Aunt Whitney's Graduation

Over Memorial Day weekend Matt, Carter and I decided to fly out to Kansas City, MO (Matt's hometown) to surprise his sister Whitney for her highschool graduation (Sorry Tom and Kim for not mentioning anything, I just got too sidetracked till it was too late). I was so impressed with all those who were in on the surprise for not letting the cat out of the bag. We started planning this I think back in February and were so excited about it. Towards the end Matt's mom Bonnie had to almost stop talking to Whitney all together because she was so nervous she was going to slip. There were several close calls when Bonnie had to think quick on her feet so as to not give any clues away. For instance there were several things she was buying and putting in the cupboards such as kiddie snacks and sippy cups that Whit would question and Bonnie would have to say that's for when Carter is coming. To which Whit would say, "Uh, we don't even know when the next time will be," and Bon would reply, "I know I am just getting prepared." Now this might sound kind of fishy to alot of you out there, but if any of you knew "Bonnie the Grandmother" you would know she hardly thinks of anything else but her little Carter and future grandbabies so it is not rare for her to buy things "to be prepared." The day before we came out Bonnie walked in the door from the grocery store with a gallon of whole milk and Whitney wondered why in the world she bought WHOLE MILK??? And poor Bonnie had to play it off like she had lost her mind and picked up the whole milk instead of the skim. But let's be honest we've all done that with one product or another at the grocery store. Thus, our little secret was safe till the end.

We flew in Thursday morning and went straight to the house. Whitney was up playing guitar hero with her brother Cory, who drove down from Minneapolis for her grad. We walked in and she thought she heard a baby and when she came to look she just stood there screaming and shaking. It was so fun. So now it was my turn to be ditzy, but I wasn't acting. I had turned on our camera and walked in first to get it all on video and was so stoked about the great footage I was getting and then I went to push the button to stop and then I saw the word "REC." AH, Dang it!!! I missed the whole thing. But here was the part I got, still pretty good:



While we were there we got some good porch sitting in. I know this sounds lame, but it is honestly one of my favorite things to do at my in-laws. They have a beautiful backyard and it is extremely peaceful. I think it was Carter's favorite thing to do as well.




This was our first evening there and it just seemed perfect. The weather wasjust slightly brisk with a soft breeze, Carter was thriving being with his family and exploring this awesome backyard, and Matt and I couldn't be happier with the company.






Three of Carter's favorite things to do outside was drive trucks along the blocks that bordered the flower beds, drink "pop" (really cherry limeade) out of the can (it had to be on his own), and throw the many rocks that were in the backyard.


He looked like such a big boy to me drinking from a can by himself. He did a pretty good job at it too.





While in KC all of us really wanted to get Jay and Bonnie's jet skiis out to the lake that's about 15 minutes away. It rained everyday and was kind of chilly. Saturday, we had a break in the rain and the sun came out in the afternoon. Though the temps were still cool we decided to brave the chilly water and go to the lake. Matt, Cory and Whitney all wakeboarded and waterskiied. I played on the jet skii the whole time. I got drenched from head to toe but still wasn't ready to make a full plundge into the water. I know what my mom is thinking right now, that I have gotten soft in my old age and she is right.




Carter liked riding on the jet ski for just short spurts at a time. He wasn't a huge fan, but it was still fun to take him along.

Grandma and Grandpa were nice enough (or should be I say wimpy enough) to stay a shore the whole time and chase Carter around.

At the lake we found out something new about Carter, he loves Cheetos. But more than his own love for Cheetos he loves feeding Cheetos to those around him...

especially Aunt Whitney. Carter sure had a case of the Whitneys this trip. He couldn't get enough of her. She is an incredible Aunt so I don't blame him.

"I love Cheetos, YUM YUM!!"

Carter and Whitney also had a big Wrestling Mania tournament. I think Carter won.

Here is a baby deer we heard bleating for it's mother. It was horribly sad to see it lying there shaking and scared. It looked like it was brand new. It was the evening and night would be coming soon and we were so worried another animal would come along and eat it. We let a park ranger know where it was, but she didn't seem to be as concerned as we were. I hope it survived.


Friday night was Baccelorette (sp?) night. I never knew about these until I married into the Nielsen family. This night is the spiritual side of graduation. They get church leaders from the area to come and talk (this is all religions not a Mormon thing). Anyway, usually they are pretty good from what I have heard, but the two pastors who spoke that night were rather uninspiring. I was a little disappointed. But here are some pictures anyway.

Matt, Whitney and Cory... can you tell they're sibilings? :)
Whitney with the future graduate, maybe even from Liberty high like his Dad and all his Nielsen Uncles and Aunt.
I have more pictures to post, but I left the cord to get the pictures off my camera onto the computer in KC so once that comes I will finish up.