Catching up with the Christensens: 2006

Friday, December 29, 2006

Talon's First Christmas!

We spent the night at the Christensens on Christmas Eve (after a really fun Winger Christmas Eve party with the extended family ... Channy, Cam & Chase were there too, even my parents came along!) Christmas morning was so much fun ... We've never seen Talon so excited and happy! (I think he liked all the attention!) The family and Santa spoiled us and we enjoyed giving out the presents we had picked for the family! The Christensens had a family dinner with the aunts & uncles, cousins, etc that night ... very fun! It certainly was an exhausting few days ... with our long car trip, multiple christmas parties, and both wards sacrament meetings on Christmas eve ... but there is nothing better than being with family! We had a really neat time talking to Doug (who's in Brazil on his mission) on Christmas day ... we put on speaker and the whole family was able to ask him questions and just listen to him! He's such an awesome missionary, and I was very impressed with how fast he spoke Porteguese!!!

Wondering why everyone is smiling and talking to him ... we had just layed him down on his new tummy-time surfboard mat we got him for Christmas. He rolled over by himself for the first time after we put him on his mat! We'll always remember him doing that on Christmas!

Sitting in his bumbo looking at his new book from Auntie Carolyn!

LOVING the wrapping paper!

At the end of a GREAT Christmas day!!!

Williams family Christmas

My family had their Christmas party at Claudine's home in Murietta last Saturday ... we got there early and celebrated ALL day!!!! It was our first time seeing Celene's baby Maxwell ... he is absolutely adorable! He looks so much like Taylor did as a baby ... so cute!! Claudine, of course, spoiled everyone in her beautiful home and made the best meals. There was some SERIOUS basketball games in their backyard with the boys (I think my dad has been looking forward to that part for weeks!!!), some chatting with the sisters inside, and of course the cute little cousins playing together. We exchanged gifts ... I'm so happy with the way my family does it now... we sisters pick one family to give a $20 gift to ... so, this year we had Channy's family. And then we each give to our parents ... how easy!!!!! :) I was so excited to give my parents the ABC book I made through Heritage Makers ... I think they liked it! My parents suprised us and gave us two heritage makers books as well ... Channy helped make one that included every year's christmas card picture from since my parents were married ... it's a cute way of documenting our family throughout the years. Also, the previous two Christmas' I made a scrapbook of my dad's family and one of my mom's family. So Channy scanned the actual scrapbook pages I made of my mom's family, and some additional pages that my mom made ... and made them into another book! It's really neat ... it's so special to have a record and pictures of my ancestors like that. . . anyways, they were really neat gifts!! All in all it was a really special day to be all together with my family. .. Talon was a good boy and loved playing with everyone!

Talon and his cute cousin Jessica ... they became fast friends in their bumbos!

Dylan LOVED to play with Talon ... he could always get him to smile!

Channy blowing out the candles ... we celebrated her 23rd bday. I think Graham thought we were all singing to him though!

Caroling with the Christensens!

This is one of my favorite traditions at Christmas time now ... Caroling with Michael's family. We go visit family friends and neighbors, sing and pass out oranges! Talon flapped his arms and loved the singing ... it was so fun to bring him with us (except getting him in and out of the car seat at each stop!! :) )

Before caroling ....

.... after caroling!!! I think he was wiped out!

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Happy Second Birthday Porter Trae

Happy 2nd Bday Porter Trae .... he had a fun Batman party with his family in Washington

Cute picture of Porter in his pj's at Easter

He got into the hair gel ... too funny!!!

Porter is getting the best birthday present tomorrow ... a baby sister!!! Collette is being induced in the morning, my mom is on her way there right now. Porter is such a cute little boy ... he's big like Graham and is also "all boy!" (how can he not be with three big brothers?!?!) We especially got close to Porter this last summer in Seattle ... and he became Michael's shadow. Michael was so good with him, and he even got emotional when he had to leave Porter ... I think Michael was getting ready to be a dad, and Porter was good practice!! I think Porter is extra special because he is the 5th child of 6, just like me!! haha He really is so cute and fun!!! Next time I see him he will have changed so much ... Michael and I always wonder if he'll remember us!!!

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Happy Birthday Channy ... and off to Cali we go!

Here are some pictures of the LOADS of snow we got this week ...

the sun has been out the past two days, but it is FREEZING, and the snow hasn't melted!

