Our Christmas tree

Here is our tree. It is the first real tree we have had since being married. We had a great time with the kids decorating it. Kids make it so much more fun!!! Love you all. Lori

Happy Birthday David

Hi Everyone,

It is Dad's birthday, so I am sharing a little of our past years. Can you guess who the baby is? Does it look like any of the other babies? I got dad a new chain saw for his birthday.

What a great blessing your dad has been to my life. I am sure you feel the same way. Happy Birthday, David. We love you and hope to have many, many more years and memories with you.

xoxo

Debby

3D Ultrasound

I didn't really know how 3D ultrasounds worked, but I kind of thought they would just use a different ultraound device. That's not how it works. They use the same device as a regular ultrasound, but they had to take the picture and then work with it to get the 3D effect. It was hard and since there isn't that much room, conditions have to be perfect, like a lot of fluid in front of the face. It was hard to get good pictures of Lilia, and the ones I thought were the best didn't make it onto the CD they sent me home with. But here are a couple...you might be able to get some kind of idea what she looks like.

And she got video of her yawning...it's so sweet. You don't think of babies in there yawning while they're breathing fluid, but they do.

Christmas trees

Crystal's post about the real tree made me think of a childhood experience that made a difference in who I am. My parents were amazingly tolerant of my attempts at creativity. They would even encourage me, or at least would humor me by acting impressed with my inovations. This tended to make me a little brazen and presumptive with the things I would do arround the house. I was always taking things apart and putting them back together, often using, and sometimes loosing my dad's tools without permission. I would get into a little trouble for that and I had to learn to take care of the tools. He never minded my using them, he just wanted them put away when I was done.

One year during my early teens, I decided, without consulting anyone, that we should cut our own Christmas tree. So one Saturday morning, I went up into the foothills east of our house with a hand saw and a hatchet. I picked out a nice 6 foot cedar tree, cut it down and dragged it home. I had seen some official flocked trees the year before and thought that was so cool. I decided I could do that myself, so I went to the greenhouse and bought a flocking kit, which consisted of a bunch of ground up white paper stuff which was to be mixed with water and then sprayed onto the tree. I set up a flocking station in the garage, using my mom's old Electrolux vacuum with the hose plugged into the exhaust outlet. It was pretty powerful, and I got more flock on the walls and ceiling than on the tree. I wanted the flocking to be thick so it would look like the tree had heavy snowfall on it. You know how cedar trees are very thick and full- I ran out of flock and had to go buy more to get the job done. My dad, being Frank Frugal, had originally liked the idea of a free tree, but ultimately I probably spent enough in flocking materials to negate that theory. Anyway, I finally got it done and dragged it into the house, getting flocking all over everything. We set it up on a make-shift wood stand my dad had helped me build, and decorated it with lots of those old foil ice sickles, big lights, and balls. I thought it looked pretty good, but my mom and dad were just beside themselves with how beautiful it was, and how great it was that I had done it myself. The mess I had made did not seem to be an issue. We all cleaned it up together. That all made Christmas very special for me that year. In fact, they liked it so much that they let me do it again the next year.

Looking back, I now realize that those cedar trees were pretty mundane and folksy in my mom's beautiful living room. I now have to believe Mom and Dad must have recognized that at the time, but, I never would have known it from their reaction. They just smiled and kept encouraging me, probably subconsciously bracing at the same time for my next crazy project.

I'm not sure I was as good a parent as they were in that regard, but I hope you all will be with your kids. It will give them tremendous levels of self confidence.

We had a great time at thanksgiving. It was so good to spend that time with all of you.
Dad

Moving right along

For as long as I have been a grown-up, I have purchased our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving... this year, for obvious reasons, plans changed. When I went to pick up Valerie (literally after driving from Ohio), she was very concerned about not having a tree. I even considered going with her and buying one in the dark. I knew that Sunday was out for tree-buying.

So today, right after school, despite all the rain, we picked out our gorgeous tree.



I have collected fantastic ornaments since Valerie was a baby and we never have enough room for them all, but this year, with vaulted celings, I bought an enormous tree... all the ornaments fit!

Valerie's Grandma Whitlow gave her 25 presents... one to open each day of December till Christmas, so Valerie could not wait to organize them all as soon as we got the tree up and decorated. It is truly the most-beautiful tree EVER.

