Ward Christmas Party

We had a Christmas miracle on Saturday night at the Ward Party.

Talbie and Bronson sang "Silent Night" and it was beautiful!  

The miracle wasn't that Talbie sang because she enjoys that - but that

Bronson played his guitar in public!

 Bronson is AMAZING at the guitar and he is 100%

self taught.  He has earned enough money from selling his pick necklaces

to sign up for guitar lessons but he's not really interested.

He's inherited my brother's ability to play by ear and he has taught himself

every chord you could ever know.  Impressive!

Way to go guys!  Here's to many more performances!!

Early Christmas Present

My dad gave Brittany and I an early Christmas present and took us to

Vegas this weekend.  We stayed at their Vegas home and got to be

the "kids" for 3 whole days!  It was SO MUCH FUN!

The first day Brittany and I got up early and ventured out on our own

(a huge feat since neither of us knows our way around Vegas very well.)

We went shopping and had so much fun!  I took pictures with my cell

phone but they are being stupid and I can't get them transferred to my computer.  

It's too bad too because we even saw Santa arrive at the mall!

Highlights of our trip...

 Checking out the Christmas decor at the Belligio

 Brittany and I in front of the huge tree at the Belligio

 Mom and Dad

 We went as saw "Beatles Love" at the Mirage.  SO GOOD!!!

 Brittany and I at the gift shop

 Brittany's new friend

 We went to the famous "Pawn Stars" pawn shop.  I wish I would have brought

something to pawn!

 Then we saw "Jersey Boys!"  I LOVED this show.  

I didn't think I was a Four Seasons fan but I loved the music!

 Me and Dustin

 Brittany and Dad

 The best part of "Jersey Boys" was seeing Natalie (Hill) afterwards, who stars in the show.

Natalie is a huge Broadway star and blogger and she grew up 3 doors down from us!

Her parents are still in my parent's ward and their family are good friends.

 Natalie with her parents and more friends from my parent's ward.

Thanks dad for a great trip!  

Let's do it again SOON!!

Thanksgiving With My Family

This was a wonderful Thanksgiving because my side of the

family was all together!  My brother, Bret and his family came from Texas!

 Bret, me, Cody, Mom, Dad, Brittany, and Dustin

 The Knowles Family

 The Bret Christensen Family

(Bret, Caleen, Markelle, Chase, Aiden, and Ember)

 Cody, Kali, and Ally with mom and dad

 The Heal Family

(Jared, Brittany, Brock, Logan, Dallin, and Boston)

 

Mom and her baby :) (Dustin)

 We always eat our Thanksgiving dinner at the Provo Marriott.

It's delicious!!

 I got to sit by Boston :)  A messy job!

After dinner we went to the Muppett Movie.  I have heard a lot of people liking this movie

but we didn't really enjoy it!

Afte the movie we went to mom and dad's and played games and ate some more!

Santa

I really don't know how many more years I'm going to be able

to get away with these pictures!

We went and visited Santa down at the

Shops at the Riverwoods.  He was our favorite last year.

We did it for FHE tonight and wanted to beat the rush - that's why we did it so early.

After we saw Santa, we went to Aunt Sandy's for hot chocolate because

she lives down there.  It was so fun!

See how our family has changed since this blog started...

2007

2008

2010

Breaking Dawn!

Brittany and went to our annual "Twilight" movie premiere with all 

of our wonderful friends.  This year we invited Maddie and Talbie to come along.

Maddie is like me - sees the movies when they come out but can take them or leave them.

Talbie on the other hand - is a DIE HARD!

(see how she can't stop grinning!)

 I do owe a lot to Stephanie Meyers because if it wasn't for her, Talbie never would have developed this incredible love for reading that she has.

We all met and ate at Brick Oven on the way up to the theater

 The movie was...entertaining.  It had a few good parts but I

don't think any Oscar nominations are in their future!

...but it was an awesome girl's night!

(Brittany, me, Maddie, Talbie, Michelle, Angela)

The Perfect Stocking Stuffer

Bronson is a little entrepreneur and has been making these

pick necklaces for a few months now. 

 See Here

He sells these at Best in Music in Orem

(the one by Sonic)

With his first batch he earned a significant store credit that he's applying

towards guitar lessons.  He will do the same thing with the money he

earns from selling these necklaces.

Let us know if you see them there when you're shopping :)

11/11/11

21 years ago today - I went on the best (and last) blind date!

It was 21 years ago today that Dave and I had our first date.

We were set up by Matt Heaps (my brother's friend and Dave's brother-in-law's brother :)

Dave had been home from his mission for only 2 weeks.

I had been waiting for a missionary who had come home, but I knew the minute

he got home that we weren't meant to be.

So, I decided that I would start the process to go on a mission.

I met with my Bishop to get the paperwork started, met Dave,

and was married 4 months later.

The best decision I ever made was to marry Dave!

He has blessed my life in more ways than I can count.

Happy (first date) Anniversary!

I love you :)

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my dad's birthday!

My dad is the best dad in the world.  He has done so much for me and

my family.  Words can't express what he means to me.

We celebrated last night.  Brittany and I wanted to treat him and my mom

by taking them out to dinner...

...but of course he ended up paying for us all!

(No wonder he dreads it when we invite him to dinner :)

 Emmie gave grandpa some "money medals." 

 My girls

 Poor Bronson

 Maddie loves to be in everyone's pictures.  

(Brock, Dallin, and Maddie)

Look at Dallin's awesome haircut.  He came down to Aveda

and had it cut by Maddie today!

 My kids with Grandpa

 The Heal family with grandpa.  Logan (in the front with grandpa)

also got his haircut today by Maddie.

 Boston enjoying his spaghetti

 Getting the cake ready with grandma

 Blowing out the candles and making his wish.

I think his wish was that we wouldn't sing to him - but it didn't come true!