Tree Trimming

This year the kids mainly decorated the tree. They did a great job. Todd and the boys put it up. I think that I was feeling stressed at the time - so I said to go for it and be careful with the fragile ones. Its nice to sit in the front room and see the lighted tree and read or just contimplate the blessings of the season.

Starlighting - let the Holidays begin!

A yearly tradition for our family - Starlighting. we love it. we cant stay away. This year the weather was good - a bit windy but nice still. The live nativity, being with friends, seeing people all around, Todd and Brandon playing together this year in the band on the street, treats and free hot chocolate, Santa and of course the Starlighting itself. Good times!! Great memories!

Trevor's Tenderfoot

Trevor recently received his Tenderfoot award and his first merit badge - Fishing- no surprise there. He is very close to first and second class. This was also the first time Brandon had helped to present awards to the other boys and conduct. He received a bunch of merit badges too. Great job boys!

Thanksgiving 2009

Catching up - again -- anyhow we had a great Thanksgiving dinner with Todd's parents. we had a really nice day together before we drove to their house and then there too. We are so blessed to live close to them! We played several wild rounds of Pit - a new old favorite. My friend Denise had taught Christen and I how to make apple pies. I impressed everyone - including myself. They were beautiful! We have been making a lot of homemade egg nog lately too. - Started by Brandon - Brandon got an early birthday gift of a new art set by Grandma and Grandpa. The kids spent the night Thanksgiving night to decorate their house for Christmas the next day. Todd was working and this gave me a chance to go out early with Denise on Black Friday. Very productive!

Printing the Blog

I am wanting to print my blog - for Christmas - birthday time. I know a few of you have done this. Any suggestions on which company - or any tips? I dont know what or how to do it.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

On Thursday, I went to Denver for a 6th Grade field trip with Trevor. It was a beatuful day - good especially because it was a walking tour. They were looking for Greek influences - which there are many. The highlight was climbing up to the top of the state capital dome. It was amazing! It was fun to hang out with my Trevor!!

Brandon's Eagle Board

Just need to schedule his Court of Honor. What a process! He was so nervous - and so was I!! He was well prepared and they congratulated us on what a great job he did. Sorry you have to read every minute detail of this process - but.... Great Job Brandon Boy!!

We had an excellent Stake Activity Day Girls Conference tonight! The weather was a bit snowier that we'd hoped for, but the girls had a great time and learned too! The theme was PJ'S - Prayer, Journals, and Scriptures. It was alot to prepare - and not with out some stress, but it was well worth it. We had two talks on the theme and a musical number by of of the wards girls. ( the new song for 2010) Pizza, candy, prayer, music, journal writing and reading scriptures all in one evening... What could be better! I really do love the ladies I work with in my calling too!

Halloween evening

pumpkin carving

We were a little late this year on the Halloween prep since we were on our trip and also missed the ward trunk or treat. We finally carved pumpkins but now they are buried in the snow outside. Christen wanted to do her own so she did - she ended up with a big hole in the middle. Good thing we had the princess potato head decorations to add. Then she wasnt so upset.

Snow Days! = 3

Three days of Snow Days!

Above is the only picture I managed to take of our tree before our trip.

We have lived here for a long time now. 11 years in the area. Other than one spring break when we were snowed in - the kids were out of school anyway, this has never happened. THREE full snow days for the kids - OUT OF SCHOOL! Amazing. There is 2 ft of snow on our patio table outside. The boys have made an incredible snow fort in the front yard. It seems too dry of a snow to make a good snowman. Lots of hot chocolate, shoveling, indoor games, movies, and baking. As Christen and I were making pumpkin cookies we played a Princess Diaries trivia game together - asking eachother made up questions. She and I didnt do to well when we played Star Wars Trivial Pursuit with the neighbors!

I think that later today we will be able to go out. We will see. It is pretty outside although after our trip I really feel bad that our fall season is so short here. We had all the backpacks all set out last night just sure that the kids would be back and have their Fall/ Halloween parties. Oh well. Tonight Brandon was supposed to play in the band with the High School during the football game. I am assuming that wont happen now.

