A Day in the Life!

Hollie's 1st Birthday party!!

2011-08-31T21:21:00.001-07:00

My Hollie turned 1! I couldn't resist throwing her a big party! After all we almost died that day...thats how I guilted people into coming to the party, by saying that! Creepy is often funny! We had a BBQ with Family and a few Friends, we rented an amazing bounce house (That I LOVED dearly). My sister told me once that Hollie looked like a Baby Hippo, so I made her a Hippo cake! They looked like twins with their matching Sponge Bob teeth!

Beautiful Bear Lake!

2011-08-17T10:41:00.001-07:00

Not much to say, these pictures say it all! Bear Lake was Amazing, Gorgeous & Beautiful as always! We are so lucky to be able to spend time there every year. Jessie turned 6 while we were there so she got a sand castle birthday cake and a special present. My brother Joel and His family came up to visit for the day. We had tons of fun. Busy days full of playing, swimming, wave runner, eating, napping, Bear Lake Shakes, Hanging out!

Hollie in her bathing beauty outfit...Eating dirt!

Jessie

Skylar

Jake

Skylar & her never ending jumping

My Don & Hollie

Lily & Jessie

The three 3 year olds! They would argue about who was 3!

Jake at craft time!

The awesome Grandparents!

Jessie & "Cookie"

My pretty Lady!

Happy 6th birthday Jessie

Jessie's Tangled party

2011-08-10T22:41:00.000-07:00

It was Jessie's year to have a party and wouldn't you know it, we chose Tangled for our theme! It was so fun to plan and I...I mean all the darling 5 & 6 year olds LOVED it. We had a GREAT time and Jessie was spoiled rotten!

We played Pin the Nose on Flynn Rider!

Spin The Frying Pan

"Rapunzel, Rapunzel,....MAXIMUS"

Gifts....Like I said, spoiled Rotten!

Don has a birthday picture from when he was little with all the kids holding the gift they brought. I wanted to get Jessie one too. The girls were so cute and so proud to hold up what they gave!

The Tangled tower cake!

( I got Lazy and made the tower with scrapbook paper instead of cake like i was going to) Girls loved it anyway!

The dance off with our Pascal party Blowers!

The Girls took home a bucket of Chalk & a balloon as their party thank you!

LATER....The family party for Jessie and DON! Yeah Don got a tangled party!

Setting up the screen, I just wanted you to admire my lanterns i made, they glowed so beautifully! I love them...i want to marry them!

Jessie & Clifford. The only actual thing she wanted most (not exactly sure why), thank you Jennifer and Jason!

Tangled on the BIG screen under my lovely "floating" lanterns with extra love from the mosquitoes!

Thanks uncle Jesse!

My Precious!

We love Tangled over here! The party was so fun to plan. My stuff is in a box ready for you to borrow if needed, now that i have done all the work! =)

iFLY Surprise

2011-07-30T13:02:00.000-07:00

For Dons Birthday I thought it would be really fun to surprise him with an iFLY date. Instead I saw the family night deal that kids fly free with paid adults.. I couldn't pass that up! I didn't tell anyone where we were going until we got there, they were all excited. So glad we took the girls, they loved it and were not freaked at all. Brave souls...

Unfortunately may camera settings were all crazy and our pictures were blurry! Still so fun! at the end they hand you a certificate of completion....Skylar thought that meant she could now jump out of an airplane! She would probably do it too, she is her fathers child!

Funnest time I have ever had drooling and having my ears plugged!

Summer Of Lagoon!

2011-07-24T16:53:00.001-07:00

"Da Goon!"

Skylar

My jake

The Boats

How Hollie Spends her time at Lagoon!

Don so happy to be on Puff the Dragon!

3 Years!

2011-05-28T08:38:00.000-07:00

My Jake Turned 3!

This kid is the AweSomesT little kid in the world....at least we know so! He is sweet, strong, smart, funny, creative, Cuddly...I could go on & on!

Our one & only handsome little man is growing up! Jake's birthday was on the 23rd, overcast & sprinkling just like the day he was born. Jake is Incredibly Incredible!

Happy 3rd Birthday Jacob!

Easter.....a bit strange!

2011-05-06T22:22:00.000-07:00

Easter was quite busy and a lot Crazy! I tried, but to my dismay as I look through our Easter pictures I am just chuckling at there not being ONE picture where my kids look normal! CUTE, but not normal!

Thanks Macy for hosting the Easter bunny! And thanks for your fat sign in every picture in every angle i took! I have no clue why Jessie is hunching, Skylar is giving her "hurry take it smile", Hollie looked somewhere else in all my hurried shots, before the line got long!

This is all the incredibly weird edible PEEP crap i made, i had an Easter candy decorating spree that seemed to go on and on, until Don told me I needed to "quit with the peeps because they are gross"

Easter morning! My kids woke up at 6am like it was Christmas! They were so cute and happy and love those sing-a-ma-jigs! Jessie did inform me that she loved it but it wasn't what she had ordered. Silly Rabbit didn't know Jessie wanted a robot!

This is my sweet sweet Hollie on her first Easter! Also her first Sunday at church, goodbye RSV season!

Happy Spring!

Skylar is 8!

2011-03-19T22:46:00.000-07:00

My beautiful Skylar was baptized this month! Me & Skylar were Baptized on the same day in March 23 years apart! We were also Blessed on the same day 23 years apart...not planned!

I think that is perty darn neat!

This Girl of mine is an incredible kid! We love her so much, she has an Awesome, Sweet, Compassionate spirit. Couldn't ask for a Better 8 year old.

We had a great time taking pictures at the bountiful Temple...Did i say WE? I mean ME! It was pretty cold, but Skylar was a trooper. She will Thank Me later right?

Skylar's big day was awesome! Except for the part when Jake decided he was going to yell and cry at the fact that he couldn't follow dad into the water and I almost missed the baptism....How about the part when Jake decided he wanted in on the confirmation circle...I pulled him out and he loudly didn't approve of that either. I put him down and he went back in, but was quiet at least. He belongs with HiS Skylar anyway, guess he knew what he was doing. We had a Yummy lunch at Grandmas after with Family.

I love my Beautiful Sky!

St. George January Escape!

