It seems my children have forgotten how to smile naturally on demand. They used to be so good at it! Now I get very unnatural faces or no smiles at all. And their eyes wander every direction, but at the camera. It just wasn't our day....
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Ugh.....
It seems my children have forgotten how to smile naturally on demand. They used to be so good at it! Now I get very unnatural faces or no smiles at all. And their eyes wander every direction, but at the camera. It just wasn't our day....
Kids - 200 Mom - 0
Today after church I took the kids out for what was supposed to be our fall pictures. Of course, I had decided that I could do just as good as the pro's that we have paid to take pics so I was going to do this on my own. Greg was at work so it was me, the kids and my camera. We headed to Wild Cat Den. I didn't know what it would be like right now, but was stunned when I got there. It was beautiful! The day was just perfect for pictures and I had HUGE expectations for this photo session. Well, it was a total flop. 200 pictures and I am not sure there is one good enough to post! The background was awesome, but Creighton was either looking away, eyes closed or had the fake grin with his teeth in the "grit" position. I was so sad. I think I may have gotten a few of Colby by herself that MIGHT be decent. But any that Creighton was in were ruined. It squelched all my aspirations to become a photographer :)
I'll look at them a little closer later and see if there is maybe just ONE to share....
I'll look at them a little closer later and see if there is maybe just ONE to share....
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Birthday Party
Colby went to a swimming party today. She was SO happy to get back in the pool after a long break from swimming. And they seemed to enjoy the hot tub even more!
Colby
Colby sitting in the windowsill at home. Just thought it looked like a good time for a picture. So pretty in purple!
Friday, October 27, 2006
Home
I just realized that I hadn't posted for awhile. Nothing "blogworthy" going on here. Not that that has stopped me from posting before, but I guess other things have taken precedence lately.
My grampa has been on my mind a lot lately. The other day when I was at the computer putting together his picture slide show Creighton hopped on my lap to see what I was doing. He looked at the pictures for awhile without saying anything. I was curious as to if he remembered grampa so I asked, "who is that?". He replied, "Grampa". I asked, "where is grampa?". Creighton replied, "he's home".
Yes, Creighton he IS Home. There is no place like Home.....
My grampa has been on my mind a lot lately. The other day when I was at the computer putting together his picture slide show Creighton hopped on my lap to see what I was doing. He looked at the pictures for awhile without saying anything. I was curious as to if he remembered grampa so I asked, "who is that?". He replied, "Grampa". I asked, "where is grampa?". Creighton replied, "he's home".
Yes, Creighton he IS Home. There is no place like Home.....
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Remembering.....
Hard to believe is has been a year since my grampa took his last earthly breath. His voice, his actions, his stories, everything about him is still so vividly embedded in my mind. I hope it never goes away.
I remember when……
I have so many fond memories that come to mind when I think about Grandpa that I don’t even know where to begin.
The tractor rides were always a hit. We would ride far out into the field to the timberline to pick berries. Then we would take them to the house where Grandma would wash them, and we would all have a bowl of berries with milk and sugar!
When Grandpa went out to do chores, you can bet that I was right along side of him “helping”. Although I think I mostly just climbed around on the big pile of oats in the barn!
It was always fun to go with Grandpa to take hogs to Oscar Myer in the old blue and white (and rust!) pick-up. The best part was knowing that Grandpa would stop in Blue Grass at the ice cream shop on the way home! He had quite a sweet tooth!
I remember spending the night at Grandma and Grandpa’s house many nights in the summer and waiting up late for him to get home from working second shift at Louis Rich. (You know, he only took that job for extra income until the hog prices went back up!)
When I got a little older and started playing sports, Grandpa became my biggest fan. He wouldn’t miss a game for anything. He was always proud no matter what the outcome of the game!
Then I went away to college. But, you can bet that when I was home I would find time for a visit with Grandpa and Grandma.
Time went on and Grandma was called Home. Grandpa missed her so, but the Lord placed a new little angel in Grandpa’s life. My daughter, Colby Marie Carlson. I never knew an 80 year old man could love a newborn baby the way he loved that little girl. It was love at first sight. Many of his days in 1999 were spent rocking and rocking and rocking little Colby. I never knew my Grandpa as a “baby person”, but he sure loved Colby.
