Christensen Camping Trip

Camping with the Christensens has changed over the last several years from a backpack trip in remote areas of the Uintas to a posh experience in a camper. While I have very fond memories of watching dragonflies with my sister-in-law, Karen, around a Uintah lake, I have to say that having a bed is a nice change :). After just a short drive from home we met up with Grandma and Grandpa Christensen and enjoyed a hot dog dinner, an evening roasting marshmellows and awaoke to a gourmet breakfast. (How DOES my father-in-law create such delicious fried potatoes? I wish I knew....)

A couple of reasons to smile ...

#1 - New pajamas

#2 (Cailin only)- naturally tan skin - lucky girl!

Deer Valley Retreat

My family (including all of my brothers and sisters and their families) got together for a family reunion at a Deer Valley condo in July. By "Condo" I mean something like a mini mansion. We had 3 levels that were each about the size of my home. There was a pool table, two kitchens, and several balconies with wonderful views. In fact that only thing it didn't have was air conditioning. (My fault - I booked it for us but for some reason assumed that ait conditionining came with most places these days ...) We rode the alpine coaster and let the kids do some high flying bunji tramopline jumping. We went to a ranch nearby for a big dinner and wagon ride. The kids playhed with eachother nonstop. It was great.

While there Mike told us that one of his last business trips had taken him to California near where we used to live. He had driven by our old home and brought a picture. It was fun to take a trip down our memory lane while we watched our kids make wonderful memories of their own.

The home I gew up in. Nothing has changed except for the house color, garage door, steps to the front, gravel (we had grass), and all of the plants you see. Othre than that, exactly the same :)

Summer Camp

Braden attended a fum summer camp put on by his preschool this year. Each week they had new themes like dinosaur and butterflies, sesame street characters, farm animals, etc. He had lots of fun and always made something cool to bring home.

Braden showing off his "Pirates and Princesses" week booty.

Curse of the Ware Pager

When you work for a hospital and get urgent pages from places like the ER and operating rooms, losing your pager is bad. Over the years my pager has spent time in my laundry basket, under my bed, in the couch cushions, beneath the seats in my car, in the washing machine and even in the "porcelain express" - sad but true. Each time my mounting tension has only been relieved once I have found the pager and, as necessary, dried it out.

On July 14th I lost my pager - permanently. Aaron decided to go back to school to get an MBA and between his school, work and on call schedules we just couldn't juggle my work and on call schedules too. I knew I would be sad to leave the job I really enjoyed and the wonderful friends I had made at work, but I thought leaving the pager behind would be a piece of cake. Not so. For about a week I panicked every time I realized I wasn't wearing my pager and felt disoriented every morning when my pager wasn't on my bedside table. For about a month I kept trying to remember if I was on call before committing to do things. And today (2 1/2 months later) I saw something small and black and felt the desperate urge to attach it to my hip. Do I like being at home? I think I love it - but I will let you know for certain once I finally feel like I have left my job!

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

We celebrated Abby's birthday on July 11 and got a possible glimpse of Cailin's future ... Then at Lilly's bithday later that week we were taken back to the present!

Cailin with hair longer than mine - using Abby's new Hannah Montana Wig

Cailin at Lilly's birthday party with lashes longer than her hair!

Little Lilly

Tyler, Braden and Jack

Days of 47 Horse Parade

It was a real parade. There were real horses. But smiles? We coulsn't photograph a real one to save our lives!

Braden sporting fake smile #15

Hometown July 4th

On the 4th of July my parents were in Australia preparing for my Aunt Frances' funersl but we still met up with Ben and Kim and their family for the morning parade. After the parade we walked around the fair with Grandma and Grandpa Christensen hunting for the balloon and face painting ladies. One spider on a webbed cheek and a pop-able dragon later we decided to abandon the festivities and enjoy a lunch in the cool of a restaurant. Another fun holiday.

Looking out for parade candy. I still have candhy left in myh purse!

Dearest Aunt Frances

There are some people that have the ability to leave a big impression in a small amount of time. That was my Aunt Frances. Her sunny disposition and sense of humor quickly touched everyone around her. When she was diagnosed with colon cancer she joked about having to "put on weight" and the anti-nausea pills that she "couldn't keep down."

Aunt es passed away in early July just a few days before her birthday. I miss her so much. But even as my eyes tear up I can't help but remember her contagious laughter and start to smile. Heaven must be an even happier place now that she is there.

Christmas in Australia 2001

Silver Lake Silver Lining

There is nothing we like better than spending time as a family, watching our kids' friendship grow, and interacting with animals while we do it. We love Silver Lake!

One of the many people-loving squirrels.

