The Carlson Chronicles

Birthday Boy

2012-01-12T11:16:00.001-08:00

Cupcakes, friends and some backyard football marked Dane's 3rd birthday.... He is full of life, funny sentences, lots of loving and very adaptable. Happy Birthday Daney-Doo!!

Be grateful in all seasons....

2012-01-11T19:46:00.000-08:00

Is it mid-September? late October? Or end of December here in Houston. This Fall, rumor has it that our drought along with a spell of warm days and cool nights gave us a real Fall which we normal see come and go with little fanfare. Only our Fall came at Christmas. These pictures are taken the last day of school just a few days before heading to MN for Christmas. The kids and I loved walking home every day for a few weeks with real Fall colors on the leaves. I have to say growing up in Minnesota this messes with my system. I could not get into the idea of Christmas while we were playing in leaves? The really strange part is that while we were gone in MN we had rain. Yes....several days of rain and the temperatures warmed up and we now have green grass!!!!!! We had dead dying grass all summer and now January we have green grass!!

Fall at Christmas? summer in the winter? we may just be shooting off fireworks on Valentines?!

A Little Disney Magic

2011-12-20T12:31:00.000-08:00

There is something a little magical when you see them light up the castle at night with the fairy godmother coming onto one of those little balconies and waving her want and poof up go the lights!
One for the memories... We did it, we made it through a week of Disney with four young kids. Thank you Mimi and Poppy!

More of the parks

2011-12-20T12:30:00.001-08:00

It was warm (as you can see by shorts) so we had a moment with the snowman trying to remember it was Thanksgiving and not the 4th of July!
Star Wars 3D ride. I had to take my glasses off and stare at my legs so I would not VOMIT after this ride. The kids loved it and ran to do it again!! UGH!
Mexico....chachacha

A Very Disney THanksgiving... (a little late)

2011-12-20T12:28:00.000-08:00

The Carlson family run into none other than some of the cast of Jungle Book. It was a throw back moment for me as I was 3 (I think) when I went to Disney with my family for the first time. So watching Dane was fun. (the bear behind me....KINDA BIG!)
we had the great fun of going with Chris' parents and Whitlocks to Disney for THanksgiving!

Back from Hawaii

2011-11-14T20:15:00.000-08:00

Happy Harvest!

2011-11-14T20:08:00.000-08:00

Here's Halloween Clan...
THING ONE & THING TWO and their friend Kate was Dr. Seuss
No question.....who this is?!
ELISE inspired me this summer (and taught me!) so sew... Anders and Dane were "SUPER A and SUPER D" . Uncle Lee said "is he Alvin from the chipmunks?!"
The D

October...yearly pumpkin patch

2011-11-14T19:39:00.000-08:00

October has come and gone and so did the pumpkins. But we made it...our annual trek to the pumpkin patch. I had my kids this day and also Katherine and Lucy...Anders woke up with an "upset tummy" this day but seemed like he was going to be ok? Not so much!! We were in the middle of pumpkin land when Anders THREW UP between pumpkin lanes!! At bedtime he said to his dad "I threw up at the pumpkin patch today. Yep and mom put a pumpkin on it. that means someone is going to buy a pumpkin with throw up on it dad....that's not good!"

ugh...

Drought......AND Mosquitoes!!

2011-10-27T06:18:00.000-07:00

It really seems like a sick joke? We are in the worst drought EVER....no exaggeration. Estimated 66 million trees will die...just in Houston. People's foundations are cracking.....crops gone, lakes dried up! We've seen the carnage already. Two weeks ago we had an entire day of rain. It felt like we could all breath for one day. Not enough to rescue anything but enough to say.....we've seen rain!! That one day of rain hatched the "flood water mosquitoes" that have been lying doormat in coastal dry tidal areas. They said it was just the right combination of the way the tide came in and the rains came that hatched the worst epidemic of mosquitoes here EVER!! One mosquito catch that normally catches about 200 mosquitoes/day...this week caught 15,000 mosquitoes in ONE DAY!!!!!!! It feels like a cruel cruel joke to have DROUGHT and MOSQUITOES!!!!!!!!!!! Say it isn't so!!

Anders is finally SIX!!!

2011-10-23T12:26:00.001-07:00

A gaggle of kids.....had a good time playing in the backyard at Anders "airplane party" on Friday night. This is the group after the water balloons!!
Anders' good friend and special guest to his party...Col. Pat Forrester (astronaut)
Painting planes...
Anders has taken a keen interest in airplanes. He and Gunnar had an argument the other day while Gunnar was watching the Aggie football game. Anders said "let's watch this movie about the astronauts walking on the moon" It was a library rental.... Gunnar replied "this is still the first quarter Anders!" Anders said quickly..."but this is real Gunnar. Science is real life and that is fake" Gunnar responded with confidence.... "that is why you will be a scientist someday and I will be a professional Football player"

GIg 'em!

2011-10-17T19:44:00.000-07:00

Lee...Tanyi (behind man in white hat), Joey & Chris. I took this picture across the field where Jill, Colette and I sat squished on a bleacher near the much smaller Baylor crowd and a very large Aggie student crowd.
Midnight Yell Practice....these bleachers were completely full just a few minutes later
Joey and Tanyi at the Aggie game Saturday...... Aggies vs. Baylor

Aaaahhhhhhh this is the crazy life! Jill called Thursday to say "what do you think if we come tomorrow morning" and off they flew....MSP to Houston and up they came with us to Bryan-College Station with the Whitlocks to an Aggie Game..... 87,000 fans....Aggie tradition and Lee giving us a play by play. So good to see family!!! and so much fun!!

Then......and now

2011-10-09T16:16:00.001-07:00

I can with no hesitation say that it seems like last week we took Audra up to school for her very first day of kindergarten....that we left her, in what seemed like an enormous building with large children and hurried grown ups. She was precious then..... and
She is precious now. This was her 5th grade school picture day. I took her picture at home and could hardly wrap my mind around the fact that it's her last year in elementary. We're already experiencing life changing. The homework is by far more intense and girl drama is ramping up. But Audra is still Audra..... just a tiny taller (not much) and a little smarter:)

Future Astronaut?

