Huntington Lake

Last weekend the family took a day trip about 1.5 hours and 7,000 feet up into the Sierra Nevada's. It was a beautiful windy day and the sailboats were out enjoying it.

Carter Meets Elsa

Sara and Errol were so kind as to drive up to PA to bring Elsa to hang out with Susan, Carter, and I. Perhaps we can't remember the first time that you meet that "someone special" but, good thing for Carter and Elsa, mom and dad had the cameras out to document the occasion. Here is their first fateful meeting.

First Chocolate Candy

After a delicious dinner of crab cakes and flounder at PJ and Gene's (Susan's sister Tracy's in-laws) the "candy fairy" magically filled the candy dish at the corner of the table to the delight of Eugene and Olivia (both 4) who cringed with anticipation the entire meal. The candy fairy was kind enough to know that Carter was also at the table and three chocolate candies appeared. The following is a three step progression of the beginnings of a chocolate addiction created by the all-to-well-known chocolate euphoria. Here's his first experience:

The first taste... the beginning of his slide to the dark side.

He's letting the chocolate work its magic on him (and enjoying every second)

The end result... his inevitable slide to the dark side of chocoholicism. Will he ever be the same? Only time will tell.

Carter Says MOO!

He can talk and thanks to the miracles of modern technology (and a little encouragement from Dave) you can hear him!

Mr. Independent

Carter has become very handy and even more independent lately. He's very willing to help daddy water the plants (as long as he gets squirted also).


He frowns upon his mother and father cutting up his food into bite size pieces and he prefers to hold the entire pancake/burger/meatball/piece of chicken etc.

When Susan tried to give him a quick wash of the feet he somehow weaseled his way into getting a full bath in the sink.


And hey... who wouldn't love a 105 pound dog's slobbery foomanchu tickling the top of their head?


Carter scored a baby pool with a slide at his cousin Jett's Party. When we told him that it was too hot to play outside (it has been a fiery 100-108 this week) he just pulled the baby pool right out and started to blow it up on his own. Saving Carter 4 1/2 hours of blowing, Susan stepped in and saved the day. Carter has been cooling off daily in his new slide pool. He has even mastered the belly slide.



Carter keeps up his Parrotish skills as he masters new words and phrases every day. He has now begun to put together sentences and has been able to express his thoughts on subjects. Example:

"Look at the tractor Carter" - momma

"Big Tractor" - Carter

The tractor drives away past our house.

"Where Tractor Go?" -Carter

"It Drove Away" - momma

This is where Carter would usually repeat "Drove Away" about 5 times but just the other day he threw me a curveball.

"Go Find It" - Carter

Carter is the Life of the Party

Carter fears no social situation and he isn't afraid to take the reigns on a country western dance floor with a sippy cup of milk and whales on his pants! Here are some pictures from his latest exploits as an 18 month old that can say teriyaki.

Carter's Homies

Carter's been hopping from house party to house party quite a bit lately. He's old enough now that he can interact and play with the other kids (which is nice for his mother and father who don't have to hover over him like bees on a flower). One thing I'll say about Fresno is the weather right now sure is nice!