Ryan Is Gone

At the airport in Houston.

I am sad. We are all sad. Why is it that this is what you want for your son, but it is so dang hard? Here a few pics from his last days...

He had a list of dinners for his last days. These included ribs, papa johns, mexican chef salad and breakfast for dinner. He did not get breakfast for dinner until he got breakfast for breakfast his last day on the way to the airport.

This is the youth from the ward outside the Houston Temple. They had a temple trip and Ryan was able to go and do the baptisms.

One of our last days of dominoes and chocolate chip cookies. He came from behind and won (and believe me we did not let him. we are all a bit competitive!)

Outside the church as we went in for his setting apart - which was a great experience.

My boy is gone and I am sad. I am excited for him. I think he was a little nervous, but I would have been way worse. We are all adjusting to a Ryan free house. Not so fun.

Thanks for picking him up at the airport and taking him to the MTC Meg! To keep up with his mission, go to http://elderpearson.blogspot.com

Go Cougars!

We spent an awesome night in JerryWorld, new Texas Stadium, watching our number 20 ranked BYU Cougars beat the number 3 ranked University of Oklahoma Sooners. Our seats were way high - second row from the top, but we loved it.

Ryan really wanted to see the new stadium, and wanted to spend his last weekend watching football, chillin with family and going to Six Flags.

Our day in pictures:

We arrived very early hoping for some pre-game festivities sponsored by the alumni association. I guess someone would not let them do it - so we walked around and hung out until we could enter Jerry World.

Ryan and Kelsey chillin at the ESPN radio stuff. Not a ton to do, but it was something before we were allowed entrance.

This is from our seats. You can see the players are very small (this was the warmup) but the jumbo tron made it OK.

Everyone before the game.

Seeing the Kenningtons before the game.

This is during the game. Eric was playing with his phone on espn.com harassing OU fans who were also in the stadium on their phones. Have you seen the Verizon commercial where the kids are telling their parents to cool it with the technology - that is very true around here. And he said I was embarrassing because I yelled too much? Hello it is a football game.

Final score a thing of beauty.

After the game looking down. We waited for the drunk OU fans to clear out.

Grandpa and Ryan happy post game showing their BYU pride.

My baby sister Michelle is getting her degree in sports training at BYU. This fall she is assigned to the football team. She wanted to come to the game, and they only brought a few student trainers with them -and she was picked. We had as much fun watching her run around as the team. She was on ESPN. She is famous, what can I say. She had to hold in her celebration until after them game. We ran down to the lower level to say hi - and when she saw me we both yelled (she likes to cheer as well).

Great game, great night!

It's Genetic

Allie was named after her grandfathers - both of whom are named Alan (or Allan as the case may be).  She may look like her Grandpa Pearson, but that girl can sell a load of bull like her Grandpa Linford (and in all fairness I have been accused of having the same trait).

We are working on a project for Grandma Pearson - so if you see this don't say anything to her.  I am pretty sure she has never seen this blog.  Anyway, she needed to write her grandmother a letter telling her how she feels about her.  This is her letter (BTW I know the pic is crooked - I fixed it)

In case you can't read, here it is:

I love you because you are caring and loving and I would do anything to keep you safe because I love you for who you are.  When I see you It warms my heart like a camp fire.  You are 1 in a million and I choose you.  When you go away my heart breaks apart.  Health or vegetables or fruit doesn't keep me going you do.  Without you I wouldn't have this beautiful smile.  Love Allie.

She had no guidance, this is all her!

Fear The Gear

Sophie wears headgear when she plays. I could go into the long explanation, but basically she is small, soccer players get more concussions than football players, and her trainers have told her she has to wear it (thank goodness, because Mom does not know what she is talking about). So we have a new expression in our house - Fear The Gear. It makes her mad, which only adds to the joy.

Some pics from her tournament over the weekend.

And just to prove I am truly a crazy soccer mom, here is a series of pics of a slide tackle. Now, not to brag, but Sophie has an awesome slide tackle - it is always all ball and she has never been called for a foul. So, for your viewing enjoyment:

Just Another Manic Monday

I wish I had something great and wonderful to contribute to the blogosphere. I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off and feel like I am not getting anything done. This repeats day after day. Ryan leaves in 9 days and when I think about it, which I try not to do too often, I get a little sad - OK so a alot sad. I want him to do this. I am so proud of him for doing it. But it really sucks to the be mom. There I said it.

We had a great weekend with cross country, soccer (3 games) and the twins had a stake FIGG activity. We really used and abused the 3rd driver. Those days are coming to an end too soon. We wil be back to divide and conquer.

