Preschool Fieldtrip to Tolmachoff Farm

For Freeman's Preschool we went on a field trip to Tolmachoff Farm. We were able pick some produce to bring home, a pumpkin and enjoyed a corn maze, petting animals and playing on the farm! It was a great learning experience for the kids and I think Freeman enjoyed seeing all the vegetables and fruits in their fields. (He's been my helper in the garden so to actually see something that really grows fascinated him.)

Here is our Preschool Group before entering the farm

Nate kept coming back to look at the baby pigs

How dare he! This guy came by to give the kids stamps on their hands for the train ride and Nate didn't seem to pleased

Out of all pumpkins... I try not to interfere with my kids choices but I had to tell Nate to find a "Happier Pumpkin."

Nate loved picking fresh produce

Nate, Free and Tiff

Petting the Chicks

Nate was so excited to go into the farm

Petting the goats

Corn Maze

Campout

Freeman has been wanting to take the boys camping for quite some time, and after having the baby, Freeman thought it was the perfect time to take them and give me a chance to take a break and spend time with just Preston. Freeman found a great campsite in Camp Verde and him, Uncle Nick and the boys had a great time camping.

Nate and Freeman in their very own Sleeping Bags!

Off on their own quad adventure

Uncle Nick and Freeman

Mmmm.. Pancake breakfast

Dunking the boys

The night before they roasted marshmellows and made smores. I heard they loved them!

Father and Sons

Either Nick is helping Freeman across, or ready to push him in... He always has something up his sleeve so I'm not quite sure on this pic..

Tree Climbing

What's in a name?

So here is the breakdown of how we picked out the name Preston Brooks.

Preston: Freeman was originally a twin, and before his twin passed on they were going to be name Preston and Thurston. When Thurston died, they changed Free's name to Freeman after his dad. So, yes Freeman has two kids named after him. He's like that one guy... George Forman.. naming all the kids after him. Just kidding. Anyway, we also wanted the name to end in a "N" just like his brothers. (FreemaN, NathaN)

Brooks: We would joke around with our moms about naming one of our kids after them, and we found out that both of our maternal grandmother's maiden name is Brooks. (No we aren't related) So Brooks is in honor of our mom's. :)

Preston Brooks Carney

On September 15, 2009 at 1:04pm, Preston Brooks Carney was born. He was 8lbs 8oz and 20.5 inches long! I was induced 2 weeks early because he was measuring big and it was once way to lessen my chances of a c-section. They were going to call us in Monday night but the hospital was so busy we were going to have to go in the next day. Well, Freeman stayed up late playing XBox and what not, and as soon as he layed down for bed at 5:00am the hospital called and said we could come in! I was laughing so hard, but Freeman couldn't find what was so funny... ;)

I was prepared to have my labor as natural as possible and was looking forward to try the technique called hypnobirthing. My first nurse didn't seem supportive and was saying, "Oh, you are going to need this and that, you'll need potocin because we want your contractions to start and we want them to hurt..." Fortunately I wasn't a push over and stood my ground and said, "I want you to talk to my doctor and this is what I want. " Thankfully, the nurse's shift was ending so I didn't need to deal with her. I was already having contractions so all the doctor had to do was break my water and my contractions began.

The hypnobirthing worked for the first 2 hours, but at 7cm I was screaming for something to relax me! Yikes! Then an hour later I had to tell Freeman to get the nurse because my body was ready to push and get the baby out! The nurse didn't look convinced but as soon as she checked she said I was ready to go and I can't believe how fast those nurses could move! Okay, so for this next part I screamed until it was over, so, no hypnobirthing wasn't a total success but it did help!

Preston Brooks

Enjoying some phototherapy for his Jaundice.

He was Combs positive which is where the baby and mother's blood antibodies mix which causes the high level of bilirubin, causing jaundice.

Here is my welcome home cake!

The house was spotless and I had pictures drawn by my boys and husband as gifts!

Kisses from big brother Freeman

Freeman helping with the feeding




Daddy Freeman reading bed time stories to the boys.

Preston at 2 weeks

already at 9 lbs 5 oz

Grandma Jolene with the Carney boys

Summer Recreation

This Summer Freeman was busy learning gymnastics and soccer. Here are some pictures of his last day of classes.

Gymnastics

Walking the Balance Beam


Nathan copying the kids in class. He can't wait to be in his own class!

Straddle Stretch

Body Positions

The kids had to go from a "tuck" position, and open up to a "Star," and then with their legs together and arms straight up in the air. Here is Freeman in the Star position.

Freeman recieving his ribbon!

Soccer

Practicing his kicks

Stopping the Ball

or

Freezing the Ball

Freeman recieved a soccer medal! He is sneaking in his thumbs up...

Freeman was so excited about his medal that he had Dad Freeman pin it up on his wall, along with his ribbon from gymnastics.

