New Years 2014

Our New Year's Eve was pretty low-key. We had Connie, Mark,  Ashley, Sam, and Scout over. We played with sparklers, did a balloon drop, and ate our traditional macaroni and cheese.

A little while later my friend Lindsey came over and we did some fireworks in the backyard.

I guess the kids like Connie.

Here we are toasting at midnight.

These pictures are so blurry and taken with the iPad but I had to post them because I love Lindsay.

William and Gracie stayed awake the rest of the kids fell asleep.

My kids have built for earlier that day with the help of uncle Mark and Russ and they really wanted to sleep in it that night. So I let them.

Apparently they're restless sleepers because this is what it looks like when I got up in the morning.

Galentines 2014

This year for Galentine's it was just Connie and I and Austenland. We invited tons of girls but none could come. We did invite them pretty last-minute. Connie was awesome and brought over cucumber sandwiches in the shapes of hearts some awesome red and white gummy bears and rice crispy treats with frosting on top. She also brought peach Italian  sodas to drink my favorite. Austenland is seriously one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. I haven't been a fan of many movies lately but this one had me laughing all the time.

Valentines 2014

This year I was pretty unprepared for Valentine's Day so late the night before I ran to the store to pick up some treats for the kids. I decided to go with the theme of I art you. Mostly because my kids love art supplies so much I knew this would be something that would get them excited I also got them roll of bubble tape for fun. I was really glad that I got them gum since Jojo ended up throwing up that morning. If it had been something he needed to eat he probably couldn't have but he could chew gum.

This is Gracie's face when she noticed but glitter glue.

Russ and I also wrote each of the kids their very own valentine.

Gracie telling Louise happy Valentine's Day.

The night before Valentine's Day I also made a run by Krispy Kreme to get their valentines donuts for breakfast the next morning.

That night turned out to be a pretty crazy night. We had to go pick up Russ' truck from the shop and Louise cried the whole way in the car. Then we decided to stop And get Panda Express for dinner. Joseph still wasn't feeling well and all the kids were pretty tired and whiny and the line was really long. After we got home I had promised them that we would be able to watch the movie Cool Runnings (inspired by the Winter Olympics). While you're watching it Joseph threw up and it missed the bowl and landed on me. Not too long after he fell asleep in my lap.

Russ saved the day by giving me a back rub after the kids were in bed.

Since the kids go to a once a week school they are able to celebrate the holidays and were able to bring valentines for their friends. Luckily William had an extra one that he could give to Joseph and that made him so happy.

These are Gracie's valentines. The pencil, sucker, and card are taped to a blank book.

30!

On February 4th 2014 I turned 30 years old. The day started with a smiley baby. Not a bad way to start. 

After we ate we got ready to go tour the new Gilbert Temple before it was dedicated.

It is a beautiful temple and I was so happy to be there with my family. This is what I want to remember about our visit to the temple. Before we went into the temple we watched a video in the visitors center about temples and why they are important. They were talking about sealings and eternal families and William leaned his head on my arm and said, "I am sealed to you right?". In the sealing room Gracie said, "I am going to bet married here." and in the celestial room where there is an enormous sparkling chandelier. She said, "I had a dream about this place, in my dream called sparkle town." Joe hugged my arm and said, "I love being in the temple with you." and when it was all over he said his favorite part was "the baptized" meaning the baptisimal font. I was just happy to be there with my family and share my love of the temple with them. I also had the feeling that I couldn't wait to go to the temple with Russ after it is dedicated. 

These are the booties We had to wear over our shoes to protect the beautiful floors.

After we were done there we met Connie and Joe's Farm Grill and then I went home and napped with Louise. 

Then I was able to sneak off for a dinner by myself at Liberty Market.

Blessed Louise

On December 29th Russ gave Louise her baby blessing. We did it at Rex and Shaleighs a lot o family was here for the reunion. 

My mom made her dress 2 days before and used lace that Kirsten brought me from the Netherlands a few years back. The head band looked like a crown and was a bit much, but she look perfect in anything with that smile. 

She was so happy right before the blessing. 

Not so happy after it. 

This day was a but chaotic and Joseph was having a hard time, but I love my family and can't even say how happy I am to see it grow. 

Christensen Family Reunion 2013

The weekend after Christmas we all headed over to Don and Mindy's for the Christensen family reunion. I took almost no picture and Russ took a few. But that was because we were busy having so much fun. 

Harper with Louise. Everytime Harper saw her she would stop what she was doing/saying and say, "ooooh, Louise is so cute." 

Russ (as usual) spent a lot of time doing face juggler. 

Hal and Russ

Ted and Russ

Kirsten and Russ

Carileigh and Russ

There is Russ with Ladybug who passed away shortly after the reunion. 

There was a petting zoo. 

And Daniel brought his real sword. 

Not many people got to hold Louise because she spent a lot of time eating and sleeping. Mindy got her to sleep here. 

This is what we like to call "techgetherness" 

And this is everyone gathering for one of my favorite parts of the reunion, watching the slide show of Teds pictures. It was a wonderful time, with wonderful people I love so much.