2011-01-30T22:41:00.000-08:00

I am very bad at January! Every year i try to be better...but i just. cant. get. out. of. bed. I no wanna either. I hibernate! This year the kids had a 4 day weekend. Don went to Mexico without ME! So, when he came back I made him drive me to St George for some fabulous 50-60 degree weather....I fell in love! The kids love to swim at the hotel. While they did that for hours on end, i jogged around st George & around the temple! So So So nice to be able to run outside in clean air...so nice to go running period! We had a great time swimming, running, eating, playing at parks & being lazy at the hotel. I was getting sweaty in my long sleeve shirts...the locals had COATS on...so funny!

Perty much what we did the whole weekend!

Hot tub man!

My Fishes!

So pretty!

Look at Jessie, she cracks me up!

Uh...whoops! How did this get in here! My mom likes to buy me things (for Don ha ha)

Jake was strutting his stuff in these heels way better than i ever could! Maybe I will just get some red Nike's!

Christmas 2010!

2010-12-30T21:15:00.000-08:00

Happy 1st Christmas to Hollie! We doubled up...2 parties on Christmas eve and a day to ourselves on Christmas Day! We went to Don's parents at 1pm and I took ZERO pictures...Oops! We finished the night with my family & our favorite tradition of Connie Claus!

Connie Claus & Skylar

Ruth & Connie Claus ( look at the grannies..cracks me up)

Christmas Morning! I like this picture because it has the whole family..I found me in the mirror!

Jake got "guy stuff" tools, cars, a sleeping bag that he wore all night!

jessie is Santa's little princess!

What's Christmas without a chilly temple square? I always insist because LIGHTS are the best Christmas decoration...besides the manger scene of course!

Merry Christmas & an especially Happy New Year...I need it!

HaPpY 31

2010-12-22T13:18:00.000-08:00

Happy 31 indeed! Don surprised me with a mini getaway! We ate at Olive Garden, Stayed the night at Little America, had room service breakfast Mmm..Mmm, He also gave me a years worth of well deserved & much needed Massages, well...HE didn't, but he bought them!

Our lovely view from the 17th floor!

We brought along my favorite present of the year...me & her, we're inseperable!

Hollie was awesome and me and Don both got the sleep we had been missing! It was lotsa fun! 31 is going to be awesome!

Oh...& thanks mom for babysitting!

Hollie's First 4 months!

2010-12-17T14:58:00.000-08:00

Here are a few of my favorite Hollie moments & Faces...I have only 10 or 12.... million!

My 3 Girls...gangly legs and bed head!

Newly Home from NICU about 2 weeks!

My little man & his "baby Hollie"

2-1/2 weeks

1-1/2 months...gaining chub!

2 months

1 month

3-1/2 months

4 Months!

Hollie is the sweetest baby! She is so quick to smile at me..makes me feel extra special. I can't help but feel something very unique and special about her. Whatever it is about her it's like I knew it in heaven but can't remember exactly what it is! She is amazing and so so sweet! The journey to get her here was long and hard, but I felt all along she was meant to be here. We love her so much at our house and are so very thankful for her!

She is my Nummy Nummy baby!

So far so healthy... 4 month appointment next week, cant wait to see how much she has Grown!

2010-12-06T09:26:00.000-08:00

My sister Jennifer and her husband Jason left for their next adventure the day after ThanksGiving! Moved far far away to Texas to live with the Air Force and fulfill Jason's dream of being a pilot! We are proud of them but sad also! ThanksGiving was extra special and extra hard because it is our last as a COMPLETE family for a while!

Jen, Jason & all the kid's

(they are going to miss their aunt Jen and uncle Jason)

"No No jen...that's my baby!"

Mom & Jen

Jen & Me...i think, although i hope the real me comes back

Jen & Hollie

Jen & Brenda..the perty ladies!

Hollie & Jesse

Jessie & her Lily

This ThanksGiving i was especially Thankful for my sweet sweet baby Hollie and My own life!

I was also extra Thankful for my only sister, sorry i yelled at you when you spilled my zit medicine and made you cry, sorry i put tape down the center of our room cause your side was messy, sorry i didn't play with you more, sorry i was mean sometimes...I love you and miss you already my Jen! Thanks for all you did for me this whole past year!

( you said you wanted some farewell attention...hee hee)

2010-11-17T17:32:00.000-08:00

We blessed Hollie Conference Sunday in October! Our Bishop let us in the Relief Society room, where Don blessed our sweet girl! We blessed her that day because it was the only time we could before her uncle Jason was leaving with the Air Force! We wanted as many of her Uncles there as we could! We just had Family come...Great Food, Great Company, Great Movie! My Brother Jesse set up his huge inflatable movie screen and we watched "UP" in the backyard and ate candy & visited! It was great, even though Hollie's dress drowned her! I took pictures of her in the dress a month and a half later so she would finally fit into it!

My Angel baby!

Her awesome Grandma's! Without them I don't know how we would have got her here!

The Men!

Hollie & Don

The Best Chefs I know!

All the Monkey's!

Hollie is lucky...Her family is Awesome!

HaLlOwEeN

2010-11-04T14:58:00.000-07:00

I LOVE Halloween.....but, this year I am very very tired! The kids wore things we found in their closets, they didn't mind a bit!

Jessie (Cinderella), Hollie (tree Frog), Skylar (Cow Girl), Jake ( skeleton with a cape, messy hair and a spider on his cheek guy)!

Jessie wore her fairy outfit for her preschool Halloween party!

Hollie dressed as a witch! Kazumi my awesome neighbor made this set for her because we couldn't find something so tiny for her! So stinking cute! Hollie wasn't much impressed with me taking her picture and trying to pose her though!

My little tiny tree frog....also compliments of Kazumi!

The kids loved trick-or-treating in the rain. the adults....not so much! I think me and Don have eaten most of the loot!

Hollie Ainzley Mae Christensen!

2010-09-04T23:42:00.000-07:00

This is our Hollie! (2 1/2 weeks)

This is my Bestest Boy Jake & his "Baby Hollie"

All the Monkey's helping with Hollie's 1st bath!

Hollie in the Special Care nursery NICU!

The girls meeting Hollie for the first time in the NICU!

Hollie spent 2 weeks in the NICU learning to nurse and eat before she could come home! LONG days & nights! we couldn't wait to bring her home! She had her first doc appointment yesterday and she weighs 4lbs 11oz. Up from her birth weight of 4lbs 7oz! She is doing awesome and she is so sweet! I am doing awesome despite my recovery from the c-section/Hysterectomy! We are now hiding out at home for the RSV season! Hollie is allowed only healthy adult visitors, no kids, doctors orders! We gotta keep her healthy! The NICU people are great, but I don't ever want to be there again...ever!

