THANKSGIVING AND FAMILY 2011

This year was my year for Thanksgiving dinner. We had beautiful weather so we decided to do some family pictures, something Mike just hates. Believe it or not, he said he had a ball doing the pictures. Our nephew, Scott, just took some informal pics and I think he did a very good job considering all the babies we have in the group. I am very thankful for everyone of my kids and their families (including the dogs). They make me so happy everyday and I have been very blessed!

There's Nothing Like Fall....

It used to be that I didn't like fall...just because my yards seemed to get messy and leaves all over the place, but then I decided to think in a different way. I need to see the beauty of all seasons. Fall is when the wonderful Kochia weeds are 6 feet high, but they do get pretty when it freezes and they too change colors. Fall is when my flower beds are covered with all the leaves blown in from my trees, the neighbors trees and in Delta, the leaves could be from Milford too. hee hee.. Fall is when your mornings are chilly and the afternoons are unbelievably beautiful, then chilly evenings. Fall is when we try to get in all the last out door activities before the snow falls. Fall is the wonderful smells of Pinenuts roasting, dust from the corn fields being harvested, hot cider, and soups! Fall is 4 birthdays of the granddaughters. I have added lots of fall pictures from our family (of course mostly the little girls). I am loving FALL!!!

Just a little "this" and "that"...

We spent Conference Weekend down south...The weather was unusually hot but after the change in temps this week, I am missing the warmth already. The St. George Marathon was October 1st, and Susan has been training hard to run it. It turned out that it landed right on Riley's birthday, but I don't think that Riley minded too much. That was the first marathon Mike and I have been to and it was really amazing. They capped the race off at 7400 runners and the city of St. George was packed with people. Susan did awesome, she came in at 5 hours and 9 minutes. Pretty neat when you think that last year at this time, she was bringing baby Riley into the world. She is not the only one with the love/hate of running, Deanna ran a half marathon in Cedar a couple of weeks ago and her baby was only 2-1/2 months old. I am so in awe of these girls and I want them to know how proud we are of them. The pictures are just a few of my favorite subjects, I can't get enough of the granddaughters!

FROM 2 POUNDS TO BEAUTIFUL...THE TWINS TURN TWO!!!

Today we celebrate the second birthday of the twins. We are so blessed to have these two little girls in our lives. Modern technology has come so far in helping save little infants such as Haley and Kelly. Even today, Mike and I, just look at the two of them and count our blessings that we have them. Susan and Jared have been really busy taking care of the twins, besides having another baby right after them 12-1/2 months later (there again another miracle). They are truly beautiful! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HALEY & KELLY...

FISHING IN MEXICO

Mike just got home from a fishing trip to Loreto, Mexico. Mark wanted to do another fishing tournament (Fishin' for the Mission) so he called Mike and said let's go.... You don't have to beg Mike to leave the farm for some good fish; although it was very hot, about 103 degrees with all the humidity, it felt like 125 degrees. The fishing was very good, lots of Durado and Sail Fish and some Marlin. We're just so happy that Mark has the home, boat and friends to make for a wonderful vacation!

We have a New Baby...

We have a new Granddaughter....That makes 6 beautiful little girls! Chase and DeAnna had their little Kinley Christensen on June 29th. She weighed in at 6 lbs. and 13 oz. She is just beautiful and you will just have to take my word for it. The only camera I had at the hospital was my phone and I don't know how to get the pictures off of it for my blog. I need help!!! Pictures will follow.

The RV8 is DONE!!!

I just had to post this latest additions to our family...For nearly 9 years, Mike has been working on building his own experimental airplane...Called a RV-8. Mike and I went to Oregon and bought the initial kit and started from there. Thousands of rivits, thousands of nuts and bolts, and lots of frustration and work, we have finally finished. Mike started flying the plane in 2007 and we loved it but it was just the silver metal color and looked pretty plain. In April of this year, we flew the RV down to Kingman, Arizona and had it painted. Mike chose the color scheme and I think that it turned out so nice. (Pretty good for a color- blind pilot) Jake flew us down to pick it up last week so I had to take some pictures of him flying next to us on our way home. I am not really a lover of flying, but I am so proud of Mike and just knowing that he built his own airplane is really quite something. He had lots of help from the kids and a good friend, George LaDamas. We have all been there to cheer him on and excited to see his finished project. Way to Go, Mike!!!

EASTER 2011

Is it ever going to get warm this year??? We did our Easter in Delta this year simply because we wanted to spend it with the kids. They were all wanting to come home to Delta and spend time with their other families. We were happy to accommodate them. The weather was quite chilly but we made the most of it anyway. On Saturday morning we did our Easter Egg Hunt and the kids really got into it. They were all required to have one of the Granddaughters with each couple...Jared and Susan were happy to lend one of their girls to Todd and Staci and to Tara and Derek. Jake got left out but he wasn't really into Egg Hunting anyway. We also went to the Sandhills this year and I couldn't believe how much the little girls loved rolling eggs down the hills and just sliding down themselves. We had so much fun just watching the kids...maybe we will have to restart the Christensen tradition and go the the Sandhills every year!

SPRING TIME ???

I know you think I posted this picture in January....Noooooo it is April 8th and nothing has changed since then at our house. Millard County has really strange Springs, it is always so unpredictable. We have had very strong winds and unexpected snow storms for the last 3 months. Somewhere under all that snow is alot of green just waiting to grow. Meanwhile, down south in Mesquite, I just had fun planting some of my favorite plants. I really love my Bougainvillea plants, Lantana, Miniture Bottle Brush, and Mexican Bird of Paradise, lots of different plants that I can't plant in Delta. I just keep telling my self that pretty soon I will be planting my flower pots at home. It has been a long winter!

WeLcOmE 2011

It is hard to believe that another New Year is upon us. Our family has changed and we have grown in many aspects. I was counting the other day and I have 7 of my kids in college this year. I have 5 beautiful granddaughters and 3 very busy moms. My baby is all married and out on her own (and might I add that she is loving it). Tara and Derek are finally settled in their own place and busy with school. This is Tara's last year of school.. Hooray!!! Derek has a little more schooling to go, but Tara will be able to help put him through. Meghann has 2- 1/2 more years of school but she is loving it. She does very well, her goal is to pass her tests on every other Friday so that she doesn't have to go to school every other Monday. She scores an average of 99%. Jake is busy working on the farm. He is enjoying putting his skills into markets and futures. Jared is busy teaching school in St. George and helping Susan keep up with their 3 little girls. Chase is heading into another Tax Season but liking his job. DeAnna is heading back to school herself. She is going to Evans Cosmetology School in Cedar City. AJ is still going to school to get his Masters and working for Lehi City and being Mr. Mom for Sienna while Meghann is at school. Todd and Staci are working and going to school...Staci will be applying for Nursing School in March. We will also be adding another new Grandchild in June. I don't know what 2011 has in store for us, but we are anxious to find out.