The Carlson's

The Boss Turns SIX!

2011-10-09T14:47:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to my little sweetie Boston! We celebrated with 18 of his closest buddies and A LOT of Legos!

I'm SIX!Breakfast of Champions (he had to include his Lego man)

(New Red Ryder BB Gun from Daddy, Lovely!)

Pin the Head on the LEGO manWe have LOTS of Legos over here!

back 2 school!!

2011-08-18T09:16:00.000-07:00

The kids headed back to their NEW (Swigert-McAuliffe International School) school today! Brooklyn started 2nd grade and Boston is repeating Kindergarten since he missed the DPS deadline by 5 days! They looked adorable and I may just actually miss them!

Boston: Kindergarten Mrs. Erin Elliot
Brooklyn: 2nd Grade Mrs. Anda Seale

Brooklyn Turns 7!

2011-07-08T09:29:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn turned 7!! I just cant believe my baby girl is 7! She decided on a bowling party at Fat Cats with all her little friends. Abby, Elsa, Allison, Cole, Ryder, Boston, Millie, Dallas, Mila, & Amelie. Thanks to all those who made it, Brooklyn had a great day!
Brooklyn's actual birthday was Friday so we let her choose wherever she wanted to go and she chose Brooklyn's Sports Bar downtown & dessert at Little Mans Ice Cream... It was hilarious walking into a sports bar with 4 little kids on a Friday Night!

Newport Beach & Legoland

2011-07-01T10:16:00.000-07:00

The Craig family made a trip out to Newport for Grandma Ronda's 50th birthday.. We couldn't pass up Legoland while we were there. Boston is currently OBSESSED! Thanks to my AWESEOME Mom and Dad and sweet sisters for their patience with this little adventure. We had so much fun!

Skippy's Home!

2011-06-17T20:41:00.000-07:00

We welcomed Skip home today after serving 2 years in San Diego on an American Sign Language Mission...

We so PROUD of you Skippy and are SO glad you're home! We love you!

Proud Mama!

2011-05-26T13:07:00.000-07:00

Boston graduated from Kindergarten today, I know most of you think this is no big deal... I was thinking the same thing this morning as I was loading three kids, snacks and cameras with two over tired babies all while trying to be on-time... I made it just in time to see Boston marching along in line and realized this is important and these are the memories I live for. I love my kids, I love my life, I'm one lucky girl! Congrats Boston, we LOVE you!

Talie Turns ONE!

2011-05-16T07:17:00.000-07:00

Talie Rae turned ONE with a MILK & COOKIES party!

3rd Times a Charm

2011-03-27T17:58:00.001-07:00

BC just lost tooth number three while mom and dad are in Miami!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Taz Turns 2!

2011-03-17T09:46:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to my little Sweet ball obsessed Taz! Were so glad that you have decided to talk! It only took two years, better late than never!! We love you Tiger!

Christmas 2010

2011-01-01T09:54:00.000-08:00

Family Photo's 2010

2010-12-19T17:44:00.001-08:00

We had our family pictures taken in October... It's always a huge source of contention and stress... Why does it always have to be that way?? Possibly because I over-coordinate us, then try to uncoordinate us, forget to feed my kids, hit every light in rush hour traffic on our way there, attempt to squeeze it in between a 5 o'clock meeting and a 6 o'clock client dinner and bring sugar of all things to bribe them to smile! After all, it's a glimpse of our 2010 (total chaos & pure joy) and I think they turned out beautifully, mostly because we had an amazingly patient and talented photographer! Thanks Tiffany! (http://www.tiffanygarfield.com/blog)

balls

2010-12-19T13:55:00.000-08:00

Taz has a bit of an obsession with anything that resembles a ball... The Christmas Tree ornaments were no exception. We started with 12, we're now down to 4. Our tree looks a little unbalanced, as there are no longer any ornaments on the lower 3 feet of our tree..

Talie 7 Months

2010-12-10T08:40:00.001-08:00

Talie, at 7 months you are:17 lbs
27.5 inches long
rolling
scooting
loving your green veggies
tall
smiling at anyone & everyone
starting to look more like your big sister
taking your binky in & out on your own
laughing
still NOT sleeping through the night
obsessed with your tongue
gorgeous
mauled by your siblings all day long!

We love you sweet little Tutu!

The Main Event

2010-12-07T07:10:00.000-08:00

I've had a few people ask to see pictures of "The Main Event..." If you have no idea what I'm talking about, our Christmas Letter explains it all... A truly amazing retail establishment in Southern Colorado. Tyler putting on the new straps he bought...

Kids Rock Marathon

2010-12-06T20:29:00.000-08:00

Brooklyn and Boston each ran a full mile through downtown Denver for the Kids Rock Marathon... Brooklyn took off so fast that it took Tyler a half mile to catch up to her! They had so much fun running (although i think their favorite part was the loot bag and snacks at the end) and can't wait to do it again next year...

The Starting Line
Brookie in front, Then Boss and Ty to the left

Their metals! Way to go guys!

Side-note... Brooklyn REFUSED to wear any type of athletic shorts insisting that they were only made for boys... She prefers to do all sporting activities in her capris! Some battles aren't worth fighting.

Quaker Steak and Lube Opening

2010-12-05T20:24:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Daddy on opening the first Quaker Steak and Lube restaurant west of the Mississippi! Hopefully there will be many more...

Team Evergreen

tutu

2010-12-04T20:19:00.000-08:00

She is officially and affectionately nicknamed Tutu...

Not sure who started it,
but it stuck...
and I love it & her!

1 little, 2 little, 3 little Indians....

2010-12-03T20:13:00.000-08:00

doesn't get much better than this...

daddy sure appreciated all the help!

Kasey's Shower

2010-12-02T20:07:00.000-08:00

A quick trip to see my baby sister, Kasey... Who is/did have her first baby, Vander Lee Ingram... It was so fun to be there with her for her Special Day... You look so cute, Congrats!

Vander's Quilt that I made

Kasey, Me, Tarah

Vander Lee Ingram
November 19th, 2010
Isn't he Cute?

Halloween 2010

2010-12-01T19:50:00.000-08:00

For Halloween this year we had:

a dragon
2 little ladybugs
&
a skeleton,
a visit from grandma ronda,

and bop bop,
a pumpkin carving contest

and a tired little dragon...

Aren't the cute?

Boston's Lego Party

2010-11-30T19:37:00.000-08:00

On October 6th, Boston turned 5!!

We celebrated with his cousins at Monkey Bizness and headed back to Grandma Jo's for pizza and cake! Boston is currently OBSESSED with Lego's so of course we had to have a Lego cake, lots of Lego gifts and Lego favors for the cousins!I'm not sure who likes the Lego's more, Boss or Dad! We headed straight home and assembled all 7 Lego sets in one night! Happy Birthday Buddy, You will never know how much we love you, your quick wit and your sweet little spirit! You're growing up to be such a fun, handsome and smart little guy!

Off to Montessori

2010-11-29T19:28:00.000-08:00

Boston began his last year of Montessori.. He is officially a KINDER!! His Montessori teachers felt he was ready to start Kindergarten early (he is an October Birthday and misses the deadline) so he will be repeating it again next year, we just haven't told him that part yet... So far, he is doing FANTASTIC and absolutely loves his school!

me, the little mother & the little lady...

2010-11-29T10:00:00.000-08:00

brooklyn has turned into such a little mother,she helps
she disciplines
she comforts
she cleans
she soothes
she laughs
she reads
she carries
she feeds

and most importantly,
she brings me so much joy!
i love you BC!

T is for Tornado!

2010-11-28T19:17:00.001-08:00

I wish I could say this has only happened once...

or even twice...

the third time it wasn't funny... i didn't take a picture!

But just look at this face??

After all, he is Taz the Tornado!

Off to School

2010-08-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

Thursday was the first day of First Grade! Brooklyn was more than excited to go and meet all her new friends! As ready as I was to send them back to school, I am missing my little helper.

She picked out her own outfit and her hair-do... I'm mourning the loss of the days where she would let me choose her outfit and do a cute little hair-do. I feel lucky if I can get her out of here wearing a headband, without a Hannah Montana t-shirt !! I'm learning to pick my battles and send a happy little girl off to school. She is SIX.... I can't even imagine what the mornings will be like when I'm trying to get her out the door for HS!

Outside SchoolMs. Estradas Class

With next door neighbor and best friend Cole

bathing beauty

2010-08-25T07:35:00.000-07:00

talie rae @ 15 weeks

this is how we have bathed each baby. in the bumbo, in the kitchen sink... they have all seemed to love it...i think i have a picture of each and everyone of them this way, so precious!!

sunday traditions

2010-08-22T20:25:00.001-07:00

every sunday we eat and nap and take a bike ride. our ride usually includes a loop around city park and a stop at the old "boat" playground... many memories are made and fun is had by all!

bryn now rides alone, boss tags along with dad and mom pulls the babies, we get lots of "wow! are those all your kids?"

