HISTORY

A Little History:
Our story begins in Pocatello, Idaho, circa 1972, when the lovely Debby Christensen agreed to a first, though fateful date with admirer, David Croshaw. Long story-short, he bade her follow him, and they went arm-in-arm to the Logan, Utah temple for establishment of an eternal family unit, Generation 1, on May 23 1973.

From their first blissful summer in Salt Lake City, educational pursuits took them to Provo/Orem, Utah, birthplace of Leslie and Rebecca, and to San Francisco/Oakland California, birthplace of Colin and Matt. Then, for establishment of livelihood, expansion of the tribe with Abby and Dana, and for raising/unifying of Generation 2, it was back to the roots in Pocatello for a rewarding sojourn.

In time, driven by a raging, but commonly shared sense of adventure and independence, one-by-one, Generation 2 escaped the homeland to distant regions of the country and the world, each ultimately developing their own tribal expansions by pairing with worthy mates and initiating Generation 3.

Now sensing fulfillment of their purpose in Pocatello, Generation 1 has also left those roots and transplanted to Cascade Idaho, from which base, they anticipate more abundant contact with The Posterity, Generations 2 and 3, in the future. That contact however, awaits fulfillment of a call to LDS missionary service in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, wherein they hope to help the state of the world by sharing the love of Jesus Christ.

So now, including Generation 0 (Grandma and Grandpa Christensen) home base includes Yuma, Arizona, Pocatello, Idaho, Cascade, Idaho, Vancouver, BC, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Spokane, Washington, Boise, Idaho, Los Angeles, California, back to Boise, Idaho, and on and on (Generation 3+) to infinity.

Our Mission Statement:
This is the blog of our eternal family unit. Initiated years ago, it served well as a journal, but even more so, as an archive of our personal interaction. It was a gathering place, a confabulation instrument, a unifying force for four generations of widely dispersed and progressively prolific posterity, and their valued associates. Though it served these purposes well for many years, it eventually took a back seat to new-kids-on-the-block, Facebook, and Instagram, and was sadly forgotten.

We now move to resurrect this blog with an added functional purpose of archiving the missionary experiences of Generation 1, of their movements and activities as they participate with The Gathering of Israel in the land northward. In so doing, we hope that via their own comments and posts, this blog will again serve to gather and unify the posterity and their friends.

As in the past, that the young and vibrant may know the old and tired, that enduring bonds may be fostered and maintained, that experience and encouragement may be openly shared, that posterity may embrace truth, and that hearts may be knit together, we must resist detachment despite our geographic divergence. We shall do so here.
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Sunday, November 30, 2008

Happy Birthday Dad!!





On November 30, 1949 the world was changed forever. David K. Croshaw, son of George Vernal and Arvilla Croshaw, the man voted "Most Fun to be With" in high school, marathon runner, podiatrist, woodworker, hole-digger, friend, bishop, dedicated home teacher, temple worker and most importantly father (and now grandfather) was born.

They say that as children grow, those who have highly involved fathers often do better in some areas of development than children who have less involved fathers. They tend to become better at solving problems and handling frustrations, more socially skilled, more understanding of others' feelings, and better at dealing with a variety of people. They also say that active fathering contributes to a child's sense of humor and eagerness to explore and learn. I think it's obvious from your many well-adjusted children, that you have fulfilled your role as an "active" father well. ;-)

None of us would be here without you, and we definitely wouldn't be the people we are without having had you in our lives! You are an amazing example of hard work and dedication to the important things in life. Your sense of humor and kindness to all has made you a favorite among the young men in the East Stake, among your growing number of sons & daughters-in-law and among your grandchildren. Your generosity has blessed all of our lives in more ways than one. Your unshakeable testimony of the gospel and true principles continues to inspire us, and is making each of us better for it. We love you very much, daddy (David), and hope you have a wonderful birthday!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thanksgiving

