Merry Christmas to ALL!!

Well, the day has come and gone and we had a really good time. I will post more pictures in the next couple of days, but wanted to get something up for now. Our computer went crash and we just got that all fixed finally.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas Day and Christmas Season. Love to all!!!
This is after our PJ's on Christmas Eve. The kids were pretty good about taking a picture this year...you should see us some years. :)

Movie Clip of Taylor's Baby

Hopefully this works. Taylor was so tired yesterday that she fell asleep before we got home from our Christmas visit's and was too tired to open any more gifts when we got home. So Carter remembered quite quickly that she had some to open this morning. This video is after she got her baby doll from Aunt Heather and Uncle Matt. She even shared some of her blankets with the baby. It is just a short little clip, but I thought it was very cute.

Check out my Slide Show!

Mason, Mason, Mason

Mason gets a post all his own. This was the many shots at trying to get one picture to put on his Christmas cards for the teachers this year. WOW!! He was not that pleased about this task. Two shirts, and a ton of pictures later we found a winner. Today I see some I could have used, but hey in the heat of it, you don't think some of them look that great, when they are perfectly fine. I forgot to rotate some of these and didn't want to start over...so sorry about the side ways veiw on a bunch! We finally got him to sit down by giving him a picture of his para, he sat and smiled and 'talked' about her for a bit. I just got kick out of some of these and couldn't help but post them all. Have fun...dont' feel bad if you dont' watch the whole slide show!

My kids are so darn cute!! I can't stand it sometimes. :)

These are just a couple of Carter's Christmas projects from school. He is doing really well in school and loves being there. Even though sometimes he is too smart for his own good. Such as...Teacher Kathy, " Carter we don't throw snow." Carter answered, " My mommy lets me throw snow." While he proceeds to throw snow. Teacher Kathy, " Well, there are school rules and home rules, at school we are not allowed to throw snow." Carter almost had to go inside. because he continued. :) Well, after a talk with mom and dad the next day he got a big thumbs up for remembering not to throw snow!! :) LOVE LITTLE BOYS!!! Of course, I am able to tell the teachers that every once in awhile we get, "My teachers let me do this." :) Man he is a stinker, but he sure is cute!!!!
Taylor is normally napping while Carter is at school and today wasn't any different. Except she got a couple blankets and curled up in the bean bag before we even got her too bed.. How can you beat a sight like this? I LOVE IT!!!

Special Visitors!!

Mikes parents drove him back home from Utah ( I flew--lucky me!). It is always wonderful to have people visit us here in ND. Since there isn't much motivation--besides well us!! :) The kids enjoyed their special surprise visitors. We were very happy that they decided to stay longer than originally planned. I think the kids loved it too. :)
Thanks for visiting mom and dad!!!!!!!!!!!! I think I will post more pictures of their trip when they get back and can email me their camera full.

Wedding....

Congratulations to Kasey and Chelsi Craven!!!!! We were SSSOOO excited to go and spend some time in Utah. It was our time away from the kids and it was wonderful! I love having a chance to go to weddings...It was a great experience to be reminded of the beginnings of a life together. I will never forget how much I love Mike, but I love that chance to reflect on what brought you together in the first place. It has been 7 years for us, and we have been through so much together, we are excited for the many more together. Which technically were two little sisters that couldn't mind their business. Thanks Chelsi and Kellie. :) We love both Chelsi and Kasey and wish we could have stayed longer. Although our cake feeding still beat your's. :) Maybe I will post of a picture of that one day.
LOVE YOU GUYS, CONGRATS!!!!

I love going and seeing the beautiful temples scattered across the mountains and in SLC. We don't get the chance to go as much as we would like too, and I love the peace that it brings just seeing the temple.

I think Mason likes movies?

