Foreshadow

In exactly two months I will be in the Sao Paulo CTM, in Brazil, learning to be a missionary.

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

So today was definitely a blast! It being the girls' last day of school, we wanted to do some fun things to make a memory of it. So this is more like a random slideshow because there are so many pictures, but I'll let you know what is going on. 

First off, Congrats to Gitta for making it as the MC for the schools final talent show on the last day of school. That is a big accomplishment to go along with all your other accolades for sure.

I ended up seeing my 6th grade English and Math teachers at Shahala Middle School yesterday, Ms. Williams and Mr. Coon, and they were impressed and shocked to see me and how I have made the decision to go on a 2 year mission for my church to preach the gospel in the Portuguese tongue. I think Ms. Williams even shed a tear when I came up to her and said hello because it had been so long. She was even more shocked that Tripper was going to Peru on a mission, and she said, "I don't think South America is big enough for the both of you!" Haha we'll see :)

Last night I took Brigitta and Gemma to Sheri's Restaurant. Brigitta balked at me becuase she didn't think I could get cell phone pictures onto my blog...muhahhaahah. \

Oh, and after we went to Sheri's restaurant we decided to go into Big Lots, some random store with really low prices. We debated whether Dad would be mad if we got one of those larger swimming pools with his card, and decided he most definitely would be, but I found a pair of pure white crocs...yes crocs, that I happened to like and decided to get them. They are sooo comfortable. So don't knock em' till you've tried them. 

We also got an apple pie at Sheri's to take home! 

When we got home we just were clowning around. 

Did I ever mention Tweed is enormously cute, but impossible to keep still for a picture!! these would be the best pictures if he would just hold still!!

 Finally, he holds still...but I obviously didn't know a picture was being taken haha!

We decided to put in a movie, The Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, which I had never seen, and I let Gemma start building a lego of a huge space shuttle that I had got as a gift not too long ago since she has been hounding me to let her build it! 

She's a very industrious girl, and likes to build things with her hands. 

Group picture...but the aforementioned problem was still relevant and the timed shot only captured a huge blur of love. 

The key to get him to look is to whistle at him. He looks right at you for a split second and tilts his head like a little Ewok on Star Wars. 

. 

This was almost...the best picture ever haha. He looks like a bunny rabbit or a stuffed animal half of the time!

This guy was one of my favorite characters...OH ALSO! The main guy in this movie is the same guy in October Sky! Homer Hickham! How is that possible he was skinny as a brick in the other movie and in this one he is ripped out of his mind! Hollywood magic I guess!

Gitta always wants to take ridiculous pictures. 

Bill Cosby face.

Soon everyone started getting tired...

Gotta keep the ears warm...

For Brigitta, she gets tired after like 10 minutes of ANY MOVIE. Not even kidding. Tweed is asking me why Gitta is out cold...(*High Pitch*) "IS SHE OKAAAYY?"

Cappy came over to join us, but only could look on me with those sad, sad eyes because Tweed had fallen asleep on my side and not him. Poor doggie!

"Oh hey you are actually awake Tweed"

Crazy good at throwing knives!

But before we knew it it was really late!

And Cappy had fallen asleep in a really weird position...he started grunting and twitching, and I think he was in a pretty nasty nightmare, so Gemma and I took the liberty of waking him up before he hurt himself.

Cappy and Gitta: Out Cold

Tweed and Gemma: Night Owls

Yesterday had been an adventure for sure. It was the coveted last day of school for Brigitta and Gemma, so we decided to just have a dandy old time together.

MLS GOAL OF THE YEAR!

Feast your eyes on this beauty!

Doggie Days

Tweed, our dog, would like to welcome you to my latest blog post.

This dog is honestly the epitome of energy and fun. Just look at him! 

I started taking the dogs on daily morning runs, and not just jogs but runs that really help me as well. We sprint up our hill to the top, then run back and forth time after time until I can't go anymore. At the beginning Tweed is so excited I am holding him up by his leash and he is on his hind legs rearing to go. But at the end of the runs, I always have the last laugh...I'm the one pulling them home when they have had enough. 