Summer 2010

2010-08-08T14:18:00.000-07:00

So far SUMMER 2010 might be one of the craziest summers ever... Isn't it funny how every time you add another kid the previous 1 or 2 or 3 seemed SOOOO much easier and you realize how calm your life was before? From the second that we found out that #4 was on the way we knew that this summer was going to be a challenge, I remember thinking if i can make it through this summer, I can do anything!! ( i would now like to retract that, i made it through the summer but still can't do everything!) Talie was born a week before the kids got out of school for the summer and now we have a 12 week old baby and are a just a few days away from b & b going back to school! Wow, time flies when you're having fun! Here are our summer highlights 2010!

impromptu family pictures

playing with brothers

playing outside

lots of family hikes

a few gondola rides

alpine slides

steamboat hot springs

lots of water fun

a birthday party

our first visit from the tooth fairy

playing on the beach in newport

best buddies

growing up

balboa island

strenuous workouts

bugs life 3D movie

toy story ride

disneyland

Cutie Cousins

2010-07-12T23:59:00.000-07:00

these little peanuts are 11 days apart & two of the cutest little ladies i've ever seen...

July 4th, 2010

Chuckie Cheese

2010-07-11T23:59:00.000-07:00

We let Brooklyn choose where she wanted to celebrate her big day & Chuckie Cheese it was! We had a great time celebrating, we just can't believe our baby is SIX! It's been a full week of celebrations, first with the Craig's, then the Carlson's, next with Grandma Shirley! She is such a blessed and beautiful little lady and we love her to pieces!

Brooklyns Guests

Taz wasn't such a fan of Chuckie

b, t & b having a skee -ball tournament

brooklyn and chuckie

Her favorite gift, a camelbak just like daddy, but pink of course

Birthday loves from her best buddy, who happend to be her little brother!

Opening gifts from Grandma Ronda and Bop Bop!
I love you!

Birthday "Bix"

2010-07-08T20:17:00.000-07:00

happy birthday to my baby, i can't believe you're SIX!
(more pictures of the shin dig to follow)

Blessing Talie Rae

2010-07-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

7.4.2010
Today Daddy gave our little princess a blessing at church, it was beautiful. Thanks to all those to made the trek down to be part. It was a day I know I will never forget...

Talie Rae at 4 Weeks

2010-06-11T12:58:00.000-07:00

Talie Rae at 4 weeks
8lbs 9 Ounces

4.0... and 1.0, 2.0 3.0...

2010-05-22T08:00:00.001-07:00

Are babies supposed to be this cute less than 1 day old?

So far Talie has been one of our easiest babies yet and she's hands down the cutest infant of the bunch so she is officially Carlson Baby 4.0. We love versions 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0, all of which have experienced significant upgrades along the way - fortunately no Windows Me or Vistas in the bunch - but the baseline operating system for 4.0 seems to be solid.

Which reminds me we still do have a couple of other kids around the house who are carrying on their messy, fun and creative lives, despite the new addition to the household... the nerve!

1.0 - The Dramatic Matriarch
Brooklyn loves taking care of her baby sister and is becoming more and more helpful around the house. She does well at school, has lots of friends, is actually a natural at the piano and is hands down our most coordinated child. She also loves mothering and disciplining her younger brothers, much to 2.0's chagrin, but our increasingly beautiful kindergartener (she's come a long way from birth) does have an Achilles Heel... DRAMA.

If it seems too hard, too painful or too scary... it's immediately impossible / life threatening and the tears flow. The good news is dad can usually encourage/coerce/demand/threaten her into trying new things/foods/sports/etc., despite the tears, and in the end she usually ends up being very good at or liking whatever it is because she's naturally very talented... but the daytime soap opera process to get there... arghhh! Right now the clock is ticking on losing her first tooth... she's very excited but given her non-existent pain tolerance it should be interesting to say the least... let me know if you hear the blood curdling screams!

2.0 - The Nervous Daredevil
Boston is a character study in opposites... he's the most adventurous kid of the bunch - willing to eat pretty much anything, try most anything and is a very easy going guy. He loves his little brother Taz and talks a lot about teaching him about trucks, Legos, animals, etc. He is the proud occupier of the top bunk in the boys room (now just a Boston room) and is very funny... loving to say crazy things like "Are you freaking serious?" and "Whatever snake face!" much to his parents chagrin.

However, he too has a couple of idiosyncracies that make him 100% Boston. He is completely obsessive compulsive about his clothes and hair... 1) no spikey hair 2) no shirts that "hang over his bum" 3) no loose pants (a common problem for this skinny guy) 4) no jeans in the house - he immediately changes into shorts or "comfy pants" translation sweat/pajama pants 5) did I mention "flat" hair 6) no sweaters but he usually wants a long sleeve shirt under his tee shirt 7) three tee shirt rotation - Tom & Jerry, BYU 88, Tiger, etc. etc. etc. He also is very sensitive to being in trouble or being wronged and he worries constantly about crazy stuff... Target closing (when he heard over the loud speaker that Target was closing in 10 minutes last night he was on Def-com 5 to get the heck out of dodge city and was very troubled when he saw somebody walking in with 2 minutes to spare), bringing an illegal snack to school (they are very focused on healthy foods), foxes/wolves/coyotes or any other type of predator in the neighborhood... the list goes on and on...

3.0 - The Tornado Tiger / Mini Me
Taz is my buddy. Period. He follows me around like a shadow, we eat snacks together, he loves to throw and kick balls, he can fall off a stair or into the gutter and doesn't cry, he likes to eat mud and hit things with sticks... he's a boy's boy and my buddy. He loves to do what 1.0 and 2.0 do and is ecstatic when he does, shrieking in delight, and devastated when he can't or can't keep up. Now that he's walking he is into everything and beware if he is in the house when the dishwasher is open because clean or dirty he is unloading everything on the floor. He's a 30 lb walking tornado and everyone's favorite Tiger. He sleeps like a champ and pounds enough milk a week to be a Holstein calf and he's pretty much a meat & potatoes animal... if it's protein or carbs, there's a chance he'll eat it (and especially if it comes out of a cereal box), but fruits and vegetables (unless they are Trojan horsed in yogurt) need not apply. He has also inherited 2.0's Velociraptor shriek when he wants something and we don't understand - it will be a blessed day when he learns to talk - and thus far "soft" doesn't translate when he's interacting with 4.0... it's WWF or nothing...

Me and the troops!

Talie Rae Pictures

2010-05-16T14:09:00.000-07:00

Attached are a handful of pictures from Talie Rae's debut...!

Fully accessorized!

Checking things out!

Mom and Me!

Mom #2!

The Protective Brother!

The Oblivious Tornado!

Let the Chaos Begin!

Grandmas!

Grandpa Clarkey, Taz, Talie!

Jayci and the "Big Kids"!

Thank you all for your support!

Runt of the Litter!

2010-05-14T13:32:00.000-07:00

Talie Rae Carlson is officially the smallest and quickest Carlson baby yet! She arrived in style around noon at 6lbs 8oz and 19.5" and is doing great. Mom was a champ, delivering in 1.5 pushes and looks fantastic for delivering her fourth baby! Talie has big feet and hands - another tall Carlson girl? - and the nurses think she has reddish hair... so lightening strikes again... 4 for 4 on redheads (recessive gene my @$$).

TC

Let the games begin...

2010-05-14T07:37:00.000-07:00

We're at the hospital, the pitosin is rolling and the insurance bill meter is running... time for baby #4. For some reason this feels like deja vu, but then again maybe that's because we were here 14 months ago! Wow.

The good news is Amber is progressing so we won't be repeating the disastrous "going-to-have-a-baby-but-not-having-a-baby-and-coming-home-empty-handed" scenario we had with Taz. Man, that boy really wanted to be born on St. Patrick's Day.

Now if Amber would just AGREE ON A NAME we'd be doing perfect! Right now Gertrude, Maybelle and Ursula are at the top of the list, but we'll see. Boston is still lobbying for Flowers and Brooklyn likes the name of whatever friend she's best friends with at the moment... :)

TC

Really?

2010-05-12T13:15:00.000-07:00

Really? Seriously! Who goes past their due date with their 4th baby? I'm dying here! Sorry to those who I have neglected to call back, I can't bear the thought of answering one more, "baby yet?" Phone call... A

Just Taking A Nap

2010-04-25T19:44:00.000-07:00

Last night our family went out to dinner at Olive Garden and I nearly died laughing at yet another one of Boston's funny sayings...

Right when our food arrived, as usual, Boston announced that he had to go to the bathroom. Amber gave me the "I'm 8.95 months pregnant" look, which loosely translates to "I hate you for getting me pregnant AGAIN, I can't move out of this booth with a baby in my stomach so take your boy to the bathroom." Seeing my domestic self interest, I obliged and off we went to the men's room...

In a gesture of solidarity I went into the stall with Bos since the urinals were too tall and I stood guard at the door while he dropped his drawers and attempted to pee. I'm still unclear as to what happened next... whether it was stage fright, a long fuse, hang-fire, etc... but for whatever reason he experienced technical difficulties.

After a couple of seconds he turned around with a concerned look on his face, started to pull up his pants and said, "it's okay, I'll just try again later..."

Bewildered, I reassured him and said... "it's okay buddy, go ahead and try again, we're not in a rush..."

Bos then re-assumed the position and almost immediately things started to flow... upon which he breaks out laughing out loud and says in a eureka moment...

"Oh geez dad, I guess it (referring to his unit) was JUST TAKING A NAP!"

Needless to say, I was hysterical. I love that boy.

TC

27!

2010-04-15T16:49:00.001-07:00

Everyone is quite inquisitive about my pregnant state....

I am 27 days away...
About 27 lbs over my target weight gain...
Have a list of about 27 names, we can't agree on one...
Physically, not sure I can make it another 27 days!
Mentally, not sure I'll be ready for 27 years...
Still struggling with the fact I'm going to have 4 kids under 5 before I even turn 27!

