PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/31/11

Beautiful irises as I drive into the garage. They are in full bloom right now and so pretty. These came from Dawn's yard and although they have a relatively short bloom time, they are such a touch of color that you can get like no other. Definitely a late spring favorite.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/30/11

Grammama knew that I would be over to visit and was pleased to see me as I saw her, but when the boys started walking in individually, I truly saw a look of almost overwhelming joy as she said each of their names and then hugged each one. I don't even think she was aware of it, herself, but she could not contain her happiness in seeing them. We all sat on the floor while she and Harvey chatted with us for a little while and then she was off to have her hair done at the beauty parlor at "Sunrise"...their new home. While it is quite an adjustment and is not "home", I think they will find a comfortable lifestyle there. I was just so happy to see her running around with her walker and being "well" instead of rehab or a hospital. What a pretty color she had on and looked so nice with her scarf on. For me, it was a happy Memorial Day moment.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/29/11

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: It is a time to remember those who have fought for all of us, past and present. I learned yesterday that Memorial Day began during the Civil War. It is a time for us to reflect, remember and appreciate. I always think of Grandad Dell on this day and the sacrifice and (and my grandmother and even my mom) made during that time. This picture is quite poignant...a newly married couple, ready to take on the world and a mom getting ready to send her son off to war. Nana's boys all were in WWII and miraculously, they all came home alive. I really think that my grandfather saw the most and really was in the trenches (literally). He never talked much about it and I think it was just too painful. My grandmother struggles with talking about it and I think she knew of things that happened that were too horrendous to discuss. I am thankful for these photos and found some more photos of Grandad Dell while he was at war while cleaning out Grammama's house so I will look forward to getting to make copies and learn more and continue to tell the stories to my kids...we don't want to ever forget.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/28/11

Carly and Elli...so glad to see these girls today. Both are so full of life and a sparkle that just can't help but make you smile. Elli asked "when can I spend time with Tracy just by myself" which made me smile and when I asked Carly if she would like to do that sometime soon, too, she said "yes" very quickly so hopefully, we can find a time this summer to do just that. Individual time with any child is really important and it's so vital for kids to know there are people in their lives other than their parents that will also love them unconditionally and be there for them at any time. We are very lucky to have an extended family where that is never questioned. So, Carly and Elli, you made me smile and it was so good to see you...the book is most certainly right..."A Little Girls is Something Special to Love" and I most certainly LOVE YOU!

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/27/11

FINAL FIELD DAY 2011: The weather was perfect...not too hot like it had been previous years and no rain. We were lucky because many other schools had there's cancelled because of this crazy May weather we have had. Zach had said for me to come watch right at the beginning and stay until about lunch. I was very pleased he would want me there and I watched all of his events including a couple after lunch. I remember his very first field day as a kindergartener. It was not a huge success. They had found a frog and the teacher made them put it back and that kinda turned his mood for the rest of the day. He must've been tired or didn't feel good either because he came home and fell asleep on me for almost 3 hours. I remember that vividly because I think that was about the very last time he ever did that. I held him on the couch and wanted to just enjoy the moment because it didn't happen very often.

Yesterday was fun and Zach is very athletic. With only 10 boys in the class, they did lose the tug of war against the girls, but he did very well and more than anything, I was just feeling very lucky that I could be there cheering him on.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/26/11

FIELD DAY 2004: This was the final field day that all three boys were in...Nick in 6th grade, Chris in 3rd grade and Zach in 1st grade. Tomorrow is Zach's final field day...and they now call it "Fun and Fitness Day" which makes it not quite as "fun" as Saddle Ranch's old days. I will be there cheering Zach on. It's one of those moments that was once a "beginning" and is now coming to an "end."

