Here we come!!!

The Carter's are headed to Utah to spend the entire month of JULY!  We are so excited!!!!  We would love to see you!  Look us up when we get there. 

Chef Sam

 My Dad served his mission in Italy and he makes a mean Italian meal! 

If you look closely below you can see all of the essentials, Ketchup, brown sugar, olive oil,

and Pepsi!  (For himself)

When the moon hits your eye like a big Pizza pie . . . you're in love!

Full Moon

     One night, in the early fall of 2008, I couldn't sleep. I had been tossing and turning in bed for quite some time and my own restlessness had finally compelled me to get out of bed. I was sharing this bed with my little (Big) sister Brittany. She does not fight fair in the war between bodies and space, blankets and sheets.  We had been enjoying our stay at my Aunt Jo's house; filling our minds with the enlightening wisdom of our Great Aunt Jo,  lifting our spirits with her particular brand of humor, and filling our stomach's with freshly baked banana bread, homemade chili, "surprise cake" and lots and lots of peanut butter cups from her secret candy drawer. We had fled the hurricane and were waiting it out in the safety of her comfortable home in Oklahoma (which is surprisingly close to Houston). Surrendering to my own unrest as well as to my Sister, I slipped on my shoes and tip toed my way to the back door as well as one could in a pair of old flip flops.
     As I opened the back door the air was warm and heavy on my skin, almost like a soft blanket, not too thick or thin. The night was still. I could see the pond in the distance through the trees. The shadows in the yard looked perfectly manicured even in the darkness. I felt instantly calm. The crickets were singing in a soft hum in the background. In the sky hung the most brilliantly understated full moon I had ever seen.
      I stared into its brightness, completely at ease with its soft glow. I felt small. The soft light from the moon fell across the entire yard like a silk chiffon veil falling over the face of a young bride, softening and purifying without distraction. I stood there staring into the sky and feeling small. I had been caught up in the weight of heavy matters, the heaviest that I had known. But, somehow, that night, under the full moon, I knew that there was a much bigger picture and that I was only one small stroke of the painting.
     Tonight I saw that same soft glow streaming through my small second story window as I was climbing down the stairs. I had just finished checking in on all of my babies, as I do each night, each sleeping body so peaceful and content. I walked to the front door, looked through the glass, and sure enough there she was, hung high in the sky just how she had been that night, and time stood still. I was taken right back to my Aunt Jo's back patio; the towering shadows, the warm air, the stillness, and a gentle reminder that I am but a small part of something great.

Grammy and Grandad

My children have a very special relationship with their Grandparents. They are almost as amazing as grandparents as they were are parents. We love you!!

My Dad is so patient with the kids.  He has always been so good to engage Adam's attention and calm him down.  They have a special bond. 

My Mom is always making something special for the kids!
  They love it and so do I. 

 I really like this picture of her sewing.   

 They also LOVE to surround Grammy on the couch for a movie.  It is getting a little crowded but she is such a good sport about it. 

More of Audrey's Special Weekend

Claire

 Chauntel came all the way from Dallas to be there and make sure that Audrey's BEST FRIEND Makayla could be there too!  We love you guys!

 The Girls were so silly dancing by the pool!  They were really getting into it!

 These girls are the best of friends. 

The Logsdon kids are the closest things to cousins that my kids know.

 I wasn't quite ready for this shot . . .

One of the only pictures I have with Chauntel.

 James is always so good to take care of the grill.

My  cute parents!

 These boys had a blast together!

Summer

The summer is moving along at a snail's pace. It seems that it has been an eternity and it is only 11:00 a.m. The rhythm of the season is a bit hard to get used to. At about this time every year I want to move. I long to be able to send the kids outside but it is too hot. To make matters worse, our air conditioning went out on the main floor! It's going to be another long day . . .

Audrey's Baptism Day

The 29th of July was a very special day in our Family. Audrey chose to be baptised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! She is such an amazing girl and has a very strong testimony of her own. My parents came to be here for the big day as well as Chelsea and Chauntel, Makayla, and Jackson. It would not have been the same without you! Grammy and Grandad gave talks and Rachel sang, "Families can be together forever." It was a very neat experience to say the least.

Our beautiful eight year old!

The Carter Family

The whole Cardon crew! (Plus Makayla)

My big girls!