Saturday, November 24, 2012

Jewels



Julianna was born on her due date, November 15th.  I didn't want to have our fourth child during the Thanksgiving Holiday so when I went in for my doctors appointment I asked if I could have my baby that very same day.  The doctor called the hospital to see if there were any rooms available and the nurse said yes!   I went home, packed my bags, and called my mom.  It was like checking into a hotel.  I wasn't in labor and our whole family was excited for our new little arrival.



GW got dressed in his nice slacks, a classic shirt and we drove over to the hospital.  Our three other babies were born in the older labor and delivery section of the hospital so it was nice having a larger brand new room all to our selves.  Julie came into the world right after dinner time and the experience was wonderful.  My epidural started to wear off so I could feel myself pushing and there was no pain.  When Julie was born  she didn't cry, she just kept licking her lips and started to observe everything around her.
I let the nurses take her to the nursery at night so I could get some sleep.  If I hadn't been forty-two I probably would have had two more babies after Julie but I knew I was done.




Around four months Julie started to cry every time I put on her shoes.  During her bath time I noticed her fourth toe was getting red.  As I looked closer I noticed a long hair was wrapped tight around her toe and wouldn't come off.  I took her to the doctors and the nurse said she had seen it once before. A  hair can get into a sock and then wrap itself around the toe and start to cut into the skin.  If the toe was left for a long period of time it could cause serious infection and cut right into the bone.  Doctor Slingerland put on his special glasses and carefully removed the long hair.  It was amazing.


Julie was born with an angel kiss on her forehead. She has always thought that was way cool.  It faded away around her third birthday.  Another thing interesting about Julie is that she loved to eat grilled steak and suck on the bones after the meat was gone.  Quite unusual for a young child.  She was our carnivore.



                                     

Birthday party with neighborhood friends.  Owen even wanted to wear a crown.


Piano recital with Mike Carson


Jacob baptized Julie and received his Eagle Scout Award the same day.



Fourth Grade




Trip to Idaho




First BYU Football Game





Carlson Girls


Julie loves hanging out with her sisters and their friends. She also has a group of wonderful friends close to her own age.  Julie is full of love and is so forgiving in every way.  When she was young and discovered that our family hadn't been sealed in the temple she was very concerned.  I know our Heavenly Father heard and answered her prayers.  When that special day came Julie was very happy.  We are blessed to have her in our home, she is a real Jewel!












Florida!






                  Jen is going to Jacksonville, Florida!  She leaves March 6, 2013.








Saturday, November 17, 2012

Carson Crockpot






Here is a good-sounding recipe for Crockpot Nachos that Cheryl brought home from a Relief Society dinner last night. Also some dressing recipes.

Crockpot Nachos:

Ingredients
4-5 frozen chicken breasts
1 can drained black beans
1 can drained canned whole kernel corn
1 (15 oz) jar of salsa (recommended medium)
1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese

Cooking Directions
1.  Take 4-5 frozen, yes, frozen, boneless chicken breasts put into crock pot
2.  Add corn, black beans, and jar of salsa - dump it right on top of the chicken
3.  Cover and cook in crock pot on high for 4-5 hours or until chicken forks apart.
4.  Fork apart the chicken
5.  Add 1 package of cream cheese (just throw it on top) and let sit for about 1/2 hour.

You can put this in tortillas or over chips or rice.

Here is how we served it at relief society:  To be eaten as a salad or rolled up like a burrito
Tortilla, rice, chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, chips, salsa, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, tomatillo dressing or ranch dressing.


Creamy Tomatillo Salad Dressing: (Melanie brought this one)

1 cup light sour cream                                        1 clove garlic, minced
1 envelope ranch salad dressing                        juice from 2 limes, freshly squeezed (about 2 tbsp.)
1/2 envelope fiesta ranch salad dressing           1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro
6 tomatillos - husked and cut in half

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.  Store in refrigerator.



Creamy Cafe-Rio Style Salad Dressing:  (Jill brought this one)
1 ½ cup sour cream
¾ cup mayonnaise
1 bunch cilantro
1 pkg Ranch dressing mix
4 Tbsp. Salsa Verde (green salsa)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 tsp. Green Tabasco sauce
Juice of 1 lime
Mix all together in a blender; chill.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Papers





Jen's papers have been sent! They are on their way.  Now we wait for I don't know how long.  My heart is torn, I don't want to let her go.  She is excited so I'm trying to be excited.  It was hard enough letting her brother go, now it's even harder for me to let Jen go.

When Jake served in Alaska I prayed for comfort and peace.  After about six months and a few severe winter storms I knew he would be ok.  Now I need to trust my Heavenly Father again and be grateful that Jen will grow in so many ways like her brother did.

I'm so thankful for my older brother Jesus Christ.  He will carry my worries and concerns.  I feel so much love for my life and for my family.  Gratitude feels my heart, I am very blessed.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Nice Weather


 
I love warm Halloweens.  This year was the warmest on the record books, it was great!




Eliza Doolittle and Mary Poppins

Hannah is practically perfect in every way.

Jess continues to improve herself each day.




Muriel from Fablehaven chewing on her knots.



Welcome to her shack.



Don't mess with Muriel.



Jen passed out the candy this year, I had a nice break.


Love the hat!





Our Evil Librarian from the Alcatraz series, Gorgeous Glow Girl, and the Pretty Gypsy Princess.








Utah Lake Shadows