Our squirrel-loving kids

And a moose that we enjoyed watching from the safety of our car.

Baby Ninja, Little Buddha

Every parent knows each child is special ... but when we saw Cailin quickly catch 3 flies with her tiny fingers this past week we finally realized she must be part Ninja!


When Braden worked for a few days to catch one fly and then burst into racking sobs because he had injured it - we realized he must be part Buddhist Monk!

Yes I do like phosothop - but at least the fly stories are real!

Baby Shoes

I don't think I could call myself a legitimate "mother of two" unless I did something ridiculous like forget to blog about Cailin walking. (Hooray - I'm officially in the club...) Cailin walked (consistently and for increasing distances) 3 days before turning 11 months old. Thank goodness I DID remember to buy her some shoes ... eventually!

Cailin's first real pair of shoes (above) - after an experiment with cute flowery shoes that cooked her little feet like an oven (below)!

Early Morning Art

Proof that Braden's dino art skills continue to grow - and that he never actually gets dressed.

Butterfly Birthday - Cailin is 1

For Cailin's birthday we decorated with butterflies , balloons, paper lanterns and Cailin wore a pink pair of butterfly wings. There was a butterfly hunt (kids used colorful butterfly nets to gather candies with butterfly wings that were scattered all over our back yard), a game of musical presents, and water fun for the kids. We ate pulled pork sandwiches (that roasted for almost 20 hours), fruit kabobs, cookie fruit salad, chips with avocado/salsa dip and pink lemonade. Cailin's cake was the talk of the party (just SO cute - thanks CoreyEllen!). And we learned that although she had not had chocolate before, she loves it! (That's my girl...)

Cailin got more presents than a 1 year oud could possible need. We gave her a small kitchen that she and Braden can play with together. Our family gave her some foods to go with the kitchen, a few soft ponies, books, a stuffed dinosaur, and lots of cute summer dresses.

What fun to be 1!

Milk JUg Cuddle

You know how kids sometimes do things that just make you laugh and you have to get them written down for memory sake in spite of how crazy it makes you seem to your friends and family ...

For whatever reason, both Braden and Cailin have LOVED cuddling with milk jugs in the grocery cart.

Cailin finds love at Sams Club one morning...

Cool at the Dentist

Braden had his first dental appointment with teeth cleaning and all. Who else could make this look so cool?

Rhino Climb

Yet another early morning at the Zoo - this time with just our family. Braden's favorite activity? Climbing the rhino again ... and again ... and again ...

Memorial Day

Visiting graves on Memorial Day always makes me think about how precious life is, how wonderful it is to know that life continues after death and that spending time with grandparents is a wonderful way to use the time we have.

Cailin on Grandpa Christensen';s shoulders - Yes I know - everyone who has a Costco or Sams Club membership has a pair of those pajamas, too!

Candyman Photo Shoot

Leah Wright recently offered special mini photo sessions to generate proceeds for a friend, called the candyman by her kids, that had recently been paralyzed in a recreational accident. It took a while for her to process the images but here they are. Thank you to Becca (my sister-in-law) for noticing that these slots were available! If anyone wants to check out Leah's blog, go to www.thewrightfampics.blogspot.com

Zoo with the Wikers

I know it has not escaped your notice that we go to the Zoo a lot. A few weeks ago we went on an early member morning with the Wikers from our neighborhood. Braden had great fun running around with Alex and Jacob. And of course, he spent quite a bit of time with his pal, the rhinocerous statue!

The Mighty T-Rex

Braden's first drawing that actually looks somewhat like the thing he inteended it to look like! And of course, it is a dinosaur...

A T-Rex - complete with head, body, tail, bumps on its back, legs with feet, arms with two fingers each (since it is a t-rex) and one all seeing eye. Hooray!

Cailin 10 Months

Cailin finally started walking on Monday, May 24th - still in her 10th month but only by 3 days. We were thrilled. After all - she could already get anywhere she wanted by crawling and standing but now she doesn't get quite as dirty doing it:). Today, a few weeks later, she walks everywhere. Occasionally she even tries to "run" away so that we will chase yer - but she gets so excited that she stiffens up and looks like a Scooby Doo mummy!


In the last month or so she has also become very fond of books. She does like to sit and look at them by herself, but if someone else is around she prefers that they read to her. She will read with Braden or whoever is willing for as long as they can take it.

Cailin contemplating how to get me to ready "That's Not My Puppy" to her.

Sports Skills Class

Ever wonder where your tax dollars are going? Well some of the Sandy Caty's MUST be going to the communicty sports class Braden just attended with his friend, Jack B0wers. After paying only $32 out of OUR pocket, Braden got to attend class for 6 weeks, received a t-shirt, sports skills book, completion certificate AND trophy.