I'll keep you posted!
Affectionately, A

Easter 2010

2010-04-12T15:06:00.000-07:00

We had a great Easter this year... Holidays just seem to keep getting more magical as the kids get older. We went to our annual "Stapleton Egg Scramble" on Saturday morning. It's always a ton of fun for the kids and over in literally seconds! Sunday morning we woke up to find baskets that the bunny had left for the kiddos, hidden "rotten" eggs as Boston refers to them and a table set for a yummy breakfast! It was nice that Conference fell on Easter this year so we could relax, watch, eat, nap and head up to Grandma Shirley's for an early Easter dinner. The unfortunate part was that I had spent a week prior sewing this adorable Easter dress for Brooklyn before I realized it was Conference and she wouldn't even be able to wear it... Seems like this is how most my life runs lately, complete CHAOS!

The Baskets full of Treats

Our best attempt at a kiddo Picture

At the Stapleton Egg Scramble

All the eggs at Founders Green, seems like thousands and each kid was only allowed to grab 6!

American Girls and Broken Hearts

2010-04-12T14:44:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn could hardly wait for the grand opening of the American Girl Store here in Denver... She had been talking about it for weeks upon weeks... She even wanted me to camp outside the night before so we could be the first ones in the store. After considering that for half a second, (not exactly ideal when it's 20 degrees out and you're 8 months pregnant) we decided to wake up at 6:00 AM and head down to park Meadows! When we arrived I was SHOCKED! There was literally 3500 girls waiting in line. Apparently I totally underestimated the magnitude of the store opening! After waiting about an hour and moving about a foot I broke the news to Bryn that it wasn't going to happen... We packed up, cried the entire way home about what a terrible and mean mom I was and then proceeded to tell everyone that we spoke to for the rest of the weekend how I didn't let her camp at the AG store so it was my fault we didn't get in... Wow! We later found out that people waited 8 hours and never actually made it into the store... Seriously? As promised, I took her back the following Tuesday, where we waited about 15 minutes in the 65 degree weather and finally got in! Brooklyn was in heaven and has been playing with Kit and her other AG's for 2 weeks straight! This is as close as the girls were able to get to the store at the Grand Opening....

Brooklyn and Kit and her loot

Kit waiting in her salon chair for her ear piercing

Brooklyn and Allison, Victory at last!

Taz turns ONE!

2010-03-23T08:31:00.001-07:00

i seriously can NOT believe it has been a year since i had this little guy! he is such a joy in our lives... it's so fun to see the bigger 2 teaching him, playing with him, running to his every cry, or ty and i waking up to discover all 3 kids playing in his crib, watching him learn and constantly cuddling. he is truly the perfect baby and we couldn't imagine our lives without him! happy birthday buddy, we love you!

Denver Saint Patricks Day Parade

2010-03-23T08:19:00.000-07:00

Daddy was away for 4 days so we decided to pack up and head downtown for the Saint Patrick's Day parade... The kids had so much fun snagging beads and candy while arguing (can they seriously argue over everything?) which was the "coolest" float! Boston votes for the Star Wars Float and Brookie the Irish Dancers... After 3 hours, Mom voted the coolest was the last one, which meant it was time to go!

Quick Trip To Maryland

2010-03-23T08:03:00.000-07:00

Tyler and I had a chance to sneak away sans kiddos for an amazing 4 days in Maryland with Chase and Ashleigh! We had so much fun and as many of you already know Tyler is not the "sit on a beach and sip Pina Coladas" type of traveler, so we saw everything possible to see in 4 days! Poor Chase and Ashleigh live there and they saw more in 4 days than Ashleigh has seen in her entire life! We managed to squeeze in a trip Baltimore, a tour of D.C., a ride to the top of the Washington Monument, a little shopping in Georgetown and many yummy meals (one too many I think) Thanks for having us guys! You're new place and new dog are adorable!

(You may have noticed, I'm not much for picture taking these days.. I would be content to know that this last pregnancy is never documented...it's been a doozy!)

Valentine's Day In Breck

2010-03-23T07:44:00.001-07:00

Im SOOOOO behind in my posts so I am going to keep it short and just say we had such a fun time in Breckenridge with our good friends the Copples from USC, were hoping, but not pressuring them to move out to Denver to start a Dental Practice... We had so much fun, Thanks for leaving the blissful SC weather to visit the blustery and cold Colorado winter!

The kids showing off their Valentine;s Treats from Mom...

The kiddos (and Dad's) had endless hours of fun sledding down the driveway...

and building snow forts...

Talli and Brooklyn, Best Buddies

100 Days & One Handsome Devil

2010-02-09T18:33:00.001-08:00

Brooklyn recently celebrated her first one hundred days of kindergarten by dressing up as centenarian for her 100 Days Celebration. What a character!

On the way to the bus stop we also snapped a picture of our handsome devil, Boston... he's a charmer!

Pandora's Piano!

2010-01-23T18:34:00.000-08:00

Ever since leaving home I've always wanted a piano. Not a modern electronic keyboard, but rather an old school acoustic piano. After being forced by my mother to play for 10 years, I actually started to like the dang thing and now, like any good parent, I want to force my kids to experience the same hell that I did! (I still have nightmares about the "egg timer" and listing to it tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick... seemingly forever, waiting for my 1/2 hour practice to expire!)

Poor Brooklyn - she has no idea what's coming at her!

So for Christmas we decided to pool our gift money - especially from my parents (thanks mom and dad!) and find a piano. I searched Craigslist, visited nearly every new and used piano dealer in town, played probably 50 pianos and finally found what I thought was the perfect piano in terms of play and price. HOWEVER, "perfect" is a subjective term and while I was shopping for a musical instrument my beloved wife was shopping for a piece of furniture. Turns out they can be two very different things.

the smoking gun...

For the record Amber has an exceptional eye for style and decorating and she has never failed us when it comes to home decor - except for her brief fetish with chickens - WTF? Additionally, in my 7+ years of marriage I have learned through trial and error that hesitation or "sure" (the DEATH word from Amber) means she's not a fan of the idea/subject. So when I got hesitation, "sure" AND "if it will make you happy" I should have had SIRENS going off in my head... DANGER AHEAD, ABORT MISSION, IF YOU PURCHASE THIS PIANO, YOU ARE A DEAD MAN!

But, like so many times before my excited mind translated "sure" and "if it will make you happy" into "great" and "I love you so much I won't mind this at all". FALSE! But I foolishly steamed ahead, like the Titanic on its maiden voyage - destined for destruction, bought the piano and had it delivered two days later while I was at work....

The first phone call I received that day from Amber was innocuous enough... mostly a travelogue... piano was delivered, no problems, couldn't put it in the basement so its in the front room. So good so far and I am really excited to get home and see my new toy... but, unbeknownst to me, at -------------- an emotional storm was brewing that would make landfall soon...

The second phone call I received WAS NOT innocuous.. it involved tears, it involved me getting frustrated, it involved "I just hate it", it involved "our house was perfect" and it involved more tears, disbelief and frustratoin and an abrupt hangup.

The third and fourth phone calls are a blur - tears, frustration, apologies, etc - but suffice it to say that BEFORE I HAD EVEN SEEN THE THING it was mentally headed back to the piano dealer. Talk about buyer's remorse!

Fortunately our piano dealer offers a 1-year trade in program so we're looking at other options and - like most things desired by my blessed spouse - the piano she really wants only costs 5x the one I selected! Sheesh!

Back to the drawing board... this time, hoping to avoid "sure"!

taz at ten

2010-01-23T17:38:00.000-08:00

taz at ten....
cruising around

playing in the snow

playing on daddies new favorite toy... (notice that I say dad's, mom is not so sure, this is a whole different post)

yes, red hair!
2 1/2 teeth
30lbs
blue eyes
waves goodbye
says "da da da da da"
eats anything and everything he can
crawling
pulled over 2 tables, 3 lamps & broke 1 very loved tea set
hates the TV
loves the toilet
hold grudges
and is loved by all...

Tylers (Very LONG) Christmas Letter

2010-01-11T11:02:00.000-08:00

2009… where do I begin? This past year has been filled with joy and laughter – thanks to Brooklyn and Boston who never fail to entertain (Boston’s ghetto fabulous booty-dancing skills and Brooklyn’s crayola bumble bees / butterflies / flowers graffiti on the basement walls being the most recent examples!) – and another addition to the family… Taz Tyler Carlson, born 3/17/09. However, this year has also been filled with challenge and growth – thanks to the recession, too much to do and too little time and the transition from man-to-man to zone parental defense. However, life is a blessing and below are the “Mosts” of Carlson craziness in 2009!

The most anticlimactic event of the year was going in to have Baby #3 (sex then unknown) induced on March 16th only to spend 12 hours unsuccessfully laying siege to Amber’s womb with pitocin and then going home empty handed! However, after getting the doctor to actually come to the hospital and focus on getting the baby out, Taz arrived in style on St. Patrick’s Day and has been a mellow, happy tank ever since! He’s not a big fan of baby food, but when it comes to overpriced formula, fried rice, bacon or sausage he’s all in! He is a great baby, sleeps like a champ, is off the growth charts and is the apple of his mother’s eye.

The proudest moments of the year were Brooklyn riding the school bus all by herself to kindergarten at Bill Roberts K-8 and Boston starting Garfield Montessori preschool all by himself. Bix and Bos have always been connected at the hip so seeing them grow independently is very fulfilling. The highlight of my fatherly day is walking Brooklyn to the bus stop, talking about the weather, smelling roses and stomping ice along the way and driving Boston to preschool, telling him fantastic stories of him defeating monsters, dragons, alligators, evil witches, snakes, etc. with his sidekick Ryder and weapons of choice: light saber, sling shot and BB gun.

