Catch Up

Okay, so I haven't blogged in a long time. We have been very busy with Russ' parents' bathroom remodel, having a renter move into our basement for the summer and a nasty sinus infection that lasted for a month. But I wanted to share some of the things that we did last month, even if it is a little bit late. Better late than never, right?

So Mirian turned two last month, and for her birthday, we had an impromptu party. Her birthday was the same day as General Conference, so during the Priesthood session, our nieces and nephews come over and some friends who didn't want to be alone while their husbands were at the meeting. We went from having no party planned to several people over for a little shin dig for Mirian in just one day. It was so fun though to have friends and family want to celebrate with Mirian, and she loved being the center of attention.

Mim's Birthday Cake

Not sure what to think of the Candles

Mirian LOVES kitties!

The next weekend we had a big Carlson family get-together. Our nephew Zachary was baptized and Russ' brothers came from all over to attend the baptism. We had so much fun getting everyone together and Mirian just adores her cousins. We had a two huge Easter egg hunts (thanks Scott and Julie), and we went to Meadowbrook to play mini golf and ride the go-carts. It was so much fun to get to see everyone. We wish we all lived closer.

I found one!

Too Cute!

Having fun at Meadowbrook

Going for a carousel ride

For Easter, our bestest buddies the Divis' came down for our annual Easter get together. Mirian just adored baby Sadie. She kept trying to get toys and blankies for Sadie. Mirian loves babies and couldn't get enough of Sadie. While the Divis' were up, we drove to Seattle to go to IKEA. We had a blast (at least Audra and I did). Then Audra and I drove home with the kids, and Russ and James went to a Mariners game. On Easter Sunday, the kids got to go on an Easter egg hunt in the backyard. I love that Mirian is starting to get into the holidays. She had so much fun looking for eggs, and every time she picked up an egg, she would shake it to make sure there was candy in it. It was so fun!

Mirian's Easter Dress

Yummy Chocolate!

Mirian, Makayla and James Michael on the swingset

Mirian Loves baby Sadie!

The last few weeks we have just been keeping busy trying to get Russ' parents house ready and get our home ready for our renter. Russ' parents got home last Monday at midnight and we are so happy to have them back! They loved every minute of their visit! Mirian is quickly warming up to her grandparents again.

We had our renter move into our basement on Friday. It was kind of a last minute thing. We weren't looking for a renter, but a friend of ours contacted us and asked if we would be willing to rent to her friend's husband. He is a great guy and is doing a pharmacy internship at the Indian Reservation. His housing fell through two weeks ago and was desperate to find a place to live. Since we hardly use the basement anyway, we thought it would be a great opportunity.

So that is what we have been up to. We haven't fallen off the face of the earth. We are happy and we constantly feel so blessed.

Labor Day Fun

Well what a crazy and fun weekend. We had different visitors and some overnighters every day of Labor Day weekend.

On Saturday the evening started off with the visit of our dear friends the Jakemans. We played a lot of games with them when they lived in Yakima, but then they abandoned us to go live in the Tri-Cities. They graced us with their presence on Saturday and we got to meet their new little girl Penelope. How precious she was!!!!!!! We had some pizza from Papa Murphy's and played games. A couple of Alicia's siblings along with the Steve and Erin Lawson also came over to enjoy the Penelope visit/games. Russ' brother Mike and his two kids also came after a day of floating the Yakima River. They were pretty exhausted and pretty much went right to bed after a brief chit chat.

Sunday Morning we went to church with Russ' brother and his kids. We then headed over to have dinner with Russ' siblings (Ron, Mike, and Dave) and their families at Ron's house. It was lots of fun and scrumptious.

Sunday night Devin and Amanda Perkins and David Lawson came over for games. Around 9:30 that evening, Collin and Krystal Hunter and their girl stopped for a pit stop at our place on their way home to Idaho Falls.

The Hunters spent the night and we had a nice breakfast Monday morning. Shortly after the Hunters left, the Mills arrived. We told you about Mirian's shiner during their visit. We also got to play catch and Russ and Dave taught Dave's oldest boy Tanner how to throw a ball.
He was practically an expert after all the professional advice he was given.

Kids swang, threw the ball around, oh and we can't forget the BBQ hamburgers we had for lunch!!!! They were awesome.


After the Mill's took off, we went to have Family Home Evening with Russ' brother Dave and his family. They have 4 sweet little children and another girl on the way. Due to the audience (the kids), the scripture was acted out by the entire group. What a great way to teach the scriptures!!!!! It was wonderful. The evening was capped off with a Wii boxing tournament.

What a weekend!!!!! Exhausting, but oh so fun!!!!!!!

4th of July Weekend

Over the 4th of July weekend we had a Carlson Brothers Family Reunion. Not everyone could make it and we missed them, but those who were able to come had a blast. We went to Tri-Cities on Friday night and checked into our hotel. We had pizza and soda and played games. The 6 brothers that we there and our nephew Matt stayed up until midnight playing Liar (some know it as BS). We had lots of laughs (it was obviously past bed time for a few of us).