I also put up my italian creche and put up the fancy table linens and got out many other things, but I can not find my Partylite stuff.

I love decorating- I even put up lights outside while Matt was "running". I LOVE the holidays! It is just a joy to have a lovely home, pretty things, and to ponder so often on the birth of the Savior.

I wish you all could come and see!

Wasn't it great!

Family, it was so great to be with almost all of you over Thanksgiving. I was sad today after Mom and Dad left because I knew it was back to the grind for me. I am so blessed to be in this family where we all care so much about each other! I felt so lucky that everyone came to our house to be together. You all were so helpful and accomodating and tolerant. I love you all and thanks for making my Thanksgiving so special!! Lori

Thankful

I am shocked no one has posted since the dishwasher post! I suppose Matt and I are the only ones to have been maintaining a sense of normalcy for 2 days now...

I just want to say I am so grateful- so utterly humbled- to be a part of such an amazing family. It has actually been a REALLY hard couple months for me for many, many reasons... suffice it to say that I have been under the gun with the thesis, I have been struggling with working like a dog and seeing no end in sight, I am devastated by my grandfather, and honestly... I am having a really hard time seeing what is happening to Matt and I in the near future. Things seemed all fine and dandy before we were married- the plan was that I would work this year and Matt would start law school next year and hopefully by then, we would have a baby and I would only be working part time...

Well... I got the feeling when thinking about how all of this is not working out how we planned, that God is in control. There are reasons all of this is happening the way it is. I suppose the hard part for me was that I felt like everyone either did not realize the severity of the situation (with the LSAT scores, miscarriage, thesis, etc...) or that everyone was just acting as if all is well, when really and truly- all is not well, but it is manageable.

Also- since being married, I have moved from all my friends and I feel pretty isolated and I do not hear from anyone regularly. I only have a few peoples' phone numbers, I save them to my phone when I am called, and I sometimes feel no interest in me or Valerie, but a lot of serious interest in Abby's boyfriend... you know? So... what I am saying is I am really sorry for being aggravated and feeling sad about all this. It is new to me and I had expectations that I really should not have. I will be trying much harder to be realistic.

I am so impressed by the family and how awesome Matt's syblings (I know I spell it wrong, but I love the word so much more with a "y" than with an "i") and parents are. I plan to write to each of you that I got to spend time with this weekend, my heart is so full of love for all of you. So absolutely full and I want to tell each of you why.

I loved Kirtland so much and it made me so sad to realize how far away from the Gospel the Community of Christ is and how amazing it is to be a part of the true Church with temples where ordinances and veils are a part of enlightenment and salvation. It is mind-boggling the misunderstanding that the current ownership of the temple has. What a blessing to know what happened there...

Our talks went well, we both cried and talked, of course, about the most-incredible answered prayer we have had- to find each other.

I sat there completely in awe of my husband and to think... he chose me...

More later, I need to figure out where to put the ginormous tree.