Kelsey got 7th place at her cross country meet - and she got a trophy. If I was a good mom, I would inset a nice pic of her with her trophy. But I don't have one. And I don't have a camera yet - mine was a victim of the California beach. So instead, I give you a picture of her from her first CC meet that Eric took with his camera phone.

I am so proud of her. She is sticking with it and keeping up - with two a days and seminary. Not to mention school. She did say to me last night that she thinks she is done with high school. That is what 1 week at THS will do for a person! She is doing great.

Happy Hump Day Steveo

Really, his hump day is the 26th or 27th, but since he can only check email on Tuesdays, we are going to pretend he is 1/2 way done with his two year mission. (and since he complained he was forgotten on his birthday...)

Steven is a great kid. He was born after Eric and I were married, which I guess makes Eric more a member of the family than Steven, but I digress.

As the baby of 10 kids, he liked coming here where he could be the eldest. He and Ryan have been buds since they could walk. It will be hard having a three year gap when they will not see each other, but it will be fun to have them both serving at the same time.

Here they are circa 1997 creating treats with Dr. Dreadful.

Steven is a great uncle, and my kids miss him. It was not uncommon to see him covered in kids - much like Blake. All the grandkids love Uncle Steven.


He is living the good life in Brazil - OK he is working hard and doing the Lord's work and for that he is blessed.

We love you Steven! Keep up the good work!

First Day of School -09

No tears here! Working from home is a blessing - 9 months out of the year. Those summer months can be brutal. But today was the blessed back to school day. My camera is broken (sand plus camera don't mix) so I used Sophie's and some things were a little off - OK so maybe it was user error.

The first two left in the dark - well really it is children two and three, but since number one is enjoying his last few days of sleeping for two years, he does not count. Kelsey is a freshman at the HS and Sophie is in 7th grade - year one of Jr High in Tomball ISD.

This is Kelsey's stop taking pictures look.

I ran into one of Sophie's friends mother on the way to the elementary school. She asked if Sophie allowed me to take her picture this morning - I guess it was no for her daughter. I have taken a first day of school pic each year - up to and including Ryan's senior year, so my kids have no option! I am mean like that.

The twins in front of Lakewood Elementary. I am not sure how I feel about my babies starting 3rd grade! Dang that seems so big. They both got excellent teachers, so I know it will be a good year.

Caroline ready to go. Allie's pics did not turn out. Dang.

On the way to school. New backpacks, new shoes, new lunchboxes. You gotta love the first day!

Happy Birthday Dad

My dad turns 29 again today - this will be the 33rd time he has turned 29.

Do you love his gift? All I can say to the Linford's out there is I have set the bar very high with this gift! Yes, in case you are wondering that is a Chia Obama. It is a collector's item. That is what the TV add said, and I believe it.

My dad is wonderful. He is a great example to me in so many areas, not the least of which is patience. I feel very blessed to have him as my dad - and I know my children feel the same way (for him to be their grandfather).

And in celebration of his birthday, I am going to post a youtube video which would make Big Al, as we affectionately refer to him, laugh.

Happy Birthday Blake

Yes, my brother-in-law has the same birthday as my Dad. I think Megan just did not want to have to remember another date.

Blake is a great guy, and great Uncle. The twins have a big crush on him. As a matter of fact they love Megan, but they would push her out of the way to get their hands on Blake.

This is at their wedding - see Caroline is making the move on him!

This is one of my favorite pictures of Blake. It is not uncommon to find all the nieces clamoring for Blake time - and he just sits and lets them crawl all over him. He is a great Uncle and will be a great dad someday.

Happy Birthday Blake!

What Else Do You Do In So Cal?

Go to the beach, of course. But here is the deal with the Pacific Ocean. It is cold. We are wimpy. We swim in the Gulf of Mexico. It is warm. Sophie and the twins were the only ones brave enough to get in the water.

Sophie was working on using a skim board. She used the boogie board. She body surfed. She can't sit still. Ryan, mom, dad, and Kelsey. We are lazy. We would just lay on the beach. And bury Caroline....

Happy Birthday Ryan

I can't believe my baby boy is 19.


This is one of my favorite pictures of Ryan. He was two. I had just discovered Gymboree.

One of his Sr. pics. I am so proud of the young man he has become. I am really going to miss him when he leaves, but we are so proud of his willingness to serve.

I love you boy!

"Scary" Rides

On the scarier rides at Disney, and most theme parks, they take your picture at a scary part - or at the end. They then want to sell you these photos.

Eric wanted to purchase one - this is from our first day. It was our first time on Space Mountain. The look on Allie's face is priceless.

Then Ryan took to posing for the picture - I guess this is what you do when you are there for 5 days. Do you love the pose? He was so proud of his sword. He started taking pictures of the pictures with his camera phone. They are on his facebook. Fun times.