Elk Hunt 2009

oops the bullet bike was not part of the hunt however, this bike is for sale and Josh needs to sale in order to get married. HA HA Bull elk hunt on Deseret Land and Livestock. Now Fred needs a turn at getting his own bull elk.

Mission Call

Mr. B received his LDS mission call to serve in the Ecucador Guayaquil South Mission. He will be learning spanish and will enter the Provo Training Center on December 16. He is excited and so are we. We had taken a poll as to where he would go and Little K was close with the guess of Guatemala. The rest of us had guessed countries in Eastern Europe as that is where his heritage is and a few guesses staying stateside including Boise, Idaho......all just for fun. So....if you have information about this mission please send it our way.

homecoming festivities

Two homecomings, two weeks, too much fun.

update

I don't think anybody reads our blog anymore due to the lack of information that gets posted. Josh is getting married to Caraline Glandon on May 8. Blake is due for a mission call this week.
When I get pictures I'll post them. Love to all for now.

alive with nothing exciting to share

Just a quick note. We are alive, working, school and all the regular daily routines. Thanks for keeping up all of your blogs. They are read often. We will try and get our's updated with good news soon. While you wait just know that the you are all loved.

a special moment

We never know how significant a phone call can be. The following story will be a very condensed version of what has really taken place.

In July a young lady walked through the doors of my husband's office. I cannot disclose what and where. She is with child and would not be able to stay there and due to policy of his work she would either have to go home or other arrangements for a temporary placement would need to be made. Derf only had 36 hours to help her find a home here or she would have to go back where she came from. She indicated that her home life was horrible. First, derf called our bishop to see if he knew of any families in our ward who would be willing to take this birth mother in and also if they would be interested in adopting a child of color. Meanwhile, another name came to his mind, a former bishop who is now a stake president in a neighboring stake. He made the phone call, this stake president then called the stake RS President who was inspired through prayer to not call the ward RS presidents but to call a particular family instead. Now let me back up here for one moment. The father of this family was a former boy scout when derf was the assistant scoutmaster and we had just visited with him at a wedding and the topic of future adoption came up. After the phone calls were made (with in 48 hours or less) this young lady was placed with this family. Life moved forward and derf had made contact to see how this young lady was adjusting and if she needed anything at all. About a week after that C was at a wedding reception and our former bishop (now the stake president) came by and we started to chat. He asked if I had heard what had been going on with this young lady and I had indicated that derf had checked in with her by phone. President.....asked, " How did derf know to call him?" I said that he was inspired to call. President...was amazed on how the Lord had placed people in certain situations to do his work and in particular to help this birth mother and adoptive family. I had found out that this birth mother was thriving at the home she had been placed in, she is so happy and the situation is working out very well. A few moments later another couple came to the same wedding reception and President....motioned me over to hear what they had to say. This young lady had been to church, the missionaries just happened to stop by 4 days after she went to live with this family and now she was going to be baptized!!!
Tonight Derf and I were able to witness this baptism and it was such a joy to know that she has the gospel in her life now and no matter what she decides with the baby she has been given a wonderful gift for eternity.

I am so grateful to me a member of the church!!!

craft blog and bling bling story

my nephew created this beautiful charm bracelet for me as part of a craft blog. On the bracelet you will find charms that represent things that I love: 4 wheeling, crayons that relate to my job as a teacher assistant, arrowhead - to remind me of all the times we went arrowhead hunting as a child, 5 for how many children I have, a heart to represent love for family and others, flip flop for my love of summer, my initial C and a sewing machine because sewing is one of my favorite hobbies.

During our craft fest last night I decided that I would add some more to the bracelet. Natalie was our jewelry expert and taught us the basics of making earrings and bracelets. She was multi tasking between teacher and card maker. She kept the cricut machine busy. During all of the hustle and bustle her wedding ring became lost. I hope that on her blog she will tell you the whole story of her ring. After last night she has another chapter to add to the saga of the ring.