We are loving her to bits! I will post more when it's not late & I have had a nap!

Hollie Baby & our bed rest adventure!

2010-08-15T20:58:00.000-07:00

Well it looks like what they said would/could happen did! We were planning on delivery at 36 weeks if nothing happened before hand, we were not that lucky! We came to the hospital late Saturday night (33 weeks) because of a slight bleeding scare...again! They said they wanted to keep me here overnight to make sure everything was OK! On Sunday morning the doctor told me I was here til I delivered! I fell apart & looked like a red eyed dragon all day! Bed rest for 3 weeks? Could always be worse! The next day my doctor told me at this point they wanted to move the delivery up to 34 weeks! Safer to bail out when they can go in prepared then wait til it's an emergency!

I am now 34 weeks & 2 days! been here for 8 days laying around eating, reading, sleeping, staring, visiting, hoping, praying, waiting...sounds like a lazy dream vacation, but I would rather be at home with my babies! I am scheduled for Tuesday! I am nervous and calm at the same time! There are so many unknowns with this delivery that I can't wait to be on the other side of the surgery and on the mend!
I know I am leaving this hospital without a few bits and pieces just not sure exactly what! They are very confident that things will go well for me and for baby! She has had her steroids to help her lungs develop quicker & hopefully my lazy eating week has helped to plump her up a bit. I am hoping her little body adjusts quickly to this world & that we can take our little girl home sooner than later! It's hard to express in words how much I already love her and hope so much for her! I can't wait to bring her home to join our family & add her to my collection of beautiful babies, they are so excited too! Don & I are so blessed to have the amazing kids we do!
Thanks to all my Family, Friends & neighbors for your visits, phone calls & prayers! I don't know what we did to deserve such wonderful people in our lives, but are so thankful! Thanks to my Jennifer for making my hospital room a pregnant photo studio & feeding me pizza!

Love to all! I will post pictures of our pretty little wonder as soon as I can!

A little of us since.....February!

2010-07-29T08:57:00.001-07:00

I'm trying to get caught up on what has been going on with us since oh...February! I forgot how t blog and so everything is backwards!...oh well...no matter!

My baby Jake turned 2 and I am convinced there never was or could be a cuter- sweeter 2 year old! This kid has his mom and dad wrapped around his finger!

Jessie has the funnest and funniest imagination! She is currently growing Fairy wings on her back from eating a magic pancake! When she gets her wings she is going to buy TVs for the car, a watch, and a game! I was busy making an alligator cake for Jake's Birthday while my poor Jessie had fallen into a deep snoring slumber on the potty! When she awoke not realizing she had been asleep said "what now?"

Preschool graduation! Mrs. Patti!

Jessie & Joe (one of her many betrothed)

getting earrings...so excited!

Skylar is such an awesome little girl! She is such a grown up 7 year old! She takes care of her little sister and her and Jake have an amazing relationship! The poor kid turned 7 in February, grandma gave her a birthday party with her friends while I hid in the basement suffering from pregnancy!

1st grade class program and graduation!

my pretty 7 year old!

Oh Baby!

2010-05-18T15:34:00.001-07:00

This is our baby Girl! This pregnancy has been so much fun! If you know me then you know that is a lie. I get really sick and Change personalities when I am pregnant. We are happy to say this is our final baby growing adventure. I love the babies, but pregnancy and me are not friends.

This pregnancy is 1/2 over and already we have had our share of worries.

My blood test that they take at 16-18 weeks to screen for Spine problems and Down Syndrome came back with numbers showing a very slight chance that our baby could have down syndrome. They hurry and send you to the specialist at the hospital for an ultrasound. Our baby looks 100% perfect, well almost, she will probably be just as imaginative and weird as our first 3.

They couldn't see all the things they wanted to see on our ultrasound so they had us come back 4 weeks later. They wont rule out the possibility of down syndrome unless you do an amniocentesis, which we decided not to do because of the risk of miscarriage.....I have worked so hard already dang it! Besides she is what she is and we will love her all the more. At our next ultrasound they found that I have Placenta Previa, which can be a dangerous condition all by itself, but even more so for me because I have had c-sections and it could turn into placenta accreta. If it stays a normal ole placenta previa then they will deliver the baby at 36 weeks, IF i don't have bleeding before hand that causes her to be born even earlier. They will let me know by week 24 if I need bed rest! If it turns into the Placenta Accreta then there is a very big possibility that at the time of delivery they will do a hysterectomy! Good thing I was planning on 4 beautiful babies. They think the test may have come back so funny about the down syndrome because of the placenta previa. My Doctor said "go home and don't worry about it and stay off the Internet!"......this is going to be a long waiting game! We just wont know everything until she is here.

We are very excited to have another little girl, even though Jake will be all alone! I wish I could fast forward time & see what the future holds. I just want her here safe and beautiful and who she is!

If I end up on bed rest, please come hang out with me, lend me books, & clean my house!

New Years at DisneyLand!

2010-01-05T16:44:00.000-08:00

Don & I flew to California December 30th with the girls to spend 3 days at Disneyland & California Adventure! We left this crummy weather behind...The weather was PerFeCt! We had so much fun. Jessie was just tall enough to hit all the Good rides with us bigger kids. The kids went on everything and were never scared! The whole park was decorated for Christmas. New Years got a bit crowded, but it was all good! We hit shows, parades, Fireworks, rides, characters, the only reason I left the park was because Don convinced me the kids needed sleep.

Leaving Salt Lake City!

My little Princess & The Castle!

Watching Fireworks....one of Don's Loves!

Skylar hearing the ocean in a White Chocolate sea shell!

I loved this Ocean Carousal! I plan to have one in my room!

California Adventure reminded me of Pleasure Island on Pinocchio!

It's a small world was all Christmasy & was cute I must say. It looked so pretty at night all lit up!

We ate lunch here...all for Jessie. The princesses would come out and talk to you at your table and take pictures. It was worth it to see the look on Jessie's face when they would appear. We saw Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Aurora & Snow White! Snow white Loved her twin Jessie and kissed her forehead leaving a red lipstick kiss!

Don wants to be Sulley & run the Firework show, when we move to Disneyland!

I get to run the light parade & take a turn being every character! I loved the light parade!