Dear Ones,
It is thanksgiving morning and grandpa and I were sitting here counting our blessings and all of you came to our mind. We truly have "blessings unmeasured." It rained heavily last evening and through the night and I always feel so bad when that happens. I think of our brothers and sisters in Mexico that live on the canal bank and have no windows and plastic for a roof. I know that they must have slept cold and damp. Then I think about how blessed we are and I thank my heavenly Father that I am warm when it is cold, I am cool when it is hot, I have food when I am hungry, I have clothing suitable for the seasons, and am aware that we truly have those things sufficient for our needs. And all of these blessings are quite overwhelming. We are grateful for our health, that grandpa is feeling OK, that he has pain pills to take when he needs them and when he contemplates the future, he talks about it with such serenity in his voice that I know all will be well. All is well in Yuma.
We love all of you more than you can every know and you are always in our prayers. Have a wonderful thanksgiving and enjoy each other.
All my love, always,
Gram

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Mi Esposo Talentoso



I know I often brag about how good looking my husband is, but he's also become quite the talented designer/carpenter. I've tried to embed photos of his handiwork here, but if it doesn't work, you may have to go to this link.

I suggest magnifying the photos to get a better look at the furniture. It's really nice! I hope we're able to start importing to the States soon, so that you all can put in your orders. It's been so fun this last month seeing so many of you, and I can't wait for December to be able to see the rest.

Love you!

Tension Me

When Valerie was 3, she was with me at UVa and I was working with my collegue Maxillande (from Benin, totally awesome African girl whom I miss desperately, she is now at CalTech) and we were working in The Frog Room. Valerie was on the moveable stairs as Max and I worked and she kept saying "TENSION ME!" when she wanted our attention. I remember that so well. I wish I had it on video, it was so cute. Max and I and now Valerie will say "Tension Me!" when we are trying to be heard.

Anyway, Valerie is wanting you all to see her invention on her blog. It was quite the fun to come up with an invention, then to create it, but it came together well. Take a look at Rapunzel's Secret ;-)

Good to be from the West

I came across a pretty interesting article today. It's about Utah's low unempolyment rate and some reasons why it is so low. Idaho isn't too far behind, probably for some of the same reasons.

http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12480476

More Punkin Chunkin

I don't know how many of you saw on my blog when I talked about my Punkin Chunkin adventure,  but I just discovered a clip of us on The Science Channel's website!


We're about 1:00 into the clip with a big, bearded dude dressed like a Renaissance woman, saying, "Watch Punkin Chunkin on the Science Channel!"  You have to look close...but I'm to the left of bearded Renaissance woman dude, peeking out from behind him.  

Everyone should seriously watch it when they do the special on Thanksgiving.  I think it's on at 9pm, EST.  It's really a fascinating event.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Colby Got a Way-Past-Due-Haircut

Check out this mullet! He always looks so old after we cut his hair. He's such a cute boy!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Changes...

Dad will probably kill me for putting this photo in, but.... It is from a trip we took to Lake Powell many years ago with our Highland friends. Just wanted to let everyone know that Dad has been called to the University Second Stake high council. He has been assigned to the 6th ward, coincidentally the ward Scotty Christensen and his wife Stephanie belong to. Everyone keeps telling us how much we will love it. I am sure we will. Dan Hegsted is the guy who called to make our interview appointment. He was our kind of back yard neighbor when we lived up by Highland. Dad knows a number of people serving up there. Mike McHugh's wife, who was at the same meeting last night, or at least for part of it said, "yes, mike and tony go way back." hahaha Tony gets set apart on Sunday. We will start attending the ward that same day. As a result, I will be released in the next week or two. Sad, sad for me. I have loved this calling. We have so many incredible, spiritual women in our stake, and I have been privileged to meet a few of them. I will really miss our ward and the stake. But, I know it is the right thing. I have had some inspiration about the new Stake Relief Society Pres., so I know things are happening as they should. I will love it, I am sure. Anyway, the distinguished man in the photo will be working with ISU students now. One other bit of news, Eldon and Marcia have been called the the Eugene Oregon mission, and will report Jan 12. Mike and Dana will be moving into their home. Their home is for sale. I am not rereading this for errors, so if there are errors, correct them in your head. love you all. xoxoxo mom