The most exhibitionist moment of the year was during our camping trip when Amber decided driving into the campsite was an ideal time to get topless! Granted, her intention was to feed the Taz monster but I was shocked nevertheless and nearly drove into a tree! Other highlights were finding an elk carcass (killed by a dinosaur – Boston; killed by a bear – Brooklyn), seeing Amber recall her 7th grade science class about conduction after melting her brand new running shoes on the fire ring and the kids managing to catch some monster trout, despite my complete lack of fishing skills (turns out you don’t need them at a trout farm… just a deep wallet!).

The most astonishing moment of the year was Amber pulling off a very surprise 30th birthday party for me in July. I really had no idea (not difficult when you’re oblivious to most domestic details!) and it was great to spend some time at the lake with family and friends – thank you for the years of love and support! Now I’m coping with the fact that, according to my brother Chase, I’m “one third dead!”

The most repressing moment of the year was transitioning Boston from warm and fuzzy Eastlake Montessori in Thornton to preschool boot camp at Garfield Montessori in Denver. Personally, I’m a fan of tough love so the no nonsense, they need to do everything for themselves, quiet as a library, everything-in-its-place approach is fine with me, but Amber’s not quite so sure! However, I must admit their nutritional Nazism goes a little far (as far as I can tell raw vegetables are the only acceptable lunch item!) and I’m boycotting any additional “mandatory” parent classes that tell me complimenting my kid disables their independence… Sheesh!

CENSORED: my original entry about ?????????? has been replaced with: The most physical moments of the year came when Brooklyn and Boston started their first season of soccer – they rocked the gear like pros but were a little timid / distracted on the field – Boston regularly quit games mid-swing because he didn’t want to miss out on treats on the sideline (heaven forbid Brooklyn actually eat one extra donut!) and Brooklyn seemed happy as a lark to just prance around the field, smiling and waving, oblivious to where the ball was actually located… There’s always next year I guess!

The most fun moments of the year happened at the lake where Brooklyn wakeboarded for the first time (standing on my board), Amber braved the rope swing and shot her first shotgun / clay pigeon (go super mom!), Boston was fear(ful)lessly rode on the tubes and Taz enjoyed chilling in the sun. My favorite was turning into the Swamp Monster with mud / cattails and terrorizing the kids!

The most tiring moments of the year were refereeing between Brooklyn and Boston. It truly is love/hate with those two… one moment they are inseparable, playing in their window well fort (complete with blankets, a roof, lawn chairs, toys and a space heater) and the next… “Boston threw a telephone at me!”, “Brookie says I’m not part of the family!” or Boston belting Brooklyn because she won’t play with him (is that how friendship works?). My other favorite is the Mystery Messer who magically appears, smashes Oreos into the carpet, colors on the wall, destroys the storage room and then vanishes… and the kids have NO idea who dunnit! Amazing!

The most “they did WHAT?” moment of the year was when I came home one day to find our tarp laid out neatly on the grass with the edges taped to the fence and every can of spray paint we own set out. Naturally, I thought Amber was doing a craft project but when I asked what she was doing I only got a disturbing, confused look. The details of how the kids managed to pull off a full blown Maaco spray paint operation to “paint mulch” (duh, dad) outside the purview of their mother remains a mystery, but the good news is they avoided the house and fence! Now if I could only catch the Mystery Messer who spray painted the inside of my garage!

The most disturbing moments of the year were Brooklyn telling us she learned on the bus that boys can marry boys (that was a fun discussion), Boston’s ability to dip anything (including grapes) in ketchup, Boston letting Taz suck on his big toe (YUCK!), Brooklyn deciding iCarly was her favorite TV show (what happened to Dora?), Boston wanting his toenails painted like the girls (his mom has blue for boys… ARGHH!), Amber teaching Brooklyn how to lay down in the shower with a washcloth over her eyes (how much does a 2nd water heater cost?) and Boston’s aforementioned uncanny ability to shake his booty ghetto fabulous style… go white boy go!

The most shocking moment of the year was discovering that Amber is pregnant AGAIN! (for those of you counting, yes it’s 14 months… holy #$%^!) Our fertility problem is the opposite of most (we’re now sleeping on different floors and I’m suing Trojan) but sometimes the Lord has plans of His own – ours certainly didn’t include another kid in 2010! However, it looks like we’re destined for another dynamic duo – Taz won’t be a solo artist – and now that 6th Christmas stocking that Amber bought 5 years ago is coming back to haunt her! So starting in May 2010 our lives will get REALLY crazy with the arrival of a new little baby GIRL. Heaven help us!

Love, Tyler, Amber, Brooklyn (5), Boston (4), Taz (9 mo) and ??? (are we being Punk’d?)

Crawler!

2010-01-08T15:09:00.000-08:00

we haven't been in this house since we've had a crawler... yesterday taz found my cell charger that was plugged into the wall and shocked himself when he started chewing on it... then he ripped every single book off the book shelf in the office in a matter of seconds, then the little monster keeps closing all the heating vents when it's negative 2 outside, and today he is playing in the toilet... oh the joy! it's all coming back to me now!

Christmas 2009

2010-01-07T13:43:00.001-08:00

Since I fell just short of winning the "Mother of the Year Award" for taking thousands of pictures in 2009 (yeah right), I thought I might keep up the trend and post the few pictures I actually took (or Tyler actually took) of Christmas this year... My relationship with my cheap camera has been struggling over the past 9 months and we finally decided to kick that puppy to the curb and find a decent replacement... it's on it's way, can't wait!

This year with 3 kiddos and 1 on the way (yes, still a shocker) we decided that a Christmas at home might not be a bad idea... We did a traditional Christmas Eve with the Carlson's at Grandma Shirleys where she had Chic-Fil-A and Dave's BBQ catered, why doesn't everyone do that? Yum! Although I have been part of this Carlson Christmas tradition for 8 years now the pile of gifts under Grandma's tree never ceases to amaze me! She is one amazing lady! I can't believe the time, love and effort she puts into making each and every one of her loved ones feel special year after year! Boston scored a PlayMobile Castle and Pirate Ship and Brooklyn her usual American Girl loot... Of course Ty and I were spoiled as well... Thanks Grandma!

Brooklyn and Allison with their matching American Girl Loot
Brooklyn was Amazed when Santa actually showed up early at Grandmas....

Listening to the Carlson Kids Talent Show

Watching for Santa's Reindeer out the window
The gift pile (I couldn't even fit it all in the picture)

We had a quick Christmas with Clarkie, Grandma Jo and Jayci before we headed off to Arizona in the morning. Boston's favorite gift was his Ant Farm and Brooklyn toted her Matching Game everywhere we went for days after... Jo Ellen always hosts a small Birthday Party for Jesus with Candles, Cake and Gifts.. I love this tradition, it's such a fun way to teach the kids about the true meaning of Christmas...
Jesus Birthday Party

Boston checking out the nativity at Grandma Jo's

The kiddos in their Christmas Outfits ready to head to Grandmas
Taz and Jayci (with Skip on a mission and all the other kiddos married and with the In-laws, Jayci is the only one left home, but we loved having her around, the kids adore her....and so do I)

Christmas afternoon we jumped on a plane and headed to Arizona to spend some time with my family who anxiously waited for us to arrive to open gifts... My kids were spoiled again and luckily my parents gave us a suitcase set for Christmas so we could haul it all home! We had so much fun playing in the desert with my parents, sisters and Maddux, did some catching up with old friends, shopping, and made lots of lemonade from the lemon tree in my parents back yard! Tyler got in a round of golf with the boys and we actually went a full week without Ty's laptop or him disappearing off to his Phoenix office, a miracle in itself! Sadly, this is the ONE picture I took in AZ before my camera decided it was done...Hopefully I can get a few from my Sisters and add them in later...

Overall we had an amazing Christmas and are so grateful for all the thoughtful Christmas Cards and gifts we received from all our family and Friends! Thank you!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T07:51:00.001-08:00

and a happy new year!
Love, t. a. b. b. & t.

2009 Christmas Letter Excerpt

2009-12-15T15:13:00.000-08:00

" The most shocking moment of the year was discovering that Amber is pregnant AGAIN! Our fertility problem is the opposite of most (we’re now sleeping on different floors and I’m suing Trojan) but sometimes the Lord has his own plans – ours certainly didn’t include another kid in 2010! However, it looks like we’re destined for another dynamic duo – Taz won’t be a solo artist – and now that 6^th Christmas stocking that Amber bought 5 years ago is coming back to haunt her! So May 12th, 2010 our lives will REALLY get crazy with the arrival of a new little baby GIRL. (for those of you counting, yes it’s almost 14 months… holy #$%^!) Heaven help us!"

Love, Tyler, Amber, Brooklyn (5), Boston (4), Taz (8.5 mo) and ??? (are we being Punk’d?)

We have a new NEPHEW!

2009-11-14T07:54:00.000-08:00

We have a new NEPHEW!!

Jack George
8lbs 14 oz 21 Inches Long

Congrats to Tawny and Andrew!
We love you and can't wait to meet Jack!

