Shakobe's Birhtday Party

 Had to show the birthday boy's awesome Monkey birthday cake my friend Shantell made. The party was as you can tell Monkey themed and she absolutely outdid herself with this cake. Everything was edible the monkeys were even made out of fondant. Not only did it look to die for but it tasted unbelievable. Which is hard to do both but she did it. Thanks so much Shantell your so amazing and Shakobe ate his part in almost one bite.

 We gave Monkey Man the top part of his 3 tear cake and it was so hilarious he did not waste any time he picked up the whole thing with both hands and dove right in. He inhaled it by the handfuls I think afraid we might take it away from him and shocked his mom and dad are finally letting him make a mess with his food. And a big Your Welcome for all the chocolatey kisses he was giving out when he was done. I love this little boy so much. That smile melts my heart every time.

 May 10th was by far one of the best days. Not only was it Shakobe's first birthday but his cousin Bryson was voted in Student Council. Bryson said he was using Shakobe as his good luck charm cuz it was his birthday but I don't think Bryson needed it he is loved by all and we were so excited that he made it. We were so happy these two could share this exciting day together I know I won't forget it.

 The cutest Space Ranger in the Universe on his new Buzz Lightyear 4 wheeler he got for his birthday. The 4 wheeler is only for inside though he thinks. As soon as we take it outside he hops right off and takes off running. Outside is for running not just going 2mph on a toy there is no time for that.

 I wanted to show some of the things we had at his party. Im all about pictures and conserving memories so I thought for his first Birthday we would display pictures of a lot of his 1st's. First holiday's, first time swimming, 1st time riding pony with Daddy, 1st zoo trip, and of course 1st Super Bowl. I also had a scroll made of everything in history that happened on his birthday including, prices of things on the day he was born, news, sports, movies, books, and etc. I think that will be really neat to look back on.

 We also did a picture display table of most of our Favorite Moments this past year. Like standing on top of the dishwasher door, scaring his cousin to tears and him wondering what he did, sending everything imaginable for a ride on his race car track including himself even though he didn't fit, family home evening with grandma and grandpa, pushing the wheel barrel while helping Daddy do yard work, and of course favorite moments at the hospital after he was born.

 We also did a signature table where we had people write a little message on a matte around his picture telling him something special that he can look back on.

And finally we did a outfit timeline from his first year. I figured if I was going to do this then this would be the best time just to see how much he had grown from a newborn to a One year old. Made me kinda sad to see how much he has changed, but again so fun to look back on this amazing year. Love you Shakobe .

My Monkey is 1

I can not believe it has been one year already. Our little monkey turned 1 on May 10th. Sorry but I have to say he is the sweetest, handsomest little man in the whole WORLD! This year has been a dream from up above. I don't know what I did to deserve the opportunity to be his mother but it is the greatest blessing I have ever been given in my life.

  Shakobe has been so perfect he was the easiest newborn always sleeping through the night and eating breast milk and formula never discriminated any type of food from the very beginning. Loves his naps and cuddle time with Mommy and wild playtime with Daddy. He is the happiest baby not much upsets him except when Mommy does not give her plate to him at dinner, and when the front door opens and we don't let him go outside. So neighbors when its 10:00p.m. and you here someone outside yelling "DADA DADA DADA" its just our little man that cant get enough of outside. (Those of you that know Kanyon will relate how these two are growing alot alike. lol)

Our Chunk of Monk is not afraid of anyone he always smiles at them and is a always willing to give big hugs which I love! He is a grandpas boy for sure always diving into there arms or shirt pockets looking for pens to eat. He loves all animals and regularly attacks my parents cat Hammy taking a face dive right on top of him or trying to pick him up even though Hammy is bigger then him. Thank you Hammy for putting on a brave face and never getting mad at him when he practices his WWE moves on you.

We got to go to Hoogle Zoo for his birthday and I will share pics of that and his birthday party later. Such a fun weekend thank you everyone that came and partied with our Monkey Boy! Also I love these one year pictures above that we had taken. Danielle Carpenter from Freckle Shmeckle Photography took them and did a amazing job. And you don't have to spend a million dollars to be satisfied she is so great and inexpensive!

Well my angel Mommy and Daddy just want to let you know how grateful we are to have you in our lives. You are the best thing to ever happen to us and it has truley brought Heaven on Earth since the day you came to us. Hope you had a Happy 1st Birthday! Love you so much.

