We went...

Papi Camping!!

For last year's Christmas present, we got Papi a round trip ticket to come camping with us sometime and he redeemed it this weekend.  We headed to western Maryland and the Green Ridge State Forest.  I think (need to verify) that this was the first time we've been camping with the little guy for more than one night in a row.  This kid was F.I.L.T.H.Y. by the time we got home, but boy did he have a ball-

We strutted,

Papi and Carter clowned around with Papi's hat,

Carter decided he wants to be a car salesman (just take a look at these wheels!),

Or a fleece model for R.E.I.,

There was dump-trucking,

Brian and Carter hanging by the creek looking for fishies,

Carter mugged it up for the camera,

One sweet afternoon nap with Papi,

Snacks with Mama as usual,

Laughing when Papi caught the rare owl-frog,

Oh, maybe we threw some rocks into the creek (just one or two),

And Carter played by himself a fair bit, too.

I tricked him into kissing me once or twice,

And there was major Papi time - click to biggify...

We had a great trip camping - only one major meltdown (on a cold morning with delayed breakfast - understandable) and just a few bug bites.  I think he wore himself out just being outdoors so much because he slept for a good 1.5 hours on the car trip home when he NEVER sleeps well in the car.  All in all, he was a trooper and he seems like he'll turn out to be a really helpful little guy.  The weather was perfect and we couldn't have asked for a better campsite.  

Come camping with us again, Papi!

Carterfest

Around the House

So, the past few weeks have gone by so quickly and we've been busy!  It's rained just a bit -

and we've been taking care of opening the pool, cleaning up the garden, planting a few seeds and hanging out on our new patio furniture:

(Guess who likes quesadillas? Carter has actually discovered that he likes sandwiches of all types - just like his dad.)

Carter has become sort of proficient at brushing his teeth at night (he really just chews on the toothbrush), but he LOVES standing on his step stool at the sink to try to splash in the water:

Cinco de Carterfest!


There were some festivals coming to town that Brian and I really wanted to go to, and from our last experience, we were a little nervous, but the little guy did great.  He loved the sheepdog trials, oh - and the lamb sausage, at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival...

It WAS really hot and muggy, so his favorite part was to run around in the meadow in the shade of a tree and pick some grass:

We made it home for a late, but long nap, and then Carter rallied to go to the first annual Bar-bay-q benefitting the pediatric ED at Anne Arundel Medical Center.

Guess who likes barbecue pork sandwiches, too?

The heat let up a bit, the clouds came and a breeze sprang up, so Carter had a ball dancing to the music, he threw a football with some new friends (that kid can make friends at a funeral if you give him a chance - he just walked up to this couple throwing a little football around and he actually had a game of catch with the guy - all on his own!), and he ate the bejeezus out of some barbecue and beans.

What an awesome day we had today!

Bonaire (Not really a cuppa Carter)

While Gram and Grandad were having their week with Carter we went back to the island where we met to celebrate our 10th anniversary and get a little R&R.

Here we are standing on the spot where we met...

But that's not what most people go to Bonaire for.  Most people go to do this:

The diving was fantastic.  The reef is really healthy and there are tons of fish, we had some great eagle ray and turtle sightings.  One of the highlights of Bonaire is the shore diving.  You rent a truck, throw your gear in the back and head off to one of the many many dive sites.

Here's us just up from our last dive...

We also got in a little hiking.  Bonaire is a pretty flat island, but we managed to hike its high peak, Brandaris (241m above sea level...) 

But most of our days ended like this:

 And then like this:

Thanks Gram and Grandad!  That's just what we needed.

A week with Gram and Grandad

Hi Gram and Grandad!

 Glad you came to spend a week with me

 while Mom and Dad went off to Bonaire to play without me!

Actually, I hardly noticed they were gone since
life was plenty of fun with Gram and Grandad!

Gram and I spent time on the go...

and I learned how to fix things with Grandad.

We tried our best to keep to the routines of the day...

Splish Splash I was takin' a bath!

'Mornin' Gram!

Think I'll be a punk today!

 As you can see, much of our days revolved around meals!

Sometimes I wore my carrots on my head...

and sometimes one utensil just wasn't enough!

 I made some new friends while my folks were gone.

 Aunt Fey and Uncle John came from Texas to visit!

I got to practice my Spanish with Uncle John...

I did some cooking with a new friend named Johnny...

and I made friends with...

the Easter Golden!

I talked Gram and Grandad into going to the playground

whenever we could. 

Yesterday I discovered that

I could go down the slide all by myself.

YAY!!!

I also climbed a little stair without getting on my knees!

On Sunday morning when I walked into the living room
 I couldn't believe my eyes!

Look who was here!!

 

Where in the world have you guys been?

This blogger sure can't wait 'til next time!