Happy 17th Birthday, Max!

Since we couldn’t join you for your birthday we celebrated anyway at Jayni’s request. Of course we had to do it a day early so that you can see this first thing on your birthday! She even asked that I make this for you.

She said I had to make a basketball cake so this was my attempt. We celebrated with pizza for dinner and then had birthday cake.

Tom was a little grumpy so I didn’t want to get his grumpiness in any pictures. Jayni and Mason were more than happy to have their pictures taken though. The kids and I didn’t get out of the house today so please don’t mind their hair.

And for good measure we included some videos!

I’m so glad we have had the opportunity to get to know you! You are a huge part of our family now and we miss you like crazy! You are an amazing person and we’re so proud of all you do (well maybe not all!…like almost letting my son drown) and appreciate your efforts to keep in contact with us. We even kinda like you!

I hope you have a wonderful birthday and have some yummy curry for us! I really wish we could be there!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

The British Are Coming, The British Are Coming

We have had a pretty busy summer and because of this (and my laziness), I've been really bad about keeping up on my blog and reading blogs. So, here I begin with a few posts of what we've been up to this summer.

In mid July we had the opportunity to have Max come all the way from England and stay with us. For those who don't know, Tom was coaching Max while we lived in England and became good friends with him. He came for a week last summer to go to the Big Bend basketball camp shortly after we arrived back.

Max came for about 2 weeks this time and without his parents. While he was here he and Tom were able to go to the Seattle Aquarium and see a Mariners game, attend the Gonzaga basketball camp, and join me at the Chlarson Family Reunion. Tom was in Florida for work while Max was at basketball camp so I picked Max up in Spokane and we headed to Moses Lake for the weekend and he was fortunate enough (or not) to meet my whole family.

Here's Max, Jayni & Mason the day he was returning back to England. I can't believe we didn't take more pictures during his visit. I'm so mad at myself!

While Max was here Jayni and Mason slept in our bedroom with us. The day after Max got here Jayni wanted to take her nap in her bed. I only had her sheets on the bed since she needed her bedspread in our room at night. This is what I saw after she came out from her nap. I was pretty excited to see that she put the top sheet back and positioned her pillow and animals.

Here's Jayni at Gonzaga University while waiting for Max to finish with camp.

We had a great time while Max was here. He was so great with the kids and very helpful. I've missed him being around like no other. It was nice having him to distract the kids during the day and I enjoyed being able to have him around to tease and be goofy with. I hope I didn't bore him to death on the days we just stuck around the house while Tom was working. If I did it was payback for him almost letting Mason drown in our neighbor's pond right before he left. I guess you can't rely on a 16 year old watching your kids while talking to the neighbor girls.

Thanks for coming Max and thank you to Jackie and Ross for allowing him to come! We miss you and look forward to you visiting us again next year!!

A Little of This & That

Future engagement picture? This is Jayni and Hyrum. Hyrum is Tom's best friend from childhood, Chris's son. Does that make sense? I hope so. We were able to see them in Coeur d'Alene at another friend's wedding reception. It's always good to see them! I love Chris's wife, Lisa. She's so down to earth and fun to be with. I love this picture of Jayni. Hyrum and her look so cute!

Shortly after getting back from England, we had a dedication service at my Dad's grave. I'm so glad we were back to be able to attend! A dear man from my Dad's ward, purchased this headstone. Thank you so much!

A few months before leaving England, I had told Tom that I wanted to start saving for a headstone for my Dad. I know other siblings had this intention too. We all are just starting out in becoming responsible adults and taking care of our families that this was something that just had to wait. It was such a blessing that this sweet man gave us, and a burden taken off our shoulders. It also includes my two siblings that have passed away. Their graves have gone even longer without a headstone.

A few weeks after getting back to the States, Max, the kid Tom was coaching in England, came to the little town of Moses Lake. He came to attend the Big Bend Basketball Camp. Tom spent a couple days with Max and his Dad in Seattle and then went to my Mom's house. Jayni, Mason and I drove to my Mom's and we had a nice Sunday dinner together. Max and his Dad tried Root Beer for the first time and thought it tasted like cough syrup. I don't think either of them finished it. We all enjoyed some Guitar Hero together. What a fun game!!

I went back to Moses Lake a few days later so that I could watch Max play. Max is the one in the Lakers top and black and white shorts. He did really well. He's a great basketball player! He wants to come and play here in the States really bad. He's such a nice kid and really cute!

 A lot of great memories came flooding back when I entered the Big Bend gym. It was great to see Coach Hohman and his wife, Susan, and catch up with them. Tom and I are looking forward to attending some Vikings basketball games. I love how Coach Poth coaches! Those games have been the most fun to watch and he's been the best coach Tom has played for.

Bowling with Max!

Jayni has been excited all week for today. Today was the day we went bowling with Max!

Max LOVES basketball. Just as much, if not more than Tom. Can you believe that? Max is such a sweet guy! He's fifteen and Tom has been helping him with basketball.

Tom actually arranged for Max to go to the Big Bend Vikings Basketball Camp in June! So, we'll see him again in Moses Lake!! We arranged for him to stay with my Mom, but his Dad decided to go and wanted to stay in a hotel. Tom's planning a Seattle Mariners game with them. I hope I get to go, too!! Isn't he a cutie!

Max was so sweet to Jayni. I think he helped her more than Tom and I did.

We captured video of Jayni's disappointment after not hitting any pins. She wasn't disappointed for very long though!

The way she reacted to that totally reminded me of something Tom would do after missing a basket or something to do with sports. I loved her tap dancing afterwards! She was doing it all night. She hasn't done it before but I know she saw a little girl doing it on TV, so I guess that's where she got it from.

It was nice to get out of the house and have some fun tonight! After bowling, we came home, bathed the kids, put Mason to bed and had dinner. After dinner, Tom and Max went to have a night out playing video games with some guys from our ward. I got Jayni to bed and decided to take tonight off myself. I haven't had time to post anything or read up on other blogs. Just relaxing!

Hopefully I'll be able to fit in some more blogging before we board the airplane for Washington! I'm not counting on it though. We'll be leaving the house here, at 2 am Thursday, to catch our flight. We won't arrive in Seattle until 7:30 that night! Oh, it will be such a long day. I'm really not looking forward to it!!!!