WARNING: faint of heart, look away!

Okay, So, today we went on our annual buffalo hunt out to Bishop's game ranch. The boys really like going out to see the herd, and then watch as daddy and grandpa climb onto the tractor to go get their buffalo. (Kind of like a safari hunt, only Alaska style, right grandpa?) And the moms and kids usually stay back, and wait till we hear the pop of a rifle off in the distance. Well, these buffalo were feeling adventuresome today, so grandpa called for reinforcements. Dontuduntatada! Mom's van to the rescue! I had no idea my little Kia Sadona was an off-road vehicle in disguise. We drove down the game trails, through the woods, mud bogging, you name it. (remind me to roll the windows up next time I gun it through a big mud puddle though) We chased the buffalo, the buffalo chased us. We followed close behind, we stayed far back. We went up one way, the tractor drove the other way.
To say the least, the kids had a ball! And Chandler and Gabe even got to drive back to the ranch on the tractor with Bishop. (not on a seat mind you...no, they had to live dangerously, like daddy and papa, and ride on the foot rail, hanging on to a bar) But we finally got our cow. And she was quite a beauty. I'm glad I have kids who understand the 'circle of life' as Chandler would say, and have an appreciation for the animals Heavenly Father has placed on the earth, and know their purpose for being here.

Just messin' round

So, as Katie can attest, I've been having fun playing with Picasa, doing crazy editing with some of my pictures. This is one of them. Actually, I really like it. As far as pictures of myself go. I've also been working on crafty stuff, and if anybody has any good ideas for Super Saturdays, I'm in charge of ours this year, since I got my new calling as Enrichment leader in my ward. (still Stake activities too...which means Christmas is going to be insane this year, what with Messiah and all the enrichment stuff going on). Matt is now Gabe's Primary teacher. (Thank you, Bishop) We were struggling with him being the Choir director, (and me pianist) this is just a much better fit for Matt. He loves being in primary, and was subbing half the time anyway. Again...any ideas? Let me know. We're already doing some boards, and tiles, with vinyl (thanks to a lady in the Palmer wards who has a machine, and will do them for cost for RS), but I'd really like a cute ornament, or something with nativities.

Too old to pull all nighters!

So Matt and I were getting ready for bed the other night, and Morgan woke up sounding congested, so we decided to give her some cold medication. Our first mistake. She had some kind of allergic reaction, and about an hour later, we heard her open her door, (the one with the child proof know) and climb over the gate we've put accross the doorway, (to keep her in her room after she opens the door), then pad down the hallway to our room. I was too asleep to wrestle her bad into bed, so I let her lay down next to me. My second mistake. I spent the next 4 hours trying to sleep while Morgan jumped on my back, played hopscotch around my legs, and when I actually got her to lay down for more then two minutes, was opening my eyes, saying, "mommy, you sweepeen?" Finally, I threw her out of my bed, but knowing there was no point in trying to make her stay in her room, I made her a bed of pillows and blankets next to my side on the floor. Yeah, cause that would work, right? Apparently I didn't realize all she had to do was climb back into my bed, where all the fun could start again. So, I did what every good mom does at 3 o'clock in the morning when she can't get here toddler to sleep. I elbowed my sweet husband in the ribs, and said "okay, now its your turn!" I think she finally crashed around 5:30am, just in time for my alarm to go off, and me to head to the gym for Taebo.

Trials are good for us, RIGHT?

So, this has not been an easy month for Matt and I. He's had some frustrations with some things at work. Then the other morning, I went out with Morgan to wait for the bus, and discovered one of my tires was FLAT! Matt had already left for work, and unfortunately, I have yet to change a tire. Thankfully, we have a wonderful HT who lives just around the corner. He came over and in about 5 minutes, had my spare put on, so that I could take the boys to school. Plus, I had several appointments I couldn't miss that day. And finally, we had a loss in the family this weekend. Zoe, our 6 year old black lab/German Short hair mix, died. She has had several strokes during the last month or so. And we've been worried about her. Matt was playing Frisbee with her today, then she was convulsing. To say the least, the kids were devastated. Especially Chandler, who out of all the kids, has a very good understanding of death, and animals. He had a very good relationship with ZOE. She came to our home at a difficult time, when Morgan and I were in Anchorage at the NICU for two months. She was a great help with bringing a sense of normalcy to the kids at a very tough time. This has also been very tough on Matt. This was HIS dog. But we've told the boys, "Zoe's with Heavenly Father" and that has helped. I think the boys will be okay. It was when Morgan climbed up on Matt's lap at dinner and asked "where's Zoe"? that I thought Matt was really going to lose it.

I just keep thinking, there is something I'm supposed to be learning from all of this. I'm sure I needed to be humbled. That has helped me to be teachable. But I've also learned to have a better appreciation and gratitude for the simple joys in life. And the little things that we don't focus on when we're too caught up in the material world, but that are really important things. I'm so grateful for my family. I'm glad I have a husband who would swim through shark infested waters to bring me a lemonade. And we have a lovely home to raise our family in. It's not big, it's not fancy, but it suits our needs. And that's okay.

Morgan's first wedding

So, Friday night we went to a wedding. We decided ahead of time, that we could handle taking Morgan, but that the boys would not enjoy 2 hours of pretty dresses, vows, and dancing. So we sent them with Papa Christensen to go shooting. (eyes widen, and there are a few gasps heard) And believe me, I was a little worried myself when 30 minutes before we left, Grandma called to remind me to stress to the boys how important it was for them to listen to Grandpa so they wouldn't get hurt. (I'm picturing a Dick Cheney kind of moment here). But they went, they listened and followed directions so well, I think they were a little bored due to the lack of excitement.
Morgan loved the wedding. It was at Ekluetna Lake. My personal trainer and friend was getting married, and the ceremony was right on the beach. It was a beautiful night. Lots of people, including the Governor, the ADA, and about half our stake. (not really, but there were quite a few people I recognized from the wards around town).
Afterwards, we drove down to a little canyon, where they had a HUGE tent set up, with table and chairs, and the wedding cake, and everything. It was really pretty. Morgan even got her grove on a few times. She thought the bride was a princess, and kept saying, "I can't see Lina" It was a fun evening for everyone.

