So both Carson and I are finished reading the Vladimir Tod books. They were very good. We looked online and part 4 with Vlad entering his 11th grade year comes out in February. We were so excited! We also saw where the author had finished writing Vlad's 12th grade adventures as well. (hope they don't get to risque for Carson with the main character getting older and more and more into girls). Yikes!
Carson also read part 1 (the only part he got for Christmas, so I could make sure he liked them-I know, what was I thinking?) The Rangers Apprectice. Guess where we went today-Yep B&N to get parts 2-6. He is happily sitting on the couch reading away!
Both of Carson's Grandma's are big readers. I didn't start getting into reading until about 9 years ago. I have a lot to catch up on! That was probably about the time that either Derek or I started reading to Carson. Of course we read to Jared too, but that was more like little kid books. With Carson he really liked chapter books, so one of us when he went to bed would sit there and read a couple of chapters out loud to him. (many of times Jared would be listening out in the hall of his bedroom door). Then Carson would take AR tests at school on the books he listened too. This moved into buying the books on tape, and we would listen to them in the car. (you know that long NP to Fairbanks drive and back!). And then pretty soon he was reading Harry Potter type books on his own at a fairly young age. Here's to my (not so) little bookworm!

I meant to post this on November 2nd, but I forgot, so 2 months late....here it is.

So many great things happened with the birth of my second son Carson....one being this which I already posted http://canamlinnells.blogspot.com/2008/11/so-im-little-sappy.html and the other also posted here: http://canamlinnells.blogspot.com/2008/11/carsons-birth-story.html .

The other great thing, which my friend Dee reminded me about, also happened when Carson was born. Carson was born on Nov. 2nd. The very next day during the many check-ups you get after childbirth, it was found that I was having irregular heartbeats. Long story short, I ended up in the ICU for one night getting this monitored. If you have never been in an ICU room, they have a toilet which is right in the room with you (for everyone to see). When I had to use the restroom, I would walk out into the ICU's waiting room, as they had a private bathroom in there. I noticed a family that looked like they had been practically camped out in this waiting room. I really didn't think much about it, other than they had obviously been here for awhile. The next morning, I was realeased. Being that Carson was only a day old, they let him and Derek stay in the ICU room with me for the night. Down in the main lobby, Derek left Carson with me and went to get the car. I believe it was a very cold day. So I am standing there looking at my new baby, when suddenly this woman approaches me. I recognized her from the ICU waiting room. She said something to me really fast about how on this sad day she was really happy to see my baby and I going home healthy and happy. She then handed me what was obviously some money and walked away. I looked down at the money in my hand, and it was a $100 dollar bill. I looked back up and just like in the movies, she had dissapeared. When Derek came in, he and I could not believe it. When I got home, I told my mom about it. (She was at my place watching our older son Jared). With a little investigating, we called the ICU and asked about her, and found out that it was Velma Wallis, an Alaskan author. It was her brother that was in the ICU, and he had just passed on. Soon after my dad told me that she was going to be at Gullivers doing a book signing for her newest book Bird Girl. Of course we went. She instantly recognized us. It was just a very special moment. Nov. 5th, 6 years later, she had another book signing for Raising Ourselves. We went and again shared another special moment. I told her it had just been Carson's 6th birthday, to which she ran to her wallet and gave him $20.00 dollars. Her first book is Two Old Women. It is absolutely one of my favorites books. Raising Ourselves was an autobiography and I really enjoyed that as well. If you are ever looking for some good reads, definitely try these out. Just another little piece of all the excitement that came from Carson's birth!

Happy Reading 2010!

Happy New Years Everyone!

My New Years resolution is to read more!

I got so many new books for Christmas (as did Carson)!

Witch & Wizard by James Patterson Not sure what it is about, but it looks really good.

My mother in law always has a knack for finding me books that have to do with Alaska. Last year she got me Northern Lights. It's by Nora Roberts. It was really good, and in fact you can watch it on the Lifetime channel. It stars Eddie Cibrian (yes I love him-ever since he played a character on my Young and Restless show long ago) and LeAnn Rimes. (they had an affair in real life after or during the filming). Anyways, great show too. This year she got me a book called Midnight Sons by Debbie Macomber. Looking forward to reading it.

A couple of years ago, I got Carson a book off of one of his scholastic forms called Tunnels by Gordon Williams. I only made it about halfway through. I found it too slow moving. Derek really liked it and it ended in a cliff hanger, so for Christmas I got him Deeper. It's the next part...someday I will start Tunnels over and get to Deeper.