I LOVE this picture! Poor Jessie wouldn't let go of her Princess Minnie Mouse! She Zonked in the stroller quite a bit!

My future Castle all decked out for Christmas!

We had an amazing time & we cant wait to go back!

The happiest place on earth...so true, the workers, even the broom sweeper man was HAPPY!

So....this is CHRISTMAS!

2009-12-28T21:07:00.000-08:00

We had Christmas Eve with my family at my house! We had yummy turkey, taters, rolls, corn, Chips & Dips, pie & other healthy foods! We had a great Christmas story that the kids listened intently too and then immediately asked if they could open presents now.

We have started a strange, but very popular tradition called.....Connie Claus! My mom dresses up as Santa and hands out presents to the family! The kids love it!

I call this a LOVELY Disaster at my house! We stayed up until midnight cleaning and vacuuming up boa feathers and crumbs. There was no need to have any more gifts- Christmas day!

Jessie & Lily

Jake & his new noisy Hot Rod!

What Santa left! I told my kids to ask Santa for 1 present, Skylar asked for a pillow pet, a purple unicorn. I saw them at the mall and thought they were kinda ugly. When I decided I better have Santa give the one thing she has asked for for about 4 months, I went back to the mall and the man said the purple unicorn was sold out everywhere. I bought the purple hippo instead & fell in love with the pink pig, so Jessie got a pillow pet also, along with the mermaid Barbie she had wanted. Jake doesn't care, so I bought him a Zoobie Monkey pet (animal/pillow/blanket) so stinkin cute. He also got a vtech apple that is for 3+ kids, but he laughs every time he hears the ABC song and he loves to push buttons.

My 3 spoiled babies!

The Christensen Family Christmas Pie! If you must know I will tell you, but I refuse to type a description...it would confuse you! I got a really pretty necklace with a black pearl from China on it! The kids got Chinese whistles, Jake cars, Don a pen light/lazer pointer thing....great church toy!

We didn't buy our kids anything and didn't need too anyway. We are taking the girls Disneyland so ....stay tuned!

Happy New Years!

DECEMBER

2009-12-21T15:22:00.000-08:00

December has been crazy....as usual! I thought I would post some things

I hadn't yet, just for fun!

We had an awesome get together with the girls who are 30 or soon to be. It was great to have a girls night and see each other looking like hot 30 year old MOMS!

Santa! Jake wasn't to impressed, the girls loved him....I loved his belt buckle!

Jake likes to be a boy & create chaos for me to clean up. Right after I

have just cleaned the house.

Birthday party for me and Ben! Grandma and some of the Grand kids!

4 of the 5 best, funniest, greatest kids my mom had!

The very blue cake I made for Ben! It has to be documented because I don't cook!

The awesome est Ginger bread house ever! Aunt Brenda made it for us to put together and decorate. The kids loved it. I loved eating the candy, but not the belly ache so much!

My boy and his CRAZY hair! So cute!

Merry Christmas!

3o years...er, maybe 29 again!

2009-12-11T11:00:00.000-08:00

My 30th Birthday was aWeSoMe! I started the day with dragging my behind out of bed for my workout so that I would feel nice about myself and all the cake and Ice cream I plan to consume all year! I had an amazing 1 hour massage at the Garden day spa with Patty (Don gave it to me for Christmas last year & I still had it) I asked Patty to marry me, she said "no" but that she would be my best friend. I headed over to get a manicure at Sparkling nails & the cute girl talked me into a pedicure ( didn't take much convincing). After, I had my foot long black roots highlighted (about time). A very uncommonly girlie day for me!

My toes! Like my pose?

Don asked my mom to babysit so he could take me to dinner.....or so I thought. We headed down town to the Olive Garden (because I cant stay away). Then he told me we were not going home and we headed over to the.....Ta da... ArmStrong Mansion! If you haven't been...you oughta!

When we got to our room (February Interlude) they had the lights dimmed, pretty rose petals scattered, glowing tea lights set all around, a yummy fudge heart with my name on it, Sparkling cider, cozy robes & my favorite... a huge bathtub up a winding iron staircase in the top turret of the house. It was so awesome & unexpected. My Husband is awesome, he knew I really needed some time for us without our darling babes.

Thanks to all my friends and family for the Happy Birthday wishes! It was an incredible day! My goals this year are to #1 be PATIENT...cause..well, I'm not! #2 Spend more time on/with- who/whats important & what matters...because I want to KNOW I made the most of my life!

Love you all!

FestiVal oF TreE's

2009-12-05T20:37:00.000-08:00

Jessie had her Christmas performance with Legacy Dance at the Festival of tree's Thursday. These kids are so stinkin cute! Jessie knows the moves, but has zero balance, so funny! Sometimes she would turn around and look at the scenery. We had a good time, grandma, grandpa, and cousins came too. They danced to "Up on the roof top".

Princess tree display.....Jessie loved!

I love the red lips they gave her!

Today (Sat.) is just about done Thank heaven! I fish-tailed out of control on the freeway to Ogden ending up the wrong way...lucky no one was around and that we and our car were safe. We Passed no less than 10 different crumpled up or over turned cars. Mom hit her head causing a good sized wound, then she fell up the curb into the snow..... ;), Slid my car once again into the curb pretty hard, picked up the tired not feeling good kids, splattered pulpy orange juice all over the just cleaned kitchen counter and floor, Jake tumbled down the whole flight of stairs- bruise on the head, went to post Jessie's dance video clip to find out I don't know how and that while I was finding the right spot on the tape is when Jake fell down the stairs so when I tossed the camera onto the couch I recorded the couch cushions for about 3 minutes. Recording over some of Jessie's dance and some cute footage of Jake Pre-fall. It's been one of those days. So glad we are safe and that mom's head will heal. Thing's could have been worse!

Last but not least I got to have my big awesome brother take on 7 kids so me, my sister in law, my bruised mom & my little brother could go see New Moon and laugh!

THE END!

Dream Vacation....CoOk IsLanDs!

2009-11-14T20:15:00.000-08:00

Our 10 year anniversary trip......Cook Islands, Rarotonga....ahhhh! The most gorgeous place on Earth. Seems like a dream, but I swear I was there, I know because I consumed all the ice cream bars on the island! (they were so creamy, luscious, Yum yum) Don served 5 months of his mission back in 1997 on Rarotonga, the rest in New Zealand. We always talked about some day going there. Honestly...I thought we would be geezers if we ever actually went. I feel so blessed to have spent a week in one of the most amazing places in the world.