Our Fall Break to Illinois and Missouri

We had and amazing fall break! We took the kids out of school a few days early before fall break -- mainly because we were DRIVING to Illinois. My brother Doug and his wife Karen live east of Nauvoo about 3 hours. My siblings and mom had planned a siblings reunion there. Doug and Karen were fantastic hosts! It was a VERY long drive to get there but was totally worth it. We were determined to get there in one day - and we did. I learned a valuable lesson in that even though you have a GPS to get you places --ALWAYS take an atlas like the good ol' days!! When you think you know exactly where you are going and turn off the GPS to listen to the MP3 player that it also is - there can be trouble. We went a but too far on one highway and didnt turn where we were supposed to. OK - I admit -- Todd was a sleep and I was driving and took the wrong turn ......Anyhow.....

About and hour into the trip the kids asked where the DVD earphones were. Hmm maybe back in the garage??? We had 10+ movies but no earphones. It still worked, however everyone had to listen to the movies - thus, I was listening to the MP3 player!!

We go there late - very late on Wed night and they graciously waited up for us. My sister Suzy and her husband Chuck had arrived a few hours earlier. My mom had already arrived a few weeks before. We got some good sleep and then the next day prepared for Jay, my oldest brother and his wife Marian to arrive. Unfortunately, we had a few missing - my brother Ralph and his wife Teresa. Teresa's brother had just lost his battle with cancer and they were at the funeral. We MISSED you so much and were thinking of you!!

Thursday we also got to visit Doug's dental lab. He is a tech there and it is amazing to see his work and the process involved! They have a small lake a few miles away so we had a great walk and enjoyed the beautiful colors. Unfortunately, it was too cold to sail but we did all get to ride Doug's motorcycle!! The kids LOVED that! We went bowling together and had a pie making contest that the kids judged. Gma took first in looks and taste for her famous lemon merengue. Todd and I were close second with the a simple pumpkin - just because we knew they love that. I managed to do a crust although I will admit I need more practice. There was also an amazing apple pie. I kept trying to sneak away t o the grocery store but they wouldnt allow it!

Karen had also organized a service project where we prepared and sewed Christmas stockings for the military troops and we wrote letters to put in them. We ate a lot of great food and visited and played games. My brother Jay gave us a great presentation about our family heritage. I find that as I am getting older those sort of disscussions are much more meaningful. It was very interesting! Thanks Jay! We were also able to see 3 of Dougs kids and their families which was a treat. David, Michelle and Nathan. Doug and Nathan played their guitars for us. It has been so good for us to be better in touch with my family!

On Sunday morning we followed Chuck, Suzy and my mom to Nauvoo. I must say that we were all excited to see the Mississippi River and later to get out and touch the water. Before we even checked into the motel we went to the visitors center to check things out. We went to many of the Old Nauvoo presentations and displays that the senior missionaries do. The blacksmith, the gun shop, the Family Living Ctr - with ropemaking, candle making, breadmaking, pottery and more, the brickmaking shop, historical homes and Joseph Smith's Red Brick store and of course the temple grounds. It was all so amazing!! The next day we took a wagon ride and a carriage ride around, went the the gardens with the women's statues and went to the play, Rendevous. The play was so fun! We decided that the senior couples must just have a great time serving there as well as doing that play. The town was not crowded at all so we were blessed to see as much as we could as fast as we did.

Our last morning in Nauvoo Todd, Brandon and I had the opprotunity to do some temple work - baptisms - It was very special to be there with Brandon. He has done work before in our home temple with the youth but I have never gone with him. It was extra special because we were doing family file names that Todd's parents have been working on. It was a neat experience to part of the inside of the temple. The font is the biggest of any temple the exact dimentions of the first one.

We also had time to shop, swim a bit, get ice cream and have a catfish lunch. On the way to Missouri we stoppped at Carthage jail. What a sacred place. The kids had just been learning some of this very church history in their church classes so it was very meaningful to tham as well as Todd and me.

