SEVEN!

Today Carson turned 7! Nick and I still can't believe how fast the time has gone. In so many ways it seemed like just yesterday he was born...on the General Conference weekend just after 9/11. I remember thinking in the hospital that this sweet child was entering such a dangerous, chaotic world...a place completely opposite from where he came. Overwhelmingly though, I was just so glad to have him join our little family. I seriously cannot remember life without our Carson. He is turning into such a smart and responsible kid. He loves playing army, cowboys, Star Wars, Indiana Jones and building legos. His favorite color is now blue. He is the best "big brother" to Nixan and Treyson. Happy Birthday Carson!

(Little Carson...)

(...seven years ago)

To celebrate, we gave Carson a few options (like Chuck-e-Cheese and such) and he decided he really wanted to go to a rodeo and watch real cowboys. Nick and I both thought that sounded fun...so last weekend we took the kids to the Ft. Worth Stockyards. We learned all sorts of fun stuff about cowboys, horses, and long-horn cattle. We ate Texas BBQ, of course. Then we went to the rodeo. The boys LOVED it!!! I, on the other hand, about had a heart attack each time the gates opened and those little rag-doll cowboys got thrown in every which way! (Why oh why do they do that...on purpose!??! Crazies!)

Watching the bull-whip demonstration at "Cow Camp"

The Herd!

Look for Carson in Lt. Blue and Nixan in Yellow...

they chased down the sheep at the rodeo...very fun going down in the arena!

Seriously...Why??

Because we "partied" last weekend at the rodeo...we decided to wait till today to actually open presents and eat cake. Happy Birthday Carson! We love you kiddo!

Once again...Nick gets all the credit for the cake decorating! He makes my baking look good!