PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 9/14/11

Today, mom had her second knee replacement. She just had the first one in May so this was a quick turn around. We waited in the waiting room longer than usual because she stayed in recovery as they got a room ready for her. In this photo, I think we are all getting a little wiped out, loopy and very relieved the surgery had gone well. Now, it's on to the recovery and getting comfortable and back on her feet. The courage, grace and faith she has within is such a gift to us all.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 9/4/11

Today, we, with more than 30 other "Carlson Connection" family members joined together at Grammama and Harvey's new "home" at Sunrise for a family gathering. She hadn't seen the boys in a while so she could hardly believe how much they had grown and in fact, didn't recognize Zach at first. What I did notice is that a lot of Grammama's spunk had returned and she was so so happy to have everyone there. So glad it was such a special time for her. She told me "I'm not going to forget this day" and I'm glad she has something to reflect back onto. I think she and Harvey have made a graceful adjustment to this new life...especially Grammama. Love that my boys really know their great grandmother.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/28/11

Dad had a book signing at "Mountain Books" on Saturday. I was down in the Springs with Nick so Todd, Chris and Zach headed up there with him and mom to be there. It was a small gathering (which you would expect in a mountain town) with Betty Long (talked about in the book) and her family and Norm Meyer as guests. I hated to have to miss it because this whole thing with dads book has just been pretty incredible...the entire process and I love to hear when there are more sales of books. This next week, Tattered Cover is going to start carrying the books and I will be the first on there to check it out (and I may have to buy a copy just to say I did :) ). Todd did a great job taking this photo...I had asked him to take one of him autographing the books and it is exactly what I wanted.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/26/11

Fun photo of me and Heather...

Nick ran over for this photo right before he started his match..

Aidan and Andrew sitting on those hot bleachers. When Nick was playing, Aidan had his fingers crossed and said, "I'm crossing them for good luck...I'm going to cross them until Nick wins"

Cute Emma with her missing teeth...

Nick and his team played in the Air Academy Invitational tournament this weekend in Colorado Springs. Heather, Aidan, Emma and Andrew came to see him play in his first match and it was very special to have them come. I know it meant a lot to Nick and, me too. As a kid, it's nice to know that you've got family support in all you do. The match went into a tie breaker and the rain came so they had to finish that match the next morning, but Uncle Todd went over to the courts as soon as he could hoping to catch Nick playing. It didn't work out, but he did talk to him when Nick was at the hotel. It was nice to spend the evening at Todd and Heather's and hang out with my little brother. Their house is very comfortable to stay in and I even crashed out on their couch before Todd got back. We went out to get something to eat, took Shiner on a walk and watched tv. Just a nice relaxing, fun day all the way around. BTW...Nick and Trevor DID finish their tiebreaker on Saturday morning and WON! I think Aidan crossing his fingers the day before made the difference.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/25/11

How much do I love this quilt? This is a treasure among all treasures. This was in the trunk that Grammama had in her garage and then my mom got it. Within it was this quilt created by my great great Grandmother Beeson. So many questions about it...where did the fabric come from, how long did it take her, who used it? To me, it is a piece of artwork passed on through generations. I'm wondering if she thought that her great great granddaughter would someday have this and be so glad to possess this treasure? Now, I want to find out more about Great Grandmother Beeson and make sure that she was the one who created this beautiful family heirloom.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/24/11

What a fun night last night to meet up with everyone at Celtic Tavern to see our Dreher cousins. Tami and I spent a lot of time with Jann and Elise during a couple of summers and I always look forward to seeing the Kansas Drehers when they come into town. It's special to be able to connect with relatives that you don't see often, but are important in your life now, and in the past. It is also a connection to Grandad Dell and his family. I know he would (and probably was) smiling seeing everyone together including us with our cousins, Spencer, Chris and Andrew. The only one we were missing was Todd :(. I am looking forward to spending time with him this weekend when I'm down in the Springs for Nick's tennis match.

