Daddy's Caddy

This weekend was another wonderful weekend for us!
We had a guest stay overnight on Friday night, and we love company!  Aunt DiDi stayed over, because she was in town for a scrapbooking retreat.  So, we visited her on Saturday at the church while she was there.  Carson managed to score a sucker, smarties, and a sandwich the size of his head while there! 

Carl ended up having Saturday night off, so we went out with some friends.  It was a lot of fun to get out, and we were surrounded by good company, and good food.  We missed Carson dearly, but we had Sunday family day to look forward to.

Sunday evening Grandpa & Grandma Brouwer came to visit.  It had been a while since we have seen them with all the sickness that has been going around.  So, it was a lot of fun to catch up with them!  And, they brought a little treat for Carson.  His very first set of golf clubs!  He loves them.  He especially likes to carry the clubs around and hit things; like people, doors, furniture, toys, the floor, Tucker, etc.  But, he is a little smarty pants, and knows what the clubs are meant for....he will try and hit the golf balls with the clubs.  And, he wheels the little cart around like he has been doing this for years.  He has now been promoted to the position, and has acquired the title "Daddy's Caddy"  I think he will fit right in on the course :) 

Thanks for the clubs G&G Brouwer! 

And look!  He has been known as "Daddy's Caddy" since he has been 8 months old!

It was a great weekend had by all.  Merry Monday, everyone!

Oh, and one more thing......Carson and Tucker are still buds.  This statement has been confirmed by a hug! 

Our Home

Beginning last spring, March to be exact, Carl and I decided to put our house up for sale, and look for a new one.  We didn't have another one in mind, but knew we would like something bigger, and location was key.  We were located on the highway, which we thought wasn't going to be very kid-friendly in the near future when Carson would want to go outside and play, and ride his bike.  So, we set out on the adventure of selling, and buying. 
We were one of those very fortunate sellers, and our house moved quickly.  We sold within 4 months of our listing date.  That was an answered prayer.
Then came the buying part.  We had a house in mind, but had to travel over a few bumps to get there.  It was like riding a bike, and we were still a little shaky.  We still had our training wheels attached. 
Long story short, we made it through all of the trials, and landed upon a house we both loved.  That's when we felt confident enough to take the wheels off, and ride freely. 
We did some a lot of work to our new house, and we both absolutely love it.  It was a lot of hard work, and we had A LOT of great people to help us.  We are so thankful for family and friends...have I mentioned that before?!  And now, we get to enjoy it!  We then realized that we could ride with no hands.  Enjoying the scenery around us.  That's what we were doing.  We were taking in our new surroundings, and enjoying every little bit of it. 

We closed on our new house 6 months ago, and we have been loving it so far.  We said good bye to our old house, which held a lot of memories.
It was:
....our very first home purchased together.

....the one that Carl purposed to me.  in the living room.  down on one knee.  in the middle of a heart made out of rose petals, and tea candles. 

 

....the one we came home to as a married couple--Mr. & Mrs. Brouwer.

....the one where we got our first pet, Tucker. 

....and, the one we brought our first child home to.  carson david brouwer was walked through the front door of 626 parriott street, and was welcomed home by a giant sign.

That house holds a lot of memories, but we are now making new ones.  In our new house.  And, so far....they have been nothing but great memories.  With, a million more to come! 

Six months ago, we purchased this house, that we now call home.

We did some work to the outside, that really made a huge difference.  We ripped out the bushes in the front, took out the bricks that lined the whole entire house, cut down trees, added dirt, and took out the front steps and replaced them with new ones. 

During........

After.....

The big renovation that we started with was the kitchen.   

We knocked down the wall that was between the kitchen and living room, and holy smokes did that open up the room.  What a transformation.....and, we l.o.v.e it!! 

Before.......

During.....

After.....

The next big project was the basement.  We added an office, bedroom, storage, family room, and bar.  Phew, I am tired just thinking about it :) 

Before.... (the whole basement was open, and bare like this one picture)

After......

The main floor bathroom also needed some updating.  We added a new light fixture, mirror, vanity and cabinet.  It really made a huge difference, and turned out nice!

Before.....

After.....

And, the living room also got a little TLC.  Just some updating, and some lovin'.

Before.....

After.....