2011-09-27T09:01:00.000-07:00

The joy of friendship. Over the last couple of years we've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know our friends the Forresters. They go to our church, Pat and I have taught some classes together and they are in our Thursday Bible Study. Their two boys are grown and our children have loved getting to know them. Anders in particular has taken a deep fondness for Mr. Forrester. He enjoys spending time with him and building ships and this last weekend he took him to Ellington field where lots of NASA test flight make their home. Mr. Forrester happens to be an astronaut having gone to space many times... This was their latest adventure!

Future Pilot?

So long lazy days of summer...

2011-08-31T20:20:00.000-07:00

Not for long buddy buck, you are in Kindergarten now. Pack up yer beach towel and open your BOB books it's the big time now with Escuela 8-3pm! Pack your backpack we're late again!

More of summer...

2011-08-31T20:11:00.000-07:00

Although we are in our second full week of school... the heat BLAZES on here in Texas. With record upon record days of 100+ I am a pool of sweat every day when I bring and pick our gaggle of kids from school.... thus....I'm still thinking of summer! Here are a few more candid shots:)
Best of friends....and cousins to boot.
aaaahhhh what? Did you say camera? These two are not camera shy
A pool in the mountains. the difference with swimming in New Mexico is the water is actually cold unlike swimming in Houston where the water is a nice steamy jacuzzi!

Happy 1st Day of school

2011-08-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

Audra 5th, Gunnar 3rd & Anders KINDERGARTEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and yes....Dane gets to go 2 mornings/week to preschool at our church this year.

The best of summer means..."water & family"!

2011-08-17T19:48:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhhh that was good! Summer on the lake. Minnesota did not deliver entirely this year. We spent many a HOT day there this summer. Family on the other hand, always delivers and we have good memories even if some were HOT!! (one day was 119 heat index!)
waiting for??....
Uncle D & Audra doing their version of the lake...
aaaahhhhhh this is summer!
Two towheads behind the tow...
Dad's and their boys....
A gaggle of cousins on the water....

Back from the land of the enchanted sun..

2011-08-17T19:28:00.000-07:00

Wheel of fortune.... depending on the day? you may want or more of these kids:)!!
Our annual trek to Bonita Springs... this year Chris came up for the weekend and was able to join us for our hike. This year....just like in Houston, New Mexico is dry too and we were met with lots of dry streams.
End of summer.....ROOT BEER FLOATS!

our first week in the Northland...

2011-07-30T19:49:00.000-07:00

After Tyra's beautiful graduation party we got to stick around in Apple Valley for a few days before heading to Windom.... a little longer so we could get Gunnar's arm officially cast after they checked x-rays one more time!
we had a great day at the beach with the Carey's (Bart, Lorelei and their two sweet boys!)
and the boys got to see a TWINS game with their Uncle D, Dad and cousin Tanyi!! they won!

and yes...that's Anders who has decided to "strike a pose" any time he sees a camera which usually includes a bent knee..

Our most recent graduate... and her party

2011-07-26T20:28:00.000-07:00

this little girl....is not so little anymore. Just a few short years ago (18ish to be exact) I lived with my big sissie and her family which then included Dennis and a baby girl Tyra. I was her "nanny" while Jann went back to work part time and I went to school..... this is the same year I was engaged to Chris and just after her first birthday I was married. Now....she graduates! Which tells me why when I look in the mirror...I no longer see a face of a young bride but see wrinkles that betray my age and my fatigue as a mother and see now in my graduated niece the beauty, the months ahead full of questions and hope.....a new chapter in her young life. Happy graduation baby Tyra from your auntie and your first babysitter!
Her proud parents threw a fun celebration!

8 is Great!

2011-07-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

Gunnar "pre-broken arm"....turned 8 the day before we left for our MN trip! Long hair, blue eyes and full of life! Happy Birthday Gunnar!

It's a long drive!

2011-07-25T16:26:00.001-07:00

You know it's summer when...

2011-07-25T16:23:00.000-07:00

You see the Carlsons cross the Texas state line to return after their long journey to MN.
this year we left in one piece and came home with a cast!

Go ORCAS!

2011-06-07T19:47:00.000-07:00

Waiting for her HEET
Swimmers take your mark.... BUZZ!!!!!!!
Audra doing freestyle...

Audra's first real meet was against "Baytown" last Saturday. aaaaahhhhh that is a long day. Starting at 6:30 in the morning.... 80 events and this particular meet was held in a Natatorium with NO AC of course in 100+ Texas heat. Audra was very brave. Way braver than I would be if I was her!! One down.....two to go before we leave for MN!!

Images of Summer...

2011-06-03T11:59:00.001-07:00

Today marks the first day of summer vacation for my kids. They just finished up 4th grade/2nd grade and PreK... Next year all three will be in the same school. The first day of summer often starts with me having my sweet nieces for the day as Colette has to work one more day when kids are done...

Already in this hot summer day we've made paper airplanes, Audra taught them how to make paper boxes, we have each made a SUMMER poster, been to the library, the pool and now having a moment of down time....

They had their lunch as a picnic and the rest is history! Welcome Summer!!
I found Gunnar reading in the fort....

Beginning to the end....

2011-06-03T11:58:00.001-07:00

This was the first day of school in August.... Audra starting fourth, Gunnar starting 2nd..
This was yesterday! End of the year!

Your time will come Dane....

2011-05-21T12:45:00.000-07:00

Playoffs!

2011-05-21T12:31:00.000-07:00

Let it begin... oh yes it's baseball tournament time! The Yankees, who managed to win only 3 games this season (albeit they were all very close games) pulled out a win in the first playoff game. This means....a lot of excitement for Gunnar (who has become quite an excellent hitter..drove in 3 runs in the top of the final inning to bring in what would be their winning run) but it means....more baseball for us. Long season....today they played in 90 degree temps. Ugh!

THis is called....."baseball ready"!!

2011-05-21T12:27:00.001-07:00

Water Day

2011-05-20T18:33:00.001-07:00

OH YES....this little bugger is DONE with preschool and part of the celebration is a series of "special" days for the kids. For parents this means "the three hours I was going to use for grocery shopping and cleaning" is now GONE as I am up at the school with my child! Anders has been asking me all year...."when do I get a backpack and when do I start kindergarten!!" NOW Anders.... You are done with PreK and you are heading to school with Audra and Gunnar. This little celebration was water day at school. Dane was invited but not to impressed with anything water so spent his time on the playground! Summer is coming!

