We Have an Issue With Birthday Cakes Around Here

Once upon a time, Ryan had a birthday.  I made him a chocolate cake with HOMEMADE frosting.  I put it in the fridge to cool since it involved melted chocolate.

We were going to Chili's for dinner, and on the way out the door I noticed chocolate crumbs ALL OVER the floor by the fridge where his cake was cooling.  I opened the door, and this is what I saw

Yes, the top of the cake had all the frosting eaten off of it.  Then Caroline comes around the corner with chocolate all over her face....  Of course, in true Carrie spirit (or is it laziness) we put candles on that bad boy and ate it.

Well, this year for Kelsey's birthday she wanted a cookie cake.  This involved a trip to the mall...  Not my favorite thing to do - but it was her birthday.  So I ordered the cake, and sent Eric to fetch it.  Since it was a surprise, I hid it in my closet. 

We were at Sophie's soccer game.  When we came home to the twins who were in the same position they were in when we left hours ago - planted on the couch with the TV on.  All of a sudden the dog comes running out of my closet with CHOCOLATE ON HIS FACE.  Yes, you guess it.  That *&%%$ dog ate about 1/3-1/2 of Kelsey's darn cookie cake.  This is what remained:

Of course, we cut around the dog chewed on parts, and ate it for dessert.  She still loved it, but it did not last forever like she might have liked.

Moral of the story?  Caroline at 2, and dog at 2, both ruined birthday cakes.....hmm wonder what that means for the future???

TMHS Homecoming 2011

Tomball Memorial High School had it's first homecoming - which really was not homecoming since it is the first year this school has been open.  It was a dance, and it involved mums, garters and all the trappings of homecoming.

Since Sophie is not 16, she could not have a date - even though according to her it is not a date (we are working on her definitions).

She had a soccer game at 4:00, so she did not make it to dinner with her friends, but met them at the dance.  By the time she was ready, it was dark.  That did not make for great pictures, but I tried.

Sophie does not get dressed up very often - she does not wear make-up very often.  When she was all put together, she was beautiful (and not just because I am her mom).

She even wore heels...  And she could walk in them!

Kelsey and Brooklyn were here to see her before she left - they gave her the homecoming stamp of approval!

She had a great time at the dance.  She and her friends went over to one of her guy friends house after and what did Sophie do?  Play soccer....She got home late, and by all accounts it was a great evening.

Next week is Kelsey's un-homecoming homecoming...  More later.

SEVENTEEN!

My baby girl is seventeen!  Don't know how that happened...  But it did.  In true teen-aged spirit, Kelsey spent the whole day away from her family, and with her friends.  She was "surprised" that she did not get her gifts from us until today, Sunday, when we were allowed to spend time with her...

This past year has been one in which I have seen so much growth in Kelsey.  I can see the young woman she is becoming.  Since getting her license and having access to a car, she has embraced this freedom with a vengeance. 

She should think about becoming an attorney - she can certainly argue!  She likes to go head to head with me, and does not understand when I drop the ultimate mom argument, "because I said so!"  She is feisty, independent, and strong-willed.  All of these attributes will serve her well in the future - and all of them keep her on the right path now.

She earned her YW award this year.  The main thing she asked for her birthday was a set of scriptures.  Her faith has grown this year -and it continues to grow.  She questions almost everything, but has faith in the end.  I know her testimony is one she has earned one step at a time.

This is how I will always remember her:

That may be how I forever see her, but this is how the world sees her now:

She is a beautiful young woman.  I am proud of her.  She works hard - both at school and at giving me the reasons why her grades maybe are not the best....  She runs cross country - even though, like me, it does not come easy to her.  She works hard every step and I am so proud of her for that.

When I look at this girl who really looks like a cross between her mother and father, I realize the personality is all me (the good and the bad).  This is not always easy to admit, but it is true.  I am sad her time at home is dwindling down....  The last two years of HS go so fast!  I will just have to enjoy her while I can. 

Happy Birthday to my Kelsey Belsey!