Talon and Mommy

Talon and Daddy

Needless to say ... we are so excited to go to California! We leave early Friday morning and we will drive with Kyle, Megan & Carolyn. I'm crossing my fingers that Talon will do okay... I'm sure he will, but he will probably get off schedule ... and I'm hoping that won't effect the few days of christmas fesitivites!!! We are starting to pack today, because I work tomorrow ... and I keep realizing just how much you have to pack for two weeks ... especially for a baby! We have been so anxious to see our families though ... and I think it will be a good break for Michael from law school. This will be the first year we will stay for the whole two week break, since I don't have to come back to work!! Yeah!!! Perhaps I will post from California ... we'll see. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!

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Channy at our old house in Bountiful ... she had the cutest curliest hair, huh?

Chandice and I with Grandma Graham's teddy bear in Bountiful. I think we had a lot of fun growing up together!

Michael & I with Chandice & Cam ... the only semester they were up here in Utah with us as a married couple ... I guess we'll take what we can get!! We had so much fun! Most of you know that Cam is Michael's cousin too ... it's so cool that we get to go to double the family parties and reunions! Now they live in Orange and have a one year old Chase, and Channy is expecting a baby girl in April!

Chase, Chandice and Cameron on a trip to Washington to see Collette!

Happy 23rd Bday Chan! It's probably hard for my parents to believe that their baby is getting so old (not that 23 is old!) Channy and I had so much fun growing up together and she is so awesome! Always the peacemaker and sweet sister, and she is hard-working, smart, and a great mom to Chase! I think we became really close when we were in high school together ... maybe it was those early-morning drives to seminary?!?! :) Then I came home to California for ultrasound school during her senior year and was able to spend a lot of time with her! She really is so awesome and I feel so lucky to be her sister. We can't wait to live near them in California someday!

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Happy Seventh Bday Parker

Happy Seventh bday Parker! (I know a lot of my posts have been bdays lately ... there are a lot around this time of year ... but I still include them because I LOVE my family ... my nieces & nephews mean the world to me!)

The Danielson Family in Hawaii in OCtober. Parker is on the left.

Parker is the sweetest boy in the world! THat's honestly how you can best describe him. He is so thoughtful and sensitive. When Michael was staying with them last summer in Seattle, Parker would get on the phone and ask me if I missed Michael. When I told him yes, he said, "If you miss him, just close your eyes and pretend that he is right there next to you. Then you won't be so sad." He is such a fun boy too, and a great brother!

Monday, December 11, 2006

Talon is four months old!

Posing for a "December picture" for his Grammy (she wants a new picture each month!)

Sitting on Santa's lap at the ward christmas party ... good thing he is too young to be scared of him ... he just liked tugging on his beard

Wearing a hat that was in a bag of costumes for Michael's skit at the ward party. Carolyn had fun dressing him up!

He LOVES bath time!

Wearing a BYU Law shirt ... good luck for his Daddy's first day of finals last Saturday!

Not much new going on here! Getting ready for Christmas ... 11 days until we come home!!!!!! yeah!!!! Michael is busy studying for and taking finals ... and Talon & I play and hang out inside the house most days because it is cold and snowy outside! I always forget how busy December is ... so many events, dinners, parties, etc. Luckily I have shopping and wrapping done ... except for some home-made gifts that we started making at an Enrichment night ... they are those vinyl signs. Anyone who knows me know that I am NOT crafty, so this is a big deal for me to take on making six of those signs!

I've also been busy visiting my Grandma Williams, who is 92 years old and lives in a rest-home in ORem ... her health is failing so I've been trying to stop by as often as I can. Michael and I have talked about the fact that I have lived near each of my grandparents when they passed away (Grandma Williams is my last living grandparent). I happened to be living in California for ultrasound school when both of my mother's parents passed away, and I was at BYU in 2000 when my dad's father passed away. I actually feel very grateful for that fact ... I been able to spend quality time with each of them towards the end, and was able to become closer to them and get to know them better. I feel so fortunate for such wonderful ancestors ... they have been such amazing examples of faith, hard-work, love, and service.

Monday, December 04, 2006

Graham is Two !!!

Celene's boy Graham turned two yesterday!!! The picture above is old, but I just LOVE it. He is ALL boy and loves cars and balls.

Graham with his new baby brother Maxwell

Another older picture of Graham. He is soooo different than the other Hales kids ... he's got the blonde-hair, blue-eyes and fair skin! He is so cute and such a fun boy. We cannot wait to live closer to their family and get to know him better. It's so sad that we've lived far away since he was born ... when we were so close by when Taylor and Anika were little. Oh well, we'll just have to make up for it!!! :)

Monday, November 27, 2006

Happy Thirteenth Bday Justin!

