing so much and literally amazes me everyday with what he says. As much as I would like to paint a completely rosy picture - not the case at all. Last week was a very trying week for us. For some bizarre reason, Braxton has decided to strip down and we I say strip down, I mean pants..socks..and shoes, and throws them. Apparently he does this when he is asked to do something he doesn't like or just has built up frustration. In addition to the stripping he may throw a kids chair or two or may even attempt to hit or kick. Let me tell you how upsetting it was to hear this last week. Even the girls at the gym pulled me out of class due to him acting out. This is one we are nipping in the bud...quick!

He really is growing up so fast - just last night he told me "uh-huh..no worries mommy!" Wonder where he gets that from?!?

We have to do a special shout out to our cousins Sean and Anna who both turned three in February and March. Happy Birthday Guys - we miss you, love you and hope to see you soon!

Papa came up for a visit. We absolutely love the one on one time. It was a great visit. And of course it wouldn't be complete without Papa fixing a batch of his infamous pancakes that Braxton now asks for EVERY weekend.

Now we are focused on planning a special someone's 3rd birthday party. I still can't believe my little guy is going to be 3 next month..yikes!

Until next time - we love you!

The Carpenter Family grows....

Here is the newest addition to the Carpenter family. The big debut is somewhere around the later part of August..they have "predicted" August 28th! It's going to be a HOT summer!

We are very excited and can't wait to welcome our new peanut to the world!!

Braxton is going to be the best big brother ever. Even yesterday he was playing at they gym pushing a baby in the stroller.

Hope to see you all soon -

love the Carpenters!

Let it snow...let it snow...let it snow!!!

It snowed at the beach!!! It was amazing. I have lived here for almost 10 years and we have had max..2 dustings. Well, this past week, it snowed and was absolutely beautiful. We picked up Braxton from school early and came home to play in it - for a whopping 5 minutes before he told me it was freezing outside! Look how much fun we had!

Braxton's going to be a big brother!!!!

That's right - Braxton is going to be a big brother! So far, he seems pretty excited about it.

Here is how the conversation went:

Mommy: Guess what?
Braxton: What...?
Mommy: You are going to be a big brother. Mommy has a baby in her tummy!
Braxton: I want to see it!
Mommy: You will, but you have to wait for a few months, it's inside growing.
Braxton: oohh...I want one in my belly too!
Mommy: uhm, well, only mommy's can have babies in their tummies.
Braxton: oh, can I see it?

Every once in a while he will bring it up himself too. He will ask me if he can see the baby.

Last night we were getting ready to go to a friend's oyster roast and he took a big sip of milk and grabbed his tummy. I asked what was wrong and he told me, his tummy hurt, he drank too much milk and now had a baby in there.....are those sympathy pains already?!?!?!

I will try and scan the ultrasound pictures for the next posting!!
Love to all!

It's been a long time!

Look at my funny boy!!! I love him so!

A quick pic before the holiday festivities begin!

Grandmomma with Braxton and Lexi Lou

The Carpenter Crew at Thanksgiving enjoying the beautiful weather in Charleston!

Aunt Sessie snuggling in and getting some good story time!

Thanksgiving afternoon at Gigi's with 2 of my favorite uncles!







My very handsome daddy!













Lou and B snugglin'!

Nothing but T.R.O.U.B.L.E.!!

Story time with Uncle Ryan!

Helping daddy assembly the Big Boy Bed!

Hard at work

Braxton's first night in his big boy bed!

Braxton's first sleep over with Olivia...please note the head to toe sleep position...that's my good boy!

Braxton being silly in mommy's flip flops!

Braxton came across this hat that was going to be a Christmas gift....and decided to wear it..tag and all!

Seriously....I don't think it gets any cuter than this. I finally found a hat that fits my sweet boys head while we were on the cruise, along with the awesome "ppiiddaammaann" shirt!

Here we are looking for the perfect Christmas tree..or wait, Braxton enjoyed sweeping much better!

Perfect daddy - thats' the one!

Helping daddy with the lights

Happy New Year's! Here are my "local" aunties and Carver

The whole gang!

All I can say is it stinks when your computer is broken...you get SO behind. There has been so much going on with the Carpenter's! We had a fantastic holiday!! We are truly blessed. I will be posting pictures from our Thanksgiving trip to Charleston, picking out the perfect Christmas tree, decorating the tree, Christmas Eve and Christmas morning in Wilmington, Christmas fun in Richmond, SNOW at the beach (really it's true) and a few misc shots!

One of my goals for 2009 is to NEVER get behind like this again!

Next post is Christmas in Richmond...there are some super cute shots to come!

Not too shabby!

The visit with Santa went much better than anticipated! Braxton was a little hesitant at first and it took a little coaxing to get him on Santa's lap. But the end result was great. We were able to get a couple of good shots as well as relay the "wish list" of candy canes, vegetables, white truck and yellow motorcycle. After our pictures, while we were deciding on which shots to go with Braxton loosened up a bit and tried to get with every other kid who had an appt and sit on Santa's lap AGAIN!! I really think it was the milk and cookies that did it for him:) All in all - a great visit with Santa.

Here comes Santa Claus..Here comes Santa Claus

We have our annual Santa picture scheduled this afternoon. In a way to prep Braxton and get him totally psyched we have been talking about it quite a bit. Here is how the conversation went yesterday afternoon on the way home from school:

Me: Hey Buddy, who are we going to go see tomorrow?
Braxton: Grandmomma
Me: No sweet pea, guess again.
Braxton: Santa Claus
Me: That's right and what are we going to do?
Braxton: sit in his lap and take a picture
Me: What are you going to tell him you want for Christmas?
Braxton: uuhhmm Candy Canes and Vegetables and a truck and motorcycle
Me: Really (I am thinking vegetables..sweet!)...you may need to be more specific about the truck and motorcycle
Braxton: A white truck and a yellow motorcycle
Me: anything else?
Braxton: he puts that chubby little finger to his cheek and says..hhmmm let me see..I can't member!

Where does he get this from??? Really - he makes me laugh everyday!
Wish us luck with Santa!

oh-yeah, we have also been using the Elf on a Shelf..wow..do they make an Easter Bunny, Cupid and something for the remaining holidays covering the rest of the year. I owe someone huge kudos!!