The Carroll's

Juliana's 2nd Birthday!

2011-08-15T19:44:00.001-07:00

It has become common in our house to go big for the first birthday, then a bit low-key for the next three birthdays. So Juli's big day was a lot of fun, with a small family party. Of course we went out for a birthday dinner and then had a small party at home. Juli had a great party with lots of presents and a princess cake that she really loved! Sawyer being the great big brother he is helped her unwrap gifts and blow out candles! Enjoy the pics!

09/10/Juliana'sFirst/Sawyer's4 at OneTrueMedia.com

2011-06-11T18:04:00.001-07:00

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Juliana's Birth/08-09 at OneTrueMedia.com

2011-06-10T11:13:00.001-07:00

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Sawyer/07-08/Pregnancy! at OneTrueMedia.com

2011-06-10T08:48:00.001-07:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Sawyer's FIrst Year!

2011-06-09T15:00:00.003-07:00

The first year of Sawyer's life!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Pictures!

2011-02-06T14:50:00.001-08:00

Best.Christmas.Ever!

2010-12-29T18:03:00.000-08:00

No words to describe how amazing our Christmas was this year. I love my family more than I ever thought possible, they are my world!

Halloween!

2010-11-13T16:20:00.000-08:00

And it's a new school year...

2010-10-16T16:11:00.000-07:00

Well school is back underway. Another year, another senior class! I have about 110 seniors this year, along with about 70 online students and a grant I'm doing to earn 6 semester hours. It's hectic year so far! The kids have adjusted to me going back to work. But it's a pretty easy adjustment, considering they get to see their grandma more each week! They are both doing great, growing at record speed. We got our flu shots and they were both champs! Soon, we will be ditching the high chair and crib ---forever!

New Pictures from the Canfield Fair!

Some More!

2010-08-11T19:34:00.001-07:00

Keeping up!

2010-08-11T19:22:00.001-07:00

These are pictures from WagonTrails in Vienna. Seriously the coolest place to take kids to see animals up close. You get a ride through the area and you get to feed all kinds of animals. From buffalo to camels to deer to water antelopes. Great time!

Pictures!!

2010-08-11T19:17:00.001-07:00

Pictures!!

2010-08-11T19:12:00.001-07:00

Sesame Place!

2010-08-11T16:17:00.000-07:00

At the end of July, the family all packed up and met up with my brother and his family at Hershey Chocolate Factory! Then we continued the trip to Sesame Place, near Philidelphia. What an amazing place, seriously. I think it was the best time to go, since Sawyer is starting to get out of the Sesame phase. Having said that though, he really enjoyed it. We ate breakfast with Cookie Monster and friends the first day, and Elmo and Friends the second day, and had lunch with Big Bird and Friends the first day also. Enjoy all the pictures! And next year, it's back to the beach:)

Pictures!

2010-07-13T12:16:00.000-07:00

More Fun Pictures!

2010-07-13T12:08:00.000-07:00

Juli's First Birthday!

2010-07-13T12:00:00.001-07:00

Wow, It's Been A While!

2010-07-13T08:32:00.001-07:00

Hello blog world!
Well since EASTER, Juli turned 1 year old, Sawyer has gotten even BIGGER, school's out and summer has begun and we are now at the halfway point. How do I know? Because the MLB All-Star game is on tonight!

Juli had her first birthday on May 15 and we had a little party, it was very fun and she smashed the cake like a true pro. Not like Sawyer who ate his with a fork. Juli got a ton of presnts and had a blast! She had her first year appointment and got all her shots and measures the size of a 18 month old, according to the doc. Juli has been walking since 12 months, has all but 2 teeth and eats everything she can find. She is doing great!

Sawyer loves everything Toy Story these days! We had a first: Sawyer's first trip to the movie theater to see TS3. And he did great! Sat through the whole movie, which totally surprised us! And here is another great story, my son is potty trained! We have been diaper-free since the end-of-May! Yaa hooo! It was a lot easier than I thought it would be, probably because I let him lead. He is such an awesome little man and a great big brother.

