Hiking to the Y

Saturday we hiked to the Y as a family. It was a little more steep than I remember but the boys did good. Max even went for the hike and was pooped out by the end. It was a good day to go. Not too hot and not cold at all. My legs were pretty dang sore the next day, but it was worth it!

It was a fun day and everyone was pretty tired by the time we were done. But we were glad we did it and it was a good hike for the boys. Tanner and Tobyn walked (almost) the whole way! The boys kept saying "the Y is HUGE!" They were amazed at how big it was. We are looking forward to more hikes this summer.

Dance festival and End of School

Friday the 28th was the last day of school for the kids. Each of them had a lot of fun playing and doing different activities each day. This year was a great year for school. Each of the boys enjoyed their classes and teachers.

Titus did a May Pole Dance (spelling?)

Tobyn and Mrs. Roper

Tate did a Hawaiian dance.

TC did an oriental dance.

The boys did such an awesome job. This has been the first year the kids have all loved school. TC was very opposed at first, to going to Freedom, because he had to leave his friends at the old school, but he warmed up to it fast. Titus and Tates teachers did a great job working with each of them and Tobyn loved his preschool. Now we are looking forward to summer and day after day of swimming and warm nights.

Vegas Baby!

For our anniversary Todd and I were able to get away to Vegas. I found a super good deal on the internet for 2 nights at Circus Circus and 2 tickets to see V. V is a variety show that has 4 main acts. It was a lot of fun. The first night we were there we splurged and went to see Blue Man Group. Both shows were awesome, but I really enjoyed the Blue Man Group the best. The boys would have loved it!

Todd and I out on the town.

I can't remember which hotel this was in, but it was a rain shower indoors. It was cool, but not that cool :-)

Circus Circus. Our hotel.

I didn't take a ton of pictures because the only thing worth taking pictures of (that wasn't the strip) were the shows. But seeing as you would get the boot if you took any pictures, we didn't.

I love my boys. They are fun, energetic, busy, and a blast to take on vacation. But to get away for a weekend with out them was wonderful. Todd and I feel so refreshed when we come home. I feel like I can take on the boys for another few weeks anyway.

11 Years

As Todd mentioned today is our anniversary. We have been married for 11 years. It's crazy that it has been that long! The longer we are married the more I love my life and my wonderful husband. We have had some crazy adventures and wonderful memories. Here is a (somewhat) recap of the past 11 years, in no particular order.

5 Births: All boys, 4 at home, 1 in the car

1 sealing: Feb 3, 2001 Mnt Timpanogos Temple

7 pets: 4 birds, 2 dogs, 1 cat (not all at the same time)

1 surgery

1 set of stitches

2 broken bones: one leg and one arm

3 funerals: All grandmas

15 moves: 2 out of state

10 collective years of school: 2 high school, 5 at a university, 3 cosmetology

2 high school diplomas

1 Bachelor Degree

1 Cosmetology license

3 (big) family vacations

7 cars

10 jobs

1 selling of a Video store

1 niece

2 nephews

11 anniversaries!

The Lady I Love

Connie and I have been married for 11 years on the 22nd of May. Most people can do the math and see that 11 years of marriage, minus a 10 1/2 year old son, equals a teenage shot gun wedding (for those who can't do the math, it means that we got married in high school).

The doctor told us we were in love. There were very few people that supported us in our decision to tie the knot. I don't blame them either, I look at the 16-17 year old teens that I know and think there is no way they could be married, or how did we do it?

The truth is we almost didn't do it. We both know that there was a greater force at work the first couple of years because it was rough. Connie had just lost her dad and had to change schools, I was young and stupid and thought I was a man (boy was I wrong).

I love my wife. She is my world and for sure my better half. She is the mother of my crazy, energetic, loud, rambunctious boys. She was blessed with a loud voice so she could handle being there mother. She has kept me walking a straight line even when I didn't want too. She has a strong testimony of the gospel. She puts up with me being grumpy, hungry and tired. She supports me in my carrier path I have chosen, even when she knows there will be many times when I will not be around to help. She helped me through school, so my graduation was in part her graduation, there is no way I could have done it with out her help. She can finish my thoughts, or knows what I want or need before I ask, and (usually) doesn't complain to much. She has sacrificed many things to be the mother and wife she is and I appreciate that very much.

I was in, what I thought, was love with a girl. I know now how little I knew back then. I know with all the fiber of my being now, that I love the woman she is now.

I love you Connie.

Disclaimer:

To all current and future neighbors (past neighbors already know):

This disclaimer is herby officially posted. Let it be known that you have read the following and are here-by warned of what it means to live by 5 little boys.

Young boys, especially the 4 year old, love water. You may get sprayed. The management does its best to control the situation. But considering he/they (the boys) are able to undo locks and open doors we (the management) may not be aware of the situation, until you or another person has been a target of the hose.

God blessed me (again the management) with a large lung capacity for a reason. Neighbors within a one block radius of the known boys, may hear the management getting attention, disciplining, or other such nature at almost anytime. Early in the morning or late at night is not common but may still occur if an escape of premises has happened.

Boys may been seen half naked. ALL management does the best with in its management skills to make sure that it stays from the waist up. However, bare bums have been reported. We apologize in advance if this is seen.

Toys, shirts, shoes, bikes, ect may have been left by the boys around the neighborhood. Management does their best to make sure all items are found and gathered by sundown. Again, things may get missed and therefor will be gathered the next day.

Occasionally shrubs, trees, or other such foliage is mistaken, by boys, as toilets. Management does her best to make sure the difference is known, but considering how much...ah.. stuff...is cleaned near, or sometimes not so near, the actual toilet in the containment center (or house as it is more commonly known) cannot guarantee that the difference is always established. And lets all face facts. They are boys, they like to pee outside.