Yesterday was my nephew Justin's 13th bday ... I tried to load a picture, but it wasn't working. ANyways, I LOVE Justin ... he is my oldest nephew and is such a fun guy. He's always been super outgoing, athletic, and hip ... he's the total California surfer guy with an electric guitar, etc. He is also a VERY good big brother and a sweetheart. Sometimes I call to talk to Claudine and end up talking to him for a long while (just like Brent too!) I also love how well he gets along with Michael ... they can play basketball together for hours. It's hard to believe that he's so old ... boy do the years FLY by! I remember when Claudine announced she was pregnant with him ... it was my 12th bday and she made a puffy-paint tshirt that said I was going to be an aunt!!!! Anyways, Happy Birthday Justin!!!

Turkey Day

I had to put this picture in here... we went to the Park City Outlets the day after Thanksgiving. (very fun...Michael is such a good sport) And we bundled up Talon in this warm outfit that looks like a bear. Anyways, he fell asleep on the drive home holding onto his dangling toy! too cute!

This is after we got home from Thanksgiving dinner ... he was pooped!!!

Thanksgiving dinner at Michael's uncle's house ... they even had a little pilgrim hat for Talon to wear!

Yeah ... we had a great thanksgiving ... I mostly enjoyed the extra time with Michael around (although he did study about half of each day or more ... that's why we didn't go to Cali, so he could get ready for finals) ... he's so fun to be with and Talon ADORES him. We put up CHristmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving (after our morning of shopping) ... that's always fun! Nothing else eventful happened ... oh yeah, except BYU WON the football game against Utah ... it was sooooo close and such a last minute win. After we scored that last-minute touchdown a guy was outside running up and down our walkway at Wymount screaming!!! hahaha ... hard core fans! I had to play the organ on Sunday ... PLEASE remind me never to agree to that EVER again ... it's way too stressful. I love playing for Relief Society, but sacrament ... aghh. That's all that's going on ... it started snowing today ... it looks pretty from in here, but I'm not anxious to get out in it.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Careen's Anniversary

Today is has been twenty years since Careen past away. It's hard to believe it has been that long. I was only five so I don't remember much of her, but what I do remember is very special. How lucky I am to have such an amazing sister who was a great example and left such a legacy to her family. I'm also grateful to my parents who taught us how lucky we were to have a knowledge of the Gospel and of eternal families, and of the importance of sisterhood. I know that I will be reunited with Careen again ... and we always say that she is watching over us, and sending down these special babies into her sister's homes. I'm grateful for photos and home movies that help me remember what she was like. The picture above is of my sisters and I on my blessing day, Careen is on the far right. The picture below is of her holding me when I was a baby. And the last picture is of her with her wig on, probably soon before she passed away. She was an amazing young girl and had so much faith. I can't wait to tell Talon all about his aunt and her example ... but I sometimes wonder if he remembers her.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Talon's three month pics

Here's some pics we got taken at Sears for Talon's three month bday! Can't believe how big he is getting ! I had to go get it taken without Michael, and I couldn't get Talon to smile nearly as big as Michael does!!

We went on Friday night to a sneak preview of Work and the Glory 3 .... it was waaaay good! I've LOVED the books and this movie ends probably only half way through the books ... and I heard this is the last movie they are doing. So, that's dissapointing, but at least I know what happens in the books. There wasn't as much in the movie about Joseph and the church (compared to the first two movies) ... but it was still really good. I definitely recommend seeing it!

I have no idea what made me decide to Christmas shop so early this year, but I'm basically all done! Just have to pick up a few things and wait for some packages to arrive. (GOTTA LOVE online shopping!!!) It's nice to know that I don't have to stress anymore about shopping. Anyone into day-after-Thanksgiving shopping?!? Last year I went for the first time VERY early in the morning and it was crazy!!!! Probably won't brave it again ... but maybe I'll hit the park city outlets!?!?!

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Maxwell Hales

Here's the picture of Celene's baby Maxwell! Isn't he cute? Something in him reminds me of Talon (maybe it's just that newborn look ... or that they are cousins?)

Friday, November 10, 2006

Happy Fifth Bday Anika!

I didn't have time to post on wednesday, but it was Anika's 5th bday! She is the sweetest girl and so much fun... Michael and I always talk about how much ifun t was when we were dating and engaged and spent so much time at Celene and Todd's .... Anika was sooooo shy but she ALWAYS warmed up to Michael ... such good memories. And now we can't wait to live close to them again! She's grown up to be such a beautiful little girl!

