Carlsons Meet Teddy Roosevelt (kind of)

The temperature was a warm 82 degrees in the President's home located on Long Island, Sagamore Hill. Sagamore Hill - the location of unparalleled fun and games, the Summer White House of America for seven years - was the only house President Theodore Roosevelt, his wife, Edith, and his six children ever truly consider home. Although Oyster Bay, Long Island, was often used as a summer resort for wealthy New Yorkers, Roosevelt chose it as the location for his permanent residence. As one steps onto the porch, they encounter what Roosevelt felt was essential for his country seat, from where three bodies of water were visible (before all the trees grew). During his presidency, Roosevelt received many dignitaries, ambassadors, diplomats, boy scouts, and guests on that very porch. Inside are many of Roosevelt's original pieces of furniture, animal rugs, and wall hangings. The largest room of the house contains many of relics from Teddy and Kermit's hunting trips in Africa and South America. Framing the entrance curve two massive elephant tusks. On the desk sits a ink pot carved our of a rhinosorous hoof, and directly below it, an elephant hoof has been efficiently converted into a trash can. All throughout the house are gifts from foreign diplomats and monarchs. The entire house is so accurate that one almost expects to be greeted by quiet Edith in the parlor, run into Roosevelt coming out of his library, or have some boiling hot concoctions dropped on your head by mischeivous Quinten or Archie.
The Carlsons commenced their stay-cation by driving out to Long Island to visit Sagamore Hill National Park and Teddy's beautiful house. Also in the park is Teddy's son's house, Old Orchard, which has been converted into a small museum with relics of the family and the President. Behind the museum is a path through some woods towards Cold Spring Harbour, where the kids took off their socks and shoes to wade in the water.
After lunch, we drove down the road to the family grave yard, where we located the graves or memorial stones for each of the immediate Roosevelts, except Alice. Roosevelts were buried where they fell, and so many of those memorialized are actually buried elsewhere, because they were serving in the military. However, Teddy Roosevelt, the man of action, died in bed, and so we were privileged to see his actual grave in the small, shaded graveyard.
We returned home late, having enjoyed great family time and an educational while relaxing day of fun.

Everyday Life

We've certainly had plenty of posts about the exciting things that are happening on the Julie front, but you all probably would like to be reassured that the others in the family are keeping plenty busy.
Daddy is ramping up for a trip to the Philippines where he will be teaching a pastoral module on ethics as well as preaching several times in various places. He's ending his trip with a short visit to Hong Kong and the Chungs.
Busy as always, Mommy is working to close out the last school year and prepare for the upcoming one, with one less student. *tears* She has also been spending time helping a couple of older ladies in our church with medical, financial, and other personal matters. She's also running two Boy Scout first aid merit badge sessions, wading through many CALVARY co-op matters, trying to accomplish her summer-cleaning/project list, and planning for VBS in August.
In between and beyond all the excitement, Julie is still the same old Julie. She's working three days a week at the church and gives piano lessons on Wednesday. She is working really hard to finish the Crown (see the 2008 post for the trailer).
Sheryl is enjoying summer, and of everyone, seems least busy, but don't let that fool you. She's teaching three students the violin, and has been really diligent with regard to the co-op yearbook, which is trying to get finished! In between responsibilities, she likes getting together with friends and planning fun things for us siblings to do.
And Andrew . . . he's been astounding the family by his determination and diligence as he prepares for his six day of Boy Scout camp next week, but he still finds plenty of time for fun!
As for upcoming events: Vacation Bible School begins August 3rd, with Julie and Mother dearest teaching separate classes, and Sheryl helping in another class all together.
Then after our resident pastor returns from the Philippines, we're hoping to have a few days of vacation in which we'll be doing some day trips, etc.
Therefore, let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. The Carlsons are keeping busy and at the same time greatly enjoying the Summer of 2009.

Julie's Graduation and 18th Birthday Party

On June 27th, Julie had her joint graduation and 18th birthday party with Nathan Adamo. After a busy morning of preparation, the festivities began at 1pm. What followed were six hours packed with food, fun, fellowship, and games. Mommy Carlson and Mrs. Adamo made lots of dips and finger foods with the much appreciated help of others who supplied the meatballs, vegetable trays,

salads, etc. We had borrowed a volleyball net, and between that and our ping-pong table, the swings, and a vigorous game of hide-and-seek, the kids had plenty of fun. After several ping-pong tournaments, some of the older children invaded the garage, and started a stimulating game of round-robin, in which the players run around the table, and as they get to either side, they have to pick up the ping-pong paddle, hit the ball, and then put the paddle down, before relinquishing the spot to someone else. Whenever someone messes up, that person is out of the game. The players continue to be eliminated until only two are left to battle for the chaplet! Andrew Adamo and Daniel were fierce

competitors, but Catherine, Julie, Phil, Stephen. and Becky held their own pretty well!
In the back yard, the much calmer adults sat, ate, and talked at tables under the shade of three

canopies. The color scheme was multi-primary colors, and so the tables had a various colored table clothes. Marcus enjoyed the audience, and posed for any cameras that happened to point in his direction!
In the house, the kitchen received a constant flow of visitors looking for food. In the dining room, a small table held the graduation cake and other desserts. At about 3pm, everyone was called into the house to sing "Happy

Birthday," and Julie and Nathan blew out their token three candles. On the entryway table in the living room, Nathan's computer and Julie's computer were set-up, running simultaneous slide shows with pictures from their babyhood up until present day. Sheryl had kindly made up Julie's slide show and had added music, which wafted throughout the house.
At 7pm, the last of the guests left, and the Adamo and Carlson families rolled up their sleeves and began to clean-up. To complete the day of fun, Carlson kids and co. headed over to Montville to watch their spectacular fireworks display.