Tonight we decided that for our Family Night together we would go Christmas shopping for others. Mom and Dad saw a couple things we couldn't pass up. The Santa Claus 1&2. Mason and Carter both LOVE the first. We just have it on a VHS that is on its last leg. So we decided, what the hay, lets get them. Mason saw them and wanted to hold them all through the store, we had a couple more places to go and he got irritated with having to leave them. We got home and he wouldnt get out of the van without the movies in hand. So we get all our treasures from the back, Carter, Taylor etc, come in the house and find.... Mason on the couch, movies, remote and a big smile/whine. If it wasn't a school night he would have watched them tonight. Sleep is a big deal for this mommy and we were already off our schedule of bedtime. So I was the bad guy and told him no. Which then gave me the priviledge of not having to get him ready for bed since he wanted nothing to do with me. He even stopped at Taylor's doorway just to yell at me and make sure I knew he was not happy with me. Of course, his smile can't hide for too long, so yelling and smiling are hand in hand.
He will be even more ticked tomorrow after school when he realizes he has therapy and can't watch then either. I promise I will let the poor kids watch them soon! :) Tomorrow night probably.
I decided that I wanted to post this little experience before I went to bed, otherwise I would probably forget tomorrow. I think we have something planned for every hour of the day. Have a great day everyone!!!

Winter Wonderland!!!

We got a very large dose of snow over the weekend. Mike and Carter were out working hard today clearing off the last of the snow drifts in the driveway. Carter of course, needed his hot cocoa to sustain him through. Daddy couldn't miss out on that!!

Taylor and I joined them for a very short lived moment. Her hands got too cold and she wanted in. Then she kept sneaking outside just to play for a quick second. So she took her toy out and brought some snow in to try out. I once told Carter not to eat the snow, now I just tell him to eat the clean looking snow. :) What is childhood if you can't eat a bit of snow?

WIND CHILL!!!!

Children are truly oblivous to cold!!! Carter insisted that we needed to go outside and play in the fresh new snow. Well, if only negative 2 degrees(feels like neg 16 with wind) meant something to him. So bundled we got!!! It took us longer to get ready than to actually play in the snow. I think he wants to go out so that when we are done he can have hot chocolate. Little does he realize I would skip the cold and go straight to hot chocolate. :) Although I love that he wants to play and have fun. It is fun having kids who do want to be active. That was Carter'sface of, "mom, hurry I am freezing." My response, "if you are going to make me come out and freeze I at least get a couple pictures."

Taylor did have a grand time standing in one spot and playing in the snow. This is really her first year of playing in the snow. She LOVES to watch it snow. We sat over our vents last night with blankets over us watching it come down. She thought that was great. As you can see, our effort to get the toys put away before we got hit didn't quite work out. Well, it is now complete by mom, the cleaning and freezing..so fun!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

We had a great Thanksgiving. It was just us this year, but we enjoyed our little feast!
Carter and Mommy were the main chef's. He loves being in the kitchen. He came in handy after Mom burnt herself and had to tend to that. Watch out for that steam!!! :) We hope everyone had a great day!

Love to all!!!

Check out my Slide Show!

Does he or does he not? That is the question...

My own unoffcial testing, says yes he certainly does. Our big debate with the teachers in school is if Mason understands and knows his colors. Well, they have him 'sort' colored bears into their designated cups and he just doesn't get it. I just think he doesn't get the sorting part of it all. We were playing with blocks and I decided to do my own testing. I would hold up two blocks and ask him to choose which ever color i said for the next on the tower. 100% accuracy with all the colors!!!!

Mason was so proud of himself, and the big question is answered finally. Why I didn't think of this sooner is beyond me. His para of course knew he knew colors, she often picks up on things that the teachers don't see. Thank Heaven for her. She is wonderful...no one will tell if I kidnapp her and take her to England, right?

Just another proud Mommy and Daddy moment!!! Wanted to share. With Mason being at school all day we probably don't share as much as we should about him. What a stud.

So Carter has been singing this song since learning it at school and I thought it was too cute. The only way I could video him doing it is to tell him he had to teach his cousin Zoie this new song. Then she could go to school and teach her class. It is amazing what kids will do for someone else's benefit.

Enjoy.

Update On Operation PCS-England

For all you non military folk--PCS--Permanent Change of Station(although there is nothing permanent about it) :)

I wanted to update everyone on our adventure to England. We got the extension we were hoping for and now won't have to leave until the end of school. We should be flying out of Grand Forks around the 24th of May, 2008! That sounds so weird, 2008, but it will be here before we know it. We did have sad news with our move coming up. We decided the money it would take to fly Dakota(our dog) over was not in our budget. It is a little insane what they want for that. For the curious it was $1200.00. Anyway, we already found her a home here in ND. She lives on a 25 acre farm now and has chickens and pigs to play with. We were sad to see her go, but we will be visiting her before we go to say our official good-bye. Carter just thought it was really nice of us to share our dog with someone else. :) Mason was very clear how he felt about it--not happy at all!! I don't know that Taylor has really noticed after the first couple of days of signing 'dog' around the back door. We feel we made that best decision, and that is all you can do I guess.
We are looking forward to our adventure to Utah this December to help celebrate in Chelsi and Kasey getting married. Although Mike and I are the only ones making it we are excited for the couple of days we will be there. Mostly I think we are excited about having no children for a couple days. What is that like? It will be our first overnight adventure alone since Mason was born in 2001. How crazy that will be!!! Our very good friend Beth is staying here with the kids and so i know they will be be in great hands.