Both of my children are getting really excited for our upcoming vacation to Sesame Place. It should be a lot of fun, especially because we are going to meet my brother and his family there!

OK I think that's it for now! Off to post some pictures!

Pictures!

2010-04-11T16:42:00.001-07:00

Uhhh yeah.

2010-04-11T16:32:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I blogged a blog. But in some respects, that's a good thing! Because I am quite busy, most importantly I spend my days playing with my babies. Everyone says it "goes so fast", so I am doing my best to make every.day.count. Easter/spring break was awesome! We got sooo much done personally and around the house. I am not ready to go back to work tomorrow, but I am ready to be done for summer break so I have to go back:) Unfortunately lots of things outside my house suck right now. Ultimately though my home and the people in it are first and foremost always and they are all doing great!
Some interesting things:
1. Cali may actually legalize the weed. I could care less, I don't smoke it and I don't care if you do.
2. Obama's health plan says that employers HAVE to provide breastfeeding moms some where other than a restroom to pump. That.is.so.cool. I really love that guy!
3. Be careful how you treat others, that karma-thing is a bitch.
4. Got a new tattoo. Love it.
5. Cut my hair and donated it.
6. Sawyer's awesome.
7. So is Juli.
8. Alvin's pretty cool too.
9. I own "fitch high school". Thought you should know.
10. I am about ready to be done.
Dueces.

New Pictures!

2010-02-20T17:09:00.000-08:00

Even More New Pics!

2010-02-20T17:05:00.000-08:00

More New Pictures!

2010-02-20T17:01:00.001-08:00

WOW! It's Been A While!

2010-02-20T16:49:00.000-08:00

Let's run down the new stuff:
1. Sawyer is doing great, getting bigger every day and telling me how it is these days! He cracks me up, but the best part is that he is still a very loving little boy. His typical day, during this brutal winter, is pancakes, some chocolate milk little bit of playing and a little bit of cartoons, some fruit and veggies for lunch, more playing, maybe even with his sister, and then dinner and bath! Pretty fun, huh!!!
2. Juliana is awesome and goes to the doctor in a couple weeks for her 9 month check up, which she turned on Feb 15! I believe she is really tall and skinny, does that sound familiar? She is sleeping pretty good, when she is not busting teeth! She has 4 now and it looks like #'s 5 and 6 are on their way. She has been crawling for over a month and now cruises and stands alone for about a sec! She needs to keep up with Sawyer, so she is learning fast!
3. We all have cabin fever thanks to the 2,000 inches of snow. OK I am exagerating by about a thousand.
4. Alvin is good, nothing really new there! He had a work vacation last week and that was great for all of us! He is desperately waiting for baseball season to begin! As are we all, but he has his fantasy league with his friends that he just loves!
5. I am good, work is good. As long as we get a new contract soon that does not make me angry, it will be a successful year;) I have a great bunch of students this year, again. About 125 seniors who are showing the serious signs of senioritis. It's going to be a long spring!
I think that's about it! Overall, we just can't wait to get to spring and summer! Sawyer and Juli are going to have a ball outside, at the park and at all of our little excursions this year! OK Lots of pictures!!!

First Snow and Christmas!

2009-12-30T16:40:00.001-08:00

Best.Christmas.Ever!
First snow happened last week!

Juli is eating and Sawyer is BIG!

2009-12-12T13:31:00.000-08:00

The kids had their 3 year and 6 month appointment this past week. They are both super healthy and Sawyer is the size of a 4year old and Juli is the size of a 12 month old!:o Juli was OK'ed to start stage 2 foods and juice! Sawyer, as you can see, likes to help feed his sister! Enjoy the latest pictures!

Sawyer's 3rd Birthday!