My new favorite song!

I just wanted to share my new favorite song I have been obsessed with lateley. Its one of those songs I turn up way loud when it comes on the radio, and of course now being an emotional mommy I tear up cuz it reminds me of my little boy so much. Like the song says Shakobe is every last bit like his Daddy, and we thank God every day he's ours. Monkey, Daddy and I will always love you unconditionally! Can I just say life could not be better now that he's here, and He's Mine!!

Easter and Baby Animals!!

One of my favoritest pictures of all time! My boys were having so much fun at Baby Animal Days!

Shakobe loved all the animals but this picture is hilarious cuz I feel like he is looking towards me saying, "Eww mom these piggy's are stinky."

Me and Gregg were so amazed at how unafraid Shakobe was of all the animals. He would reach towards them and grab them if he could. Me and him had to pet the baby cow for Grandpa Henry. Holsteins are his very favorite so this is for you grandpa.

Here is little man petting the goat. I wish i would have got the picture when the goat licked shakobe's face and he just laughed and laughed thought that was the funniest thing.

So excited to see the baby ducky! Poor ducky does not know what he is about to get himself into . Shakobe loved them so much he hugged them a little too hard. Luckily me and gregg were there to save them.

Love the baby chicks! Moments after this picture was takin I nearly had heart failure when chunk wacked the bird on the head and poked at its eyes! He is a Curious George Monkey I have decided. Always causing mischief!

Shakobe was so mad at his Mom and Dad for not letting him play with the baby bears! He reached so hard to get into the pen with them I know he was thinking what a blast it would be to wrestle those cute little guys! I dont know who to be more afraid for Shakobe or the cubs!!

Our monkey on Easter morning! He was obsessed with a new bat the easter bunny brought him. He also got a kite, bouncy ball, and lots of bubbles. And cant forget a handsome new church suit!

The Carpenter family at Grandma and Grandpa's during the easter egg hunt!

Four Generation Easter Egg Hunters!!!!

Checking out Grandpa Richards horses! oh how this boy loves animals!!

Everyone at Grandpa Henry's Easter egg hunt! Chunk was in the lead but Rylie won I think!

Mommy and Monkey on Easter! This was the best Easter ever because of Shakobe!

Sorry Kyn but this is going in the vault as one of my favoritest picutes ever! True definition of a boy girl relationship. The girl is upset and the boy is wondering what the heck is going on. Lol. Truth be told Kyn is upset because she is absolutley terrified of Shakobe with his bunny ears on. Lol. She would stop crying and look up at his head and the water works would start all over again . Most memorable Easter moment!

Soldiers Deck of Cards

I just wanted to share this video because it was very inspiring to me. I cry every time I see it. My aunt Gennie sent this to me and I absolutely love it. I think that it touches me especially because its all the things me and Gregg have been discussing alot lately. Remembering all the things to be thankful for not only the most important Heavenly Father but also all the brave men and women that have faught to give us all the freedoms we have today. Enjoy! Its totally awesome!

Weekend at the Herd's House!

My first sleep over at Aunt Jamie's. I was so excited I could barely sleep the first night we were there.

PLaying Shack a Bee's new favorite game Basketball in Dax and Kanyon's room. Dax wanted to take a picture.