I better sign off so that the pile of laundry can get folded. That is one thing I really do not enjoy to it!! I don't know why, but it is highly obnoxious to me.
Have a wonderful 1st Day of November!!

Carter's Breakfast

Yesterday Carter decided I was taking too long to make breakfast, so he decided to do it himself. He told me my 'dinner' was ready and that I needed to come and eat. All the towels are there because everything was very hot! i was not allowed to touch anything because they were a danger to me, they were too hot. :) He was also in charge of the cutting, much to dangerous for me.

He served up spaghetti, pizza, rolls and some fruit and vegetables. What I loved is when he leaned over the table and whipsered, "mom, we don't have to say a prayer cause this is pretend food."

I absolutely LOVE Carter's imagination. He can come up with just about anything and it makes me smile most of the time. Sometimes, his imagination can get him into a little trouble.

Bon Appetite!

Blankets, Blankets and more Blankets

From this picture you can see the small obsession that my sweet little Taylor Mae has-Blankets!! There are 7 blankets sitting by her right there. She had to go to bed with all of them, and they have to come out of bed with her as well. She gets so frustrated that she can not carry them all. She has her favorites, but for whatever reason we have to make sure that all the blankets are with us before we leave her room in the morning.

Take some away when she is not looking, is that what you are thinking? Wrong, she now knows where the blanket closet is, and will just pull as many she sees fit if she doesn't have her 'special 7' I would rather have these small 7, then 2 or 3 of the big blankets from the closet lingering in the house.

I am including one more of her trying to bring all 7 to the table for breakfast, but she finally settled for 2. Got to love her!!!

pumpkin patch

Conference Weekend

Can I tell you all how much I love Conference(a once every six months church meeting held over a course of 2 days with 5 two hour sessions) First, it is a weekend for just being together as a family listening to the teachings of the Prophet, Apostles and other leaders of the church. It is a great opportunity to do nothing but be spiritually fed, and also have a few treats. :)


Carter got a hold of a camera half way between sessions today and I thought I would include a few of his best. I love this picture of Taylor because I think it captures her little devil self that is trapped and disguised in the cutest of packages. I am just kidding of course. Someone at church last week said they thought she had one of those huge spirits that just wanted out of the little body they were trapped in. What an independent spirit she is!!! I don't know if people say that as a polite way of saying, "hey, your kid is really hyper and all over the place." How ever it is intended we will try to assume the most positive!


We are able to watch conference through BYU-TV and are so grateful for that. Mason was literally obsessed with Mike today. He wanted to cuddle with daddy all day long. I guess Carter thought that was something to capture permanently. I do too, or course. :)



We all get to be in our relaxing clothes for the broadcast. What a fabulous day not to have to try and get everyone ready for church. Even though those days are great as well. It is nice having a break from making sure shirts are ironed, pants clean, shoes ready, no one spills on themselves morning. I really do love Sundays-don't read into my comments as a negative thing please.

Carter also decided to document me talking with Aunt Jamie while starting the beginnings of cinnamon roll making. New tradition in the Christiansen home established today, cinnamon rolls every conference weekend! For the record--I finally made them perfect!! I have made them in the past and something got messed up because they just weren't as fabulous as my predecessor, my mother, well today I did it! Yes, I finally got them right!

Speaking of mothers. There was alot of talk about mothers in conference today. I just want my mom to know what a blessing she is. She has taught me alot about strength and endurance in the most difficult of times. I know she struggles day to day and I recognize that. I hope she knows how much I love her. She has taught me valuable lessons that she doesn't even realize. Mom, I love you!

Other highlights from this conference. Sustained in the church was a new 2nd counselor in the presidency, Pres. Henry B. Eyring. Also a new apostle in the quorum of the twelve, Quentin L. Cook.

