Caroline's Baptism

Caroline's Baptism went very well. We weren't sure it was going to happen when she woke up Thanksgiving morning with a fever, body aches, tummy ache, headache, cough and stuffy nose. Her fever broke Saturday morning and she was running around the house all day, so we decided to go ahead with the baptism. She was the only child in the stake getting baptized so our whole family was able to participate in the program. Collin said the opening prayer, Tom spoke on the Holy Ghost, I spoke on Baptism, Katelynn played the piano and Braeden baptized her.

It was a beautiful meeting and we're so proud of our baby!!

Sweet Caroline.

Caroline and big brother Braeden!!

In their white clothes.

Katelynn practicing before the meeting. I startled her with the camera :)

Caroline and her friends.

Our family

Family with Grandma and Grandpa Bolton

It's Great to be Eight!

My baby girl turned eight-years-old yesterday.

I swear it was yesterday when she looked like this.

I love her toes and her cute little tongue sticking out in the picture:)

Caroline is always full of energy and has crazy ideas.

She's always leading our family into doing some strange

game or activity that she makes up as she goes.

She's always moving and dancing.
She and Braeden have a lot of fun together.

She's always ready with smile:)

She's our fun little party girl who keeps us laughing!

She's smart and sassy,

full of hugs and snuggles,

loves to be a mama's girl,

has dad wrapped around her finger,

and brings us so much joy.

Happy Birthday Caroline!

We love you!!!

Caroline's Ear Piercing Experience

I told both my girls they could get their ears pierced when they turned eight-years-old. I figured by then they were old enough to take care of their ears and might not be as careless with their earrings. I realized the other day that Caroline's 8th birthday was coming up and she had not mentioned earrings at all. So I asked her if she was interested in piercing her ears and she exclaimed, "YES!!" I asked her if she was sure, because she hadn't mentioned it at all. She replied, "Well, you told me I had to wait til I'm eight, so I didn't ask again." That didn't stop Katelynn from asking a thousand times before her eighth birthday!!

We didn't have school yesterday and her birthday is Friday, so we took Caroline to the mall for the ear piercing experience. :)

Caroline's last picture without earrings.

She's sooo excited!

Waiting and watching the lady prepare the piercing gun.

Getting a little nervous.

First ear...... Now she knows it hurts a little for the 2nd ear....

Looking in the mirror at the finished product

and feeling a bit relieved.

HOMECOMING '09

Braeden and KimThe ladies: Elizabeth, Sarah, Danika, Taylor and Kim
The guys: George, Tyler, Braeden, Trevor, Jared and Dylan

Braeden, Trevor and Dylan

Braeden and Kim

Homecoming Braeden's senior year. Wow! I'm feeling old. The kids had a great time. They ate dinner at Jared's house. I was there grilling the steaks. They saw the Ultimate Variety Show at Planet Hollywood, then they went to the dance and then topped the evening off with Cosmic Bowling at Sunset Station. Can you imagine these kids bowling in prom dresses and tux's?!

Happy Birthday/Anniversary!!!

Wedding AnnouncementHaving fun for camera in front of Salt Lake Temple
The wedding party!

Tom loves playing with the kids

A snowman every Christmas...if there's snow

After the trek. Spring Break '09

He was such a cute baby!!!

Opening gifts

Tom turned the big 43 yesterday. We went to dinner on Friday and then to Kohle's to buy much needed shoes and a shirt. Last night we had a family dinner and opened a few gifts. The kids gave him gifts that reflect all the things they steal from their dad, which drives him crazy. Katelynn gave him a pack of gum, which doesn't even come close to repaying all the stolen gum in the past. The boys gave him dress socks because they are always taking his socks and throwing them in their own dirty clothes and then never bothering to wash, fold or return them. And they gave him his own special bottle of water. Tom takes great pride in his water. He freezes it and when it has just the right amount of ice in it somebody (his name starts with a B and rhymes with Aiden) drinks it!! We all got a good laugh. I don't think they will stop with the burglary though.

I also didn't blog about our 20th anniversary last month! September 14th was the big day. I can't believe how quickly time goes by. It seems like we were on our first date just yesterday!

Happy Birthday and Anniversary Honey! You make me laugh, especially on those long days when you unbutton your white shirt and do your best Michael Jackson yell while pulling your shirt off! You give the best family home evening lessons, even though you think your kids are not listening and your wife has dozed off (not so much since the marathon:). You jump in and help out with dinner and cleaning when I'm busy. You know how to deal with the kids, especially pre-teens, when I'm really to lose it. Your Tuesday morning adult religion class gives me the boost I need every week. And you always know what I need (usually a back rub:).

I have a wonderful family and a wonderful life thanks to my amazing husband!

I Love You!!!!

Karsen Mery

www.karsenmery.blogspot.com This blog was created for my cousin's nephew. It's so sad and sweet. Keep them in your prayers. Thanks!

MARATHON!

At the finish line!! Almost there. Please don't puke!!!

At mile 25. I love my family!

In the hotel before the race. I hardly slept that night.

My amazing running buddies hung this before I left

for Utah. I love you Jenna, Tracy and Julie!!

After the race with Katelynn, Collin, dad and Caroline.

Mom and Tom were behind the cameras and Braeden

had to stay in Vegas for club tryouts.

I did it! After months of early morning, dark, cold then extremely HOT, and windy training, it's finally over! It was sooo hard, but amazing. It's a physical, emotional and spiritual experience that words cannot describe. It was so cool and beautiful in Logan. The best part of the race for me was to see my family at mile 25. As soon as I saw them my pace quickened and I started to cry. It's so emotional to see them cheering you on. And then to see them again at the finish line was incredible. I didn't cry at the finish line because I was doing my best not to puke! I became extremely nauseous during the last 100 yards. It took everything I had to keep running to the finish line without throwing up in front of all the cheering spectators. I felt better after finding a tree to collapse under. After lunch and a nap in the car, I was feeling pretty good. My right foot and left achilles have been giving me trouble the past month and they screamed at me during the last half of the marathon. They continue to punish me today, but it was all worth it!

Thanks to all my family and friends who trained with me, gave me advise on injuries (Dr. Jenna), asked me about my Saturday long runs, sent me texts, voice messages, and emails up to the minute I left for the marathon and sent congratulations when it was over. I love you all!!!:) And the biggest thanks to Tom who helped and supported me through it all. I love you honey!!