2009-11-23T15:02:00.000-08:00

I can not believe that 3 years ago, on this date, at 10:38am my baby boy was born! Time has gone by so quickly and Sawyer is becoming a little man more and more every day! He is about 41inches and 38lbs and is either in or above the 95% for his age. I couldn't be more proud of him and his acomplishments so far in life. He makes very good sentences, knows his abc's and numbers up to 10 and can recite almost every cartoon on Sprout:) Most importantly he is a fantastic big brother and has such a warm and caring heart. I am totally in love with him and his sissy, they make my life awesome!
Here are some pictures from his party!

2009-11-11T16:56:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

2009-11-10T16:11:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

2009-11-10T16:06:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Halloween!!

2009-11-01T05:57:00.001-08:00

Halloween was a lot of fun this year! Sawyer totally "got" it and Juli, as usual, just went with the flow! A little biased, but I am pretty sure they were the cutest monkey and cookie monster out there! And this morning I am watching my son eat candy and watch cartoons......where did my baby go?!?!

Falllllllll!

2009-10-30T16:36:00.001-07:00

Pictures!

2009-10-24T06:59:00.001-07:00

Juli!!!

2009-10-19T16:01:00.001-07:00

Sawyer's Twin aka Juli!

2009-10-05T16:17:00.000-07:00

Sawyer @ 5ish months...

Getting Ready for the Big Day!

2009-10-05T16:13:00.000-07:00

Sunday!

2009-10-04T16:53:00.000-07:00

Nothing is better than a sunday morning of Kipper, M&M's and juice! Then getting all dolled up while waiting for Halloween!

Good Morning Peoples!

2009-10-01T17:28:00.001-07:00

2009-10-01T17:27:00.003-07:00

2009-10-01T17:27:00.001-07:00

2009-09-15T14:28:00.001-07:00

Couple more....

2009-09-15T13:36:00.000-07:00

Juli is 4 months today! :o! Where the heck did the time go?!! Anyway, we started rice last week and she really likes to eat, however she shoves the spoon in her mouth and then spits the food back out! That darn reflex! And mind you she does this while she is giggling. It is a sight! So I measured her and I am pretty sure she is 26inches and about 13lbs. Unfortunately she won't see the doctor until she is almost 5 months. So here are a few more of my girl who is ready to go!

Comparison time, Sawyer @ 5 months

First Meal!

2009-09-14T14:49:00.001-07:00

My new favorite picture!

New Pictures/What's Going on

2009-09-07T14:13:00.000-07:00

Well, nothing is going on! Which is a good thing. School started last week and we are all settling into that routine nicely. I just got home from WalMart where I stocked up on plenty of disinfectents to ward off any swine flu in my classroom. Ugg, just another thing to worry about this year. We also purchased some rice cereal for Miss Jules which we plan on starting some time in the next week or so. She, unlike Sawyer, stares at us when we are eating. So I think its about time. The kiddies get to spend their days with either grandma or dada and then nights with mommy! It's a nice break for them. Us 3 have spent almost every waking moment together this summer. I think that's it, enjoy our new photos!

Cold Outside!!!

2009-08-30T16:05:00.000-07:00

Pictures!

2009-08-19T08:24:00.000-07:00

Juliana has found her foot!

