September - December 2009

These photo's posted most current first.

Carter with Santa, 2009

Brian's mother had these stockings for us when we visited her in North Carolina.

One of Carter's photos. He has been wanting to use the camera for a while now. I have finally let him take some snap shots.

We went to see my sister, Angie and her family. Blair, Brooke, and Blake are sooo adorable. Carter just idolizes Blake.

Sleep over with cousin, Caelyn. Movie, popcorn and lollipops. Every kids idea of fun.

Oh the candy from trick-or-treating! Carter could not wait to eat some chocolate.

Getting ready to go out. Carter didn't want to wear the mask oh well!

Self portrait at our favorite place to see the fall color.

Going to pick our pumpkin!

Brian and I went to Berlin in October. This is a marker of the wall that goes through the city.

Carter goes Hip Hop.

Caelyn and Carter taking a break at Rutlage Farm.

Collecting rocks on the river

Brian and Carter taking a swim in the Buffalo River.

We didn't have a bathing suit with us. When we left to see the river it was cool out. We thought we would throw a few rocks. The sun came out and it was HOT. Carter wanted in the water so bad. There were only our friends around so we stripped him down and let him go. He LOVED it!

August 2009

I'm finally getting some photo's up! I have so many I want to share.

Our wonderful campsite in Wausau, WI during the Whitewater races.

Home sweet home for about 11 nights

Carter wore those goggles for about 45 minutes. It was so funny since they are adult sized. He took them from Jack and Joe.

August 2009

From Wausau, WI to Clare, MI

Getting ready to paddle our tandom run

Big hole

Carter looking finding places to hide

Perfect fit

Mommy and Carter walking along side Lake Superior

Taking a break on our hike in the Porcupine Mountains. (short hike)

Gorgeous creek along our hike

Carter had a blast on the beach and drift wood along the shore

My cute little monkey!

Of course he found the perfect place to jump

This is Littlefield Lake near Clare

Daddy and Carter playing around on the lake

August was a super busy month.

We set off with out pop up camper and headed North.

Brian competed in the 2009 Whitewater Canoe Championship in Wausaw, WI. That was fun and being in a camper with two 12-year-olds was interesting to say the least. When one of the boys would turn over in their sleep Brian and I thought there was an earthquake. Boy did that camper shake.

Our campsite was the prettiest part of Wausau. The downtown area was cute and the river through the city was awesome!

Then it was on to the Porcupine Mountains in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. That was a remarkable drive. So gorgeous!

Clare, Michigan was next and then home, sweet, home.

The rest of August is a blur!

July 2009

July went by so fast.

At this point I am still trying to get a routine and find my grove. Having two extra kids in the house has been great, but challenging.

We spent 4th of July with family and my dad's country club. All the sisters and our kids were together for the fireworks.

Carter was terrified this year. The loud booms were too much for him. Daddy took him as far away as he could. Brian found if he was behind a tree they could still see some of the fireworks and Carter would watch them. He thought they were pretty but too loud!

July is the month Carter decided to get a bit adventurous. Jumping was he new passion and he wanted to jump non-stop. They good news is he was READY for bed at night!

My proud dad with his daughters and grand children on the 4th.

Jump Carter Jump!

June 2009

This month we took the twins and Carter camping in the pop up camper. We took our canoes and paddled in the rain one day and had a wonderful, sunny day the next.

Carter is becoming more independent and wants to do everything "myself". He is such a big boy.

Carter is enjoying having the boys around. Jack and Joe are so good with him.

Cousin Blake turned four! He we went to Overland Park to celebrate. Man does Carter idolize Blake.

If you can believe it, we even got to sit by a fire in June!

Carter eating his yogurt at our campsite.

Is it really June?

Carter and Blake playing on the new play equipment.

A Taste of What's to Come!

I just finished choosing about 40 pictures and more than five video's to post. It will take some time but I will get everyone caught up on our life since May!

Here is just a "taste" of what is to come.

This is Carter's first ice cream cone. I had NO intention of him having any but he pulled that thing out of my hands and that was it. I barely got him to share it with me.

New in the Shipman home

Joe and Jack I had to remove the photo of the boys. I just found out as long as they are in the foster care system I can't post any pictures.