When I was young, Jann and I were often told that we look alike...I always loved that and I still do. She's looking good and she was always extra special to me as she was like my older sister as a child and as I grew up.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/23/11

I think I will aptly title this lovely photo of the three Nelson kids..."The hairflip in stop motion"...a classic photo to save through the ages taken during Dad's 70th birthday party. Our parents should be so proud.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/22/11

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, DAD! 70 years old...wow! We had a fun breakfast at Gunther Toody's to celebrate dad and Elli (turning 4...that's another wow!) and then a party with all 17 of us on Saturday the 23rd. What a way to celebrate an incredible person, man, dad and gRandaddy...so proud to be his daughter...aka "you're a sweetheart." Here's to many more celebrations and happy times.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/13/11

The party is over for Zach turning 12...after having the Bertelsen's over for cake and ice cream, it is officially time for the celebrations to end and to just enjoy being a very cool 12 year old. So nice to sit under our almost finished covered patio and we were really lucky to avoid torrential rain that started up again as they were leaving. The monsoon season is in full force right now with crazy rain, thunder and lightening for the past 5 afternoons. I actually think the weather is a lot like when we were kids.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 6/29/11

Celebrating moms and my birthdays this morning with Grammama and Harvey over at their new "home". So nice that Tami could join us also. For my entire life, Grammama has been there for every birthday and celebration so I'm glad we could continue that this year also. For years, we would go shopping at Loehmann's for my birthday present and then I would come back to their house to share it with Grandad Dell. For our birthdays, we would usually have dinner in their backyard to celebrate me and my mom...fun, special, treasured memories.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 6/24/11

Carly's State gymnastics meet was today and I am so glad I was able to go. She shows a joy and confidence and that was so great to see. In fact, she is joyful and confident and happy in every aspect of her life and is a pleasure to be around all the time. Of course, I am biased because I am her Favorite Aunt Tracy, but all that meet her feel the same way, I know. She did an amazing job today and won 2 medals along with ribbons. Also, this photo of Carly is a spitting image of Tami at that age all the way down to the pigtails, color of hair, eyelashes and overall profile...holy cow. Way to go, Carly D...you worked hard, persevered and focused to prepare yourself for this day. I see many more of these state gymnastics meets in the future...or success in other activities that you find you enjoy. I love you!

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 6/17/11

This was taken at Cherry Hills during Grammama and Grandad Dell's 40th Anniversary party. The skirt outfit I am wearing was purchased on a shopping trip along with Tami with Gmama and GDDell on a day in November. They wanted us to have special new outfits to wear to their party. The dress that Grammama is wearing is now hanging in my closet as we clean out her house. This is not a "perfect" photo...very washed out and fuzzy, however, to me, it tells a huge story. It shows both Grammama and I smiling and really listening to this person talking, it captures a moment in time that I may have not remembered and to me, the lighting, shadows, blur and smiles on our face really make it actually...well...perfect. These are sometimes the very best photos in the world.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 6/15/11

In honor of Father's Day weekend this Sunday, I added this photo to my Facebook profile and my photo of the day for today. When looking through childhood photos, there was never a doubt in my mind from the very beginning that I wasn't loved by my dad, mom and family. I'm not sure everyone has that opportunity and that is just something I am so blessed to have. This reflection photo makes me smile (just about like the smile I have in that photo). Thanks, dad, for the unconditional love, support, laughs, and even tears you have always given me...and that "you're a sweetheart." :)

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 6/12/11

Happy 89th Birthday to Grammama...enjoyed spending time with her, Harvey and my parents this morning at her new "home" at Sunrise.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 6/11/11

Rhubarb Festival 2011...Pine Grove Colorado. Dad and Todd went up today and had the opportunity to share "The Elk Creek Chronicles" with some of the people that live where much of the book takes place. It almost gives me chills, and tears every time I see the book cover and read the stories within this book. I know how much love, care, intent and the craft of history and story telling went into this and I just am so pleased that this has all come to this level.

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 5/22/11

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 5/16/11

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".