The Boy is Gone Again

It was a quick two weeks at home with Ryan before he headed up to BYU-I for the fall semester.  He did manage to see 2 BYU football games, have lunch with both Allie and Caroline, go to the movies with Caroline, play tennis with Sophie, go to a Tomball HS football game with Kelsey, go see Tomball Memorial band (oh and I guess he watched the football game as well), play games with Allie and do the basic packing and unpacking that is required when you walk away from mission life and into real life.



Allie, Ryan and Caroline at TMHS football game.

 It was nice to spend some time with him.  We hit all his favorite restaurants, including Mel's Diner, and Whataburger.  He got a new phone, and has been easing back into technology.  Funny story that I think shows he was a good missionary (I can brag - it is my blog after all).  I am working with the T-Mobile guy getting his phone, etc, when I hear him talking to the other employee.  Then I hear him testifying that Joseph Smith was a prophet.  That we have prophets today.  He then got a referral for our missionaries.  It was a sweet glimpse into Ryan as Elder Pearson.

I got to fly up to Rexburg with him.  We got to drive through some of his mission - that was fun.  Of course we did not hit Rexburg until Sunday night - and school started on Monday (but according to him it was worth it to see the UT/BYU football game).  I was able to spend a few days and help him get settled.  Then, to be totally honest, he was ready for me to leave.  He was ready to move on and jump into school.  He seems to be enjoying school, and he seems to be having fun (as is evidenced by the picture below which I stole from facebook)

I am glad he is having fun.  I am glad he is adjusting to life post mission.  I am not glad that my family is changing, and I need to figure out how to change with it.  I need to let him be, as I was told by President Pack when he was released, a man.  I need to let him figure life out.  Easier said than done.

I am proud of him, for his service for two years, and how he is adjusting to life now.  I am grateful for his example to his sisters (and maybe even his parents).  Now I just need to let him go......

Watch Out Houston

Kesley passed her driving test.  She is now a licensed driver!

As she drove away, I had that feeling in the pit of my stomach - I remember it with Ryan.  The fear for them while they are gone.  I guess no matter how many children you have, you feel it each time.

I am the most excited I now have someone to go and fetch me my Route 44 when I need it....  Isn't that what kids are for?

First Cross Country Meet of 2011

Kelsey had her first meet last Saturday.  Let me remind everyone the high this day was 109.  Degrees.  We are not Arizona - we don't do 109 easily.

Regardless, she went out and ran.  She finished.  She did great.  She is glad to have that one under her belt.

Some pictures from the meet.



A pre-run hug from dad.



She did great - now on to Week number 2.  And her driving test - which is on Thursday.  Keep your fingers crossed.

He's Home!

Elder Pearson made it home yesterday afternoon - and he is back to being just Ryan Linford Pearson.  He was released last night.  I had my whole family under one roof for the first time in 2 years.  It was great.

We were all at the airport waiting for him - and we had the Brooklyn Bodle, the Gatlins and Nancy Smith join us (Brooke is of course like one of us, and the others both of their sons are currently serving missions and were Ryan's good friends in the Ward).  I turned the photography duties over to Kelsey, and while she missed a few critical pictures, it is all good.

We spotted him.

This is what he could see - besides us waiting for him.



Nancy Smith made this poster for him.

 What we don't have pictures of is the twins taking off and running and jumping into his arms, then Kelsey, then mom, then Sophie and then dad.  All of us standing in a group hug.  ALL of us with tears in our eyes.



The Pearson Clan

We were so grateful my dad made the trip down to see him.  It was great to have him here, and he was able to be there when Ryan was released.



Elder Pearson and the Gatlins



Elder Pearson and Nancy Smith



Kelsey - glad to have her big brother home!



Sophie with Ryan under the sign she made for him!



Caroline and her big brother!



These two are very smiliar...



First stop after getting released?  Lupe Tortilla.



Certificate for two years of service.

 It is great to have him home - even if it is just for a few weeks!

We Are Band Parents

Tomball Memorial High School had their first football game last night.  This is a brand new school.  TMHS has opened with 9th and 10th grade students only. This means that they only have JV football - and a smaller band/drill team/cheerleaders.  The band will play at the JV games.  But that is OK - it is WHY we wanted to open a second high school.

