Kids

There are so many pictures from the wedding to share with you all, so I have decided to do them in small amounts with specific themes. This way hopefully no one gets burnt out on our wedding, and I can keep reliving my most favorite day ever! Here is a collection of the beautiful children who attended our wedding.

Morgan: belongs to Dalan's cousins Mindy and Randy

Ellie: belongs to our friends Hilary and Greg

Annie: also belongs to Hilary and Greg

Olivia: belongs to our friends Crissy and Oliver

Gracyn: belongs to our friend Cyndee

Burn baby, burn!

Two and half weeks ago, I burned my hand while getting a green bean casserole out of the oven. I did not even want to make the stupid casserole. It was for work, and they put up the sign up sheet while I was out with the kidney stones. Everyone had already signed up for the super easy things (cups, napkins, rolls) or the fun things (dessert) by the time I returned to work on Monday. So, I got stuck with a casserole. I know, I know a green bean casserole is simple to prepare and cook, but I wanted to run to the store and buy some rolls and be done with it, not run to the store buy the ingredients and still have to come home and cook. Well, I was being lazy when it came time to pull the casserole out of the over and did not pull the rack out. I burned my hand and it hurt like the dickens.

I am pretty sure it is/was infected. I did several "surgeries" on it with my special mix of neosporin and hydrogen-peroxide, but it never seemed that effective. Usually my surgeries are the best. I once healed Ali's impetigo with my surgical skills, but this time not so much. I have tried covering and not covering it. Nothing has seemed to work, and it still has not healed all the way. In case you were terribly interested here are the pictures of the progression of the healing process.

Day One. OUCH...I am burned!

Day Eight....still green, full of puss, and red all over.

Day 15.....looking a little better. Still red all over, but not so infected looking.

Day 21...still really red around the edges. Does anyone have any suggestions or is too late for my little hand?

Feliz Navidad

Dalan and I had a wonderful day on Christmas, and a very fun long weekend together. Christmas started out with a blizzard for us, and ended the same way. West Jordan ended up getting 12 inches by noon on Christmas day while most of the valley just got rain in the morning, and then got about 9 more inches that evening when the entire valley was hit by a ginormous storm.

Despite the storms, we had an incredible time celebrating the holiday with our families. We got up early and went to my parents' to open gifts from Santa and one another. We also had breakfast there. Everyone was overly generous and thoughtful with their gifts. It was a little overwhelming. Then, we got to go home and rest. It was the first time in years that I got to take a Christmas Day nap, and it was spectacular! In the later afternoon, we headed over to Dalan's parents for dinner and gifts. Again, we were overwhelmed with how thoughtful and generous everyone was, especially after having a wedding just two months ago! We had a yummy dinner and got to visit with some of Dalan's cousins. That evening we went to my Nana's for some Christmas games. We had a white elephant gift exchange, which was hilarious. I think I may have brought the best "gift" of all.....left over wedding stationary and other odds and ends! Santa also visited us there, and I got some very nice bath and body stuff, and Dalan got a Nerf dart gun, that he has played with non-stop....yes, he is turning 30 in two months.

Here are some pictures of us going through and trying out all our new loot!

Piper working on her giant candy cane shaped raw-hide.

Dalan showing off his new knives, and his super chopping action!

Dalan's super growing Army man. He is already like ten times his original size!

My snugglie! It is incredibly warm...and makes me look slightly like a jedi warrior!

My new back stratcher...this gift is really for Dalan and me..... so I can relieve my back itch on my own and not annoy him with my constant requests. Sorry this one is so dark. My head is blocking the light!

Dalan and his nerf gun....see all the Christmas mess around him...I can only imagine what out house will look like once we have babies!

Christmas Eve at the Carlson's

Christmas Eve was spent with my parents this year. We had a yummy shrimp (steak for Dalan) dinner, and then my aunt, uncle, and Nana came over for some holiday visiting. Nghia stopped by as well. After all the visitors left, we opened our new jammies, and went out side to spread oats and glitter so Santa and his reindeers could find the house. Piper even got new jammies this year.