Quotable quotes from Mother's Day 2011

2011-05-08T18:57:00.001-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to our Mothers...

Our funny lines started Thursday when I sat through a little Mother's Day tea at Ander's preschool. He had filled out a little Q&A about his mother and it got to the question "My Mother is how old? 72! was on the line. His teacher said the other kids didn't venture a guess but not Anders he said without batting an eyelash..my mom is 72!

Then my kids greeted me this morning in bed with a bundle of home made and some store bought cute cards. Anders sat sulking and cried out "I hate Mother's Day! I wish it was Father's Day" (because he was mad he had already given me his gift/card on Thursday), Gunnar handed me a tupperware full of "bath salts" he had made in 2nd grade and on it hand written in sharpy pen it says "can I have this when your done....momy...please" I looked at him and said confidently. "Just the container mom, I want to use it for something?" sure...Gunnar. Then they all plop my present on the bed excited "you got a tennis racket mom!" wow I exclaim...I am so excited! and one of them chimes in "yea, daddy got one for himself too:)"

we get ready quickly to make our way out to breakfast...my favorite....no sooner had we ordered our yummy hotcakes and french toast when Dane threw up in the booth! Chris and I look at each other wide eyed.... I said "let's go!" and Chris says no no...."you stay and enjoy your breakfast while I take Dane to the car" (oh ok, that will be easy to enjoy my breakfast while you're in the car with our throwing up son!!) while Anders chimes in "mom you could go sit in the car and daddy could stay with us!"

and on and on....

They really did continue...one line after another (Dane crying for Daddy when I tried to stay home with him instead of Chris), Anders crying for Chris to come to the pool instead of me...

It really should have been Father's Day but honestly....it was a Mother's Day to remember.

Happy Mother's Day!!!!!

Happy Easter!

2011-04-26T20:43:00.000-07:00

Mor Mor with her chicklens before church Sunday morning or as Dane calls her "Mer Mer"
Here we are for good or for bad, wet hair, disheveled shirts but HE IS RISEN....and we enjoyed our day celebrating!
Audra and Chris' picture they've taken since she was a baby....Easter Morning

And it's ONE, TWO, THREE strikes you're out...

2011-04-17T12:31:00.001-07:00

the season is here....

Gunnar was "drafted" to the Yankees, machine pitch team this year and he practices 3-4x week and has a game or two a week. There team had a great start to the season but are "in a slump" as his coach said. Honestly....I don't really care but it's hard for a mom to watch her son strike out. Ugh... but man he's cute in a Yankees uniform. We love him win or lose!

Happy 10th Birthday Audra

2011-04-11T20:14:00.000-07:00

Audra...you are simply precious! We love you and we celebrate 10 years today!! Thank you everyone for your kind phone calls. She got a lot of practice today on "phone etiquette". She felt so completely loved!!

oh The Azaleas!

2011-03-24T16:57:00.001-07:00

Our neighbor ran over when she saw us leaving for baseball and said "you have to have your kids come and take a picture in our backyard! Today is the day!!" so here they are...messy, on our way to baseball practice, in our neighbors beautiful backyard!! This is for Mor Mor and Mimi! They are gorgeous! (the flowers:) and the kids?:)

Spring Break 2011

2011-03-20T19:27:00.001-07:00

The Lindamans arrived our first Saturday of Spring Break and it was a merry go round the entire time!! This picture says it all! fun, fast and flavorful!
All smiles until he was impaled by a medal object on playground...blood...turned smiles to sad faces
Pure delight!
Rough Rider
MINE!!!! ALL MINE!!!!!
She can keep up with them all...
A perfect 10
The thrill of childhood!
Girls only please....

We had a blast with Dana, Elise Oskar Ilsa and Otto... Every kid connected with each other. They all had a ball. We did so many fun things in a short amount of time. Good food, great fellowship, perfect weather.

Happy Spring Break!

Bucket full of boys!

2011-03-07T18:09:00.001-08:00

In less than 12 months we've had a broken collar bone, ear surgery, a broken big toe, a three day hospital stay for dehydration and an ER visit for anaphylatic shock! If you lost count that's four ER visits and one surgery! The truth is...I see it as "only the beginning" of what could be potentially a lot more ER visits. I've actually come to appreciate the time to read a little while waiting in the room for the dr. to come. The dehydration hospital visit left less time to read as I was cleaning up poop every 20 minutes but overall...it lends itself to a little alone time (1 kid vs. 4) Once one is stable from anaphylatic reaction... the boy turns sleepy and aaahhh hah!! Time to read!!
Pictures of Audra to come!

Bruised Baby Boys

2011-02-21T17:40:00.000-08:00

In a week's time Dane broke his toe.... simply running at lightening speed to find me to show a picture he had colored! He ran across this hard tile floor and snapped his big toe like a celery stick!! He wore his boot for less than three weeks when he woke up one day, figured out how to take it off and simple said in a loud two year old voice "NO BOOT MOMMY! NO BOOT!" So...alas he has had a broken toe and broken collar bone in 9 months time. the black eye below was a result of a "football game" in the boys room. Gunnar's head, Anders' eye. They both came out laughing?? My hope was that trotting into preschool to drop Anders off I wouldn't not be singled out as needing to be reported to CPS!!??

Fun Run...

2011-02-19T13:19:00.001-08:00

Runners to your mark: Anders (1K, Audra 5K, Gunnar 1K)
There's a bit to catch up on....but here is one of our latest outings. We had our annual Brookwood school Fun Run. I volunteer to help with this each year and it's actually good fun. Gunnar was still getting over a cough so he trotted through his 1K but encouraged his classmates. Anders was in the PreK/Kindergarten run and he places 2nd over all of those kids. He ran like a maniac!! And Audra did the 5K again this year and got second overall the Brookwood girls...finishing around 34 minutes. Pretty good for shorty!
Just two days later we started the adventure of a week! Anders woke up throwing up Monday morning and was in the hospital by Tuesday afternoon....he was there through Thursday evening on IV fluids and was basically asleep for most of it. He had, what we think, was rotavirus. All the other kids had a much lighter version of this over the week. Some threw up, slight fever and then back on their feet. Anders however......6 days. Long week.... If I never clean up throw up or diarrhea again in my life it would be TOO SOON!!!!!!!! AND....can I have the hospital survey please. There are a few comments I'd like to make!!!!!!