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

A Really Cool Camo Cast


I took Jack to the orthopedic doctor yesterday morning. I have to make several trips to the car just to leave. I had to carry Jack and the diaper bag to the car, head back into the house, get Cole and the xrays. Remember, our garage is not attached to our house, its only about 29 degrees out, there is snow around and we have to use the side door that leads to the sidewalk because the grass is worn and muddy. Oh, and of course I have left 10 minutes later than I wanted to because I had to change Cole again because he really spit up all over his clothes. It was a struggle to say the least. We got to the office on a prayer. I hadn't been there before and had only glanced at the google map. I knew the area vaugely. I had to park away from the front door quite a ways and wondered how I would get in with an infant carseat and a sleeping child, xrays and my diaper bag. I am sure it was an interesting sight. We got in quickly, saw the student and then the doctor. He confirmed what we already knew and tried very hard to get on Jackson's good side. He was a bit too enthusiastic for Jack. The hard part came when he had to get a full leg cast on. I had to hold Jack's body, the student held his right leg and the doctor and the casting guy put the cast on as fast as they could. Jack fought the whole way through and just into is Cole started crying. I then had to hold Jack's leg and upper body while the student held Cole. After the cast was complete we tried to get Jack to ride in a wheel chair and he would have nothing to do with that. The student then had to carry Cole out for me while I carried Jack, pantless and it was only about 30 degrees out. The cold didn't bother him at all.


Overall he has been a great sport about it all, walking around, just slower, much to my liking. He sits in the stroller and we have to carry him to and from the car. I was completely exhausted by the time we got home. I did get a nap but by 7pm I was wasted again. It didn't help that Colin had to be on call last night.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

He's gone and done it!


At just 2 1/2 years old my extreme child has his first fracture. Today, about 4:30pm, Jack decided to stand on the arm rest of our desk chair and jump off. The chair fell over and when I ran into the room he was laying on the floor with the chair on his leg. I could tell he was very hurt by his cry and by the way he held on to me. Normally he cries and then is off and running again. I calmed him down and tried to get him to walk on it but he wouldn't. I called Colin and he was about 1/2 hour away from home. I knew in my gut that it was probably pretty bad, Jack just never complains about being hurt. I made an appointment with my pediatrician but when Colin got home we decided to just go strait to the ER. I guess they took an xray of his foot and found nothing so they xrayed his leg. Colin said it is a buckle or torus fracture on his fibula almost to his knee. I just said to my sister yesterday, "I can't believe he hasn't broken his neck." Well thankfully it is only an incomplete fracture. Colin is not yet home from the ER so I will post pictures of Jack later. I guesss they put a hard splint on it tonight and I have to call the orthopedic tomorrow to get it cast Meanwhile, here is a picture of the chair. The armrest is about 30 inches from the ground.

Who's that girl?

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Christmas Names 2008

Christmas Countdown Pictures, Images and Photos

I realized yesterday that we are a little less than a month and a half from Christmas. AH!! I can't believe how fast this year has gone! Anyway, awhile ago mom asked me to do the adult names and I'm just getting around to it. I was also in charge of the kids names, so I'll just post them on here too if anyone forgets/forgot. Here we go:

KIDS
Asher->Lilia
Colby->Cole
Cole->Colby
Elliot->Jack
Eva->Elliot
Grace->Mia
Jack->Grace
Lilia->Valerie
Maggie->Eva
Mia->Asher
Valerie->Maggie

ADULTS
Abby->Ray
Alex->Lori
Becky->Jason
Colin->Abby
Crystal->Colin
Dana->Matt
Jason->Crystal
Les->Dana
Lori->Becky
Matt->Les
Ray->Alex

I only had to do a tiny bit of switcheroo of the names I drew from names people had last year. Have fun shopping!

WAYYYYY too fun









Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Do you feel like this yet Dana and Jason?

We are in Yuma!

Hello everyone. Grandpa and I are in Yuma enjoying the lovely warm weather and Leslie's visit. As soon as she got here she came in to use my computer and immediately told me I was WAY behind times and needed to speed things up. (does she know I am 79). So I will soon have faster access to the internet...something new for me to learn.
Grandpa is doing quite well. He tires out easily and is getting better about taking his pain pills when he needs them. All in all he feels better just being in Yuma. We saw all of our old friends in church Sunday and it was a great home-coming. It was wonderful spending time with our boys on the way down here and they made sure that grandpa and I had nothing difficult to do in getting settled. They did it all. How blessed we are with our family--out children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
I will keep you posted on anything newsworthy from our neck of the woods.
Love always,
Grandma

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

You Caught Me Rockin' Out!

