Jingle Bells

Jack loves to sing. Here is his latest favorite song, Jingle Bells.

The Shed Happened

Rich's parents came out for a visit in November. Neil was able to help Rich finish building the shed. We have been talking about building a shed for years. Since we don't have a garage, we need a place to store lawn mower, bikes, etc. Nathan is missing from some of the pictures because he had swine flu. Fun huh?

Carson loves to help with just about any project.

The finished shed! It is my job to paint or stain it in the spring. Rich did a great job.

Bev taught Nathan how to play suduko while he was sick. They are cut from the same cloth.

Jack is Two

Today my baby turned two! I can't believe how the time has flown. He is a joy and I love him more every day. Come with me on a walk down memory lane to celebrate Jack's birthday.

Soccer, Soccer, Soccer

Nathan and Carson are loving soccer. Here are a few short video clips of them both scoring goals. It is so much fun to watch them play!

Nathan's Baptism

Nathan was baptized on September 6. He was excited and didn't complain about the water temperature. The furnace wasn't working so the water was cold. Nathan had a lot of support from ward members and family members who attended his baptism. We are so proud of him and the choice he made to be baptized.

Go Red Sox!

Rich took Nathan to Boston to see the Red Sox. Nathan was so excited he could hardly keep still. The morning of the big day, I peeked into his room at 6am. He was laying in his bed, wide awake, wearing his Red Sox shirt, hat, and holding his mitt. They arrived at the field early to watch batting practice. He got to keep a ball hit into the stands by his favorite player, Dustin Pedroia. These pictures show one happy kid.

Jack Loves the Sprinkler

A Day at the Races

Rich has decided to do something special with each of the boys this summer. Carson has always loved race cars. He is mesmerized when Nascar is on TV and he plays with matchbox cars all the time. Oxford Plains Speedway seemed like the perfect father-son outing. Binoculars and snacks in hand, they were off to the races. I called to see how things were going and all I could hear was the revving of engines. Super loud! Rich had to buy Carson a $15 pair of earmuffs. The speedway was family friendly and they had a great time.

Kisses and Curly Hair

What do kisses have to do with curly hair? Carson, my five year old, has it all figured out. He thinks that he has curly hair because I kiss and hug him too much. "Stop it," he says. "I don't want curly hair!" Kids are so funny sometimes.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Last night we met my brother and his family to watch a Sea Dogs game. Rich and I were hesitant to take them because in years past they have been terrified of Slugger, the team mascot. Last year when Slugger came near Nathan for a high five, the poor dog was met with screaming and hysterical crying. So far, all was going well. The kids were settled in their seats and Jack finally realized he was not going to be running down the isle. Slugger makes his approach.....

What's this? No crying? No jumping onto mom's lap?

I guess my boys are really growing up.

Memorial Day

I thought I would share some Memorial Day photos with you. For some of you these will be repeats because I posted them on facebook. We went to Rockland, Maine to see the sights. We watched the local parade which was nothing the rave about. Later, we found my great grandmother's grave and planted some flowers there. At lunchtime we went to the ocean for a picnic and almost froze in the icy breeze. Remember not to be too jeleaous of those who live on the ocean in Maine. To finish the day we hiked the 1 mile rock path that leads to the lighthouse. It was a really nice day.

My mother with her grandsons. Jack, James, Carson, Nathan.

My parents.

My sister-in-law Amy, myself, Rich holding sleeping Jack.

Spring Break

During Nathan's spring break we went to Utah and Idaho to visit our families. We had a few bumps along the way but had a great time. We survived the airplane ride with three kids only to discover that we had forgotten the car seats! Luckily, the rental car company let us borrow some and upgraded us to a van, free of charge. We love Avis! We spent a few days with my sister Rebecca and her family in Utah. We went to a really cool dinasour museum and explored temple square. Then it was off to Idaho. The kids had a blast running wild with their cousins. They were outside jumping on the trampoline, riding tractors or four wheelers, hiking, playing kickball. When they were inside they were playing video games. I feel like I didn't see them the entire vacation. Jack was pretty fussy the whole time. After taking him to the local medical clinic, we discovered that he had a double ear infection. Then the medication gave him horrible diareha so that had to be switched. By the end he was feeling okay. Rich took the bigger boys to Yellowstone, we went swimming at Green Canyon, went out to eat, and just had a great time hanging out.
After 2 weeks of playing, it was time to head home. Our flight left Salt Lake City at 7am so we had to leave Becky's house at 4:50am. Our first flight was really long but we made it. Our layover was in Detroit and we had little time to find our next gate. Rich headed straight to the monitor to find out where to go while I kept track of the kids. We followed him for what seemed like 2 miles up and down escalators, on a tram, across moving walkways. Finally we arrived at our gate and I took the opportunity to buy us some food. Then Carson had to use the bathroom. We were going to be the last passengers to get on the plane. I looked up a the monitor and said "that says Portland, ME. We aren't going to Portland, Maine." We were supposed to fly into Manchester, NH! We weren't even in the right terminal! Rich is so used to traveling into Portland for work. Knowing we would never make it in time, we hurried to the right gate. Rich went ahead with Jack while I tried to keep the boys moving. They were so tired. At one point Carson said "It feels like someone is stabbing me in the side!" They just couldn't move any faster. By the time we got their the plane was gone. Anyway Rich really felt really bad and I was crying. It is so hard to be stuck in an airport with three kids. But we made the best of it. The kids were excited that they could ride the tram all afternoon and we ate at a restaurant. By some miracle, our prayers were answered and we got on the next flight home. It is a good thing that time makes me forget about the stresses of traveling!

Carson is five years old today. I wanted to take a moment to think about him on this special day and a blog entry seemed like a good way to do it. I chose a few pictures that show how much he has grown. Five years go by so fast!

Here are five things I love about Carson:
1. His laugh is infectious.
2. He is very thoughtful and loves to give.
3. He has beautiful blond curls!
4. He likes to try new foods.
5. He is great company. I will miss him when he goes to kindergarten next year.

Carson's Birthday Party

Carson turns five tomorrow! We had his birthday party yesterday and he had so much fun. I had so many fun games planned but the kids weren't interested. They just wanted to play. Next time I won't stress so much.

Farewell Bryan!

Today my brother Bryan becomes Elder Lawson! He enters the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah to recieve training to be a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He will be serving in the Everett, Washington Mission. Here are a few pictures of his farewell and saying goodbye at the airport. He isn't wearing a suit because he went out to Salt Lake City a little early to ski.

Jack watching his cousins play.