Band of Brothers

2011-01-13T10:45:00.000-08:00

This final shot is Anders and Gunnar's attempt at playing "real football" in the backyard. Bike helmets work for football helmets. (until someone gets hurt). Dane on the other hand puts his brother's baseball helmet on backwards the minute he walks outside. As though he knows instinctively now that he'd be wiser to just "suit up" then be caught unprotected!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-30T12:52:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from New Mexico!

We spent an exceedingly mild weathered week in New Mexico for Christmas with Carlsons and Whitlocks. The kids had a great time playing with their cousins, games with their grandparents and playing in their now "famous" ditch club (photos to come). One morning they woke to a fresh coat of snow and were outside in a jiffy to throw a few snowballs!!

A short Anders clip!

2010-12-12T12:57:00.000-08:00

This isn't his "best" bike trick but the only one I had on video.... Bring it on X Games! I'm telling him to "hop up" so I can get him right when he's in front of me "NOT CAUSE I'M HIS COACH!!!!!!!!!!" eekkss!

Christmas Concert This morning!!

2010-12-12T12:11:00.000-08:00

Audra is third from the right!

Happy Thanksgiving! (again)

2010-12-10T08:31:00.000-08:00

Jadon and Dane were "two peas in a pod!" and Jadon would say every morning "are da boys up?"
We had such a good time with our friends the Crawfords who left their chilly beautiful Colorado to come to warm, humid Texas (we did get a cold front!!) to spend their Thanksgiving with us. We loved it!!!!

The beginning of "Extreme Sports"

2010-12-04T20:44:00.001-08:00

I'll give you one guess who this is?
hhhmmmm it's the same kid who has been doing "tricks" on his scooter since he was three.
Anders came inside the other day and said "come outside you guys to see my new trick" Yep..first he showed us him going down the driveway jumping onto his crossbar... then it was his seat and here he's moved on to using Audra's bike for his antics!! He is actually going pretty fast in this picture. I promise he has a helmet on most of the time but he literally goes fast, turns the bike at the end of the drive way and jumps off to the side.

His dad: the very one who jumped off of chimneys into swimming pools!

Gig 'em Aggies and other sayings....

2010-12-02T12:53:00.001-08:00

In October, Chris and I were able to join Lee & Colette at one of there many trips to Bryan to see the Aggies play football. We were so happy to be able to take Gunnar and Anders (Gunnar has become a dedicated fan of the Aggies, thanks to Uncle Lee and his two best friends at school!) This was a fun moment to watch your boys become part of the "football" moment!
A&M is steeped in tradition. Not the least of which is the Core Cadets!
The Boys....

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2010-12-01T06:16:00.000-08:00

Does this look like a football team? maybe with some cheerleaders. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with our dear friends the Crawfords. Suzanne, Christopher and Jadon came from Colorado and Jadon is absolutely adorable (as you can see in this picture!!) Our precious friends the Jenkins came to play and after some 80 degree humid days the weather turned and we were able to put on some coats!!!

Did I mention the crazy hair?

2010-11-06T14:28:00.000-07:00

Thanks to her MN cousins setting the precedence.....she stacked her her high for Crazy Hair DAy!

Pumpkin Patch is here.....

2010-10-29T11:04:00.000-07:00

How will I ever get all four kids to smile at the same time?

We're pretending we're on the farm!!

Just another Soccer Saturday...

2010-10-23T19:20:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Anders Kristofor Carlson

2010-10-21T11:36:00.000-07:00

This child....this ultimate risk taker, scooter trickster, animated, sometimes highly emotional, deep thinker is now 5!! At his request we are going bowling Saturday night with the Whitlocks to celebrate!! Today is cupcakes and grilled cheese.
When I asked him today...."would you like your gifts today? or at your party Saturday night?" He quickly responded..... "OH I can wait, I don't need them. I can open them SAturday". Seriously?? discipline?

AND AND....... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CHRIS!!! Chris had his birthday a week ago!! WE love you both October boys !!
(And Granddad and UNCLE CHAD!!!!!!!!!!)

Soccer Season

2010-10-05T20:04:00.000-07:00

It's true....we have three kids in soccer this year. Anders has started his first soccer season and it's as expected. He's the bomb on the field. If he didn't have little Alejandro out there who is a superstar in yellow cleats he may be the sole possessor of the ball. He is a blast to watch!

Gunnar is back in the swing. He fell in love with baseball last Spring and I wasn't sure he would make the switch back to soccer....I was wrong. He plays every day at recess "except on Fridays because Nicholas doesn't really like soccer so we all agreed to take a day off". Good negotiations for second graders!

Audra's soccer skills match her personality. She is a little shy on offense and literally shines at defense. I don't worry about getting scored when Audra plays full back cause she will fight to the death to get the ball out of there!

The neverending blog of motherhood...."safety goggles" required

2010-09-03T14:33:00.000-07:00

You know I honestly always have an ongoing "blog entry" in my head. If I put down every single day a thought and/or experience maybe I could garner some wages for this season of my life. This week had too many good stories to let slip by so I will attempt to put it into a form, I'm guessing longer then I'd hope, to relay some of this weeks irony.