We met up with Chuck, Suzy and mom again in Missouri at my Uncle Dale and Aunt Mary Jo's Bed and Breakfast in Jameson - a mile from Adam Ondi Ahman. Their place is on farm land with several fishing ponds. The kids were thrilled!! It was so beautiful there and it was fun for me to take some cool pictures. Christen finally caught her first fish and we came home with 12 all together!! Bass, Croppy and Catfish. It was nice to visit and relax there and see my cousin Teresa and her family too. I would highly reccommend their place to stay if you are travelling through!

Their Bed and Breakast link is : http://marydale.com/ Check it out!!

While we were there we also were able to see Jamesport - the largest Amish settlement west of the Mississippi. That was a fun experience to learn more about their culture. On the way home we stopped off at Libery Jail. It was amazing to be there and to read the sections in the D&C after of that place and all of what we had visited.

It was an incredible trip for out family! We felt very blessed.

need to catch up, need to catch up.....

OK - it is 3:45 in the AM. Crazy. I CANT SLEEP. Lots going on with my calling and the kids and ... life. I have been catching up on other peoples blog and a bit depressed that I havent blogged for awhile....

Wed AM we are leaving to go to Illinois for a mini family reunion on my side and then going to Nauvoo and Missouri sites on the way home. LONG drive -- but it will be great to get away. The kids have fall breat and are missing a few extra days. We are excited to go though!!

Then I will HAVE to post.

Christen got her cast off - now in a splint, We have avoided the swine flu however several of us have had colds. I have not been exercising like I should, parent teacher conferences, bookclub at my house Tues (bad timing on my part), 9 Primary programs to attend, Stk Aux training, scout "stuff", Brandon's Eagle board after we get back, having to deal with "Drama" in several different venues, crazy Colorado weather, getting packed up for the trip and my kids bugging me about Halloween costumes ( they have to make their own this year) and asking why I havent bought candy yet. A friend told me she was almost done Christmas shopping. hmmm. Me - not so much at all. Should think ahead at least about Christmas cards.

Im going to bed now. I guess on the couch so I dont bug Todd - although his snoring was keeping me up partly too. SIGH. One day at a time.

A Day Gone to the Dogs

Last weekend we had a first. Our town opens up one of the outdoor pools -before they drain it- over to the dogs! Its called the "Pooch Plunge" and it is very entertaining! There were many labs that stayed in the water for an extended time but our dogs got out fairly quickly each time we put them in. Anyway, it was a fun activity and we were with our friends Dave and Denise and their dogs too. There was even music and toys for the dogs to play with as well as freebees galore. Very festive.

Labor Day Late

Trying to catch up - We had a fun picnic with Todd's parents at Castlewood Canyon for Labor Day and then went to the pool for the last time of the season. Had smores that weekend too.

Brandon Repelling

Brandon and his Scout group went repelling today at Castlewood Canyon. They had a great time!! Brandon even went down "Aussie" style which means he went down face down - see bottom middle picture. Glad everyone was safe!! It was a beautiful day.

Trevor Our New Running Machine

Trevor has started Cross Country at ACS. He has really taken to it more that we even imagined. It has been great for him and the month or so that he has been practicing he has greatly improved!! He is very serious about it. He said that yesterday at his meet another kid kept trying to pick him off and so Trevor had a strategy. He saw a pile of horse poo coming up and so Trev jumped over it and the other kid jumped right into it!! lol !

Just this morning he ran in the Stk 5 k and got first place for his age group with a time of 27 min 44 sec. To celebrated he puked right afterwards several times! Everyone was impressed that he did so well (running) and beat many adults including his dad. Our bishop, also a runner, saw him finish and said, "Holly Cow we have a puker!" I cant say much because I was still asleep!

Great job Trevor! We are proud of you! Run Trevor Run! Go Trevor Go!

Christen Gets Her Cast

This was a week or so ago. She was so excited - and also to get the custom blue/pink option. Of course mom was the first to sign. It has started healing and now she will have more freedom - but will still have to be careful. She will get it off Oct 8th hopefully. Thanks for all your concern!!

Sunflowers

I love sunflowers. They make me happy. I just bought a small grouping at Safeway today and then added some from around our neighborhood.

The Rock Climb

This is pre- Christen drama described below. Todd and the boys and scouts went caving a few weekends ago so Christen and I had fun together taking the dogs up Castle Rock and having lunch at Sonic. Then we painted toenails. Great Day!

