What's New With The Carter Family

Very early on Sunday morning, after a very painful labor, my sister-in-law gave birth to her much anticipated little girl....and I became an auntie for a second time! Sweet little Piper Rose Skinner was born just shortly before 2am, weighing a whopping 8 and a 1/2 lbs! She is the loveliest little baby - just look at those pouty lips! She's a perfect combination of her parents - her daddy from the nose up, and her mommy from the lips down :) Not to mention she looks like she's going to have her mom's gorgeous dark curly hair! Congratulations Sarah, Justin and big sister River!!! We're so happy for you all and can't wait to start loving on her :)

As some of you may know, Brandon's mother passed away a week ago today. It was unexpected, sudden, and of course very sad. Pamela Jane Carter was only 52 years old - she missed her 53rd birthday by only a few days. Pam was a laid back woman with a goofy sense of humor. She loved her family very much, and she will be missed. Here is a video photo montage of my mother-in-law - may she rest in peace.

I love having my niece stay over. She probably won't want to do it for much longer, she is {afterall} almost 11. I'm just enjoying it while it lasts :) Enjoying having her and Jem experience things together, because {let's face it} being an only child sucks sometimes! It is always much more fun to do things with another kid. And one as cute and loveable as my niece River makes it doubly fun! Today was QUITE the scorcher - it got to 92 in Lake Stevens! So I took Jem and River to Lundeen Park, to swim in the lake. Then we went roller skating (and boy was that hilarious - speed skaters they will not ever be). Then we came home and had some fun with the sprinkler, and ended with a water showdown with our next door neighbors! All in all, a fun day. But here's the thing. I decided to snap some pics of Jem and River running over the sprinkler. And seeing as I only have one kid {normally}, I don't ever ponder the differences between the sexes. But today I did. Because watch...

LOVE this American Holiday! Fireworks, food and family - what more could you ask for? Well I can think of one thing - our missing family, the Axougas', the Carters and the Bakulas....we missed you guys! This year we did things a little differently....since the 4th fell on a Sunday. We went to church, then participated in an all-church picnic. It was fun! The Skinner's joined us and the church put on a free lunch of hot dogs, chips, drinks and dessert! Brandon entered a pie in the competition -- and much to his shock (haha nothing like a good ego right?) his Rhubarb Orange Creme Pie did not make it to the finals. Better luck next time babe! After the picnic we went over to the Skinner's place for some games, before heading back to our place for some dinner (KFC - oh my goodness it was SO GOOD, but of course everyone overate and suffered for it afterwards) and to get ready to watch the fireworks. We spent a little more than usual on fireworks this year -- it seemed like the ...

Gotta love the technological age...I mean, really. Here I sit on my computer, typing my thoughts. And halfway across the world, someone is reading them. That's some serious technology! The best part of it all is that I can sit at my desktop and have a full on video chat with my family back in Australia...as often and for as long as I like, and without it costing anything more than what I pay for an internet connection! Amazing! The computer & the internet....the two BEST things ever invented.