How to install a dishwasher

Our dishwasher stopped working the beginning of November, when I was gone to see my family. Colin, being the great husband that he is, loaded it all up and turned it on to discover that it wasn't working. As he is so seldom away from the hospital I had to make the calls when I got home to get it repaired or replaced. I called the plumber the day after I got back, Wed. Nov. 7th. They scheduled a time to come on Friday, just two days later. Friday morning, I believe, my landlord called to let me know that it wasn't the plumber that needed to come but their appliance repair guys. She gave me the number and I called them scheduling an appointment for Tuesday, a week from my original call. Tuesday came, mind you I have put off doing the dishes in the dishwasher hoping it would be an easy fix and I could just run it and in the meantime I have been handwashing ALL of our dishes. The guy comes and finds out it is a broken motor and it will cost about $250 to fix. He said he would contact our landlady and let her know, see what she wanted to do, then call me and let me know. I waited two days to hear from the appliance guy or my landlord. Nothing. I called her, left a message, she called me back within the hour and had heard nothing from the appliance repair co. I filled her in and for the cost of fixing the current dishwasher she was just going to buy a new one and have it installed. She called her "handy man" to take care, he called me and said he would deliver it the next morning. Thank goodness!!! I would finally have a dishwasher again. I pulled all the dishes out of the dishwasher thinking I would just load them in and wash them in the new one. He came Friday morning, dropped the dishwasher off, said he called the plumber and left. I could not believe it!!! Isn't a "handy man" supposed to be handy in all things? Ahhhhhhhh !!! Well I called the plumber Friday and scheduled him to come today, Monday, and install the new dishwasher that was now sitting in my kitchen. Another weekend without it. To heck with that!! I would just do it myself and then the plumber could double check it when he came. Well I called my dad, a true handy man, he gave me some advice and I set to work with Jack as my apprentice. Well, more like Dennis the Menace climbing on my back, picking up the tools. I get to the electrical source and it says you have to turn off the electricty because it is hardwired, not just a plug in. I decided to stop there because I have no experience with electricity. I looked at my kitchen and wanted to scream!!! Dishes everywhere, they accumulate fast with 2 kids along with all the ones I took out of the dishwasher. We were having people over the next day for a little get together for Mia's birthday. What was I going to do? I really just wanted to put them all in a box and put them in the garage or the bathtub or something because I didn't want to wash and dry all of them and put them away. I sound completely lazy, I know. So we went out to eat because I couldn't be in there to fix dinner a moment longer. Saturday morning I decided I had to hunker down and wash them. An hour later, it seemed, Colin and I had them done. Ahhhh, my kitchen was clean again. I washed dishes again Sunday and should be washing them again right now because, I STILL HAVE NO FUNCTIONING DISHWASHER EVEN AFTER THE PLUMBER CAME TODAY!~!!!!!!!!!!!! Just kill me now. The plumber came, earlier than scheduled and he had to wait 20 minutes in his car. He smelled greatly of cigarettes then when he was unhooking the line from the disposal he spilled yucky, curdled milk in my cupboard. He wiped it up but gag, it still smelled. He gets the old one out, preps the new one then tells me that the electrical wires are too short. TOO SHORT, SO FIX THEM. He tried but didn't feel like he could do it well, or something. So he called the electrician. I have yet to hear from them. This Thanksgiving, if that dishwasher istn't fixed, so help me, I will be one cranky hostess and you will all be washing your own dinner dishes. So pray, pray hard and pray often so that we don't have to wash a million dishes this weekend. Love you all!!! Lori

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does anyone know how to post a quote?

Hi Family

I am just about ready for bed, but wanted to write tonight. For the record, I love you Crystal, and I love Valerie. There hasn't been a lot of time for us to get to know each other (and I include Valerie here), but it doesn't change the fact that I love both of you. We are so happy that you and Matt found each other. There has not been one second that I have not been grateful to Heavenly Father that you three are a family. We are all sealed together and will be eternally, so you are ours and we are yours. I have been very busy and I am sure not as responsive as I should have been, but please don't ever doubt that I love you and appreciate all of your efforts to make your family better and stronger. We all wanted Matt to find his eternal companion, and feel you are a blessing to our family, as is Valerie. The more personalities the better. You are part of our family, and it may take a while for all of us to get to know each other well, since we are scattered all over the country, but please don't ever doubt that we love you. I realize I may be gushing, but you really are a great blessing in our family. Hopefully this summer we can all get together in a little more relaxed setting, well actually we ALL probably can't get together, but some of us, anyway. OK, I have gone on long enough. I hope you can make it for Thanksgiving, but if you can't, you will be really, really missed. It won't be the same without you. Love, Debby

Another Elfing...

Our family got elfed, too!! I accidentaly put Elliot of a girl elf, sorry Elliot!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9541563970

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9541424306

Shanah got hitched!

Today, Shanah (one of my best friends since junior high) was married to Trevor Tafoya in the Salt Lake temple. I feel so blessed to have been there! I was happy for Shanah, and happy for her mom, and just happy overall! It was such a great experience. Mom and dad were able to be there after catching an early flight home from Hawaii, they didn't think they were able to be there. But, they made it and Shanah was so greatful. She was a beautiful bride, of course. Here are some pictures for everybody to enjoy!

(I really don't like this picture of me, but I had to put one of both of us.)

music

This is me... singing....

Ode to be Perfect

If any of you have worked with me on any kind of project, which you probably haven’t, I am not exactly the perfectionist. I like things to be done right but I also don’t want to make myself to look like a careless slob here. In my mind, if what I am doing is visually satisfying, then I can live with it.

