Make a Smilebox invite

Gavin turned 14 this month. Boy, do I feel old! I'm so grateful for him. He's such a good kid (most of the time.)

Pink Day (a.k.a. Cklog #1)

This is the first of {hopefully} several 'backlog' blog posts. I've affectionately named them "Cklogs" {that's backlog, minus ba, in case you didn't notice} because they are clogging up my desire to blog and making me feel overwhelmed by the amount of stuff that I've put off blogging about. Since this is my form of journal-keeping these days I want to post them, but will be making an effort to post current events among them. I hope you don't get too bored.

Anyway, on to Pink Day. It's a pretty dang cool Christiansen family tradition. I wrote about it last year, but in case you're new, here's the scoop. Pink Day was founded by my Grandma Chris when I was young. She invited all the girls in our family to a party at her house. We all wore pink clothes and ate pink food. I don't really remember much about the original Pink Day, but I know we had a good time. Check out this photo. It's totally retro. {Thanks, Julie!} Can you find me? I look HOT!

When my Grandma passed away, my Aunt Rene' and her daughter, Cori, brought Pink Day back and we have been celebrating it ever since. This year, we all headed to Ferron, where Pink Day was hosted by Marie & Glenys. We always play silly games and exchange gifts. {Check out Julie's awesome gift-isn't she lucky?} Grandpa had the honor of being the only boy invited for this year's big event. He brought 2 pairs of Grandma's pajamas to give away. I was fortunate enough to win a pair. I love little things that make me feel a connection to her. She was such an amazing woman. Happy Pink Day! {Just a little late.}

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

I've been playing around with blog signatures (thanks, Heather!). Just checking it out to see how it works.

WARNING

Prepare to be inundated with photos, stories and news from the last 8 months. I have been MIA, but I'm back with a vengeance!

My Favorite Night

You may not know this about me (seriously, if you don't, what kind of friend are you?), but I ♥ ♥ ♥ Dancing! Every year our stake holds a dance for Valentine's Day and it is, truly, my very favorite night of the whole year. It is NOT Trent's favorite (I wouldn't be surprised to learn that it is his least favorite), but he knows how much I love it, so he humors me. I always make sure that we arrive at the precise moment that it starts, which I realize makes me a dork-but who cares about being cool when there is dancing to be done? This year, especially, I made sure we were on time since the old fogies in charge decided that 2 hours was long enough. (I think I'll volunteer to help on the committee next year. Really, 2 hours!?!) 

We started our night by going to dinner with some friends at the Texas Roadhouse. Good food and even better company. (Note to self: When preparing to go dancing, limit Diet Cokes to 2.) We arrived at the dance at 6:58 PM, just in time. When the music started, I dragged Trent to the middle of the floor. The one other couple that was dancing was barely on the dance floor at all. I proceeded to dance like the free spirit that I am when moved by music while Trent rocked back and forth, feeling self conscious about the people watching who were at a dance, but not dancing. The friends who went to dinner with us arrived sometime later (they are not up to speed on the whole dancing-is-better-than-being-cool thing). They joined us in the middle of the floor and some of us had a fabulous time. Some were just counting the minutes until the torture ended, but they were good sports.

At some point, our friend, Aaron, accidentally stomped on my foot (which was bare because of a whole "Footloose-kick off your Sunday shoes" thing). That really hurt. And left several small bruises. Then my left knee started screaming, "You are too old for this!", which I did not appreciate. (Note to self: Don't go running the same day as the dance.) By the time the dance ended I was in rough shape. I don't know what was wrong with my knee-it seems to be fine now. I guess 2 hours was long enough after all, but I will still be pushing for more next year. They usually take pictures, but didn't this year. Bummer.

Valentine's Day is quickly becoming my favorite holiday. I love being surprised, but sometimes it's hard for Trent to think of what I might like for Christmas, my birthday or our anniversary. For some reason, inspiration seems to strike for Valentine's Day. I have gotten fabulous surprises for the last 3 years. This year he gave me a day at a spa to prepare for our cruise. Last year he surprised me with my iPod and the year before that I got my very own nickel-plated, pink-pearl grip .22 pistol. I gave him a can of nuts and a bag of M&M's. Aren't I thoughtful? I guess I'm claiming this as my day. 

Las Vegas Escape

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Back in January, Mom found an awesome rate on flights to Vegas, so we decided it was time for a sisters get together. Karen, Katie and I got to fly down (I LOVE flying!) and hang out with KeriAnne for a few days. We went shopping, ate lots of yummy & fattening food, scrapbooked, quizzed each other, talked seriously and laughed hysterically. Here are a few things that you may hear us say, (which you won't understand because you weren't there) but, I predict, we will be laughing about for years to come:

"Dr. Wilkinson's Office..."

"This is NOT watermelon chapstick!"

"I'm sorry?" followed by "It's okay."

"Cynasha, Lyn Rae, Taythea & AnnLee"

"I know how you hate a hole there."

"Want me to pierce you?"

"You want ketchup with your Frosty?"

The Krispy Kreme lady hates us, but we sure think we are funny (especially Karen).

Our Sweet Ryker

Ryker is such a thoughtful kid. This picture was taken a few days before Christmas when I caught him shoveling the driveway without being asked. This morning when I got back from taking Gavin to school he was outside shoveling again.  

As a mother there are a lot of times when I look at my kids and think about all the things I haven't taught them or the things I didn't mean to teach them which, unfortunately, they learned anyway. But on days like today I think maybe I did something right.