Thoughts

2009-08-18T13:55:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I know, you all would rather look at my babies than listen to me ramble! And I promise, new photos will be up soon. I just thought I would round-up the summer, since it is coming to a close.
The summer of '09 could be chalked up as the most hectic and the most boring, how is that possible?! Well, it was hectic in the sense that the 3 of us had to get used to the new addition of Juli to the family. It was boring in the sense that we had no vacation and really did nothing all summer! However, we did have a great hectic and boring summer!
Juliana first. She is doing great! At 3 months old she is laughing ALL the time, eating great at about 25-30oz a day, and sleeping well. She sleeps through the night from about 930pm until anywhere between 5-8am, then back to sleep until about 9ish. Naps are a different story. She gets her 1/2hour catnaps in throughout the day, at least 3 of them. But with a big brother running around, it is nearly impossible to get her a good 2 hour nap. Juli will be tall and skinny, I can tell with these long legs! Maybe she will be a Rockette, my grandma would be so proud! She is also rolling pretty good and its almost time to bust out the jumperoo and exersoucer!
Sawyer is also doing fantastic! He is a big boy, weighing about 36lbs and is over 39inches. He is talking all the time, cracking me up. his latest saying is "lil bit". Lil bit of chocolate milk, lil bit of cookies, etc. He is loving playing all the time and I look forward to next summer when his sissy can play with him! Everyone in the neighborhood loves him, including the man who owns the corner store. I even survived his cold last week that included his first throw-up! My heart melted when he said to Alvin after he puked, "Sorry, dada". He is just so sweet. It's been a fun summer of play for him!
Alvin and I celebrated our *gasp* 5 year anniversary this past week. It went by so fast and I look forward to spending our 10 year anniversary somewhere nice and pretty, preferably sans kids;!
The house situation has been interesting. We have had this place on the market on and off for 2 years. It came off again in July and then we had a revelation: what if we could add a 2-car garage (currently have a one-car) in the front and finish the breezeway and garage. We would gain over 450sqft, a bigger kitchen with a bar, a dining room area and a new great room. Juli would have the computer room all to herself and Sawyer would have his room back. We could put the computer in the new great room and the current family room could be the kids play room. Whats even more great is that my backyard stays nice and big and our covered back deck remains. So we are in the midst of a renovation. Our plans are being drawn up and we are scheduled for a meeting with the township at the end of the month. Wish us luck!
School starts in 2 weeks and while I will miss the kids, I look forward to seeing my friends. And most importantly, May 2010 will be here before we know it and we will be back in the Outer Banks in less than a year!

Holy Cow!

2009-08-01T07:07:00.001-07:00

Doing Hair Like Daddy!

2009-08-01T07:04:00.000-07:00

Pictures!

2009-08-01T07:00:00.001-07:00

2009-07-27T13:39:00.001-07:00

2009-07-27T13:38:00.003-07:00

2009-07-27T13:38:00.001-07:00

2009-07-27T13:37:00.001-07:00

Baseball!!

2009-07-27T10:18:00.000-07:00

Halfway through the season, 2.5 ahead!!!!

2009-07-27T10:15:00.001-07:00

Pictures!

2009-07-27T10:03:00.000-07:00

This is Sawyer cooking! Gotta love the socks!

Getting Big!

2009-07-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

Juliana had her 2 month appointment last week and like her brother, she is tall! SHe is 11lbs (50%) and 24in(95%). She got all her shots and of course cried. She is holding her head up well and sleeping great at night still. Sawyer is awesome with her. He too is having a great summer. Enjoying being outside and going to the park. They both keep me VERY busy these days, and worth every crazy second of it!

I <3 MJ!

2009-07-09T08:36:00.001-07:00

MJ was fab. Part of my childhood, I can still do the "Beat It" and "Thriller" dance routines. And actually part of when me and Alvin met - I won "Name That Tune" for our team with my MJ dance! WTFever to all the haters, I love ya! F all the BS, you rocked!

2009-07-06T06:50:00.001-07:00

2009-07-05T17:01:00.001-07:00

2009-07-05T17:00:00.001-07:00

Pictures!

2009-07-05T16:17:00.000-07:00

Sawyer Pics!

2009-06-27T11:23:00.001-07:00

Best Concerts

2009-06-17T15:21:00.000-07:00

I have seen a fair share of concerts in my day and I wanted to be nostalgic and reminisce about my faves! WARNING - nakedness and language!
Limp Bizkit:

Korn:

No Doubt:

Guns N Roses :

Linkin Park:

Metallica:

Pictures!

