Sadie and Tristas Great Great Granddad 1906-2012

Carl O Carlson

born in Sweden (100% Swedish)

1906 - 2012

The girls and I got to see Granddad one last time, the Thursday before TG. Granddad Carlson passed away on Thanksgiving Day. Granddad lived to the ripe young age of 106!! Just four months shy of being 107. I've known him over 18 years. I always enjoyed visiting and talking to him. I remember going to the Cumberland Towers and watching him make peanut butter and homemade bread....and that was when he was over 100 years old.!   So glad the girls were able to know him and spend time with him. He will be missed.

Thanksgiving at Mimi and Papa Toms

New Scooters from Papa Tom and Mimi

Sadie riding all by herself without training wheels

She rode over 1 mile with us!!

Sadie has been riding her bike without training wheels for a while. Since she got it she has not stopped. She rides all over. Seeing how she cant go on the road by herself she has gotten a lot of off road experience. She can even stand up while she pedals.  Trista still loves her hot wheel three wheeler. She shows no interest in learning how to ride her bike without training wheels. No rush  she'll get it when she's ready. This was over TG  at Mimi and Papa Toms place.

We arrived in Chattanooga for TG Wednesday evening, late! The traffic was terrible but we finally got there. Erin, Gavin and the cousins came over the next day. The girls loved playing with their cousins, jumping in the bounce house, funky shaped pancakes made by Papa Tom, park swinging, bike riding, scooter pushing and our COUSINS shirts!!

We had a delicious TG meal complete with Cranberry sauce, stuffing, Turkey(real) and fake(dinner roast..my favorite) mashed potatoes, salad and sweet potatoes with marshmallow. Homemade Pumpkin Pie that Erin made that was delicious. I was proud of myself. Only had one helping and small portions. Friday was started out with the alarm going off at 5am(4am Nash.time) to hit some black friday sales.Later that day mom and papa Tom watched the kids while we went on an 18 mile off road bike ride trail at the VW plant. Really nice ride---a bit excessive riding but after all we were with Gavin who excessive about riding. Burned off all the TG meal from the day before though.We headed home Sat. afternoon. Thank you Mimi and Papa Tom for a wonderful TG, The food was fabulous and your company is always enjoyed!!

Haircut #2 since they were born

I had made an appointment to get my hair cut a couple weeks ago. Trista said she wanted to get her hair cut too. Rather than have the girl who does my hair(too much $$) do her hair I decided we'd go down the road to Super Cuts. We walked into the place, the lady had a super cute animal cape for her to wear, a booster seat ready, a sucker in hand and all of the sudden Trista FROZE. She did not want to get in the chair. So we left! Glad I saved the money cause chris did just as good of a job as she would have. After a summer of pool fun and 2 years since their last haircut they really needed the dry ends cut off. So just a trim it was. I tell them everyday what gorgeous hair they have:) I think they get told everyday we are in public what beautiful hair they have.  People pay big $$$'s to have natural highlights like they do.

My Nude Sun bather

It was a chilly November morning....

I watched her take off her pj's from the kit. window

 My little nudist, Trista

Just basking in the sunshine

Sour Cream Nail Art

There is nothing more frustrating than thinking you are computer literate to feeling completely computer illiterate when trying to upload a video. WHY does it have to be so complicated. At least it seems that way. I have a few videos that I have uploaded to YOUTUBE but cannot seem to figure out how to get them on this blog. My YOUTUBE user name is CarlsonNews2 if you want to view them. I'm still working on it. Just wanted to say that we've had some big accomplishments this month. Sadie has learned to ride her big girl bike without training wheels. I looked out the window one afternoon and there she was riding around all by herself without training wheels. I was so proud of her. She did on her own time and she was SO proud of herself.  Also...they got their bunk beds and Sadie was the first to sleep up top. And a few months ago they decided to take the plunge and start swimming on their own without floaties at the Y pool.

These were random photos I took. I had put sour cream on the side of Trista's plate of beans and rice and this is what she decided to do with it. Not too fond of sour cream I guess. I give her props for getting it so evenly on each finger:)