Happy 36th Birthday Bryce!

On Nov. 17th Bryce turned the big 36! He had weeks worth of celebrations. The weekend before his birthday he went on a dirtbiking trip with Allen Bezzant and a gang of guys. Then he was working in New York on his actual birthday so the people out there took him to dinner in downtown New York. We then celebrated it a few days later with our kids when he came home. We had a candle light dinner at home with his favorite meal of roast, potatoes and carrots and finished off the night with some oatmeal cake and a movie. To continue the celebration Bryce and I went out the following night to dinner and a movie.

A few things about Bryce:

He loves to...

*Motorbike
*Motorbike
*Motorbike
*Watch movies
*Motorbike
*Play with the kids
*Motorbike
*Play with gadgets (currently android devices)
*Motorbike

A few things that Bryce DOESN'T like:

*Big social events
*Cream potoatoes & peas for dinner
*Yard work
*Loading the dishwasher
*Being hot and especially sweaty

A few things we love about Bryce:

*He is fun to be around
*Sensitive
*Works Hard

*Plays Hard
*Funny
*Sweet

*Honest
*A Fantastic Dad and Husband!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY! I can't imagine life without you. I love you SO much!!!

Halloween 2010

So right now it is a week before Christmas and I am finally getting around to blogging about Halloween! Better extremely late than never!

We had a fantastic Halloween this year! The kids all picked out easy costumes and no makeup involved! What more could a mom ask for???? As you can see from the pictures Mason was a spider, Landen was a skateboarding guy, Braxton was karate kid, Abbey was the cowgirl, Jessie from Toy Story and Bryce was a cowboy with a 100% geuine real handlebar mustache. He worked for quite some time carefully growing out his goate to make this special trim for Halloween. (Sorry his picture is turned sideways.) I was a bummer this year and didn't dress up.

This year we allowed the kids to do a lot more of the actual carving on their jack-o-lanterns. It is fun to see their styles, patience levels and creativity. They all did a great job and I loved seeing them on the steps all lit up. Bryce was busy helping the other three kids while I got to sit down and carve Mason's. It was a blast! I wish that I would have had hours to carve cause I would like to do something crazy but I will take the 20 minutes of personal arts and crafts time that I can get right now!

Trick-or-treating, class parties, school parades, pumpkin carving and a special Halloween dinner at Grandma Bezzant's house made this holiday one to remember. Especially the dinner! Joe made us ribs, Lisa did finger breadsticks that looked like real fingers... fingernail polish, knuckle wrinkles and the works! They were horrible... and delicious all at the same time! I made jello worms that truly looked like real earthworms, a little chocolate milk "snail slime" and carmeled apples. We made everyone try at least one worm. Let's just say that nobody went back for seconds even though they tasted fine. Even I couldn't get over the look of them. My mom made "ghost guts" mashed potatoes and something else that I can't remember. Oh- Bryce just sent me the picture of the worms... see below:
We had a "spooktacular" good time!

Kids do and say the funniest things...

I only have a minute and am WAY behind on my blogging but I wanted to jot down a few things that have been cracking me up... and this week I need a good laugh! (Bryce is out of town and of course the kids are sick! He times this so well.) :)

The other day we were out doing errands and I was asking the kids what their Christmas wish from Santa was. (They are only allowed to ask for one thing from Santa and Braxton has been having a HORRIBLE time trying to decide on that ONE thing.) Anyway, he told me that he wanted a Nintendo DS. I asked him what the difference was between his gameboy that he has now and a DS. (Partly cause I wanted to know if he even had a clue what a DS is AND I really have no idea the differences between them.) Braxton told me that a DS has two screens and comes with a pen. Landen instantly piped up from the back of the car and told Braxton that he doesn't need a DS cause he already has a gameboy and we already have lots and lots of pens at home! I couldn't stop laughing.

Today (around 10:30 am) Landen was asking me when Braxton was going to be home from school. I told him that he had another hour before he was home. We then started talking about how long each person has to go to school... Landen, Braxton & Abbey. Landen got all quiet for a minute and then said... "I can't go to too much school cause it would give me a headache." And he said it with the most adorable concerned voice and wrinkled up forehead. The things that this kid thinks about!

One last thing that I think is cute. When Mason is done eating in his high chair we have been saying,"All done!" and then we clap and smile. Now when I ever say, "All done!" Mason instantly claps for himself and grins from ear to ear while his whole body wiggles with excitement.