The boys have been known to use sticks, rocks, twigs, leaves, ect as preferred play objects. The management does all that its resources allow to make sure these objects are played with in a nice manner and would appreciate notices if they are not.

The boys, are also referred to as a pack, herd, group, or The Christensen boys. These names are for a reason. They tend to travel as a group. The plus side of this nature is they offer a variety of ages for playmates. The downside, they travel together. Rarely is one seen with out another.

If one or more boys is involved in a confrontation not of their doing (aka being bullied) then known brothers have stuck together. This is strictly FYI and will not change.

We (the management) understand that other occurrences, happenings, incidences, ect may happen at any given time. We do our best to make sure that the boys are well behaved and trained. We love them and hope they do an overall good job of radiating cuteness, but understand that does not happen all the time. We also hope that being a neighbor is not too much of a burden and most of the time a joy.

Thank you for your time and patience.

The Management,

Todd and Connie

So What!

Today my mood is about as good as the weather. Cloudy and rainy. I am so frustrated and discouraged. It is so hard to wait for Todd to get a job. I miss my stuff. My comfy couch, my cute dishes, my pans, my boys cute bedding, ect. Who knew you could miss your stuff so much. I wish knew if I needed to watch for sales on uniform school clothes or regular this summer. Should I save my penny's for nice Sketchers or save them for all black or brown shoes? Do I enroll my kids in swimming lessons with the neighbor girl or will we not be here that long? Do I pay for our High school reunion dinner or wait, Do I even dare hope to look at the Texas housing market just in case he gets a call for an interview?

So many questions and NO answers. I don't have any doubt that we are doing what we are supposed to be doing but could it be any more frustrating?! I am sure it could be, but I don't want to find out how! I know life could be so much harder, but I know it could be so much better!

UHG!!

But there are a few things that make me happy, looking at all my cute boys with their fresh shaved heads, listening to them sing to the CD in the car, having my sweet husband give me a hug just because he says I look like I need one, my Grandpa and Mom for letting us have a place to live. There are many blessing that we do have and I know we are being watch out for, and for now I will just have to keep plugging! Something WILL open up.

Getting There

Thanks for those who comment and left me their blogs. If you still don't see your there let me know so I can put it up!

So I have been a bit behind on the posting...so here comes a TON!

Pudding

Remember this...

Yep he still loves it!

This pictures doesn't do it justice, but the kid still loves pudding or pooding (as Tobyn would say)

BBQ

Saturday we had a fun bbq for Todd's graduation. He wanted in a more casual, less boring, atmosphere to be able to tell all the family and friends thanks for their support through his schooling. It was a fun day. It was nice in the sun, a little too cool in the shade, but a good day for a great game of kickball, which they played. Over all a very nice day. I got a few pictures of the day...

...ok well at least I got the important people. LOL! No, really, I think I need to hire a photographer to walk around with me at events so I get pictures of EVERYTHING! I get so busy talking that pictures get put on the back burner. oops. We had a lot of family and friends come! It really was a fun relaxing time. Thanks to all those who came, and those who couldn't we understand and you were missed.

Mothers Day

The Thursday before Mothers Day I got to go to a little program at Tobyn's preschool. It was so cute. He did a good job standing during the singing, he did do a few of the signs for one of the songs, and he shrugged ever so cute when his teacher asked what he loved about me. He's a funny little guy but I wouldn't trade him for anything!

It was a wonderful Mothers day! The boys brought Grandma and I each our own breakfast in bed. french toast, bacon, fresh strawberries, and juice. Yummy! They made sure to find out what my favorite breakfast was a few days before. Then I was showered with wonderful homemade cards and goodies. I love my boys and am so happy to be their mom. I love my mom and Teresa and the wonderful examples they are. I am so blessed!

It was so funny at Tobyn's preschool program. Mrs Roper took our pictures of each mom with their child and for one of the pictures she asked Tobyn to give me a kiss on the cheek. He blushed and would NOT kiss me! He would lean his cheek next to mine and just smile. I laughed and gave him one instead!

Piano Recital

TC and Titus had a piano recital about two weeks ago. I don't have a recording of them playing but they both did a great job! TC performed 2 pieces and Titus did one. They seem to be having a good time with the piano and don't complain too much about practicing (but we do have our days)

Construction

I am redoing my blog...parden the construction for the time!

And most of my list of blogs of friends got erased. I am trying to find all the ones that were there. So sorry if yours is missing and let me know what it is again if it's not on there :-)

Awards and Rockets

We have had a busy past couple of weekends. Last weekend Justin came home from his mission in Jamaica. I am a slacker...as we all know...and didn't take any pictures of that. In my defense I didn't take any of Kim coming home either. But it was a nice weekend with him and the family. We are glad he is home safe.

On Thursday was our wards Space Derby. The boys had a lot of fun! TC came in 2nd and Titus was in a three way tie for 3rd. They both carved and painted there rockets on their own. Good job boys!

TC got also his Webelos award. He has had fun working on it and we have had good leaders that help the boys get their badges.

I think I am going to need a sash to put all the mothers pins on. I will be doing this for the next 18 years :-)

Project #2

I got this idea from my friend Allison's blog. I thought it was so cute. I think mine turned out ok, and it was really easy and fun to make.

Pictures!

Pictures from the big day!

Most of the people that came to cheer Todd on. There are a couple of people missing, but for the most part the whole family was there.

After the ceremony we went out with the family to Texas Roadhouse. We LOVE the food and this time it was even better with the family.

They had Todd "celebrate" by sitting on a saddle and we all cheered! It was a lot of fun.

Say "CHEESE!"