For our second day, we went to Magic Kingdom. We decided to ride the boat instead of the monorail. Zach felt a little sick when we got off of it but soon forgot. We started by riding Peter Pan with not too long of a wait. After, we walked right across to It's a Small World and had a very short wait. Mom and I took care of Zoe and Carter while the others rode the Haunted Mansion. We got fast passes for Thunder Mountain Rail Road. While waiting for our Fast Pass time, we ate lunch. Carter enjoyed playing with the horseshoes in the fireplace
We were also to get Rider Switch passes, so Zach got to ride twice. The second time, he rode with me. He get very scared. I couldn't understand why he went again, but he rode a 3rd time when he went back with his parents one night. By that time, the park was getting packed. We rode Pirates of the Carribean while Carter napped in Kevin's arms. We toured the Swiss family Robinson Tree house, and after, we sat on a bench and enjoyed ice cream while Dad, Darren, and Kevin went into the Hall of Presidents. From there, we headed over to Tomorrowland and rode the People Mover. Kevin and I hung out with Carter while the others enjoyed one final ride. It wasn't too late, but it was very crowded, so we ended the evening. Mom and Dad watched Carter while Kevin and I enjoyed a date night at Outback.

For our first day at Disney, we went to Hollywood Studios. I haven't been there since the year it opened and was called MGM. We started off on the Great Movie Ride. The highlight of the park was the Rocking Roller Coaster. I was honored to ride with Zach on his first roller coaster ride ever. It was a lot of fun, but waiting in line for 80 minutes to ride a 2 minute ride seems a little ridiculous. At the end, Zach looked at me and asked if my hands hurt. He had been holding on so tight! We never buy pictures from rides, but I had to buy that one for the look on Zach's face. Once it got dark, we saw the Osmond Family Christmas lights spectacular. It was really cool. We finished the night by riding Toy Story. While waiting in line, you wind through all sorts of toys. Carter loved the talking Mr. Potato Head, and threw a fit when he coudln't get to it.
He did immediaely break his pair of 3-D glasses. Luckily, we were able to get him another pair that he did not wear for the ride.

Last weekend, we drove up to Raleigh to visit Kevin's family. Carter enjoyed seeing his grandparents.
We got there on Saturday afternoon and drove up to Louisburg College to locate Kevin's brick. After, we met up with Kevin's family to eat barbecue. All of his mom's surviving siblings were there along with a few of his cousins. I had never met 2 of his uncles or an of his cousins. We went back to Aunt Maranda's house to spend the night. Kevin's Uncle Eugene from California was there too. It is always fun to spend time with family. Carter had a great time performing for the adults, playing with their dogs, and catching Uncle Will being affectionate.

We had a great weekend. We weren't on the road for the first time in 4 weeks! The highlight of our weekend was a birthday party we went to for Carter's classmate, Mariah. Carter had a blast playing with his best friend Aaron and
sliding down the big slide with Daddy and Mama.
Everyone was excited when their teacher Miss Erika showed up to celebrate. It was a lot of fun. Mariah's grandmother is another teacher at the school. She seems to absolutely adore Carter. Of course, I couldn't have been prouder when she told me she loves it when Carter runs to give her a hug when she gets to work each day.

Carter did not get too spoiled by Santa and us for Christmas. From Santa, he got a tricycle, pillow, and a bag of playdoh with tools.

He was very cute when he woke up. He saw the tricycle and said ,"broom. broom. Mine!" He also loved taking all the paydoh tools out of the bag. We haven't had a chance to play with the playdoh yet or take the tricycle outside. He has been riding (having momma push him) around the house.

Tiger enjoyed playing in the wrapping paper:
Our Christmas was nice and quiet. My big gift was a Garmin Forerunner. I love it!

It's been really cold, so Carter had to bundle up to go with Dada to get the newspaper.

The highlight of my day is going to daycare to get Carter. I always get hugs from his classmates, and they are just so sweet. I was thrilled when I found out his class's Christmas party was scheduled for my first day off for the holidays. Kevin also had the day off because he had quite a few vacation days he needed use up before the end of the year.

