Christmas 2011

Tyson climbing all over his Uncle Travis. Sorry Travis, we probably should have warned you.


We were so lucky that Abby and Travis came to have Christmas dinner with us. It made Christmas all the more special. Abby and Travis were visiting from New York. Travis's mom lives near and it was so sweet of them to come and visit us too. We love Abby and Tavis and can't wait to see them again.


A cute family photo.

December Happenings

Brady and Ben sitting with Santa. One is never too old to tell Santa you Christmas dreams. I believe they asked Santa for remote control helicopters and more video games. Tyson asked for a Nerf gun. Eden asked for a DSi.

Every year we have tried to go to see a Live Nativity. In Vegas the Charleston Chapel had it every year and in St George we would to to Tuachan. I am glad to report that we found one here. The Live Nativity we went to this year was at Liberty Park and it was a walking Live Nativity. There were several Nativities we could go to so maybe for the next few Christmas we will try to go to different ones. Tyson and I also ventured out to see the Elves at Gardner Village. We did drive to the SLC Temple to see the Christmas lights but we were really cold and not up for the walk after freezing at the Live Nativity. The lights from the perspective of the car were amazing. Just imagine if we had gotten out and walked around. One of the perks of living in a larger city is that there is always something to do!


Our Gingerbread house without any adult help. Except clean up, of course.


Eden singing with all the second graders. They sang a Chipmunk Christmas song. Hence the hats.

Ben has loved learning to play the cello. His class also sang in the "Sing Around the Tree" concert. Brady also had a choir concert but it was packed and I decided to video instead of taking still pictures. Funny story of the night...

A 9th grader comes up to Brady 7th grader and said "hey you want to go to Little Ceasars?"

Brady gave the perplexed look and she responded "Cause I'm hot and your ready"

I had a good laugh at Brady's expense. He said he didn't know how to respond so he said he smiled and walked away. I'm sure the 9th grader was toying with the 7th graders but I got a kick listening to him tell me what happened behind the scenes at these choir concerts.

Ugly Ornament Party 2011

cookie exchange.

Work Christmas Party

Here is a picture of some of the gals I work with. I feel lucky to love what I do. I always learn something new. I love the miracle of motherhood. Thanks to the Gals who put this thing together. We all had fun.

Eden's Baptism A day full of Blessings

We couldn't have done it with out the help of the Whipples. Traditionally when our kids get baptized, we have it with the Ward and Stake. This year we really felt it was important to be able to have family be present for Eden's special day. We had the baptism in Vegas with Bishop Whipple presiding and aunt Leah playing the piano.


My mom, Irene, was able to drive up from Huntington Beach and be present as two of her grandaughters were baptized. I love my mom and I am constantly grateful for her.


Jasmine, my niece, and Eden were blessed on the same day and now they were baptized on the same day. They felt like the princess they are.

I can't believe Eden turned 8. she has a strong testimony of the Gospel and loves to choose the right. It is such a joy to see her beautiful spirit grow in faith. It was a special day for all of us.

Thanksgiving Weekend Part I

Thanksgiving at the Nottages

This year for Thanksgiving we spent it in Las Vegas and Grandma Nottage made a most delicious feast. We all stuffed our faces in the best company. Later we headed to the Whipple's for some dessert. The whole Whipple clan was there even their newest addition that was only days old. Thanks guys for having us over!!!

Everyday I am grateful for so many blessings. I am constantly grateful for a loving husband who keeps me sane with his humor and always works so hard to provide. I am grateful that we have been blessed with four wonderful children in our lives. Each one teaches me so much. I love being a mom. I'm not a perfect mom but I love how motherhood makes me want to be better and better. I am grateful for my calling as a primary teacher. I love that I need to study the scriptures in order to teach from them. My brain seems to absorb more this way. I am grateful for FB..Yes I know shocker. I love seeing what family is up to. It makes me feel like I am not so far away. I am grateful for extended family. I feel like I can go on and on and so I will narrow my gratitude to Thanking Heavenly Father for all the tender mercies and blessings he has imparted. I feel very humbled and blessed.

We are really enjoying fall. Spring and fall are my most favorite seasons because of all the colors. I took these pictures late in the afternoon so I didn't capture the beauty of the colors but I think we had a lot more fun driving around looking at all the wonders of fall.

Happy Halloween and Happy Birthday Nathan

Eden and I relaxing at Gardner Village. Yes I got a nose job and a boob job. Thanks for noticing. Really? Gardner Village has a witch display they do and it is bigger than I ever expected. They have witches all around and some are mechanical. A must see.


Tyson with his mask on. It only lasted minutes..

OK so I'm a bad mom. I never got the before "Trick or Treat Picture" It wasn't until just now that I noticed I didn't get one picture with all my kids in it. Brady was Dead Biker and Ben a Zombie (this is with make up off). This year I was the room mom over Ben's class. Will you believe I did not take one picture. NOT ONE of the party. Just for memory's sake. We made Ghosts out of cheese cloths and glue, played games, had Halloween doughnuts, and Tyson was the most popular boy in class that day. Shh don't tell anyone but he had had a fever that morning and was cranky. I couldn't not do the party so I took him with me and sat him in the corner. Bless his heart he tried his hardest to just sit there.

