bigfunfamily: 2009

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Family Photos

Taking family photos is an annual tradition, albeit a rather painful one. Someday they'll thank me, right? This was definitely not our most successful photo session, but here are the results anyway.

We took ten shots, but the first one of everyone turned out the best. At least everyone was looking at the camera.

Will--soon to be 17

John--soon to be 15

Paul--13

Robert--11

Jacob--9

Sarah--6

Elizabeth--Happy 4th Birthday

David--2

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

This month I had the amazing opportunity to attend Wood Badge. It is a 6-day training course for scout leaders. Our course was split into two weekends (Th-F-S). We slept in tents up at Mutual Dell camp in American Fork Canyon. The participants were divided into patrols of six, each with a Troop Guide.
I had the fortunate experience of being assigned to the Owl Patrol--the best group of men and women you could ever find. We studied together, played together, sang together, ate together, stressed out together, and worked together. We learned first-hand the basics of communication, team development, conflict management, and leadership. In six short days we were transformed from a group of strangers to a group of life-long friends.
I learned a lot about myself during the Wood Badge course--my inadequacies, my strengths, my weaknesses, my fears . . . and that I could rely on the others around me to help. I had never achieved very much success with team-building before. In the past I usually ended up doing most of the work for a project and feeling shafted by the rest of the group. I now have a better understanding of sharing in the process and leading change.
I have a new set of goals to work on during the next year and am excited to accomplish those and receive my Wood Badge beads in August 2010.

The owl patrol preparing for an outdoor project.

Building a water rocket.

Launching the rocket.

The owl patrol with "Woody," the Wood Badge mascot. Left to right: Roger Bell, Hillary Braithwaite, Larry Veenker (troop guide), Chris Dexter, Jeff Cottle, Dennis Moss, and Julia Oldroyd.

In the lodge at Mutual Dell.

Some of the incredible Wood Badge staff, presenting Scoutmaster Dave Harding with the flag used during our course. I can't speak enough praise for this group of amazing people!

Fun in the Fall

Jared, Paul, and Robert had a blast at the Rock Canyon District Fall Camporee. Their troop easily won all of the contests, showing how they work well as a team.

Sarah continues to enjoy her horsemanship lessons in Mapleton.

Below is a photo of Jacob holding a Sofia, Bulgaria mission pin that the mission president gave him. After our Pack Meeting, we noticed there was a Bulgarian mission reunion in the cultural hall, so we decided to see if anyone there knew my parents. The mission president was excited to meet us, since he had been helping my mom and dad prepare to go to Bulgaria (and was transferred home just before my parents got there).

We finally finished the bath tub!! I can hardly get the kids out!

This was one of the best pouts I had seen, so I recorded it for posterity.

The Last Days of Summer

Summer ended with a bang! Actually, it was another trip to the Emergency Room. I know you don't believe it, but it's true!

But first . . .

Elizabeth's new haircut-it finally grew out enough from when she cut it last December!

Sarah loves to climb this tree at her piano teacher's house.

Paul learned to make balloon creations at the Cub Scout leader PowWow (he is a Den Chief) and he invented this monkey with a banana in a tree.

Jared had a business trip to Yellowstone, and he got to take Robert with him. They had a wonderful time.

Will went to Timpview's Homecoming Dance with Lucy (sorry, no photo yet) and it was a blast.

Ta-dah! A broken arm.

Jared and I got a new bed and before we could get it set up, the kids were jumping around on it, wrestling, throwing each other, etc. Elizabeth landed on the bed with her arm twisted underneath her. Jared and I were gone at the time, of course. I didn't know if it was broken for sure or not, but she kept complaining about it, even after I had put her to bed. I just had a bad feeling about it, so I got her up and took her to the Emergency Room. Just before we left, I gave her Tylenol, and by the time we got in to see the doctor, she had no pain. He didn't think it was broken, but after a few x-rays he changed his mind. They put this huge splint on it and told us to call the orthopedic sugeon on Monday (it was Sunday at 1:00 a.m. by then). Fortunately, I knew a good surgeon (thanks to John's accident a few months back). We went to see him the next day and he took off the splint and put her in a little brace.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Elder and Sister Paulson

Mom and Dad entered the Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT on Monday, August 17, 2009. They left for Bulgaria on August 27th. They are currently serving in the mission office in Sofia.

Walking from our house to the MTC. This is the back fence, at the end of our street!

With the grandkids

We made it!

One last hug (or 7 or 8)

Traditional photo op

At the doors

A few hours off on Sunday to come say goodbye! We went up to the temple for some pictures.

I can't remember how to say "Elder" in Bulgarian--something like "Stereszhna"--but "Brother" is pronounced "Brat."

Sister is pronounced, "Sestra." When they arrive in Bulgaria, they will get new tags that have their last names in the Cyrillic alphabet, too.

August

August was a great month. The first week was scout camp and band camp. The second week was band camp and the county fair. The third week, my parents left on their mission to Bulgaria and school started. The fourth week was a flurry of activity.
August was also a sad month. We attended 3 funerals: My cousin (distant) Jeremy Clawson died suddenly at age 36; Matt Bastian (Jared's cousin and friend from high school) lost his father; and Jared's cousin Cathy died after a long illness, also at a young age.