Twilight obsession

MOM BLOG ENTRY:  Ok, I know that I set this up to be a blog all about Carson.  I'm sorry, I must have at least this one selfish entry.  I've been on a blogging marathon getting this caught-up and it did not feel complete, for me, if I did not share this with family and friends.

Yes!  I have been bitten by the Twilight bandwagon.  Thank you to all of my friends who share the obsession.  On Friday night, my friend Amy had a Twilight Party and a group of 12 or so of us joined for a gift exchange and movie viewing.  I was impressed with the crafty gifts for $5 and less that everyone came up with!  It was a fun night with the girlies, too!  

Twilight consumed me for two weeks.  Every free minute reading the books.  Every second of downtime, replaying what I had read into my own imagination's movie.  The distraction was killing my husband.  If there is an anti-Twilight movement, please do not tell him, as he will join up.

Now that I have read all the books and seen the movie in the theater and on DVD, I think I can move on.... until the New Moon movie comes out and reopens the vault. Hopefully that movie will feature better acting and overall production quality, BUT I'll watch it regardless of reviews because I JUST HAVE TO.   

Goodbye, Edward and Jacob.   For now...

Simpson Girlfriends Reunion / Meet the Kiddos

Back Row: Brooke, Becky, Aimee, Kortney, Megan, Anne, Jackie

Front Row: Mason, Blake, Carson, Collin, Elle

Some things change, some things will never change.  I love my Simpson Girlfriends!  True friendships are when you can pick right back up with comfort from the last time you saw someone.  We all lead busy lives, live in different places, jobs, family, work, etc. etc. etc....so it's tough to keep in touch daily/weekly/monthly/?...but when we get together it's always a good time!  What a cute group, too!  

We all had a great time cooing over and playing with the new additions to our family: Mason, Blake, Carson, Collin, and Elle!

Mason was so nice to share his toys and crayons with Carson.  Thanks, Bex, for keeping him entertained!

Blake and Collin checking out the toys.

Elle... so many handsome boys to choose from!  ;)

Ben's 30th Birthday March 23rd!

Daddy turned 30!  (I slacked on camera duty until nearly the end of the night, sorry!)  We had decided a long time ago not to make too big of a deal about our 30th b-days, our Bahamas trip was our gift to each other.  So, we just had a low-key night of dinner up at the Sundown with some family and friends.  Mexican Buffet night was delicious!

 The kids partied for the birthday with some rounds of pool....

(Macey explaining some pool strategy to Teagan)

...some wild dancing...

...and posing for the paparazzi!  (Tate, MacKenzie, Carson, and Teagan)

Thank you to the Griers, Talberts, Kents, Beckers, Schaeffers, Wetjens (x2), and Hockers for joining us!  

I think we should make Sundown Mexican night a routing family night out! The kids had a blast, good food, plenty of room to play, and we got some adult time, too!

WDHC Family Night March 14

Instead of an office Christmas party, we opted for a late winter Family Night this year. The Griers (x2), Iburgs, Voss's, Shallas, and Bairs invaded the Burg Bowl for a night of good food, bowling, and fun!  We are glad everyone could make it and had a great night! :)

Carson kept himself and others pretty entertained through the night.  Here he is with Nancy and Zach, pretending to be interested in the juicebox but only a minute later stealing some of Nancy's fries.

Hmm...where's Carson going?

Ah, Grandpa Dave left his fries unattended for his turn at bowling.  What a french fry junkie!

Carson (with ketchup on his cheeks!) with cousin MacKenzie

Kari's son, Connor, with Carson's cousin, Chase.  The boys loved the glow-in-the-dark accesories we brought out for the Cosmic Bowling part of the night!

And the winner is... After the first round, Ryan, Kathy, and Ben were top scorers (Hula prizes) and Nathan and Kari were the underdogs (St. Patty's gear).  At the end of the night, most improved bowlers were Nancy and Connor!

Driving to church the next morning after Cousins stayed overnight.

MacKenzie thought it was too bright and Carson should try-on Mom's shades.

Dad wasn't having his boy in lady glasses....his shades made Carson one cool dude!

March 7th outing

Met G'pa and G'ma Swanson at Okoboji Grill in Newton to get Dizzle after mom & dad's vacation.  Carson discovered that you don't have to have fries to enjoy ketchup...just dip a finger an lick!

Stopped in Deep River to see Cousin Jono and Denise and (2nd cousin) Cael. Cael was sharing his thoughts on some of the Cubs spring training.

Jono had a gift for Carson of a fireman's hat.  He kept it on for one picture, but then was more entertained by the air matress (Denise's mom, Sandy, was visiting from CA.) and by Cael.  He did pretty good around his lil' cous'.

Week at Grandparents, Mom and Dad at Bahamas!

Mom and Dad at the Atlantis aquarium.

Dad fed Iguanas in the Bahamas, Carson fed baby lambs at home.  Will try to get a picture up from Kathy.

Mom and Dad were at the Bahamas all week.  Carson got in lots of play time with both grandparents and family!

Morning Cereal time.

Happy 60th Birthday, Grandpa Jimbo! (Feb. 25th)