Bath Time

So, Connor is too big for his bathtub. Seriously, just a few drops of water and they flow over after I put him in it. But, he can't sit by himself either, so I have been putting him in with the girls and letting Callie hold on to him while I wash him up. Hilarious. She is a really good sport about it and really tries to hold that wiggly, slippery, big boy!



Me: Smile at the camera.
Kids: Cheeeeeeeeeeessssssssseeeeeeee. Accompanied by a cheezy smile
Me: Please, smile normal, at the camera
Kids: The results above.
Me: Oh well, I guess that is as good as its going to get



Callie being a good big sister and preventing Connor from drowning

Sunday Morning

I got this adorable little tie for Connor from one of my friends, and I absolutely love it. Connor looks like a little man when he is all dressed for Sunday. Can't get enough of him!!


That's right, I am a happy, handsome stud ready for church!



See, I have this awesome tie



Ok, my shirt and tie are both awesome, don't you love them!!

Smile Kitty

Last weekend, my mom watched the kids while I worked. So, we went out on Friday night and spent the night. When we got there, Peyton of course, wanted to chase after the kitty. So, my mom, being the good sport that she is, helped Peyton get the cat and helped her hold it and pet it, etc. See, her mommy hates cats and won't do that for her. However, getting back on point, so, the cat ran away and then Peyton managed to catch it again, and she was standing on the sidewalk and she looked just like my little brother Ty did at around the same age when he had finally caught one of the cats. So, I of course, ran for my camera and said, "smile!" So Peyton said, "smile, kitty!" Oh my goodness, I about peed my pants I was laughing so hard. So, after the photo session and the kitty smiling for the camera, Peyton and Callie went and helped Gigi feed the cats.

It's nice the girls get to enjoy time with the cats and Gigi and Papa's house, because their mother refuses to own them!!

Gaggle of Chicks

So, I know that most of you have heard of Groupon, but have you heard of Gaggle of Chicks? Right now they have a promo going for an 8.5x11 photo book for only $15 plus free shipping! But the deal gets better. If you are new to Gaggle of Chicks, follow this link and you sign up and you receive a $10 credit. Yahoo! I just bought mine, maybe there is a chance I might get some of my photos put together.

Testimony

I am really proud of my sweet Callie. She bore her testimony during Sacrament meeting today. She asked me, "Mom, can I go up there?" I asked her if she knew what she was going to say, and she said yes. So, she had to wait for one person, but they she walked up there by herself and with the aid of Brother Zorich, she gave her testimony about the church and that she loved her family, her daddy, and her friends. Of course, I cried, but I was so proud of her. She has been asking a lot of questions about our Savior and I am trying to answer her the best I can, and sometimes she is really confused, or concerned, but I know she is trying to understand, and I can't ask for more than that as a Mommy!

Crazy Crew

So, I wanted to post a few pictures from the last little while. My friend Chari printed her blog into books and they look so great, so I am hoping to gain a little ambition so that I can have those cool books of my own!



Connor always such a happy little guy!! These little mittens are great!



The girls don't ever want to go to bed at night, or at naptimes, but playing sleep during the day in the living room is a favorite game. Go figure.



PeyPey loves hat. And looks so cute!



I took the picture of Peyton and Callie was a little jealous, so she donned the sunglasses and struck a pose.



What can I say, he's cute!


Is someone a little whiny?



Before the snow came, when we had springlike conditions, the kids and I were fooled into believing that wonderful weather was soon to be here. Wrong. However, they did enjoy the bikes for a few days!





I have such pretty princesses! The dress set from Gigi for Christmas gets a lot of wear!!



Callie loves to take pictures and she insisted on taking one of us. As you can see, I look ravishing this fine morning and Peyton is equally thrilled about getting her picture taken. Connor: who knows what he thinks about his crazy sisters.



Since Daddy is gone, the girls and I have a little more girlie time. So, we painted nails. This is an event normally reserved for Aunt Jane, but Mommy got suckered in this time.



