Lake Powell Recipe 2011

All you need to have a successful Christensen Lake Powell trip are the following:

21 people, 3 bedroom, air conditioned houseboat, approx. 50 swimsuits, 10 bottles of sunscreen, 25 beach towels (at least), life jackets, board games, spicy chicken casserole, 20 bags of Christensen's candy, 5 pans of brownies, cookies, smores, etc...(which btw were gone by Wednesday), home-made ice cream every night, zero amounts of make-up, lunch at the Junction, wakeboards, big red tube, cameras, and a floating plastic basketball.

This past week went by in a hurry but we enjoyed every second of spending some much needed time together...This year we gained 6 week old baby Kate, McCall's hubby and his 4 boys and two pregnant ladies (me included) so it was busy and never boring...here's a billion pics...

Sophie, Nate and Mags...Maggie never wanted to get off, insisting it was her"ton" (turn)

Maggie played so hard "mashing" spiders, feeding the fish and chasing after the ducks...she almost fell asleep

Good thing you have that floaty on Clay...

Sophie is our fearless child and had no reservations about wakeboarding...what a pro!

She wanted to go by herself (guess we need to invest in a smaller board) but settled for her own handle

I barely managed this life jacket with my belly..got one buckle done up

This picture is history in the making...I never would have dreamed Connor jumping off the houseboat..surprise, surprise!

Nate, Clay and Rob spent hours with this dumb basketball, making up boy games...with no purpose really...

Sophie sporting her cover-up aka her "robe"

Nate and McCall both celebrated birthdays while we were in Powell...not to shabby of a place to do that if you ask me

So there you have it! Our annual trip to Lake Powell. We did experience tragedy, when some scouters ran their boat onto a rock that was covered by shallow water and one boy died. It was late at night and helicopters flew in with spotlights...it was a quick and somber reminder at how fast life can change and how precious every moment is. We love this trip and look forward to it every year. So thanks mom and dad for the great memories we made and for the 10 lbs I think we all gained! And don't worry, I will have more pics to come as soon as I get a hold of my dads camera.

Little Letters

I haven't posted for a bit...I am sort of bugged about blogging as of late. Mostly about the decision to go private or not. I really don't want to. But you know me and my honesty and opinions and well they seem to get me in trouble...What I really mean is that I have never thought to much about who reads my blog until a bit ago..I mostly just thought the people whose blogs I read, read mine. Get it? Apparently even people who dislike or could care less about me read my blog (which is bizarre to me because why would you bother to read about a person you didn't care about unless they think I'm fascinating as all get out) Any who..so now as a thought or blog idea comes to me, I find myself censoring what I should say or not say as to keep myself out of trouble. And to top it all off, I really don't think I'm mean..at least not on purpose. I kind of feel better, now that I have vented..so here are some little letters for your entertainment...


Dear Pregnant body- I wrote you a letter almost two years ago exactly, and here we are again...for the last time might I add. Because while you are doing a good job at growing a little babe, you are quickly going downhill and I am praying you can make it through these last 11 long weeks. Because lets face it..your hormones are seriously out of whack and I'm pretty sure Nate can't handle anymore nonsensical crying. Plus I know that little girl is sitting so low and feels like she'll fall out at any moment...just keep hanging on. I would say try to enjoy this last time you'll experience this miracle, but in reality, we both know that's not gonna happen and you just want to be done!

Dear Connor- Eleven years ago, as of yesterday, I became a mother for the first time...I can't believe you are 11! I mean 11! That is just plain crazy and while you are giving me a run for my motherhood money, I am glad you are mine. Hopefully this hormonal, weird funk/stage you are in won't last long. Although when I told my neighbor you were turning 11, she said, "oh 11..hold onto your belt buckle"...that can't be good. Maybe it's a good thing I have all girls after you...totally kidding..we love you bud!

Dear All-Star Baseball- I would say that I'm sad we are done with you, but that would totally be a lie.Playing baseball every single week since April is more than plenty. And 2nd place at state is the best deal in my book...I mean I can't say I was super excited about missing our family vacation to Lake Powell to go to the middle of the California desert to watch baseball in a million degree weather. So a big "whew!" from me and I finally feel like our real Summer can begin.