I would like to let all of you know that I know that we have a prophet on the earth today and he is Gordon B Hinckley. I also know that we have a Savior who came to this earth to live, suffer for our sins and die for us that we might return to our Heavenly Father. I know that there was a restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the prophet Joseph Smith. That gospel is found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know that the priesthood is a real authority and power given by God to his worthy male members of the church. That priesthood has given me blessings in my life that I wouldn't have seen without it. Listening to the talks today and yesterday has only confirmed my testimony of these things. I know the Bible and the Book of Mormon are concrete evidence in all of these things. They teach us what we need to know to return to our Heavenly Father. He is our father, he loves us as our father. His love is greater than any we know on this earth. He wants us to make obedient choices so that we can return to him. We are on this earth today to prepare ourselves to meet our God, our Eternal Father in Heaven. I know these things. I can not deny them, because I have felt there blessings in my life and have had these truths confirmed to me by the Holy Ghost. I say this all in the name of my Savior, my Redeemer, my brother Jesus Christ, Amen.

I hope you all have a wonderful week filled with a renewed spirit of helping others and staying positive.
I love you all!!!
Hollie Sue

My kids might like school too much. & seminary

Today Mason woke up and was extremely ornery. He fought to get dressed, sank down to the floor when he needed to go potty, kicked me half a dozen times when trying to get his shoes on, you get the picture. He then stands by the front door whining for about 10 minutes waiting for the bus. I sang, danced, read a book etc..trying to settle him down in anyway. I had to force his medicine down his throat and finally the bus came. He hauled himself out the door, walked up the steps of the bus, sat in his seat and gave me the biggest grin! What a little stinker!! He waved his happiest and most energetic wave to send me off. I least I get to see him happy for a moment. :)
Carter is sad today because he doesn't have school on Wed. He then informed me they will also miss Friday this week.
I love that my children love school, but sometimes I wish they would say, "Mom, do I have to go today, I love being home with you." (of course with their most pathetic looking puppy eyed faces possible) I know, I know, get real mommy dear! At least I know that they are being treated well, and have friends that care about them. I understand it could be so much worse.

Today in Seminary we talked about Abram(later called Abraham) and the beginning of him making covenants with the Lord.
Lesson about teenage boys: They giggle if you talk about someone getting pregnant in the scriptures, the phrase multiply and replenish the earth, and apparently also about animal sacrifice.
In Genesis 15: 9-12, you learn about Abram's part in making a covenant with the Lord through animal sacrifice. It is a pretty detailed account of the event, so easy to visualize..hence the laughing. A topic that could have taken 3 minutes took 10 because of all the distraction. I can't win some days. They are either too tired to make a noise of any kind, or they are so awake that they are just silly! These boys that I teach are very smart and at least they are laughing and having fun while studying the scriptures. I could look on the greener side of the pasture. I believe they did understand the essential part in making covenants with the Lord, even in our day. Making sure that we have power over Satan and not the other way around. So today's lesson we can call a success, despite the distractions.

Our Mason is finally back!!!

You never realize how much your child has changed until you have them back to their normal self. We decided to take Mason off that new med and he is a totally different child. He hasn't had any seizures in over a week and is smilng, laughing, and enjoying life! I dont' know if that medicine did help in the aspect of getting back to his schedule of sleeping through the night. He is back on a little medicine to help him sleep.
Here is why I love Mason:
1. That smile of his will melt any heart.
2. He is more mature and layed back than most 1st graders.
3. He is very intelligent and doesn't hold it against anyone who thinks otherwise.
4. He loves me unconditionally
5. Did I mention that smile of his that can melt you away?
6. He also is sneaky, now most would ask why I love that. It is because it shows he is processing and deciding how to get away with something.
7. He gives the best hugs in the world!

Speaking of Mason. He tripped and fell last night, got the side of his eye area against the counter. He only needed a couple stitches and is completely fine. Why do kids always hurt themselves right at bedtime? Never fails when you have to take them to the ER it is always at night when they should be in bed. Do they plan that? I will get a picture of his eye--really doesn't look that bad, but will post it anyway.

Life is good and I am glad to be alive today! I would go into detail about why I feel that good today, but it would take FOREVER! I am just happy about life.

I hope everyone is having a great day!!

