So what have the Carson's been up to lately: Well let us see. Jason is now officially in dry dock, which means that his sub is out of the water and he will be home, crossing fingers, for the next 2 years. He is now 2 year away from retirement, we think that he is going to be in 6mths past his EOS date, I think that is what the letters are (when he gets out) but it is both good and bad. Good because it will be alittle more retirement and very bad because we thought deployments were over but they may not be. He is a hunt of his own bow since he provided everyone else one but not himself. Me, we are back to school both the boys and myself. As I have said before that is just a little to much school in one day for me. I am taking Philosophy, boy that is intersted. I think, I haven't quite figured it out yet. I am in the middle of canning the abundance of what the Lord has provided us with; apples for apple butter and applesauce, figs, blackberries, jams, cherries. Pretty soon it will be pears and more apples and hopefully some tomotoes for sauces. Jeffrey is keeping busy with school, soccer, scouts, piano and pokemon. Jonah is busy with school, flag football, piano and what ever else interests him that day.
We are also in the middle of trying to find a house. We decided, for now, Washington is where we want to retire so now all we have to do is retire and then find a job. We do love Washington and all that it provides. Well until the next update. Enjoy the pictures.

Birthday boy

Happy Birthday Jonah!!!!!!! Happy Birthday to You!!!!!!!

How is it that my little baby who was just learning to walk is now 5 years old. This boys is a ball of energy. You should see what we have to do while learning. There are days that I have to make him run around the house and yell answers to me, do jumping jacks as he is counting and his piano teacher has him stomp to notes as well as play football catch during other music learning times. This is the same boy that when he was a baby they had him do a cat scan because they thought he was blind and then were worried because he wasn't talking by a certain age and then wasn't walking by 1. There is no delay in this boy. He figures it out when he does and just like his brother it comes on his own time and with the learning that works for him. Jonah is a character. He can make you laugh and make you want to pull out your hair. Jonah your mom loves you so very much.

Jonah's reading

Here is Jonah getting to put another sticker on his reading chart. He is doing so good. I tell you teaching reading, along with spelling, is not one of my strong areas. There is so many exceptions but when you see your kids read it is so worth every minute. I remember when Jeffrey read his first word and I cried, he couldn't understand why I was crying. It is so amazing when you are able to experience your children learning.
here is my baby with all the books he has read so far.

Way to go Jonah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jeffrey's Baptism

This was such an amazing day. I was so proud of 2 of my men. Just thinking about the day brings tears to my eyes. Jeffrey I am so proud of you.

My boyscout

Jeffrey: My Boyscout

When you turn 8 at church you get to go into the boyscout program. I am so very excited for Jeffrey's time in scouts. I hope that he has lots of fun and lots of experiences. He is doing really good so far, here is a picture of him earning his Bobcat at his first Pack Meeting. (Hopefully at the next one he will get his Archery, BB Gun, soccer, and Chess belt loop as well as his Soccer Pin. )
Here he is getting ready for his skit. Those kids come up with the craziest stuff. Here he is impatiently waiting for the smores and homemade ice cream. There Jonah is peaking around the corner.

Here are my cute boys. Man how they have grown. (Jonah was out riding his bike yesterday and I realized that his seat was to low, when we got it it was to high but wouldn't go down anymore.)

Homemade playdoe

So what does a Sunbeams (I teach the sunbeams 4&5yr olds at church) do to occupy her class. Make Play doe. Boy was I a hit. This was so easy to make.

1T alum (a spice, just in case you didn't know that, I had no idea)

3T oil

3C flour

2C boiling water

1pkg of kool aid

Mix all together and let it cool.

I might add more kool aid next time to make it brighter or add all but the kool aid and divide the ball to make different colors. (I didn't have any trouble with the color bleeding on anything).

Summer Wonders

You have got to love the summer. What is not to love; sunny days, staying up late, exploring, relaxing and (for a homeschooling mom) the chance to learn. Here the boys are at beach park and there are some ladies there telling them all about the creatures you can find in the ocean. My boys were great. It didn't take them long till they were picking up everything. We learned how to tell the difference between a female and male crab (the female has a triangle underside and is a little bit puffier)(I feel your pain there ladies). It was a great day.