Not too close, but not too far

I will start from the beginning. About 5 1/2 years ago we moved to Provo, Utah. I got the most amazing V.T. ever. Melissa was always on top of things and cared so much about what was going on in my life. That is what the V.T. program is all about, right? Anyways, we became good friends and did a lot together. I have adopted her as my sister! Our oldest children are 18 months apart and have always gotten along. After a couple of years went by and they graduated and then moved onto Portland. A few months later we graduated and moved to the Seattle area. We were only about 4 hours apart.
Tyler and I went on a road trip to visit them while we lived in WA. It was so much fun to see our friends again and enjoy being with each other. We didn't stay in Seattle very long and moved to Fresno. A month later Melissa called to say they were moving to the LA area. So, again we were only about 3 hours apart. The Lord knows that we can't be too far away from each other. We are too special of friends. I love you Melissa.
Melissa and her kids just came to visit this last week. We had a blast. The kids got along so well and were so good. I enjoyed them enterntaining my boys. Carter followed me around when I had the baby in my arms. I think he was a little jealous!
We went to the Zoo, it was fun for the hour we were there. It started to pour down rain so the kids were done. Carter loved the Elephants and kept wanting to go back to them. Tyler, of course loved the Tiger. That is because T is for Tiger and Tyler. It was also Melissa's birthday so I took her out to dinner. Matt stayed home and watched the kids. It was so nice to just get one on one time. Thank you Matt you are such a great husband.
I enjoyed our visit and hope to see them again real soon. Tyler is still talking about his friends Grace and Clark.
Thank you Melissa for making the trip up. I had a blast and had fun spoiling you for your birthday! Hope to see you in April?! Friends Forever!

Debbie and Melissa and baby Audrey ( Not the best picture of us but hey what can you do when a 5 year old is taking it?)

Grace, Audrey, Tyler, Clark, Carter

Grace, Audrey, Tyler

Tyler and Clark

Attached

Both of my boys didn't do the binky thing or sucking the thumb. So I was glad they weren't attached to something that I had to get rid of. I have found out that Carter does have some things he loves.
Carter walks around the house with his Pooh Bear blanket in one hand and a hand full of cars in the other. If you even try to help him carry them he will let you know ( I don't think so!) He drags that blanket everywhere. In the car, store, house, outside, etc. It gets pretty dirty and he screams when I take it to wash it. One time I even caught him pulling it out of the hamper. Then I got it back while he wasn't looking, yea right. He came running to the washer and started banging on it. This warm and comfortable blanket is something he has to have a nap time and bed time or he will not go to sleep. We forgot to tell the babysitter one time and she found out the hard way! This blanket was made by Gma Mergenthaler. So Gma he does LOVE it!
The other thing he is attached to is cars. He loves them and plays with them all day. He carries them all over and is always seen with mounds in his arms. They even join us at the dinner table sometimes. He is so cute and growing up so fast.

Carter with his piles of cars on the table.

Tyler and Carter with his blanket.

Loving the blanket.

Me and my blanket!