Video test

Testing blog away video post from mobile phone.

This is a video of landen driving the motorcycle with bryce holding his jacket just in case he gets out of control with the throttle.

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Testing mobile post

Poor Little Mason

I am sitting in the waiting room at the doctor's office waiting for Mason's appointment. I think that he has an ear infection. We were up all night with him screaming his head off. Medicine, nursing, binkis, being held, etc... didn't seem to make a difference and my heart was broken trying to help him feel better. He finally calmed down when we sat in the living room and he focused on the porch lights of our neighbor's house across the street. I am sure there are big slobber marks from where he was sucking on the cushion but I don't care. I was willing to do anything to make him happy. I hope that they can find something to help him. I can't go on much longer like this and I bet he is thinking the same thing. We both require more than 3 hours of sleep at night.

Being so sleep deprived is making it hard to stay awake as we just sit here waiting so I thought I would try this blog entry from my blackberry. I am glad that Bryce will finally be home tonight!!! It has been a LONG and crazy week.

Anyway, keep your fingers crossed we can get some relief for my poor little guy!

"An Attitude of Gratitude"

I don't know if my dad made up this saying "An Attitude of Gratitude" or if it is just permanently engrained into my head from him... but I wanted to do a quick post of a few things I am grateful for.

1. Good friends and neighbors who are willing to share their fantastic recipes with me!

2. A digital thermostat that keeps my house exactly as warm or as cool as I like it

3. My daughter, Abbey, that is so willing to help out with the boys any time I need her to.

4. Braxton's willingness to make lunch the other day for Landen and I. He made us peanut butter and honey sandwiches. He must have known I needed extra energy that day cause my peanut butter was a half inch thick on each slice of bread and served with an award winning smile on his face!!! THANKS BRAXTON! :)

5. Bryce getting up before me to shower in the morning. It gives me a few more minutes of sleep and a minute to slowly become accustom to the fact that I will have to get moving soon.

6. Mason's gummer smile and snuggles when you get him out of his crib.

7. Sentsy candle warmers that make my house smell so delicious!

8. My mom making us do Saturday chores each week so I could learn how to clean and take care of my own home.

9. Mr. Clean's magic erasers for SO many different incidents that seem to happen around the Christensen home!

10. Disposable diapers. Enough said. :)

11. Cell phones so I can chat with Bryce multiple times a day as he travels all over the United States.

12. My sisters who can empathize and sympathize with me in so many ways, make me laugh, pick me up when I am down, shop with me!!! and everything else that they magically do!

13. MONEY!!! I love money! I love to spend money! I kindof like saving it too. :) That probably sounds weird but mostly I am grateful that we are able to take care of our needs and many of our wants. We are VERY fortunate and I am aware of that.

14. Healthy kids. There seems to be a million different things that kids have to deal with these days and I have four beautiful healthy kids that can run, jump, think, talk, be overall emotionally stable and so independent for their little ages.

15. My awesome husband! Bryce works so hard for us and is always so sweet to tell me how beautiful I look, give me lots of hugs and kisses, bring me sugar cookies and let me have my way on almost everything. :) He is also great to snuggle with me at night to get me warm even though he is roasting hot himself.

16. My grandma, Mary Bezzant. She inspired me to make things beautiful and instilled in me a love of the hot glue gun, the smell of peat moss, a love for EVERY holiday, the importance of family gatherings and the need to "tuck my clothes COMPLETELY" inside my dresser drawers.

17. My testimony and the happiness that the Gospel brings into my life when I do what I know is right. And for my savior, Jesus Christ, who makes exaltation possible.

18. Treats! Treats of all kinds! Homemade, store bought, chocolate, fruity, etc... I love them death!

19. Landen's imagination, his ability to play by himself so I clean up the house a bit, his willingness to always watch out for Mason and pick up Mason's toys in a jiffy.

20. My mom. She is the epitome of patience and love. I wish I had a few more of her kind bones in my body.

21. Paper calendars. I would be lost without mine on my kitchen door!

22. Electronic calendars that sync with Bryce's so I can schedule dates with him!

23. My "in-laws." They have all been so great to pull me in as part of the family from day one. They are the BEST!

24. Carpools so I don't have to drive for kindergarten or afterschool pickup and can get a thing or two done in the day.

25. Hot baths that practically melt my skin! There is no better way to relax.

26. My dad who worked multiple jobs and went without while we were growing up so we could buy school clothes, have Christmas presents and a nice house. He also taught me a thing or two about yardwork!

