Karlson Reunion Top 15

We had a blast at our family reunion this year. It was Taydens first time camping and he did great. Here are the 'top 15' Karlson memories for 2009 (in no particular order).
*I decided to try a new format for the pictures. It didn't work out so well, sorry. I hope you can read the post without going crazy! Next time, I'll stick to what I know. Like they say, don't fix whats not broken. Sorry!

#1- Putt Putt: It just wouldn't be the Karlson reunion without a game of mini golf. And this year...Scott and I TIED!




#2-Slides with Scott: My mom and dad were so nice and took Tayden for a couple of hours while Scott and I got to ride some water slides together. It was awesome to play with my hubby!



#3- Tayden In A Front Facing Stroller: This was so nice this year! We could push him around and he was totally fine. Previously Tayden would freak out a little and think he was alone. It made the trip great!




#4-Condo Tent: Scott and I borrowed a tent from some friends in the ward. It was huge and it was AWESOME!



#5- Sleepy Baby: A tired Tayden sleeping on daddy's lap. Love it!


#6-Wind Storm:There was an awful wind storm the night we camped. The winds were gusting, it was raining, and my air mattress was depleted. Gotta love camping.

#7-My boys: Look at this picture! Seriously, do I need to say anything more? I love watching Tayden and his daddy play together. This was the first time Scott really got to see how much Tayden loves the water, so he had lots of fun with it.



#8-Scott Rock Climbing: Cherry Hills has a rock wall. Scott 'climbed' it. I couldn't keep my eyes off him.

#9-Keeping Tayden Hydrated:It was so hot, so it was a chore keeping the babe hydrated. I'm sure he would beg to differ. He loves to share water!

#10-Fireworks:The night we drove home there were fireworks. We literally drove right underneath them. It was beautiful.

#11-Scott Picking Up Trash: He was actually picking up trash! Why don't I get this at home? haha! All joking aside, I am really impressed my dear sweet husband. He is always willing to help, and I can't help but think how blessed I am.

#12-Vacation: A much needed break.


#13-Pine Wood Derby: We had a pine wood derby contest this year. Scott won (of course), but I definitely had the most enthusiasm. See me cheering on my car?


#14-Taydens Hat:He had the funniest/cutest little hat. We did the chin strap up to keep in on, and he looked like a little English Soldier. You know the ones that guard the palace? So stinking cute.

#15-Family: I loved seeing everyone. It was really a great time to catch up. I don't have a picture of the whole gang, I'll have to get one from my cousin, (Thanks Dev for doing that). I am so grateful families are forever... it will be like one big reunion!

*Thanks to my mom and dad for lettting me steal all their pictures. LOVE YA!

HE GOT IN!!

Well, after many long hours of studying and countless trips to the school....Scott got into his program! He will be starting the Electronic Communication program in September at ISU!
I am so proud of him!

WAY TO GO HONEY!!!

Dallas

Last week my mom, Tayden and I had the opportunity to go to Dallas, TX for a week. My brother and his family moved there about 2 months ago, so we went down for a little visit. It was the greatest trip ever! My super sweet sister in law was the greatest hostess, cooking for us and waiting on us hand and foot. I have never felt so guilty. My brother was the best uncle I could ask for my son. He took him during the night so I could get some sleep and let me actually enjoy a relief society lesson! And the kids...well they are 100% perfect! They are the funniest kids I have ever met, I don't think I ever quit laughing.

Tayden was a little trouper. About 1/2 way through the trip he started acting not quite right. I took him to the doctor in Dallas and he ended up having an ear infection. Poor little guy. That explained the complaining and whining. We had to take 6 different flights. 3 there and 3 back. He was a great on all of them. Even coming home with an ear infection. I was so proud of him.Thanks to Scott's awesome cousins for their expert flying advice!

Texas was so so hot. I don't think it was ever cooler than 100 degrees with a heat index of like 104. We spent most of the time in the water, mall or anywhere with AC. Let me tell you though, I am not cut out for Texas. The mall in Dallas is super high class. It was a designer mall with stores like BeBe, Lacost, and Giorgio Armani. It was nuts. Half the stores had their own security guards. I had to laugh at our cut offs and flip flops compared to everyone else's bouffant hair and Couch bags. We were a little out of place...but it had AC, so I wasn't complaining too much!

We found this fun little Harbor with little shops and a water park for the kids. The park was just a cement playground with water that shot out of the ground. It was so fun! The kids had a blast playing and it kept us all cool. I was having so much fun in Texas I didn't take too many pictures, but I got alot from this park. I couldn't miss this memory!

I had an awesome time with my family. They truly are the best and huge examples in my life. I know that sometimes it is hard to change, but they are doing awesome. I miss them everyday, but have no doubt they are doing what is right for them. Thanks for an outstanding time! Love you guys!

I couldn't decide on what pictures to post, so I made a slide show! My mom has yet to email me the pictures she took with her camera, but maybe that is a blessing. Then I would have had way too many to pick from.

* Sorry I didn't get the pictures all turned the right way. That drives Scott nuts, but at this point I am happy I even had time to post! Sorry!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Just a random picture of Tayden in his new PJ's! My friend got them for us and I absolutely love them. They are my favorites so I had to post a picture!


P.S- I am not going to say much about this...but this was my last couponing trip.

• 30 bottles of Sobe Life
• 3 boxes of General Mills Cereal
• 1 mini delights brownies
• 1 kraft ranch dressing
• 1 darigold cottage cheese
• 10 kraft BBQ sauces
• 2 stain sprays
• 1 bag of marshmellows
  

All this, less than $20.00

Our CRAZY 4th!