2009-06-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

Juliana had her 2 week (although she is 3 weeks old) appointment today and *shocking* she comes in at 97% for height already! She was born at 21 inches and is already 22 1/2 inches! And weight she is in the 50% at 8lb11oz already! Other than that she is doing great. Sawyer and I went to see the trucks at Boardman Park this weekend and had a great time. Brag time ---- my son is a master at his tricycle! We are thinking about moving him to a regular bike with training wheels, since he is getting a bit big for his tricycle. Enjoy the pictures!

Three Things

2009-05-26T13:10:00.000-07:00

1. Sawyer had his 2 1/2 well-baby checkup. My boy is B-I-G! 99% in height at 38 1/2 inches and 87% in weight at 34lbs. We didn't ask his head, I am sure it is off the charts lol! He's doing great! The doctor was happy with his progress in all areas, including speech. He makes 2-3 word sentences these days, although we are really the only ones who can understand most of it!
2. Juliana is doing well. 'We' have come to grips with the not breastfeeding issue. She is formula fed after a week of struggling to get her to latch, which she never did do. Having said that, she was already up to her birth weight after a week!
3. California sux. (Sorry Stick and Tom!) While the 18,000 same-sex marriages are still valid, Cali upheld prop 8. Boo! 2009 and people still fighting for civil rights, hmmmm..... are we really talking about the USA!?!

Memorial Day Pictures!

2009-05-26T13:04:00.000-07:00

Introducing Juliana Maria!

2009-05-21T12:36:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Well, it has been almost a week and I finally have time to post! Juliana Maria was born on 5-15-09 at 1:33pm, weighing 7lb12oz and 21 inches long! She is beautiful, of course, and we have been adjusting well! Sawyer has been remarkable, helping out and always concerned for his sissy. *Knock on wood* it has been a pretty easy transition. Having said that, our family is complete at 4 and we could't be happier!

2009-05-14T18:02:00.001-07:00

Handsome Little Man!

2009-05-12T06:46:00.000-07:00

You know we had to look good for ELmo and Cookie!

Wow, it's almost been a month!

2009-05-11T19:30:00.000-07:00

Holy cow, it's been almost a month since I posted! Time is flying by these days! I am done with school as of last Tuesday, until late August. That is a great feeling. I have been spending a lot of time with Sawyer, since this is the last week of us being a trio of a family! Last Sunday we took Sawyer to see Sesame Street Live and he loved it. We had a great time, well worth the cash. My c-section is scheduled for this Friday at 2pm. I am anxious and excited. While I am looking forward to not being pregnant anymore and meeting my daughter, I am worried about Sawyer and how he will do with the transition. I am working on my play to get out of the hospital by Sunday. Alvin doesn't think they'll let me go, but I have a plan! The house is still for sale but we are going ahead with plans to put in a wooden privacy fence. It should be up by the time I get home from the hospital. We are also going to make some other updates tot he house. I am looking forward to a nice summer with my family. Unfortunately all of the trips we will take this summer will be short, but we are already planning next year! Well, I think that's it! I look forward to my next post introducing my little girl!

Painting!!!!

2009-04-12T08:25:00.001-07:00

One of the gifts the Easter bunny brought Sawyer was paingts! They are finger paints, but I am not telling him that yet! He had a blast! Oh yeah, like you don't paint in the nude?!?

Happy Easter!!

2009-04-12T08:18:00.000-07:00

We woke up to find that the Easter Bunny had left Sawyer 2 baskets, one with candy and one with some toys! The bunster also hid some eggs that Sawyer LOVED to find, full of candy!!

2009-04-11T13:26:00.001-07:00

Go Yankees!

2009-04-11T13:17:00.000-07:00

Opening Day!

Computer Whiz!

2009-04-06T14:25:00.001-07:00

So Sawyer already 'understands' how to use the computer. We get him to Sesame Street on YouTube and he takes over. He knows how to control the mouse and click. I give him 2 years and he will be brighter than his mom and dad on the computer!