After that, you could bet that if Grandpa wasn’t home on Saturday night you could find him in Nichols. Our dogs always bark when a visitor starts up the driveway. Every time the dogs would bark Colby would run to the door yelling, “Great Grandpa is here, Great Grandpa is here!” long before she could even see outside. And sure enough, we would look outside and Grandpa would be creeping down the drive in his old blue Ford! I know that for a long time to come, every time the dogs bark I will expect to be look out the door and see the old blue Ford coming down the driveway.
Colby and Grandpa were quite a pair! If you could have only seen some of the things she talked him into doing. One night I asked her where Grandpa was and she replied, “He is sleeping in his stable”. She had talked him into getting into the coat closet, lying down on the floor and pretending he was a sleeping horse. She had him all covered up and snuggled in for the night. What a sight! At 84 years old, it was quite a task just to get down on the floor! But, he would never tell her “no”. And to this day, in his eyes she did no wrong! (Oh, how I wish that were true!)
Grandpa was my Hawkeye basketball partner. He took me to a few games when I was young and over the last several years I had begun taking him to the games. We usually went to about three a year and when we didn’t go he would come out to watch the games on TV with me. Or if he didn’t get out he would most definitely be calling on the phone to ask me “did you see that play?”and would usually talk until the end of the game!
You could always count on Grandpa for a good story. It may have been one that he had already told you a hundred or so times, but nonetheless, it was always fun to hear again. So many times his sentences started out like this: “Did I ever tell you about….” Of course, it was usually something I had heard many times, but I always said “no” and eagerly listened to it again. Or he would say, “I know I told you this before….” And then he would tell a story that he had told many a time. Although, somehow I never got tired of hearing them.
I could go on forever with all of the awesome memories I have of my Grandpa. He was the most kind, gentle and giving person I have ever known. He was a Godly man who taught me a lot about how to give unconditionally.
This past weekend Grandpa’s mission on earth was complete. God chose to heal Grandpa in eternity where He had prepared a beautiful place for him. For that, I am forever grateful.
I will miss him dearly, but I have been blessed with years and years of memories with my Grandpa. I am so proud to be able to say that he was my “Grandpa” and my hero……
Written with love by
Heather M. Viner Carlson
October 2005
I remember when……
I have so many fond memories that come to mind when I think about Grandpa that I don’t even know where to begin.
The tractor rides were always a hit. We would ride far out into the field to the timberline to pick berries. Then we would take them to the house where Grandma would wash them, and we would all have a bowl of berries with milk and sugar!
When Grandpa went out to do chores, you can bet that I was right along side of him “helping”. Although I think I mostly just climbed around on the big pile of oats in the barn!
It was always fun to go with Grandpa to take hogs to Oscar Myer in the old blue and white (and rust!) pick-up. The best part was knowing that Grandpa would stop in Blue Grass at the ice cream shop on the way home! He had quite a sweet tooth!
I remember spending the night at Grandma and Grandpa’s house many nights in the summer and waiting up late for him to get home from working second shift at Louis Rich. (You know, he only took that job for extra income until the hog prices went back up!)
When I got a little older and started playing sports, Grandpa became my biggest fan. He wouldn’t miss a game for anything. He was always proud no matter what the outcome of the game!
Then I went away to college. But, you can bet that when I was home I would find time for a visit with Grandpa and Grandma.
Time went on and Grandma was called Home. Grandpa missed her so, but the Lord placed a new little angel in Grandpa’s life. My daughter, Colby Marie Carlson. I never knew an 80 year old man could love a newborn baby the way he loved that little girl. It was love at first sight. Many of his days in 1999 were spent rocking and rocking and rocking little Colby. I never knew my Grandpa as a “baby person”, but he sure loved Colby.
After that, you could bet that if Grandpa wasn’t home on Saturday night you could find him in Nichols. Our dogs always bark when a visitor starts up the driveway. Every time the dogs would bark Colby would run to the door yelling, “Great Grandpa is here, Great Grandpa is here!” long before she could even see outside. And sure enough, we would look outside and Grandpa would be creeping down the drive in his old blue Ford! I know that for a long time to come, every time the dogs bark I will expect to be look out the door and see the old blue Ford coming down the driveway.