Game of Soccer

Freeman would run around with the other kids, but with his personality he doesn't like to take away the ball from the other kids. He was one of the youngest in the class, so next year we hope to see him steal the ball away more. He is a great listener and loves to do the soccer drills. We surprised him with his own soccer ball and cones that him and Nate use all the time.



Team Picture

Happy 6 Year Anniversary!

August 5th, 2003

Boise, Idaho Temple

On August 5th we celebrated our 6th Anniversary together! We had a great time celebrating in La Jolla, and enjoyed a date night watching Transformers 2. It's fun to look back on the years and how much we have grown. It's funny how the day you get married you are so in love and don't know how you can love anyone even more. Well, it seems that each day you just fall more in love and grow even closer to that person. I'm grateful that my husband is my best friend and I can be totally honest and be myself with him. I think the world gives us so many negative ideas about marriage, and I honestly didn't think marriage could be this much fun and joyful( prior to getting married.) I am truly grateful for the gospel and that my husband and I share the same goals in life spiritually and eternally. I'm am grateful for our children and through them it brings us closer together and makes us work harder as husband and wife. I'm grateful for temples and knowing that our marriage can be for eternity if we keep working hard.

I love you Free and thankful that you truly are so good to me, that you make me laugh, that you still flirt with me, that I still catch myself checking you out and that I still get flutters in my stomach. I love that you are such a great dad and you put your family first. I love how you tell our kids you love me so much and that they know you do. You are such a great example and I am so proud of you being my husband. You are the best and I am so happy that you asked me to marry you and spend forever with you.

Lovies. Biff

When we were first announced as Mr. & Mrs. Freeman Carney

La Jolla July & August 2009

La Jolla Beach

Jolene and Nate

Nate loved walking back & forth in the water.

He has been more brave getting into the water compared to when we first went out in May.

We were all playing in the water when we looked over and saw our "Boogie Board" walking toward us. Nate went to go get it and he looked so cute carrying it. We had strangers walking by, telling me to get my camera and take a picture of him. I agreed.. :)

Here is Nathan walking back from the ocean.

Wow! What a great wave! The kids loved the waves coming in and also jumping when it hit them.

The boys posing for the camera

Here is our view from the house!

At night you can hear the seals barking and the waves crashing.

Happy 58th Birthday John!

We surprised him with this beautiful cake!

Ha Ha. If you look closely you can see the frosting collapsing... But it still tasted great!

Enjoying an evening walk to the pier

Mission Bay Park

Freeman and the kids enjoying some calm waters at Mission Bay Park. This is the best place to bring kids (and prego ladies) since there isn't any waves.

The boys warming up before going back into the water




Great Grandma Baba got the kids this big pink bear... They named it Pinky

The boys loved playing with Baba's dog Pixie and was so much fun to watch them laugh and squeal

This is one of the reasons why I just love my husband! His sense of humor!

We were driving back to Phoenix and stopped to get some McDonalds. We were driving down the road and I looked over and he has this napkin tucked in his shirt with this serious expression on his face. I started laughing and he just acted like it was no big deal and didn't see what was so funny. He sure cracks me up.

La Jolla July & August 2009

La Jolla, California

Poor Little Nate. Big Freeman was going to take the kids into the water and Nate ran back to get his toys. We told Nate that he couldn't bring his toys into the water and to put them down so he could go. Well, he couldn't part with his toys so he just stood here for 15 minutes pouting and looking out at Dad and Little Freeman once in awhile.

Little Freeman, Nate, Tiff (& baby #3) Free

Here we are at Balboa Park in the Organ Pavillion. Don't you just love Freeman's face he is making? He learned that from one of his good friends Ellah, and thought it was so funny!

The boys loved splashing around in this popular fountain at Balboa Park. It was a warm day so it was nice for the kids to cool off.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Freeman, Nate and Free

standing in front of the aquarium

Nate, Freeman, and Tiff

Look at the Leopard shark above Nate's head! Okay, so these are the type of sharks that you see off of La Jolla Cove when you go snorkeling... Friendly sharks... Hmmm.. I don't know how my husband and Grandpa John brave it out there while swimming with them.

In the Shark CageAhh! My nightmare from Jaws came true! Just kidding,

here we are all yelling and making scared faces.

Old Town San Diego

The Whaley House

haunted or not?

We took a haunted ghost tour of a historic home in Old Town San Diego. In each room we were told of it's history and of some ghosts that were seen in the room.... We were encouraged to take pictures just in case we caught a ghost on camera. Unfortunately, no luck for us, but we had a great time!

Nate enjoying the view on Grandpa John's shoulders

Ahhh! I see a ghost!

Oh, it's only mom..

Grandpa John, Freeman, Grandma Jolene

Enjoying a nice Mexican Restaurant

Nate loves salsa and chips!

Aunt Patty and Uncle Ken come to visit!

We learned a fun card game called Golf. Well, Patty and Ken had a different version so of course we had to try it out. Here is everyone laughing and having a good time!


John and Ken cooking up some Hamburgers

Freeman relaxing on the couch

Aunt Patty, Freeman and Nate

These boys loved to cuddle with her.