I know I have been posting more pictures than actual blogs, but that is how I am rolling this holiday season. Here are some pictures from Christmas Eve at my parents' house.




We had quite the time getting the timer set and then squeezing us all into one photo, but I think it turned out awesome. Except my big head is blocking Dalan.....damn my big headedness!

Santa Claus is coming to town.

In honor of the big guy, who will be venturing down chimney's before we know it, I thought I would post Piper's pictures with Father Christmas through the years. Like many of us, you can witness Piper going from super skinny in her younger days to a little more robust in this year's picture. You can't judge a girl for putting on a few extra pounds later in life, now can you?

2005

2006

2007

2008

And finally, Piper wearing her own little Santa suit.
She is one festive dog!

Baked Goods Christmas

Dalan and I decided to bake some Christmas goodies this year. We spent some of the day on Saturday baking, and most of the afternoon today. The house smells so deliciously yummy right now. You should be here. I will not need to eat dinner tonight due to all my sampling of the treats. (You have to make sure things turned out all right, don't you?) I took pictures of some of the items we baked, and I am by no means a food photographer, but I am proud of all our hard work!

Christmas sugar cookies with sprinkles.

Dalan's family recipe for buckeyes. (Go Ohio State!)

Seriously, would it really be Christmas without fudge?

Peanut Brittle....my great aunt Elaine makes the best peanut brittle....but we gave it a whirl anyway knowing we would have tough competition.

Red velvet whoopie pies. I found this recipe in a magazine. They are very rich and yummy!

Oh, and I got my car back from being repaired today! I am so happy, no more driving around that ridiculous PT Cruiser wanna-be thing anymore! Also, finished my Christmas shopping finally today. I had just a few odds and ends to buy, and I found them all at Target, the greatest store in all the land.

A gift in the mail....

We received our wedding photo C.D. in the mail yesterday, but neglected to get the mail until today. Here is just a very small sampling of some the many, many (500 plus) pictures of the greatest day.....EVER!

Brrrrrr.....it's cold in here!

Today we were hit with a huge snow storm. It made the already cold weather seem even colder. After braving the elements to use the restroom, Piper totally had the right idea on how to get warm. She looks so peaceful, like a miniature, little Buddha!

Santa pictures all around!

I love to get pictures with Santa....you are never too old or too canine to sit on Santa's lap, in my opinion. Here are 2008's Santa pictures!

Cole, Ali, Jessi, and Santa. A Carlson Christmas. This may be the first picture ever with all three siblings on Santa's lap. Patti is checking the archives. We went to the mall together, and then presented this picture to our parents last night. Awe! Aren't we adorable?

Here is Piper Jean Carsellers on Santa's lap at the Utah Humane Society. They take the best pictures, and every year use a variety of tricks to make sure her ears are up. This year the doorbell worked just fine!

Here is Griffin, one of our dog nephews, on Santa's lap....ok, next to Santa's lap. For some reason, Santa was not down with 112 pound dog on his lap. Go figure. Griffin posed perfectly and even wore his reindeer ears. What a sport.

Here is Sir Winston Little, our other dog nephew, on Santa's lap. Look at that tongue! I apologize for cropping part of VaRonica's face out of the picture. I just got a new scanner. What a cute Little family!

Diet Coke Watch Day 14

I have not had a diet coke for 14 straight days, and I have hated every minute of it. Although, I will admit the last two days have not been as bad as some of the previous days. I even refrained when all my friends were having diet cokes and rum at our Christmas party last weekend. I vow to remain diet coke free until the year's end, because Patti is going to buy me this shirt if I continue to abstain. And then I plan on starting to drink it again, but in moderation and with a healthy balance of water and lemonade. I know, I know....I sound just like any other addict. "I can be diet coke (alcohol, heroin, etc) free when I want , I did it for a month once. " Or, "I can handle it this time, I just will drink it socially." I have heard them all before during my glorious six plus years at ARTEC, and we called them thinking errors. But c'mon it is only a little diet coke, what's the harm?

Guess who came to dinner?

