Adventures in NH

Teeni, Seija, and I decided to trek up to NH beginning of November to keep Stef company while Kell was away hunting for over a week.  We also wanted to visit Graham and other relatives as well : )  Thankfully, the drive went really well both ways thanks to our portable DVD player that entertained Seija part of the time.  I will say, the lines for gas in NJ and NY were insanely long due to hurricane Sandy- so glad we didn't need gas in either of those states.  It literally was a nightmare... 

Here are some pics of the kiddos:

Ventured out into the cold one day for a 3.5 mile walk.  Prego quickly realized how outta shape she was ; ) Teeni was a trooper as she pushed Iris and Eden the whole time in the double stroller along dirt roads, steep hills, and even managed to stay ahead of us the whole time! 

These 3 girls were a riot, and there was never a dull moment.  Whether it was laughing at each other, fighting over toys, Seija screaming quite loudly, hitting each other many times on accident, other times on purpose, falling all over the place, Eden charging thru with her stroller, or playing peek-a-boo with each other...we were certainly entertained and kept busy by the chaos! 

We popped in a movie here and there to try to get a lil peace and sanity at times..haha

Eden & Seija playing hide-and-seek behind the curtains, so darling.  They'd crack up at each other. 

(yes, those pj's are too big for her, and yes, she looks like a bunny rabbit in them)

Dance party with the 3 stooges

Helen was so kind as to offer to babysit our girls so we could enjoy a lunch out at Pickity Place one afternoon.  Let's just say, we aren't exactly the most proper/civilized in public especially when we get laughing and can't stop.  Yes, that was us.  Panic mode started setting in when tears were rolling down our eyes and we literally couldn't control ourselves.  The problem was-we couldn't remember what was so funny, but we managed to regain control and had a delicious lunch (stuffed ourselves)! 

We came home to a clean house, dishes washed, stef's bed made, and 3 happy girls-THANK YOU Helen! 

We took the girls to our aunt/uncle's tire swing- it was such a cold day out hence all the layers.  

Seija loved this stray cat 

Adventurous Iris- she loved this thing! 

These two are only 3.5 months apart

We also hung out with Graham and Jack & Helen for lunch on Sunday, and then later visited with Kim & Darrel for dessert!  Great seeing all them.  Such wonderful people.  I'm extremely blessed by the family (and extended family) God has put in my life on both my side and Evan's side.  Thanksgiving is around the corner and my whole family will be together for a few days-very excited to see everyone! I have to work 7a-3p thanksgiving day, but I at least can spend the evening with them...and that is when we will be announcing the gender of our baby (that is, if he/she cooperates for the ultrasound on Mon.)

On to needing some motherly advice...you hear about the "terrible two's," well i'm convinced my daughter has entered "the ornery ones." Pitching fits over stupid things, testing us, yelling loudly when she doesn't get her way, being defiant/stubborn, throwing things when she can't seem to figure out how they work or can't put her shoes on herself.....yes this is Seija right now. We have had to discipline a LOT more lately and it can be very frustrating.  She does this mostly when its just me and evan around; she does better (not with sharing) when she's around more people. I think its all a battle of her growing independence, and I hate to say she may be taking after her momma in the independence department.  All that to say, any advice would be most welcome!! 

On the other hand, she can be the sweetest lil girl and so full of life! 

Anyway, Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and BE THANKFUL!  

Fall : )

We've had a fairly busy fall mixed with days of relaxation, sickness (Seija with high fevers and a cold), and actually 2 weeks of me getting called off work frequently due to a slow unit.  I'd hafta say Fall is my 2nd favorite season (spring being my 1st)- I just love the fall trees and all the activities surrounding it! A couple weeks ago, my parents, evan, Seija, and I made a trip out to Ohio to visit Kyle, Meg, and their 2 kiddos as well as a few friends.  The turnpike was an incredible sight as the mtns were in peak season and plastered with yellow, orange, and reddish hues.  My mom and I every 5 minutes were ooing and ahhing at the beauty!   

We serve a powerful and creative God! We enjoyed our time in the midwest, brought the kids to a pumpkin barn with lots of fun activities for them, went consignment store shopping for the kids, ate out at Bob Evans, had some friends (Dodson's and Reid's) over for dessert, played outside, and relaxed... Seth is always keeping us laughing and Rayna is so sweet and such a good baby. 