Let me tell you why I’m sharing this with you all…

If any of you have worked with David, you know the job will be done, as I say, to “pristine excellence”. No corner cut, no blemish left unfixed, visually stunning and mechanically sound, engineered past the minimal requirements and a fine specimen of work.

David and I have been re-modeling the Christensen’s kitchen, and while the Croshaws have been away in Hawaii, I’ve tried to continue on with the project. But found something very unsettling while working alone. The more I look at what I am doing, from setting countertops, to framing a soffit, to putting mud on sheetrock. I CANT STAND IT NOT TO BE PERFECT. Almost to the point where I want to tear the whole thing over and start from scratch. I guess the saying is true that you are who you associate with. So I guess I should thank David for making be a better person.

Jason

Halloween - better late than never

It's late and I should be sleeping but here is what we did on Halloween. The kids had a great time! Can't wait to see almost all of you in just about a week. LORI

I got elfed!

This is great! Check it out.
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9517018090
My advice is to watch Jason's elf carefully, it's hilarious!

Another reason why living in DC is great

Every November in DC there is an Inter-faith concert, with representation from more faiths than I can remember. You get Catholic, Sikh, and Baha'i choirs, Hindu dancers, Jewish fiddlers, Muslim rappers (they did a rap about Moses, Jesus, and Mohammad, in addition to the Islam call to prayer. They're actually very good. You should check them out at nativedeen.com.), and yes, even a group of singing Mormons. For whatever reason, the singles of my stake have been the LDS representation for the past two years, so I got to sing last year at the National Hebrew Synagogue, and this year at the (ahem) Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. (Only the largest basilica in the Americas.) Where else in the world would I get such an opportunity??


This one was televised, and supposedly we're going to be on the DC public access channel all through December. (So everyone, um, tune in?) It was a really touching, to see all the different ways people have found to worship and revere God, Allah, Vishnu, or whatever they deem to be the higher Being. Since I'm living in such a religiously diverse place, I'm trying to take advantage of the opportunities I get to learn and understand more. Lately, Marcia and I have been talking religion a lot with a Muslim friend of ours, and you know what? Muslims and Mormons have a lot in common! It's just all a reminder to me that religions of the world may have some vast differences, but yet, we're really NOT all that different.

Oh, the wonders of technology

Hi family.

Guess what, you can post things on here in your own name! I'll show everyone how at Thanksgiving...and then Mom and Dad can show Dana and Jason.

Can't wait to see everyone.


This is now Dana adding to Abby's post, because it relates to technology. Did anyone notice the world map at the bottom of the page? I added that yesterday, it's so CRAZY what computers can do and tell. So now we can tell where all over the world people are looking at the blog. As of yet today I don't see a Hawaii dot.

Mid-life Crisis

Haha, kidding about that, but DRASTIC change! Renee styled my hair straight, so it couldn't have been any different. It was straight, short, and BROWN! I'm growing to love it. Here's some pictures:

Global Outsourcing, saves us time and money, or does it?

Here is a little story that you might enjoy. I have a HP laptop at work. It is only about 3 months old, and in September the monitor went out! I hate that! So I called my company support department to see what I needed to do. They gave me a HP support number and told me I could call to schedule a tech to come out to my office to fix my laptop. I call, and speak to “Bob”. Bob was not from America. Despite his name, his accent kind of gave away his identity as foreign, I’m thinking India maybe? So Bob tells me I have to send my lap top in to the service facility in Wisconsin. I tell him that I should be able to have it serviced at my location. The conversation was kind of a blur, but it ends in them shipping me a box overnight to send my laptop into the service facility.

Now here is my problem: computer = work, no computer = No work. During all this, my docking station did work for my laptop, so I could get by without the actual laptop monitor. Anyways, now I have to wait for my boss to go down to the Utah office to pick up an extra laptop. So a month goes by, and he finally brings the extra laptop back for me so I can send in the broken one.

Before I send the laptop in the box they sent me a month ago, I call to check if my service ticket is still open. So I call and talk to “Jenny”, again her name wasn’t really Jenny. But I’m thinking that we understood each other a little better this time, because when I ask her to open a new ticket and send me a new box, she says, “Do you know that you can have someone come to your office and fix this for you?”. Shortly after that you hear the sounds of me throwing my phone at the wall. Not really.

