Happy 2nd Birthday!

It's hard to believe that Karsten is two. Wasn't he just this little guy learning to wrap us around his tiny little finger?

I sang Happy Birthday to him as we were driving to Gail's in the morning. He kept saying "Again, Mommy" so I sang over and over again. Who can resist singing happy birthday over and over at the birthday boy's request?

We took cupcakes for Karsten and his friends to enjoy at Gail's - sounds like everyone enjoyed them. One of the little boys wished Karsten a happy birthday as soon as we walked in the door - so nice!

When I picked him up from Gail's, we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house for dinner. They had picked up Gaga to bring her to town for Karsten's birthday. They had to take a detour because of all of the flooding in Nebraska and Missouri, but they made it. Thank you to them for picking Gaga up and Thanks to Kevin for meeting them 'halfway'!

Having a 'nack' with Papa before dinner.

Since he had a 'nack' shortly before dinner, he ate a few bites of his food, then said 'I'm done!' and he wanted on Grandma's lap. Of course she didn't object, and it ended up working out well because he ate some more.

Then he got to open a few presents - this one was a hit. "GREEN ONE TRASH TRUCK" as Karsten said when he saw it - he was so excited!

Showing Gaga his green one trash truck.

Then it was time to sing Happy Birthday again! I love this look as he watched the flame on his candle. He wasn't so sure about it at first. Once we helped him blow out the candle he said "again, again" so he got to do it twice.

Then he opened his birthday present from Gaga - a picnic table!

Scott was excited to see there was 'some' assembly required. :)

Playing a game with Gaga...he laughed and laughed. He has such a contagious laugh!

Playing with his car on his picnic table.

'Reading' his birthday card from Gaga.

I think Karsten had a great second birthday - and the celebrations have just begun!

2 year stats

We had Karsten's two year checkup today and the doctor said he was doing great. When we go to the doctor, he seems to remember that he gets shots because as soon as we are called back he says 'no, no, no, all done'. Luckily he calms down once we get into the exam room and by the time the doctor came into the room he was chatting away with us about the drawings on the wall. He told her the colors of all of the drawings and told her what each picture was.

She said it sounded like he was right on track developmentally and was ahead of the verbal milestones for a two year old. That's our little chatterbox. :)

He weighs 29lbs and 10oz, which is in the 70th percentile.

His height is 35.5inches in the 80th percentile and his head is 20 inches in the 90th percentile.

lego art courtesy of Jenn.

Mommy's Shoes

While we were making dinner the other night, Karsten found my shoes and said 'Mommy's shoes...Mommy hand, Mommy hand'. He wanted me to hold his hand so he could step into my shoes. Next he clomped around the kitchen in my shoes - he was so proud of himself.

Happy Fathers Day

I hope all of the dads out there had a wonderful father's day.

We started our day with biscuits and gravy for breakfast. Scott really likes biscuits and gravy, but I'm not a huge fan so we don't usually have them. I did some research to figure out how I could make the gravy and decided to give it a try. Thankfully, the gravy turned out really well and breakfast was a success.

Having some 'gogurt' with his biscuits and gravy.

Then we went to church and Karsten was on his best behavior! He normally does really well during mass; however, sometimes he gets a little antsy. Today, right after we finished a song, Karsten clapped his hands and said "YAY" in a loud voice while the rest of the church was quiet. Everyone around us enjoyed that. :)

Next we went to Hereford House for a father's day lunch. It has been YEARS since I've been to a Hereford House and I can safely say it will be years before I go back. The service was good but the food was not. Disappointing.

Then we came home for a nap and then headed over to my parents to celebrate again! My mom made a yummy dinner and an ice cream cake for dessert. I like her ice cream cake much better than any we've gotten at the store! Karsten said he was done eating before it was time for cake - somehow he managed to find room for cake - go figure. :)

YUMMY cake - chocolate cake with chocolate chip ice cream. We thought of all sorts of great combos for future ice cream cakes.

Enjoying his cake!


Wishing 'papa' a Happy Father's day!


It was a great day - can we have one more day to continue the weekend?

MY TRUCK

This morning right after he got up, he wanted to go downstairs and play with his truck. He had the puppy and was ready to go - the puppy also slept with him and was in his arms when he work up. Scott talked him into waiting until breakfast was (mostly) over, but he got anxious while the cinnamon rolls were baking.

So, we ended up eating our cinnamon rolls downstairs right next to the firetruck. As soon as he was done, he was on the firetruck and playing!

Breakfast within view of the firetruck. Check out Karsten's socks - he picked those out on his own.

Finally, what he wanted all morning - to play on his firetruck!

Early Birthday

Soon after I was pregnant with Karsten, Chuck was planning this present. He had seen it in one of his woodworking magazines and thought that our lil one would 'need' it. It was too big for Karsten's first birthday, but he was so excited to give it to Karsten for his second birthday.

Last night we had the big delivery and unveiling. When I say big, I mean BIG - this firetruck is almost 6 feet long! When Karsten saw it he gasped and said O WOW, he was sooo excited!

He went right to the 'light's and said "DIGHTS!!"

Then he saw the puppy on the back - every firetruck needs a dalmation doesn't it?

And every fireman needs a hat!

Getting on his truck for the first time!

Papa showing him all the fun stuff on his firetruck!

There's even a super loud siren (lucky us!). Thankfully Karsten has learned to turn it both on and off.

Thanks Grandma!

Thanks Papa!

He's not going to get off his firetruck for quite some time. Can you believe that EVERYTHING on this firetruck is wood - amazing. It all looks so real!

Sometimes when he tries to get out of the truck, he gets stuck. He usually says uh oh and gets out the other side.

Then he discovered that his seat was also a toybox!

Taking another drive with the puppy.

He told us that the puppy wanted to go for a ride!

Thanks Papa - I think this was the best birthday present!!

We had to call Gaga so he could tell her all about his truck and puppy.

Looks like Scott wishes he could ride the firetruck too!

Fireman Karsten hard at work!

And in case you want to watch - here is the video of the firetruck unveiling. :)

Soaked!

Like I've mentioned before, playing outside is Karsten's favorite activity these days! It's a sad day at our house when it's raining outside!

He'll help Scott with whatever he's doing in the yard, play on his slide, ride his little car, or just run around and play on the rocks.

So happy to be playing outside.

I think I got that innocent look when I asked him if he was all wet from the sprinklers. Nope was the answer.

They folded up a tarp Scott used to repaint some patio furniture.

Karsten's shorts are so wet that they keep falling down - he's not going for the saggy pants look.

Being a very good helper.

Making sure the sprinkler is watering the grass in the right place.

The fun started when they needed to move the sprinkler and Karsten realized that he could stop the sprinkler arms from going around.

When he stopped the sprinkler arms, Madison was immediately barking and attacking the water. She LOVES to play in the water!

Then he discovered that he could move the arms around and tease Madison. He would laugh and laugh as she barked and ran around to attack the water.

He was having so much fun!

I think Madison drank a gallon of water - by the time we turned off the water, her tummy was huge!

I think the rain train sprinkler is going to be a huge hit this summer with Madison and Karsten!