But honestly, I think my taking them on runs had increased their affection for me...I mean...just look at the way Cappy looks at me...

"Yeah Carson....you really ARE the best friend a dog could have..."

"But seriously.... can I go outside???"

 "Of course you can puppy!!! Because I love you!!"

But eventually throughout the day they get so tired, they can't resist lounging around and taking a nap or six. They sleep all the time so the next day they can have enough energy for me to dominate them again. And I must say, it isn't getting any easier for them the better shape I get into!

Tweed always has energy to gnaw on a bone!

"Carson. Get that out of my face so I can sleep."

"Finally, he's gone..."

I had to take this picture of Tweed from afar because if you get anywhere close to him when he is sleeping...

"OH HEYYYY CARSON!"

Haha, all joking aside, this is my favorite place in the world right now. Nautilus field. Nautilus was an exercise equipment manufacturer that built their headquarters here, but they went out of business and now HP the computer bought out the facilities. They tore down the basketball court and the baseball field, but they left this magnificent turf soccer field. I love it here. A bunch of friends and I come here probably 3-4 times a week to kick the ball around and share good times. 

Another discovery I made this week? 

This exists...

Shredded Wheat as big as my face!! I always thought they never got bigger than the size above mini wheats...but you could fit like 20 mini wheats in each one of these puppies. 

Enjoy your Sunday...day....

I'm READY for Summer

People who don't live in Washington don't understand what it is like waiting for the season of Summer to arrive here. Here are a few words to describe this wait;


Um....


- Agonizing
- Painful
- Tortuous
- Excruciating

But...good news. This weekend it is supposed to break 80 yes 80 degrees here.
You don't understand...that is like the Mojave desert for us, who have suffered TD after TD as I call it (Washingtonspeak TD = Torrential Downpour).

So, I plan to play a lot of soccer, it's how I love to enjoy the weather. I plan to be outside lots, and just flat out embrace it with open arms.

What spurred this desire for the two months out of our year that it is sunny and nice? Well..looking at old pictures of course!

The Mojave Desert? Naaah, thats Florence, Oregon.

The sun will come out...tomorrow...er the day after tomorrow...

 I'm geared up and ready for all sorts of Summer activinys!

Makes you wanna dive right in, huh?

Unfortunately, as Robert Frost says, "Nothing Gold Can Stay". So until the sun stays for good, I'll most likely be making this exasperated face.

Certain things you gotta have with milk...

So I am an avid dairy consumer. That's no secret to those who know me. I absolutely love milk. It is just one of those things that I wouldn't be able to function without. I realized today that when I am eating certain foods, I always, ALWAYS pour a glass of milk with it. Here is a list I compiled as I thought to myself;

- Top Ramen <-- Two summers ago I ate a lot of Top Ramen and always poured a huge glass of milk with it every single time
- Potato Chips
- Oreo Cookies
- Fried Chicken <-- Last night's dinner
- Donuts (Okay, I understand that a lot of the sweeter ones are self explanatory)
- My Dad's Sunday fish dinners <-- If I don't have milk with it, It's not as good
- Mexican food
- Oh...the rice that goes with the Sunday Fish dinners especially
- Barbecue baked beans
- Beef Stew
- Ice Cream makes me want milk more
- Pot roast
- Green Bean Casserole
- Stuffing
- Mashed Potatos
- Quesadilla
- Banana Nutella Sandwiches
- Peanut butter and Honey sandwiches

I also realized a long time ago that if you chew Orbit sweet mint gum and drink milk, it tastes like ice cream in the aftertaste!

So anyways, there you have it. There are definitely more things to this list, but I was just brainstorming. Milk is my favorite drink besides water, and it probably the reason that I have been running bone strong since 2001 when I broke my collarbone in 4th grade playing freeze tag.

Sorry, this is a lame blog post so far, but hey, what can you do when you think of something that you like.

