Christmas!

Christmas FUN!

Our beautiful tree with the new tree skirt made by Jeannette Clawson.











Gingerbread house with LOTS of candy.











Cookies with DAD.












A WHITE CHRISTMAS!








Julia made Mike and I a calender with her drawings on each month. She even made the wrapping paper!







Christmas outfit for Julia.












Emily's new Christmas outfit.











Playing new Wii games.

Disneyland and California Adventure

In line to open Disneyland!





Why does the Peter Pan ride always have such a long line?








It's a Small World










Meeting Mickey Mouse himself










Mickey's house


























Who can get the Sword out of the Stone?




















Getting Pluto's autograph














Every Princess needs a Fairy Godmother!





















Fun Rides






A Clawson and Carter Family Favorite!















Closing Disneyland down!

California Dreamin'

Mike had 10 days of work off between his intern year and his Clinical Anesthesia 1 year. Ahhh, what to do with 10 days in June. Mike got to choose what he wanted to do and he chose to go home and spend the time with his family in California. We had not been to California as a family in 3 1/2 years. It was definitely time for us to go. And, we vow not to wait that long before we visit again.

The most important part of the visit was spending time with family. Believe it or not, I did not get a photo of my children with their grandparents together. I don't know what I was thinking, but here are a few family shots from our trip.

Grandpa Bruce Carter reading to Benjamin, Julia, McKayla, and Emily.





Emily and Julia giving Grandma Jackie a massage after swimming at Great Grandma Putman's pool.







Great Grandmas:
Ida Elva Kimber Carter, age 90
Ellen Louise Garrett Putman, age 84






Grandpa Bruce grilling steak...yum.












Enjoying dinner







Visiting with Grandma Ida Carter
and Grandma Ellen Putman
















Hangin' with cousins
Julia, Annabelle, McKayla, Benjamin and Emily







Cousins at Corona Del Mar
Joel, Benjamin, Rachel, Annabelle, McKayla, Allyson, Emily and Julia






Corona Del Mar
Mike, Brooke, Julia, Emily, Nancy, Annabelle, McKayla, Steven and Benjamin

Julia Morgan Carter: I can't wait until I'm 8!

BEAUTIFUL JULIA


Julia turned 8 years old on May 18th. I have already posted photos of one of her gifts...getting her ears pierced. She enjoyed a family party with strawberry cake.

Then on May 30th Julia was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In our church a person is baptized at the age of 8 or older. We believe that they have the ability to make the choice to be baptized at that time. Julia was interviewed by the Bishop of our Ward and she was ready to be baptized. That same afternoon she was Confirmed a member of the Church and given the Gift of the Holy Ghost. These are important steps in her path to follow Jesus Christ. I am proud of her for making this choice and being a righteous daughter of God.

For this special occasion, Grandma Jeannette and Grandpa Jim Clawson flew in to share the weekend. It was nice to have them here.

Hymnbook from The Ludwigs


Earrings from The Carter Grandparents










Aurora and purse from Emily







CD from Mom and Dad.







This is the dress that Grandma Leda Jeannette Giles Clawson was baptized in, Aunt Courtney Jeannette Clawson Arnold was baptized in, and Mom Brooke Amanda Clawson Carter was baptized in. It is very old and has holes in it, but we took a photo for fun with Julia wearing the dress.



Grandma Jeannette and Grandpa Jim with Julia










Our family outside the Church, Webster Groves Ward, St. Louis South Stake.
Brooke, Julia, Emily and Mike













Julia with Michael Wayne Carter, her father, who baptized and confirmed her.