This is our post card of Rarotonga! It's so tiny, you can drive around the island in about 30 minutes. The local Islanders are so friendly everywhere. This place is REAL, no commercialized tourist traps.

The beach at our Resort... heading out in the blue Lagoon in a kayak to explore close islands and the really awesome, unbelievable reef!

The gas prices are So SO So expensive, everyone rides a scooter. The mama's TIE there kids to them with a sarong and away they go. I saw one kid who had to be barely 2 & not tied on!

Don & our treasure trove of shells from the Reef! I saw these same shells all polished in gift shops for about $10-&15. The reef is about a mile from shore. The lagoon is smooth, blue and predator free. The waves are huge out past the reef. The reef can only be experienced it's hard to explain.

I so wanted to bring this TINY van home with me. They were everywhere. So cute!

Out in the Lagoon off Rarotonga in our paddle boat!

Cultural Market! They do this every Saturday to sell their produce and crafts to the locals and the tourists. They start with the sunrise and close the whole town at noon.

What a life..."no worries"

Last night at the resort waiting for the Cook Island dancers to entertain us. Little did we know that we would both be pulled on stage to try out the dancing. Um....not so great!

This is our post card of Aitutaki! It looks just like this from the plane. No digital touch up needed. This place is BEAUTIFUL! We flew here for a day tour, snorkeled, ate fish, explored. The population is just over 200 people.

This building.....Is the airport!

This place is a breathtakingly, amazingly, beautiful place. The pictures don't do it justice! The water is so many shades of blue, next to the other 100 shades of blue in the sky! The sand is white, the water is so clear like a bathtub or a pool and so very warm.

We walked out to a sand bar about 1/2 a mile out from the island we docked at. It was that shallow the whole way. They have weddings here & the newlyweds plant a coconut tree on the sand bar, so we checked it out.

A few of the flowers on the island. They all smelled amazing and looked pretty cool. Vibrant colors, crazy shapes, amazing smells.

SO...tell me now that I have convinced you to go to the Cook Islands, I feel like I'm telling you about my new secret hideout, but the truth is....we want to go with you! Careful though, don't drink the water from the tap. A bottle of water is about $2.50-$3.00 same as a can of pop. Whatever Don says about the "fizzy drink" L&P, he's crazy...it's gross. Don't eat at the nice restaurants, yucky! Find a burger joint or small dairy/cafe They are yummy and TONZ cheaper. I should be paid for this long advertisement. 581 pictures were hard to choose from. If you want me to sell you more on the Cook Islands, ask me and i'll show you the rest!

HappY HalloweeN!

2009-10-31T21:28:00.001-07:00

Halloween is so much fun...and so much work. I was worn out 3 days before, making cup cakes for Skylars class. Heading to the Halloween Parade early to realize I was late...no more seats. Dragging my stroller, screaming Jessie, slinging my camera, and balancing all my cuppy cakes. Still...I love Halloween! My kids wore several costumes between Party's at school &

Trick- or- treating.

The Young Women in our ward made this for us, our Pumpkin Family. They also gave us a huge plate of treats...so nice & so very Yummy! I laughed really hard when they gave us this & asked if I was supposed to pay them. Look at my highlights...thas my favorite part.

On our way to Trick-or-treat! Jake was....um, a little mad!

My witch, my Zebra & my Bee!

Wonder Woman & Her Best Witch!

The prettiest Super Girl Ever!

A pretty witch!

My best people!

Happy 10 Years to Us!

2009-10-23T07:38:00.000-07:00

Don & Jaymie October 23rd 1999

( a little blurry...a picture of a picture...married before the digital age)

10 Years...10 memories, No particular order!

1. Giant Pallet Bonfires, Gasoline, Lots of Snow & Firetrucks!

2. Eating at Applebee's & ending up in Wendover for a night with only the clothes on our backs!

3. Cuddling 4 1/2 years in a tiny historical cabin!

4. Three of the most beautiful babies ever imagined!

5. White Coral graffiti in Hawaii!

6. Me & You in Cabo San Lucas!

7. Endless Mountain Drives!

8. Zion's, Moab, Lake Powell, Hawaii, Bahama's, California, Washington, Texas, Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, Idaho, UTAH!

9. Armstrong Mansion!

10. Nights of Smallville!

Our Awesome Family, 10 Years in the Making!

Thanks for Loving me & for being my best Friend!

Scare Crow Festival

2009-10-20T09:16:00.000-07:00

Jessie had her first Dance performance. It was at The Scare Crow Festival at Thanksgiving point. The poor little things froze, It was outside and the wind was blowing really hard. I almost got knocked off the chair I was standing on to get the pictures. Jessie's in the youngest group so they mostly stand there. They tried to follow their teacher, but in between moves they stood there and shivered....so sad & CUTE! They danced to the monster mash and acted like monsters. After the dance we got to go play on huge bounce houses and thing's, but the wind was so bad people were taking them down/closing up. What a bummer! We decided to leave and get ice cream somewhere else, when Jake almost got adopted by the wind while strapped in his stroller.

A Little Of us Lately!

2009-10-01T16:48:00.001-07:00

We headed out to the ZOO for our free day today. I took the kids...they whined alot. It was a little cold. Skylar told me I spent to much time at the Elephants and that we should go home because it's warmer there. Yeah...I should have gone alone. They all fell asleep on the way home! Guess that explains it. We made sure we saw all the new baby animals at the zoo. The Tigers were sleepy and hiding so I didn't include their picture.

This is the darling baby elephant I intend to have! She is so sweet....I love her!

This is the baby Giraffe.....I love it too.

Comin' to check us out. I think it called me mom while we were there. I intend to have it too.

Little Foggy through the glass. What a Cutie.....darn that smudged glass.

Such a cuddly looking baby Snow Leopard, that is until I see it's meal. Maybe we could cuddle while it's sleeping!

These animals are mine! Cute & stinky!

Me & My Jake!

Lunch! YUM!

In case your wondering....I get an idea that I'd like to do something & then I do it. Most Often it's weird, but I don't care! Jessie is now in dance class and I thought it would be fun to make a Tutu....so I made 2 and I plan to make one for myself....Because I want to. I Love them.....!

ScHoOL DaY's!