Monday: A mother's job encompasses so many actual "occupations" that it would be difficult to articulate. One of her least favorite (or at least mine) is that of nurse/health administrator. Appointments....finding the right doctor, scheduling, verifying insurance, paperwork, payment, somehow manage to save receipt to file with flex account but the big daddy is actually taking said child to appointment. This past Monday I had the "opportunity" to take Dane (or as his siblings call him...Daney-Doo) to his much overdo ENT appointment (with brother Anders as co-pilot). I had decided to go to a highly recommended ENT in the area instead of going all the way to the medical center where both his brothers had received their ENT work! I was glad to hear this doctor was very kid friendly and ready to get some answers...and relieve the embarrassment I felt every time I took him back to his pedi with an ear infection only to say "no I haven't taken him in yet....sorry". Unfortunately not all participants were "in" to going to this appt. I had to rally the four year old with promises of "being a big helper" and convinced him that I really needed him for this appt. As I shlept us all out of the car in the 100 degree heat at 8:30 in the morning I rushed to the front desk, somehow believing I could beat out the next guy that also had a 8:30am appointment. It didn't help that I had NOT been able to "preregister" as they had insisted I do on the internet as their webpage wasn't working and neither was their invisible "web assistant". I bolted to the front, asked for paperwork and she glibly responds "oh yes Mrs. Carlson I just left a message on your voicemail at home. Dr. Grant will not be able to see Dane until 10:40am. Is that ok?? "IS THAT OK??? IS THAT OK???????? DO YOU have any idea what I went through to get these two children to this appointment???? get back in car, drive home? drive to an errand? somehow explain the benefits of waiting until later to these two...?? Um, no I replied.....I actually can't come back! "Well, I could put you on another dr.s schedule for first thing this morning?" YES YES....please do that!
Deep breath....paperwork, where is the kid section of this waiting room? grown ups staring, clearly annoyed that their appt now includes small children.
More paperwork, waiting, cheerios on the floor, squirming, throwing puzzle pieces, and the usual "Mom, I have to go poopy?" Really....you can't hold it Anders? NO....I must go now.
You honestly must know that this child has gone in every single bathroom of every single store, office, event we have ever been to. He must clearly mark his territory and poop in every new location. After 45 minutes of waiting I calmly approach the front desk .. "would I get in sooner if I had actually waited for Dr. Grant to come in at 10:40?"
No....I was soon to be called back only to be told he has too much ear wax (that's actually partly why we're here) and I'd have to wait to see the dr. I am then called back again from first waiting room only to wait in an EXTREMELY non kid friendly exam room. I am sweating now as Dane is trying to poop, anders is pushing any button that looks like it may pull out someone's ear and Dane turns on a "vacuum". Sweat.....MORE SWEAT!! Anders says "WHy did you bring me here! THIS is horrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" oh.....kid don't get me started.
Nurse comes in "please tell me what is going on?"
Dr. follows some time later "please explain what is going on?"
I make a quick joke, really to amuse myself.
He is NOT a kid friendly doctor unlike his absent colleague. We quickly find ourselves ushered down the hall on a bed where I physically have to do a body hold on my one year old while he gets his ear suctioned out with a loud vacuum tube (pulling out a seriously large wax ball?!) while my four year old hits me from behind, bawling, screaming "stop hurting him! YOu're hurting him".
The dr. speculates we could do a "wait and see" approach to tubes but asks us to go down the hall for a hearing booth, real hearing test. After this long process we are ushered back to our original, white, instrument filled exam room while we wait (some more). The dr. then comes in to tell us....well, Dane's hearing is actually below normal and his eardrums aren't working properly and he could benefit from tubes. "but, it's really up to you Mrs. Carlson. If you want to be cautious we could wait and see how he does and come back in a few months and recheck".... The room starts to spin, I literally think I may be leaving this earth and walking right into Heaven. All I can hear is "blah, blah blah Mrs. Carlson......so whatever you think?"
"I'm sorry, ... Whatever I think? What I think is I would sit here right now while you insert tubes in my fourth child's ears JUST so I don't have to make an appt, fill out paperwork, sit in your waiting room and come back to an office full of dangerous tempting equipment for my children. What I think is that I AM PAYING YOU TO GIVE ME AN ANSWER ABOUT MY CHILD'S EARS!!!!!!!! THAT's what I think???!!!"
"uh huh, well I guess I'll talk to my husband and we'll get back to you and if needed schedule a pre-op. Thank you for your time Dr. Castillo".

Ok boys.....good job and I guess there is a sticker for you on the way out.
and it's only lunch, on Monday.......

.

The Lake in July...

2010-08-26T09:32:00.000-07:00

Audra & Tyra "on the lake"
This may be one of my favorite pictures from the whole summer (courtesy of Auntie Jann in the boat!). It says it all... All of us jumping into the lake on a warm MN summer day. Knowing there is most likely grilled hamburgers and corn on the cob waiting to be eaten and a bonfire to boot!!
Audra officially knee-boarded this summer and loved it! She actually is very much a "No-fear" like her dad. Much more than me!

Anders and Tanyi (doesn't it look like a SEnior photo??)

More cousin pictures! We were missing Oskar, Ilsa & Otto (and Dane in these pics)

That was then....

2010-08-23T06:57:00.000-07:00

back to school last year (3rd & 1st).... this is ....
TODAY!!! BACK TO SCHOOL 2010 (4th & 2nd grade)

Audra is sporting her cousin Greta's red high tops she bought in Paris some years back and loving it!!! They both have, what we believe to be great teachers. Anxious to hear how there first day goes!!!

Nothing says Welcome home like...

2010-08-17T05:27:00.001-07:00

...the first time you get to bail hay. This summer there had been so much rain everything was lush green. The Des Moines river was overflowing it's banks into my dad's corn crop and it made for some interesting drives down by the river in the mule. My kids never give up a chance to sit a top a tractor to be part of this annual ritual of cutting hay. It screams summer and delight to these kids.

I can visualize this in the future.....only they're 6 ft tall and throwing the bails with their cousins Oskar and Otto!
Does this look dangerous? Oddly when you go home to the farm you put kids in positions you later wonder?? is that safe?? Surely it is!!!!!!!!!!

and finally we made it to the....

2010-08-12T20:10:00.000-07:00

farm!
Pictures to come:)

The Lake

2010-08-12T20:06:00.000-07:00

No one can compete with such sheer determination as this child. This is his approach to life... "I'm going to jump....catch me if you want?"

(Happy Birthday Poppy!!)

Carlson Reunion...

2010-08-12T10:53:00.001-07:00

Luther Point Camp...Wisconsin. "The Lake"
Waiting for the lake front to open. Kids wait with patience otherwise unseen when they know what they want. They waited until the lifeguard came...the lightening & thunder had adequately passed to go into this peaceful lake!
Looks like a carnival....but just part of the reunion fun.
Official group photo of the Carlson Clan. All five Carlson siblings (Stan, Karin, Paul, Diane & Charlie) and at least some of their family were at this years Carlson reunion. We had a wonderful time!!! (note: our kids are on the right with the crazy faces::)

Joey Joe Joe Joe...

2010-08-09T19:06:00.001-07:00

Graduates from HIGH SCHOOL!!!!!!! Gunnar's birthday was followed up by the much anticipated and prepared for.....GRADUATION of JOEY!!!!! Jill (and sister Jann) worked so hard to prepare and put on a beautiful party celebrating Joey's school career which leads him this Fall to Bethel. YES....Bethel folks.....where his grandparents went, his aunts and uncles and his mom! We are proud of you Joey!

