Welcome Back Kylie :)

One of Maddie's friends from the 1st and 2nd grade moved back to Orem this summer and goes to Orem High with Maddie! She saw her on the 1st day of school and wasn't sure if it was actually her but soon found out it was :)

Kylie is on the left - Maddie is on the right

She came home with Maddie, Maddie, and Sammy today and they went to the football game together where Maddie was performing at half time. It's so fun to have her back :)

Congrats to Talbie!

Talbie has spent the past 3 days (one day voice auditions, second day dance auditions, third day call-backs) auditioning for the school play "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat!" She called me when she got to school today and said she had made it!

I'm so excited for her because her passion is singing and being in plays! I'm not sure when the performances will be but we'll let you know as soon as we find out :)

Peaches, Peaches, Peaches

My parents have a peach tree that isn't very old but every year it produces more and more peaches. Last week my mom called and said the peaches were ready to pick so Bronson, Talbie, and I went over there and started picking.

I was shocked at how many peaches we got off that tree... (This isn't even all of them!)

So I've been busy making peach jam...

...and canned peaches! I'm pooped!!

Talbie's Bottom Braces

On Monday Talbie got her bottome braces on. She's had her top braces for about a year. She's on the homeward stretch to being done with her years of orthodontic work!! That is always a happy day :)

Oquirrh Mountain Temple Dedication

My family and I - except Emmie who isn't quite 8 yet :( are heading to
the Oquirrh Mountain Temple dedication in about 1/2 hour. It's such a privledge to have
so many temples close to us in Utah!

First Day of School - 2009

Today was my kid's first day school! They were all really excited to get back to seeing their friends and starting a new year. Here are their pictures...

My girls have their own sense of style! Maddie (as you know) is stuck in the 80's. She's starting the 11th grade!

(in this picture you will notice her vintage "Giorgio" bag that was mine in the 8th grade. Also the macrame owl necklace that my mom made me around the same time.)

Talbie choose to dress like she's out of the 70's today. She's starting 8th grade

Bronson and Emmie chose this decade for their school attire - 5th and 2nd grade

Family Pictures

While my brother Bret and his family were in town we decided to get some family pictures taken before they went back to Texas. Caleen's side of the family did the same thing so we were able to have her family take our pictures with our cameras. We didn't hire a professional but I think the pictures turned out great anyway!

The whole family ;)

The original Christensen's
Brittany, Cody, Me, Dad, Mom, Bret, and Dustin

Me and my family

Bret's family
Ember, Bret, Chase, Caleen, Markelle, and Ember
Cody's Family
Cody, Ally, and Kali

Brittany's Family
Brock, Boston, Dallin, Brittany, Logan, and Jared

The Grandkids

Mom and Dad

Blast from the Past

When I was in high school, if I wanted to listen to music I had to go buy an album, 45 record, or a cassette tape. I had a "sweet" stereo system and it took a section of my bedroom (stereo and speakers). I love how technology has evolved and the convience of and ipod and ihome. It doesn't get any better.

Well, those of you that know Maddie, know that she has an obsession with the 80's. She dresses 80's (most of the time) and has taken all the clothes that I did save and she wears them all the time!

Maddie and her friend were school clothes shopping in Salt Lake and they found a store that was selling albums. These albums were current bands and music - just made on an album. She bought one and brought it home - so excited. Even though she had these songs on her ipod already!

Well, she was desperate to play her album but of course, didn't know what to do. I'm not a "pack rat" and I get rid of things when I don't need them anymore. Luckily my parents are not that way and she went over there and was able to get my old stereo (actually I think it was my brother, Cody's but they were the same). She came home and got it set up...

I dug out my old 45 records that I have saved and she's been playing them over and over.
(The big poster in her room hung in my room for years too when I danced)

It is the strangest feeling to have a daughter, the exact age you were, love the same music, clothes, jewlery, and everything. It blows my mind! I thought parents and kids were supposed to argue over the music they wanted to listen to and the things they wanted to wear.

"Julie and Julia"

On Tuesday night the girls went to see "Julie and Julia". I was so excited to see this movie because I love Nora Efron movies ("You've Got Mail", "Sleepless in Seattle", etc.) I have to say I was not disappointed by this movie. I really enjoyed it.

The thing I enjoyed the very most about it was seeing the wonderful supportive men that the two women in this film had in their lives. They loved them so much and they gave them wings to fly! It reminded me A LOT of my wonderful supportive husband who does way too much for me.

The "girls" - Brittany, Me, Caleen, and Molly (Caleen's sister)

We were excited when Molly pulled up in her jeep - even though it took an act of congress to get us into it :)

More Craziness with the Cousins

We have been having a great time with the cousins that are here from Texas! The boys are quite a handful when you get them all together but they are making fun memories!

Sleeping in the tent...

Ended up on the familyroom floor!

Emmie and Ember have literally spent hours (over 10) making "fairy houses". I've yet to see any "houses" - just a giant mess!

Today Caleen and I went to "Nickelcade" with the boys

They only spent a small fortune for a million tickets that they redeemed for a little bit of NOTHING!

...and I somehow managed to get my beets canned in the middle of it all!