I am just venting non-sense here :)

Today I have a decision to make. Mason after not really sleeping well for about 3 months. Finally exausting himself enough into having seizures that would not go away. We established that seizures must be what is keeping him up at night, and that the lack of sleep is causing more severe seizures during the day(endless circle). So this was all going on when the nuerologist suggested it was time to add a new med to his nightly routine. That is all well and fine. He has actually slept 5 nights in a row--miracle!! Here is the draw back. We are starting to see some aggressive behavior in him that I do not like. We went from a child that was concentrating, laughing, going with the flow of things, napping, and the obvious occasional seizure. Too well, how to say this nicely, a child that has an attitude one could rather live without. So was the lack of sleep worth the nice, loving, coperative, smiley, although sometimes completely exausted Mason. Now the med game begins I suppose. It as always been very clear cut with Mason; start a med, it worked, we moved on, now this. Got to love being the parent that gets to decide. :)

Other news, our dog has some weird liver infection. I won't tell you why we decided it best to take her to the doctor, because it is disgusting. Needless to say a vet visit is not what the bank account ever desires! I had no idea it was that much to just find out what they had and treat it. If all goes well she should be fine in a couple days.

Now on a happier note. Today was beautiful here in ND!!! While anyone who has not experienced the pleasure of -50 degrees may not fully appreciate the gorgeous autumn here. We will take any day we can that is sunny, crisp, but still pleasantly warm enough to let the kids outside and run their little energetic souls out. Jumping on tramps, chasing each other with swords(boy thing) and actually sitting there feeling the suns heat! We won't reach negative temps for a few months still, but the thought lingers there knowing it is coming, and dreading the day. Although, it is fun to say that you ran errands today when the wind chill was negative a billion degrees. :)

If you can't tell I am blabbing on and on about pretty much nothing because I still have to plan seminary for tomorrow. I should be going to bed in about an hour, but here I am avoiding the task like a plague. This week the boys have been drained of all energy what so ever, so that makes teaching a bit of a challenge. I guess we will press on and hopefully something from this week will stick!

Anyone who reads my blog and remembers any good scripture mastery games and ways to memorize, let me know. I am not that creative, and am struggling with ideas to get them taught.

Ok, I have delayed long enough and you probably are hoping this post might end soon. your wish is my command.

Mason's brag

Since I am here bragging about our children, I forgot a big one!! Last Thursday Mason came home form school with a cut on his hand. After reading his notebook and learning what had happened we asked him. He had cut himself with his scissors and just looked our way and said, "I did it." Yes, I said he SAID i did it, it was so funny. He of course just smiled and looked at us as if nothing happened. We were thrilled. Mason has had words come and go, we hear stuff like this occasionally and it is always great to hear his little voice come through! When all the wires are working just right!

Taylor thought that she needed her picture taken after I took Carter's--who can resisit a cute thing like this! :)

Carter's 1st Day of School

Carter was so excited to start school today!!!

He has been waiting for months in anticipation. We are hoping that this love of school remains. He learned how to write hat and dad last week. You could hear him saying to himself, "I knew I could do it." It was great to see him motivate himself and have that confidence.

Bad choices from Hatan :)

I wish I had a video of the conversation we were having with Carter last night. We were reading scriptures together in Genesis. We have on loan to us the big The Old Testament for Latter Day Saint families. There is a New Testament and Book of Mormon edition that I highly recommend as well. Anyway, we were talking about Cain's choices to kill Abel. In the book of Moses(found at the end of Book of Mormon--through modern day revelation by Joseph Smith we get a more detailed account of Genesis chapters 1-6-established as the book of Moses) We learn that Satan and Cain conversed about killing Abel, and it wasn't just a split second decision by Cain after having his offering turned away by the Lord.
So we are learning about all of this and trying to tell Carter that Satan likes us to make bad choices and Jesus Christ wants us to make good choices. I am then told from Carter, "So when Hatan(how he says Satan) tries to tell me to make a bad choice I will say to him, i only make good choices Hatan." He then told us that Hatan will be mad and then go away because we won't make a bad choice for him. It was very funny seeing all the determination in Carter that vowed he would follow the Savior. It was also great because to see the connections of the gospel made in your child are a huge blessing, and seeing them have a desire to follow Jesus Christ can't be topped!!

Caramel Popcorn Night

Last night Mike had to work late so the kids and I decided it was high time for a movie and caramel popcorn night. Although Carter doesn't look too thrilled in this picture, they really were excited. Taylor had her first taste of popcorn--holy cow. Never has she signed a sentence before. I got more, eat, and please quicker than she could swallow one bite. The boys love the movie Jumanji. I recommend it for kids. I found it for $5.00 in one of those Wal-Mart bins.