Nate's Late Night Visitor...

One night I heard Freeman yelling for me saying, "Mom, I need help, I'm stuck!" He's supposed to be in his room so I was a little confused when I couldn't find him in there. I heard him say it again, "Mom, I need help!" I walked into Nate's room and lo and behold, there is Freeman stuck on the crib.

This was a few nights later when he successfully snuck into Nate's crib with out my knowledge.

June 2009

We had a very busy month in June! Below are some pictures of Freeman's swim lessons and our June trip to La Jolla.

Swim Lessons:
Freeman had lessons for 2 weeks at the Buckeye Aquatic Center. The pictures are of his last day of lessons. To pass the class and move up they were required to float on their back, go underwater for rings, and jumping to the instructor from the side. Freeman loved his lessons and by the last day he floated on his back. One of the last pictures are of Freeman recieving his certificate for passing. Freeman can now swim by himself from our steps to the side. Currently he is working on lifting his head up for air so he can swim a longer distance.

La Jolla
San Diego Fair
We went to the San Diego Fair with Uncle Nick, Grandpa Freeman and his girlfriend, and the Gould Family. We had a great time watching the kids go on rides and seeing animals. Our favorites were watching Freeman going down a HUGE slide that he walked up all by himself with out an adult, and then also going on his first roller coaster with dad.

Beach
We spent the day at the beach and had a great time. Nate loved playing in the water with Grandpa Freeman which was a big improvement from our last vacation when he didn't even want any water to be near him. Little Freeman was brave and with a life vest, went out swimming in the water and loved being thrown over the waves. Tiff enjoyed splashing around with the kids, but hopes that next time she'll have a chance to go boogie boarding.

June 2009

Birthday Weekend

This past weekend, my husband surprised me by throwing me a surprise birthday party. Not only was I surprised by the party and everyone there, he also surprised me with a special guest... my mom. He had flown her out all the way from Missouri and she was the first person I saw when I opened the door to the party. I totally cried and for those of you who have it on video, I will track you down... :) Little Freeman picked out a princess birthday cake and we went swimming and ate pizza. The rest of the weekend we were able to hang out with my mom and sister and we had a great time. I can't wait until she comes back out in November!

Spying on Freeman

The other day it was a little stormy out, and this inflatable raft flew into our backyard. Well, this is Freeman's favorite thing to play with now. Over the past few months I have caught Freeman just sitting outside quietly looking around at his surroundings. He doesn't talk during this meditative time he just sits and looks around. So anyway, here he is in the inflatable raft enjoying a quiet afternoon.

(10 minutes later...)

I guess he had his new Diego sunglasses tucked away somewhere because he is now my stylish, quiet boy chillin out in the sun.

Happy 3rd Birthday Freeman!

This past weekend we celebrated Freeman's 3rd birthday! He was so excited to have a birthday party, and his requests were that he had balloons, cake, presents, and Diego tattoos. The kids made telescopes, made monkey noises, ran through an obstacle course to rescue an animal, and of course, swimming! We had a great time and Little Freeman enjoyed having all his guests come!

The kids making "Diego Telescopes" to help them find animals later.

Laurie and Gui

I found these three playing together away from the party.

Nathan, Pierce and Jackson

Nate enjoying the view of dad below

Little Freeman is a flirt!

Here he is cuddling with Camille and Ellah

Tohbi felt a little left out.

Here he is looking out from our bedroom at the party.

The Gould Family

Brian, Ellah, and Camille

(I think Camille was sad she didn't go swimming )

:)

Laif and Freeman

Freeman, Nick and Kelly


Time to blow out the Candle!

Freeman wanted blue icing and he loved his Diego candle!


Here are all the kids checking out Freeman's new toys

(I've never seen presents unwrapped so fast!)

Father Son Campout

Our Ward had their annual Father and Son Campout and it was the first time Dad Freeman and Freeman got to go. Little Freeman was excited the whole week and couldn't wait for sleeping in the tent and putting marshmallows in the fire. They went on a night hike to search for animals and Little Freeman was happy to report that they saw, "Deer Poop!" on their hikes. It was a muddy and rainy weekend, but that didn't stop my maucho boys, and they had a great time. I loved hearing their stories and that they had their "boy time." Little Freeman looks up to his dad sooooo much and I know that this trip made a great impression on him.

Little Freeman after roasting some marshmallows

Freeman holding a horny toad

Dad and Freeman were on a walk and Freeman suddenly crouched down and said to be quiet.

Freeman was so excited to finally use his new sleeping bag that Grandma Donna got for Christmas. He was so proud that he slept in it the whole night and "stayed on his side of the bed"

The Father's and Son's went on a long hike to look for animals. Daddy Freeman was so impressed that Freeman kept up. I guess it was a few miles.

Sitting on a fallen tree

Dad and Freeman enjoyed some 1 on 1 time with their own little hike in the woods.



Little Freeman (far right) and some friends at a Pioneer Village on the way home.