On Saturday, some family members went on a hike up Badger Mountain. Overall, it was only about an hour hike but there are great views from the top. After hiking, the group went to the local farmer's market in Pasco. The goal was to find ingredients for a salad for lunch time. There was a competition, but no one knew the rules, it was fun deciding on ingredients while trying to figure out how to win a game and not know the rules.

After the farmer's market we went to Columbia Point Park (right on the Columbia River) and rented jet skiis. It was a blast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We jet skied all day long.

We had a picnic where Emily and our sister-in-law Rachel's combined effort salad won the competition. The only rule was to have the most items from the farmer's market. They had 9 ingredients from the market.

We got plenty of sun and had a great time!!!

Sunday we went to church and took a family photo before going in. Emily was sick Saturday night and Sunday and wasn't able to join us. Sunday afternoon we had another picnic, played games and then watched fireworks from the bank of the Columbia River (they lit the fireworks from a barge in the middle of the river). What a show!!!

Monday we had our final get together before everyone left. We had a lunch picnic and had the Carlson Family Olympics. We divided up in teams and competed in 3 events (frisbee golf, cherry seed spitting for distance, and Soap bubble blowing for distance). How creative!!! Way to go Mike!!!

We love to get together with Family and have a good laugh. Thanks everyone, let's do it again soon!!!

Happy First Birthday Goober!!!!!!

It's really convenient for Russ to remember birthdays for Emily and Mirian as Emily's is on April Fool's Day and Mirian's is the day after Emily's.

Today Mirian turns one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a sweetheart she is!!! We are so grateful for her and the joy and happiness she has brought to our lives. She is just so precious. She will have her daddy wrapped around her little finger.

It's hard to believe that a whole year has gone by since we first held her in our arms!!!! The times have been so wonderful!!! She is getting SOOO big!!!! She has 6 or 7 teeth and we have a hard time keeping track of her as she cruises from room to room.

It's fun to see her smile, and to hear her cheeseball laugh. Unfortunately, she has learned the cheeseball part from her goofy dad. She does "ET phone home" with her daddy-o as they touch fingers. It's fun to watch!!!

We had a party tonight with some family and friends and it was awesome!!!


Mirian we love you so much and are grateful to have you in our lives!!!!!

Love,

Mom and Dad

Trip to Utah

Well we took advantage of the three day weekend for Labor Day and made it into a 5 day weekend. We headed out for Utah on Thursday and are heading home tomorrow morning. We have a lot of family and friends in Utah so sadly, our time was limited with everyone we visited. Here are a few pictures of the people we were able to see.

Russ with Syd and Mirian


Uncle Scott and Mirian


From left to right, Ashley, Aunt Julie (who shares Mirian's birthday with her), Mirian, Amie


From left to right, Matt, Mirian, Ashley, Amie


From left to right from front to back,
Amie, Aunt Julie, Ashley, Emily, Mirian, Jessica,
Russell, Matt, Uncle Scott


From left to right, Aunt Olivia, Mirian, Uncle Scott


All of our family has been so loving to us and Mirian. Russ and Emily have officially become the second most important people in our family of three. Thank you for your love and support.

It was a short weekend, but it was a blast, thanks everyone, we love you and we will miss you.

Wow, we have been super busy . . . . .

So you haven't seen any posts from us in a while because we have been swamped. We will attach a few photos of what has been going on in our lives.

We made the adoption legal. Yay, can you tell Mirian is excited!!!!



We had many friends and family come from near and far
to be with us as we were sealed together for time and all eternity and also blessed Mirian.





We took Mirian swimming for the first time at our favorite
neighbors' house. Bob and Rhinda are awesome.




Russ had a business trip up to Lynden, WA so Em and Mirian joined the journey.
While there we took the ferry and then headed over to Sequim to see good friends from years ago, the Krumbaughs.


Finally, we got to go ice blocking with Steve and Erin and also Josh and Megan (Erin was there in spirit as she had to work). While we iceblocked Franklin Park, Mirian slept.

Naches Blueberry Farm

On Wednesday, Emily and Mirian went to the Naches Blueberry Farm to pick blueberries with Shannon and David and the kids. The farm was so cute and there were rows and rows of blueberry bushes. Within just a short time, Emily had picked over five pounds of blueberries. We have eaten some fresh, but decided to freeze the rest for future baking. If you have never been to the blueberry farm, I highly recommend.


Getting ready to head out to the blueberry farm


Shannon, David and Alex picking berries


Emma picking her berries


5 Lbs worth of blueberries (doesn't look like much)

Baby Sitting

Russ' brother Dave and his wife Shannon just moved to town a few weeks ago. He is a Pediatrician and will start practicing at Yakima Pediatrics the first of August. As part of their move from Pennsylvania, they put some of their things in a storage unit. Today Dave and Shannon went through all the things in the storage unit and reorganized (which also allowed them to find things they were missing from the move). While at the storage unit, Emily got to babysit two of their four children, Emma and Jacob.

They are adorable kids and we just LOVE Emma's red hair. What cute, happy, and fun kids.

Welcome to Yakima Dave and Shannon