OUR CHRISTMAS DAY BABY TURNED 19

Wow does time fly!! It's hard to believe that 19 years ago this amazing guy was born. I had an ultrasound done 2 days before Christmas because he was overdue, the ultrasound tech told me that because of his size (small) we must of had the wrong due date. This really discouraged me because not only had I passed my due date (12/15) but I had been planning on delivering early because Katie was 10 days early. I called my doctor and told him that I was heading out of town for Christmas which was the tradition in our family and he HIGHLY suggested that I stay in town. So, Jim's family came to our house in Tucson from Globe and Phoenix Christmas Eve for a nice dinner and gift exchange. After they left we went on a little ride (which started a new Christmas tradition) getting hot chocolate and driving around looking at Christmas lights. At 11pm that night I went into labor. We woke Katie up at 5:00am and told her that her baby sister (cuz that is what I thought I was having) was coming and she very sleepishly said "I knew Santa would bring us our baby for Christmas". While Jim and Katie opened presents I snapped pictures between labor pains. At 8:30am I couldn't stand the pain any longer and headed to the hospital and by 8:49am with nurses frantically running around looking for a doctor, we had a beautiful baby boy!!! any longer and we would of had him in the car. It was an amazing day, the best Christmas ever. I love you Brandon, more than you will ever know, MOM

DECEMBER 25, 1989~8 lbs 4 oz, 20 1/2" long

All because two people fell in love!!

It's been quite some time since my parents had all of us home for anything, let alone Thanksgiving. There are 10 family members missing from this photo not able to attend for various reasons, the farthest one away would be Kyle who is serving in Iraq, his new bride Tara is the newest member of our family (back row in white). After dad gave a blessing on the food he had us go around the room and say something we were thankful for. I'm so thankful for my family!!!

The Carter 4

Oldest to youngest......Lori Carter, Kelly Tidwell, Geno Carter, and Vonnie Dickison

Vonnie and Kelly

This is my little sister Vonnie, while growing up at Roosevelt Lake I always heard, "help Vonnie with her chores because she is still little", "you are Vonnie's big sister make sure you look out for her", "keep an eye on Vonnie she might get hurt"....little does Vonnie know that when I say "I love you as if you are one of my own children" I really do mean it, it's deeper then just being my sister!

El Tour de Tidwell (Tucson)

Brandon recently has taken an interest in riding. He sold his 76 truck and bought a really nice bike, (not just a average one either). For 3 weeks he practiced riding about 15 miles or so just about every day, to get in shape. On the day of the big race he was nervous but I could tell it really excited him, he rode alone and what a great accomplishment! altogether that day he rode about 40 miles.

298th Out of 1237 Riders!!

Brandon had to attend a class before he could race in the tour, one thing the instructor said was to either be there early to start at the front of the pack or wait till about starting time and be at the back, a lot of the wrecks ususally happen to those in the middle. So he was at the back and learned that maybe next time he would like to get a better time and start at the front, he wasted a lot of time and energy getting around those that were slower. He finished with a time of 2:17:24 crossing the finish line at 15.6mph

OH MY ACHING MUSCLES!!

After the race all Brandon wanted to do was sit in a hot bath tube, I said "lucky for you we have a great friend with a HOT TUBE" and so thanks to the Bingham's he was able to relax those tired muscles. Notice the phone to his ear....hmm wonder who he might be talking to?

Annual Oreo Turkeys

Several years ago the kids learned to make these cute turkeys from Aunt Debbie the 1st grade school teacher. It's become an annual event at our house. Josh and I made them this week for his birthday treat to take to his class and everyone loved them. They are very easy to make and will be the hit of any gathering at this time of year.

Ingredients:
Oreos
Chocolate Frosting
Candy Corn
Redhots
Whoppers

Split the cookie in half, try to leave most of the white frosting on one half, on the bare half generously apply the chocolate frosting using it as glue to hold 5 pieces of candy corn. Add a little chocolate frosting to the whopper and place at the edge of the white frosting as the body of the turkey, then put a little frosting on the red hot and place next to the whopper, the hardest part is putting the two halves back together. Once the turkeys are made place them on a cookie sheet and put in the fridge or freezer to harden. This is a fun activity for the entire family..........Enjoy!

Our Kids

Katie, Brandon, and Josh