Carl and I are back and forth about how long it seems like we have lived here.  Some days it feels like we have been here for years, and other days it feels like we just moved in!  Regardless, we are happy in our new home, and can't wait to see what the future holds.  And, what other great milestones, and memories we will create here, under this new roof of ours. 

Happy Weekend! 

Teething

Carson is really struggling with some new teeth that are coming in, and has been for a while now.  He still tries really hard to be in a good mood, but sometimes I think they get the best of him.  His shirts are soaking wet these days, and drool just hangs from his mouth.  He really likes to gnaw on things, and rub things along his gums.  He now has 6 teeth on the top, and 2 on the bottom.  And, his 3rd tooth along the bottom has just surfaced, making it a total of 9 teeth!  He has his cranky/fussy times, but he is still such a joy! 

We are very excited that the weekend is finally here.  Nothing special planned, but that's what makes it fun.  Family time, and a lot of it!!  We are all ready for that :)



Flashback

I am going to have a little flashback this evening, and go back a few months.........

I don't really have much to report on tonight.  But, since I started this little space when Carson was about 15 months of age, that means there are 15 months worth of pictures that have not been seen!
So, I am going to share a few of my favorites for everyone to enjoy.  There will be more to come, I am sure. 

All of these pictures always bring a smile to my face.  Every time.

Oh, my dearest Carson, you are growing up too fast!  But, you are turning into an amazing little boy, and you are such a joy to have around.  Some of these pictures make me miss you being little.  But, then I see the twinkle in your eyes, and how much you are learning and taking in from this great big world.  That part of you growing up makes me excited for your future, and whatever that may hold.

Frannie

Frannie is:
.....amazing
.....sweet
.....caring
.....loving
.....fun
...........the list could go on. and on. and on. 

Frannie and Carson usually spend a day together each week.  I think they both have so much fun, and look forward to the day with each other.  They have this special bond, that is just amazing to see. 

It started from the minute Carson took his first breath of life, and she welcomed him into this great big world. 

And she loves him up, because he is important to her.....

And they have fun together.........

And they giggle......because hearing Carson's giggle is the best sound in the world!

And they enjoy each other's company.......

 And, she shows him what being an amazing Frannie is all about.

Today, Carson was with Frannie for the day.  And, he had a blast.  I love how excited he gets to see her in the morning, when we do the 'swap', and I hand him off to have a fun filled day. 

A few pictures from Carson's day at Frannie's.......

He has his own little 'stash' of toys that he enjoys playing with. 

He has a favorite cupboard that he gets into as well. 

And, a favorite drawer......equipped with a hammer, scissors, and other non kid-friendly items.

(This is the one drawer that Frannie will actually tell you "no" for!)

Carson also loves the stairs.  He doesn't really get much experience with them at home, so he takes full advantage of them at Frannie's house. 

Frannie said you had a great day today, which is what I love to hear!  So, you got rewarded with chocolate ice cream tonight :)  (I may have enjoyed a little, too....there, I admitted it!)

Carson and I dove right into our evening, and I loved every second of it.  It's the small things that we enjoy, that make us both so happy.....our time together at night is short, so we try and make it sweet.

We walked into the house, which was filled with the wonderful aroma of pork chops simmering in the crock pot.  The smell of food being cooked, and not having to make supper at night, is a taste of pure greatness. 

Carson is really enjoying his fork during supper.  He probably plays with it more than he uses it, but he does eat whatever I put on the fork....so, I have managed to have him eat a couple more bites, just because he enjoys eating things off of it.  And, to get him a few more bites into that little mouth, it so worth it. 

After supper, we went to Carson's room.  We have a lot of fun in his room, as that is where most of his toys, books, and games are.  And, the sound of about 4 different toys going at the same time, is truly music to my ears :) 

I really wish that Carson would keep this hat on for longer than a second, because he looks so stinkin' cute in it!  He is our lil' Hawkeye. 

Check out those teeth!  He has started to bite these days.  Tonight, he bit me in the leg.  It completely caught me off guard, and he laughed.  We are now going to have to teach him that biting is not nice.....

I will end with this picture, because he is such a goof ball, and it is so precious.  He is precious. 

We are thankful for a lot of things this evening.  Our family, friends, health, Frannie, and this precious little boy in our lives.  He has changed our lives forever, and oh how wonderful it has been!