We are home... and Elmo Shots

We made it home! Yesterday Carter rode in his 1st airplane. We started off the morning by looking outside and seeing that it was snowing (fargo ended up getting about 10 inches) and our flights took a little longer than normal...but we made it!
We have spent the last 24 hours organizing, buying groceries, and Carter is getting used to his new room. Tommorow we go to DSM for a day trip to go visit the Marple Family. Carter gets to meet his new buddy Max!
Cant believe tonight is New Years Eve...last year at this time we were in Las Vegas, and well lets just say in one night you whole life can change! =) We have had a blessed year and look forward to many more. Although Kenny is unable to be here for the big ball drop..we are thinking of him and looking forward to the next time we see him!
Happy New Years~
Danielle and Carter


Below are Carter's December Elmo Shots...

Last Night in Fargo!

Last supper... Shannon made us a lasagna supper before we left to go back home. Lisa, Shane, Parker and Tanner also came over. Here are some pics from the night.

This picture is priceless....

"Cheese........."

Carter and Parker hanging out!

Next time they see each other they will be rolling all over the place!

Paulus/Thielen Xmas

Saturday started out the day by going dress shopping with Lacey at the Bridal Shop. We went in with no idea of what she wanted...and we didnt get very far!haha We did get a better idea of what she is looking for "classic, simple, and elegant" and saw what styles fit her. I am really excited for Feb 13th 2010...and all the planning that comes with it. I am honored to be the Maid of Honor...(actually Matron of Honor) and am looking forward to putting together some wonderful showers/bachelorette parties!! =) Let the event planning begin!

That afternoon we headed out to the lake to start Xmas! Appetizers, games and the white elephant exchange were just a few of the activities. Carter was able to meet a few of his realtives that he had not gotten a chance to meet...and he was in a great mood! Lots of smiles and coo's!! I have to make a special shout out to Lacey's White Elephant game...it involved layers of wrapping paper and a Xmas story...and it was lots of fun!!

Sunday we went to church in Detroit Lakes and that had a Xmas Meal and Grandpa and Grandma Lou's. Next was opening gifts...and wow did Carter Luck out! He got books, blankets, clothes, and a piggy bank! He might get confused with the amount of NDSU and UND clothing he received...he just has to remember that he can only wear UND apparel during hockey season.
Overall we had a wonderful Holiday Season and get to the chance to spend time with lots of family and friends. It was a perfect end to our stay up North.

We fly to IA on tuesday morning and plan on spending New Years Eve settling back into our house. Plenty of unpacking and organizing to do. I start back at Wells Fargo on January 2nd.


Pics below...
Carter with Great Grandma Jan

Erin, Natalie, Danielle and Lacey hanging out

Mom and Carter pic!!

Paulus family...minus Kenny =(

Ben and Joe hanging w/their favorite Sister-in-law....=)

Carter in his new harley hat

Wow look at all the presents..next year he will be able to help open them!

Carter smiling at himself in the mirror

Spencer, Erin and Carter

I love Xmas! I love Xmas! I love Xmas!

Merry Xmas!! We had a great xmas so far! On Monday night Sandy, Carter and I spent the evening getting all the appetizers ready. We made wontons, spinach dip, cheese bread rounds, and a couple others. Carter sat and watched us in his bumbo seat.

On friday everyone came over around 4:00 and we ate appetizers and the little kids open gifts. The grandkids got a dollhouse to keep at grandma and grandpas. Also all the kids got a pair of crocs. Carter got a red pair...he wont wair them for a few months..but they are adorable!

At 6:00 we had the Trolly bus come pick up the family and we went and looked at Xmas lights. We drove through Lindenwood park and around Fargo. We had a great time talking, looking at lights..and olivia even led us in some Xmas Caroling. We were lucky to have Ellie watch Kendall, Parker, and Carter at the house so they could get ready for bed

Once we got home we did the traditional meal..Crab Legs!! I really missed Kenny at this point..he always opened my legs for me!!haha Afterwards we opened gifts and relaxed. Was a great day.

On Xmas Eve we did some quick shopping and exchanging of things. Then Ellie and I went and saw the movie Seven Pounds with Will Smith. Very interesting movie..
That evening Pam and Fran came over and we had dinner. AFterwards i got a bug to start taking Xmas down(usually we do it xmas day morning) but i work better in the evening...so i started and all of a sudden i looked at the clock and it was 1:00 am!

Tommorow the Paulus Family is coming into town. I made lasagna...hopefully it will be good! Then on saturday Lacey and I are going to go look at dresses in the morning and then that afternoon is the Paulus Xmas!

We leave for IA on tuesday...we are anxious to get home!

love,
danielle and carter



Carter helping make the appetizers for Xmas...he held the spoons!!

Xmas even start

Mom and Carter

Excited for Xmas!!

I love Xmas! I love Xmas!

The whole gang right before we got on the trolly for a ride to look at Xmas lights!!

Shannon and I hanging out on the bus

The girls hanging out!

More pics!!

Shane and Tanner being silly!

The boys didnt open any gifts..but they liked the bows!!

Boys hanging out w/grandpa

On Xmas day taking pics by the tree

Carter and me...before I took all of xmas down...worked until 1:00 am!!

These boys are ready for their 1st Xmas...

Parker and Carter are ready for Xmas...

Great News

We had a big night last night....Aunt Lacey and Jackson got engaged!!!!!!!! Carter was so excited he Rolled over for the first time unassisted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We dont know if it was a fluke or if it will happen again soon..but i like to think he did it for the "Soon to be Mrs and Mr Long" =)


Here are pics from the night...

Earlier in the evening Carrie had Carter and I over for a great supper



This was right after the event happened!! He was so proud!!haha



Trying to do it again..haha

Santa! Santa! Santa!

This weekend we had a huge blizzard in Fargo...but before it came we went and saw Santa!!


Patiently waiting for santa!!

More waiting...

Ok Santa hurry up!!!

Olivia, Carter, Tanner, and Kendall w/Santa

3 months!!!

CJ is 3 months old today! Wow it has gone fast.

Couple highlights lately:

• Carter has found his hands..he stairs at them and then puts them in his mouth..haha
• He can hold onto things..he loves his bouncer chair that has animals hanging down from it.
• He grabs them or pushes them to make them move
• He is starting to mimick. Grandpa Jim can get him to stick out his tounge!
• He is also realising that if he starts to cry people will run to him and then he starts smiling...cute but trouble!haha
• Sleeping...wow we are lucky with this sleep schedule. Has his last bottle around 9pm and sleeps till 7:30-8am. Hopfully he will keep that schedule when we go home to IA.

Here are some pics...

playing w/his rattle


Writing a letter to dad! =)

Getting ready for Santa...

catching up

I know i have been very bad at adding posts! These last couple weeks have been busy. This week i traveled to IA and brought most of our stuff back to our house. I spent the week organizing Carter's room and stocking up on supplies for when we return. I then left Ace(he went to the kennel) and flew back to Fargo. Carter and I will take the return flight back on the 30th.

Here are a few pics from when he spent the week with Grandma!

Carters Bison shirt is almost too small!!

Cousin's Olivia and Kendall are showing Carter the ropes in the bathtub!

CJ's new favorite spot...the corner of the couch

Favorite spot..and he controls the remote...Just like dad!!

Getting ready for Xmas!!

Can hold his own bottle...just doesnt know he is doing it!!

OJ, CJ, and KJ all hanging out before bedtime!