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/25/11

Finally, a beautiful, sunny May afternoon. After over 5 inches of rain this past month, it is so nice to be able to be outside by the waterfall and see the flowers popping up all around our backyard. I think the backyard is Christopher's favorite place to be. He spends a lot of time out there and is hoping that a garter snake will move in amongst the rocks. I, on the other hand, hope beyond hope that it doesn't. I do love that Chris can climb our willow tree that started out as a single small branch. I don't know anyone that loves to climb trees more than that kid.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/24/11

As if 11:15 this morning, I am now the proud mom of two ThunderRidge highschool students...a senior and a freshman. It just came to my realization (well, I knew but hadn't thought so much about it) that Nick will finish up his highschool career with Chris right there with him. It has been a long time that they have been in the same school together and the thought of that just makes me happy. Nick brought Chris home from school today and I anticipate fun times ahead for the boys this summer. Hang in there Zach...only a few more days filled with field day (or "Fun and Fitness Day" as they call it and we think that is a dumb name), fun field trips and a final continuation ceremony in which I am sure to cry at. Nick had his best semester yet in highschool and Chris finished up extraordinarily well. Now, as I sang this to them as they came downstairs this morning..."SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER"

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/23/11

FIRST GRADE FIELD TRIP TO 4 MILE HISTORICAL PARK (details to follow)...it was a special day with Zachy and I want to remember that as he gets ready to finish his elementary school days...so I'll be back to "remember"

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/22/11

YOU KNOW YOU ARE LOVED WHEN: You go down to your grandmother's basement and find that she has saved all of your posters you have made her since you were a little girl. Memories are found within all of those and am so thankful for her caring and appreciating them so much. What a treasure to find...those are the 'THINGS' that really matter the most and knowing that you are loved.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/21/11

Finally, a day without a downpour and time to start planting the flowers we started buying last weekend when the rain started. Woo HOO! Thanks to Todd for doing the grunt work while I directed from the step. It has been a great day and looking forward to working on our yard more tomorrow. As a neighbor walked by, she said "you know you have one of the best yards in the whole neighborhood." with a big smile...now that is such a great compliment and made both Todd and I very pleased.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/20/11

Very fun lunch with Annie, Nelson and Greg to start planning our annual WRHS mini reunion. Since we missed our photo op during our last lunch, Annie and I made up for that as we were driving out of the area. Looking forward to July 16 for our gathering.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/19/11

Rain drops keep falling on our heads...drenching us, infact. We have had a very rainy May and today has been no exception. Along with the lightening dismissal for Zach where I had to go in to pick him up, Chris ran out through hail falling on him and now, the dark skies still remain. This is a view from Nick's window. The pool is to open for the summer in 2 days, but seeing the steam rising above it would make one think it was still wintertime....brrr! Looking forward to sunny skies and time with the boys and family and friends. Today was Nick's last day of school before finals begin tomorrow. :)

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/18/11

Reflecting back on these photos taken on Mother's Day...I loved that the waterfall was going, that we were home all together and that I got to be these 3 boys mom...I can't believe that they are 17, 14, 11 and they are getting so tall and so very handsome. I would like to go back and pull photos similar to this from past years and may do that later. They have all 3 grown up so much in the past year holy cow! Thanks for letting me take these photos, guys!

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/17/11

Loved spending time with Nicky T today...he didn't have school because it was TR graduation so we went over to visit mom at rehab, did some shopping at Kohl's and then had lunch at REd Robin. I know that next year, it will be time for him to graduate, but for now, I'm going to enjoy every moment I can with this amazing kid and appreciate this time as well as enjoy where he is in his life right now.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/16/11

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/15/11

SURVIVOR SEASON FINALE...in honor of this, we fed the boys 1/4 cup of rice for dinner tonight. Of course, we had more dinner after this, but it did surprise them for a few minutes and they didn't "get it" at first. Also, Celebrity Apprentice finale tonight. Had to pick one to watch later on the DVR so we chose that one.

OUR PICS FOR ULTIMATE SURVIVOR:
TODD: Matt
TRACY: Matt
NICK: Rob
CHRIS: Mike
ZACH: Rob

OUR PICS FOR CELEBRITY APPRENTICE:
TODD: John Rich
TRACY: John Rich
NICK: John Rich
CHRIS: John Rich
ZACH: Lil' John

These have been documented at 6:56 pm 4 minutes til it all begins...