Poor Christen

Last Thursday- a normal morning, getting lunches made backpacks ready the works. Even Christen looking especially cute as she went outside to wait for the school carpool. Two minutes later - not normal - as Christen comes in screaming bloody murder - "Im not going to school today!" I looked at her pretty little face as I get an icecube for her mouth and start cleaning the scrapes on her face. I calmly told Trevor to go with the carpool and that I would bring Christen in a bit tardy. I was sure that she would be fine in a few minutes after I calmed her down and got her cleaned up.

Then, I glanced down at her arm.

"Oh! I guess you arent going to school today!" Totally broken - wrist. She is still SCREAMING.

She had been scootering - a normal thing - and hit a divot in the sidewalk.

Trevor got picked up and I got dressed quickly. We went to the drs office first. They have now seen all three of my kids for one reason or another in the past 2 weeks. Should have gone staight to the ER. I had called the nurse and she said that they can cast there - what does she know?

Anyhow, they were great at the ER and got to her quickly. It took about 4 hrs before we got home. They gave her some really strong medicine to make her "zombie out" is what I called it. Her eyes were wide open but she couldn't see, hear, remember, or feel anything as they had a specialist do a closed reduction. I left the room for a moment.

We were hoping that she would have a hard cast by now, but that will be next week. She has to be super careful until then. (she is in a soft cast and sling) Poor thing - no PE, or regular recess.

So, today as I was waiting with them for the carpool, Christen had figured out how to hula hoop holding up her sling as Trevor insisted on doing tricks with the very scooter she fell off of.- notice Trevor in the back of the one picture. I didnt have the camera in the ER and didnt have the heart to capture her when she was screaming in pain!! The other pictures in the drs office was Monday when we thought that they would hard cast her arm. She was SO disappointed! It just had not healed enough to mess with it yet.

The day after she stayed home and we enjoyed the Red Robin free kids meal card that the nurse gave us. That and a trip to the dollar store brought a smile on her face. The first day was rough because the perscription medicine was too strong on her stomach so we switched to Motrin.

Playlist

I just realized that my dear children have been adding songs to my playlist. It links up to my blog. -------------- so if some random kid song or other song - like Another One Bites the Dust - which I did not add -- please disregard, turn down your volume or switch to another song! I will try to figure out how to delete songs. :)

KIDS!

First Day of School

Brandon started school on Monday (8th gr) Brandon was a bit disappointed what he got home because he wasnt with many of his friends and they also split up the band class so he wasnt with some of those people either. However, he feels now like he will survive. Everyday I tell him to meet one or two new people and tell me about them. Yesterday afternoon I told him to meet 3 people for today. He then said, - "that is too many!!" Poor kid! He is doing better and even wants to run for Student Council Treasurer.

Trevor is in 6th gr - middle school where he is. He is doing just fine and didnt seem to bothered by the changes of moving around classes etc. He has the teachers that Brandon had so that is good.

Christen has a new teacher for 3rd gr who just moved here from Georgia. We were hoping for either of the other teachers but I think it will be fine. She had a good day yesterday and has quite a few friends in her class.

I dont feel pressured to be a room mom this year -- so Im not going to be!! Hopefully, I still will substitute every once in a while. I especially missed the kids as I ate my lunch alone yesterday! We needed maybe one more week of summer!

Town activities

Every year at the end of summer our town hosts the Douglas county fair and parade. This year we just went to the parade because Todd had a work lunch that day too at Flying W Ranch in Colo Spgs. It was fun though. I love our town spirit. Todd had a band concert before the parade.

A few days before the library sponsored a meet an author night with TA Barron the author of the book based on Brandon's Eagle scout project. It was interesting to hear him and to tell him about Brandon's project. Brandon also won 3rd place in an art contest for the same event. Along with the author visit there were all sorts of medeval festivities along with it since that was the time period of the book - The Lost Years of Merlin.

Todd's birthday

The kids and I barely had time to get home before Todd's birthday the very next day. It was nice to be together again. We managed to make a cake and go to Red Robin. Luckily, we did the birthday shopping before and in Utah.

Happy Birthday Todd! We Love You!