27. My "Better Homes and Gardens" magazine subscription that supplies me with monthly inspirations.

28. Warm cozy socks in the winter (since my feet are eternally cold) and flip flops in the summer so I am not stuck having to wear "real" shoes.

29. My short hairstyle that has changed my life. I miss my longer hair (and maybe one of these days I will find a style that works again w/ that) but for now I get to keep up with the more important things of my life which all seem to happen outside of the bathroom vanity. :)

30. My life. I truly have it easy. I always worry about what and when my real trials will come. So many people have to deal with so much more than I do and I am truly grateful for all of my many blessings.

31. A living prophet that leads and guides me in my life and the church as a whole. He is truly a beacon for righteousness and happiness.

32. Naps- some days I just can't live without them!

33. Styling products (hairspray, gel, grid-lock putty, etc...) since I like my hair to be a bit sassy but not budge a millimeter!

34. Brothers. I am a tougher girl because of them... literally! :) They have also been great strengths in different ways. Dave helped me stay sane throughout high school as we wrote each other weekly letters while he was on his mission. And Joe saved our bacon with our remodel job on our first home.

35. True friends that are there with me through the thick and the thin.

I could go on forever but I need to be able to function tomorrow since I get to play the single parent again this week. Lucky me! I guess I should be grateful that it gives me the whole bed to myself for a few nights... but I would much rather have Bryce there to snuggle with.

The world is his canvas...

...or at least he thinks the bathroom is! Landen was supposed to be upstairs brushing his teeth but of course that wasn't happening. He can't seem to follow through on stuff very often and complete a task without getting distracted. I am not sure if it is just his age, personality or a combination of both. I wasn't too surprised when I came up from changing laundry and found him goofing off. I was a bit surprised though to find crayon artwork in the sink and on the toilet seat. I tried to take pictures but the camera couldn't focus in on it. GRRRR!!!! It could have been worse. I am glad it wasn't permanent marker or something. I had to come and blog for a minute while I take a breather and go back to calmly get him out of time out and have him scrub it off. I am working hard on not losing my temper. I have to work extra hard on a Monday morning. Abbey and Braxton didn't really ever color on stuff that wasn't paper.. but LANDEN... different story. I still know he could be WAY worse about it.

My time-out is over and it is back to business.

Whirlwind of events

So much has been happening and I am very behind on my journaling of it all so I am jumping in to catch up with a condensed version of the activities.

Abbey's 1st day of 3rd grade. Braxton's 1st day of Kindergarten. Landen's 1st day of preschool! And my 1st day of peace after a jam packed summer!!! :)

Braxton had a BLAST playing soccer this season! He scored multiple goals each game and it was so much fun cheering him on.

He also had two cute friends on the team with him, Lexi (left) and Jill (right).

Here is Mason chillin out at home. The house was SO quiet. Landen was at work w/ Bryce, Abbey was at school and Braxton LOVED having Mason ALL to himself! These pics were taken mid August. He is 5 1/2 months old. So sweet!

Fun FHE activity. The kids enjoyed playing four square. We usually had several extra neighbor kids join in on the fun as well. Good times to be had by all!... Even though somebody usually ended up crying before it was all over with. What would Family Home Evening be without a meltdown from somebody???

More pictures of Mason.

Mason sits up so straight and tall!

Landen was enjoying one-on-one time with Mason and the peace to play ALL BY HIMSELF WITHOUT ANYONE DISTURBING HIM!!! I almost forgot he was home cause he would go down to the play room and play for an entire hour or more without a single peep. It is cute to listen to him playing with his "super hero guys." Landen is quite the character.

Landen is a full fledge 2-wheeler riding fool! He will zip all over the place. He has learned his lesson to wear his helmet in the process. He was showing off for me one evening in the driveway (wearing his bike helmet) and took a sharp corner. The bike tire slid out from under him and whiplashed him to the concrete in nothing flat. His head his the cement SO hard and my heart just stopped. He quickly hopped up, rubbed his helmet and said, "WOW! Glad I had my helmet on!" It would have been an ER visit for sure if he hadn't been wearing that helmet.