I was talking to Dad tonight, and he had never heard this story. I am soliciting responses from all of you--your version of the Kim Garrity-Dana story "You caught me rocking' out". Hope you are all doing well. xoxo mom

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Believe All Things

I just came across a great blog called Believe All Things. It's a blog hosted by members of the church and they discuss all kinds of issues we face in the world today. I'm sure many of you have probably seen it before, but I just found it. If you haven't seen it yet, you really should. And do it when you have some time because there is a lot of very good stuff on it. You should especially watch the videos about Proposition 8 and the Catholic Vote 2008 ad. http://www.believeallthings.com/

Since the election and the outcome of Proposition 8 and all the press it's getting, I have really been spending a lot of time researching it and reading what the church has to say on marriage, specifically, the definition of marriage. It has totally energized me. I feel a spirit right now that I haven't felt in a long time. This issue is so incredibly important to our society and no one but members of our church really understand why. That isn't entirely true I guess because our church members made up a huge minority of voters who voted on Prop 8. But I think our church places this issue much higher than anyone else does. If the definition of marriage was redefined it would do more damage to our society than anything else up to this point in history has done. In certain places in Europe where it has been legally redifined there are preachers who may be prosecuted and sent to prison for preaching that same sex marriage is a sin. Because it has been redefined, there are civil rights that go along with it, which legally must be recognized. The ironic thing is, if it does pass, those fighting for same sex marriages lose nothing because they already have protected rights in CA. But if it does not pass, everyone else have everything to lose.

My opinions about the issue haven't changed, they are just much stronger. This will be one of the most important issues of our time.

Anyway, did anyone else catch the Office on Thursday? Hilarious.
Colin

Okay, Okay, I get it...

So, we got an invitation a couple of weeks ago for a birthday party for a little girl in Grace's class. I showed it to Grace and she was really excited-it was at a gymnastics place and it looked like it would be really fun. I thought the date of the party was yesterday, Saturday. Upon further examination I discovered that the party was actually TODAY, Sunday. I went back and forth internally over this. I discussed it with Ray, trying to rationalize a reason to let her go-I already told her about it, it's just a birthday party, she won't have to miss church-it's at 3:00, etc.

By the time I left for church I had pretty much decided that I would let Grace go to the party. I hadn't discussed this with her at all and I really think she had forgotten about the party. I was going to tell her after church. Well, Elliot is coming down with a cold, so he and Maggie stayed home with Ray today for the first half of church (I went home after my primary class so Ray could go to young mens), so I could really pay attention in sacrament meeting. The first speaker, youth speaker, was supposed to give a talk about one of the commandments. She chose "Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee". Okay, I'm starting to feel a little uncomfortable, but still talking myself into it. The next speaker gets up and talks about, guess what, keeping the sabbath day holy!! She spelled out exactly what that means and I couldn't rationalize any more. Grace couldn't go to the party.

As I sat and thought about this, I realized that a lot of this was coming from my own insecurities. I want Grace to have lots of friends. I did not have a lot of friends growing up, especially in grade school, and it was really painful for me. I don't want my kids to go through that. I was afraid that by denying Grace this opportunity she would be left out of some special club, or something. I was comforted as I was going over all of this in my mind by the fact that Grace has an unusually large amount of little girls her age at church who are all her friends, and I know that she and I will be blessed if we are obedient to this commandment. So, when I got home I called Sierra's mom and let her know that Grace couldn't come, but that she has a present to give to her at school tomorrow. I considered just not mentioning it to Grace, but knew that it could be a very good lesson for her. I explained to her why she couldn't go to the party and she was really upset...for about 2 minutes, then she was fine. Then we sat down and Grace made a birthday card for Sierra. I felt much better after all of this was taken care of, and I know that Grace and I both learned a powerful lesson about being obedient to all of Heavenly Father's commandments.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Lil Bill O'Reilley

