Summer Family Pictures

On July 7, 2009, we took Scott to Salt Lake City where he was set apart as a missionary by Elder Donald Hallstrom, our former Area President.















Afterwards, the family toured around Temple Square while Arvid and I picked up Krista and her girls from the airport. They arrived safely from their home in Maryland. Although they weren't there in time for the setting apart, they arrived in time to take a few pictures on Temple Square and go out to eat before seeing Scott off to the MTC the next morning. Although a few hours really isn't long enough, at least we got all 5 of our children together!




Our five children, with their children and one spouse, are shown here as follows: Krista holding her daughter Brooklyn, Erika holding Krista's daughter Kate, David, Scott (the new Elder Carlson), Ryan and Erika's husband Sterling holding their daughter Cami. Only Travis, Krista's husband is missing. He joined them several days later. (He said good-bye to Scott at Christmas.)

















The famous Lilly-Carlson children pose. I "inherited" this pose from my parents who always took pictures of me, my brother and 2 sisters in this way. It's always oldest to youngest. So here they are: Krista, Erika, David, Scott and Ryan (KEDS®.)













This is a 4-generation pose with my mom, Peggy Lilly, myself (Kelly), Krista with her two daughters-Kate and Brooklyn, and Erika and her daughter Cami.

Scott

As many of you know, Scott was able to come to Hong Kong and spend a little time with us after the year at BYU and before his mission. While here, he was able to get a full-time temporary job at the U.S. Consulate. There's a picture here of him leaving for work one morning with his dad.

We were able to some hiking together - and got a great shot of our apartment building from the back - an interesting view. (If you know EXACTLY where to look, you can see Ryan's bedroom window!) Also I got a shot of Scott and Ryan playing a "duet" on the piano. Fun.

The Mission Call finally came after an exciting wait. Scott was called to the Taiwan Taipei Mission, Mandarin speaking, and entering the MTC on July 8. Arvid and I took him to the Hong Kong Temple to receive his endowment. We had a wonderful experience together. Afterwards, we met outside with his friends Andrew Chenn (called to Australia - Cantonese speaking) and Alex Nightingale (called to Singapore - Mandarin speaking). The three boys are pictured together. Scott and Alex entered the MTC the same day, with Andrew and a couple other friends entering later. It is so great that they are all out serving the Lord "together."


(If anyone wants to teach me how to put the pictures in the right order, feel free!!!!)

New Zealand

Welcome to New Zealand!!!

Arvid, Ryan and I arrived in New Zealand on April 10 (Brooklyn's 1st birthday!). Here we are at the airport!

We did SO many fun things, but I will have to spend lots of time chronicling everything. This will take some time. So let me start by adding a picture of the harbor in Auckland at the beginning of our trip...

That afternoon, we went to a maritime museum and had a great time. Later we took a ferry to an outlying town where we strolled the area, went to dinner, and browsed at a bookstore.

Among our many activities, Ryan did his first bungee jump. This was off a platform that jutted out from a cliff. He landed in the water - from his head to his waist (in that order).

In the close up, you can see the cliff and the platform - and, of course, his wetness!

Crazy kid, but he'd do it again!

Hooray for Scott!

Not only did Scott get his mission call, but he also changed my blog so the toolbars are in English instead of Chinese. So I can now READ how to sign in and post a new blog. YAY!!! And it's about time as I was tired of looking at those old pictures of my big glasses and frizzy hair.

Since the name of this post is about Scott, I will show you a picture of what he's been doing...

That's right: lounging on our balcony overlooking the South China Sea while sipping cool drinks with tropical umbrella decorations and chatting on the phone with Emily. Ah, the life!

On June 1, he starts work at the Consulate. He'll be working in CLO (Community Liaison Office) until June 26.

Here he is holding his mission call - right before opening it. If you haven't heard, he's been called to the Taiwan Taipei Mission (Mandarin speaking). He enters the Provo MTC on July 8. It'll be fun to have him serving in the same country (different mission) that David has been in for 2 years. David returns to Hong Kong on June 26 - we're on the countdown!

Past Birthdays

Ryan pulled out these old pictures, after being inspired by the old ones of me that Krista posted on her blog. I think Ryan mostly got a kick out of my old glasses (gag - thank goodness for LASIK!)

The first two are from my 30th birthday, Nov. 1988. Krista was 5 1/2 years old - and note the bunny ears I'm giving to my innocent little 4-year old, Erika. Incidentally, I spent the night at the hospital with 7-month old David. He was sick with croup and couldn't breathe. We had him on some breathing machine, where he spent most of the night. It was miserable for him. Poor little guy. I think the picture from my birthday that Krista has on her blog is from my 32nd or 33rd birthday (maybe 34?). We were in Price then - so 1990 or later.

The third one was taken in about 1988 - 29 years old. I'm holding David. I think Ryan chose this one as he was laughing at my glasses and my tie. Hey, that was cool back then (maybe not so much the glasses...)!

Disneyland: Mickey and Me!

Happy Birthday Mickey Mouse. He turned 80 the same day I turned 50. So what better way to celebrate? Arvid and I went to Disneyland where I wished Mickey a Happy Birthday. He gave me a big hug. Then when I said it was my birthday too, he proceeded to conduct the singing while I sang to the two of us. He gave me another big hug and kiss. Minnie, too. It was really fun. In the 2nd picture, both Mickey and Minnie are kissing my cheeks with their noses - it's hard to tell.

We then caught the Lion King Show, visited Tarzan's Treehouse and watched fireworks. We got there late, but bought annual passes, so we'll go back and visit other features another time. (We were also there a week ago, so got lots of rides and things in then, too.)

Kelly's 50th!

On November 18, I turned 50 years old! What a great 50 years it's been, too. I woke up to find 50 balloon, all numbered crowding the floors - flying around from the air conditioner blowing them.

All day long I'd go by a balloon, look at the number and remember something that happened when I was that age. It was SOOO fun. That was Ryan's doing and I loved it! In the evening we had a family party, complete with the Famous Lilly Chocolate Cake (what else?). I got "Enchanted" and "Mamma Mia" DVDs and an ipod stereo/radio alarm clock. Fun!