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, September 27, 2009

An Interesting Twist and A Cute Baby

Now here is an interesting twist on an old product.


This is Crystal's favorite flavor of ice cream. Are there any feelings about this one?

Here is a video of our little slugger taking a few steps. There goes our little butt-ler growing up right in front of us.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

CONTRABAND

OK everyone, regarding our recent junket to Vegas, here's what you've all been secretly waiting for -- the illicitly taken photos (on my cell phone) of Donny and Marie.
After Mom dragged me kicking and screaming into the concert, I actually had a good time after all - taking pictures, contrary to theater rules - NO PHOTOS! - and they mean it.

This of course, is the lovely Marie - moves pretty good for a 50 year old woman with what, 5, 6 kids? And, she doesn't sweat as much as Donny. Due to my clandestine capabilities, I got this primo piece without being detected - note the low focal angle.

Next, the questionable figure of a man in the beam of light? No, it's not an angel as some of you might think, and as Michelle Wilde thought. It's Donny playing the piano and singing "Crazy Horses". Shortly before this, he actually hugged Michelle (wish I had caught that one.) She was in Heaven. I had to take this piece at a higher, compromised angle. Larry Kemp was supposed to have my back, but he must have been sleeping because the female bouncer blindsided me with a strong tap on the shoulder and a firm reminder of "the rule." She mercilessly berated me in front of the audience, but then let me stay, and keep my phone. Knowing they were onto me, I stayed low profile, phone in pocket from then on -- but too late, I had already gotten this hot item of Donny. By the way, copyright honor system applies here. If you black market these photos, I get a piece of the action.

Our camera was not terribly prolific on this trip, but we did manage to get a few other photos.
This is some fake gondola at the Venetian Hotel on The Strip. These boatmen sing and move their paddle around like they're doing something, but each boat is actually pulled by a tether that goes into a track at the bottom of the fake river.

And, last, but certainly not least, this is the lovely Debby contemplating shopping inside the mall of the opulent Venetian Hotel. I'm sure she considered getting me one of the Rolex watches from one shop, but the price tag (a mere $17,000) scared her away. We're pretty good window shoppers in places like that. Sorry about the blur.
That evening, walking back to our off-Strip Marriott, we happened onto a CSI unit (the real one) investigating a hit and run/attempted murder of a bike cop right there on The Strip. Mangled his bike, but he was OK. He fired 6 or 7 shots at the perps, but they got away. I was disappointed that none of the people from the TV show were there.
Overall, a good time was had by all.
THE END

Happy Birthday Asher!!!!!!!!!!!!



On Friday I was in the grocery store and since Asher wasn't feeling so good I was holding him. At random some older guy came up to me and asked "Did you ever think you could love something so much?" Of course I knew he was talking about Asher and I said "No I didn't."

One year ago today our little fighter was born. Unfortunately he was immediately rushed off to the NICU at UVA where he spent the first week of his life. Miraculously he survived which is one of the reasons we call him our little fighter. He must have really wanted to come to our family. The first time I got to hold him was the first night he was in the NICU. It was touching to me that I was able to rock him to sleep. He still is a very sweet little baby boy. I am glad that I have been allowed to be his father. He has grown up a lot this past year and so have I.

Happy Birthday Asher! Thank you for what a blessing you've been!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Conference Expectations

Seeing this


on NieNie's blog (she is in it) made me SO EXCITED about conference!!

What do you guys want to hear about!? I always love Elder Holland's talks and Elder Bednar's as well.

I want to hear about endurance and the ability to smile through tears and scariness.

I want to hear about the love of family and the plan of salvation.

I can hardly wait to hear from President Monson. I love him. So much.

How about all of you?!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Hi Everyone!

We are home from a trip with our long time friends--the Wildes, Woods and Kemps. We got to see Donny and Marie. Scoff if you will...they are great entertainers. Michelle even got a hug from Donny--her favorite performer of all time.

I just want to recommend to all of you my friend's blog. Remember my roommate reunion in August--she was there. I have told most of you that my college roommate, jill porter ehorn foy, has been dealing with lung cancer for the last few months. Her blog is listed under 'jilletta', on the list of blogs of valued associates. She put in a wonderful entry tonight. She is my hero. I hope you all know how much we love you. xoxoxo mom

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Book of Mormon Reading

I was just wondering... This summer Dana posted a challenge to read the Book of Mormon as a family. I know Matt reads on all his breaks at work... I read at night. I am in Ether... Just beginning... Where are you all?

Monday, September 7, 2009

Sunday, September 6, 2009

More Reunion Photos

Hi Everybody! Sorry it's taken me so long to pass these along. It was so much fun to see everyone together in the same place...definitely built some solid memories for me. Love you all!

TIME TO VOTE!!

Which is your favorite family picture? Look at them and choose. I put multiple options because I had a hard time choosing 1, so you are allowed 2 choices if you want, but hopefully no more than that.
(Mom did you already pick one?)

Saturday, September 5, 2009

I married the antithesis of a walmart shopper.

You will NEVER BELIEVE WHAT I SAW AT WAL-MART

I was once listening to the radio show Kid Kraddic in the Morning and Big Al Mac said you always have to count on a mutant factor whenever you shop at Wal-Mart. He also mentioned something to the effect of "You'll never guess what I saw at Wal-Mart!"

After viewing these pictures I'm glad Crystal has boycotted Wal-Mart and that we shop at Target.

So enjoy a good laugh on us. Who knows maybe you'll see someone you know.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Hey, I've a great idea! Let's make the BIBLE more politcally correct...


I saw this tonight and it just made my stomach hurt. "let's revise a revised version of something revised many times before and still refer to it as SCRIPTURE!"

That is a TERRIBLE idea. People are crazy.

I told Matt once that I was part of a Womens' Bible study (I actually loved it and miss it every day) and the interesting thing was someone would say "ok, let's read Proverbs 31" (which was the focus of a YEAR of study) and out of 30 or so women present, there were AT LEAST 10 versions of "the Bible." It was unheard of for the smaller groups (4-5 women) to have the same scriptures. A lot of the discussion would be woman and after woman taking a turn to say what "her" scriptures said verse by verse and compare and contrast with everyone else's.

It would drive me CRAZY to try to pay attention to the sermon and consult my scriptures (I had King James AND NIV) and compare what they said -v- what the preacher's said and the various interpretations of all.

A lot of people found this just awesome- to get so many points of view and "better" understand how the scriptures speak to everyone; me... I found it insane and I kept thinking, "they can't possibly ALL be right..."

That was one thing I LOVED when the missionaries came to teach me.

Anyway. The NIV is the MOST USED by Christians today and it is being re-written... how interesting is that?!

When Highlanders get bored

Watch. Just watch. Please.



Baa Vinci!!