The weekend after OH, Evan's parents came to visit for 4-5 days and we had a good time with them. Karen made us some delicious pumpkin pies!! 

Oh and I forgot to mention that little Hans was born to Gabe & Shauna and we got to hold and visit our adorable new nephew.  I'm ashamed to say I didn't take any pics of him yet, only one with my phone.  I'm terrible at remembering to take pics plus my camera is pretty pathetic : (  

We find out what we're having Nov. 19th- Can't believe how quickly it's going so far.  Any guesses on the gender? My instincts say Boy but we'll see ; ) 

Ephrata Fair with some good friends!  Seija loved the animals- I must say, she has already proven to be an animal lover like her dad.  

Jen showing her some goats

Jonathan & Kate Kiehl and Jen joined us- we were watching the pig chase where little kids are let lose to chase and catch a greased pig...quite hilarious

Kyle and Meg's backyard. Seija also has proven to love adventure and any kind of thrill.  Can't wait to bring her on rollercoaster rides

She is certainly a mix of a mommy and daddy's girl.  For a long time she was a mommy's girl, but as of the last few months, she has taken to Evan...smiles really big when he gets home from work, gives him lots of hugs and kisses, adores being rough-housed by him, calls him "dad'n," and loves her daddy

one of my favs

3 guesses what they're watching...haha

At the pumpkin barn, we enjoyed a nice hayride 

not sure what Seija is doing here 

Aria Dodson

Malachi Reid

Seija and Pierce playing the piano.  Seija has been having a hard time sharing lately, she will let out a scream if someone tries taking her toy- it's difficult knowing the best way to discipline at this stage.  Other than that, she's a really good girl. She understands so much of what we tell her now and follows commands really well. 

Highlights

The first weekend in August, we packed the Pilot and headed to IN for a quick trip to not only visit Evan's family, but for the big reason::: to meet our adorable and extremely good newest nephew, Beck Carter!  He was born June 19th, so he was about 6 wks old at the time and let me tell ya, I will take a baby like him any day.  He hardly cried the whole time we were there, was content, and even practically sleeping thru the night already.  We stayed with Brady and Lauren for 2 nights and Evan's parents for one night. 

Here's Grandma Carter and her great-grands: Seija, Jake, Beck, Elli, and Ashton

So sweet

Seija and her stylish shades : ) 

My big blue-eyed girl

Evan built this shelf for Seija's toys/books

She loves to mess with the DVD player and of course tries to tell us she wants to watch Baby Einstein

Can we say addicted?! 

Her own lil theater

Well folks, the time has come to announce another pregnancy!! Many of you already know, but for those of you who don't, Seija will be a big sister around April 8th. I am now 11 wks along and have had my moments of not feeling great, but I know it could be a lot worse : ) 

This is a random picture, but for Evan and my 4th anniversary we decided to eat out at a place overlooking the Susquehanna River.  It was a beautiful evening with perfect weather and we wolfed down some good food and enjoyed the views!  We then thought we'd tour Harrisburg city seeing that neither of us have ever really been thru the actual city...

This was part of the capitol building...it was actually ginormous, went on forever and was really cool architect. 

Cedarville Friends Reunion: 6 couples and our dear friend Jen rented out a house in western PA at a ski resort (which made for some reasonable prices). We have not all been together in a long time seeing that all the weddings happened last year, so this was an absolute blast reconnecting with everyone!! There were 3 kids to add to the bunch this year; Seija, Aria, and Caleb. So cute watching them together.  

Hahaha, they were playing the game "Quelf" and yeah enough said...

I'm sure if you asked the kids their highlight, it would be baby einstein : ) Came thru for us once again when we needed a distraction for them

Garret and Katie's son, Caleb

LOTS of games were played! 

We each took a meal and fended for ourselves for lunch- worked out really well and made for a cheaper trip! 

So hilarious giving all three of them baths together

This past Saturday, we went to Chickie's Rock for a hike!  Gorgeous fall day and yeah, I just love nature! 

Very shadowy, but awesome view of the river

Stopped for awhile to watch the rock-climbers

Let's just say, this fall weather is doing my spirits a world of good! Fall-scented candles burning, open windows letting in a fresh breeze, apple sauce cooking over the stove, good christian music playing, and feeling quite cozy in my pj's- yes it warms my soul : )  Thankful that God chose to bless us with different seasons and all that they each bring.