Welcome back to St. Louis

We just returned from our annual "Carter Family Baseball Trip." This year it was in St. Louis and pretty much all the Carters made it (except for a few and they were missed). This means 30+ Carters all bonding...over the good ole Cardinals. We went up in the Arch (630 feet tall) and then took in the game from the "Musial Bridge Suite" where we could all watch the game together. Luke had a blast swimming and playing with his cousins (however, mommy got accosted in the water by water noodles and beach balls from the hundreds of kids in the pool)....ok that's an exaggeration, but it seemed like a lot! Looking forward to next year!

In front of the "pink" fountain, which we're pretty sure is supposed to be Cardinal "red."

Striking a pose

Checking out his new boo-boo. We left St. Louis with both knees skinned up and he likes to point them out whenever possible.

The stadium from the Arch

The smallest #1 fan watching the game

The fam. And one tired kid ready to go to sleep.

Happy Easter!

Well, Easter was a success. Eggs were hunted, the Easter bunny was there for more slightly terrified pictures with a mythical holiday character, and goats & pot bellied pigs were petted. That's right...I said there was a petting zoo! Luke ran around with the animals and loved it. He was a little wary at first, but after a while he warmed up and wanted to keep going in to see the animals.

All ready to go hunt eggs

Going through his basket from the Easter bunny. "Is this ALL for me?"

With his bunny ears on

Tackling the blowup Easter bunny. I was hoping we'd make it through the day without Luke tackling something.

At the petting zoo. Yes, I'm pointing to the goat's butt. Haha. No, I'm saying, "Look at Nana taking a picture!" (I know what Luke's Nana will say to that).

The fam. Luke's worried the Easter bunny will come back and get him.

Fun at the Land!

"The Land," "The Farm," "The Tree Farm," "The Man-Land." These are all monikers given to the land...where a building resides...and trees. In this building, however, are all kinds of fun things to play on...mowers, tractors, 4-wheelers. The newest addition is the fun swingset Cappy & Nana (aka Grandma, Granny, Mimi) got for the kids. And by kids, I'm including me and Justin. We had so much fun swinging on the new swingset...we felt like little kids again. I even got scared because I was going too high and thought I might hurt myself. But Luke loves it out there and he gets to run around like a madman everywhere....Hooray for "The Land!"

Who's having more fun? Daddy or Luke?

Who's having more fun? Mommy or Luke?

Luke "riding" the mower. Vroom!

Luke playing with his cousin Maddie

Aloha, Hawaii!

We recently went to Hawaii and had just the best time. Luke loved paradise as well. He got to play in the black sand beaches and run around like a maniac all over the place! They had this wristband he could wear that was an alarm so if he got it wet (i.e. fell in the pool), the alarm in the house would sound. It was pretty neat and something anyone with a toddler and a pool should invest in! We had wonderful meals cooked for us and sightseeing galore! Luke didn't go on the helicopter tour of Kauai or the ziplining, but he participated in everything he could!

Throwing lava rocks on the black sand beach in Kona

Riding in the airplane...this is his new "Whoa!" face.

Hitching a ride

Saying "bye-bye" to the lobster before we eat him...and, "Please don't get that thing near me."

Lounging

Where Oh Where Did My Big Boy Go?

Luke and I were in the back bedroom folding laundry, which is where his swing also happens to be stored. He usually just ignores it or pushes it...but he decided to climb right up into it the other day and go for a swing! He finally took my pleading to stop growing up so fast and stay my little baby boy...although his feet hang off the end and it creaks straining with the weight. But, he was so cute doing it!

Climbing in like the monkey he is.

Oh, Little Gym has taught him so many things!

"Swing me, Mom!"

Look at those big feet!

Using a spoon!

Luke is getting better every day at using his utensils. We practice and get messy and he loves it. He's eating his applesauce here and using his spoon very well!

Jabber Jabber Jabber

This started a while ago, but we finally got it on video. Luke has his own little language with gestures and "Don't you understand me?" looks. It's the most hilarious thing to listen to and to think that he knows exactly what he's saying!