Wow! Did we have a crazy fourth of July of what? Its started off like any other fourth... We always go to Inkom as a tradition (my very favorite one). We have breakfast at the park, attend the Inkom "Candy" Parade, and have a BBQ at Scotts grandparents. We had an awesome morning. I only had to remind Scott to quite fighting with the little kids twice. You see, he has some what of an obsession with candy and nobody stands in the way of his parade day. Not even the little ones. I'm just glad I didn't see any elbow throwing this year! Just kidding, he is not that bad...but is always upfront with the little ones grabbing as much as he can. Man, I love him. :) As for Tayden enjoying his first parade, he just slept right through it with Grandpa Packard.

Since this was Taydens first Fourth, we decided to take some pictures. First, let me tell you one exciting thing that happened! Tayden got his first tooth!!!! I was so happy to see it after Aunt Ashley pointed it out. He has been kind of cranky the past week or two and the tooth gave him a little bit of justice. He is doing much better since it has finally broke the surface. I just hope it stays that way. Anyway, that explains the tongue in most of this pictures.

Just loving the grass. Cute little guy.

Just mom laughing at her baby boy and his tongue. Notice the new hair! I love it. I probably would have spent a little more time on it had I know we were taking loads of pictures!

Love these guys!

Posing in the Tree!

My Handsome Family!

After the BBQ, it started raining. No big deal...or so we thought. Then the hail came. It was so big and strong it punched holes into my in-laws fiber glass covered porch. Yikes! After it was over, we were sitting at Scotts parents house when the phone rang. It was Scotts Grandma telling us the river was flooding and to get over there quick. This is what we found... (thanks for letting me copy the pics of facebook Sharlee!)

Scotts dad and a neighbor checking out the flood.

It got pretty close to the house, but lucky not too close. Some water came in the basement...it could have been a lot worse.

The neighbors trucks.

The start of the hail storm.

The size of the hail. The one on the far right is next to a quarter! Crazy!

Scott spent the rest of the day engaging in cleanup and sandbagging. I was so proud seeing him work so hard for people in need. He really stepped up to the plate. So needless to say this was one memorable day! As crazy as it was, it was amazing seeing how family can be stronger than the raging water tearing everything else apart. It touched my heart to see everyone working so diligently to help those around them! I am so grateful for the freedoms of this country, and even more grateful for the people in it!

My Husband, My Hero

Tayden, Tanner (the dog) and I went to Utah with my mom this past week to visit my grandma and grandpa. Scott was at Scout Camp so I figured there was no need to stay home. I learned a very important lesson while I was gone. My husband is awesome and I depend on him more than anyone. I always knew he was amazing, but I don't think I realized what a huge part he played in the rearing of Tayden. I ALWAYS give him a hard time about helping with the baby more. Well, I owe him my deepest apologies. He is an enormous help. Don't get me wrong, my mom and grandma were wonderful and helped me with Tayden. However, his Daddy is #1! He plays with Tayden when I need 5 minutes to regain my sanity. He changes dirty diapers so I get a break. He makes me dinner when he gets home so I can sit down. He calls and checks on us while he is at work. He makes Tayden laugh when all I can do is make him cry. He raises our son with love and compassion. He pushes the stroller like the proud father he is. He listens to me to complain after a rough day, even when his day is rougher. He is willing to help whenever necessary. He carries the heavy baby and the even heavier car seat. He doesn't get upset when the house is dirty. He goes to work so I can stay home. He watches over our home both physically and spiritually. And more than anything, he loves us. I am so blessed to be married to such a wonderful man.

My Photography Project

My cousin is having a baby girl in about 2 weeks and naming her Afton, so cute right? For her shower gift, I have been working on a display of her name. I couldn't figure out how to post it better, so you might have to use your imagination. I took pictures of letters that spelled her name. Then, I printed in black and white and framed them. It turned out pretty cute. Here is what I came up with:


Like I said, you have to use your imagination. However, I am proud of the finished project. I am working on another photography project that I love. I will post when I am finished.

Another Couponing Experience

I promise one day I will blog about something else besides Tayden and couponing. Give me three weeks though; I am going to Dallas, TX to see my favorite people in the world! I am so excited. I'll definitely blog about that. Anyways, I decided to only post my great couponing deals. I feel proud of this one and would like to share. On this trip I got:


3 1.5 Quarts Dryers Ice Cream
1 Box Nestle Lil' Drums Ice Cream Bars
10 Boxes Kraft Mac and Cheese
2 Boxes Capri Suns
2 Cans Manwich
3 Boxes Orville R. Popcorn
4 Snack Packs of Hunts Pudding
3 Bottles Ketchup
5 Healthy Choice Entrees
3 Packages Hillshire Lunch Meat
2 Loafs Sara Lee Bread
4 Lipton Pasta Sides
3 Boxes Crunch and Munch

A total of 45 items for a Grand Total of....$41.78. But that is not the best part! A total savings of (Drum Roll Please.....) $77.67. I bought a few more things than anticipated, but the sales were good. I'm still not a professional or anything. Some of my friends are amazing and get twice the stuff for half the price. They say it takes a few weeks to start to build a good coupon base and really see the savings. Hopefully, I get that skilled! However, I think I can count this trip successful.

* This sale doesn't require many coupons. In fact, I only used 2. Its all in the order of transaction. So, if you are interested in an order similar to this, let me know. I would love to go with you and help. It doesn't have the be the exact same as mine...there are alot of different options to get the same kind of deal!