Dear fellow Manti Pool swimmers- I am sorry that you all had to see me in my swimming suit today. I'm sure it was less than attractive..but in my defense, I did wear swim shorts so you didn't have to see these white, thunderous thighs..and I am just about 30 weeks preggers...and I did buy a new top as to lift the girls and I thought it was pretty cute. Plus there are a plethora of other unpregnant people that look ten times worse than me...at least I tell myself that. Thanks for the fun time though..my girlies had a ball (no pics though..Nate has the camera with him in Denver..watching the Braves with Connor)

Dear DVD player in the car- You are seriously saving my life. Mags has become an actual fairish traveler thanks to you. We can actually go places without mass hysteria...it's a little bit of heaven..even if I have listened to "Toy Story 3" a bajillion times lately...it's worth the peace and quiet. I will highly recommend you to anyone. Nice job!

Dear bikes for kids- you really are too expensive. Don't you think it's a little too ridiculous..you must think very highly of yourself to be sold at K-Mart for $150...and you don't even work that well..I mean birthday gifts should not be so expensive. Now Nate wants to take you back and get a new one at a different store for twice that much. What I say? But he says at least it will work....but will you? I'm pretty sure it's not worth the investment..especially given how fast kids grow and that we have no boys to pass it down too..but Nate says the girls can ride a blue bike....oh really?? Try telling them that!

Dear Blog readers/followers- I hope I don't offend you..if I do, then you should stop reading my blog and please stop using my blog to get me in trouble..because I might be opinionated, but I am really a nice person and a mom and probably more like you than you think and this is just who I am...and if you are a creepy stalker then you should really stop reading my blog..I mean it!

Let Freedom Ring..

Our July 4th was spent doing the traditions we do best...watching the parade, fighting for candy, swimming, BBQ's, and lots and lots of sparklers and fireworks. This year was off and on rainy and way too muggy as we waited in lines for bouncy houses, frogs, fish and other needless, money swallowing events. But a Paco's Taco and a snow cone made up for a lot of sweat and tears.. So here are a few moments captured on our day of freedom celebrations...The one picture I didn't get...when two of the biggest fireworks we had, tipped over and shot sparks at us..ruining Nate's shorts and giving him several bruises..and the other one started the neighbors bushes on fire..like a real fire...thank goodness for lightening fast Fireman Grandpa Christensen who grabbed the hose and had it out in a jiffy...

Don't you just love the kid who loves to take a picture..seriously Connor!

Uncle Clay and Maggers (who won't leave her hair in..little stinker)

A Little Too Quiet...

You know when the house grows quiet...or maybe not the house but a specific child? And you don't realize just how quiet until it's too late? You realize that you haven't heard a peep from that child in a while? Well it happened here today..TROUBLE! I was upstairs making cookies..thinking Maggie was playing with the other kids when she came upstairs with her paper and marker..looking like this! As you can tell, she was very pleased with her artwork! And don't worry, she happened to find Ellie's set of markers that are NOT wash-off..little stinker!

Summer Games

This past week, we (and by we I mean the kids and I..Nate was working) headed down to Cedar City for the Summer Games. Connor's All-Star baseball team played a total of 6 games in 3 days and ended up with a shiny bronze medal.



Connor was so excited about the medal, he wore it the entire trip home

And can I just say how much kids (at least my kids) love hotels. Seriously..we could stay in a hotel and call that our summer vacation. They think it's simply magical..with the swimming pool and blow dryer and little shampoos and ice machine..it makes me laugh how much fun they think it is. And let me also just say how I could not have done this little trip without my sisters, brothers and mom...my brothers live in Cedar and played basketball in the Summer Games...which btw they took the gold! And my sisters and mom went down to watch. They helped so much with the girls and saved my bacon when they were hot and tired of sitting and watching ball games for 4 hours a day.  Cedar has this great Aquatic Center that they took them too..the perfect way to cool off



Just look at those cute cheeks




The lazy river





Mags showin a little shoulder

 