2009-09-15T10:28:00.000-07:00

Ahhh...1st Grade, Gone all day! I cant decide if that's nice or if I hate it. Of course some days it's really nice. Skylar is Loving School, she loves her teacher, & loves school lunch the most.

Jessie's in Preschool Now. She loves to go & once again some days I'm glad to let her go! Me & Jake get our one-on-one time & I love that. Jessie is doing awesome, her little class & teacher are so cute.

ZoO! & Some Bestest Buds!

2009-09-03T13:23:00.000-07:00

Once again...don't tell Skylar that we had an adventure without her. While she was at school, we went to the ZoO! We met up with some of My best Girls. The pics I took are random, not much of animals. We were very distracted with catching up. We made sure to hit the baby Tigers...so stinkin cute, The baby Giraffe....I want to keep it, Elephants, Gorilla's, Monkeys, Rhino's, & of course the play ground. We had a great time....Thanks to all my friends for hangin out with us.

Jayben & Jessie

(they think this Gorilla comes to life when nobody's lookin',

I promise they didn't get that from me)

Me & Jake with Jill & Henry

Jake Loved the carousal. He had a death grip on the pole when I tried to get him off.

Goofy Jessie with the baby Giraffe behind her eating sticks!

Jessie, Tracy, Brooklyn, Carlie, Luke, Ayla!

Ayla, Jessie, Brooklyn

I don't have a picture of Janessa, but she was there too!

Thanks for a great time. I love you guys!

Bird Encounters!

2009-09-01T22:47:00.000-07:00

So...Don't tell Skylar, but after I sent her off to school, I loaded the other kids in the car & went to the Tracy Aviary. It's a fun adventure that doesn't take all day. We like to buy a Year Family pass so we can hit Hogle Zoo for Free!

Look at these cute birds! To bad about the Fence or I would have hid one in my Diaper bag.

This Kinda Ugly Bird had it's wings spread out, enjoying the sunshine???

My pretty Lady enjoying the Aviary!

Poor Kid, He thinks he put his hat on right!

Such pretty Colors, Would it be to strange if I did my hair in those colors?

We saw a mother Peacock with her babies.....so cute peckin the ground.

Old Friend Causey!

2009-08-22T21:03:00.000-07:00

Today we went to Causey Reservoir. We had a ton of fun, we took the Canoe out, swam in the always freezing water, ate, had mud fights, talked, made stupid jokes, & Just had fun.

Brothers and Pretty sisters (me & Joel pose the same, ha ha)

Skylar & Ben's Mud Fight, Ben had a big mud clod stuck to the back of his head... that's my girl whack him when his back is turned! ( Ben's face is so funny I had to share)

My pretty lady Jessie!

My little Man!

Uncle Jesse saving My umbrella from the water, the wind was greedy. He makes a gorgeous southern lady with delicate skin.

My Boy havin a snooze after a Canoe ride!

Beautiful Bear Lake.....

2009-08-16T21:33:00.000-07:00

Ahhh...Bear Lake....So pretty! We went to Bear Lake for a week with all the Christensen's. It's so pretty & fun there. There is Tons to do for everyone. We Swam in the lake & pools, Played on the beach & wave runner, Miniature Golfed, Played at the park, Rode our Bikes, Flew kites, Took walks, Drove Remote control cars, Gobbled Bear Lake Shakes, Kissed the kids, Ate a ton, Layed on the grass, Played with cousins, Read books.....you name it, we did it all. There is nothing better then spending time with family & enjoying such a gorgeous place.

Poor little Jake, he didn't feel so good for most of it. He let me know it...all over me & him in my bed! He never wore his swimsuit but I promise I didn't make him wear his p.j.'s the WHOLE time! He's my little trooper!

UnDeR ThE SeA BirTdAY & PiNeVieW

2009-08-05T00:36:00.000-07:00

We celebrated alot this past week/end/week...Yeah! We went to Pineview with my family on Saturday. Everyone played in the sand/water/waverunner/canoe. We had a great time. ....Sunday we went to Don's parents to celebrate Don, Emilie & Jessie. Sorry I forgot my camera that day. Then Monday Jessie's 4th Birthday we had some of her 4 year old friends and cousins over for her under the sea party. We went swimming next door, opened presents, beat the mermaid pinata, ate Mermaid cake, Fish crackers, fruit, & sea punch. Then the kids fished for there party favors.... we had a great time. In Jessies words "I'm going to be the best Birthday Girl ever." Ha ha ha

Pineview with the birthday people. Joel, Jessie, Don

All the kids shoved into the hot tub!

Jessie & her Mermaid cake

My lady & her poor poor broken friend!

BoUntiFuL PeaK BirThDaY!

2009-07-31T11:43:00.000-07:00

Don wanted to go to dinner & take a drive up Bountiful Peak For his Birthday! The drive is always bumpy but So So pretty. The Wild Flowers were beautiful & the Sunset....Amazing! We used to come up here all the time when we were dating, it was fun to come up again without the kido's. We live in a great place... so close to Mountains.

As you can see it's beautiful, perfect place for making-out...or snogging, but I like to just plain kiss! The last picture is Don getting his Yellow Jersey that my mom made for him while she watched the kids. She has become a fan of Lance Armstrong & Bike racers, just like Don.

Earlier in the day me & the kids hid in the kitchen & yelled Surprise when Don came home, we gave him a few gifts & a cake. YUM!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday Don!

2009-07-30T12:08:00.000-07:00

Happy 32nd Birthday Don!

We love this guy "Him's our nice Boy!"

Pioneer Day!

2009-07-27T16:04:00.000-07:00

Our Pioneer day celebration! Yummy food, Fireworks, Cute Fat kids!

Love a summer Holiday, Love my Family!

Don handing out all the goods to the kids, dont worry those are snaps.

Jennifer & Jason

Josh, Ben, Skylar, Lily, Jessie, Serenity

(jake was fast asleep & slept 14 hours that night)

My Jessie!

Jesse, Mom, Jennifer

TREK 2009

2009-07-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

Don & I were "Ma & Pa" on Trek this year. We had a really cool experience. Our family was awesome. We treked 31 miles in 3 days. The first day was the longest, we treked 14 miles. With just a few miles to go they announced that the men would not be with us for about 1 1/2 miles. For the women's pull (the men had gone off to war). We had to push/pull our handcarts up the steepest hill yet. When we got to the top of the hill the men were lined up on both sides of the trail with there hats over their hearts singing hymns reverently. They sounded awesome with there deep men voices. It was a very moving experience. We camped in a meadow for a night then continued on the next day. When we stopped again we stayed in that place for 2 nights. We joined with another ma and pa family to make a strong shelter.

OUR WARD...On our way!

Our "Trek Family" 11 awesome people!

The Men!

The Women!

The Hottest Ma & Pa...Ever!

The Handcart Company! (17 handcarts)

We were first this day...no more riding up anyones behind!

We were quite happy about that.

Square dancing night! Beautiful country. The fireside got rained out & I mean Rain, wind, destroyed shelter's (except our awesome shelter), but we got a beautiful double

rainbow out of it.

Our shelter.....2 nights, 24 People!

Pioneer game day! (Don's in the gray)

The Pa log throw!

My COWBOY!!! All cute like, dutch ovenin me some dinner.

Even after the huge blisters, tired body, sunburned swollen lips, & dirty sweat. I would do it all again, our youth were AMAZING, non complainers, willing to work, not goof off's, but so much fun. If you get the chance to go on trek, take it. I gained such an awesome appreciation for the Pioneers and what they had to go through... they were amazing, brave, & so full of Faith. I also learned that the world will be in great hands with youth like this around. To be honest I was scared for the future, but our stake has very valiant youth. I would hang out with these guys anytime...although they probably think I'm too old and boring.

I Luva My America!

2009-07-04T10:33:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July! We went to the childrens parade last night. Jake sort of...well slowmotion rolled out of the wagon onto his face. He is fine just has a little road rash. We were not even moving at the time...so sad. The kids loved it, we ate our share of popcicles after, 2nd's and 3rd's. Enjoyed some fireworks then off to bed. Hit the Centerville Parade this morning with family and friends. Now off to the cabin and more Fireworks tonight. I had time to post now so I went for it.

Calvin, Everest, Jacob, Don

(the boys and there little boys)
Jessie!

My jake & his parade battle scars!

Skylar!

Skylar, Sylvia, Abigail, Jessie (friends)

My American babes!

God bless America & all those brave men & women who work & fight Everyday

to keep us safe & FREE!

Sunshine Daydreams!

2009-06-21T23:57:00.001-07:00

My jake, my little Monkey man!

The Aquarium's Cool & kinda creepy creatures!

I had a picture of the other side of this, but I deleted it because it looks gross ahhaha!
Dont you love to watch the wonder of little kids? They are so sweet! I wish I dared to share the picture of me with my face smooshed against the glass. (ok, so that never happened, there were to many kids and they never let me have a turn)

Thas all folks! Was a great day with cousins at the aquarium! That's all the fun we have had so far this summer...curse you rain! Don's even been riding his bike in the rain because he just can't not ride daily! Skylar has been to a plastic surgeon, jake has learned to pull up on anything unstable and make messes, Jessie has said so many off the wall things all I can do is laugh, and me? Well, let's just say I gave away my couches & now I want them back, you can't curl up and read all rainy day without any furniture in your front room...really it's empty! Do love me my crazy little tikes though, they are so funny!

THUNDERBIRDS....AIR SHOW

2009-06-06T21:46:00.001-07:00

We hit the Air show today along with all of Utah. It was really crowded and lots of fun. My pictures are all out of order, not sure why. I think when I grow up I'm going to be a Thunderbird.

We hit Panda Express after the show and hooked up with the Thunderbirds themselves.

Skylar looks Traumatized, It was really loud.
Jake didn't like the loud noises when the jets flew directly above or dads fingers in his ears.
(oh trembly lip)

Jessie wasn't sure what was so cool besides all the snacks in my bag!

They did some really cool tricks, but I think a video camera would have been TONS better.

The Group before the show. We walked like 4 miles just to get there.

(OK, I made that up)

Air Force Jen & Skylar
THUNDERBIRDS!

S U P E R M A N !

2009-05-27T13:00:00.000-07:00

We had a Superman party for Jake & Uncle Jason

Jennifer & her Super Jason

Jake & his Monkey Brother

Supermen/women

Jennifer & the Birthday boy!
Super Jake

Jake & grandma Connie

Happy 1st Birthday...where's my baby?

2009-05-23T07:57:00.000-07:00

My baby boy is 1, I can't believe he is 1. I love this little kid Sooooo much. I was not sure how I was going to handle a boy who gets dirty & throws things & stinks all the time, but he is the neatest kid. I was not prepared for how much I would lose my heart for the 3rd time to someone so small. I love his very interesting personality & his smile. He has an awesome spirit and I know he is meant for big things.

The BIG Mama

Day 1
1 week

1 year

Gotta LOVE Grandma!

2009-05-19T16:32:00.000-07:00

We spent Sunday driving up to Idaho to see grandma Vera. She is one amazing lady and we love her bits and pieces. She has always been a great example to me and a great Grandma. I love her tons and it's so fun to see my own kids love her and get excited to see her.

The 6 year old trouble makers!

Can you see the ones I'm raising? Little monsters.

What More Could I Want!

2009-05-11T23:29:00.000-07:00

Oh I do love me some mothers day. Besides the sitting in the very front at church and having people snicker behind you because your kids are crazy and trying to lick you and lick the bench and eat paper, anything to get a rise out of you. I cant think of a better reason to miss sleep, get fat, walk around with spit-up on your shirt, never do your hair, have areas on your body look like...well 80, and look years older over night than the 3 beautiful babies I get to call mine. What a feeling it is to be so loved and needed. Who could want more?

They pay more attention than I thought, I do Make a mean sandwich and

apparently I lost like 100 pounds!

Is there anything better than getting a self portrait of yourself drawn by your kid?

It's pretty darn good!

My Jakers, getting his first 1 year birthday Gift.

We threw a Birthday Party in the mix.

Jessie's sweet card she made in primary.

The Beauty's My Husband & Skylar picked out

Last Weekend!

2009-04-29T13:57:00.000-07:00

I took my kids to the Dino Park once more before our pass expires. Can't decide if I want to renew or not.

We finally painted some more, No not done...never that. We went from boring to tan, then back to boring. The tan looked Pink and was making me sick so back to boring we went. Pictures of my new blue room later.

So this is what Jessie wore to church. I think it's cute, Don was not sure. I am corrupted by Naartjie and I'm not sure what a normal way to dress your kid is anymore. Have any Ideas? Don't be afraid to tell me I'm nuts, I'll still dress them how I please.