If you haven't seen this, you need to. It's very funny, especially if you are like me and don't care for the real Bill O'Reilley. It's especially funny if you watch this, then watch the real interview.
Enjoy,
Colin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK631vOJ9LY

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Bruised Heels

So I got a voicemail from Jason today, offering his election condolences, and asking me if I was "mourning the loss of the Republican Party, and wondering if the whole country was going to go down in shambles?" Sorry I didn't get back to you Jason, but this post will be my response. Actually, last night and this morning I was feeling pretty forlorn, being sure that the world would soon be going to Hell in a handbasket. And, I still think it may do, but then in a rare moment of meditation, I had an epiphany, what I would like to think of as a little spiritual prompting to give me some solace. So, I'll share it here with all of you.

As most of you are endowed, you will get my drift. Having recently served a two-month stint as #1 on the I.F. Temple endowment cast, I pretty much have the script memorized. I focus on it in that setting, but I don't often contemplate it out of the blue. This morning was different. I don't know what lead to it, but a certain part of the ceremony just popped into my mind, and I found myself mentally reciting it over and over. You can read the essentials of it in Moses 4, but I'll just synopsize and paraphrase it here to protect the temple version, and still get you to the applicable principle. As with most things in the temple, this is highly symbolic, but of course it thereby makes a powerful point. It relates to the episode where Adam and Eve have succumbed to the Satan's enticement and then admitted their transgression to the Father. He then calls Lucifer onto the scene and gives him a chance to explain himself. Lucifer attempts to minimize his guilt by blaming his actions on tradition, but otherwise directly admits what he has done - even the father of lies knows better than to lie to God. The Father then curses him, equating him with a serpent, a snake, to crawl on his belly and eat dust for eternity. Always having more insolence than brains, Lucifer then arrogantly threatens that if cursed, he will get even by wreaking all sorts of havoc, even to the point of having his followers possess the physical bodies of God's children. To that, the Father suggests the futility of such vengence because He will place enmity between Lucifer and the "Seed of the Woman," a reference which we know refers to Christ, the Savior and the God of this world. Then, again applying the serpant symbol, the Father qualifies that while the applied state of enmity will allow Lucifer sufficient power to bruise the Savior's heel, or in other words, to create some degree of opposition against the Savior's cause, the Savior will have the power to crush the serpent's head, or in other words, to negate his efforts and ultimately bind him for eternity.

That's it, and not knowing why, I mentally recited ver batim the script 2-3 times before I realized what it was supposed to mean to my present concerns. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not suggesting that our new president-elect, nor any of the majority democrat congress represent Satan in any way. I believe that although much of their ideology is misguided, they have good intentions, and I want to give them a chance to do the right things, once they recognize the full gravity of our country's present state. At the least we can hope that the remaining republicans and a mojority of the democrats will sense the need for moderation, to control the more extreme voices of their bodies. I sincerely hope they can turn things around. We should all pray for them, and us in that regard.

However, countering this hope, I concurrently believe that the lack of respect for life, the entitlement mentatlity and the lack of personal accountability that have become so prevalent in our country, and that are so openly promoted by the far left agenda, are in fact Satan's ways. Our country's diminishing dependence on God is certainly Satan's way. I also believe that anything that would challenge our rule of law, our divinely inspired constitution or that would promote socialism is Satan's way. I also believe that any measure that would diminish America's support of Israel is Satan's way (1 Nephi 21:21-22, Mormon 8:21.) I believe these are evil developements, which are a result of Satan's influence on man as he attempts to thwart the Savior's plan. We see increasing levels of these interests among our politcal leaders, both new and old. We see our countrymen's attitudes progressively giving way to these lamentable philosophies and practices, and I have feared that it could ultimately take our country down (Ether 2:8-12.)

So, this is where I've been lately, and I have feared that Satan has been winning. However, my above experience has put it into perspective, and I now see our present circumstance as simply a good heel bruising - we're experiencing a good case of plantar fasciitis - and although it is painful, it will not kill us if at least some of us remain righteous. Ultimately, through His atonement, the Savior will crush the serpent's head. Only the gospel and the atonement can provide that hope.
Dad

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

7 quirky things about myself

1. I love numbers. They are running through my head all the time. I can't adequately describe it, sometimes i add them and divide them to get a median number, sometimes i average them, when people talk about numbers in talks, speeches, i start adding, subtracting and dividing to see if what they said is true. it is pretty obsessive. I even had an even number of children. I take full credit for Elliot, it is an organization thing.

