Christensen Sibling Reunion 2010

Todd and I had a great weekend together in the fall at my sibling reunion. It was at my sister Suzy's house in St George, Utah. It was so nice to get away and reunite with family.
In the picture in the middle there are left to right Todd, Lisa, Suzy, Chuck,Teresa, Mom, Jay. Then in the back Ralph Doug, Karen and Marian.

SilverCreek/Grand Lake 2010

Ahh, the annual trip to the Inn at Silvercreek Granby/GrandLake area. We love it. We look forward to it each year! Todd couldnt take time off work and Brandon had Band camp at the High School. However, Trevor and Christen and I decided that we were free and the tradition must go on!! We met up with Todd's parents Tuesday night. (It's their timeshare) Grandma and grandpa were very impressed that trevor was helpful with the cooking and in general helping all around. it was nice for Trevor to shine a bit without Brandon there. They fished in the pond at SilverCreek and Grandpa joined in too. We also enjoyed Grand Lake, the go- carts and the shops there. Christen always get a huge jawbreaker and Trevor found a new pocketknife for his collection. We also went to the YMCA that was close for one day. That was fun.

Todd and Brandon drove up on Friday nightand we went back to Grand Lake to fish. Well, they fished and I shopped and read and napped. On the way home we stopped by REI for Life is Good Shirts and instead we got in on the garage sale - that we love and we got some great deals on expensive hiking bootsand gym shoes - $5 each!!!

Ellis Family Reunion 2010

We had our Ellis family reunion this year. We all gathered on July 6th at Todd's parents house. It was great to see everyone!! We especially loved having both Roger and Andrea there, who we dont get to see very often. They live back east and its a big trip We do this reunion every other year so it had been awhile for some of us. We ate and then celebrated Grandpa's birthday followed by a talent show. Then the next day we packed up to go camping. Brandon had band camp Tues and Wed so I stayed back with Heather to meet up with Brandon. By the time we got to the cabin/ camp everything was set up! Great timing! Everyone had meals that they were in charge of and the rest of the time we went to the lake and canoed, some swam when they got swamped, fished played games, rested, and visited. We also had a great fireside and family history moments.

After the cabin we went back to the house and then to Casa Bonita - great fun- and to the Drums Along the Rockies competition. Our nephew, Austin, is a Jr in HS and is the Drum Major. He had found out about the competition and organized the tickets. it was cool for he and Brsndon to share the experience together. It was a great evening.

Trevor Turns Twelve!

Trevor's Ordination Day above - the Sunday after his birthday. Todd's folks were able to come up and spend te day with us. Trevor took took his responsibilities quite seriously and did a great job passing the sacrament his first Sunday. We are very proud of him!!

It was a crazy week with all sorts of things going on but we did make it to Red Robin on Trevor's birthday. We love this tradition!! Trev got a bunch of fishing gear that he wanted and part of his birthday was to take a fly fishing class with his dad. He loved it!

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!

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.

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.

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!!

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!

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!!

Memorial Day

Traditionally, we go to Castlewood Canyon for a hike and a picnic, but this year it was just too rainy so we went down to the Springs to visit Todd's parents. It was a great day eating, visiting and playing a new favorite game - Take Two - a twist on Scrabble using the tiles and not the board. I learned it at my brother's house when I went to Utah. It is really fun. I think it gave my mother in law a headache though! So sorry. The kids enjoyed the hot tub too. We also watched the movie God's Army. It was interesting to see after we have been so inviolved withthe missionaries in our ward teaching our neighbors. They are so so talented in teaching the gospel and yet also their youthfulness shines through - good and - not so much we will leave it at that!!

Mother's Day

I had a great Mother's Day! I had breakfast made, homemade cards, sibling sitting services, flowers and a trip to see my own mom a week ago. I was also able to catch up on blogging, attend my own ward (its been awhile with my calling and the trip), foot rub and taking a nap!!! We also had a wonderful dinner prepared by Todd and his dad with his folks over.

BYU Women's Conference

Tera Michelle and Teresa

Suzy, Bro T - (Teresa's Dad), me

Lisa and Karen

Sis. T - (Teresa's mom and my Laurel advisor ions ago), Mom, Tiana and Ralph - Visiting in the evening. We stayed at my brother Ralph's home in SLC
Tiana, Teresa, Mom, Michelle Lisa and Karen Suzy and Tera had to leave early.

Mom and Karen

Teresa and Tiana

Tiana and Michelle

L Tom Perry speaking. Julie Beck and Barbara Thompson also spoke.

Good to see my mom for an early Mother's day. Love You!!

My niece Michelle and I.
Michelle and I again. I loved walking around campus!!




This was a great experience to attend with family. We all loved the classes and loved just being together, visiting, catching up and walking around campus and the bookstore. Im not sure I would go every year, but it was definately worth the trip. Thanks again Teresa and Ralph for hosting - -and the use of your car! Gwen - Im sorry that I missed you on this trip!

Happy Easter!

Easter Merengue Cookies

Making the Easter cookies and reading the Easter scriptures Sat night.

Christen went to her friend, Emma's Easter hunt Sat morning at the church because the rest of us were busy helping the scouts aerate.

Easter Eggs

Dying the eggs

We have a had a wonderful Easter morning. The Easter Bunny had prepared an egg hunt for the kids for this morning. Good that it was indoors because it has been raining. and last night we made our traditional Easter merengue cookies that goes along with the Easter story as you make the cookies. I love that we do that. Then we got ready for church and our neighbors and friends Dave and Denise came to church with us. We are going to share Easter dinner together. Todd is doing better and there is much to be thankful for, especially the life and sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ.