Boyd Turns Three!

Fun to have a big 3-year-old in the house again!  There are so many things about him that tell me he is growing up.  But perhaps the most noticeable is his newly found enthusiasm for telling stories!

We had planned to celebrate his birthday with a campfire on the banks of the Shoshone River at Cody.  But due to winter weather in Yellowstone, we were not able to make it through Friday night and had to return home.  Yes, it was quite a bummer.

However, once we switched gears, and got involved with projects and activities closer to home, the weekend flew by, and we had a blast!  By the end of Boyd's birthday festivities, he had forgotten all about his disappointment over not going camping.  We'll look forward to trying Cody again next year!

A Very Happy Anniversary!

Thirteen isn't an extra special number unless you're becoming a teenager or believe in superstition.  But thirteen is oh, so special when I consider it is the number of years I have been married to a very wonderful man.  I've enjoyed reminiscing today, about how we met, our courtship, and our wedding day.  So, here are a few memories that came to mind:

• We met at Post Falls convention back in '93.  He was 15, soft spoken with a friendly smile and bright blue eyes.  I thought he was so sweet.  I said as much to my aunt Mary Ann and that's all it took.  She arranged our introduction the very next day.  Thank you Mary!
• He FINALLY asked for my address at a convention later that summer and I remember the thrill of receiving my first letter TWO MONTHS later! Gasp!  I thought it would never come!  But it was the first of many and I still have them.  Warms my heart to think of the time he spent - his penmanship was perfect.
• Then we discovered we could talk on the phone and the letter writing was over :)
• I remember the evening he proposed.  Being the I-really-have-to-think-it-through person that I am, I hesitated.  What was I thinking?!  But he patiently waited and I am so thankful.
• We had big plans.  He was going to be an optometrist.  Me a teacher.  We would have a family, but no need to rush that as we were only 19 and 20.  We would finish school, travel, have a cute little house in the country.  But most of all we would be happy together.
• Our wedding day was much like this day, thirteen years later.  Rain, rain, and more rain.  The sun peeked out for a few moments allowing for a short outdoor photo session.  But it was a beautiful day inside, full of family, friends, and LOTS of smiling! 
• If I had to do it over again, I'd do it all the same.  Only this time I'd have someone else do my hair.  My sweet, patient husband-to-be almost lost his cool when he realized I was still doing my hair 10 minutes after the wedding was scheduled to begin!

Now, ALL these years later, I'm realizing things didn't turn out quite like I expected.  No, they've turned out much better than I could have ever dreamed or hoped for.  I am a lucky woman to be surrounded by the love and laughter of a wonderful husband and three beautiful boys!

We had a nice dinner around our own table tonight and then went out to the Snake River Brewery for their famous S'mores Ala Mode.  The boys had fun celebrating with us and dug in with spoons, fists, and elbows!  It's been a very happy anniversary!

My anniversary gift!

Monte Turns 8 Months

 It's hard to accept that my little Mr. Smiley is growing up so fast.  I remember so well the night he was born, having a hard time believing I was actually in labor on my due date, the suspense of what the gender would be.  And then the joy of another baby boy!

So far, he has been the most energetic of my three.  Enthusiastic, energetic, and yes, sometimes all out angry.  I think he gets frustrated with sitting in one spot on the floor.  He wants to move, explore.  It won't be long before he figures out how to fix that problem. 

 These days he sits up like a champion, jabbers, sings, screeches, and eats baby food like it's going out of style.  He has two teeth on the bottom and is pushing 4 more in on the top.  He used to sleep through the night, but not so much lately.

You may have noticed he's sitting on a little potty chair.  These are the neatest little seats a friend told me about and you can order them here on Amazon. They are a lot of fun and it's amazing how babies know what to do when you set them on it. 

And that's about it for my sweet little man, Monte.

Mother's Day Meal

Cooks: Keith, Paul, Damion, Riclyn, and Janell.

Menu: Pork Ribs on Sauerkraut, mashed potatoes with gravy, fresh veggies, chips and dip, fresh fruit with chocolate/creamcheese/marshmallow dip, and warm cornbread muffins and cheesy biscuits. Oh, and Reese's Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup ice cream!

I really wished I had room for seconds and thirds.  It was so yummy!

May Day and More

I think we can say Spring arrived with the 1st of May.  We  travelled to Idaho Falls and stayed overnight at Uncle John and Auntie Ellen's.  As usual, we were treated like royalty and left there very inspired. 

These photos were taken after Sunday morning meeting at Larry and Liza's.  The three babies were born within three months of each other at the end of last year.  Monte on the 15th of September, Jeremiah and Becky's Aspen on the 4th of October, and Tyler and Kim's Paige on the 15th of December.  It's so fun to get them all together once a month and see how much they've grown and developed!

Speaking of  babies, Damion and Jessi are expecting their third now.  We are so excited for them!  The new little bundle should arrive late November, early December.

Above Tyler and Boyd get reacquainted with cousin Avery at John and Ellen's.  They all have enough Christensen characteristics, I think they could be siblings!



We've been accepted into the LOTOJA Classic again this fall and Keith has left me with no excuses for not training trough the summer.  Actually, this set-up is quite fun.  Tyler's little tag-along allows us to barrow some of his plentiful energy to help power my bike.  It's a win-win!

 There's something so refreshing about a walk in the Park on a sunny day with a good friend.  And the fact that she takes time to help decorate a snowman with muddy lips is such an added bonus!  We love you, Janell :o)

Tyler lovin' the sunshine, lovin' the water, and lovin' an opportunity to be a BIG help.






















It's already been a great two weeks of this month of May and we sure hope it continues this way.  Love to all our dear friends, family, and fellow bloggers who check in here!

More Mother's Day Fun

Tyler's dream of late was to build a bird house with his Daddy.  It came to fruition last Saturday, so I'm considering it a lovely Mother's Day gift as well.  We're watching and waiting for a pair of robins to make it their cozy, little home.

Mother's Day Fun

Spur of the moment decisions can lead to such enjoyable experiences.  As you can see, the weather was less than desirable, but we decided to ignore the rain and run in the Mother's Day 5K Saturday morning.  It was Tyler's first race to be out of the jogger and on his own two feet.  He did great!  Boyd enjoyed a cozy ride with a sleeping Monte.  Keith pushed them over the finish line in just over 30 minutes (off the couch!)  He amazes me.  All my boys do.  I am one lucky Mom!

Happy Mother's Day

Thanks so much for the love and care you've poured into us over the years!  We sure love our Mothers!