So lets skip to the end here. They tell me a tech will call the next day. Three days later “HP International” calls me to see if my parts arrived. What parts? The next day a box arrives with my monitor. Then the following day “HP International” calls to verify the parts got there and send out a tech. Guess who walks through my door? LARRY DAVID!!! I laugh and think, ‘It took me two months of dealing with HP for them to call Larry David for me? I could have just called him myself and skipped this whole process.’

So you think HP came out ahead on that warranty service for me? At least I got to keep my business local in the end.

Visiting Kirtland

Here is a link to the church's website that has some brief information about Kirtland

http://www.lds.org/placestovisit/location/0,10634,3986-1-1-1,00.html

The Michael Jordan of Dishes

Okay, so I have a really boring life as you can see by the lack of posts, but I have been given a new title by my husband. I was doing the dishes the other day and I looked up to see Ray laughing at me. He said "you are like the Michael Jordan of dishes". He said this because I have a habit of sticking my tounge out and touching my upper lip when I am concentrating, which I was doing as I was washing the dishes. When he said this I thought "I have become my mother", I'm sure you have all see mom do the same thing when she is concentrating!! It is amazing, and a little scary, how much influence we have over our children without even knowing it!! I'm glad I had such a good example.

love, becky

Thanksgiving plans

Family, I have been thinking about our get together in a few weeks and wanted to know ahead of time who would be staying with us in our house, when you get here and will be leaving-even if you are not staying with us-and your favorite Thankgiving food, just so we don't miss any. Of course we will have turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green salad, a relish tray, cranberries-out of a can unless someone else wants to take on that job. Crystal is making some pies, remind me of what ones you are making and if you want me to pick up the stuff for you to have on hand. I will make a sweet potato pie which is Colin's favorite. I think that covers the basics. I want to get a list of groceries going.

Another thing, we have no carpet except 2 area rugs so you may want to bring slippers or something that you want to wear on your feet if you are so inclined. If you are driving bring pillows and if you have an airmattress bring that too. We are very excited!!

Let me know if you need to be picked up from the airport too. Love you all! Lori

La Vida Mexicana

Hi Family! It's been a while since I've written anything on the blog, but I finally have something interesting to share. When you work from home, life can be kind of dull sometimes.

This afternoon, Andrea (sister-in-law) and her 2 kids, Andi and Daniel came over for lunch. I made Calypso lime chicken with quinoa. For those of you who have never tried it, it is super easy and very delicious (if you are a coconut milk fan). Let me know if you want the recipe.

We visited for a little while and my niece and nephew (mostly nephew) ran around like the crazy 2 and 4 year olds they are. They are absolutely adorable, as are all of my nieces and nephews...but there's nothing like an afternoon with the little ones to make you appreciate the peace and quiet you can experience without them. (Don't worry...I still want children...they'll be coming soon enough.)

Alex was just called as the elders' quorum president, and found out quickly that there are only about 12-15 active priesthood holders in our ward (and only 4 of them are elders!). One of the inactive priesthood was actually the last bishop (I know...sad), and they happen to live on the next block up. He and she are both return missionaries and are both university graduates. They have 3 kids and their one son is autistic. Alex and I have been scheming about how we can possibly get to know them. I told him I'd meet her first, and then bring him up to meet him later. Andrea's been in the ward for years and knows the family. So after lunch today, we decided to pay her a visit.

We show up and I can tell Claudia (ex-bishop's wife) is a little uncomfortable, until we explain that the only reason we're there is because I'm her new neighbor and wanted to meet people in the neighborhood. She was nice, talked for a bit, gave us ice cream, etc. Her parents were there visiting from Hermosillo...also members (asked them if they know grandma & grandpa-- they don't). As soon as her mom found out we were members, her eyes lit up. When her daughter left the room, she said, "please help her!". She told us that the family had gone inactive because of something that was said or done to her autistic son. I don't know details. She told us that her daughter needed encouragement, friends, etc. and begged us to continue visiting Claudia.

