We were lucky enough to travel with the MSU Spartan Football Team to Orlando Florida for the Capital One Bowl Game. We left December 25th and came home on January 2nd. It was
BEAUTIFUL and so hard to come back to the
COLD Tundra. It was a nice break from work, bulky coats and snow boots. Carter loved everything about Florida...No shoes...no nap schedule...swimming...and LOTS of Sunshine!
(These were just a few of his many unscheduled naps. I did enjoy his cuddly naps in the hotel beds. I was just as tired if not more tired than he was. As Chris found us below.)
We spent 2 days at Sea World, and 1 day between Disney World and Epcott Center. This 19 month old has been to Disney twice in less than 2 years of life-THANKS MSU. (Too bad he won't remember it) We played at the pool and shopped till we dropped. We went to the game OF COURSE and were sad of the outcome, but still WHAT AN EXPERIENCE.
My parents, sister and Nikolas her son as well as Jameson my brother all came down to Florida for a few days while we were there. It was nice to share this exciting time with them too. Carter played his little heart out with his cousin Nikolas and the two of them wrestled/tackled (as Carter calls it) quite a bit. Carter is all boy all the time.
Seaworld was so much fun. You can buy one pass and get the next day free. So that is just what we did. He loved the whale and dolphin show and all the animals. But his favorite of all time was the "ELMO" show. He was glued to watching all those Sesame Street characters. I was tickled to watch his eyes as they all sang and danced. I felt I was at "Sesame Street Live" It was great.
Carter was cheering for Elmo as he came out. Doesn't he look excited?!!
(This was at the Shamu "Miracle" Show. It was amazing!)
Disney World and Epcot were crazy busy this time of year. We still did enjoy seeing some of the characters, riding some rides and seeing some shows. Carter took it all in and just watched all the people going by his stroller. He loved all the shows and rides especially "Safari Jungle" he started making the elephant noises when he saw the elephants.
This was the "Finding Nemo" Ride at Epcot. Dad and Emily excited as always.
Carter was exhausted (note: no socks-no shoes-and pacifier) by the end of Disney so watched the Character Parade on Dad's shoulders.
We attended luncheons put on by Florida Citrus Sports and ESPN, Pep-Rallys w/the players and coaches, and of course the MSU vs Georgia Game on January 1st. It was fun to be there and Carter represented the team well. I saw the first 1/2 of the game and then Carter took a nap in his stroller the second half so I checked the score as fans were coming in and out. I got stopped several times asking me if they could take pictures of Carter. They loved the "Eye Black". It was just too bad we didn't pull out the WIN. We will see what comes next year. We are proud of you SPARTANS-Go Green!
We had a much needed and much enjoyed vacation. It was wonderful to spend time together as a family and to be in the warm climate. The flight home was long but Carter enjoyed it w/ his headphones check him out.
Jon dressed up as Santa and Carter was scared at first but after we all sat on his lap he didn't think it was "too" bad! Still not happy about it.
Everyone tells me or Becca that we look alike. I see it in this picture. She is so cute pregnant and we can't wait till their little girl comes in March.
We had a great time and laughed and giggled all night. Next year we will have to find a new location as Mom and Dad will likely be spending the Holidays in Romania. We will see. We had a great Holiday season and what a time to reflect on the Savior. Christmas Morning we read the Christmas story to little Carter and he kept saying "Jesus" (only we understand that one). I can't wait to teach him all about our Savior. He is learning so much already. We hope that everyone also had a great Holiday season. 
Carter has discovered the snow and loves playing in it. When ever he sees it he yells at the top of his lungs "NOOOOOOO" At first I thought he was just saying NO, because that is a regular word he likes to use. But when I listened to the tone in his voice I realized what he meant was SNOW.
We Also has been preparing him for Santa and Christmas. He has learned how to say santa and snowman. He looks at santa and knows what he looks like. I thought this was very cute until we were at the playplace in the middle of the mall and a man was sitting across the play place who just happened to have a white beard, wearing a green vest and red shirt with a big round belly. Carter took one look at him and YELLED "SANTA!" I had to laugh because the resemblance was so close, however this man was watching his grandson play and he was not trying to be santa at all!!! I giggled about that one for days.
-He is almost ready for the potty training. The baby sitter who has a son that will be 2 in January just broke her son and he is wearing big-boy pants and Carter watches him using the potty. So Carter asks to use the potty and pulls at his diaper. I let him sit on the potty and usually he just "holds" himself, but he is interested. The goal is after vacation and holidays we will be on that potty!!! I think he can get it! I will keep my fingers crossed. 