Ice Cream!

2010-07-28T18:27:00.001-07:00

...Everything good about summer. Grandpa Bob is famous for loading these kids up on ice cream as long as they're on the farm! It doesn't take them long to say..."Grandpa? when are we going to go get ice cream!!!!! This particular day we had driven with Mor Mor to Okoboji and enjoyed a moment on the lake.

and the very next day...

2010-07-26T06:05:00.001-07:00

IS GUNNAR's birthday (June 23rd)

So this year with cousins galore we packed up and went to the MOA and hit the rides for his big day. The kids had an absolute blast going on ride I would never dare to touch!! Happy 7th Gunnar Storm!

Birthdays in Minnesota

2010-07-19T11:33:00.000-07:00

For the last several years I've had my birthday in Minnesota. I'm usually shuffling children and usually without my husband. That was the case this year so I decided to take matters into my own hands! My kids got up early so I rallied my mom and Joey to drive the half hour to Keys Bakery in St. Paul. Why drive 30 minutes with four kids in tow? Believe me...the rolls are worth it. So is the old time feel of the place. I had to get directions via Boston from my brother Dana and we had so much fun it was worth every mile!
Waiting outside for Mor Mor to pay (thanks mom!)
I followed this high calories feast with lunch out with my family. Sisters and moms (my sister in law Colette and mother in law were here for our CArlson family reunion!) Perfect timing!! We had a wonderful lunch an Italian rest!! Some times a gal's got to make her birthday happen!! So much fun!!!!!

Times have changed?!

2010-07-19T11:28:00.001-07:00

One of the first things the kids got to do when we arrived in MN was to go see a movie with their older cousins! My sisters and I watched as Joey drove the boys away in my vehicle and Tyra drove away with the girls! My niece and nephew driving my kids to a movie!!!!! (well at lease 3 of my kids!!) aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh the wrinkles on my forehead aren't a mirage. I am that old that this scenario is a possibility!! so cute

It's that time...

2010-07-19T06:16:00.000-07:00

You can set your watch by this picture. It's that time of year. After spending a hearty four weeks in Minnesota chalk full of graduations (Joey's!!), lazy days on the lake, tractor rides, Carlson reunions, time with family.... we're back! Here they are after two days of hard travel...if only the internet had smell!! You could smell the glory of 2 days in a car with four kids!!!

Bryan..."the farm"

2010-06-10T08:42:00.001-07:00

Cousins....hot, sweaty, dirty and having a blast. We spent Memorial Day weekend with Lee's family in Bryan. The kids absolutely love spending time on the "farm" and sleeping in the cabin up in the loft. It's only two hours away and every time I think "why don't we go here more?". Summer is officially here and we are ready with sunscreen and mosquito spray in hand!

100 degrees and humid. Summer.....welcome back!
Katherine loves to play with the boys.....they returned from this "expedition" in which I overheard them stating they were "hunting for food" full of bloody scrapes that they couldn't have been more proud of. Comparing the length of scrapes and redness of the blood.
Gunnar's first real experience with fishing and he caught some bottom dwelling catfish! He loved it!

Audra has always been the one in our family tender towards animals. A day doesn't pass without her asking "now when are we getting a dog again?" The answer is usually something like "when mommy gets some sleep and she has a change of heart!!!"

Last day of school (well really it's Friday!)

2010-06-02T06:39:00.000-07:00

Last Day of school 2009

Last Day of School 2010!!!

Please notice Anders cereal (woke up late & magazine he carried to school because it had a baseball player on it!)

When I was Audra's age (finishing 3rd grade) my oldest sister Jann was graduating from HIgh School! That puts things in perspective for me. They all look so big to me!!

The last days before summer...

2010-06-01T12:27:00.001-07:00

In true Anders form he climbed to the top of this very high "work out" thingy at the park only to say "MOM LOOK AT ME!!!!! Yes.....this is truly Anders.
It's never too early to start with abs!:)
It was only a few short years (feels like months) that this was Gunnar and Anders. And now it's Dane and Anders playing at the park! Anders is a good big brother but has his moments of wanting to "help" to rough!! When school ends this week ....gunnar will be home, and Dane will be left in the dust as the two big brothers play every possible adventure they can conjure up!!

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-11T18:40:00.000-07:00

Am I too late? Did I miss it? Happy Mother's Day...
thank you for every dirty diaper, every bath, every packed lunch, every time you drove us somewhere, every time you gave us medicine or made a doctor's appt and kept it!, thank you for every time you sat through a concert, took us to church and VBS and church camp, and took us to a lesson, and helped us with homework, for every prayer at night, every prayer for us that we didn't know about, every time you took us on a trip and paid for our food, listening to stories, for coming to our sports and and and.....this all makes sense to us now. Thank you mom L and mom C!!

Love Chris and Amy:)

**I think Dane looks like Oskar here?

Just another day at the park

2010-04-18T15:28:00.000-07:00

Bigger Brother Gunnar waiting for his "up to bat"!!
Coach giving a pep talk. There's Gunnar in the red helmet!!
Although this stance wouldn't evidence it... Gunnar hit a GRAND SLAM to help win the game!
Centerfield!!!:) Their record reflects their professional counterparts (Big Astroes, Little Astroes...not so great:)

She really is 9!

2010-04-18T15:25:00.000-07:00

Audra has been the spectator at many a baseball game this Spring. She and Anders found their way over to a park during one of Gunnar's games and the colors were so rich that day I thought I would take a couple of pictures. It's hard to believe she's nine....she has her first set of "STATE tests " this week. They call them the TAKS test in Texas. She was a little nervous but getting through. oh the beginning of "big tests!!"

Who said he couldn't follow directions?

2010-04-18T15:16:00.000-07:00

I got to see Anders play, finally this Saturday. If you've never been to a t-ball game before, you're missing some good material for America's funniest video!! Unbelievable!
Here Anders is talking to his coach, who happens to be from England and is one of the funniest coaches I've ever heard. Makes each kid feel like he will play pro-ball!