When we left, I told Claudia where I lived and told her I'd stop by again sometime soon. She asked me where I lived and I told her. I'd say that overall the visit (besides the screaming 2-year old) was a positive experience, and regardless of what happens with the church, we'll be friends. When Andrea and I were walking down the street back to my house, the thought popped into my head, "You just answered a mother's prayer". It's an amazing and humbling feeling to know that you've helped the Lord show someone that He cares and does hear their prayers. I don't know when this little family will return to church, but I do know that a mother from Hermosillo now feels a little more hope.

Jack's little surgery

I hesitated in writing about Jackson's surgery just because I wondered how he would feel about it in 10 years but here goes. It was a very minor surgery on his pee pee. Because he was so fat as a baby it caused his peeps to pull back into what was left of the foreskin. He was circumcised (sp?) as a newborn. I was concerned about it when we lived in Virginia but my pediatrician assured me it was okay and to just push the skin back so his peeps would pop out and eventally it would do what it needed to do. Well, when we moved here and I took him to his first drs apt it was addressed immediately. We tried using some steriod cream to thin the adhesions, which were very attached by now, but it didn't help. I took him to the urologist about a month and a half ago and he diagnosed Jack with hypospadias (I am sure that is not how you spell it but that is how it sounds and I am too lazy to look it up right now). It is where the opening is not at the tip, but Jacks was just a tiny bit lower. So, we decided to have it corrected even though it probably would not be a problem in the future. Since we were doing one we just did both at the same time and because of that he had to have it done under anesthesia. They made a tiny slit to put the opening at the tip and pulled the adhered skin back so it could do what it should or it would cause it to bend. I can just see all the guys cringing right now. I hope this makes sense because Mia is wanting me to sing with her right now. Jack did great. He did throw up about two cups of apple juice and I ended up wearing 1 cup. The nurse just kept giving it to him. I should have said something but I figured she knew better. Silly me. I just have to dress it 4-5 times a day. There are no stitches it is just a bit red. He will heal quickly. Lori

Thanksgiving

OK Colin, you've pushed the button and now we can enjoy a flurry of bogging. Can you arrange for us to meet black Matt at Thanksgiving? Maybe you should invite him for dinner and we could compare them face to face, side by side.

Everyone, for the past several months, I've been sort of obsessed with the prophet Elijah's contributions to the restoration and the Kirtland era of Church history. It's all very fascinating, and so vital to our religion. I've been researching and writing about it and had intended to get the piece posted on the blog prior to Thanksgiving so that you could all bone up for our visit to Kirtland. Colin and Lori, we need to figure out a good time to go over there when we can spend at least half a day. Anyway, the piece I'm writing is turning out quite long, and my life has been hectic, so I'm not sure I'll get it done in time for you all to read it. Actually it's too long to post on the blog, but I may post a link to it if I do get it done. If I do (lot of ifs there) I would like you all to read it, even if you have to print it and bring it with you to study while you travel. There will be a test. If per chance you don't see it, then I suggest you do a little reading about Kirtland on your own. It will really enhance the experience you have there.

Anyway, we are really looking forward to another little reunion with all of you.
Dad