Last night, Dalan and I hosted the annual Christmas dinner for my college friends (and their significant others). It was a great chance to get to use my (errrr I mean our) new china and flatware. I know I am in the minority here, at least in the fact that I really do care about china, but I love a beautiful place setting.

The food was great. Dalan and I made the main course, and everyone else brought side dishes or dessert. I ate too much, but it was too good to stop. The conversation and company was even better. I laughed and laughed all night long. Nghia and Steve insisted that it was possible for a chihuahua to impregnate a great dane. I think it is impossible, at least for it to happen completely naturally. A chihuahua is at least 20 times smaller than a great dane, if not more. If you all know of any vets, will you please settle this for us????

We decided not to give gifts to each other, and donated to charity instead, which was nice. We did do a white elephant, which was hilarious. Dalan and I walked away with a salad shooter, some glow in the dark stars, and a gingerbread house. Jen got a glow in the dark item (a condom from 1996) of her own, that warned that it was "safe" to use, but strictly novelty. Whatever that means. Nghia even got a candle depicting a certain part of the male anatomy. Maybe Nghia's candle can use Jen's gift for a special occasion!

Happy and I totally know it!

I looked under the tree tonight and look what I saw....a present from Piper to me! How cute is Dalan????? The cutest ever, I think!

Menage a trois

Dear Diary,

I have had such a confusing week. As you know, I broke things off with diet coke last week, and started drinking water almost immediately, but then over the weekend I started drinking lemonade too. Now, I just can't decide which one I want to drink on a regular basis. Each one has so many positives and negatives too!

Water is natural and good for you. A person cannot really go wrong with water. However, water is boring and does little to excite me. I do like water, and don't mind drinking water in the evenings, but don't like water being my only beverage choice.

Lemonade is sour and sweet, and not boring. It will make my kidneys feel better in the long term. However, I only have luke-warm feelings about lemonade. I like lemonade ok, but don't see myself being a long-term lemonade drinker.

Diet coke is not very good for me. It does nothing for my health, and is just another addiction. However, diet coke excites me. I love the way it tastes, and the way it makes me feel. I love diet coke and even though, it is bad for me, I want to drink diet coke.

I am so confused, diary! What should I do?

The picture you all have been waiting for.....

Here are three pictures of my kidney stone. Up close and personal it looked and felt just like, well, a stone. My doctor was so impressed with the size he suggested we stuff and mount it as a souvenir. The second two pictures are a little blurry. I apologize. Enjoy!

Elvis has left the building

This afternoon, I started feeling ill again, went upstairs to rest and pray the kidney colic was not returning. I had to use the restroom, and I passed my monster kidney stone. It was pretty big, and while it was painful to pass, it was not as bad as I expected. However, it made me feel even more nausea. I feel better knowing that I am not carrying that sucker around anymore, and that I have something for the doctor to analyze. Hopefully, it will give them some good information. I have some pictures of it. I was going to post them so people could see the size of this thing, but then thought it was too gross. Let me know if you want to see it, and if enough people are interested I'll post them sometime next week.

When left to our own devices.....

This is what Dalan and I do on a Saturday night when car accidents and kidney stones force us to stay in!

Kidney colic, and car crashes....oh my!

Dalan and I have a dark cloud hanging over our household. Stay far, far away from us!

I went from bad to better to far worse back to better as far as my kidney stones go. I had to go to the ER last night due to the immense, earth-shattering pain I was experiencing. They gave me some morphine, did a CT scan of my innards, and ran all sorts of tests on my blood and urine. The doctor asked me if there was a chance I was pregnant. I replied, I don't think so, but it could be a possibility. He responded with if you are doing the deed, than there is always a possibility, however, according to 5 young women we had in this week, you don't even need to be doing that. He, he, he. He determined that I was not pregnant, but did have a monster kidney stone. He referred me to a urologist. My parents came to get me from the ER, and took me to fill my prescription. I puked my guts out in the Target parking lot, and then about 5 more times throughout the night. It was not fun.

