September

September was a busy month... that's an understatement.  In addition to our Indianapolis trip, dad had three work trips, both boys got sick (Carter twice), Mimi stayed with us for a few weeks while moving, mom's work has been crazy... and the typical fall stuff like soccer and football creeped in.  Whew!  Here are some random pictures from the past month.

Parker (1 year, 10 months)
Parker just keeps trying to grow up on us.  He talks a bit more each week.  He has his own second child demeanor - definitely knows how to say "No" but he also says "Thank You".  He likes to try and push his boundaries but he is so darn sweet he makes up for it.  He loves to be outside, play with the kitchen and train set, read books, dance, make music and play games.  He is getting a little bit bigger but still mostly wears 12 and 18 month clothes.  Here are a few random Parker pics.

Working on the computer

He wanted to dress up like Car-Car

Happy with his trains

Reading books

Waiting for dad to come home

Wearing diapers and a smile!

He likes to eat Pizza cheese side first.  Cute and messy.

Carter (3 years, 4 months)
Carter is a little spit-fire!  He is really into imaginative play lately and comes up with wild stories about the way the world works.  He talks a lot, asks a ton of questions and believes he is an expert in just about everything.  He is developing some great friendships with his classmates and he comes home with stories of playing house, pilot, doctor, pirate, etc.  He regularly naps at school during the week but he often prefers to rest rather than actually nap on the weekends.  Here are a few random Carter shots from the past month.

Playing fire fighter with mom.

Showing off his tough fire fighter face.

At soccer practice

They look so cute sitting on their soccer balls

Ready for the GT vs UNC game with dad

Pre-game with Dr. Hamburger

Putting on a drum show

Brothers
As always, the boys are definitely each other's best friend.  They get into all sorts of trouble fun together.  Here are some pictures of the little cuties.

Playing fire fighter with dad.

Carter tried to teach Parker how to play soccer.  Parker just wanted to slide.

Reading books together.

All tuckered out from the book reading.

Washing the windows.

Very happy with the clean windows!

Indianapolis - Day 4

We had a mid-afternoon flight out of Indy on Monday and Carter kept seeing the billboards for the "Drum Museum", actually called Rhythm Discovery Center.  To kill some time before we had to be at the airport, we headed on over.  Carter waited patiently for the gates to open.

I am not sure what we were expecting, but the place didn't disappoint.  There were numerous exhibits on all types of percussion instruments.  Parker tried his hardest to get a good boom out of this large drum, but it was all he could do to just get the drum stick in the air.

Carter thought the gong was going to be awesome.  The look of surprise on his face when he made contact was hilarious.  He did not expect such a loud ringing and was actually a bit scared of it afterwards.

Parker ran on ahead and started to get some rhythms going

In no time we had our own little drum circle started.

There were drums everywhere, and Carter and Parker made sure all were given equal and sufficient time and attention.

The giant wind chime was a favorite of Parker's.  He seemed more interested in playing with it like a tether ball though.

The loudest items were in nice sound proof rooms... nice for those on the outside of the sound proof rooms.  Here is Parker's best Ringo Star impression.

Carter didn't seem to learn his lesson from the gongs and made Dad hit the cymbals.  You can tell by his reaction that they were loud!

Parker kept drumming away, he had a blast so long as a drum stick was in his hand.

The chimes were something that grabbed his particular attention.  I don't know if it was due to the sound or the fact that they were shiny and at head level, but he played them hard.

Carter also got his licks in on the full set.

He not only played the drums, but did some excellent singing as well.  Turns out the ABCs has a percussion accompaniment.

We tested out the timpani with many different mallets and sticks.

We soon realized that Parker had wandered off, but were relieved to find him back at his drum circle.  He did not seem to care that his circle was a solo act.

Luckily Carter got into the circle and they even had a dancer appear in the middle!

After a brief walk through downtown Indy to see the memorials...

and just goof around on the streets...

It was time to say goodbye and head to the airport.

Parker found a new way to get around the airport.  Looks comfy!

Parker again was in love with the planes and the airport, but once he stepped onto the plane he realized where he was and what was about to happen (flight) he started to scream "NO!".  Luckily we were able to calm him quickly.  He was asleep on Dad before the plane took off and didn't wake till be landed.  It was a great trip, but we were glad to be home as well.

Indianapolis - Day 3

After a good night's rest, Carter was back on the mend and Parker was still his chipper self.  We had made many short walks around the canal area with Grandma and Grandpa, this morning we were determined to show Mom what we had previously explored.  So off we went...

Not before getting Dad a much needed coffee and getting the boys tucked in, in their stroller (the mornings were a bit chilly).

We walked the entire canal to the river, crossed over the river and walked the length of the Zoo and through the IUPUI University Campus.  It was a long walk, but very nice along the river.

On the way back we met up with Grandma and Grandpa again, we held onto our duck bread till we met with them.  As you can tell, our feathery friends were getting to know the boys pretty well by this point.

We met up with everyone who was still in town for a brunch with the newly wedded couple.  We were able to get all the little ones to hold still and smile for a great photo of 4 generations of the West Family.

Parker spent a good hour trying to figure out how to bite an apple.  Luckily he finally got the hand of it and went to town...  while concentrating on the apple, he lost track of Mom... where did she go?

Is she under the table?    YUP!

It was a beautiful afternoon and we decided to go as a group back to the canal and rent some paddle boats.  The boys had a blast.  Once they realized they could splash, they never stopped.  Luckily they provided little drag to Grandma and Grandpa who were our boat's horsepower.

Soon it was back to the room to again lets the boys rest/nap.  We knew Carter was back to his old self when all he wanted to do was get dizzy with Parker in the desk chair after everyone was awake.  

To finish a great time with friends and family, we all walked to California Pizza Kitchen and had an impromptu pizza party.

Soon it was time to say our good byes.  Carter and JR really got along together well, I know both are looking forward to seeing each other, hopefully sooner than later.