2. Do Sudoku all the time (see number 1)

3. I sometimes get distracted when i am talking on the phone, mainly to family members. Sorry everyone, it is my multitasking gene forcing its way to the surface.

4. I cannot go to sleep without saying my prayers, and if i do, because of extreme fatigue, i don't sleep well.

5. I am the rules queen. Rules were made for us to obey. and everyone else should be keeping them too!

6. I like the dishwasher loaded MY WAY.

7. I don't want a job, but I work for free--4 to 6 hours a week.

Tagged--I'll have dad do this too

8 shows I love to watch
Fringe
Eli Stone
NCIS
BYU Devotionals
Price is Right
Wheel of Fortune
The Office
Ugly Betty

8 Things that Happened Yesterday
Went out walking (this is as exciting as it gets)
Had FHE with Dad--read from Preach My Gospel
Did the Washing
Drove to IF for a Temple Devotional
Watched a guy win a car on Price is Right--total long shot, Lucky 7, used $5 on his first number--for those of you who watch the show--Drew Carey was as excited as the guy who won.
Posted a blog
Stayed up too late
Talked to my mom
Lunch at Olive Garden

8 places I love to eat
Mama Inez
Olive Garden
Baja Fresh
Chick Fil-A
Macaroni Grill
In and Out
5 Guys
Senor Iguanas

8 Things I am Looking forward to
Retirement
Thanksgiving
Christmas
Grandbaby #12
Grandbabies #13-...
The Millenium
Everyone being in the temple together when Abby gets married
Peace on Earth



8 Things on my wish list

Get island chandellier put up
paint kitchen
paint bedrooms downstairs
recarpet stairs
Thanksgiving
Abby coming for Thanksgiving and Christmas
Becky and fam coming for Thanksgiving
Leslie and Alex coming for Christmas
Colin and Lori moving back to the west
Great new job for Matt
Asher sleeping through the night
Seeing my grandchildren any time
seeing becky, ray, grace, elliot and maggie next week

8 people I will tag

valerie, crystal, pennygale, shirley, grandma christensen (my mom), heather christensen, hilary christensen, leslie, abby,

now how do i tag people?

Great blog!!

I was reading a comment on Crystal's blog that led me to another food storage/emergency prep blog and started looking at it. It seems to be a great resource and guide. Just wanted to share.
http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/

Monday, November 3, 2008

It can't be November!




Hi everyone,
It is a beautiful fall day in Pocatello. It has been kind of rainy the last few days, and there are lots of leaves on the ground. It is cool, but not really cold yet. Anyway, we are doing fine here at home. Dad continues to work on the crib. Things are getting busier at the office. Grandma and Grandpa left Friday, and Gerald and Scott drove them down and cleaned everything that needed to be cleaned up inside and out down there. Grandma and Grandpa are blissfully happy, back with their friends. Gerald retired officially last week. No more railroad. Did I tell you Gloria has uterine cancer, stage 2? Not good news for Connie. Andrew, Brooke's little boy is getting baptized I think the end of this month. He has been seeing the missionaries. Election day tomorrow. Yikes. I am praying already for whoever wins. We will miss most of the hype, since we will be at the temple. We are getting a new temple presidency tomorrow. It will be interesting to see those changes. The new president is from Pocatello.

I wanted to send all of you a link to this talk I heard on KBYU. It is an excellent treatise (good word, huh?) on the importance of the family being defined as one man and one woman. Here is the link. Go to this page http://www.byub.org/devotionals/?selectedMonth=10&selectedYear=2008 and click on:

Tuesday, October 28, 2008
On the Moral Purposes of Law and Govenment
Robert George

I hope everyone is doing well, getting your food storage a little bit at a time, teaching your children and yourselves the gospel. Take care of yourselves. I love you all. xoxoxo mom