Puppy

Carter LOVES puppies -- I mean he really, really loves puppies. Unfortunately, Kyle and I are not "dog people" and will likely never have one, but all of my sister's have dogs, so he loves when he gets to play with them.
Today, Carter was lucky enough to play with Jesse & John's dog, Boomer, who is just the right size for Carter. Whenever Carter sees a dog, he either points and says "puppy" over and over again; or he pants like a dog. This short video clip is Carter showing off his panting skills. Enjoy...

Frozen Bocce Ball

My brother-in-law, John Brines's, family owns Brine's Bar in downtown Stillwater, which has hosted Minnesota's only Frozen Bocce Ball tournament for the past 17 years. Kyle, Carter and I thought it would be fun to check it out this year and cheer on my sister and John. We met my parents down there, had a couple of beverages to keep us warm, and watched Jess & John's team (Monty's Mustache's) win a couple of games. We only stayed for a couple of hours, but hope to get a team together for next year!

The tournament hosts 64 teams and goes late into the night/early morning

Carter with his Uncle John and Aunt Jesse, who normally do not have those dirty mustache's but did it for the team! :)
Carter warming-up and watching the action from inside Brine's.

Me, Kyle and Carter cheering on the team

Snow

We woke-up this morning to a winter wonderland. The forecast called for 1 inch of snow, but I think we got closer to 4 inches. After breakfast, Kyle headed outside to snow blow the driveway and sidewalk while Carter and I stayed nice and warm inside. Carter wanted nothing to do with playing though -- he was in awe of Kyle outside, so I pulled a chair up to the front window and he stood there watching Kyle the entire time -- it was hilarious!

Carter stood like this saying "Daddy", "snow", and "brrrrr" for about 20 minutes
Kyle stopped to pose for a picture and wave at his buddy
Someday this will be Carter's chore :)

Mini Golfer

Last week, Kyle put in a bid on Ebay for a new golf club and he won the bid. He got it for a steal of a deal and was pretty excited when it arrived. As you can see, Carter was more excited! He had so much fun running around the house with it -- kept him busy for 45 minutes! Luckily no damage was done and Kyle was able to try it out this morning at the indoor golf dome.

Professional Shots...

A good friend recently had some professional photos taken of her adorable 9-month-old son, Henry. After getting her recommendation and seeing how great the shots turned out, we thought it was time to have some professional photos of Carter taken.

We would highly recommend this photographer, Liz Westerhaus -- she was professional, easy-going, fun to work with, and great with Carter! Not only that, the photos turned out GREAT! Thank you, Liz! Here are a few of our favorites:

Looking Back ... Catching Up

Since we're sort of using this as a virtual baby book for Carter, we thought it would be fun to look back over the past 14-months and highlight some fun things that have happened.

Like most first time parents, we took A LOT of pictures over the past year so this is your warning: there are a lot of pictures here. Enjoy!

This was taken about 1 week before Carter was born. Clearly ready to go! - November 26th, 2007

Kyle & Carter taking a nap in the hospital - December 3rd, 2007

Cousin Kieran (5 weeks old) visits Carter in the hospital - December 3rd, 2007
Going home from the hospital...in a snowstorm! - December 4th, 2007
Carter meets Santa (5-days-old) - December 8th, 2007
First of many Vikings game with Dad - December 9th, 2007
First Christmas - December 24th, 2007
4 Generations at the Maloney Christmas Back from Left: Kyle, Molly, Dad, Mom, Casey, Kevin, Grandpa Maloney Sitting: Grandma Maloney holding her Great-Grandsons Carter (3 weeks old) & Kieran (8 weeks old)
First Twins-Fest (7.5 weeks old) - January 25th, 2008

Learning to get into "Lake Mode" (8 weeks old) - January 27th, 2008
Carter (13-weeks-old) meeting Clara Goodman (4-days-old) for the first time - March 4, 2008
Carter's (13-weeks-old) first airplane ride - going to Fort Myers, FL for MN Twins Spring Training -
March 6, 2008
Cool Dude ready for the pool in Fort Myers - March 7th, 2008
Carter's First Twins game - Fort Myers, FL - March 8th, 2007
Carter's First time at the beach/ocean - Fort Myers Beach, FL - May 9th, 2008
Our Little Leprechaun (15-weeks-old) - March 17, 2008