Nat asked Josh to take a look at her car. I guess her finger was swollen so she took off her ring and attached it to her car keys. Josh did as he was asked and took the keys and checked out her car. I had no idea what was going on as we were all so busy crafting and talking. I guess either on Natalies way home or when she got home she let me know that her ring was missing. I was confused on whether she had taken it off before she gave the keys to Josh or after. Anyhow, Blake and I went looking for the ring by flashlight at 12 thirty in the morning. I did not know where Josh had gone. I knew that he may have crossed the street and had been at the neighbors. Blake and I searched the driveway, grass in our yard, the road and I went over to the neighbors and snooped around their yard while they were asleep. No luck. We searched the house, moved furniture, swept the floor, text our friends to check their craft stashes etc. Still no ring. I really felt for Nat. She was a trooper and tried so hard to not let her emotions get to her. After all she said it was only an earthy possession. This afternoon I was outside checking on our dog, Limi. My neighbor was outside and I thought jokingly that i would just ask him if he had found a wedding ring on his lawn. (I really believed that it was inside our house or with Nat's stuff) To my surprise he said yes! I was stunned and thought he was just pulling my leg but then he reached into his pocket and produced Natalie's ring. I was stunned. His son was cleaning up the lawn in preparation for it to be mowed and noticed something shiny in the grass. He picked it up and knew it was a wedding ring and gave it to his dad. They thought it might be a relative's ring but they were not sure. Mark was getting ready to put out a sign that said: Found==wedding ring. I thanked them and expressed to little Ethan that sometimes Heavenly Father uses other people to answer our prayers. It really was a small miracle for an earthly possession. However, I knew this ring meant alot to my daughter and that she had been praying for it's return. I am truly grateful for this answer to prayer today.

my summer is almost gone

Oh the fun of working at a year=round school!! My work begins again on Monday. I've really enjoyed being able to just get up when I want to and not have to work around someone else's schedule. Glad for the time when I've been able to enjoy some long bike rides this summer, I've enjoyed movie time and camping. Life slowwwww down!!!

He's got pirate in him!!!

I had posted on facebook that I always thought that Blake had some "Pirate" in him, well here is the proof. He had "Hooks" on his wisdom teeth!! ARggghhh matey. Ha. Anyhow he has tolerated their removal very well and has been taking great care and enjoying all the goodies that I don't normally purchase. Very little swelling or pain. Not bad for having four out!!!

Tour de France

Currently we are watching the Tour de France and cheering on our favorite professional rider, Lance Armstrong. There are some great bikers in this years tour. The excitement continues to build as the mountain stages approach. Only one more week left and then we'll all go on TdF withdrawal. Hope your summer is going well. If I'm not updating here on this blog you can catch up with us on facebook.

July Fun

happy birthday derf. He is an official speed limit now.

josh and caraline

our favorite campsite at the northslope.

4-wheeler parking lot

a favorite activity, passed down by grandpa O. Horseshoe tournaments.

All the guys and caraline played many rounds of horseshoes.

Mr. B getting caught up on reading. He's always reading.

This was Limi's first camping trip. She is not fond of mosquitos or cold nights.

Crafting day. Nat was very generous and brought up her beads. The girls spent several hours creating earrings, bracelets and girl time talk.

Mr.M. (K's special friend) was able to get Limi to go four-wheeling with him.

Duncan was on dog patrol. One morning Duncan decided to go jogging and Limi came off her leash and went after him. She only ran from camp two times.

Duncan

Clint==sorry the camera and operator was not cooperating.

Mr.B.

Fred getting ready to start carving.

Clint being hung up at camp.

Each summer we try and get in a few camping trips. This year we were able to secure our favorite spot in the Uintahs. Most everyone was able to see moose, elk or deer. Limi tried to dig up a pot gut hole and there was lot's of laughter around the campfire. We were able to try a new treat over the fire. Caraline shared this recipe with us. Place a marshmallow on a roasting stick, wrap a biscuit around it and slowly roast until golden brown, then roll in butter and cinnamon and sugar. We decided this was a must from now on. Another favorite treat in the dutch oven is to place foil in oven, cover bottom with pecan frosting, place bits of choc/chips in biscuit's, fold over and then place biscuit's on top of pecan frosting. Cook until golden brown. Invert rolls on plate and serve. This is our dutch oven version of sticky buns. Happy Summertime to you all.

Limi

Limi gets so anxious when fred comes home. She literally runs to him and showers him with kisses. If he leaves out the door she is in the window watching for him to return.

She is begging for attention from anybody in the family. Josh tries to teach her new tricks.

Limi is being prepped for a photo shoot. We have had Limi for nearly a year and she certainly has become a part of the family. WE are getting used to her though some family members do not enjoy that she licks their toes. One afternoon she decided to lick Fred's entire leg.