This is Eden's "rock star" costume minus a guitar and microphone which we forgot at home. (side note...I was a tad overwhelmed that morning).

Now I don't have a picture yet but Ben had his first little concert today. He played the tune to "Ghost Busters" on the cello with the Strings orchastra. He loved it. I was able to video it for another mom. I happened to be there to pick up the instrument from Ben... I'll post a picture when I get one.

Happy Birthday Eden

For Eden's Birthday we went bowling and she actually won one of the games. I didn't even break 100. It was very sad bowling for Nathan and I. Brady found a new way to hang streamers. Eden's words after looking at the streamers..."I am so lucky to have brothers" Lets see is she sings that song again. One of her presents was a Hellow Kitty sewing machine. She was so excited for it. She and I have lots of sewing projects lined up stay tuned.

Primary Program

One of my favorite Sundays is the Primary Program. The children sing and speak parts. Some get nervous and need a little help. I am always touched by the power of music and the power of words in music. I believe that is how I first gained a testimony. Having been a convert, I didn't know all the gospel answers but what I did know was how I felt when the Holy Ghost was there. The sweet words have lingered in my heart and thoughts helping me feel the spirit as I grew up. I am so grateful for the Primary Leaders and the Primary Music Leader. She works so well at teaching the children such precious truths as she teaches them to sing. Thank you Primary Music Leaders for planting the seeds of testimony. The words they have learned will linger in their minds and thoughts for always.

Superwhy...The power to READ

Tyson, my youngest decided he wanted to be Superwhy for Halloween. As if I haven't learned my lesson... I tried to convince him to wear one of our other toddler costumes already in our possesion. He was not to be deterred. I tried looking for a SuperWhyu costume on my outings without any luck. And since our Trunk or Treat was Saturday night, I spent Saturday afternoon driving around for some green pants, green shirt, and blue fabric. This is what I was able to come up with. Don't look too closely...I never found the green shirt in time so I used one of his old ones and just turned it inside out. He was happy and that's all that matters. I did end up making the mask but he refused to wear it.

Happy 3rd Birthday Tyson

I love, love, LOVE babies. I especially love mine.

Candid sweet picture of Eden cuddling her baby brother.

Someone found my powdered sugar.

Happy Birthday my sweet baby Tyson.

Our First Snow Fall of The Season....IN OCTOBER

A view from our street.

12 Years ago I became a mom

Happy Birthday Brady. For Brady's birthday this year we took Brady and a couple of his friends to Boondocks. We had a great time, so much so that I forgot to take pictures. It is hard to believe that my first Baby is growing up so fast. I am so grateful for the blessing to be a mother. I love my children and being a mom.

Oceanside Day 2

California Horizon while at Knotts Berry Farm.

In line. It looks like a bird got caught in my hair. The headband belonged to Eden. As you can see, she got soaked on the first ride. I think it was then, that I adopted her headband.

A trip to Oceanside for a Family Reunion Day 1

I love the chaos of this picture. This September we were able to make it down to the yearly "Castaneda" Family Reunion. My Grandma Emilia Medina-Castaneda is one of 10 or 11 children. We had a great time. I hadn't seen so many of them in so long.

I especially enjoyed seeing my Mom, and my sister Roberta and her family. I love you guys. Just FYI Guanome State Park has an awesome campsite with one small cabin. I wish I would have taken pictures of the cabin. The kids favorite part was the talent show. Brady was feeling brave and sung "The Distance". I think someone in the crowed described it as Mormon Rap. I'm not sure the song was Mormon Rap...but I when you have a clean song and there is some rapping involved, it must be Mormon. When I get more "techy" I will have to post the video. Good times. Good times.

Tyson

My little spiderman

First Day of School 2011

Brady now in Middle School. The big 7 th grade.

Benjamin now in 5 th.

Eden now in Second. Glitter and bows won the first day of school outfit.

Back to school day kind of sneaks up on us every year. I love them so much and and I am so grateful they are happy easy going kids. I am always more nervous for them then they are. Back to school was a little hard for me growing up. I was to shy and to insecure of myself. I am so grateful for the knowledge my kids have that they know who they are and they understand that there is a Divine purpose for them on earth. Every morning I remind them, "Remember who you are" Meaning a child of God. Brady usually replies "Yes, I'm Ben and that is Brady(pointing to Ben). But after I give them the "look" They all reply in unison. "We are a child of God...We know mom". Those are some of my favorite words. "We know mom, we are a child of God."

Pioneer Day Bicycle Parade

Our ward had a Bicycle Parade for an activity. Brady, Ben and Eden unfortunately thought it was a race and rode their bikes as fast as they could and the paraded ended too early for their liking. Ben's bike won for best decorated and Tyson was voted most Patriotic (although he almost wasn't). The kids decorated their bikes the night before and I must admit it was the best bike decorating the Carlson's have done to date. The next day I noticed we had forgot to decorate Tyson's bike so I quickly got to it. When Tyson notice he pitched a fit. He started crying for me to take the streamers and paper off. After noticing that the boys bikes were also decked out he spotted protesting. REWARD/PRIZE? A toy gun. It was all worth it. You might be asking where is Eden? OFF playing with her new buds. No surprise there. Next time I will try and take pictures at the beginning.