Just Words

I'm starting a new way of blogging. I've always waited until I had pictures to post something but lately, not a lot of pictures have been taken. I enjoy reading my friends blogs when they keep me up to date on things in their lives, not just pics of their kids. It's about time I realized that's possible for me too!
Anyway......here goes the boring part about the adults. I'll start with me-For those of you not in my ward I just recieved a new calling. I was the primary chorister for only 4 months and was beginning to enjoy it. When my bishop called us in I was sure it was not for me but lo and behold I am the Education Couneselor in the new Relief Society Presidency. This is a blessing and a curse. I was the same thing in our old ward before our ward boundaries changed so I know what the calling entails. I don't have to learn a lot of new information and I'm used to doing what it needs. On the other hand I know what the calling entails and I'm a little nervous for all the work it takes. I have to say that over all I'm excited and glad it wasn't enrichment. I am not creative and would not enjoy the pressure that calling brings.
I am also preparing my 4 violin (no violas) for our annual recital and enjoy teaching them the things my teachers gave to me.
I am working so hard to lose my last 6-9 pounds of Caleb weight so I can be back at my Weight Watchers goal. You'd think that having to work so hard and conquer those demons, it would be easy the second time...not so much. I'm hoping warmer weather will help me get out and earn some extra exercise points.
Now for Jeff.....Jeff is still the Ward Membership Clerk in our ward and loves it. He enjoys no meetings and only working for a few minutes on Sunday. He is also fully engaged during church as a babysitter. With my old and new callings he has been Caleb's best friend for 2 hours. He's lucky that Caleb is not crawling or walking yet. Mostly he just sits and plays with toys. However he has a Carlson voice and loves to exercise his vocal chords the loudest during the quietest moments of a lesson.
Jeff is also looking for a job again. Our last job quickly turned sour and we're glad he's not there anymore. We are looking in Utah, Salt Lake and Cache counties for something that will finally give Jeff some peace and give us a house. Here's hoping!!!!

Valentine's Weekend

We were lucky to have Jeff's Parents in town from California. The sad thing is that I never remembered my camera and this is the only picture I have from the weekend. It was taken by Katherine and Jeff's parents aren't even in the picture. Maybe they'll feel sorry for me and email all of the cute pictures they took!!
Anyway the kids got to play at Kangaroo Zoo, swim at the hotel pool, go to the church history museum, ride the elevator at the church office building, eat at the Lion House Pantry, play games, make Grandpa laugh and tons of fun stuff. We are always spoiled and loved spending time with them. I have figured out a solution to our distance problem. I'm now praying that Nevada and the West Desert collapse into the earth's crust and Utah and California are shoved together. Wouldn't that be great?
Thanks for the visit Grandma and Grandpa!! P.S. Kyle will be practicing his "voodoo" for many more nights.

I think I need to catch up

I'm feeling bad for not posting in awhile. Maybe I was secretly waiting for some one to comment saying "Where are you? Are you going to post any time soon? We are checking back everyday until you let us know what fabulous things your fabulous family is up to." Not one comment like that for me though.

Any way this is for the one person who might actually check..........

Jeff took the kids sledding one day after a big storm. They stayed quite a bit longer than I thought they would.

Go SUPERBOWL PARTY!

We took Jeff to the Jazz/Nuggets game for his birthday. What a fun game!!!

Ties...broccoli...brothers...and stuff

The men received matching blue paisley ties for Christmas and Katie got a beautiful blue dress. Kyle told her it was turquoise like her rock collection and she loves it!

Katherine was not happy on Christmas Eve when Caleb snatched some turkey and broccoli off her plate. As for the broccoli...Kyle must've taught Caleb something. Caleb loved it!!

Just look at that rat's nest!!!

I just like this picture of these brothers in their pjs.

Christmas wrap-up

I doubled the batch of Christmas cookies and had our neighbor's kids down to decorate. Having friends to help decorate was nice because they lasted longer than normal and I only had to decorate a few when they gave up.

We went to Temple Square on a Tuesday night and it was so nice not to feel like sheep being herded around the buildings. The kids did well despite cold temperatures and an onery mom!

We made our annual neighbor gifts---180+ suckers. I love when this task is done..it's so much work.

The kids made these soda can snowmen for their gifts to others. Pretty cheap and what kid doesn't want their very own can of rootbeer? The picture doesn't include their candy corn noses.

Chrismas Eve presents from Grandma Carlson. This is Katherine's first nightgown and she's in love. I'm pretty sure I will not be able to buy pajamas from now on.

We have proof!

We had to document this moment in Kyle's life. Not many of you know but Kyle is a very creative, artistic kid. This traits manifests itself when Kyle dresses for bed. He has quite a few matching pajama sets and refuses to wear a complete set. He pairs buzz with star wars, spongebob with power rangers, christmas with Incredibles. I asked him one night why he cannot wear a matching set and he replied, "I want it to be rainbow!" Well, that settles that.

Ginger Bread Paradise

Here we are preparing for Christmas by decorating our annual GingerBread House. First of all I'm a super concentrating in this picture because as it does every year, the roof falls off because the icing isn't holding and you'd think they'd figure out that they need to make the angle of the roof less steep. DUH!!!



Katherine got to decorate the christmas tree and took the responsibility quite seriously.


Finished Product