God's Treasure Hunt

Today was a gorgeous day... but I had a ton to do around the house. The solution: steal a wonderful idea from a friend and head to the field behind our house for "God's Treasure Hunt." We filled our bags with things that God had made and even talked about how God created everything by reading a couple of chapters in Genesis. The kids LOVED it and were so excited to make their collages. Now on to lunches, housework and studying.

i need a pause button.

We just got the exciting news that my baby sister Jeni is going to be having her 1st baby in February and our family couldn't be more excited. The funny thing is, in all the excitement of talking "baby talk" with Jeni, I've come to the realization that I don't have much time before I have my baby. Although I have been feeling oober-pregnant lately, I still haven't really focused on the idea of having our 3rd child. Usually by this time I have already taken inventory of what I need and have a list going of what needs to take place before the birth, but this time... well, there just hasn't been much time.

This winter we celebrated Lance and Jeni's wedding, had our youth winter retreat, watched our little boy turn 4, and welcomed our twin nephews.

In the spring we had Easter Service, celebrated lots of birthdays along with Fathers/Mothers Day, and found out we are having another boy!

Looking at our summer, it doesn't seem to slow down. We have our youth summer program, Summer RAGE, our youth missions trip to Champions' For Life Camp and hopefully some sort of vacation weekend get-away in August.

Then comes the fall... and that means NEW BABY!
I am in serious need of a pause button.

Psalm 127
¹If the Lord does not build the house, it is useless for the builders to work on it. If the Lord does not protect a city, it is useless for the guard to stay alert.²It is useless to work hard for the food you eat by getting up early and going to bed late. The Lord gives food to those he loves while they sleep. ³Children are an inheritance from the Lord. They are a reward from him. ⁴The children born to a man when he is young are like arrows in the hand of a warrior. ⁵Blessed is the man who has filled his quiver with them. He will not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the city gate.

Family Field Day 2010

What a perfect day!
It was black vs. red and a wonderful time was had by all. The kids are spent. The adults are still on speaking terms. No one got seriously injured. All in all, a very successful Family Field Day.

The MC Crew

THE cArlson TEAM

The kiddos

The boys are ready!

Fishing Contest.

Isaac caught 2 fish!Off to see all the animals.

Chickens

Alpacas

Unfortunately this is the best picture of me and Zoey of the day... so sad.

Sack Race

Lacrosse Shooting Competition... Isaac scores!

Zoey scores!!!

Balloon Toss

Chris and Andy take home the win!

Chris and Nate taking on our 1st Minute To Win It Competition.

Nate won.On to our Cardboard Boat Regatta.
Lance I had a hard time figuring out how to make a boat.
I decided to just take pics of the guys.Chris opted to make a barge.Nate was designated to make the special kiddie boat.

Placing our boats in the water and hoping for the best.Chris gets the ball rolling.Patiently waiting...

Our lifeguards out to patrol the pond for our boats.

Daddy and son time in the pond.

The warning at the bottom is from a previous visit in which my husband turned the Yukon on its side. A Christmas to always remember...The 3 Amigos responsible for all this chaos!

This is the meeting of the minds.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Contest... lucky judges!

Isaac LOVED fishing! We had to pull him away so we could head home.

All in all it was an incredible day and we are so grateful for the family God has blessed us with. Special thanks to Uncle Bob and Aunt Linda for running the show and to Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Deanna for letting us crash your beautiful house. I'm thinking a 3-peat for next year!

What's a Gipper?

Well, today is the annual Carlson vs. Maus Family Field Day and we are READY to defend our title! (See last years win HERE) We woke up this morning to a fuel filled breakfast, watched Rudy, Hoosiers and Remember the Titans and jogged a couple of miles... just to loosen up. Right now Chris is giving the kids the "Win one for the Gipper" Knute Rockne speech. We are ready for our Back2Back Championship!

horribly homemade...

It's confession time...

I love making fun crafts with my kids and creative things at home, but I have a real distaste for things to look homemade. I saw this post on one of my favorite sites and LOVED the idea. I couldn't wait to dig in with my kids and make some art for Chris for Father's Day. Unfortunately, hers looked like this:

...and mine looked like that:I was too embarrassed to give them to Chris... and good thing, because when he saw them, he just cracked up and said "and where do you think you are going to put those?" They looked SO DIFFERENT in my head, but in real life they look like a 2nd grade art project. I do love the idea that the kids helped and it's their hands, but these will be stored in our basement until I have the heart to throw them away. I wish God would have blessed me with better creativity... or at least better execution of someone else's creativity! Anyone else have a project that went sorely wrong???

a Red Wing in training...

This summer we are learning to roller-blade... and play hockey.
I think he needs a face mask.

There are these 2 men...

... and I am so blessed to have them in my life.

Happy Father's Day to my incredible dad and my amazing husband!

Chris when Isaac was bornChris when Zoey was bornMy dad when Isaac was born
My dad when Zoey was born.