One week ago today, we took in these two handsome brothers. They ave been friends of ours for almost two years. Brian and I have come to know and love their family. In the past few months thier mom has been having some trouble so the kids were going to be placed in foster care. We were asked if they could live with us. It's preffered the kids live with someone they know and trust if at all possible. We just couldn't say no.

Carter adores them and vice versa. We are so lucky that we all had an exsisting relationship.

Joe and Jack are identical, 12 year old, twins. (Joe is the "bottle" blonde.) They have an older sister living with Grandpa and two younger sisters living with a foster family. Everyone seems to be adjusting well.

Who's the nut job?

Now that Joe and Jack are with us, dinner time is a new adventure.  Carter is easily distracted from eating.  He thinks Joe is hilarious and will laugh at him regardless of what Joe does.  Of course we probably don't help the situation by videoing the process and Brian egging him on.

Mother's Day 2009

I love this stage of being a mom.  Carter is talking and I mean talking up a storm.  He is super loving.  He is more physically capable every day which means my back is able to take a break!  He counts from 1-10 (when he is in the mood) in perfect order.  Blurts out shapes and some colors at random and is usually correct.  

His favorite show right now is called, "Ni Hao, Kai-lan".  Super cute show with Chinese characters and language.  He goes around saying, "Ni Hao mama".   

He can relate his life with the characters.  I tell him he needs to listen to mama and he will remember the episode where one of the characters was not being a good listener.  

Our conversation will go like this:

Me:  "Carter, I need to you to listen to mommy."

Carter:  "Like Ho-ho?"  (the character that learned to listen better.)

Me:  "Yes, Carter.  Like Ho-ho."

Carter:  "Ok mommy."

All of the sudden the task will be completed.  He can watch that show all he wants!  

Of course he is going through the "mine" phase as all toddlers do.  It can be frustrating, but sometimes it's very adorable.

For example;  His playmate, Lachlan who's six weeks younger.  

When I tell him we are going to play with Laclan, Carter says, "Oh, my Lachlan, my Lachlan!"

Brian, Carter and I can have fun being anywhere.  So far we have found our favorite time is right here at home after Carter has had his bath, got his jammies on, and getting ready for story time.  You can just tell by Carter's mood he is so happy when we are all together.  We roll around on the floor hugging and laughing.  Those are truely special moments.

Kids say funniest things

Brian and I don't let Carter get into public sand boxes.  There are too many cats prowling around using them.....eeeewwwwe!  Carter is conditioned to not go near them.

There is a sand volley ball court on the Drury campus.  We walk by it all the time.  The other night Carter, Brian and I were taking a walk and went by the court.  There were students having a game.  

As we walked by, Carter stopped as if in shock.  He yelled, "Get out der!" (get out of there)

No one responded so he yelled again, "Get out der guys!  Ewwwe!"

We burst into laughter and I'm sure Carter didn't know why.

Later during our walk we went by tennis courts.  Carter stopped to watch some students playing.    

He said to one of the players, "Nice shot."

Our jaws dropped open and we got a good laugh out of that too.

2 years old!

The morning of April 10th, 2007 was a normal day for us at the Shipman house.  Brian and I start our day together and head to our respective jobs.  I am dreading the meetings I have that morning and make lists in my head of all the work I could be getting done.  

Little do I know how our lives are getting ready to change.  The adventures of Honey and Bunny are REALLY about to begin.

When I return to the office from our meetings, I have the long awaited phone call.  

"There may be a baby available for adoption."

The flood of emotions, no, tsunami start.  All I know is by 9:30 PM Brian and I were headed North.

On April 11th at 1:10 AM a baby boy was born.  

Carter James Shipman is now 30 pounds and almost 38 inches tall.  He only stops talking to sleep.  I even understand most of it.  

Below are some shots from his Birthday on Saturday.  The video is of his party we had with our dear friends here in the neighborhood.

After Carter opened the bag with the dump truck he didn't come back to open the rest of his presents.  HA!

Cousin, Blake adores Carter and vice versa!  Here they are with Grandma.

Carter saying, "Cheese"

Maybe I can get it ALL in my mouth!

Getting ready to blow out the candles!

Great Grandma, me, Carter and Grandma (my moms' mom)

We sing several Birthday songs in this group.  One of our Polish friends taught us a song, which some get the words and some of us don't....It's rather comical.