Trip to Utah!

After SilverCreek, Todd had to go home to work hard and the kids and I drove out to Utah for some fun before school starts. We went to St George to see my mom and sister Suzy and bro in law Chuck. Thanks for having us!!! We had a great time there - even though it was 110 degrees there! Lots of swimming in their very fun pool, the boys shooting on a range with Uncle Chuck, manacures with Christen and Gma, seeing the play Annie at Tuacahn, In and Out Burger, games, and a big trip to DI. When we went to their Walmart I was amazed to see the big shelving unit of food storage supplies - # 10 cans of everything you can imagine. I had to get something so I got some dried eggs. The kids arent to anxious for me to use them but we will slip them in at some time.

From there we headed up to the Oquirrh Mtn Temple openhouse. That was an amazing experience for the kids and me! On the way we stopped off for lunch in Santaquin to visit my friend Gwen. I knew her in High School and BYU. It was great fun to visit and see her kids! As for the open house my kids were most impressed by the ceiling rooms and the celestial room. Of course Christen was excited to see the brides room. It was so beautiful and we felt such a great spirit there.

After that we spent 2 nights with Chad and Julies family - great friends from Castle Rock who moved away. Thanks so much for letting us stay!! It is always like picking off right where we left off with them! The kids were all so excited to see eachother. Chad bought us sub sandwiches from Moochies in SLC. - Excellent - you have to try it if you are out there! Julie and I shopped at Target and Ross and found some great buys for back to school. We also had a very fun BBQ with other friends who have moved from Castle Rock - thanks Randy and Rachel! Also saw Andrea and Jackie! And another friend from HS and BYU - Amy. Fun times!!!!

THEN we visited my brothers ward where we saw Elder Russell M Neslon on the stand and ther=n bear his testimony - his home ward!! Very neat. We celebrated my brothers bday with lots of chocolate and a big fast day dinner. we were able to see my nephews Adam and Mike and Liz and their kids. It was so fun! Thanks so much for letting us stay Ralph and Teresa!

We came home in time for Todd's bday and to get ready for school to start. On the drive home we found out that my Grandma Christensen had passed away. She is the one that we helped when she broke her hip at DIA. I really wanted to take the time to drive a few more hrs to Idaho but I knew we had to get home. Im so glad we had that time not to long ago to get to know her better. (Skipbo rocks!)

Anyhow, it was a great trip - lots of driving for me but well worth it!!

family pictures

I was trying to be a little creative with my new camera - nothing fancy but more megapixils so I hope to be able to blow up some to 5x7 or 8x10. Also learned a few things about our Picasa program.

Silvercreek 09

Here are some pictures from our annual trip to SilverCreek/ Solvista and Grand Lake. (End of July) We had a great time together and with Todd's parents. Hanging out, window shopping, eating, going to the lake, swimming, putt putt golf, fishing and more. We always look forward to this trip!

Trevors 11 yr old camp

This is a bit old but I realized that I never posted about Trevors 11 yr old camp just after his bday. It was right after I finished with Day Camp. I went straight up the next day to be with Shanna, the Stk Primary Pres I work with. She was such a big help to me that I wanted to be there for her. It was a great camp! The only little issue was that there was a tornado warning that Friday night so they were not able to actually spend the night. Trevor was DEVESTATED!! However, they did go back early the next morning and resumed their classes. It really was well organized!

Downtown Movie Night

Several weeks ago, Trevor, Christen and I had a fun night watching Journey to the Center of the Earth downtown. I love all of the community events such as this that we have here. We sat next to our neighbors and everyone else who brought out their lawn chairs for a fun free night. I even won a drawing for a free dinner for 2 at Hacienda. That was fun too!!

Brandon's Eagle Scout Project

And . . .it's over! Now for the write up. Anyhow, it was a big success. His project was providing a teen book event at our local library revolving around the book The Lost Years Of Merlin. He and his team advertised, got donations for prizes at various bussinesses and ward members, decorated and set up, had a scavenger hunt and a trivia game set up, provided prizes and food. It was great! - and he learned a lot. We are proud of him!! Thanks for the all of your help and support!!

Arg!!