Gregg and Kanyon making a Leprechaun trap. It was really cute they had so much fun making it together. While they did that the girls spent the day doing eachothers hair and nails. Such a blast.
We all took there dog Max for a walk. I had to show you this is the view in front of the Herds house. Isn't it gorgeous? What lucky ducks they are.
Gregg, Shakobe, Jamie, and Saylor on the walk. Jamie told us they had two bear sitings and a mountain lion siting nearby. What warm fuzzies that gave us! It had been a little while since they had seen them though so we decided to enjoy the beautiful scenery they have and remind them to be careful mountain men and women.
Playin the drums with daddy while trying to dribble the basketball. That was shakobe's two obsessions at the herd house. Dax's drum set and the basketball.
This passed week we discovered this is Monkey's favoritest toy in the world (besides his monkey of course but the ball may take over). He went to Grandpa Richards young mens game and would stare at the ball going up and down the court. Then at the Herd's he would squeel and bounce every time he saw the ball and would chase it. I find it very Ironic that after being named after two of the greatest basketball players in the world he is obsessed with a big basketball over any other toy. A sign for the future??? We will see!
Kanyon and shakobe trying to get Saylor while gregg pushed her on their trike. It was so funny to watch.
Shakobe taking his turn on the trike and his two cousins chasing and pushing him around on it. He had so much fun with his cousins they are just as wild and into everything as he is so he just ate up every minute of it.
Greggy and Say. This little girly has her uncle Gregg wrapped completely around her finger and she knows it. Its pretty funny.
Lol, Saylor kept wanting to hold Shakobe on her lap, and shakobe was not sure he wanted to be restrained by someone nearly his size. May I remind you she is four and he is 10 months. She now calls him Shakobe Obee. Which I love but I will never forget her calling him "Jena's Baby". for example when Gregg was feeding him once she said, "Gregg, why you feeding Jena's baby?" Lol such a silly little girl.
Movie night. Me shakobe and saylor made cookies and we all watched Puss N Boots.
Sunday morning was Jamie 's birthday so we all got up early and made a GIANT breakfast. The kids also each made her a card which was cute. The too little ones were so funny cuz they kept going in there mom's room to wake her up and tell her she could not come out until we were all ready for her.
The kids all got the table ready and were about to go get Jamie to "suprise" her.
Birthday Girl reading her cards her kids made. So adorable. What great kids they are. Thanks Jamie for such a fun weekend I love your house and your family. Hope you had a wonderful birthday we love you so much

9 months

Oh my where has the time gone! We took Shakobe in for his 9 month check up yesterday and it is still hard for me to grasp its almost been a year since our little boy came to us. He is a funny, constant growing, "curious" little boy. I say that in quotations because my mom got after us once when we called him naughty, "Don't call him naughty, he is not naughty, he is just curious." LoL Gotta love it. Our curious little boy is into everything he can get his hands on, crawls like crazy, stands up on everything, and in Gregg's words he is "Practicing the Walking Arts." He does so by pushing his walker, pushing his bouncer, walking his Lightening Maqueen race car(I guess he has decided he is much faster walking the race car then driving it.), and is sweet enough he wants his cousin kyn to enjoy the fun too so he pushes her around inside one of his walkers.

Shakobe is also a great eater which I am so grateful for. He likes everything we put in front of him. Gregg told a friend once, "If its food Shakobe will eat it, and sometimes when its not food Shakobe will eat it." We are so blessed to have this amazing little boy in our lives he has givin so much joy to our family. I found a quote that I love from Gordan B Hinkley that reminds me of all our time these passed nine months.

"You will have significant experiences. I hope that you will write them down and keep a record of them, that you will read them from time to time and refresh your memory of those meaningful and significant things. Some may be funny. Some may be significant only to you. Some of them may be sacred and quietly beautiful. Some may build one upon another until they represent a lifetime of special experiences." ~Gordon B. Hinckley, 2006

I love Gordan B Hinkley's quotes me and gregg keep one on our fridge that we read every day to remind us to focus on the many blessings we have. Shakobe is our greatest blessing and I feel truely grateful to be given the opportunity to be his mother. He really has been such a wonderful baby I don't know how we got so lucky. We sure do love or Chunk of Monk.

He was sick with the flu when he went in for his check up but here are his stats even though the weight is probably do to some loss of poundage from the bug he had.
Weight: 20.48 pounds, 45th percentile
Height: 29.25 inches, 77th percentile
Head size: 49.1, off the charts or 100th percentile
Doctor had to remeasure his head to make sure it was right then commented, "Well he is gonna be a smart boy." Could not be more proud of our little Stewie.

Takin Kyn for a ride around the house!! so funny

Went to visit Grandpa at his work on Saturday. Had to try on this awesome hat they have there. Love to visit grandpa and take him and grandma out to dinner.

Went and ate at Golden Carrol and spoiled him with a cupcake and grandma snuck him a bite of cotton candy. Grandma's are big spoilers. The cupcake turned out to be a bad idea for mommy and daddy though. Afterwords Shakobe thought it was time to party like it was 1999 til about 3 in the morning. If any of you are wondering what he was like just watch the movie "Over the Hedge" at the end when the squirrel Hammy drinks the energy drink. Yep that was our little man that evening.