It was fun to hang out with the kids, of course they always like having an extra hour to stay up late.

Filing for extensions..and misc

Mike found out yesterday that he can file for maximum of a 60 days extension. He is doing that and we just have to wait to see if it is approved. The kids and I still won't leave until the end of May. We just want a chance for Mike to actually help with the move. I shouldn't have to do everything, right? :)
Seminary has taken a turn of enjoyment. They are actaully talking and trying to figure out some scriptures on their own! How wonderful! It has been fun to see them open up a bit and realize that it is OK to speak and contribute a thought or two.
I have to go help Carter with his chores right now, so I better sign off. He is vaccuming today for me. What a stud he is!!

Teenagers..wow!

So I dont' know if it is a boy thing, or just a teenage thing. This morning we had a lesson in seminary and it was a great topic. Alot of things to pull from. Anyway, I ask and ask for answers to what I feel are pretty easy questions. No right or wrong answer, just what do you think type things. I remember talking in seminary, was that just me? Or can I narrow it down to being a boy thing and it will maybe get better? What does everyone think?

Winnipeg Road Trip

A trip to Winnipeg, Canada! We were so excited to finally make it to Canada. We have been so ashamed of ourselves for not going there yet. We decided it was high time to uncover our adventurious selves and hit the road. Some friends of ours came with us and we had a wonderful time. There aren't any famous must see landmarks that people from around the world are dying to get too. it was just an overall good time. The kids had a blast in the childrens museum that we went too. Mason loved the rocks and water to play in, and the lego department. Carter was just thrilled about the real life size train they had inside the museum. he wanted to play on that over and over again. Taylor really loved the impression wall. You know those things that are in Target or Walmart, you put your hand in there and it throws the pins to the other side making a hand print. Well, this was a big life size one and they loved it. Taylor was laughing her little head off playing with those pegs.

What is weird is we were discussing while there that we missed England and the little day adventures you could have there. Our friends the Brough's said they would love to come and visit us where ever we go next, but especially England. What a crazy thing that 4 days later you find out that is where we are going. It is absolutely insane how things like that work.

Mike did find out his report no later than date is the 28th of Feb. So we are going to try and extend that a bit. If it can be done by about 30 days or so that would be great. The kids and I will finish out the school year. Me teaching seminary and them in their classes. Then we will be off. I know it was a shock, but it is also a great chance for anyone to come to England and visit. You don't even have to stay with us the whoel visit. If you want to go and explore we would certainly try and come with, but what an oppurtunity!!!

Ok, I need to try and get Mason to sleep and in bed sooner than later. It is a good thing the first week of seminary is over and I get to sleep in a bit. Getting up that early was starting to get too me. I have 4 boys that I teach. One 9th, one 10th and two 12th graders. Can I tell you...teenagers are kind of weird. It is like pulling teeth to get them to discuss the gospel--goodness gracious!!! :) They are fun though and they had loosed up a bit by the end of the week.

Those of you that are not members of our church and have no idea what I am talking about let me explain in a short summary. Seminary is like a sunday school during the week. It is open to 9th-12th graders. They study the Old Testament(that is this year), New Testament, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants in those 4 years that they are taking it. Here in the more remote areas of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints they do early morning seminary. I teach 4 students and there is also a teacher downtown who teaches some more of our youth. I look up to these kids for getting up and coming to my house at 6am to hear about something that will hopefully make them stronger in their life. Anyway, that is what I am doing. I am already sad that I won't be teaching it next year. Who knows maybe they will need a teacher in England.

Really going now...after I attach a few more pictures.

Hollie and Mike

Overseas...........again!

What a surprise we received last night when we were told that we got orders back to England!!! We will be going to the same area we were in. We are going to be stationed at Mildenhall in stead of Lakenheath is the only difference. They are about 5 mins from each other. We are very excited to have a second chance at exploring some great places!!! We won't leave until next spring. I will update more as we know more.
Everyone have a great day!

ok, ok, I will send pics of the house we just got---geez I knew we would get orders as soon as we moved--what luck! :)

Mason's 1st Day of School.