Mommy's update

Hi everyone,

Here is what I have learned this week from visiting with various family members. Crystal finished her thesis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She is now having a bit of trouble sleeping. wakes up every morning at 4:18. do any of you remember on the xfiles how he often showed the clock on 11:10 or something like that because it was someone's birthday? Anyone have any sleeping tips? Les hurt her heel somehow. I hope it is better, but I don't think she has been able to talk to Dad about it. Becky is having trouble downloading her photos. It keeps asking her if she wants to format her card. Of course she doesn't, she wants to look at her photos. Any helps out there? Also, Ray got a follow up email telling him he is still a candidate for the Portland job. They would be CRAZY not to hire Ray. Dana dyed her hair brown, and cut it. Cute, cute. She has been growing it out for locks of love. I think she send the hair to them today. Jason is spending most of his spare time trying to get things done at Grandma's, and as you know, his Boise Broncos are having a great season, except for that first game. They are going to the Boise State-Utah State game Saturday. Matt! I need to hear from you. Abby worked at the election in Virginia on Tuesday. I did too, but not in Virginia:). I subbed (is that a word?) at the temple last night. One of my highlights was running into my Aunt Ethel May. When I saw her I remembered how much I love her. For those of you who haven't gotten to meet her, she is so worth knowing. Colin was alone for a week while Lori was in Rathdrum. Her parents are soon going to Anchorage, AK. She already told you about that. Little Jack had some little boy surgery yesterday, and is recoving well. I miss my grandchildren. It is painful to be away from them. Colby is resisting potty training. Any ideas? REALLY, any ideas? We are heading into another birthday season for our family. Mia Nov 14, Dad on Nov 30. See me for birthday ideas, Valerie Dec 6 (she has a very cute blog), Alex Dec 20, and Matt, Dec 26. Matt, we won't all be together to get you gifts and go to a movie:(. We will have to do it next time we get together. For all of you out there, Matt and Crystal have a beautiful home in Broadway. Wish you could see it. Don't know how Sydney is doing though??? Grandma' Christensen's friends are gathering things for the Mexico Christmas. She has a portable storage shed in her yard to hold the things. She is not doing the bulk of the work, though. My aunt and uncle (Anita and Earl) just left for Prague on a mission. Met a lady at the temple who is going to the Manhatten Temple on a mission with her husband. I asked her about visitors, and she said they encourage visitors, but said they need to limit them to 2 weeks visits. 2 WEEKS!! in a little apartment? That is my kind of mission, though. OK, I have carried on long enough. I love all of you and can't wait for Thanksgiving. Did I mention we are leaving tomorrow for a week in Maui? Any requests? Everyone be careful out there, and watch over my grandchildren carefully. See most of you in two glorious weeks. Dana and Jason, we will miss you. xoxoxo mom

I met the black Matt

Yes, it's true. I met the black Matt. He's a medical student from Kenya. I'm not kidding, this guy is Matt. He has the same mannerisms, talks the same, about the same 5'2" height (just kidding, but not really), and even has glasses that look just like Matt. The only thing that is missing is the laugh, but I'm trying to be extra funny to try and get it out of him.
Here's his picture: http://projects.sevir.org/storage/jpanview/imgs/mr-t.jpg
Okay, that part's a joke, but this guy really does remind me of Matt every time I talk to him.

So really, the blog has hit a serious lull. I contend that it is due to global warming. Anyway, what say we have a grand reopening of the blog.

Gotta go,
Colin

I have a BLOG!!

Please write to me!! HERE!

Valerie

The most amazing thing...

I happened upon this tonight. I can not sleep. It has been a problem since I have finished my thesis.

I was looking up Kelly Clarkson on YouTube. How I LOVED her when American Idol was in its first season... I still do...

Anyway, I found this linked to Kelly Clarkson and it has me in absolute tears. It is the sweetest thing I have seen since the giggling supertwins.

She has a CD coming out from Amazon in a couple weeks for Christmas. Please tell Matt I want it!!


Crystal

The Abby's Halloween

My costume will make a lot more sense if you know about the Teen Girl Squad. Not as cute as the kids, or as elaborate of costumes. What can I say, work keeps me busy in October. But I think my favorite Halloween memory this year would have to be my boss....
He also had a wig. And he was quoting lines and talking like Napoleon Dynamite all day long. It made me nostalgic for the ol' home state.

Delgadillo's Halloween

We had SO much fun this Halloween!! Colby was a monkey (everyone kept calling him a bear) and Eva was a lamb. First we went to the Trunk or Treat at the church and got to see lots of friends. Then we went down 18th (almost entirely consisting of ward members) and everyone LOVED Colby and Eva! How could they not?

At one house, where we didn't know the people, Colby loved them back! We rang the doorbell and Colby said "Trick or Treat!" (I was amazed he could do that, I didn't think it was going to happen) and the lady says "Ohhhhhhh how cute!" Yada yada yada, and had us come into their entry way while she gave the kids candy. She got down on her knees to get a better look at the kids and all of the sudden Colby says "Hold you?" And I said, "You want her to hold you?" So she holds out her arms and he goes and climbs in them. Then he says, "Bye mommy." Hahaha, it was so funny! He was ready for us to leave him there to play with this total stranger.

Eva loved it too!! She carried around her Elmo bucket and cried when we would leave a house without people answering the door. It was so much fun, a night I will always remember. And last of all, here is a video of our little candy thief.