FINAL UPDATE IN REGARDS TO THESE SHOWS:
WINNER OF SURVIVOR: ROB
WINNER OF CELEBRITY APPRENTICE: JOHN RICH

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/14/11

Rain and freezing cold...but that didn't stop Zach from playing a great final soccer game of the season. I guess the score was 0-1 but the only goal was scored by the other team in the first 30 seconds of the game and I didn't see it so, under "Tracy Rules", it didn't count...thus a TIE! :)

Zach played incredibly and was in every bit of action...so much into the action that he was called for "tackling" 3 times (although there was the kid on the other team that could've been called just as easily...in my motherly opinion). He is a great leader on the field and he has so much fun with some of the kids on the team....the ones that he has known through the years. Those "core players" really care about eachother and play well and that is the best part of it all. Gotta go through the over 100 photos I took of him along with his brothers as spectators and pick some more favorites. Even though the weather was bad, Zach wanted his brothers at his game and they both came and cheered him on....Chris from the top of a tree branch :). Very proud of The Cobras on another season and Zach has played every single season now since the spring of 2005.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/13/11

SUNSHINE! We all noticed the difference of having the sun out all day today after 2 days of rain and even some snow. Chris always loves to get outside and just spend time there and Mocha...well, it's pretty obvious...loves the water. I caught him midway through his "drink" and mucking around in the water. He puts all four legs in and splashes and dunks his head in and then he turns around, shakes it off and looks so happy.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/12/11

It's the beginning of the end...end of the school year, that is. Chris got to turn in his books today and the final weeks are in progress. This year is the fastest one so far and I'm looking forward to summertime with these guys and want that time to go more slowly. Goodbye to Algebra, English and US History...new books will be back soon enough.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/11/11

SNOWY COLD DAY ON 5/11/11...nothing about Colorado weather should surprise us. It started raining last night and it has been a rain/snow mix all day long with the high of 39 degrees so far. What is a bummer is that Chris was supposed to go to the Rockies game with his Dimensions in Literature class today and the game was postponed until tomorrow and their field trip was completely cancelled. Because of that, I wanted to at least give him some sort of cozy treat after school, thus, the hot chocolate with extra marshmallows and mint milano cookies which are his favorites. Nick enjoyed this treat also and I'll have it ready for Zach when he gets home. The saying is "when life gives you lemons...make lemonade" but in this case, "when life cancels your plans...make hot chocolate and eat cookies."

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/10/11

You know it's almost summer when the waterfall is cleaned out, the water is running and I can leave my window open just a little bit to hear the waterfall all night long. Perfection!

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/9/11

Driving home down Wildcat Reserve...I noticed the beautiful clouds and the bright sun. That was the initial photo I was hoping to get, but I like this photo in that it shows "traffic" driving to their destination and the street lights ahead...a fun, random, life right now photo. The wind was blowing like crazy and it almost felt like all of our cars could have tipped to the side.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/8/11

What a nice Mother's Day...in the end, we ate dinner at REd Robin and had a really nice time. We then came home and played family kickball and watched "Celebrity Apprentice." The day started with Nick over with Grandaddy as Gram Gram is recovering in the hospital after knee replacement. While Todd, Chris and Zach finished getting the waterfall ready for spring, I went over to visit my mom and then Nick and I came home and I colored my hair (gotta get rid of those gray hairs and dark roots) and then relaxed in the backyard listening to that beautiful sound of the waterfall. I am so blessed to be these boys mom and there is nothing I love more in this life. On this day, I also reflect on my mom and how amazing she has always been...no more so than now as she shows strength, courage and grace as she begins the long recovery process after knee replacement. Thank you mom!

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/7/11

IT'S HERE! The books came in early in the week, but yesterday was my first day to actually see the finished book LIVE AND IN PERSON! It looks incredible and I just can't wait to sit back and read it straight through. Now, all I have to do is get the author to autograph my copy. Have great ideas for marketing and getting it out there so hopefully, I can work on that more next week...stay tuned!

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/6/11

WAITING...waiting for my moms knee replacement surgery to be over. The "update screen" never changed so we really never knew what the scoop was. We had our own little section in the waiting room for "Team Support Dianne"...dad, Tami, Todd, me, Sue and Virg...with numerous people praying for her and waiting to hear the updates. It's amazing how many people care for her and ultimately, for us. She is an amazing mom and person and probably the strongest person I know. We heard from her doctor that her surgery was successful, she did well with anesthesia, the knee went in well, the bone around it was strong and they got rid of the cyst the size of a golf ball that flared up this past fall. When she got to her room, the first few hours were rough with nausea and low heart rate and the buzzer going off all the time, but after her blood transfusion and actually getting sick, somehow, it turned around. What started out as I was going to spend the night ended up with me leaving around 7:30 to come home. Just talked to the nurse and she did have a pretty good night and was in some pain and given some pain pills just a little while ago. Can't wait to go spend the day with her today and watch the Kentucky Derby. I think today will be a rough one for her with pain, having to become mobile and not feeling great, but she'll do it, and "TSD" will be there all the way....she always has been for us.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/5/11

