if you would like to write to Elder Carlson....

Elder Carlson writes that he is loving the MTC. He is in District 40 and they all seem to get along very well. He is managing the language. IT is hard but thinks he can do it. We've only gotten two letters and he is not much for writing letters. I guess if I gave him a subject and told him to research it he would do it. HA HA . He did manage to write his grandparents for which I was grateful. Grandma O. made it clear that he needed to write letters and not do the email thing. She doesn't like the email's. I guess when he gets to Ecuador I'll have to print off the email and send it to her.

If you are interested here is his address until Feb. 15. I've also included his cousin's address, Elder Corey Carlson as well. He is scheduled to leave Feb. 1.

Elder Blake G. Carlson
MTC Mail Box #294
Ecu-Guas - 0215
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604-1793

Elder Corey Carlson
MTC Mail Box 132-0201

I wish that I had Elder Aaron Carlson's address and Elder Mansfield's. Then we could write them all. FYI Elder Mansfield comes home end of May...I thought he was still working on one year. Perhaps Dave or Peter could update the family on Aaron.

HAVE A PLEASANT AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. Each day is a blessing to live.

Love to all family and friends. Your support and prayers are so much appreciated.

Char

PS I've used dearelder.com and also mtcdelivery.com for free letters to the MTC. We've not had any problems with either one. IF you do use these websites just remember to send it to the Provo MTC not his mission. HA HA eellak. (inside joke)

smile and away he went.....

Elder B. Carlson entered the MTC on December 16. The procedure has changed since the H1N1 virus started. You drop your missionary off and he is escorted by another missionary into the buildings. We decided to walk him to the drop off point, took some pictures, gave each other hugs and he gave a big smile turned and off he went. After experiencing the agonizing process that went on forever before when you attended the orientation and then you said your goodbyes our family are all in agreement that this way was so much easier for everyone. Elder B. Carlson's address until Mid February is:

Provo MTC, P.O. Box 294-0215 2005 N. 900 E., Provo, UT 84604. Elder Corey Carlson is also at the Provo MTC and his address is 132-0201 etc. It was a great experience!!

Glowing

He's handsome, endowed, and just glows!!!! That's our Missionary. Eleven days and counting.

Cleaning, organizing and he needs to pack!!

December 16 is sneaking up on our family very quickly. Blake and I spent the evening together de-junking his room the "mom" way. I don't think he was very thrilled about the whole process he had already spent several days cleaning out his drawers and closet. However, his mission things were everywhere and I decided that we should organize his personal belongings and put them away for two years and make sure we had all of his mission items on the list.

He speaks in our ward on December 13 @ 9:00 am 3065 South Bluff Road. If you're in town and would like to attend it would be awesome to see you. Family and friends are invited to a brunch afterwards. Just RSVP and let me know. I posted this on facebook so hopefully you all know about it.

We love you.....
Fred\Char\Nat&Clint\Kallee&Duncan\Josh & Caraline\Blake and Mackenzie

being grateful all year!!

We have so many blessings that it really would be impossible to post them all. I do have some that are worth mentioning. I am also thankful for these blessings everyday.

-to be born under the covenant and have the gospel in my life.
-a testimony and knowledge that my Heavenly Father knows and loves ME!!
-my heritage and my husband's heritage. Honor they father and they mother.
-my eternal companion who loves me unconditionally.
-our children who bring us joy, laughter and experience.
-the blessing of being able to breathe each day and have general good health and well being
-the security of a home, job and provisions to enjoy this earth life in a comfortable manner.
-moments or trials in life either good or bad that provide growth and knowledge.
-extended family and great friendships
-talents to share and enjoy
-technology
-each of you!!!

Special Stake Meeting

It was announced in our stake that we would be having a special meeting today. I thought that we may be dividing our stake or it was a regional meeting like we have had in the past. To our delight we were blessed to hear from our awesome stake presidency, Elder Carl Cook from the Seventy and President Boyd K. Packer spoke to us. It was a great blessing to us all.

tricky pet

I can high five in the middle, on the side and my favorite position is up on my legs begging. Today I am lonely and came in the bedroom and stood up and just placed my head on the bed looking for my best buddy who happens to not be around at the time. The female in the household just doesn't treat me like my bestfriend does. I can now howl into the phone, sing to the tunes played on the piano and race like crazy throughout the room. I have shown some naughty behavior and chewed on the females rocking chair. She was not happy. I know how to get away with anything by just giving that poor, sad puppy dog look and melt their hearts. I've got them wrapped around my paws!!

The CCC

Creative Costume by Clint!!! Can you guess what he is?

today I heard this.....

Some of you may have already read this on facebook but I felt compelled to tell it again.

I was sick and had missed two days of work. Today was my first day back and the students were wondering about it all. One student looked at me very serious and said, "My sister has croak!" Did I hear that correctly? I turned my head and quickly wrote this down and while doing so tried not to laugh out loud. Has anyone ever heard of this new childhood illness? HA HA it was a funny moment. I do hope his sister will get well. It is not fun taking care of a child that has croak opps.....croup.

Elder Carlson

Elder Carlson. He will be departing very soon. December 16.

He is so photogenic!

this is what I call the "model pose" and above that picture is a photo advertisement for adidas footwear.

OPening the call.....and he will be departing very soon. He will be speaking in our ward on December 13 at 9:00 am. Stake Center on Bluff road behind our home. All are invited to come and we'll host a dinner afterwards at our home. At least we'll try and squeeze in as there are no buildings available on Sundays to rent in our community. Invites to come. Wow, when Blake leaves there will be four missionaries serving from the Carlson clan. Elder Aaron Carlson, Elder Corey Carlson, Elder Blake Carlson and Elder Alex Mansfield.

PS....check out So In Love are we two's treat blog. Ms. P has such great talent!!

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.