(10 minutes after Andrew took off for the BYU/New Mexico game in NM, Tawnys water broke and she headed into the Emergency room... This made for quite an entertaining story as Andrew landed in NM, jumped on the first flight back to SLC and walked, no scratch that, SPRINTED into the delivery room when the doctor said Tawny was at a 10 and ready to push... Jack had impeccable timing... I was on pins and needles the entire night!)

A Dragon, a Pirate and a Fairy Princess!

2009-11-02T10:43:00.000-08:00

After sitting on the runway at DIA for 2.25 hours in the de-icing line we finally made it to Phoenix for some warmer Trick or Treating fun! We had so much fun and lots of tiny tears yesterday when we had to leave Bop Bop and Grandma at the curb... Thanks for everything, we miss you guys (and your warm weather!!)

Our Princess, Dragon and Pirate...

My 24 pound 7 month old... Daddy carried him trick or treating for 4 houses before we decided to head back for the stroller...

The most beautiful fairy princess we have ever seen...

All the pirates... Boston, Maddux and Uncle Joel.

We're alive....

2009-10-25T08:29:00.000-07:00

In October:

Mom and Dad went to Provo for a long week so Daddy could teach a few lectures at BYU and managed to squeeze in a Football game to Cheer on Uncle Andrew! Go 88!

Boston turned 4 with a Dr. Seuss party....

Taz turned 6 months old! Time is flying by!

Brooklyn has learned a few tricks from her Mother... Yes, Tyler found her lights out, lying down in the shower, shampoo bottle for a pillow and washcloth over her eyes.... I was so proud!

And we went to the botanical garden pumpkin festival!! The kids loved the Corn Maze, I think we could have played in there for hours!

Blast from the Past!

2009-10-07T10:11:00.000-07:00

Uncle Clay has been compiling old family videos for Christmas this year and he came across some classic footage from the Thornton archives of my baby blessing. Below is some awesome footage of the "Golden Child" in his infancy in front of mom and dad's old house in south Provo!

TC

Trip to Cali!

2009-09-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

This past week we packed up our small Russian army and headed to California to see Great Grandma and Grandpa Craig! We had so much fun and I can't believe we fit it all in... We managed to fit in a trip to Fairytale Land, Apple Hill, a Jelly Belly factory tour, a San Francisco Bay Harbor Cruise, a little trout fishing, a quick lunch with Aunt Debbie, Brandon and Josh, and ate at some of Mom's favorite restaurants... In-N-Out & Skates on The Bay... Our kids were amazing well behaved and were such troopers throughout all the long car rides! Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for making our trip a memorable one! We love you!

Waiting for their bag, ready to go! Tyler with his giant baguette from BoudinMr. McGregors Garden

Apple Hill

Shark Tunnel @ San Fran Aquarium

Best Buddies

San Fran Aquarium

Golden Gate Bridge

Alcatraz Cruise

The Craigs

pier 39

Mr. McGregors Garden @ Fairytale Town

Jelly Belly Factory Tour

Fishing at Apple Hill
Boston eating his trout.... yum!

2009-09-07T14:46:00.000-07:00

Our Gospel Doctrine teacher read this quote in Sunday school yesterday and it struck me, thought i would share....

Life isn't always easy. At some point in our journey, we may feel much as the pioneers did as they crossed Iowa- up to our knees in mud, forced to bury some of our dreams along the way. We all face rocky ridges, with the wind in our face and winter coming on too soon. Sometimes it seems as if there is no end to the dust that stings our eyes and clouds our vision. Sharp edges of despair and discouragement jut out of the terrain to slow our passage. Always, there is a Devil's Gate, which will swing wide open to lure us in. Those who are wise and faithful will steer a course as far from such temptation as possible, while others - sometimes those who are nearest and dearest to us- succumb to the attraction of ease, comfort, convenience, and rest. Occasionally, we reach the top of one summit in life, as the pioneers did, only to see more mountain peaks ahead, higher and more challenging than the one we just traversed. Tapping unseen reservoirs of faith and endurance, we, as did our forbears, inch ever forward toward that day when our voices can join with those of all pioneers who have endured in faith, singing: "All is well! All is well!"

Elder M. Russell Ballard

Surprise, Tyler turns 30!

2009-08-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to you...

Launching off the rope swing

This was definitly a fun year for Birthdays around our house... After Ty surprised me and flew me to Vegas for my Birthday, I had to step up to the plate... So I threw a surprise "Birthday Cookout" for him at the family lake... I went back and forth about where to have his party and I knew nothing would make him happier than a day full of water fun, food and friends... He was actually surprised... sometimes it pays to have a less than attentive husband... Just kidding... I was just so happy to pull it off! Happy Birthday Ty! A

Heritage Square!

2009-08-20T21:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago ( i know, i have been a major slacker blogger this summer) we took the kiddos to Heritage Square in Golden, with the worlds greatest neighbors, Regan, Scott & kids. That place is a total kid dreamland! We rode all the rides, ate yummy food and all took our first rides on the alpine slides! Brookie and I rode together nervously and both ended with giant smiles! We had such a fun time!

(is anyone else sick of my apple green juicy sweatshirt.. wow.. i think i need to retire that treasure!)

Big Girls Don't Cry...just moms!

2009-08-19T07:45:00.001-07:00

Today my baby went to Kindergarten! I still can't believe it, seriously nuts! She looked beautiful and was much more independent than I thought she would be, I guess all that Montessori paid off... It definitly helped that her best buddy & next door neighbor Cole is in her class... Pretty amazing considering there are 7 kindergarten classes at her school! Her mother on the other hand was a bit of a mess! Wow!

Chunky MONKEY!!

2009-08-17T19:05:00.000-07:00

Our little ChUNkY MoNKeY @ 22 Weeks!

Weighing in at an amazing 20 lbs...

teething drool monster(Naturally, Tyler had the kids put strainers on their heads and walk around the store after I forced them all against their wills to go into Sur La Table... Those rebels!)

Like Father, Like Son.... Guess who? Tyler 1979

2009-07-22T22:02:00.000-07:00

I had to document all the "Birthday Buddies"

Abby Boyd
Allison Carlson
BC
Cole Petersen
Evelyn Lee
Boss
Mya Busch

Taz @ 16 Weeks!

2009-07-16T13:16:00.000-07:00

a few pictures of little taz @ 16 weeks

* This morning I could hear Boston singing from the other room, I went to check on him and found him INSIDE of Taz's crib singing him "Twinkle, Twinkle"! As I came into the room he told me that Taz had been crying and he was just singing him back to sleep.... so precious I should have taken a picture! A

Elder Carlson

2009-07-09T13:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a tough day for me... My little brother in law "Skip" left on his mission... He has been the little brother that I never had but always wanted... He called us about 5 minutes before he went into the MTC and had a chance to talk to Boston on the phone, Boston told him (unprovoked) that he wanted him to be a good missionary & that he knew he would be... that he would miss him and how he will be be bigger than him when he comes home... I am so grateful for his example and the impact his decision to go on a mission has made on my little Boston, who someday will be making a decision whether to go on a mission himself - - I hope he remembers how proud he was to say goodbye to his Uncle Skip...

Skip will be serving in the San Diego, CA -- ASL (American Sign Language) Mission

5 years of joy, mischief and love...

2009-07-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

5 years of joy, mischief and love......

happy birthday to the PRINCESS of our family!
At 5, you are loving,

i carly
your "allison" american girl doll
your brothers
pink
cousin allison
swim lessons
captain crunch
lipgloss
shooting with dad
making "boats"
swedish fish
manicures
your scooter
reading
your barbie jeep
cheese

3 little monkeys...

2009-07-04T13:34:00.000-07:00

3 little monkeys swinging in the trees.... oh how we love a shady tree in the summer

CAMPING 2.0

2009-06-14T06:53:00.000-07:00

WARNING: This post is rated: "T" for Tyler. It may contain embarrassing, inappropriate, offensive and generally ridiculous language and content. Children of any age should view this material under close parental supervision.

So... this weekend was the inaugural Carlson family campout of 2009 and let me the first to declare it a major success. We had plenty of naysayers due to the dismal weather forecast... 50% chance of rain is not ideal... but since I'm a gambling man we rolled the dice, packed the 4-Runner, left Taz with Grandma Jo (I'm a risk taker, but not suicidal - children under 3 are verboten!) and headed up to Estes Park, throwing common sense and caution to the wind!

Below are some highlights of the trip... enjoy!

**AMBER GONE WILD INCIDENT
So as we are rolling into Rocky Mountain National Park, enjoying the amazing scenery and the "wild" animals (Note: there are absolutely NO "wild" animals in RMNP - the elk are more domesticated than my kids!) I nearly drive off the road because my blessed wife has taken off her shirt and is sitting half naked in the seat next to me! Under normal circumstances (okay scratch that, this would never happen under normal circumstances!) I would sing Halleluiah and drive off the road for different reasons, but under these circumstances my kids were in the backseat and we were rapidly approaching a ranger station... not exactly an ideal time for your wife to have an R-rated moment.

After a knee jerk "What are you doing?!?" while swerving to miss a domesticated elk I saw IT... yes IT... the despicable machine that has replaced me as my wife's intimate partner.. the DAMN breast pump! I hate the thing with a passion and for some reason, still unknown, Amber thought then an ideal time to hook herself up, the very moment when we're approaching the ranger station and campground at 15 miles an hour! Yikes!

