The First Day of School

Can you hear the silence? The only sound is the dryer and the dishwasher. And I started those. I have picked up the kitchen, and it will stay clean all day!!!!! Yeah!!!

Ryan was a trooper and let me take his picture - in front of his new car. Yes, we are now purchasing cast offs from the Linford fleet. This was Steven's car, and it is a GREAT deal for us. He is thrilled to have a car, and I am thrilled to not share my car with him.

Kelsey is going for the grungy rocker girl this year. I really liked it better when she would get all dressed up and accessorized, but if I suggest it she won't do it to spite me. She was up, had herself all ready and no problems this am! Lets hope that continues this year.

Notice her new shoes - they seem a little ugly to me, but I am just old.

And then there was Sophie.

You will notice Sophie is not in jeans and a soccer t-shirt!!!! My big accomplishment. I am hoping she will continue this mode of dress, but I am sure we will return to soccer shirts and jeans real soon.

My babies are in second grade! It is so weird to think they are the babies. I appreciate they went with a coordinated look this year - really that is what each one wanted so it worked for me!

Allie went for the plaid shorts. She was so excited for school this year - she will be exhausted tonight, but oh well. This is why I like only a 1/2 week of school the first week! But, who asked me.

My studious little Caroline. At least, the glasses make her look studious.

Now I just need to prepare for the 20 million forms which will come home tonight... Have we ever heard of one recrord per family at the district? Clearly not.

The Tears Begin

My youngest brother Steven leaves for Sao Paulo, Brazil next Tuesday. He was able to come down and spend one more weekend at Chez Pearson. We had a blast with him - it was crazy with football, soccer, work etc. He and I were able to go to the Houston Temple, so we made time for a little fun.

When it was time to go, Allie started crying a full two hours early! Ever the drama queen. He will be missed, that is for sure!!!

Ryan and Steven will not see each other for three years. When Steven comes home, Ryan will be on his mission. These two were more like brothers than uncle/nephew. Especially when they were little.

Having Stevo leave makes it hit home that my baby boy will be leaving soon. I just don't want to think about it.

Good Luck Steven! Make us proud!

Polygamist No More!

In the chair... Took a while to saw through the hair!




Ready to donate to Locks of Love - 11 inches or so.

Side view of before and after.

Now we have to find a new nickname for Sophie - any suggestions???

Fun, Crazy, Relaxing

How is that for the description of a trip. Five crazy women with five husbands and 23 kids between them headed to San Francisco to enjoy some eating, shopping and female bonding.

I read somewhere, and if I was the internet queen that Sarah is I could find it, that women really need female relationships. Girl time is very beneficial to our overall health and wellness. After last weekend, we should all be very healthy. We laughed, giggled, shopped, ate and talked our way through four days and MANY San Francisco hills.

Since we are all bloggers, here are the links to get the recap of what we did. Sarah, Jane, Heather and Becky. I did not bring a camera because Sarah and Jane were there. They have fancy cameras and they know how to use them. So, you will have to look on their blogs for pics - how is that for passing the buck! Jane is sending us out the pics on CD and I will post some - these were stolen from her blog.

Thanks Potrero Hill gals for the female bonding, fun, craziness and relaxation!

My Baby Is 18!

Happy Birthday Ryan. I am having a really hard time believing this little baby I brought home from the hospital is an almost grown man.

I have spent some time strolling down memory lane, and decided to share Ryan's life with you through pictures - about one per year (lets hope blogger works!)

First Picture. The non-genetic birthmark makes its first appearance.

First Christmas. He was so smiley and cute!

Here he is at one!

His first birthday party!

Here he is age two. This was my first introduction to Gymboree.

Age Three.

Age Four.

He has always been a great big brother! This is when Kelsey was a little one.

He went through this phase where he LOVED this jacket. He wore it all the time - even when he slept! He also LOVED this pooh. He slept with it for years. Circa 1995.

1995 - aren't they cute!

His first kiss! 1996 with Jaclyn Hamm, a family friend.

1996.

1997 with Steven. They were playing with Ryan's Dr. Dreadful. He got it for Christmas and loved it.

Baptism day - 1998. Ryan and Eric at the church.

Grandparents Day, 1999. Ryan and Marilyn, Eric's mom.

1999.

Christmas 2000.

March 2001. At the hospital with the twins. He thought they were pretty cool - at least for a few days.

Learning to rappel at Cub Scout camp, 2001.

2002. He played roller hockey for a few seasons at the YMCA. He even broke his wrist when he got newer, faster roller blades.

2003. Couldn't find a great pic of him for this year. This must have been at one of his award ceremonies at the intermediate school.


His birthday 2004. Notice the cake? That is the one Caroline ate all the frosting off the top of after it was frosted. Nice Caroline!

First day of school, 2005. He no longer likes to have his picture taken. Can you tell?

Joe Dirt. Halloween 2006. This is what living in Tomball, Tx will do to you!

Ski trip with Eric, January 2007. He got to see some Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. That has become a little tradition with them - not the cheerleaders, but the skiing. It is their time away from the girls. When Ryan leaves next year, Eric won't know what to do!

Spring, 2008. Letter Jacket.

Remember his bald head? What can we do about him?

I know I am his mother, but I am so proud of the young man he has become. So Happy Birthday my little baby boy!

Not Much To Say

I know, a miracle. Me with nothing to say. We are just living our life. Working. Swimming. Getting ready for school.

Yes, getting ready for school. School starts 3 weeks from Monday. I am gone the week before school starts on business, and I will be gone part of the week before playing. This leaves us needing to get the school thing done. Shoes, supplies, clothes, etc. etc.

Soccer starts tomorrow. One week of two a days. Football starts the 11th. Two weeks of two a days. Our lazy days of summer are soon over.

The pics are from Megan's wedding last summer. It has almost been a year. Hard to believe.

So there you have it. Nothing new from the Pearson clan. We are going to Austin Pearson's wedding this weekend - he is Eric's brother's youngest son. He is marrying Maren Holyoak from the Tomball Ward. It is nice to have it so close - and we just love the Houston Temple.

What Was Ryan's Eagle Project

I realize I was on my soapbox, and did not clearly outline what he did. If you don't care, click away.

There is a run/bike trail that ran right behind our old house. It is used by the Champions Fit Running Group, as well as tons of others. Eric, Kelsey, Sophie and I also run on it. There were no markers indicating mileage.

For his project he placed markers at each 1/4 mile interval down the trail.

This is what one looks like.

While we were doing it, we had quite a few people stop and make comments about how nice it was. I think it is something that will be used by many people - the Pearson Clan included.

So, now you know! If we can just get all the paperwork done...

Yes, I Am A Nerd

Sunday was a down day - I laid around all day. Did nothing. Tried to recharge my very drained batteries. While flipping through the channels, I come across West Side Story on TCM.

I LOVE West Side Story. I even have the soundtrack - on vinyl. Sophie came down and watched with me. She is not so happy with the ending, but not everything ends happily.

As I think of the music, I think of each song and think that is my favorite. One Hand One Heart. Tonight. The Jets. Gee, Officer Krupke. A Boy Like That... I could go on and on. If you have not seen it - GO AND RENT IT!

I must have stolen the record from my mother - she also loves musical theater. I think of WSS and think it is really the first musical I fell in love with and paved the way for my love of musicals. When I become obsessed with one, I listen over and over. Ask the girls in our soccer carpool who now know all the songs from Wicked.

So, yes I am a nerd. But maybe Sophie can follow in my footsteps and fondly remember watching West Side Story on lazy Sunday with her mom. She already loves Wicked. I can create another generation of nerds - my ultimate goal as a mother!