I have been having issues with the computer. Viruses. My friend Denise fixed it. But --- Now when I view my blog it goes back to April for the last post but then when I go to edit posts it goes to my real last post which was July 4th. What last post of mine are you people seeing - besides this one?? I know that the posts arent lost because I can view them if I try to edit. I have a love hate thing with computers! Suggestions? It is probably something easy -- I will check tomorrow.
Im so confused!!

Big news of late - Brandon did his Eagle scout project!!! Still has the write up but the project went well!

4th of July

part 1
We had a nice ward breakfast and then a bbq with Dave and Denise and Todd's parents. Then as is st arted raining the kids got squirly and that is how Brandon ended up with his swirly! The grey spot in the collage was a video that didnt come up.

part 2

We had a fun time even though it was a rainy evening. We ended up staying home and doing smores in the rain on the firepit. We had a lot of street fireworks which were great and we got together with the neighbors all around.

Poor Brandon

I cant upload the video - but it was hailing and the kids got bored. Brandon poured icewater on Todd and then Brandon got his first swirley!! LOL!!!! I will try to load it later! Hilarious I say. Wont make it to the town fire works. Glad we bought some for the street.

Trevor's Birthday celebration part 2

Fun fishing trip with Dad, Gpa, Carson and Dakota and Brandon. They each caught a fish!

Trevor's 11th birthday celebration part 1

We enjoed Father's day with Todd's folks and Trevor got his first gifts - a tie and picture frame. Then on the eve of his bday he had two school buddies Xander and Evan over for swimming at the rec center, pizza, and sleep over. Fun!!

Sweet 16

Sweet 16 - Sweet because I finally fit back into my wedding dress zipped in the back even!!! :) ( it was formfitted, dropwasted, and still looser back on the wedding day) and 16 because that is how long Todd and I have been married! June 26, 1993 - June 26, 2009. Wow, time flies. I love you Todd!

I will try to have someone scan some of our wedding day pics so I can post them here too.

mo tab choir

Not your average concert for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir!! They really got moving to this African tune!! click below

Todd and I met up with Todd's parents on Monday June 29th for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Concert at Red Rocks. I guess it was part of our anniversary celebration. We got there really early and got great parking and even got to hear the choir practice. We got up close for that which was great because our $25 seats were fairly high up! We still had a great view in the middle and the accoustics were incredible. What an incredible venue as well! We brought a Subway picnic and had an unofficial tail gating party as the dignitaries passed though the parking lot!!

Right before the concert I told Todd to go get his water bottle filled. He thought that I was being bossy but then he came back after kind of sheepishly. He was in the visitors center and saw Pres Monson coming out of the elevator. Todd was about 20 ft away!! We sat next to our bishop and his wife and saw many people from our ward and stake. It was a wonderful experience!!

Primary Temple Activity

While Todd, Dave and the scouts were camping, Denise, Christen and I went to the Primary Activity at the temple. It was really cool especially to share it with Denise who is very excited to be sealed next year to her husband Dave.

We learned that the fountain at the temple is going to be replaced so this wil be the last time we may take a picture by this original. All of the kids - and Denise :) were able to touch the wall of the temple to help them remember to come back when they are ready. - "As you touch the temple the temple will touch you."

Young Eagles

A few weeks ago the Boy Scouts had a really cool activity. They had been earning their Aviation merit badge because one of the new leaders works at a smaller local airport. To culminate the experience the kids got to go to an air show!! There was a WWII B17 that they got to tour, flight simulators, and also the Young Eagles program. It was too windy to fly the Saturday we were there but they told us to come back on Monday - with parents -- and they could actually fly in a small plane as the copilot!!

This was especially cool because my kids always feel so shafted because they have only been in a commercial plane as small babies (when they were free) --So this was the big chance for them!! It was free and a pilot gave them a short training and off they went into the wild blue yonder. The smiles on their faces were priceless!! The lady helping commented that I had earned some big mom bonus points with them. Anyway, it was totally worth it! You will have to look for the program in an area near you. They got a log book too and can go up anytime the program comes back. The pilot even reminded the kidsto get great grades - good for the middle child who plans to go to the Air Force Academy. We'll see . . .