Hailey & Me In Colorado!!!

This past weekend I went to Colorado to visit with my very dear and close friend and confidant, Hailey Babcock.  It was my early Mother's Day gift from Chris and it was the best gift ever!  We drove there and I flew back 4 days later.  She teaches pilates with a Reformer machine and let me join one of her classes.  I am still hurting - what a wimp!  We talked and talked for hours on end, watched chick flicks & Food, Inc. (highly recommended unless you ever want to eat again), ate at waaayyyyy yummy French Brasserie Ten Ten on Pearl Street and Larkburger (yummmmmmm), stayed up way too late, exercised, ate too much good-for-you food, made granola, homemade wheat bread (grinding the wheat yourself), homemade guacamole, and to-die-for sugar cookies!  I brought home wonderful new skills, great recipes and many wonderful memories....thanks, Hailey, for everything!!!

Ok, I am not the brightest tool in the shed...ripped off my entire nail - roots and all - when helping Hailey to move a basketball stand.  Can honestly say I now understand why ripping out fingernails is an effective form of torture.  Truly a painful experience - let's hope it grows back...yes, that is my fingernail next to my finger in the picture ...OWWWWCHHHH!!!!!

My Big Brother, Dirk

I just received the news that my sweet, wonderful, christ-like brother, Dirk, just passed away from his brave battle with adrenal cancer. I am filled with sadness for all of those he left behind. I know he is at peace and filled with joy where he is. I know the Lord took him home to do His work because he was such a wonderful man and had proved himself worthy of the Lord's kingdom. I know his time on earth was cut short because he was needed there more than here. I know he is at peace and filled with joy in our loving Heavenly Father's kingdom. I know that I will see him again because Families are Forever.  I am so thankful for all this knowledge!

I am so proud of him and the example he has set for me and for our family all of my life. He will always be remembered as the Spiritual Giant in our family. He has done so much for each of us and set an unwavering example of faith and righteous living. A few things I will always remember about Dirk....

• My children loved him dearly! Every time he came to visit our home, he played with them. I am not talking about 3 minutes of hide and seek, I am talking about running around, throwing them in the air, wrestling with them and talking to them for hours! They each know him and love him even though he lived across the country. He made a true lasting, loving impression on my children!
• He quit his lucrative job as a big-shot attorney to stay home more with his family as they went through their teenage years. All of his children are successful, beautiful, truly happy people and I believe it was because of his and Laura's unwavering dedication to them growing up. Thank you, Dirk, for setting this example for me!
• He always put the Lord first in his life. In every decision he made, he made it with the Lord's approval first. He was super smart and learned both in worldly and spiritual matters. I never tired of hearing his thoughts and opinions on anything - he knew so much and was so humble!
• I cherished picking his brain for child-rearing help. He inspired our "one-on-one" time with our kids at night and our "daddy dates" each week. I pray each day our children will turn out as wonderful as his and Laura's have! I pray he will help watch over and guide them as their "Guardian Uncle Dirk Angel" as they grow up!
• He loved law and making a difference in the world through his work. He loved learning and using his mind. I want to be more like him in so many ways!

Good-bye, my Big Brother Dirk....I love you and I miss you so much! Until we meet again....your little sister, Jody

Christmas!

We had a very memorable year this year!  Christmas Eve started things off with the traditional Christmas Eve party at my parent's church with presents and lots of family!  Woke up Christmas Day at 7AM and opened everything in less than 20 minutes and then played played played all day until we went to Chris's parents for dinner and more presents and my parents for more presents and then back home for more playing.  It was wonderful!  We feel very blessed to have so much to be thankful for and to enjoy our families!  Merry Christmas Everyone!

You know your children are growing up when ... they ask for Waterpiks and pillows and comforters and cologne for Christmas!  Glad the XBox games made it, too! :)

Halloween 2010

Halloween was a lot of fun this year!  We had our traditional pumpkin carving party and then dressed up and begged for candy.  Kyle decided he was too old to Trick or Treat, so he sat on the porch and scared little kids and watched scary movies with mom nearly all night.  It was a wonderful time and a memorable year!

Sadie, Our Ferret

For those of you who don't know, our little darling ferret, Sadie, contracted Insulinoma and was suffering so we had her put to sleep in early September.  It was a very difficult decision and so sad for everyone - especially mom.  I guess that is the good thing about having 4 boys, their tears lasted a few minutes and mine are still coming.  We miss her very much!  I keep finding myself thinking, "Where's Sadie?" ... all ready to play "find the ferret" that we have played millions of times since bringing her home to our house.  I never thought I'd miss playing that game....but I do - she was a truly lovable, sweet little pet!

Football!

And I thought Kyle was too small for football - was I wrong!!  He started this Fall with a bang playing football with his friends from school and has learned a lot and gotten a lot of bruises.  I told him he needs to run faster so no one can tackle him - he does most of the time!  I spend most games in knots hoping he doesn't get hurt.  What a multi-talented kid!  There is nothing he can't do and nothing he won't try at least once!

Boondocks!

One Last Summer Blast at Boondocks before summer vacation was over - very fun and sad!  

We loved this summer and can't wait for next year!

Moosehorn!!

Summer simply wouldn't be summer without a couple of fishing/hiking trips to Moosehorn in the Uintahs with Grandma & Grandpa Christensen!  Everyone caught fish and ate them - Yummy!!

Capital Reef National Park

More Summer Fun at our annual Capital Reef National Park trip!  It's all about "who you know"!  Our friends have an awesome cabin down there and we spend time with them there at least once each summer.  These are pictures of a steep hike down to a beautiful area with cliff-jumping.  Ryan would have loved to jump, too, but mom was too nervous to let him.....maybe next year...or the next....

We can't go an entire summer without some kind of stitches/accident.  Cole volunteered for this year .... again.  Smacked into the counter when trying to hold his food away from the dog, Zoe.  At least it was in his eyebrow and there were only 5 stitches this time - all on the top!  We are grateful for small stuff - big stuff, like skull fractures, scare mom!