Merry ThanksChristgivingmas

Despite what it appears, we did have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas- just failed to add those events to the blog in a timely fashion (shocking, right?) So, rather than bore with too many details, I will just give a few highlights and get to the good part…the pictures.

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving here in Arkansas with some good friends; expressed many thanks, ate too much amazing food and lazed around. I am not sure we got any pictures, but we really did have a wonderful day! We are so grateful for friends that are our family away from home.

Christmas

Christmas was spent in Albuquerque with Cody’s parents and sister and her family (The Bohns). Rya was showered with not only countless gifts, but attention as well (her and her 5 cousins became fast friends).  We hardly saw her after our arrival. The first thing she would want when she woke in the mornings was to be with her cousins, and she was until we dragged her to bed each night. I think she is ready to have another “friend” around, good thing we have one on order- due to arrive in April.

Above: Rya with Grandma & Grandpa Christensen	Above: Rya and all the Bohn cousins
Above: Like I said…fast friends	Above: Only two years apart in age, In fierce competition for the win—look at their serious faces.

Above: She really liked the idea of lots and lots of presents.	Above: Compliments of Uncle Brandon- here’s our little Rya princess with her prince hiding away in their castle.

Above: Grandma made her a princess outfit- you can only imagine her excitement.	Above: Keeping all her gifts very close to her, or on her (the arm was not included with the cow puppet.

Above: They cleared the front and back yard of snow to make one big snowman- their better than a snow blower.	Above: Rya was much more interested in just eating the snow.

It’s a BOY !!!!!!!!

I apologize to all those who have not heard and may still be waiting to know the gender, I did very poorly following through with my “stay tuned” announcement (only a month late). But, here he is, making his belated debut appearance on the family blog: Baby Boy Christensen (still un-named as of yet, we’re accepting suggestions):

 

Above: There he is in all his glory!	Above: Not sure this needs  an explanation.
Above: It’s his feet.	Above: It looks like he is sucking his thumb, but the doctor said he probably just had his hand by his face.

And, my personal favorite:

So, right now, his expected arrival is about mid-April. We are excited to meet him in person! 

Surprise!

I’m getting crafty (with much help from my sister). Check out the shirt we made for Rya, it turned out really cute!

And, if that announcement is not obvious enough…

Tune in next month, when hopefully, we will reveal the gender!

This is what happens…

This is what happens when your two year old picks their clothes and dresses themselves…

 

 

Now mind you, this was for a walk at 6pm (totally dark outside by this time), but how adorable is she?!!? Couldn’t have done it better myself!!

Trick or Treat

Has it seriously been over a week since Halloween? Where is the time flying to? We had a wonderful, candy-filled, Halloween. Rya was a fairy; the cutest fairy in all our kingdom. She had an extraordinary one-of-a-kind costume, thanks to the exceptional talent and fabulous styling of my mom and sister. We actually made the most of Halloween this year and went Trick-or-Treating three different times. We started at Cody’s work, then to a Church Trunk-or-Treat, and finished it off with a stint around our neighborhood. Rya began the festivities by breaking down in tears at the first sight of an eight year old in a Spiderman costume, but by the end would warn us to steer clear if she thought things were too “scary”. She made out with a stash that will last us all year- we’re set for Stocking stuffers and Easter candy, to be sure (hehe- not sure that’s how it works, but it would be nice).

Anyways, let’s get on to the real interesting part—the pictures! Cody and I went as “doting parents” in case you couldn’t tell… 

Above: It took 45 min. with a hairdryer to do her hair. Hey, it’s not easy to be a fairy. She was very patient.
	Above: “Check out my wings” Above: At first, the location of the candy was a little ambiguous. We quickly pointed her in the right direction.
Above: It was strange, the longer we were out, the more candy she got, the bigger her smile grew. Curious!	Above: Doting Parent #1 Above: Doting Parent #2

birthday surprises

I have to rave on my hubby a little, I know I have shared tidbits of his romantic side on here before, but his thoughtfulness never ceases to amaze. It reminds me of how lucky I am to have a guy like him in my life! I was in Texas for my birthday, so we weren’t really able to celebrate. However, when I arrived home, not only did I find a spotless house (present enough, I think), but scattered in hiding spots all over the house I found Gerber daisies, with the attached puzzle piece.

I am sorry to report that with all the crazy catch-up from vacation over the next couple days, I wasn’t able to assemble the puzzle…until Friday, that is. This wouldn’t have been a problem, but I had already committed on Thursday night to feed the missionaries that Friday evening. But, this is no surprise, Cody is the romantic, and I am usually unknowingly sabotaging his romancing efforts with my everyday practical life. It works out though, he’s the romantic, I am the realist- we even each other out. And, we rescheduled our date for the next week. :)

Stand in mom

So…I realize I have been an absentee blogger of late, but I have been out of town the last few weeks. My parents went on an impromptu trip to Ireland (!!! I know, right!!!- awesome) and I went down to “babysit”, or rather, chauffeur my younger brother while they were gone. We had a good time, but it made me realize how grateful I am that Rya is only 2; if for no other reason than I still have 12 years reprieve before I have to start taking her to early morning seminary. Nothing against seminary, maybe I am just getting old, but man, waking up at 5:30 am every morning really wiped me out around mid morning. (Respect for all that my mother just continues to grow!)

We did manage to make it down to the beach for a few days of sun and surf. We went with Sterling and Rebecca and Ethan (cutie in the yellow), and Clayton (of course).  It was Rya’s first visit to a Texas beach (we visited one in California, but the weather had us all shivering after an hour or so). The water was warm, the weather was beautiful, and when the kids looked as though they would fall over from exhaustion we had to drag them away. It was a fabulous weekend.

The rest of the time, aside from running Clayton to his countless extracurricular activities, we hung out with Rebecca and Ethan, which both Rya and I enjoyed. But, two weeks as stand in mom for my brother was enough- I will gladly enjoy the simpler pre-teen years we have and just be grateful to my mom for all that she did and still does for me and my siblings.