I was out taking pictures of Landen and Braxton also wanted a piece of the show-off action. He also likes to zip around like a maniac and go over his jump to catch some air. Of course it all ends with a big black tire skid mark on the ground. He wore through a tire in less than a year.

I thought this was cute. Landen made a picture of himself at preschool. Notice the curly pasta for the hair! I was cracking up! Landen LOVES preschool and Miss Heidi is the BEST!!!

Now on to KARATE! Braxton couldn't get enough of it. He has begged and pleaded to do karate for more than a year now. Luckily this place was doing an after school program for a month so we allowed him to go. With all of his extra energy bottled up... he had plenty of power to give it all he had!

Braxton doing his white belt test. He passed and could hardly wait to break his board. WAY TO GO BRAXTON!!!

I wish it wouldn't have been so darn expensive to continue on. His instructor was fantastic and like I mentioned earlier, Braxton couldn't get enough.




















Fall Break 2010. We spent an afternoon doing the Witches Scavenger Hunt at Gardner Village. The place was PACKED but we had a blast anyway. It cracks me up that my kids love going into these shops so much. I know that they like "Sweet Aftons" the best... but also enjoy all the other shops too. Many times it is ME pulling THEM out of the stores! Who would have figured that???

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY BRAXTON!!!

Braxton turned 6 on October 22nd. Braxton asked for bike pegs, a pillow pet and "glow" bendaroos and a Spongebob cake. He got his wishes!

Abbey made him a "prayer rock" and some sort of bendaroo thing.

Showing off the bike pegs.

At Arctic Circle for his birthday lunch with is best friend, Matthew Fish. Braxton could pick one friend to come hang out with him that afternoon and he picked Matthew. I am so excited that he has made this good little friend at school. I have been so worried about him. Braxton seems to have a hard time getting along with the kids for very long. Braxton is a tender hearted boy that gets phycially wild, has a temper and doesn't know how to keep his emotions undercontrol sometimes. He and this little boy, Matthew seem to click really well and they had fun together.

Braxton showing off some moves w/ his new bike pegs at the AF skate park.

Blowing out his candles. We had an extended family party that night and enjoyed everyone coming over for dinner and birthday treats. To the left of Braxton is Porter, his other best friend and favorite cousin!

Some things that Braxton loves:

*Watching tv
*Riding his bike
*Karate
*Gymnastics
*Jumping on the trampoline
*Dirtbiking with his dad
*Being loud and crazy
*Talking "crazy talk" or aka "gibberish" --this drive Bryce and I nuts!
*GUM And CANDY!
*Playing with friends
*School
*Doing whatever Abbey is doing

Things Braxton isn't so fond of:
*Abbey stealing his attention from the babysitter
*Band-aids

Unique things about Braxton:
*He doesn't like you to give him a hug when he is hurt
*VERY tender hearted!
*Is usually willing to try about any type of food.
*He still needs naps most days -- gets that from me. We need our sleep!
*Doesn't mind shopping if we are one-on-one!
*He is a good helper when he puts his mind to it!

WE LOVE YOU BRAXTON!!!



The night of Braxton's birthday Mason decided he was tired of going around in circles on the floor and was going to get over to the other side of the family room to get Braxton's new stuff. He grabbed a hold of the carpet with his fists and pulled himself clear across the family room! He of course couldn't have Braxton's tiny lego pieces so we put out a magazine on the other side of the room and he went straight for it! He had a blast tearing it apart as his reward for all of that hard work. He LOVES paper!!! Just today (10/26/2010) he was sitting on the floor, twisted over to his knees and pulled himself to a standing position with the help of the tall footstool. I couldn't believe it!!! He quickly crashed (which he didn't appreciate) but he did it! He is all over the place now and ironing is scary now cause he goes straight for the cord to pull on the iron. A few days shy of 7 months... my life is going to turn upside down now. :)




We made it! I know that there is even more stuff I didn't journal about but it is time for bed. I have survived my 2nd day of P90X and it is kicking my trash! I knew I was out of shape but I didn't expect to faceplant it on the carpet mid pushup yesterday. I can't even come close to keeping up on the upper body workouts but I gave it a good try with the workout today. Bryce and I are doing it together and I am excited. Having my stomach hang over my pants has been driving me nuts! Not enough to stop me from eating tons of junk food though. Even now I wish I had a dozen sugar cookies to munch down on. Good thing I don't!