I know, another one of just him. Believe it or not, I actually didn't post several, dozens. :)



If you are wondering, hmm, is she missing her pants? You would be correct. My delightful and stubborn Pey is not wearing pants because she is POTTY TRAINING!! And yes, she is pretty much good, we haven't had an accident in a while and she does all her business in the toilet. Is there celebrating at the Christensen home? YES THERE IS!!! My little Peyton has done great, we pretty much had the whole thing nailed down within a week. We leave the house with confidence and without fear or trepidation about how many panties we will soak while gone. Yahoo!!!!



So, we got this bouncer in California for Connor, and he did ok with it while we were there, but the real use has come from Peyton, who considers it her own personal recliner. Yes, she is watching TV and yes, she has no pants. Again, the potty training. She does great, just doesn't always put pants back on, but there is no need to get picky! We just like to model Dora panties at our house!



Ever since we got back from California in January, Callie wants to share a bed with Peyton, instead of her top bunk. But aren't they cute. Even though they fight, they are the best sisters and really do love each other.



Every princess deserves an oreo.



I flat ironed her hair and I think it looks so pretty. She has such pretty long hair and she loves it like that!



I know, enough already. But he is so cute!! And such a chunk. My little man is weighing in just shy of 20 lbs at 5 months. I see football in our future.....

Thanks for obliging me in the bragging of my children. Can't help, I think they are pretty great.
A little update on everyone:

Ryan: In Boise working toward his LPN, he is doing great, getting A's and really working hard. He just found a job, so that is a bonus and he gets to come home and visit on Friday!! We are so excited to see him!!!!

Abby: Staying home with the three crazies. I still work at Shopko pharmacy once a month and I was babysitting, but it proved to be a little more than I could handle. I still work in YW and love it.

Callie: She started pre-school last September and absolutely loves it!! She goes to Ms. Rita and Ms. Kara and is doing so well. She plays with her good friend Madden quite a bit, they love to have playdates. For some reason she is quite concerned about getting married, so I told her that she needed to find someone to love, and she said, "I love Madden!" Well, we loved Madden too, but then I told her she needed to wait until she was big like Aunt Molly. So, that delayed the marriage talk for a whole day. Gee, can't wait until she's 16 :) She takes dances classes and quite likes them and actually does pretty good. She concentrates and really tries to follow the moves. She loves being a big sister and loves to help me take care of Connor. Her best quote as of late was when she spent the night at Gigi's house and found the candy dish and she said to my mom, "Peyton deserves two treats because she went potty in the toilet. I deserve two treats because I smiled." Love it.

Peyton: Is two and half. Truly. She wants to do everything that Callie does and be big like her. The first time we dropped Callie off at school after being gone in California, Peyton didn't say anything, but I looked at her and she just had tears running down her face. She loves Callie but at the same time knows just what to do to make her really angry. She is recently potty trained and I am so proud of her. She LOVES Dora. A lot. She also loves to dress up in the princess dresses and play with the tea set. When I do my exercise videos, she is right there with me, trying her hardest to do the exercises too. She is a bit of a mischeif maker sometimes, ok, a lot. The other day, she inhaled seven of the ten packages of fruit snacks she had snuck out of the pantry. And she cut her hair. In the front. Bummer, huh. Oh well, it is growing out. She didn't talk at all until after Connor was born, but now, she never stops! I can't believe I was so concerned.

Connor: My little man is a very good baby, he gives the best smiles and has such a happy disposition. He loves the girls and he loves to be around the commotion. He actually gets the most upset when it is all quiet, because he loves the noise. He is growing like crazy and has started eating solid foods, well, baby food, and pretty much eats what I give him. Love him!

We are a crazy house, but it's a good crazy, usually. Blessed to have such a wonderful family!

2010 IN A NUTSHELL

As I reach the one year anniversary of my last post, I feel inspired to update my fans, ok, mainly my mother as to the events of our life this past year. I have been informed on several occasions that a lot has happened so I should update. Again, thanks Mom!

February:
We found out we were going to have another baby!! So excited!! My brother John and his wife Emily had a baby, finally making me an aunt! We went to Rexburg for the blessing and had a really nice time.

March: I GOT TO GO TO NEW YORK!!!! Oh my goodness, had so much on my girls trip with my sisters and mom. Ryan's parents came and helped him with the girls while I visited the city. We went all over town, sightseeing, eating, shopping, eating, shopping and had a great time. We celebrated six years of marriage, and bought a minivan. With the upcoming birth of number 3 and all of the babysitting that I do, the Rodeo just wasn't cutting the mustard. So Ryan bought the car while I was in New York. With my blessing. I hate car shopping. With a passion.



