Kinlee's Solar System Project

Boy, was I thankful for the talented men in family this week!!  I don't do well with projects.  So, the night of the funeral Torey and Ray helped Kinlee with her solar system project.  I thought they were quite the over achievers until I saw some of the insane stuff other parents did for their kids.  At least Kinlee helped with hers, some of the other kids not so much.  But, who am I to judge.

Don't these girls look excited, we should have been making cards or scrapbooking while Kinlee & the boys were working.

Polar Bear - this is Nichole's child that she brought into the family when she married Torey.  He really is a good dog, even though I'm not much of a dog lover, he was very well behaved.  We call him Po for short.

Naomi.  This kid is the smartest kid ever!!  You would just have to meet her to believe it.  She amazed us the whole time she was here with all of her mad skills!!  And look how cute she is too.

Still working and yes, Kinlee did help, she would just put down what she was doing to pose for the picture.

Display day at the school.  All of the parents of the 4th graders were invited to come and look at Everyone's solar systems.  Kinlee's for sure was the best ever!!

Grandpa's funeral - the luncheon

These are all the cousins that were at the funeral.

Front row left to right:  Chantay, Torey, Jill, Brandi, back row left to right, Laina, Ray, Keever, Tatum, Sundi & Blase.  None of Nelda's kids were able to come.

These are all the Youngs, even Mauna was a Young once.

These two are so silly!!  We are hoping that one of these days they grow up. ; )

Cameron & Kinlee.  They were born the same year, he is one of the California cousins and Kinlee loves it when he comes to visit, they have a blast!!

I thought I should put at least one of me.  I decided not to wear my glasses, since I was crying most of the time anyway.  Ray gave the family prayer and wrote an amazing poem for his grandpa that they put on the back of the program.  He is so talented.

Nichole and Jerika.  Nichole is 9 months pregant here.  She was scheduled for a c-section 1 week after the funeral.  She was such a trooper, they had to travel 10 hours round trip to get here.

More cousins & Aunt Joanie.  Joanie was married to Mauna's brother Kail, she is the head of the California crew.  She really struggled after Kail died and I think sometimes her kids raised her more than her raising them.  But, that is just my understanding and opinion.

The happy smiling person is Ray's cousin Brandi.  She works for Alliance Title in Pocatello, and just for the record she is my favorite cousin.  She always has such an amazing positive attitude and she is just really fun to be around.  No offense to the other cousins, because I like them too.

Grandpa's funeral - the cemetary

Tyler & Jerika - we all really struggled at the cemetary.

Sophia & Emma (Ray's cousin Laina's girls) they usually come visit during the summer, so we actually know them pretty well.  We love it when they come.  Kinlee is holding Naomi, Ray's brother's daughter.

Ray's brother Torey on the left, Ray's mom and of course precious Ray.  If you are wondering, they do have different dads, hence the height thing.

Mauna, Granny & Aunt Nelda (Mauna's youngest sister).  She goes by Nelda now, but we called her Aunt Cork forever, and I'm not sure why.  I'm sure it has some store behind it like why Ray was called Skip his whole life and why we called Grandpa Walker Grandpa George.

The Sisters - Peggy Kauer, Becky Swallow, Nelda ?, granny & Mauna.

Ray was Granny's official driver.  We got the drive some of the California girls.  Which was fun, because Ray's cousin Laina kept commenting on how amazing the trees were.  They haven't been in Idaho except for Summer, so they really hadn't seen the trees change colors.  I guess it is something we just take for granted.

Me in the Mountains - and I didn't get hurt

This just goes to show how much I LOVE my Carlson friends!!  I wouldn't go get firewood for anyone else.  And it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  Except for the fact that I ripped a big hole in Rays shirt that I was wearing and another hole in my 1980's sweat pants.  Maybe it is time to retire those pants, who am I kidding, you can't find a good pair of sweats with elastic at the bottom of the legs anymore, I am keeping them.

Here are the chain (saw) gang.  This is pretty much the only picture I took of them, aren't they cute?

Tyler even came with us to help and I must say he was pretty helpful.

This is the most we saw of the girls, escpecially Jerika.  She stayed in the pickup and texted and listened to her ipod.  The only way she would go was if there was cell service.  Kinlee was a big helper though and she didn't complain very much at all, even though it was a very long day.

This was the day after Ray's grandpa died and it was really nice to spend the day as a family with our friends in the great outdoors.  I think it was good for Ray to get away for the day too.  Thanks Carlsons for letting us help!!  We love you guys!

Our Grandpa "GEORGE"

This is Grandpa "George" Walker and our Granny

Grandpa, Gail Walker passed away on Friday, October 15th in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He is Ray's mom's dad and he was Ray's dad too. He was the only father figure that Ray really had in his life. He called all of our kids George since they were little, especially Tyler and so our kids have called him Grandpa George since they were little. We are thankful that he was able to pass quickly, they believe it was a massive heart attack. This picture was taken just a little over a month ago. We were lucky to spend time with them whenever we could. I (Janel) was lucky enough to be at the hospital right after he passed away and the peace there was amazing!! We all know that he ran straight into the arms of his son, Kail, patiently waiting for him on the other side. WE LOVE YOU GRANDPA GEORGE and we will miss you!!

Carlsons continued

Carlsons - Some of my Favorite People

Stay tuned for more pictures of this cute family!!

Kinlee's Granparent Party