**DEAD CARCASS INCIDENT
After setting up camp without incident (under sunny skies you backseat campers!) the kids and I set out to explore our new turf. After a few minutes we stumbled across the skeleton of a dead elk sitting in the grass. The kids (I include myself in this category) were fascinated by our archeological find and we spent about 10 minutes discussing the different bones, how it died (probably eaten by a dinosaur [Boston] or attacked by a bear [Brooklyn]), what happened to the rest of its body and why there were bugs eating its skull! We then proudly brought mom over to see our find and, unfortunately, she did not share our fascination with the skeleton or approve of our touching it! Seeing the carniverous bugs eating the skull nearly sent Amber to the psych unit!

**YES HONEY, METAL CONDUCTS HEAT INCIDENT
After an excellent meal of hot dogs (Boston ate nearly an entire package!) tin foil dinners (Amber is a master of camping cooking! Delicious!) and pre-packed peanut butter and jelly for Brooklyn (Yesiree... she insisted on bringing her own rations!) we were sitting around the campfire, cooking/burning marshmallows and trying to prevent Boston from throwing a firey marshmallow lava ball into someone's face or lap...

(The hot dog eating burning marshmallow monster contemplates his next move!)

...when Amber commented that her feet felt hot. In horror I looked down and saw her NOT-inexpensive running shoes resting against the metal fire ring. She quickly pulled them away and had a flashback of junior high science class where she learned that metal is an EXCELLENT conductor of both heat and electricity!

"Honey, I needed new running shoes anyway!" $%^%&*!

**URBAN CAMPER!
One of big failures of last years camping trip was the morning routine... waking up in a cold tent, without Dora the Explorer and a bowl of cereal wreaked complete havoc in our kids' lives so this year we decided to completely sell out and do breakfast in Estes Park at the Golden Arches. And I must admit (please don't tell Boy Scouts of America or they will rescind my Scoutmaster calling) I really enjoyed it! We all slept in until 8am (a miracle in and of itself), woke up to beautiful blue skies and sunshine, jumped into the car and enjoyed pancakes, sausage and egg mcmuffins! No mess to clean up and no cold orney kids! Hooray for the Fast Food Nation!

**$1 AN INCH / TYLER, THE ANTI-FISHERMAN / AMBER JOINS GREENPEACE!
After breakfast Boston was pleading to go fishing so we stopped by a Trout Farm to clean out our wallets and emotionally traumatize Amber. The rules of engagement were: 1) $1 per inch caught, 2) no catch & release, 3) the farm cleans the fish. Simple enough, except $1 per inch made my blood run cold after seeing the MOBY DICK sized fish in the pond. The kid running the shop got us outfitted with a rod, worms and bucket and away we went...

The first episode of hilarity was me trying to cast the fishing line with a $10 fishing pole. Let me be the first to say I am not a fisherman, whatsoever (I fully blame this on my father who never taught me to fish, hunt or fix/maintain anything involving a motor... he taught me many other things, equally valuable like how to raise pigs, flood irrigate a field, drive a tractor, etc... but definitely not how to fish!), so I fully entertained Amber and the kid-worker with my ridiculous attempts to cast the line. After deciding my inadeqacies were a result of equipment failure, insult was added to injury when the kid-worker took over the pole and proceeded to cast the line ACROSS THE DAMN LAKE. $%&*

The second episode of hilarity was me instructing the kids to catch the smallest fish possible (yeah right, the cards were stacked against me!) and having them pull up some of the biggest trout I've ever seen... $$$$ $$$$ $$$ $$$...

The last entertaining episodes were Amber's reactions to me putting the worms on the hook (she nearly passed out) and her COMPLETELY freaking out when the kid-worker bashed the flopping fish over the head with a mallet to kill them before gutting and cleaning them. I never knew my wife was such an environmentalist, but I quickly found out she has zero tolerance for animal injury/fatality in her presence (although she'll pound a hamburger/chicken nugget/shrimp without thinking twice... guess I should never take her to a butcher or stockyard!).

Priceless were the kids excitement about catching the fish, their thrill of reeling them into the shore and their fascination with watching the kid-worker clean the fish... Definitely worth the 27 inches of fish that I paid for!

**IS WALKING 100 YARDS HIKING?
The last adventure we had was taking a family hike. In my mind, I planned us hiking 4 miles round trip to Cub Lake... the Carlson family VERUS mother nature, exploring the wild outdoors and charting unknown territory....

Unfortunately, my kids had other ideas...

After setting out from the car with gusto and going about 100 feet Boston proclaimed that he couldn't walk any farther and needed to be on somebody's shoulders! Brooklyn chimmed in as well so being out numbered my long family hiking adventure turned into a 100 yard lark along the Big Thompson River where we played in the FRIGID water, threw rocks, walked on logs, checked out a beaver damn and found hiking sticks [Brooklyn] and swords [Boston]! I guess Cub Lake will have to wait until next year...

Taz is Blessed!

2009-06-07T17:30:00.001-07:00

Thanks to everyone who made the voyage to bless our sweet little Taz! It was such a great day! Daddy gave Tazy an amazing blessing and we couldn't be more proud of the little guy!
June 7, 2009
740 Hudson, Denver - Colorado

Tyler Lee Carlson
Kevin Michael Craig
Clarke Denis Carlson
Lee Carlson
Russ Watterson
Ben Christensen
Bishop Garth Jensen

Mexico!

2009-06-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

We just returned from our Craig family Mexico trip and it was such a blast! My parents found the most amazing beach house to rent and the kids were in HEAVEN! We all had our own rooms & bathrooms with a beautiful view of the beach! We had so much fun just lounging and relaxing with great food, great conversations, great laughs, great company and great memories! Thanks for coordinating all this Mom and Dad! We love you! A

The Beach House Drew and Cute Maddux!

Bryn on the Boogie Board!

All the gals!

Sand Monster!

Bos was a Boogie Board maniac!

Bostons Hermit Crab Farm!

Tyler was so proud of his grilling! Yummy!

The Sun Princess!

This girl will touch anything! Yuck!

The little mother...Feeding Taz and watching Hannah Montana!

Taz doing what he does best....sleeping!

Bathing Baby!

2009-06-05T08:58:00.000-07:00

Here's a picture of Taz taking a little bath with the help of the BUMBO in our kitchen sink!

Look at those blue eyes... Must be a Carlson!

Brooklyns First Recital

2009-06-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn had her first dance recital... I'm not sure who was more excited her or her Mom! My expectations were pretty low for a 4 year old dance recital but when all was said and done, I was OVER THE MOON! When the curtain opened and I saw her standing there, the tears began to flow! I was so proud of her! She looked adorable and overcame her anxiety and performed.....beautifully!
Way to go BC!

Brooklyn and BF/Cousin Allison Carlson

Boston ready to give his big sis her flowers!

Birthday in Vegas

2009-06-02T10:26:00.000-07:00

We had an amazing time in Vegas for my Birthday! It was so nice to relax and spend some time alone without the chaos of 3 little ones running around! We left Taz at the last minute when my Mother in Law said she would LOVE to take him.... I packed him a cooler of frozen milk and took advantage.. I knew this opportunity wouldn't come again for a while!

I started of the trip with a bang when my (brand new) floor length dress was sucked up into the escalator at DIA... Seriously one of the most embarrassing moments of my life!! I had to run to my flight after being cut free from the now broken escalator with shreads of dress and greece all up my back! Wow! Once I got to Vegas I ran to change my clothes and we hit the town!! Tyler was great and never complained once that I drug him to every mall in Vegas, then back the next day to exchange, ate Chinese food 3 of 4 meals, slept in, ordered rediculously expensive pina coladas and laid by the pool! It was FABULOUS! Thanks honey, I love you!

Thank You!!

2009-05-25T08:19:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone for their thoughtful phone calls, gifts and text's yesterday on my birthday! I feel so blessed to have such amazing friends and family that go out of their way to make me feel special... Nothing goes unnoticed. I am so far behind on all my Thank You's from when I had Taz... I have an endless list of people who deserve Thanks, but want everyone to know how grateful I am for all that you do for me and my family... Hugs and Loves, a

(a special Thank You to my Husband who made my 26th Birthday a very memorable one... You're the best & I love you always!)

Taz's 6 week Photos!

2009-05-17T14:51:00.000-07:00

Just a few pictures of the little Taz man... He is a genetic duplicate of his Daddy, soooo handsome! a (I've had a couple people ask me where I got the green "boy" bin... so, a couple years back I saw it in a LA Babystyle store displaying their stuffed animals... I begged the saleslady for months to sell one to me... after a couple trips back to the store she finally caved and it's now home to my recycle newspapers.. we wont tell Taz that his first picture was taken in a trash bin!)

Happy Birthday Wife!

2009-05-15T05:43:00.000-07:00

Pack your bags
You're on your way
To celebrate soon
Your 26th birthday!

Usually I'm a loser
When it comes to gifts
I'm a last minute shopper
Who scrambles and sifts

But this year I actually
Used a brain cell or two
To plan something special
For my number one - YOU!

This year instead
Of flowers or clothes
You'll be looking at Vegas
From hotel windows!

You'll be staying at Paris
In a room with a view
Relaxing and shopping
With the man who loves YOU!

So pack your bags
You're on your way
To Sin City baby
Next Wed-nes-day!

Happy Birthday Amb!

Love,
Your Mystery Lover!

Quick Update!

2009-05-14T20:06:00.000-07:00

Yes, we are alive and most of us are well.... Tyler has been blessed with a NASTY case of Strep Throat for the past 3 days and it hasn't been fun for any of us!! Amazingly he is just starting to feel well enough to abandon us for a "Brothers Reunion" this weekend... Crazy how that works out, huh?? All kidding aside, we are glad that he is finally on the mends!!