He successfully hits the ball on the first try (which I found out isn't a guarantee after watching all the other players)

a wollup that rolled past second base...
Runs like the wind....
He ran past first without a bat of an eyelash!
Made it to second with the wind behind him!!

stopped at second...
added a little ballet move at the end
waited for the next batter (while gazing at the adult in the field)

cleaned his fingernails during some down time on second base....
saw his mom taking pictures over the fence!
It should be noted that when the next batter hit the ball it went past second base and Anders kindly ran after the ball, handed it to the other team and then ran on to third!! The entire crowd laughed their heads off and cheered him on!

But the party ended with a crash...

2010-04-05T13:49:00.001-07:00

In the chaos of the pick up kids, end of party bussle. Dane was overlooked. Some kids were swinging.....as high as they possibly could, didn't see him coming and he stepped in front of the swing. We ended up in the ER....lots of x-rays, bad dx, back to dr. today, more x-rays and a broken collar bone later. Here we are!!

And a Carnival Party it was!

2010-04-05T11:41:00.000-07:00

Playing the infamous RED ROVER! Audra wanted so badly to play this age old favorite (Lee hollored out....I haven't seen Red Rover since '75) But she wanted to play this game from the past and the first child called across the line was the three year old Dylan who ran full speed to the tallest arms he could find and was quickly clotheslined, flung to his back and left the field crying!!
Audra planned this party since last October when we decided against it for Anders party. She has been saving candy from piano for 6 months to help with the "candy for the party". Talk about some self discipline. Be glad you didn't win the smart tarts from 6 months ago! She went to her brothers' opening day baseball parade to collect candy being flung by the kids....to save for this party. When the day approached.....the only day forcast rain..... SATURDAY!! Oh she cried! As you can see.....the sun came out, the kids played hard, the sweat ran down our cheeks and we had a hot, fun, kid party. Anders said the next day..."is Audra still 8?" YES!! AFter all that...she's still 8! Her birthday is next weekend!:)

Hilton Head

2010-03-21T21:09:00.001-07:00

If you've been to Hilton Head with my mom and dad...you've eaten ice cream in front of the cow. For better or for worse.....Here we are with faces full of "Superman" ice cream in front of the cow. The sweatshirts give away the cooler temps but we made the most of our time with bike rides, card games, pizza dinners and beach time. It was great fun as always with my folks and the only real drama was when Audra learned that other people stayed at "Mor Mor and Grandpa's beach house". She seemed quite betrayed when she discovered it wasn't "their" actual home away from home!

Cool Weather for Spring Break!

2010-03-21T21:06:00.000-07:00

Weather wasn't nice as we'd hope.... can you tell??

NO ACTUALLY we had a great time with my mom and dad. Home safely... more to come

Opening Day!

2010-03-08T19:00:00.000-08:00

Baseball season has begun! Now playing "whatever position he's told" GUNNAR CARLSON for the Astros!
Playing "run around the bases as fast as he can" for the Angels...... ANDERS CARLSON!!!!!
If they could just stay little till their uniforms wore out.....

A 70 degree day, parade, floats, pizza and jumpy things. Who could ask for more?

Celebrate GOOD TIMES...... come on!!

2010-02-22T07:12:00.001-08:00

Joey playing the part of "Jermaine!" or Tito? or??? He had a solo in his performance and did an awesome job!!
Tyra played in the Jazz 1 ensemble and they sounded like they came right out of New Orleans!

**I just returned from the frozen tundra where I surprised JOey and Tyra and came to their Broadway production. It was a whirlwind weekend with back to back performances and a little family time squeezed in between! They were wonderful!!

So good to see everyone!

Brookwood FUN RUN!!!

2010-02-17T06:54:00.000-08:00

Audra came in 6th of all the students that ran (1st-5th grade) and second among 3rd graders in the 5K (3 miles)
She wanted me to sign her up for the 5K and I kept saying are you sure? So I told her at the start "just finish baby, that's all you have to do!! You can do it!!" She ran it in 34 minutes!!
Boston Marathon? or Brookwood Fun Run?
Gunnar ran the 1K with great speed and style!:) HE came in 3rd of among 1st Graders!:)

It was freezing cold and lots of fun!!
LESSON LEARNED? DON'T UNDERESTIMATE YOUR KIDS!!

Mor Mor & G's annual visit!!!

2010-02-01T08:40:00.000-08:00

Ugh..... that's a long time to not say a word!!

My parents have just left from a two week visit. It's very sad to watch your parents drive out of your driveway. IT gives way to emotions...like sadness, resolve, regret. It's a strange feeling to know that as they drive away and I have children in my arms and wrapped around my legs and I walk back into our house that I am a grown up. I live miles and miles away from my parents and I am responsible for the care of these four kids (along...thankfully with Chris!!!:) Somehow their visits give me a brief moment of childhood. I get to rely on them for moments of taking care of my kids, my dad helping us stain our deck, my mother cleaning out my refrigerator. And for that brief moment each year I get to be a kid again. Somebody's kid....their kid. And as they drive away I'm met with the reality that although I'll always be their "kid" I am most definitely an adult.

G-Man

2010-01-15T08:52:00.000-08:00

G-Man (in it for the cocoa!)

No No.....he really did do a GREAT job of skiing! He was very persevering and excited!! It was a blast to see the kids ski and enjoy every minute of it (including the hot chocolate breaks!)

Helmets

2010-01-10T17:15:00.000-08:00

Anders the SKI monkey

Some kids were meant to wear helmets. Anders is one of those kids. His whole life he's spent falling, jumping, knocking, rolling, crashing, speeding and eventually.....bumping his head. The helmet was invented for kids like Anders. He was a champ down the hill. By Friday he skied the entire mountain down!

Back from Beaver Creek

2010-01-10T16:37:00.000-08:00

Audra the ski bunny

This Texas girl loves the snow and there's nothing as fun as seeing your kids get to experience winter when they normally get cool and rainy! We had a wonderful week of skiing with our dear friends.
More pictures to come.

One Year Old

2009-12-23T14:52:00.000-08:00

In case it's been some time since you had a one year old living in your home.... let me remind you. Take out....pull apart, pull down, rip, tear, get in to!! That pretty much sums it up

Dane Dane the CAndy Cane... turned ONE!

2009-12-19T12:01:00.000-08:00

aaahhhh the ritual of turning ONE. The kids were "released early" from school yesterday so we had family and close friends over for a cupcake and coloring to celebrate Dane's first year. He was tired....the kids were hyped to be out of school and he utterly despised his cupcake. He was happy until we put him in his chair to "have at it". He touched it, tasted it and burst into tears! (could it be the influx of young girls wanting to guide him through this right of passage??)
Happy Birthday Baby Dane!