4 more weeks of having an elementary school kiddo...4 more weeks...after over 13 years, this will be such a strange feeling and I am finding that it is making me very sad. I love how I have the extra time in the morning with Zach and then I watch him cross the street and head off for his day. I know that times will change and he will have a hard time getting up so early. It will all be good, but I never want to forget this time with him and all the boys...it just goes way too fast.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/4/11

Mother's Day is quickly approaching and I enjoy being able to look back on "old photos" and see these 3 faces with me. With the recent happenings with Grammama, I have had a lot of time to think about the legacy and strength of the Carlson family.

I also have remembered my Gram very much during this time. I remember her has a very spunky, fun lady who had a little voice with the best giggle in the world. I remember calling her the evening that President Carter was elected President (she couldn't stand him). I remember when I learned the French word for flower..."fleur" and then called to tell her. I remember their phone number at Windsor Gardens 343-6868. I remember the chair that she sat in at her house that would spin and tip back. I remember her dressed up in her beautiful blue long dress for Grandad Walt and Gram's 60th Wedding Anniversary. I remember riding up to Fort Collins in the back seat with her and Grammama for a family gathering and she calling me "Foxy Lady" ("foxy" was on the shirt I was wearing). I remember the phone ringing on a Sunday September early evening and hearing that she had died. I remember no knowing what to think at that time. I remember going to school the next day and feeling like my teacher should care more. I remember going to her funeral...the first funeral I had ever gone to...looking at her lying in her casket so still and wearing that blue dress. I remember my great grandmother "Gram".

Grandpa's 100th Birthday...today

Today, May 3, would have been Grandpa's 100th birthday. Dad wrote a tribute/ memory/journal entry today and then sent it to us. It was such a well written and special text to read and I appreciate seeing my dads feelings reflect memories of his dad. While Grandpa and I didn't have a close relationship, I do know that he loved us, he was a good dad and was an important person in the direction of my dads life...and that, in itself is cause for pause and memory reflection. This particular photo is an alltime favorite and I love that he was just sitting his his little boy in the sunshine at the farm with their dog alongside. So...Grandpa...I love you, and miss you and remember many things...and I smile when I do that.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/3/11

This is a pretty perfect haircut...it's shorter in the way back and is a bob with an a-line effect ...love it. Vicki did a great job and even cooperated with my silly request for our mirror photo.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/2/11

The papers are saying "Osama Bin Laden is DEAD"...very dramatic and in a "normal" situation, it would be a terrifying headling, but today, we are all rejoicing, for lack of a better word, in the death of this monster who orchestrated the 9/11 Terror Attacks and continued to haunt the United States and are allies. Amazing military actions took him out. As we watched "Celebrity Apprentice" on tv, all 5 of us were around the television when we heard that President Obama would have a news conference...very strange for a Sunday night. We soon realized that it was because of this news and we waited to hear the actual words that Bin Laden was killed by the US. I cannot lie...all 5 of us were a little in shock and were celebrating the news...a strange reaction in any other circumstance. Today, Zach and I, who were together the morning of 9/11, hung up our flag and are flying it proudly...PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN is certainly the way we feel.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/1/11

Happy May Day! I was taken aback when I received these photos in my inbox from my cousin, Pat. Chris and I were looking at the photo and didn't know who that girl was in the left hand corner...after lookign a little closer, we realized it was me. I recognized the chair we were sitting in and knew it was at Gram and Grandad Walt's house and saw my cousin, Bobbe. We were all there to celebrate my great grandparents 60th wedding anniversary. Tami and I had rollers in our hair all day long and I remember being at the party with so many of their friends and family. We went back to their apartment afterwards and it is ever so apparent, we loved being with our older cousins who lived in Reno, Nevada. Looking at these photos takes me back to that time. I can recognize the inside of their apartment and feel like I could walk in and know right where to be. With all the changes going on with Grammama right now and her moving to assisted living from her home, it is so nice to see these and be thankful for an extended family that truly cares and shares.