Easter

I don't have a lot of blog time today, but here are some pictures from our most special Easter weekend.

Conference Weekend

This past weekend our Christensen Family headed to Park City for some R&R. We bunked up in the cabin we've long anticipated and were happier than we've ever been in our sleeping bags and air mattresses. What memories! The kids will never forget this trip with their cousies as there were no rules and no bedtime! Life with Mimi is SOOOO fun.

Happy Two Years Chanel!

Last week we celebrated Chanel turning the big 2! Jeff and I took her to Wal Mart to pick out the bike of her choice and we spent forever there as she toodled around. Finally she chose a little three wheeler and wouldn't take her grip off it until we came to the car and she realized she had to put it in the trunk. Jeff had Chanel in his arms, and after he loaded the bike in the car and shut the trunk, she whispered in his ear, "Daddy, I got a good bike." The day was complete after that.

Ellie turns Princess Pea

This past weekend we ventured to California for 24 hours to support little Ellie in her baby blessing. I've termed her "Miss Priss" or better yet, "Princess Pea" because of her most delicate nature. In Tiffany's words she demands, "hold me, love me, change me, feed me!" I just couldn't love her more. Here are a few pics of our quick trip.

Here we are with as many girls as could make it.

Our precious Grammy with little Revey.

Here's "Little Miss Priss" and our "Grizz". As you can see, our one month old and Tiffy's three month old are the same size!

Precious Moments Captured

My new friend Angie Monson of Simplicity Photography took these pictures of our family. I couldn't be more pleased with the moments she was able to capture of our new little one. I can't wait to see the rest. I love my babies.

...and such is life.

Thursday night our little dreamer came into the world...
and we've been complete ever since.
Reve Jeffrey Lee
8 lbs. 6 oz.
19 1/2 inches

My 100

While I wait for baby, I'll give you my top 100. A lot about me, but just a little something for my archive...

1. I love to dream.
2. I believe that anything is possible.
3. I think people determine their own happiness.
4. I desperately want my own horse to care for and ride with my children in a wild pasture.
5. I am deeply passionate about the arts.
6. I adore all of my friends…even though many of us have VERY different lifestyles and beliefs.
7. I wish going to the theatre were as affordable as going to the movies.
8. I LOVE being pregnant…I’m sad round two is swiftly coming to an end.
9. I love to exercise, but wish I didn’t HAVE to do it.
10. I’m known to drop by Wendy’s every now and then for a medium order of French fries. I eat them alone in my car.
11. I love to smell good. I adore the fresh smell of lavender.
12. I love to gift and receive sentimental gifts for momentous occasions.
13. I love pearls, as they will forever remind me of my parents and their precious gifts to me.
14. I love the home of my childhood in Clovis, California with all its run down charm.
15. I LOVE Labradors. First Duke, and now our beloved Scout. He loves and protects us.
16. I am a fantastic saleswoman.
17. I can justify spending money on pretty much anything if I so desire it.
18. Like most women, I have a video recorder memory and will use it if I have to.
19. I will never, ever go to bed before I have my make-up removed, Chap Stick applied and hands lathered.
20. I love lamp reading/magazine flipping before bed.
21. I hate that my husband can’t fall asleep with the lamp on.
22. I make a hobby of studying home design.
23. I still adore, respect and admire my 80+-year-old voice teacher (I’ll never tell Betty-Jeanne).
24. My favorite color is RED. It is bold, passionate, warm and powerful.
25. When my blood boils, I am WAY too quick to raise my voice.
26. I give myself a manicure once a week and feel like a new woman with a fresh set of nails.
27. I LOVE ‘Essie’ nailpolish and will never stray from my color combo: ‘Waltz’ + ‘sugardaddy.’
28. I think it sounds like so much fun to have ten children.
29. I love my babies and can think of nothing more fun than a house full of children who grow into adults with fond memories.
30. I love each of my five siblings very deeply and have a unique relationship with every one of them.
31. I love my in-laws and call them ‘brother’ and ‘sisters’ and feel as though they are such.
32. Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays.
33. I would rather have chewy, sour candy than dessert.

34. My favorite U.S city is Washington D.C.
35. My favorite city to visit in Europe was Monaco in the South of France.
36. My most life changing moments occurred in Usurisk, Russia.
37. Maui, Hawaii is the most restful vacation I’ll ever take.
38. I get really proud of a good bargain.
39. I hate feeling taken advantage of.
40. I love, love, love my girlfriends and feel that my time spent with them is like ‘chicken soup for the soul.’
41. My dream house has a double red door.
42. I will not eat at a restaurant if I come out smelling like it.
43. I HATE food that sounds heavy or makes me feel heavy.
44. The first time I met my husband I was 12 years old.
45. I lived in Pittsburgh for one year and learned about who I was at 21.
46. I love being deeply rooted in my faith of God and Jesus Christ.
47. “It’s a Wonderful Life” is my very favorite movie.