The kids on their last day of school (yesterday) before break. I guess that's going to be Dane's story... hey who wants to celebrate being out of school (AND my birthday by the way?!)

Thanksgiving in New Mexico

2009-12-09T07:17:00.000-08:00

Looking at this picture I was surprised at how old the three of these little buggers look...
We had such great weather the kids were able to play outside every minute! And they really did!
They played in the dry creek bed behind Mimi and Poppy's house. Some distance from the house...alone...the 5 older kids. They named themselves the "ditch club". Ahhh the stuff good books are made out of...

The Original Cast

2009-11-30T08:16:00.001-08:00

We just came home from a great week in New Mexico spent with Chris' family. We had great weather, great food and lots of fun and good conversation!
Here is the original Carlson Crew and aren't they cute!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2009-11-29T18:33:00.000-08:00

A real Thanksgiving Feast! This "feast" stretched equally as far the other direction. the entire "Great Hall" was filled with 1st graders eating their feast on rolls of brown paper and homemade placemats! Gunnar is second from the bottom on the right.
Gunnar has talked about his little friend Iiro all year .... they talk Star Wars and play on the playground at recess. I ....had in my mind that he was from, well... Japan? So this feast was the first day I got to meet Ihro? He's from Finland!! Gunnar and Iro the Swede and the Finn living in Texas!! That's America!!

11 months today...

2009-11-18T06:20:00.000-08:00

Dane is 11 months today....
In all his glory. Teeth, slight runny nose, crawl, stand, walk along the couch, the only word he says is "Auda" every time he sees Audra he lights up and says her name almost clearly!!!!

Soccer Player Wanna-be

2009-11-15T18:44:00.000-08:00

A younger brother waits.... waits on the sidelines. Season...after season.... until finally his day will come. The warn shoes of his brother's last season Adidas....he cheers (really echoes the cheers of other fans) "GO FIREBALLS!" At last......soccer season has ended. We hang up the cleats until next season when this little machine will get his turn on the field.

Mother Teresa (a.k.a third grade biography)

2009-11-06T19:08:00.001-08:00

Before she fainted....
Yep....she fainted. Turned green, overheated, nervous energy fall to the ground, caught by another mother fainted!!
One for the record books!

Babies be gone...

2009-10-29T14:18:00.000-07:00

Look at that smile? Don't you want to get on a plane and kiss those cheeks. It's hard over the course of 12 + years to live away from family. If it wasn't for Lee & Colette living here!! WE love sharing life with them....

My nephew Otto will soon be one and Dane will follow soon behind and most likely these will be the last babies .... the youngest grandchildren and their first year is over.

Fall is here....

2009-10-21T14:02:00.001-07:00

10 Months old...

2009-10-21T07:51:00.000-07:00

It's hard to say where this child is in his "normal growth" of a 10 month old cause he gets shlepped everywhere with everyone!! He is so smiley and still find his way under the table, now in the drawers and cabinets and is walking around furniture!!

The Next Generation

2009-10-21T07:46:00.000-07:00

Michelle and Marissa flew to Texas for their 4 day weekend!! They left snow and came to 100 degree heat index!! We spent our first afternoon running through sprinklers at the boardwalk with sweat dripping down our backs. The next day a "soft cool front" came through and we were able to enjoy the outdoors!! So fun to see Audra and Marissa are friends/cousins just like Michelle and me! We had so much fun although....I think we thoroughly exhausted them to go back from their vacation!

Our "King of All Wild Things"

2009-10-12T06:43:00.000-07:00

Here is our soon to be 4 year old and we are celebrating with his favorite book "Where the Wild Things Are!!" This king of all wild things has some very funny one liners lately. We've had so much fun since the kids have gone back to school. He's coming into his own.

On the way home from school a couple of weeks ago Anders asked flatly "what is a swine?" I responded.... it's a pig. Hhhmmmm. Much later he said "Mom, pigs can't fly??" I said "Nope, pigs can't fly". Under his breath I hear him saying.... "the swine flew?? The swine flew??" aaaaaaahhhhh No baby..... The Swine Flu!!!!!!!!!

badabomp!!

He's a keeper

Follies from the field

2009-10-01T06:38:00.001-07:00

Audra playing goalie in last weekend's match up against Santa Fe (TX that is!)
Her aggressive run towards the ball in sweltering heat!

Oh we've had some good laughs in observing our childrens' personalities as brought out "on the field". Two weekends ago Chris took Audra to her early morning game with just Anders along as a cheerleader. Chris said she was playing, quite good as goalie when she turned to Chris in the middle of the game, hands on hip and said "where is Anders??" Chris said... what? Audra keep playing..... "Dad! Where is Anders I don't see him!!!" Chris reassured his eldest child "He's on the playground with some other kids.....STAY FOCUSED!" Ah....that's Audra. Worried about her little brother's safety in the middle of the game (or more... aware of his absence?)

Gunnar on the other hand....
Chris and Gunnar headed out to his game later that morning while Dane was still asleep. Chris is the coach! I rounded up the other three and we went to Sonic for a drink before the mid-morning game. It's just too hot!! Still!! as we parked our chairs on the sidelines, the game full steam GUNNAR waves and shouts mid-play!! DID YOU GET ME A SONIC??? I waved him on (Gunnar keep playing.....all parents eyes on me) Gunnar runs over to the sideline (MID PLAY!) What kind did you get me mom??!!!! aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!! Learning.... still learning!

9 months

2009-09-30T07:42:00.001-07:00

and still under the table! His favorite place... away, good snacks, safe!

Brady Bunch or Carlson Clan?

2009-09-14T12:12:00.000-07:00

Doesn't this look like the Brady Bunch Grand Canyon episode?
Hot....scorching hot, no shade, burning feet!
Absolutely no speed!
Honestly....I was way at the bottom of the hill and wasn't asking him to pose!!

White Sands, NM

2009-09-14T12:10:00.001-07:00

No it's not snowing in Houston.... We got some great shots of the kids this summer playing in the zillion degree heat at the White Sands in New Mexico. THey started out with such fervor... more pictures will show you the end result (heat exhaustion!)