Celene took our engagement pictures at the Provo courthouse and brought Taylor and Anika with her ... this is a picture from that day!

Anika having fun at a park

Anika was Ariel for Halloween

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Thursday

I had to put this link on .... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwLsHgjtIYY it's of Talon laughing ... it's so funny. He really is such a happy, smiley and fun baby!

Last night we all went out to celebrate Carolyn's two-year cancer free anniversary at CPK's and Michael's dad happened to be in town for business ... we had such a good time and of course we feel so grateful for Carolyn's health.

My latest project is making a Heritage Maker book of Talon for Christmas ... I'm making it of his "ABC's" and including family names, and inside things like Wymount and Orange and Blessing Day ... anyways, it is sooo fun .... it's taken me a while to come up with all the alphabet and to find pictures for each one ... I've had to have a few "photo shoots" so I can get everything. Here are some examples ...

L is for "lighthouse"

H is for "Horse"

E is for "Elephant"

I'm also going back to work ... tonight is my first shift. I'm sad to leave Talon, but not nervous at all ... Michael is so good with him, and will only need to feed him once. Hopefully Talon will be asleep half the time I'm gone anyways. SO we'll see how it goes ... I'm mostly nervous to do ultrasound again ... what if I forget how to!?!?! Hahaha

By the way, I'm trying to fix the format of this post but it's not working ... sorry it looks all messed up

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Our Halloween

Talon with his Great-grandma Williams - we went to see her on Halloween and she is so sweet with Talon, and he was fascinated by her. She is such an amazing lady and I'm so happy that we live near her rest home so we can see her often. She is my last living grandparent and she is 92!

Talon in the fall leaves in Wymount

On Halloween day ... I took this picture of him while he was smiling at Great-grandma.

Anyways, Halloween was fun. .. we only get about a dozen trick-or-treaters, but we had over Carolyn, Kyle and Megan and just hung out. Wednesday was fun ... we always get together with our friends to watch Lost ... it was such a good one!!! Can't believe Eko is gone!! Next week is the last new episode for a while ... I think I'll go through withdrawls! Last night I went with Kyle and MEgan to the temple while Michael watched Talon ... I always love going, but I think since becoming a mother that things in the temple carry a new meaning to me.

Michael has officially decided which law firms he's going to next summer... Knobbe (where Todd works) and Crowell & Moring. We're excited about his choice and look forward to next summer in Cali!!!!

Sunday, October 29, 2006

FunWeek

On Thursday the law school had a party where you could dress up, bring your family, eat pizza! It was so fun seeing all the little kids dressed up and to meet up with our friends that are in law school too. Talon dressed up as a little cowboy ... I thought he was pretty cute!!! I'm glad we had this activity because our ward isn't doing anything and I wanted him to do something fun for Halloween. Maybe I'll dress him up for when trick-or-treaters come over?

This is at Michael's carrel in the law school. After the party there was trick-or-treating around the carrels ... so the law students handed out candy while the kids went around. Michael's desk is in the corner so we didn't give away much candy ... which means I've had to hide the rest until Tuesday!

This is during the costume parade. All the kids went through ... Michael carried Talon through with the horsey between Talon's legs ... too funny!

This is after our walk on Friday ... the past few days have been nice but the mornings are always COLD! We've been walking every day almost with some other new mothers in the ward and it's so fun and it's great to have other moms to relate too!

Yesterday we went to an open house for the new hospital and it was so nice. ... we had an ultrasound meeting before it started and it really sounds like this will be a good job. The machine they bought is really really really old (it is what I trained on) ... so we took some minutes to try to remember how to run it ... too hard! It did make me realize how much I enjoy doing ultrasound ... I'm so grateful that I was pointed in that direction by my brother-in-law David ... it's really been a great career.

Last night we had over Kyle and Megan and another couple from the ward. We had a little halloween party with cider and treats and talked, and then we wanted to watch a scary movie. Traditionally we watch "Wait until Dark" (with Audrey Hepburn) every year ... but everyone had seen it. Kyle and MEgan wanted to watch the Ring ... TOO SCARY! So we watched some old 1950's movie called "House on Haunted Hill" (it had a Alfred Hitchock take to it) ... and it was scary and so fun! Tonight our stairwell (which is three other apts) are having a progressive dinner ... desert is at our house ... so hopefully that will be fun,