Colby and Grandpa were quite a pair! If you could have only seen some of the things she talked him into doing. One night I asked her where Grandpa was and she replied, “He is sleeping in his stable”. She had talked him into getting into the coat closet, lying down on the floor and pretending he was a sleeping horse. She had him all covered up and snuggled in for the night. What a sight! At 84 years old, it was quite a task just to get down on the floor! But, he would never tell her “no”. And to this day, in his eyes she did no wrong! (Oh, how I wish that were true!)
Grandpa was my Hawkeye basketball partner. He took me to a few games when I was young and over the last several years I had begun taking him to the games. We usually went to about three a year and when we didn’t go he would come out to watch the games on TV with me. Or if he didn’t get out he would most definitely be calling on the phone to ask me “did you see that play?”and would usually talk until the end of the game!
You could always count on Grandpa for a good story. It may have been one that he had already told you a hundred or so times, but nonetheless, it was always fun to hear again. So many times his sentences started out like this: “Did I ever tell you about….” Of course, it was usually something I had heard many times, but I always said “no” and eagerly listened to it again. Or he would say, “I know I told you this before….” And then he would tell a story that he had told many a time. Although, somehow I never got tired of hearing them.
I could go on forever with all of the awesome memories I have of my Grandpa. He was the most kind, gentle and giving person I have ever known. He was a Godly man who taught me a lot about how to give unconditionally.
This past weekend Grandpa’s mission on earth was complete. God chose to heal Grandpa in eternity where He had prepared a beautiful place for him. For that, I am forever grateful.
I will miss him dearly, but I have been blessed with years and years of memories with my Grandpa. I am so proud to be able to say that he was my “Grandpa” and my hero……
Written with love by
Heather M. Viner Carlson
October 2005
Friday, October 20, 2006
Fall Festival
Tonight was Colby's fall festival at school. She spent a lot of time at the face painting station. Creighton bought a computer game at the library and then cried to go home the entire time. Finally Greg came home with him so he could play it, and his game won't install. Such luck we have.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Riverfront
I was at the riverfront this afternoon when they did a test on the new interactive water feature. It is not done yet, but they ran the water to be sure it was in working order before it got too cold. It is going to be very cool. The center fountain will be about 28 ft. in height. There are four rainbow shaped fountains around the outside that will shoot toward the middle and then several little mushroom and small fountains coming from the ground. It will be lit, landscaped beautifully and I just can't wait to take pictures when all the construction equipment is gone.
While I was there I thought I would get a few shots of the clammer. His detail, character and personality are just magnificent. I am continually amazed at the quality of facilities that our Parks and Recreation system has to offer. And I'm not just saying that because I work there :)
Of course, my pictures of the clammer are nothing compared to Dan's. But I'm not crazy enough to be on the riverfront at sunrise either :)
Can't wait to see how everything unfolds next spring!
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Creighton
I am PATIENTLY waiting for soccer to be done for awhile. A couple weeks left for Creighton. I am definately ready for a break from weeknight activities for awhile. I think my break will last ummm....about 1 week. Won't be long until gymnastics starts :)
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Crazy? Maybe...
Ok, tonight on the way home there was suddenly an OVERPOWERING smell of gas inside my car. (fuel gas, not human gas :) It was as if someone dumped a gallon inside my car. Colby was gagging. I freaked. This sort of stuff is not supposed to happen in new cars with only 6000 miles. That's why I bought it! Anyway, I quickly called my brother just like I always do when something is amiss with my vehicle and of course he isn't home. Luckily my dad was home and agreed to check it out. He smells inside my car and says it just smells like leather to him. So he went through it all and found not even a drip of gas anywhere on the engine or any of the fuel lines or whatever. Greg says my sense of smell is WAY too sensitive. I am NOT crazy, I really did smell it.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Camp Abe Lincoln
It was kind of a gloomy day and the kids were extra tired after the busy weekend, but we went to Camp Abe Lincoln anyway. Probably not my best decision this week :) Mackenzie joined us for the afternoon. The kids really were looking forward to the horse back riding. Well, I guess after yesterday the horse back riding came to a halt after the horses became a little disgruntled and started bucking. So yet another hayrack ride, but at least this time the kids got to pick out a pumpkin.
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