April: Easter. Thats about it. Slow month, but my recollection a mere 9 months later may be fuzzy.

May: We took a family trip to see Ryan's family in California. Callie got to go to Disneyland for the first time and LOVED IT!! We had a lot of fun at the Magic Kingdom, truly is magical! We found out number 3 was going to be a BOY!!!! Ryan smiled for like a week. Seriously, so excited for a son! I also ran a half marathon, it was awesome. I ran with my good friends Shannan and Emily who were so patient to run with a pregnant chick, but I had such a great time and am so glad that I did it.

June: Aunt Molly graduated from high school, last of my siblings to leave Freeman. FYI, the best high school graduation I have ever been to. Air conditioning, cushioned seats and short. Thank you class of 2010, the audience appreciates it. All of my siblings with the exception of Ty, because he is in Zimbabwe, all came home for Molly's big event, so we had a great time getting together and visiting, etc.



July: Ryan celebrated his birthday, 31. Worked in our garden and just played, enjoying summer.



August: Callie turned 4. I went to Girls Camp as a Third Year Assistant Level Leader and had a great time. Even with my gigantic stomach, seriously, HUGE, I enjoyed camp, the girls and the other lovely ladies I worked with. There is something special at Girls Camp, a feeling that you don't get many other places. The chance to feel the spirit and be close to your Savior surrounded by His creations. Truly amazing. Molly left for college. Maybe it was in September, can't remember all that well, but we were sad to see her go, but excited to watch her begin this new chapter in her life.

September: Peyton turned 2. Connor James Christensen was born September 25. He was 8lb 6oz and 21 inches. My biggest baby, but everything went smoothly with no complications and we loved him immediately. The girls loved him right from the beginning, even Peyton who I was a little worried about! Callie started pre-school with Teacher Rita and Teacher Kara and loved it right away. Peyton was very sad to see her best friend leave three days a week, she missed Callie and wanted to go with her, but needs to wait her turn! Callie also started dance, which my little drama queen loves.




October: Peyton finally started talking. Incredible. Now she doesn't stop. Ever. And my mom passed the Washington Bar. This is a picture of her swearing in at Gonzaga Law. We are all so proud of her and her accomplishments. And really happy she doesn't have to take it again!!


November: We had a wonderful visit from Ryan's mom, dad and uncle who came for Connor's blessing. John, Molly and my Uncle David and Aunt Donna were able to be there. Kip and Emily tried to get there, but just missed it, I think we were running a little early at church that day. Jane and Joe and Beau and Kelsey came home for Thanksgiving and we had so much fun. Got some family photos taken by the incredible Randi. Of course, Black Friday shopping was amazing as usual. My sweet Grandma watched the girls for me so we could make it to Target by 4 am. She truly is the best! We also enjoyed a record breaking snowfall for the month of November. Lucky us.



December: We celebrated the birth of our Savior and spent time with family over Christmas. We all went out to the farm and spent a few days with family. We ate, watched movies, played the Wii and enjoyed spending time together. Callie had her first dance recital and did a fantastic job.




January: We took another family trip to California to go to Disneyland. This time, my mom and both my sisters joined us. We had so much fun. My dad decided to not go, so there were eight of us and we decided that we could all squeeze into the van. Yes, you are doing the math correctly, eight people, seven passenger van. Plus stuff. However, we managed to squeeze everything and everyone into the car and drove through the frigid cold to Utah where we picked up Jane and traversed the rest of the journey in the warming temperatures to California. We spent three days at Disneyland, one day at the San Diego Zoo and the girls went shopping one day. Ryan and my mom also did a deep sea fishing expedition. Mom decided that she enjoyed the water, but not necessarily in the cold doing some fishing. Callie is a roller coaster, theme park junkie. I think I will do a separate post about D-land. We also had a major family change last week. Ryan was accepted to begin a nursing program in Boise, Idaho, so he started last Monday for the 11 month program. He will be living in Boise, and the kids and I are staying in Spokane, with Ryan coming home when it is possible. Hard adjustment and we miss him, but he is doing a good thing for our family and the reward is worth the sacrifice.