My urologist informed me today that puking like that is called kidney colic and once it starts, you can't stop it. He also informed that when given a choice most women would choose child birth any day over having kidney stones. Since, I am feeling so much better today there is a chance I could have passed my giant stone during my kidney colic while I was neglecting to strain my urine. I now need to continue to strain my urine until my follow up appointment on Tuesday. That will be fun during school.

Oh, in the ER, they also put me on Flomax, which is med for men with prostate problems. However, according to every doctor and pharmacist I have talked to, it is a miracle drug for the kidney stones.

Now, on to Dalan. After, my appointment Dalan took me home and then went to get me a malt from Iceberg. On his way there, he got rear ended/side swiped in the car while sitting at a light. The lady then went on to hit another car. Dalan is ok, the car is not. It had to be towed due to the fact that the back tire was pushed and messed up. The back door does not open anymore either. I had to go down to the accident to pick Dalan up, and bring some papers. All of Redwood Road was so backed up. In fact, Ali said they even mentioned the accident on the radio. Way to go Dalan to get a shout out.

As the cars were being towed, the police officers came to Dalan's truckwhere I was sitting looking for the woman who caused the accident. They could not find her anywhere. She had given all her info, but left before her car was towed or before anything was finalized. Her name is Jamie. I guess as Dalan was standing with the cops, they were saying things like, "Oh, I guess her new name could be going to jail Jamie." And, "I don't see a get out of jail card in here."

What a crazy week!

Seriously, so soda-free

Dear Diet Coke,

Let me start off by telling you I have loved our time together. It has meant a lot to me, and you will always have a special place in my heart, but I am breaking up with you.

Now, now, it is not YOU, it is ME. I am just in a new place in my life, in which my kidneys and bladder seem to have an adverse reaction to you. I just can't go on with this seemingly unhealthy relationship. I need to take some time, and figure out what is best for me. Maybe, I am just going through a selfish phase of life, and I don't want to put you through that.

You are probably wondering if I have found another? Well, for the sake of honesty, I will tell that today I did drink water- a lot of water. And, although water does not bubble and fizz like you, or give me the energy I crave in the morning. Water is healthier for me, and is stable. Water may not be as fun, but water doesn't make my kidneys hurt so bad that I cry and throw up. At this point in my life, I need to think of my future and pick the best choice for me.

I hope we can still be friends. Take care.

Love,
Jess

Guess what I got for Christmas?

KIDNEY STONES!!!!

I started to feel sick at work today with the same pain that haunted me in September. Called the doctor and they fit me in for an appointment the afternoon, but while waiting for my appointment and trying to teach fourth grade all at the same time, I ended up vomiting. Let me tell you, there is nothing as glorious as running out of the computer lab, puking your guts out, and then having to go back into the lab, put on a happy place and take 25 ten-year-olds out of their computer program. The doctor is pretty sure it is stones, not an infection. He said people with kidney infections are usually much sicker, and I asked about the throwing up. He stated that was probably just due to the immense amount of pain kidney stones cause. Great!

If I don't feel better in a few day, I have to go get a ultrasound on my kidneys. He said they also could do an X-ray, but would prefer to keep the radiation away from my reproductive organs. Both Yankee Stadium and I thanked him! He did get me a prescription in case it is an infection, since they won't get the results for a few days. And told me to drink a lot of water. My mother has ordered me off the soda and only on the water until next month. I think I am going to try. It is better than being pukey McPukerson at work!

Have a holly, jolly Christmas

This weekend Dalan and I decorated our house for Christmas. It was a lot of fun, and a lot of work, due to our Christmas stuff being stored in several different locations during our move. Dalan doesn't really enjoy the hype of Christmas, but still was very helpful and a lot of fun during the decorating. He even had to climb under the stairs to search out more Tupperware storage tubs. Apparently, he got stuck under there once before when I was at work while getting our winter stuff out, and Piper had to pull him out by feet! At least, that is his story and he is sticking to it. Here are some pictures of Dalan under the stairs, and the finished products.

Dalan in his man cave of storage.

The entertainment center.

The fireplace, with all of Piper's pictures with Santa.

The Tree!