The Baxters: Wow! Time FLIES!

I cannot believe that Carson will be 6 months tomorrow! It has been a long time since my last post. January. I have some catching up to do. I have lots of pictures to go through and put up on facebook and this blog.

I love being a mom of two boys and I feel that every day I learn something new about myself as a parent. Some days are good and some days, I don't do so well. But I am loving these two boys more than anything. February passed by in a blur for me. I am not even sure what I did that month. I do know we didn't celebrate Valentine's this year. I barely got gifts for Camden and Kevin. And we had to order take out for our meal, because Camden got sick. I also remember visiting our friends in Denver a couple of times. Hannah and Daniel Coombs had their first baby in late January. Little Autumn was born with a condition known as gastroschisis (her intestines were outside her body). Anyways she was discharged from the hospital only a few days ago. She is doing very well all things considering, thanks to many prayers and an AWESOME GOD. I have been encouraged to see this family grow strong through the struggles they have endured.

March was very different for us. I started the month of March with our annual ladies retreat. It was a great retreat and I enjoyed the fellowship and worship with many wonderful ladies.

On March 5, Camden, Carson and I began what I like to call, Texas tour 2012. We visited 8 different cities all across Texas. The first day we drove all the way to Lubbock (an 8 hour trip). Camden has always been a great traveler, but I was not sure how Carson would do. Well, he did awesome! The entire trip and all of the car trips we went on! We spent 2 days in Lubbock with my good friend Valerie and her three kids. Her husband was also there.

Camden and Carson with Great Granddaddy

Jacob and Camden having a blast at the playground. They really loved this roller-slide thing.

Cute little Shealyn

A typical, very windy day in Lubbock.

Baby Talk

Andrew and Carson

Next we visited San Antonio. My cousin, Rebecca, lives there with her two boys and husband. Camden loved playing with all of Levi's toys and we also had so fun shopping and visiting an indoor playground. The next day it turned cold and rainy and we headed out to Austin to visit some more cousins and relatives.

Wyatt and Carson (second cousins) and Wyatt's daddy, Ryan

Adalai (another second cousin) and Camden playing a game! These two play so well together.

We left Austin and finally made it to Beaumont for our long visit with Gramma and Papaw, Grandmother and Granddad. The trip from Austin to Beaumont was only three and a half hours, but it was the worst one for me, because it ~~rained~~, no downpoured the entire drive. The kids did great, though. When we got to Beaumont, I helped my parents finish getting their house ready to put on the market. (They are moving to Lubbock this summer.) We worked for about two days and then went to Houston for a couple of days. We stopped at the Children's Museum on our way to GGmom's house. Here are a few pictures of Camden enjoying himself.

Camden at the Kidtropolis Market. Shopping for groceries.

Consulting the grocery list

Buying groceries

Cooking at the cafe

At GGmom's house, there were seven kids under the age of five having a good time and playing. Six of the kids are my grandma's great-grandchildren. Carson got to meet GGmom, Aunt Teresa, Aunt Debbie, Jolina, Aunt Evelyn and second cousins Ethan and Chance for the first time.

Aunt Teresa holding the babies ...Wyatt and Carson!

Chance and Jolena - Chance is 2 and Jolena is almost 2.

Chance on the slide (Camden and Carson's second cousin)

Carson is having fun with Aunt Teresa

GGmom with Carson

Jolena and Carson

Our days in Beaumont were filled with playing at Bounce Zone, shopping, eating out at all our favorite restaurants, going to the fair and going to Galveston. It was a blast and we loved spending the time with family!