Park Time!

2009-03-22T13:44:00.001-07:00

Chillin'!

2009-03-17T17:44:00.000-07:00

Everything's cool when you got Elmo and watermelon!

Pictures!!!!!!

2009-03-17T17:37:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Sawyer and Rylee!

2009-02-22T15:17:00.000-08:00

Rylee was home this weekend and is getting so big! She is doing a great job at training Sawyer on how to be a big brother!

Don't Divorce Them!

2009-02-22T12:57:00.000-08:00

By now I am sure you have realized that I am a girl who believes in equal rights for everyone, and that includes my gay friends, family, students and former students. So I am asking you to watch this video and then sign the petition in the link. I think that is enough said.....

www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/divorce
Thank you!!

Yes, I am huge and no it's not twins!

2009-02-21T13:45:00.001-08:00

New pictures!!

2009-02-19T16:31:00.000-08:00

I feel the need to tell you

2009-02-19T16:30:00.001-08:00

That I am not Irish! :) But Alvin is and that makes my children Irish, so I decided to go ahead and put it on the blog! HAPPY ST. PATTY's DAY!

I swear, I didn't teach him this!

2009-01-29T17:19:00.001-08:00

More Cracken Me Up!

2009-01-26T17:37:00.001-08:00

He cracks me up!

2009-01-26T17:36:00.001-08:00

Blowing Bubbles!

2009-01-19T18:01:00.001-08:00

Yeah, this is how I eat a cupcake.

2009-01-19T16:33:00.001-08:00

Picture Overload!

2009-01-19T15:22:00.001-08:00

Yea for MLK and BYE BYE BUSH!!!!

2009-01-19T06:19:00.001-08:00

Today is a great great great day! First of all it is Martin Luther King Jr.'s celebrated birthday. One of the greatest men to live and promote peace and equality for America. And secondly, it is Bush's LAST DAY IN OFFICE!!! Excuse me while I look past my huge grin! :) I have waited for this day for the last 8 years. I will keep it short and sweet and try not to be totally ignorant: Bush, your days of screwing up and screwing over hard-working Americans is OVAH! Peace, you stupid SOB!!

Feeling sentimental today.

2009-01-14T15:17:00.000-08:00

I attribute it to pregnancy:)

Enjoy!

Cousin Rylee!

2008-12-31T17:49:00.000-08:00

We were so so so happy to have gotten time to spend with Sawyer's cousin, Rylee! She is 4 months old and the sweetest thing in the world. Sawyer loves her and has proven he is going to be a great big brother! She makes me even more happy that we are expecting a little girl!

Some more pictures!

2008-12-31T17:43:00.001-08:00

Sawyer looking oh so cool!^^^

Sawyer with his favorite Aunt Terri!
Sawyer with his favorite Uncle Danny!
Sawyer with his 'bubba'!

All kinds of Christmas pictures!

2008-12-31T17:35:00.001-08:00

We are expecting....

2008-12-30T13:32:00.000-08:00

A LITTLE GIRL!! Sawyer is going to have a little sister and we could not be happier! Although Alvin is a bit scared and would like to know where he can purchase one of those medieval chastity belts! :) The ultrasound went great, she is measuring perfect and already a pound! We got to see her kidneys, her heart, her brain, everything! The tech got some great pictures that I just had to share, you can tell she is my daughter already!

Merry Christmas!!

2008-12-25T16:06:00.001-08:00

I just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! I am truly blessed to have an awesome husband, an amazing little boy and another little one on the way. And, of course, great friends! Sawyer had a great Christmas and was happily surprised to see that Santa had visited our house! he got really great gifts from everyone and he has enjoyed playing with all of them! I will post some Christmas pictures soon! xoxo

For All My Fellow Mommy's and Daddy's!

2008-12-18T14:29:00.000-08:00

Waiting for Santa and getting up!

2008-12-15T15:00:00.001-08:00