Seton Hall Orientation

To catch up everyone on my future plans: This fall, I (Julie) will, Lord-willing, be attending Seton Hall to study History and Secondary Education. Further, I was accepted into their intensive Honors program. On the 25th and 26th of June, I had a two-day orientation at Seton Hall. My mom and dad attended a separate orientation for parents that extended through the first day. They were both heartily impressed and excited. My two days were very informative, although rather drawn out and long. Thankfully, there were fun highlights sprinkled throughout the days, not to mention the delicious ice cream at the cafeteria! The most exciting and stressful part of the first day was registering for classes. Somehow (although it makes no sense whatsoever) we are supposed to sign up for classes before we even know who our adviser is. This caused some uncertainty and stress in trying to sign up for my recommended schedule. I will be taking a total of sixteen credits in the fall: a six-credit honors' class which will be studying ancient history and literature, the History of Education, Adolescent Psychology, American History II, and a one-credit University Life class, which tells us how to manage our time, do our laundry, and other things necessary to be successful college students! At dinner on the first day, I was able to meet one of the Honors professors, and had the opportunity to ask any questions which I had about the honors program. Since I had no inclination to attend mass, I had some down time which I spent on the Green getting to know a Hindu girl who is in my honor's class. As evening activities, the college had organized a money-less poker tournament, dancing, and even karaoke. Thankfully, my room-mate was a very quiet person, and when we went to check out the activities in the student-center and realized how loud the music was, we chose instead to head towards the gym and take a look at the pool. On the way, the library captured us, and we spent about twenty minutes exploring the most beautiful library I've ever seen. When we returned to the dorms, we both washed-up and settled in for a good night's sleep.
The next morning, in my devotions, I read about the instance of Jesus' healing Peter's mother-in-law. Here I was in the middle of a very Catholic college reading about how "the first pope Peter" had a wife - God has a sense of humor!
The second day was spent with those people who will be in my honor class for the next few years. I was very thankful for the opportunity to get to know some of those people even before school officially begins. Although the second day seemed to drag more than the first, it ended in an exciting way, when we received our laptops from the school. The computers are Lenovo Think pads and have some amazing capabilities! Finally, at four pm, my family arrived to pick me up, and my mom, dad, and I showed Andrew and Sheryl around the campus, making us one of the last families to leave!
After the orientation, I'm much more excited for fall and school to arrive, and very thankful for God's evident leading as I take this huge step into the unknown of the future.

Graduation Update

Julie's graduation last night went very well, and God was certainly glorified by the program. The high school choir commenced the night by singing Beethoven's Hallelujah, after which two of the graduates spoke. While Sharon Seiter encouraged the Seniors to proceed into the world to be lights for Christ, Kevin Hanse exhorted his classmates to persevere to

the end - through every circumstance. Following the speeches, the Senior Ensemble sung "Still" by Reuben Morgan, which was a beautiful reminder to be still in the hand of God, knowing that He is in control.
Finally, it was time to present the diplomas. Since it is a home school graduation, each of the parents come up on stage and present the diploma to the child, while short biographies are read about the student and seven pictures of them are shown in the background on the powerpoint screens. Directly
after the presentation of the diplomas, our dad gave a brief devotional on the importance, pleasure, and necessity of Knowing the Lord.
Concluding the musical aspect of the evening,

Choral, a select music ensemble, sang two very moving selections: "How Great Thou Art" and the "Irish Blessing." Then, to the great pleasure of the graduates, Mr. Forstrom, the

emcee, presented the Class of '09, and as the room erupted into cheers, the graduates turned their tassels - and were high schoolers no more.

Julie's Graduation

Since she has finally finished high school, (Wow! My big sister is so grown up!) Julie is going to be graduating with 34 other home schooled, hard-working seniors next Tuesday. This graduation is for the home schooled seniors of North Jersey. Daddy has the honor of giving the commencement message. Then, he is directing the turning of the tassels and then the "distinct privilege" of presenting the class of 2009. The choir that Julie and Sheryl were in this year (this was Julie's fourth year) is also going to be singing at this memorable event.
We all are looking forward to this milestone in Julie's life.

You are all invited to this graduation. It is at Hawthorne Gospel Church on Route 208. at 7:30 PM

For those of you who can't make it, we will miss you, but we will be sure to post pictures!!!

The two pictures are two of Julie's senior pictures. The top left one is her official one, while the bottom right one is just another pose.

Carlson Christian Homeschool Academy has finished another year!

This is just a brief update to inform everyone that every student of the Carlson Christian Homeschool Academy has officially completed all their work, and that the school has closed its door for everyone but highly-specialized staff, aka Teacher Mommy!
Andrew Barton Carlson has completed seventh grade!
Sheryl Kathryn Carlson has finished ninth grade, and is no longer a freshman!
And Julie Louise Carlson is graduating from high school entirely!