48. I could watch “Little Women” over and over again.
49. I’ve given a 6’5” man a black eye.
50. My husband and I LOVE to go out for sushi.
51. I love to shop for my husband.
52. I have the worst dry heels anyone has ever seen.
53. “Light in the Piazza” is my favorite musical.
54. We all know I have an obsession with Celine Dion.
55. I would rather have tulips than roses.
56. I love having toasty for breakfast.
57. I refuse to eat store bought jam.
58. I TIVO Oprah.
59. I believe education is empowering.
60. I still want to barrel race.
61. I’m not much for jewelry. Gimme studs for earrings and a wristwatch and I’ll call it good!
62. I love being inspired by a good book.
63. I LOVE to get the mail. I won’t miss a day of picking it up.
64. I’m an amazing person with Jeff at my side. Without him, I’m not even average.
65. I love my parents more than anything in the world! I’ll do whatever they ask of me for as long as I live.
66. My daughter Chanel nourishes my soul and makes me a really proud person.
67. I am our family’s CFO and I like it that way.
68. I love a bowl of plain Cheerios with real sugar.
69. I love that I don’t have to motivate my husband to do anything.
70. I love that Babies R Us has rock star parking for expecting mothers.
71. I love to snuggle my cha cha and sing the requested “Dumbo song.”
72. I love laughing over memories with old friends.
73. I love any blue willow vase or dish as it reminds me of my mother.

74. I still have the tissue I used during the ceremony on my wedding day and clutch it in my hand every so often.
75. I’m a journal therapist. Writing is therapeutic to me.
76. I’m a homebody.
77. I enjoy peaceful, quiet mornings before the sun rises.
78. My dream car is a white Chevy Suburban.
79. I love to chat with friends who have known me since I was a child.
80. I love my in-laws as though they are my own parents.
81. I love that a fresh coat of paint can wake up any room.
82. I have a salt addiction. I salt everything…even bread and butter.
83. I love to walk into a home and smell a fresh burning candle. The aroma…the ambiance…it’s home.
84. If I were to collect anything, it would be sets of dishes. (I owe this one to my mother).
85. I’m really drawn to abstract art.
86. I love Q-Tips. They are good for everything!
87. I enjoy calendaring my life.
88. I get a strange thrill from cleaning and organizing.
89. I HATE cats.
90. I love the feeling of crawling into my clean white sheets.
91. I appreciate the uniqueness of others.
92. I love when Jeff walks through the door at the end of the day. He is always happy and fills the house with magic.
93. I find joy in cooking and love creating memories around good food.
94. My favorite time of day is dinner table chitchat.
95. Jackson Hole, Wyoming is the most beautiful place on earth for many reasons in my mind.
96. I love In-N-Out hamburgers and fries.
97. I hate fry sauce…I don’t do mayonnaise…ever.
98. I love that European’s and artsy types greet one another with kisses on either cheek.
99. I miss the excitement of the stage.
100. I don’t love anything more than being a mama.

I Miss You...

Today's the day my baby sister moved away...forever. Dramatic, I know-but life is never the same...or as complete. Last night we said good-bye as she drove away and I sobbed...and sobbed...and sobbed...and am shedding tears now thinking of it. No more, I'll see you in March. I just miss you donk. I'm all empty feeling inside.

Baby Celebration

My dearest girlfriends and kindred spirits threw a baby shower for our eagerly anticipated little boy. I'm still overwhelmed by the time they put into making every little detail so special and am truly overwhelmed by the generous friends and family who all helped in preparing us for this little package. I feel so blessed to start off the year surrounded by so many who love me and offer support to me. These individuals are among the most precious. Thank you ever so much. My heart is full.

Snowman Party!

This year Mimi threw a "Snowman Party" on New Year's Day. The kids all brought their snow gear and Uncle Dave took them all on a sled ride behind the four-wheeler. Mom also had all kinds of snowman treats, crafts and an entire table resembling the theme. Unfortunately, the night was so wild that this was the only picture I was able to capture. Next year right?

New Year's Eve '08

Jeff takes me out every New Year's. He says, "It's a lover's holiday." I say, "I'll take it!" So we dropped off Chanel at my in-laws and scurried off for a quiet and very special night. We always enjoy a nice dinner talking over the year gone by and discuss the excitement surrounding the year ahead. It's probably my favorite day of the year and one that always reminds me of the many blessings (and hardships) we've experienced that bring fullness to our life.

Gorgoza Park

We counted off yet another year of tradition with our Lee Family at Gorgoza Park. This has been a fun tradition...even though I've yet to sled down a run. I'm pregnant every time! Oh well, Chanel had a blast riding the merry-go-round over and over again, and we just love our precious time spent with Case, Kerri and their kids. We only get them twice a year but treasure every moment together.

Happy Cha Cha.

Chanel and her cousin Kamae. They make a hilarious pair!

Chanel with her Bompa.

Me and my dear in-laws.

GO UTES!!!!!!!!

Does it get any better? Original BCS busters CRUSH Alabama for a 2nd BCS bowl win! Utah should be the AP National Champions! Go Utes!

Christensen Merry Christmas

Rather than doing gifts for each other this year, my Christensen siblings decided to spend a night together over dinner. Here we are at the most amazing restaurant and setting for a big group. Notice how it is impossible for anyone to get lost in conversation while chatting around this big, round table! It's a new family tradition that we are looking forward to each year. Sushi and good company...nothing better.

Snow Day!

The day after Christmas Jeff and I took Chanel and her cousies to the park up on the hill to go for a ride or two on the sled. Chanel thought it was much more fun to slide down the hill on her bum. She was going SOO slow, but kept saying, "woohoo!"