Our little bird leaves the nest...

Okay, so Morgan, (our baby) started preschool this week. The first day, I wanted to take her, but we ran out to meet the bus driver and attendant, so Morgan would be familiar with them. But as we were walking back up the driveway, and the bus was pulling out onto the street, Morgan looks back, holds out her hand, and says: "my bus! My bus is leaving!" I felt so bad...I had no idea she would want to ride the bus so bad. Then I drove her to school. She was so excited the whole way there, going through her backpack. Looking through the supplies of glue, crayons, and other things we were supposed to bring. Everything was "my colors, my gue, my pants, my packpack" We walked into her classroom with the one other child that was there that day, and before I knew it, Morgan had taken off her coat, hung it up, hung up her backpack, and was finding the chair with her name and picture on it, tracing her name on a piece of paper they had for her. I don't think she even turned around to say goodbye. And while I hated to leave her, I looked around, and there was only one other child, (so far, but they're enrolling more kids soon) his parent, a teacher, 2 TA's and the speech pathologist. I didn't think they needed anymore adults, so I snuck out before I started crying.

Things you never thought you'd say in front of your dad...

So, I'm over at my parents house, and we're talking about the wedding we're going to that night. Matt was thinking of coming home, to change, and then leaving with us. (my mom, Morgan and I) So I'm sitting there, with my parents, talking, and I thought, why don't we just pick Matt up at his office, on our way to the wedding. But I couldn't remember what he had been wearing that morning, if it was appropriate wedding attire. So I pick up the phone, (still sitting right next to mom and dad) and when Matt answers, I say, "what are you wearing right now?" My mom was the first to burst out in laughter, which started dad, then Matt heard, and was also laughing and cracking jokes. My dad decided my cheeks weren't red enough, so he asked if I wanted some privacy.

Orphan Kitties Anyone?

So we get a call this morning before church, from Grandma Christensen. (Jenn's mom) She wants to know if we woke up to a kitten on our door step, or if it was just her. A quick look out our door...nope, just hers. A few minutes later, we were telling Chandler about the cat. He said he knew where the cat came from. So, he got on the phone and called Grandma. "Grandma, I heard the news about the cat" and then he whispered something into the phone, waited, then hung up. Since Matt and I couldn't hear what he had said, we asked him, "Chandler, what did you say to Grandma?" He assured us, that he had simply just told Grandma that the cat came from the little girl across the street, their cat had just had kittens. I was a little sceptical, so I called my folks to ask about the conversation. As soon as the giggling finally stopped mom told me, that after saying he'd heard about the cat, Chandler whispered really low, "Grandma, bring the cat over to my house". I'm sure he thought he'd just keep it under his bed or something.

An hour later, I called to see if they'd found where the kitten had come from. Apparently, Jeremy was driving down the road, and saw a man pull over, jump out, and run a cat up to the front porch of someone's house. Jeremy walked up to the man, handed him the cat, and said, "we didn't want ours".

Good news minute?

Okay, so anyone that has kids in school...I now know why my mom always had more of a spring in her step as we were getting ready for that first day of school.. It wasn't simply because she was excited for her young ones to start a new adventure. Or because she knew we would be so popular and make all kinds of friends. Or even because she somehow knew we would accell in everything we tried. It was because we would be in school for 6 1/2 hours a day. Think of it..6 1/2 hours. I don't even get that much sleep at night. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids. I've enjoyed the summer with all of them, playing outside, trips to the library, parades, hiking mountains, swimming, camping, picking berries all over Hatcher's Pass, fishing, boating, fairgoing, all of it. But then there are those days, you all know the days. When we can remember back to our childhood, and how our moms acted when summer vacation was winding down? Remember the spring in her step? That twinkle in her eye? Yeah, I've got it now. I'm officially a mom with school aged kids. (and one big attitude 3 year old to go) Happy school going to you all. Enjoy it now, Christmas Vacation is just around the corner. ...

Morgan is all about saftey

Matt and Gabe navigating the lake

Gabe pouting about...something

This is Chandler...pure and simple

Baby Baluga

Morgan in the lake at LaDaSa. This was the first night we were here, it was Morgan's 3rd Birthday, and she wanted to take off her jeans and wade through the water. She had a ball that night, just splashing around in the warm water.

Brothers by birth, friends by choice

These two boys are the best of friends. They wrestle, and play, and dig in the dirt outside together. Very rarely do we find one, without the other. When Chandler had an accident with his hair and had to have it shaved, Gabe insisted on having his hair cut as well....

The Christensen Clan

While Jacob and Jayme were here this summer we were able to get all of Jenn's family together for a big family photo op. I'm just glad the kids all looked at the camera at the same time...for the most part. :) Hopefully by next summer, we'll be able to get a Stastny family picture. (that one will be much bigger...they've had about a 15 year head start on us.

daddy's little girl

This picture was taken at the park after church one day. Morgan and Matt sat picking flowers, and counting petals. There is a special relationship between a father and his little girl.

Mama's boy:)

Gabe is definitely mom's little man. He is such a good helper. Whenever he is asked to do a task, Gabe jumps up immediately to help out in whatever way he can. Especially when it comes to someone needing a hug, or Morgan needs someone to play with. What a good brother and son!