11 months going on 12

2009-04-23T12:10:00.000-07:00

My Handsome Jake! I love this kid. He is so fun & sweet

So this is Easter!

2009-04-17T10:53:00.001-07:00

I love Easter...I love the Spring Sunshine & the Spring smells! I love the egg hunts, the baskets, & I love my family. Saturday we spent with my family in Ogden. Coloring eggs and hunting the candy filled ones. Sunday my kids ate candy out of there baskets for breakfast and played with there Easter toys! After I taught R.S. on Sunday (scary I know) we went to Grandma Ruth's and had more candy & egg hunts.

Mute Easter Bunny..."The Easter bunny cant talk yet" -Jessie. What must they think? I get a little creeped out imagining this huge bunny in my house while we are all asleep putting candy in our baskets. Good thing that's just for show.

How do I explain? Skylar asked if she could draw a face on an egg for the Easter Bunny, then she came down and asked if she could decorate it with "Garbage" Ha ha. She cut and pasted all kinds of scrap wrappers to this plastic egg! This went on all week. What can I say, I teach my kids to recycle. He's real cute Eh?

Me & my Jakers celebrating his first Easter..He loved the Jelly Beans!

The kids and there super creativity in coloring eggs with Aunt Jen & Uncle Jason!

My handsome boys... Lucky me!

My Beautiful Babies before church. Jake drenched his Easter

outfit during his nap...Darn

whats Easter without the Sweater Vest! Ha

Spring Break 09' Be Quiet & Have Fun!

2009-04-11T10:25:00.000-07:00

Skylar had a week off for spring break so we went somewhere fun everyday, rain or shine. We had a good time, but I wore the kids out. After the St. George trip last weekend and all this I think the kids are to tired for Easter. Its amazing what you can do with a Tracy aviary pass. I'm really good at having fun for free!

Day 1 (Tues) Tracy Aviary with Jill and Henry

Day 2 (Wed) Dinosaur Park (Ahhhh!) With Jessie's friend

Day 3 (Thurs) Children's Museum with Webers and Hyers

Day 4 (Fri) Skylar Dr. (fun) and Chalk

Ahhhh.....Sunshine & Uh...Spandex

2009-04-06T21:05:00.000-07:00

We went to St George this past weekend for the Cholla Challenge. We woke the kids & threw them in the truck so we could be to the race on time. The race was in Hurricane. We spent the rest of the weekend taking it easy in St. George. We went swimming, played at parks and tried to watch/listen to conference. The kids loved it and want to go back tomorrow, me too...so warm.

Getting ready... (note the Pj's)

Heading to cheer on dad

Don on the right end in Blue...what a stud!

My fancy blind photo work.

My muncheechee'sMe & My Mama's boy...

Swimming, swimming & more swimming

Happy Birthday!

2009-03-28T21:58:00.000-07:00

This past week my mom turned 60 & Jenny poo turned 25. We had a party at Josh and Ileana's house and ate a lot. Then went to Olive Garden With no grandkiddies and ate more. We had free dessert and our waiter performed our very own Italian opera...jealous?

Birthday Ladies One is 60 & one is 25.....Special

Some of the kids...the weird one is mine, so proud

All the fat kids at Olive Garden for My Mother

Uh...Instead of the ZOO!

2009-03-25T22:27:00.001-07:00

We went hiking last Saturday in Kaysville, to Adams Canyon. We were pulling into the zoo to meet up with friends when we saw that everyone in Utah had the same idea. We decided to go hiking instead. Sad to say we ditched our friends with the crowd at the zoo. The kids were sad that we were not going to the zoo at first until Don explained that we wouldn't see animals just other peoples butts....oh you got a love him. The kids had a ton of fun and later Skylar Thanked us for taking her on a hike. Heres some of our fancy photos!

What the SNOW!

2009-03-09T16:14:00.000-07:00

I wore sandals like a big dork yesterday because I want it to be warm and springy with green plants and singing birds, but no. I tempted fate and now its snowing and I have gone back into hybernation. I was getting into running again, but now I just want sleepy. I am as big as a bear anyway...ask skylar, she asked me why I was still a little chubby. I almost knocked her silly then remembered I love her with all my heart, so i let it go this once. Why am I still chubby? It wasnt this bad after the girls, but after Jake I am still laden with ruby river steak fat....yeah I was hungry for meat alot. Good thing my kids are cute so people dont look at me in my sweats. I will get some updated pics soon, but not yet....well that was random, better go.

Trying to Learn. Look at my babies.

2009-02-28T16:22:00.000-08:00

So I wanted to do a blog to keep in touch with my friends. You would think they all lived many a miles away, but no. They all live within 20-30 minutes away. You see what kids do to ya! I am a hostage at my house...a slave to the laundry and dishes. If you want to make a plan with me you have to make it in advance because I only do my hair about 2 times a week and not always on the same day I actually get dressed. Call me though you may luck out. I love my kids and wouldnt trade them for the world, but I might get a sitter and go to a movie by myself or just go sit in the library and read or look at the wall.

I am a needin a vacation! Does anyone want to go? Oh no kids please I plan to sleep and give my diaper bag a break. I want to go somewhere I have never been yet, so.....?

Have to go now the kids are climbing the bookshelf...bye

2009-02-26T16:00:00.000-08:00

What the bum nuckle? I have found a background, but some dont work why? It cuts the edges off. . . darn. What if I want a picture with my title how do you do that?

Here you go!

2009-02-25T23:15:00.000-08:00

Well, it is done as much as it can be done for now...all this trying is making me sleepy. I will get the hang of this blogging nonsense and let you know whats up with us from here to there and everywhere.....yeah I better stop, me so sleepy. I do want a cute background, how do you get that?

2009-02-25T23:11:00.000-08:00

I should be asleep!

2009-02-25T22:59:00.000-08:00

Hey, I thought I would be like all my buddies and start a blog. I have no idea what I am doing, so we will just try this out...ok! I should be asleep, but for dinner I drank three glasses of
Dr. Pepper, that's right...YUM! We went to Chili's and I ate crap there and drank even more stuff I really shouldnt have....the Dr. P. The kids are in bed and so is Don and so I thought I would make a blog..He may be mad when he finds out, but I am bored and wide awake. Lets see if it's as fun as everyone says.