Here is Kevin with Addison, Carter, and Haley:
Carter's best friend/partner in crime, Aaron is in the blue shirt:
Me with my two favorite toddlers:

The weather on Christmas was pretty bad. Carter helped Dada adjust his tricycle seat:

He also put his blankets and new pillows in our bed with him. Carter loves his new pillows. He calls his blankets and pillows, "night nights."
Christmas afternoon, we went over to a friend's house and had dessert. Their neighbors got a trampoline Christmas. Carter laid in the middle and cracked up laughing while 4 boys jumped around him.

Carter demonstrating his unique fashion sense:

We're still here. Life just hasn't slowed down. I thought that by having 2 weeks off, I would have time to post. That obviously didn't happen! Since my last post, we have celebrated Christmas, run many miles, been to Disney World, and visited family in Raleigh. Stay tuned for posts and updates.

How to play Peek - A - Boo while sitting on the potty:

1. Get comfortable while holding Dad's belt

2. Grab Mom's robe
3. Cover your face
4. Pull it back
6. Rest with the robe sitting on your head

Carter is also just like his mom in the fact he likes to be prepared. Here is his little set up in the kitchen....he has his bowl of raisins, stacking cups, pacifier, and a sippy cup all on the diaper box. Next to it, he has a toy and his flashlight. You can also see his barrel of monkeys he found in the garage.

I was sitting on the couch with Carter until his items took up too much space for both of us to fit. He started by wanting his mickey mouse blanket and all the pillows he could find. After he filled in with toys. Usually he sits on the couch and whines while pointing at what he wants. I tell him to go get it. This arrangement took quite some time to get just so.

Just like his Dada, Carter loves bread. Carter is old enough to go in the pantry and bring us what he wants. You can also see the bowl next to him that he needed to hold his bread and the spoon he was using to eat with.

Practicing his cool party tricks:

Life seems to never slow down around here. I have been having laryngitis on and off for 3 weeks now. Luckily, I found out the cold most people are getting last about 4 weeks, so the end is in sight!

Kevin had a good friend who died of a heart attack on Wednesday. He was only 42, so it came as a shock to us.

Carter woke up with a fever of 103 on Friday. Kevin brought him to the doctor who said it was just a virus and not to be surprised if he woke up vomiting and with diarrhea. Luckily, we have only had slight issues with the latter. Every time I hear his stomach gurgle, I panic!

I did my Saturday morning run yesterday. We cut it short by a mile and only ran 9. On Thursday, I learned some great stretches and exercises to help my IT band which has been bothering me. For the first time in weeks, I wasn't in tons of pain when I was finished. I also ran a little slower because my running buddy has been having the same problems. She hadn't been out with us in a few weeks, so it was great to have her back. The forecast was showing 32 degrees and rain. I really wasn't looking forward to it. Luckily, it was in the 40s, and the rain stopped as soon as I arrived at the park to start the run.

Today, Kevin went with a friend to Greenville to attend the funeral, so Carter and I were on our own. He was in a better mood than he had been in the past few days, so I was hoping to run some errands this afternoon. Poor baby fell off a chair and bit his lip. I never knew how much a lip could bleed. Once I got him calmed down, I put him down for a nap. He only slept for about 2 hours and woke up extremely cranky and tired. We just cuddled on the couch until Kevin got home. I was able to get lots of cleaning done during nap time, so that was good.

I have added a bunch of pictures to flickr. A lot have probably already been on the blog, but check them out.

Well, that's the exciting life of the House family. I know you're jealous and wish you were us. 9 more school days until winter break, but I'm not counting!

Sadly, Kevin was getting ready to leave for a funeral this morning. Carter noticed Kevin's tie and insisted on wearing one too. Please note the 3 pacifiers in the picture. He went to bed with 4 on Friday night.

Carter loves this toy. I bought it in Houston over the summer. It can keep him entertained for quite a while. I am still so impressed to see how much he has grown when he knows exactly where to put each piece. With his growing up, he is also learning the word, "mine." We were in Target looking at the toys when Carter saw one with lots of buttons, and yelled, "mine!" Thanks goodness the people around us thought this was funny. We learned just to tell him to say,"bye bye," and he is usually fine. In the mornings, taking his pacifier was becoming a huge battle. We leave it attached to his pajamas and try to take it in one swipe. For a while, he was holing onto it or keeping it with his pajamas hanging from it. Lately, he says, "bye bye" as we take off his pajamas and is fine.

Did you know Mardi Gras beads could be so much fun?