Getting a I pose great for a camera picture of Mason is impossible. I did succeed with at least getting a happy smiling face! Mason is having a great 1st week of school. He is exausted, mainly because we had to increase seizure meds. Also because as much as he loves school, it actually wears him out completely. So he will love when I pick him up today to go to therapy. Love being the bad guy!! :)

I heard someone wanted to see pics of my house--geez Denise give me a break :) haha...let me hang a few pics and then I will send some out of the new place.

Kids!

So as I was doing the previous post I realized that Carter was busy moving the coats that have not been hung yet to the hallway. When I asked what he was doing he responded, " I am putting these on Dakota so that she is comfty." He went on to tell me she was cold. I was kind of impressed that Dakota just layed there and had a look on her face that said kid why can't you just go mind your own business and let me sleep.

Tornado weather

What an insane week here in ND. We were having a wonderful evening on Sunday. Mike had been down to a priesthood meeting in Fargo, they kids were great and in bed on time. Mason included in that on time bedtime--miracle!! We had been observing a storm rolling in and I thought to myself it looked very much like tornado weather. We have had a few tornado watches, but nothing concrete. Well, I was into my new book and heard the voice over the loud speaker saying something. Next thing I know we have sirens going off. Which means seek shelter. I go get Mike, who had fallen asleep cuddling with Carter. Now mind you Mason had received a total of 8 hours of sleep in 3 days. He had seizures that day because of sleep deprivation, so the last thing we wanted to do is wake him up. We decided to wait it out and trust our guts about getting into shelter.
We turned on the radio to see if we could find out more. We found out that it was a tornado warning, a town called Northwood(about 28 miles from us) had been hit already. Our hearts sank when we heard that. We have been remodeling our friends house that is in that town. Mike had ripped out a kitchen and put a new one in, windows, walls, etc.. We were very worried about the house. We found out that the house actually received minimal damage compared to the rest of the town. Just roof, siding, most of the windows(Mike's new ones survived), gutters, trees. All in all, it is going to take a lot of work to now fix the house to sell again. I am including a couple links to some pictures that were taken. This is a very small town here in ND. They really haven't received the national coverage that others towns have when hit with a tornado. We just want to help in getting the word out. This is a sweet and loving little town that will hopefully recover well from this disaster. I guess I never realized that damage that occured when seeing pictures like these. It helps when you have seen the town before and then these come and hit you! Wow, nature is certainly incredible.

http://filestreams.com/northwood/tornado.html http://filestreams.com/northwood/tornado2.html

Unpacking...still

So I am kind of annoyed with all of this unpacking. Wondering if we made the right decision to move houses. I just really do not enjoy seeing boxes. Just when you think you are making progress in the house, you walk into the garage!

School is starting on Monday for Mason, a few weeks after that Carter starts. I am suppose to be teaching seminary, but don't have supplies, wasn't able to go to the inservice. So I am getting nervous about that whole thing. I want to be an assest to these kids who are getting up and making an effort to be here. I feel like I am failing before I even start. Ever feel that way?

On a better note. We had a fun vacation to Utah and Idaho. Utah is always stressful because you want to do so many things, see so many people. If you didn't sleep and required others to do the same then you might get it all done. We had fun with what we were able to do. Including visiting the temple. That is such a blessing to have so many so close!!! I love being there and the peace that is gives me. I wish our's was closer.

Camping was great fun. Carter couldn't decide if he wanted to go home or stay camping forever. On the 20 hour drive home....:) he would ask when we were going to be home, then about 2 minutes later he would chime in with, "why did we leave camp?" The kids had fun fishing. Mason was the only one who really wanted to actually touch the fish. He was laughing and just so happy about that. Taylor was a hoot playing in the dirt and having a contest with her cousin Kristopher over who could be the most filthy. That was until she got sick. What a bummer on the first camping experience. She didn't seem to mind to much, there were plenty of people to cuddle her.

I really should be unpacking instead of typing away at the computer. I guess that would help the stress levels to get one more box out of the house. Here I go...let nothing but fear stop me now.

Well, this is my first jump into the blog world. I dont' know how well this will work, but anything is worth a try! We just got home from a very busy vacation! We had a blast in Utah and also in McCall, ID. The kids are in love with camping, the first time ever. For some reason when you can play in the dirt and your parents don't care it becomes a contest of who can get more dirty than the rest.
This will be a test post and once I get this thing set up I will continue to expand--here goes nothing!!!