We had a mini birthday bash in Jacksonville to celebrate Carter's 2nd birthday (June 3rd) - I just wanted to call a couple of hours (or how about 30minutes) special for my little man.
the cupcakes - please tell me you can see the "2"!
proud big brother
after surgery, he DOWNED 2 whole sippy cups of apple juice - you would think the boy hadn't drinken in days, not hours!I wanted to report back out about Carter's ears. We saw the ENT last week and determined that tubes would be the best course of action. I'm getting progressively more concerned about his hearing and the doctor thinks the surgery should address that. Carter is scheduled to have his surgery next Friday, Aug 29th at 7:30am. Mark your calendars - we'll need your prayers!! Although I'm a bit anxious about the procedure, I'm looking forward to Carter feeling better!!
Paul on the left, Mark on the right for those who confuse the twins....
Mark & cutie Carter
I just had to post this picture with Anderson and his strategically placed finger....
We had a great, relaxing Father's Day... After church this morning, we came home & the boys had some yummy popcorn shrimp for the very 1st time - I think I have found a great substitute to chicken nuggets! I had to run a couple of errands and then after naps we headed to Paul & Rebekah's house for a Father's Day steak dinner.... I assembled some veggie kabobs and Rebekah made some FABULOUS mushroom risotto and an amazing chocolate eclair cake... YUMMO!!!
We had a great day with Anderson - and I'm so glad he was good for us today - on Father's Day. He's been challenging for us recently on just about every level, so it was nice to see that we could have a day without 'training' all day long. Not only did he behave for us, but he was extremely affectionate - a very rare treat for us. Anderson must have told me 100 times today "I love you Mommy" and showered me with a zillion kisses. I'm so grateful that the Lord softened his heart, especially today for Mark....
the sunrise at the Judds
in pajamas on the deck before 6:30am....
can you see the smoky haze - we could smell the NC forest fires all the way in VA Beach - yuck!
Yes, our days start EARLY at the Judd home! Most days Anderson is awake around 5:45ish - -sometimes we get lucky if he sleeps "IN" til 6:15 or so..... Usually Carter wakes up 6:30 or so and we let him play in his crib til about 6:45 most days... On the weekends when Anderson is up early Mark & I just hang in bed til about 7 - while Anderson bounces between his room and our room - and we'll go get Carter around 6:45....
On Saturday, Carter decided to "pull an Anderson" and was up BEFORE 6!!!! He is currently cutting 5 teeth or so (4 of them are molars - OUCH) and so he has had a tough couple of days.... and thus the early rise.... So up we were and actually out on the back deck, all before 6:30- not to mention a full pancake breakfast tabled up too!!!
At this point Mark & I are so used to waking up at the break of dawn - we've acclimated to the reduction in sleep!!
Anyone want to invite Anderson over for a sleep-over? ; )
Carter meets cake
Carter likes cake
Carter cooling off in the pool
Carter loved loved loved the baby pool
Yep, here are the invitations I made for Carter's party that I never finished - I found another use for them!!!! Thank goodness for Evite!!!
the cake - Dalmatian cake & "pawprint" cupcakes
I loved how the girls Anna & Avery were playing together so nicely!
some friends hanging having a good time
our attempt to get all the kiddos together - I was trying to hold their cake hostage.... here they are - from the left, Hamilton, Josiah, Alexander, Jacob, Erin, Ryan, Anderson, Cody (with mower), Anna, Jameson, Kayla, Tony, Nikko & Carter - there were a few missing from the photo shoot, but with this many kids, this was the best we could do!!!! Sue, I tried my best!
Happy Birthday sweet boy!!
We had Carter's bday bash late Saturday afternoon and our 'theme' was Firetrucks - well, appropriately it was HOT HOT HOT as fire. In an effort to combat the crazy 100degree weather we had, we put out a couple of fun water sprinkler toys and a baby pool. I think the kids had fun running thru the water, if nothing else it prevented the kiddos from melting. We are so blessed to have such an awesome network of friends here in Va Beach - though I'm not sure he understands yet, Carter will one day realize how loved he is!!! We had a great time spending time with our friends and are so thankful they were all troopers and sat in the unbearable heat since I forbade our guests from hanging in my white carpeted home!!!
According to Carter, the bubbles in the bath are so much fun, however; he doesn't recommend them for snacks...
My sweet little angel boy Carter is 1 years old today! This year has FLOWN by and I can't believe I now have a toddler (though he's not toddling yet).... He has such a sweet disposition and smiles at anyone and everyone, all the time. He loves loves loves his big brother and enjoys spending time with his mommy & daddy.
Thank you Lord for entrusting Carter to me & Mark!!!
I can't believe it's already been a year since we met my little Carter - he is such a sweet and smily little boy, I am loving his little emerging personality. He is so different from his big brother, it's amazing.
Just like his big brother, there were no signs that Carter wanted to leave the comfy confines of his 9month home, so last June 3rd I was induced and we met little Carter at 3:59p.m. 
WHOA!!!!! Momma!!!!
Here he is!!! Precious, 8lbs 8oz 21 1/2in long
Anderson meets Carter - love at first sight!
Taking my little Carter home - he's already smiling!
Brotherly love
Busch Gardens that is! We had such a great time last week at BG that we decided to join the Maggiores again for more fun on Sunday. The weather was HOT - I can't imagine going if it were much hotter, but the hot weather encouraged Anderson to ride the Log Flume - a pretty big ride for such a little man!! He had a blast and begged Mark to go on it a 2nd time!
One of our favorite recent 'traditions' is mornings at the beach with friends. Over the last few years, we often frequent the beach on Saturday mornings with the Maggiores and Saunders families - the kids have a blast together and it's one of my favorite things about the summer. We went to the beach Memorial Day and kicked off the summer! 
We've lived here nearly 5 years and I had never been to Busch Gardens until last weekend! Mark had been once before, but we took Anderson & Carter to their very 1st theme park. We joined the Maggiores who are 'regulars' at BG and showed us the ropes. After the Daddies rode the rollercoaster 'Griffon', Jen & I gave it a try -you should have seen us Mommies on that rollercoaster! We got in the single riders line and we got to ride in the FRONT ROW! It was awesome!!!
Anderson & Erin had a blast zipping from ride to ride. I couldn't believe how big they were waiting in lines together - -sometimes without any parents!!
Carter & Anna were super troopers, catching cat naps when possible. Anderson tried to steal a quick nap in the stroller at the very end of the day - he was tuckered out!
I have on my hands 2 Daddy's boys! These boys LOVE LOVE LOVE their Daddy -and for good reason - he is an awesome playmate!! When 5:00 nears, Anderson is headed for the front door every couple of minutes to see if Mark is home yet - of course, Carter trots (or crawls rather) right behind!
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