Sophie is our first child who has been in band - both Ryan and Kelsey did choir.  She is now a freshman, and that means marching band.  We had a child play football - well we had a child on the football team.  As we were walking into the game, I turned to Eric and said we are now band parents...  We need to sit by the band!

Sophie had a blast.  I knew the band had fun but I never paid that much attention.  They dance in the stands.  They laugh.  They enjoy the game for reasons other than football.

Of course, I had to embarrass her and take LOTS of pictures.  Here are some of my faves.



On the field before the halftime show began.



Part of drum line - Sophie is the snare on the right.



Playing AND moving...



Exiting field... 



Snare line - there are 3 of them.



Playing in the stands.



Sophie in the stands - does anyone else think she looks like my sister Megan here?



She humored me for about 3 seconds.



Playing for the drill team.



Oh - and there was a football game going on.

  TMHS won.  The band did great - well, I know NOTHING about band, so I think they did great.  Sophie had fun.  This is what being in the marching band is all about!

First Day of School - 2011

August 22, 2011.  The first day of school.  Early morning seminary.  Two different high schools.  2 girls at the intermediate school.  And a quiet house for me...

Kelsey and Sophie had to leave at 5:35 for seminary.  I was out running - selfish I know.  So, the girls had to take their own "first day of school" picture.  Why the kitchen, I don't know.  But, we have documented Kelsey's first day of the 11th grade.



Kelsey First Day of School, 2011

Sophie on her first day of high school.


Sophie first day of school 2011

The twins have moved up to the intermediate school.  I can't believe there is not a single Pearson child at the elementary school, but there is not.



Caroline first day, 2011



Allie first day, 2011



Can you believe how old they look?

 It was nice to get back on a schedule.  It was also nice that the WHOLE house was in bed by 9 PM.  We were tired!  The first week is always a long one.  This week will bring the first football game that will include the marching band, the first cross country meet, and the twins Faith In God meeting.  Nothing like the craziness of Real Life!


I Am Rejuvenated

I had the opportunity to spend a couple of days with friends over the weekend.  It is the annual girls trip, and Becky, Heather, Jane and Sarah did not disappoint.  It was filled with laughs, eating, shopping, talking and just not doing anything. These trips are so therapeutic for me.  It was just what I needed as I am prepping for the next couple of weeks.  Some pictures from the trip.


Becky, Carrie, Sarah, Jane and Heather



Gotta love the food carts....



Really???? 


Thanks for the photos Jane -and thanks to all for another great relaxing trip!

14 days until Ryan comes home, but who is counting?

Summer Is Over

Where has the time gone?  Didn't school just end?  That is what it feels like.  I feel like we did not really do anything this summer - but then I think about what we did accomplish. (Maybe not so much accomplish, as particpate...)


Lakewood Ward Girl's Camp 2011



Kelsey, Jordyn and Sophie at Jordyn's graduation - June 2011

Time with cousins - including our new cute cousin Lucas.




Sophie, Shelby, Kelsey and Jenna June 2011.



Sophie and Lucas, June 2011.

And a July 4th Fun Run which Eric was taking really serious...  Too bad he did not have any competition.  It was fun for Eric, Catherine and Sophie to run.



Getting ready to run - July 2011.

 This will always be the summer Sophie grew taller than Kelsey, and Caroline ALMOST grew taller than Kelsey...

I am not sure why, but my lately my camera seems to have a lot of "photo shoot" pictures on it....  not taken by me, I might add...



I don't even know.....

Both Kelsey and Sophie went to EFY in Provo - Sophie went with Rachel, and Kelsey with Kim.  Both LOVED it. 


Fun Times over...We are back in the swing of activities - soccer practice, cross country practice, and this year we have added marching band.....  One week left until the real fun begins - early morning seminary, the big "intermediate school", football games, cross country meets, soccer games....  and the beat goes on.

And, in the world of Kelsey, 18 more days until she takes her driving test.  Let's keep our fingers crossed - she has to learn to parallel park the Yukon.....

Why does the last week always have to be filled with crazy shopping, preparing, and general energy draining activities which make me question my choice of motherhood?  Don't know, but it does.  And this year will be no exception.  So, let the "week before school" preparations begin!