I had an awesome Mothers Day... The kids (and Tyler) made me breakfast in bed, brought me Lilies (my favorite) and Tyler game me my third (and hopefully final) ring band with a blue sapphire for little Taz! (Over the past year, Tye has given me stacking ring bands that represent each kid with a pink or blue stone...I LOVE them!!) The kids each made me a necklace at school...They are so adorable...I'm not sure which I enjoy more, the gifts or how excited they are when they give them to me..I will cherish those gifts and memories forever! Thanks guys!

German pancakes in Bed!( Yes, there was some sort of pen war just prior to this picture and it looks like Bos lost!)
My flowers! Love them!Brooklyn reading to the boys!Can you tell how happy Brooklyn was that I wanted to take her picture? Wow!Little Taz man!Silly faces!Why does it seem like Taz is in his car seat in every picture?? I promise we do let me out....occasionally!

2009-05-06T12:55:00.000-07:00

Some of my favorite memories of my college days were zipping around Provo on Tye's little red scooter... funny how eight years later it's the kids favorite thing to do when we visit Utah!

Crazy how in 12 short years we'll (at least we hope to) be buying Brooklyn a little red scooter to zip around Provo!

Nate and cute Cousin William!

(These pictures were taken by and stolen from Nicole, Thanks Nicole!! I was watching from inside too nervous to be involved)

brookie love

2009-05-04T16:47:00.000-07:00

I thought this was such a sweet picture of Brookie and Taz... Brooklyn just can't get enough of the little guy!

Carlson Boys

2009-05-03T18:20:00.001-07:00

just thought this picture was so cute of all the carlson boys! I am waiting to steal some much better pictures off a certain sister in laws blog once she posts more from our weekend trip to utah... (she is much better picture taker, not to mention has an awesome camera, thanks nicole!)

The Apex Center!

2009-04-22T17:39:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures of our recent trip to the Apex Center in Arvada! The kids LOVED it, if you have never been it is a Snow-Day must!

Brooklyn showing off her goggles...silly girl!

Daddy and his buddies!

Jumping from log to log...

The lazy river!

The water playground

Last but not least, how Taz spent the day:

Taz Man!

2009-04-22T17:31:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures for the Grandma's! We love you! a

5 Weeks
(please ignore the fact that these chairs are missing multiple buttons, while my kids are in timeout they pass the time by tearing them off!)

CONFESSIONS FROM A WINTER WONDERLAND!!!

2009-04-18T06:29:00.000-07:00

What the &*!% is going on with the weather?!? (yes, Tyler speaking.. in case you couldn't figure it out... ha ha)

Okay, so I know this is Colorado (original Cherokee translation: land of big mountain, horny sheep and schizophrenic weather) but is there a reason why we've gotten more snow in April than January - March combined? Either the End of Days is upon us and I really need to kick my food storage into gear or Al Gore and my local weather man are on crack!

To pass the time this EARLY frigid Saturday morning as I take care of the cute and cuddly BLACK HOLE of sleep, milk and time - TAZ - while my wife and kids snooze (no bitterness here!) I figured I would make a few confessions.... sorry for the length... I'm a bit bored!

Confession #1
I am a better coach than athlete! For many this won't come as a surprise given my superior coordination, motor skills and muscle tone! But it's true... I was much better coaching my siblings' and cousins' soccer and basketball teams (we actually won championships!) than I was a player... my motto: sheer aggression compensates for lack of skills! Just ask the kid whose leg I broke playing soccer. The same was true for wakeboarding... I was the first to learn in my family and was the one who taught my siblings' and now they are ALL better than me (yes, this unfortunately includes my sisters! OUCH). Not that I'm BITTER or anything but one of these days I'm determined to find a sport where I play better than I coach... but in the interim I'm at it again teaching my kids how to snow ski and, inevitably, they will be better than me!

Much thanks to Kent for sharing his magic kid-ski-teaching-stick... it worked wonders!

Confession #2
I thoroughly enjoy tormenting my children! In Breckenridge Brooklyn the Emotional and I discovered that Boston the Fear(full)less is terrified of snowcaves... he refused to more than peek inside the AWESOME snowfort that BC and I created. So I naturally attempted (unsuccessfully) to get him in the cave, with its resident snow monster of course, the entire time we were in Breck... much to his distress!

Confession #3
I love tough love! A couple of days ago I was trying to get the kids to put their scooters away in the garage ("trying" being the operative word) and Brooklyn the Emotional immediately and coincidentally discovered a MAJOR injury to her leg preventing her from scooting into the garage on her own accord. (BTW: this is a frequent occurance for BC... she has an amazing capacity for sustaining LIFE THREATENING injuries in the blink of an eye when under instruction, discipline or duress from her parents! Amazing!) I told her to get her butt in the garage or I was going to close the garage door and leave her in the alley... she of course Soviet-Style didn't blink/budge and instead focused further on her mentally-broken leg. SOOOO I, being the mischievous, tough loving father that I am, popped the garage door down a foot or two, escalating the standoff. HOLY COW! You have no idea the sheer chaos I created by moving that garage door 24 inches! Brooklyn FREAKED OUT and was immediately healed Lazarus-style and flew into the garage, scooter in tow. Boston, screamed his head off... SURE that I was going to permanently lock out his partner in crime, leaving him alone to fend with the Baby Black Hole. Nothing like a little tough love to motivate your children!

Confession #4

My wife is CRAZY! Members of the Craig family already know this well-documented fact, but it is absolutely true that my beautiful and fantastic wife is certifiably insane. Here's the evidence:
1. She would rather have rat poison than "crumbs" in her butter. Many a good tub of butter have hit the landfill for this offence... much to my chagrin! Don't even get me started on her manic Expiration Date Phobia!
2. She honestly has no idea why the batteries in her camera die weekly, despite the fact that she oogles, obsesses and zooms every picture via the LED, energy sucking screen on the back and Brooklyn regularly steals the camera for her own battery-efficient photoshoots... pics below!

3. She has a compulsive need to collect baby strollers! At this point we have a well diversified portfolio of single and double baby strollers from nearly every manufacturer in the world! I just wish they were appreciating assets!
4. She's having an emotional affair with our shower! Shocking... YES... but its true. After nearly 7 years of marriage I am fully convinced that my wife likes taking environmentally-UNfriendly long showers more than ME! If I can't find Amber in the house there's a 99% probability that she's on the floor of the shower, semi conscious, IN THE DARK draining the water heater and padding the coffers of the Denver Water Department! Is this normal?!?
5. She's obsessed over eye lashes! I'm not sure what childhood trauma created this unhealthy fetish over optical follicles but she is overwhelmingly insecure about her "short" (translation: normal) eyelashes and she's massively jealous of the kids' and my lengthy lashes! This personality disorder manifested itself in a costly fashion last week when she invested in some "medical" snake oil that promises to boost eye lash length! (I think she bought from a lady selling it out of her trunk on Colfax!) But, being the patient and loving husband that I am I've decided to roll with this insanity and not break her heart that this magic elixir (can you say Dumbo's feather!?!) is really water and food coloring... can you say P...L..A..C..E..B..O!

TC

Pure Bliss!

2009-04-05T18:57:00.000-07:00

I remember worrying when I was pregnant with Boston that I would never love baby #2 as much as I loved my first, and I loved him just as much... Then the same thought crossed my mind when I was expecting #3... I never knew it was possible to love three little people so much.. Pure Bliss!

Two Weeks of Taz

2009-04-02T19:05:00.000-07:00

Two weeks into his very exciting life, Taz is doing great. He's been to the doctor twice, grown 2 inches, been regularly smothered by his siblings, had his first bath and shower (dad couldn't resist!) and even gotten his first haircut (bye bye Balding Baby Einstein hair!). Below are a couple of memorable pics from his first two weeks. Love you all!

(this was etched into a cathedral we saw in London last year - we had to take a picture just in case...)

BOSTON OR TAZ? CAN YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE???

I HAVE TAKEN OVER!!!

2009-03-23T17:44:00.000-07:00

So... my wife has totally fallen off the blo(wa)gon since having baby Taz and so, back by popular demand, I am back pinch hitting... I apologize in advance! :)

First of all, I would like to state for the record that do still have two other kids who we absolutely love unconditionally but sometimes like conditionally (just kidding... ok, not really)...

I would like to introduce you to Brooklyn the Emotional and Boston the Fearless (except when it comes to playing Monster & Bombs, Find the Monster and any other form of Monster)...

Brooklyn the Emotional and Boston the Fear(full)less have had their lives turned upside down by a cute, cuddly Trojan horse named Taz. He looked really cool when we brought him home...

But they soon discovered that instead of being another cute stuffed animal they could throw in the closet or drag behind their scooter, he is instead a (MATERNAL) BLACK HOLE!!!

(dangerously good looking - I wonder where he got that?)

... who literally sucks every moment of motherly light from their lives! They no longer are the only center of their mother's universe and so they've had to adjust... mostly by driving dad CRAZY! (just kidding, I really like the attention. they actually want to hang out with me now, rather than just calling me "mean")

Taz the (Nocturnal) Tiger meanwhile is LOVING LIFE! He sleeps, eats, %^&#s, sleeps, eats... you get the idea... and gets held and coddled constantly. What's there not to like about this place? He's eating great, sleeping phenomenally between the hours of 8am and 11pm (deja vu) and is amazingly healthy despite his coughing siblings trying to constantly infect him (to knock him off and recover their mother, no doubt! they ain't no dummies!).