Ever since the Twilight series, I am into the whole Vampire thing. Derek bought me a four book series that was recommended in People Magazine. It's the Vampire Academy series. I haven't started it, but am very excited and hope it is good, since I have 4 books to read.

I bought Carson a series about a boy vampire for Christmas. I thought he would enjoy it, and let's face it, it looked good, and I wanted to read it too. As of now it is a 3 book series called The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod. I read part 1, before I wrapped them and put them under the tree. It was very catchy. And nice to read about a boy. It starts out with him in 8th grade. Part 2, which I finished last night is his 9th grade year, and part 3 he is in the 10th grade. Since school starts on Tuesday, and we have some seriously bad hours here. Yes, staying up till 2am, sleeping in until 11am....Scary. Anyways, I told Carson TV was off at midnight, so of course he asked to read. Who can so no to that? So he picked up part 1 of this series. This morning, he woke me up, coming in for part 2. Said he stayed up till 2:30am finishing the whole book. So much for no TV. Glad he liked it, as I sure did. Currently this is what I am reading...part 3.

Last summer, during the 4th of July annual camping weekend, my niece Jenna could not seem to tear her eyes away from some book she was reading. She was reading one of The House of Night Novels. She lent them to me. The first one is called Marked. Zoey gets marked to become a vampire, so she has to leave her normal high school, to go to the House of Night, which is a school for Vampires. Kinda like Harry Potter, only much more of an adult/older teen level. After Marked, there is Betrayed, Chosen, Untamed, Hunted and then the newest Tempted. They are so good. In fact, when asking Derek to buy me Tempted for Christmas, I asked for the whole series. I just wanted to own it for some reason. I bought Jenna Tempted for Christmas, and she has already finished it (as did my mom who we also shared the books with) and I have as well. Didn't like the ending, which of course leaves us all waiting for the next book. Sigh...

Two other books Carson got (one from me and one from Grandma Linnell) were Ranger's Apprentice (it is also a series, but he only got book 1, so far) and The Night Tourist. They look good too. They are on my list.

Finally, my 10 year old niece Maggie wanted Gregor the Overlander series for Christmas. I went to the bookstore to get it (5 book series) and it looked really good, so I also bought a set for Carson. (but of course, I want to read them too). Looks like they are about a brother and sister who somehow accidentally go underground and find all kinds of stuff in trying to find their way back home.

So as you can see...I think I will be able to follow my New Years Resolution pretty easily....Love reading!

Christmas Day 09'

Jared gets a steering wheel cover...
Yes, Macy finally sat with Uncle Mike (of course she was trying to get away from their dog RJ who had been locked up most of the day). (and no, RJ is not that dog on the couch, that is Ladybug). RJ was in the middle of the room, going about 100 miles an hour in a circle chasing his tail. Hilarious.

Carson and Macy

Jenna shows off her new coat and scarf

Mommm...my mouf if full of fooood

Jenna and Matt at dinner

Mike and Linda at dinner....thanks for hosting us!

The entire gang!

Carson is always good for a game with Maggie

Yes, Macy got to open a few gifts before the rest of us....she takes a awhile...bit by bit...

Christmas Morning 09'

opening up Uncle Dar and Aunt Shelley's Christmas box
After years of us making fun of the Snuggie commercial...( I mean seriosuly is it really that hard to answer a phone with a regular blanket thrown over you and that easy with a snuggie?), anyways, Carson really wanted one for Christmas. I couldnt find any kid sizes, (this looks like it doesnt even fit the average adult) so its a bit big....but he got his snuggie.

Christmas Eve 09'

We do a 'Chinese gift exchange' of sorts on Christmas Eve. Maggie picks her gift...
No one dared to steal my dad's gift (his beloved Sarah Palin stuff!)

Jared ended up with one of Jenna's old Lady Patriots basketball jackets! Haha It was funny. He did get a $25 dollar I-tunes gift certificate, so it wasnt all bad.

Jenna opening up her gift...

Matt and Steve

My brother Mike ended up with one of the gifts we brought. And believe it or not, the very next day, when we went to his house for Christmas dinner, it was already set up and planted (by him) just waiting for it to grow!

The ShamWow's were a big hit. Got stolen 3 times!

Jared signing autographs after the game
Proud cousins Macy and Maggie with their favorite Icedog!