Easter - Kyle, Carter, Kevin and Kieran - March 23, 2008

Twins Home Opener - notice the snow outside - we should have stayed in FL! - March 31st, 2008
Carter's First Wagon Ride (17.5 weeks) - April 4, 2008
First taste of "real food" - April 7, 2008
Carter's Baptism - St. Gerard's Catholic Church - April 20, 2008
Carter and Dad cheering Mom on at her 5K race - May 3, 2008
First Mother's Day - May 11th, 2008
Carter and Clara meet their new friend, Declan Caswell - May 13th, 2008
Carter's First Twins game at the Metrodome - May 15th, 2008
Carter's First Pontoon Ride on Spirit Lake - May 16th, 2008
Learning good dental hygiene at a young age!
Happy First Father's Day! - June 15th, 2008
Helping Papa build stuff at the cabin (7-months-old) - July 3, 2009
Pooltime at the cabin - July 5, 2008
Carter (7-months-old) spending a little QT with Grandpa Mike & Cousin Kieran (8.5-months-old) - July 9, 2008
Loving his first time on the swing - July 13th, 2008
First time to the Zoo - Como Zoo with Dad & Grandma Mary - August 9th, 2008
Carter showing us he is "SO BIG" - August 10th, 2008
Carter's First Haircut (8.5-months-old) - August 14th, 2008
Clara (5-months -old) & Carter (8.5-months-old) at the MN Sculpture Garden - August 21st, 2008
Carter & Kyle taking a break at the MN State Fair - August 24th, 2008
Carter in his brand new big boy carseat (9-months-old)! - September 8th, 2009
Carter's First trip to SJU for a football game -- unfortunately he & I spent the day inside Sexton due to the rainy weather. - September 13th, 2008
The Casey family at Jesse & John's Wedding - October 4th, 2008
Mom & Carter (10.5-months-old) Picking out Pumpkins for carving - October 24th, 2008
Carter's First Halloween Costume - a PUPPY - his favorite! - October 31st, 2008
Celebrating at Kieran's 1st Birthday Party - he had hit his limit at this point! - November 1st, 2008
Getting ready for the cold weather (11.5-months-old) - November 15th, 2008
Hanging out with Grandma Mary at Thanksgiving - November 27th, 2008
Carter's first time helping us pick a Christmas Tree! - November 30th, 2008
Carter discovering the fun he can have with ornaments - December 2nd, 2008
Carter wearing his Birthday Crown at ECFE class - December 3rd, 2008

Carter's 1st Birthday Cake that Mom made for him (carrot cake w/cream cheese frosting) - December 3rd, 2008

Carter's 1st Birthday Cake that Mom made for him (carrot cake w/cream cheese frosting) - December 3rd, 2008
Carter LOVED his birthday gift from Mom & Dad - December 3rd, 2008
Not so sure about those candles - December 3rd, 2008
Dad, Mom & our 1-year-old Birthday Boy - December 3rd, 2008
Carter's Puppy Cake for his 1st Birthday Party - December 7th, 2008
Devouring his Puppy Cake - December 7th, 2008
Carter loved all of his gifts, but was EXTRA thrilled w/the parachute & balls from the Kurtts! - December 7th, 2008
Carter loves to cozy with his puppy from Grandma & Grandpa! - December 17th, 2008
Carter's first ride in his new tobogan! - December 20th, 2008
Opening gifts on Christmas Eve morning - December 24th, 2008
Dad & Carter showing off their new matching Twins Jerseys - December 24th, 2008
Reading our new book on Christmas morning - December 25th, 2008
Opening gifts on Christmas morning - December 25th, 2008
Carter riding his new horse from Nonnie & Papa - December 25th, 2008
Kieran & Carter trying out their new golf clubs from Grandma & Grandpa - December 25th, 2008
Carter reading his new book with Grandma - Christmas Night - December 25th, 2008
Celebrating Jillian & Erik's Surprise Engagement! - very late New Year's Eve night! - December 31st, 2008
Carter finger-painting in the basement - January 2nd, 2009
Petting a snake at the Children's Museum with Auntie Maggie - January 8th, 2009
Nonnie & Carter having fun at Grand Superior Lodge in Two Harbors, MN - January 30th, 2009
Molly, Kyle & Carter at Split Rock Lighthouse in Two Harbors, MN - January 31st, 2009

Molly & Carter dog sledding at Grand Superior Lodge - January 31st, 2009
Kyle, Molly & Carter at Gooseberry Falls - January 31st, 2009