Our neighbors little dog for sadly hit by a car today and killed in front of them. It was very tragic. He is now buried in our yard and a funeral was held with roses draping the area of rest. Jack was a good dog and he played with me one child commented, there were also words like: Are there toys in heaven? Does Jesus have toys? Heaven is in the ground. Char, is jesus fixing jack? I said probably so and he's running all around up there. He then asked me why his body was in the dirt.

He also wanted to know if Jesus had lot's of grass cuz Jack likes to poop a lot. Little Gracie prayed that Jesus would fix Jack. It was so sad to be a part of the tragic accident of our neighbor's dog, jack. Made me appreciate our Limi just that much more and how grateful we are for her companionship.

Thanks to the great men in my life

Just a quick thank you to all the great men in my life. I love and appreciate all that you do.

Happy Men's Day!!!!

Once again......

I hope that I don't kill them this year. It's been a long time since I actually went out and purchased flowers. I planted gerber daisie's and impatients. The hanging baskets came from a local nursery that just recently opened up. I'm grateful for the beauty that the flowers provide in the yard. Hopefully I will remember to water them and the sun won't bake them. Happy June Day.

YUM STRAWBERRIES

Sorry for the blurry picture. Summer is officially here!! We are enjoying strawberries from our garden and the peas are almost ready to eat as well. Thanks to Derf for working so hard in our garden. There is nothing that tastes as well as freshly picked produce.

Blakester

The Graduates from CHS, Go Falcons!!!

Blakester and his buddies from school.

Mr. CHS!! Way to go Blake!!

More friends enjoying the refreshments after seminary graduation.

Blakester holding his three-year certificate from JR AFROTC.

Not many years ago our family and friends wondered what we were up too when we decided to add to our family through adoption. A dark haired, dark eyed little boy from a country far away came into our lives at the age 4 1/2. Little did we know then what a great young man he would become and will continue to become. Thanks for putting up with us Blake!!. Blakester was stubborn (fitting of a Carlson) and overcame all the odds against him and proved himself by working hard because he wanted to. Congrats to Blakester. You are truly deserving of all the honors bestowed upon you. We love you....the family.

Thanks

Thanks to my husband and children for their love and support this mother's day. I am blessed to be surrounded by Loving and patient family members. It was so sweet to have teenagers clean the kitchen before and after dinner. I enjoyed the neck massage and brushing of hair by a teenager boy while we watched bride wars and bedtime stories. I appreciated the homemade card and special 'licorice' treat, the spa kit, flowers which the boys picked out all by themselves.
I appreciated my husband for helping to bring it all together and for spending time as a family today. I also enjoyed being able to take a nap. I am mindful of the influence of all the wonderful mothers and mom's in my life. It was great to be able to talk with Grandma O. Thanks to each of my children and husband who also spoke to her. I miss Nila and thought of her today. I am so thankful that she raised such a wonderful son and that he still carries on some of her qualities. (Like finding the Easter candy yesterday that he had bought months ago.) May all mothers and birth mothers and those who nurture children to be their best enjoy this day and everyday of the year.

Taffy Pull

Mr. M has the nickname of "teflon" hands. the taffy rarely sticks to his hands while pulling it.

Clint and Nat showing us how to pull taffy.

opps....that is not coming from where you think. Actually when pulling taffy it is best to not use so much butter. Clint to Nat's rescue.

before and after

the entire right side received some damage.

Wish this was a close up. Lot's of scrapes to the bike, some broken and bent parts.

actually this is the before picture taken about 3 minutes before the mishap occurred. J was just pulling out of the driveway and had started to accelerate when his back tire slipped. He tried to keep the bike from going down but was unlucky there. He put his foot down to try and stop the crash and had no luck with that. Gratefully the bike bounced up and he was able to clear his leg and from there I understand that he flattened out his body and rode with the bike down the road for about thirty feet. He had all of his protective gear on which I am sure help to lessen the injuries to his body. He must have landed on his knee because it was very bruised and swollen with a minor scrape on it. He also has some road rash on his side which is now healing nicely and a sore foot. Not a fun ordeal, especially because he just had detailed the bike and is trying to sell it. Only body damage to the bike and it can be fixed. Quoting Josh, "My bike can be replaced but my life can't."

Prom 2009

It was a very poofy dress. Steak dinner served at our favorite restaurant....home.

Posing with Mr. B before he leaves to pick up his date.