As for me (for all of you who have really worried about my well being), you can take my name off the prayer roll because I am ecstatic to have reclaimed male dominance in the Carlson household. It's been a 4.5 year struggle, but we're finally across the finish line and Boston, Taz and I are not backing down!

(heaven!)

And last, but certainly not least (especially as it relates to monthly expenditures!)... Amber... is doing great! She looks phenomenal, has not yet had one mother-of-three breakdown and is quickly returning to her normal self. It's amazing how much progress she has already made in less than a week (she's even had time to hit the beach!)

(sexy momma!)

I hope all is well... thank you again for all of the love and support this last week!

TC

Congrats Uncle Skip

2009-03-19T20:10:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Uncle Skip on your mission call to San Diego ASL (American Sign Language!). We are so excited for you and know you'll do awesome!

Love,

Brooklyn, Boston, Taz!

Updated Photos!

2009-03-18T07:53:00.000-07:00

So... since Amber was not a huge fan of the previously posted picture (the barely out of the womb look wasn't flattering enough, I guess!) I have posted two updated pictures that show little Taz in a better light.

24 hours into his storied (and destined for success - according to uncle Taz) existence, he's doing really well. Eating like a champ and sleeping like a trucker!

TAZ TYLER CARLSON!!!

2009-03-17T09:23:00.000-07:00

So... second time was the charm for baby number three and at 9:30am on St. Patrick's Day the Chinese Baby Psychic from Cherry Creek Mall (ask Amber - its a hilarious story) was vindicated and we had a BOY! No pitocin, just some magic gell (I didn't ask any questions) + a night in the hospital =a VERY smooth delivery.

So... here's the stats: 7lbs 8oz and 20 inches long (almost exactly the same size as Boston). In an effort to break the B-city naming streak (sorry for all of you lobbying for Birmingham!) and in honor of my uncle Taz Murray (and myself, I guess, although the middle name was Amber's idea!) we have Taz Tyler Carlson!

So... Boston has a brother, Brooklyn has a baby to smother, the men have officially taken over the household and we've got a very healthy and happy mom and baby. Haleleluiah!

Tyler

HERE WE GO AGAIN!

2009-03-16T09:21:00.000-07:00

So... first of all, thank you everyone for your kind text messages, emails and phone calls. It is so great to know we have so much love and support! My all time FAVORITE response during the whole ordeal yesterday was last night at the Peterson's house, when Regan ran up to me and said, "I mean, excuse me, but WHAT THE F&*%$!" Peterson's you have no idea how much I LOVE being you guy's neighbors... I couldn't have picked anybody better than you!!! :)

So... second of all, Amber went to the doctor this morning and after talking things over and checking her status (for the umpteenth time in the last 24 hours) the doctor thinks she is more ready today than yesterday (can't imagine after all the hell she went through... LOL) and that with a different set of inducement procedures she should be ready to deliver tonight (Translation: the game plan yesterday wasn't the doctor's best! Oops! Please reference Regan's comment above!!! Love it!).

So... HERE WE GOT AGAIN! And here are my personal goals for Having Baby #3, Part Deuce:

1. Have the kid!
2. Find out the sex of the kid! And no mother, this is not some type of sick conspiracy against you... we really DON"T know the sex of the child!
3. NOT watch Jon & Kate + 8... I think cousin Tara was right and watching 6 back to back episodes probably scared Amber's body into NOT delivering!
4. Eat the pasta and not the pizza (it reportedly is not made of cardboard, according to credible sources!)
5. Bring home a happy wife!

Love you all...

More to come...

Tyler

PS. This whole blogging thing is actually kind of fun... watch out Amber... I might be taking over!

NO DICE!

2009-03-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

So... after 6 hours of pitosin, 9 hours at the hospital, too many contractions to count, hours of fasting (Amber), 1 round of questionable hospital food (Tyler), multiple checkups, many talks with the doctor and a lot of waiting... HER DAMN CERVIX WON"T DILATE!

So... the doctor sends me home with a very tired... a very frustrated... and a very demoralized wife WITHOUT a baby. Rather than wage full scale, multi-day chemical war against Amber's body and the baby, we decide to follow the doctors recommendation and head home and wait for things to progress naturally... hopefully sometime in the next couple of days.

So... we now know a couple of things:
1) our family and friends are a huge blessing and support (even during a firedrill)
2) Amber's sister's are willing to drive 28 hours round trip to see her potentially NOT deliver a baby
3) Skyridge Medical Center's pizza is a close relative to cardboard
4) watching 4 straight hours of Jon & Kate + 8 creates a high level of anxiety and stress but DOES NOT induce labor
5) the only effect from 6 hours of pitosin was a faint chant through the baby monitor of "HELL NO, WE WON'T GO!"

So... we live to fight another day...

More to come.

Tyler

Almost there...

2009-03-15T11:25:00.000-07:00

So we're at the hospital, the IV is dripping and we're waiting for Baby #3 to show up. In the interim, as the pinch-hitting blogger for the family, I wanted to share the photo above. Not many women, 40 weeks pregnant, will grab a shotgun and blast a clay pigeon out of the sky on her first shot! This is one of the many reasons why I married my wife.

More to come...

Tyler

Great Video - Thanks Leslie

2009-03-08T19:12:00.000-07:00

I stole this off my friend, Leslie's, blog... hilarious and so true!! Check it out! a

Yup, Still Pregnant!

2009-03-05T07:45:00.000-08:00

(Just because I hate a post without a picture..Here is a recent pic of the kids painting pictures for the new baby room)

Thought I would post a little update, I have started to get the e-mails, phones calls and "oh I thought for sure you would have had your baby by now???" every couple of hours... Nope, I officially have 9 days left and if this little babe (yes, sex still unknown) doesn't make an appearance by the 15th, I am going to be induced... thanks goodness! It definitly beats the 14 days I went over with Brooklyn in July in PHOENIX! I'll keep you posted!

As for the rest of the family, Tyler is working hard as always and traveling quite a bit which makes for a lonely and already irritable pregnant wife, (sorry honey, hang in there)... I think this warm weather we've been having has got a bee in his bonnet... Ty is so anxious to bust out all his camping gear and hit the hills... I think he was on his computer last night for a good 3 hours looking at pictures of campsites and mapping out the trails.

Brooklyn has become quite the little helper around here... I must say having a daughter first is the most amazing thing in the world... She loves taking on the roll of "big sister" and bossing around her little brother. She is quick to remind everyone that she is already a "big" sister but will be the "biggest" sister once "her" baby arrives. She has also become quite opinionated when it comes to her clothing... I will dress her up (much to her chagrin) in the cutest little outfits for school and just when I think she looks adorably perfect she comes down in neon green leprechaun socks and blue crocs! I have learned to pick my battles!

Boston is growing up so fast, I can't believe it! I have two KIDS now, they aren't babies anymore! They are so close in age I sometimes forget that he is actually a full year younger, although you would never know, he repeats and tries everything that Brooklyn says or does. It just seems like there has always been two of them... They play so well together...The poor boy has been playing with dolls, (yes he actually has a boy American Doll) kitchens, and purses... In his defense he does load up the purses with trucks, books, little guys and fake bugs, but hey, it's winter and his sandbox and mud pit are covered in snow... I'll try not to worry!

Hope all is well, we love and miss everyone! a

Gratitude...

2009-02-24T14:13:00.000-08:00

Lately with the uncertainty of our economy and so many friends, families and acquaintances in such trying circumstances I have been thinking a lot lately about how GRATEFUL I am for my many blessings... Thomas S. Monson said, "Our realization of what is most important in life goes hand in hand with gratitude for our blessings..." I often find myself questioning or comparing our situation against others and less often take the time to realize my blessings... I have been blessed with an amazing husband that works so hard, two & a half healthy adorable little red heads, a successful and loving marriage, amazing friends and family that never cease to amaze me with their little notes, phone calls and or gifts in the mail, the true Gospel, a beautiful and warm home, great health, the ability to concive and carry a child... I could go on forever... I think it's so imporatant to stop and take time to evaluate what we have been given & our family has truly been blessed.

2009-02-15T08:30:00.001-08:00

For those of you wondering, ( I have refused to put one of those baby tickers on my blog -- who wants the constant reminder of how much longer they are still going to be pregnant?? Not Me! )

Alas, I am due in 26 days! Not that I'm anxious!!

Also, here is a picture of the progress I have made on the Nursery...
Pretty sad huh??

I think I need to get my butt into gear and start thinking about getting this ready! It's so different decorating and preparing for a baby when you have no idea what your having! I want to make it masculine enough for a boy, but not too much if it's a girl... Ahh! At least we have finally decided on one boy and one girl name...

Initially Tyler thought not knowing the sex of the baby would slow my baby shopping down and save him some money....Which it did for a while.. Now, 4 weeks out I have started to panic that I wouldn't have anything ready for the baby and he now realizes his plan is backfiring as I am now buying everything for a boy & a girl! :)

Our new favorite TREAT!

2009-02-13T21:01:00.001-08:00

I just thought this picture was so cute! I remember my Dad always making us milk-shakes on Sunday growing up.... Tyler has been teaching the kids how to make smoothies for Mommy on Sunday nights!

Is this for REAL?

2009-02-12T13:01:00.001-08:00

Um... Wow! I'm starting to feel a bit better about my Buddha belly...Can you even imagine??