Braden really enjoyed most parts of the class (especially playing sharks and minnows at the end) but his favorite was the baseball portion and that is where he created our most fond memories. On the first day an instructor wanted to see Braden hit the ball. Braden smacked it so hard that it hit a far off window, breaking one of its blinds and then apparently disappeared (until we found it later lodged between a bench and pole!) On the last day of class a similar incedent occurred only this time his ball smacked the trophy table so hard that one of the tophies shattered. And after the teacher teased him he (unwittingly of course) hit the next ball straight into that teacher's stomach.

Jack and Braden with their trophies - picture provided by Aaron's phone..

4 year old Preschool Graduation

Miss Nicole held a graduation program on the last day of 4 year old preschool. The kids sang songs and recited poems together. As usual, Braden kept the adults laughing with his almost non-stop editorial (ie "Hey - look at that boy - he's standing on a lady bug...). ANd, as a bonus, Cailin decided to join in the antics. As the kids were singing "The Wheels on the Bus" and got to the verse about the babies on the bus going wa-wa-wa, Cailin let out a loud fake cry and all of the adults giggled.


After their performance the kids had a little graduation ceremony and were awarded a star necklace by Miss Nicole. It may have been a bit over the top (based on the way things used to be when I was little) but Braden loved it and so did we. It is so fun to watch our little boy grow and learn. We love you, Braden!

From left to right, Back row - Christian, Tyler (cousin), Lilly, not sure, not sure, not sure; Front row - Jack, not sure, not sure, Ellie, Braden

Tyler, Braden and Christian

Tucanos

For a belated Mother's day we met CJ in Provo to move the washer and dryer from Kathy's to Grandma Guthrie's house. When the work was done we celebrated at Tucanos, a Brazillian restaurant where they bring all sorts of different meats to your table. I loved the garlic sirloin, Braden loved the brown sugar grilled pineapple and Aaron can't remember so he must have loved it all!

My family (I'm taking the picture), Carolyn, Kathy, Grandma, GG and CJ

A Birthday Riddle

Question: How many regular candles does it take to equal the light of a super Mayan birthday candle? Answer: We have no idea - but it must be something like 39! Happy 39th Aaron!

Aaron on 1st 39th birthday. (My father has celebrated 39 more than 20 times now!)

Holy Animals, Batman!

Aaron and I watched the Nelson boys while their parents attended some foster care classes in preparation for taking in a baby. For the last class (end of April) Aaron took all the boys to the zoo for the Earth day celebration. They saw Chester Cheetah who gave them free chips and made masks. Amazingly Braden seemed to like the rhino statue (be ready to see this again) almost as much the visiting batmobile!

Left to right: Enoch, Noah, Braden and Elijah

Right to left: Noah, Enoch, Elijah and ... Batman (either making bat wings with his arms or complaining about the noise.)

The 3rd 3rd

While some wards like getting together for food or sports, our ward likes racing cars. . After the scouts are done with their "real" pinewood derby, the ward borrows the track for a huge race that anyone can enter. Engineers, mechanics and contractors spend weeks creating thier perfect vehicles and we all have a great time watching them race. This year there was a bat mobile, a truck, and even a racing tube of lipstick. In the end it is very competitive so coming in 3rd place with a car that Braden and Aaron designed just days earlier is no small accompoishment. Congratuations, Braden (and Aaron!)!

Braden with his car and trophy - just a little red and out of breath from all the celebratory dancing he did when he won.

INTERESTING NOTE: Aaron has participated in 2 other pinewood derbies and his car came in 3rd both times!

From Break Free Run to Salt Lake Marathon

Back when I used to put on the Break Free Run with Elizabeth, my brother, Ben, came out to support me and ran what I think was his first 5k. It is hard to explain what that meant to me - but it meant a lot. This time WE got to support him - cheering as he finished the Salt Lake Marathon.

I always tear up as I see runners finishing a race - I love how the crowd goes wild for everyone they know AND everyone they don't. But of course this race was particularly special to me. It was so neat to be there with all of the relatives that could come. I am so proud of my brother. I love you, Ben! I hope you know that!

Waiting - Ben's Family (Kim, Abby, Jack, Max, Lola), Kims parents and grandparents, my family (Aaron, Braden, Cailin and me), Sarah & Tyler and our parents.

Ben finishing strong with Abby running the last block with him

My brother, Ben

Ben and Sarah - my brother and sister

Grandma Parker and the 3 little musketeers - Braden, Tyler and Jack