Pigeon-Toe Prayers

So this little pigeon-toed princess has been walking that way since she started toddling around...I always thought it was so cute..still do actually...but the more comments I got , the more concerned I started to become. After a visit to the podiatrist, his concerns made mine all the worse. Her femurs were rotating to far inward as she walked..most noticeably was the right leg. He suggested a visit to Primary Children's Hospital to have a consult with an orthopedic doctor. While waiting to get in, of course  my mind thinks worse case scenario...surgery? casts? leg braces? an immobilized 20 month old for the Summer? So I spent a lot of time talking to that Heavenly Father of mine...hoping and praying she would be A-OK. So yesterday, after a long car ride north and some hip x-rays (which btw she was completely hysterical about...I could hear her screaming down the hall and poor Nate had to hold her down), the Dr. came in, watched her walk around a bit, showed us her x-rays..said her hips were perfect and that she would grow out of it all by about the time she is 6 or 7 (insert huge sigh of relief). Exactly the words we wanted to hear. So until that day comes, I will smile at those inward feet and that adorable toddle-y run. And I am again reminded that my prayers are answered and that we are immensely blessed....especially to have this sweet girl as a part of our family...it's hard to believe that she is my baby, but only for a little while longer. Love you to death Mags..pigeon-toes and all!  

Matchy-Matchy

What can I say except that I am a sucker for matching girls'..and who doesn't love a comfy, breezy, summer dress?

Pregnant Shopppers

So yesterday my BFF (who is due about 10 days before I am) and I went shopping in all of our chubby belly glory. I headed up north bright and early and we started our shopping at 9:30 am and by 4pm we were exhausted...It was totally just what I needed since I had had it with my kids the day before and sooo needed a break. We shopped, ate lunch at Kneaders, shopped some more and had no real agenda..except to find shoes which we didn't find because the shoe people of the world believe that you should only wear flats or shoes that are 6 inches high and totally cute but not practical for pregnant moms who have 4 kids...Hello..oh they do have shoes with a perfect wedge..if you want to have sandals that look like a grandma....I steered both our butts away from those..tempting and comfy as they were. So we chatted and got caught up in our ever changing lives...she told me I needed a new bra..I told her she needed new sandals...you know just the usual stuff that friends do. We laughed at all the cute things our kids do..all their antics and funny sayings...like little proud mamas should...shared our worries and concerns about raising them and all that comes with kids.We laughed at ourselves with our maternity pants and the panel that goes clear up to your boobs..and saying how we used to be fashionable and wondering if we would ever be there again. We walked into fancy boutiques..acting like we could totally afford their fancy, shmancy clothes..all while really feeling totally out of place. She showed me the best kept secrets..like the gas station that has the cutest headbands, bows and shoes for little girls.
But the best thing about this amazing friend of mine is that the minute we get together, you better fasten your ear seat belts if you want to follow anything we say..cause we talk a mile a minute and go from subject to subject in microseconds..and we pretty much don't stop..even talking to each other while going down different aisles at Target and Ross..while other people think we are crazy and talking to ourselves ..and we go off on tangents but eventually end up back to what we started talking about...just ask our husbands...they will tell you that they don't even try to keep up. Hey we gotta savor these moments with no kiddos in tow..cause it happens very rarely.
So thanks Amb..for a great day...and I could totally go for another eclair!

Little Dancers


I'm not gonna lie...I love watching my girls dance in their recitals. They get so excited..the costumes, hair, make-up, being on stage..they love it! I am that super, grinning, mother who is beaming with pride and whacking Nate on the shoulder making sure he is watching how cute they are...and it's a good thing I like it so much..cuz we got a million more recitals to go over the next 18 years....(tears for Nate..sniff..sniff) Great job girlies!

Sophie's is the cute blond in the middle..stinkin cutie...and don't mind the bald head...I never said I was a
professional photographer




Ellie's front and center and of course the tallest one in the class..once again..sorry about the bald guy..obviously I didn't edit any pictures



A new trophy to add to the collection for Ellie and it was Sophie's first one..she could hardly stand it..she was so excited