In other news, my Nana from Seattle and sister who is at BYU still came down to the 'Couve to visit over the Memorial Day weekend. We had great fun! We listened to Brigitta sing loud and proud in her "Lean on Me" choir solo, watched Brigitta destroy the competition in track, went to Chipotle for some great burritos (Sorry Nana, but you will just have to come back here if you want another Chipotle burrito! No exceptions!). Also, I went into Starbucks for the first time in my entire life...(I just realized that) to get a pastry with the family. Apparently I have somehow avoided the million and a half starbucks there are in the Pacific Northwest. Tiana and I stayed up late watching some episodes of the mentalist season 1 that I hadn't seen in forever, I played Fifa with Tripper, basketball with Brigitta and amazingly Justin my hombre was here for two days over the weekend and I got to visit with him and eat some delicious desserts that his Marms made on Sunday. She is an amazing dessert chef that is for sure. Yesterday we went on a 5 mile loop hike to see 5 different waterfalls that were absolutely gorgeous, stunning, and amazing at Silver Falls state park in Oregon. I basically lost my camera in one of my jackets for the entire weekend which really stunk except for taking this awesome picture of Brigitta. She got elected to go to districts in 5...yes 5 different events...apparently you are only allowed to do 4. She is quite the athlete!

The hike was awesome, and my friend Tripper and sister Tiana each got a ton of pictures. I will hopefully get some of them soon to show everyone!

But luckily here is a picture on the internet of one of the falls that we saw, South falls. You actually get to hike behind it on that little path you can see! The entire hike was just glorious, and since it has rained pretty much non stop here since last year (exaggeration) the falls were flowing like a monsoon in Vietnam.

Sadly, the festivities are over. I don't get to sleep on the couch downstairs anymore (I loved it while it lasted Nana! My bed just isn't as comfortable!), Tiana flew home today, and its back to life here in Vancouver. Still...exciting! I learn a little bit of Portuguese every day too. So that will help when I leave to hit the field in two months and two weeks and COUNTING!!!

Powerwashing

So basically, I haven't blogged in a really long time haha. I've been really busy doing lots of random things to earn money. But the good thing is that I am earning money! Things like washing my Dad's office windows, cleaning off his roof, rebuilding our gardens, and POWERWASHING.

Powerwashing isn't something to be taken lightly. If you don't have the guts to get mud and moss ALL OVER YOU, I would just stay away. It isn't for everyone, but frankly...I kind of enjoy it. After painting our back deck yesterday morning, I filled the afternoon hours in the beautiful sunshine by powerwashing half of our driveway.

Weapon of choice: DeWalt Powerwasher. Flying the colors of the promised land: America.

I probably should have taken a before picture, but the difference is really quite astounding. It looks really good out there...

Unfortunately...most of the mud was then on my legs. Now that is one good sock tan if I say so myself!! I had to powerwash my shoes just to clean them.

I Love This.

Epic win.

Driving back from college, and I get a text update from ESPN at the end of the 3rd quarter of game 4 between the Blazers and Dallas. 

ESPN NBA - END OF 3RD - DAL 67 POR 49...

Great...this game is over. Nobody ever comes back in the 4th by that much down especially in the playoffs....

Then I got some texts from a few friends...

"Dude...Blazers up with 40 seconds left...BEST COMEBACK EVER..."

No....not possible...

5 minutes later...

ESPN NBA - FINAL - POR 84 DAL 82

Are you kidding me? 

This is why I love the NBA, especially the Portland Trail Blazers. And the guy at Slab Pizza in Provo guaranteed a win because he was wearing his lucky hat. 

Go Blazers. 

(*I am still shocked I missed one of the best games in Blazer history because I was driving somewhere in Idaho, but this highlight film does the final quarter justice I think.) 

Brandon Roy, you are a MONSTER.

I haven't blogged in awhile, but I assure you I will get to it sooner or later. I got a pretty funny story to tell.

My Dad is the MAN

I got a blank text from my Dad today, a few minutes ago actually, while I was studying. I said...

"Blank text?"

Waited a few minutes...

"Good job (responding to an earlier text sent this morning)....sorry, I am at Verizon...thought my phone was broken...but I just didn't hold down the power up button...now I feel stupid."

Dad, don't worry. You were born in a different time. When I am your age, I probably won't know how to turn on the power button to my kids portable hovercraft that drives him to school automatically on auto-pilot. Its all in the cycle of life.

Needless to say, I have the best Dad ever.