Once Again...

Jeff and I were getting ready to leave yesterday afternoon and walked outside and found 2 more cans of formula sitting on our front steps. I am so amazed by people's generosity and kindness. I don't know if this is the same people who did this last time, or if it's someone else. But whoever you are THANK YOU. You really have no idea how much this helps us out. We are so appreciative of your kindness and want you to know how touched we are. Like I said before, I make an amazing batch of chocolate chip cookies that I would LOVE to bring you, if only I knew who you were.

Gosh I'm Lucky

We had our family pictures done by Michelle and she did such a great job. As I was going through them I just thought, dang I have a cute little family. I have been so blessed to have a mom and a dad who love me unconditionally. I adore my brother and sister (and I think they kinda like me too!) We all get along so great and enjoy spending time together. There really isn't ever any drama that goes on with us. We truley are blessed to have each other.

Playing In The Snow

After it snowed on Saturday, the girls wanted to go out and make a snowman. The snow wouldn't pack, so they decided to make snow angles instead.

Annual Christensen Family Christmas Party

Yesterday afternoon we had our Annual Christensen Christmas Party and it was a lot of fun. Jeff's family was in charge of it this year and we had soup and salad, rolls and lots of cookies. A few years ago Jeff's parents made these awesome chimes that are all different lengths. And then each chime is numbered. There are music sheets that have the numbers on them. You read the papers like sheet music and when your number comes up, you ding your chime. Jeff's mom had people come up and she gave them each a chime and then we would have to guess the song they were playing. It was a lot of fun even though the families chime dinging skills could use a little work!

We also had a special visitor come to take kids requests for Christmas. Hallie was scared to death last year, so I wasn't sure how she was going to react this year, being it her first encounter with him since last year. But as soon as he came in she followed him around and was yelling,
"I want you to bring me dress-ups!" She wasn't scared this year at all.
Korver got to sit on Santa's lap for the very first time this year. He told Santa he would like a high chair. Just a side note: Santa if you're reading this, if you could have your elves "make" some of that really expensive formula, that would be AWESOME! ;)

Abbi asked for a Littlest Pet Shop Gym that she's been eyeing up at the store.

Every time the Christensen's get together it amazes me to look around and think that two people started all this. Now there are so many people that we fill an entire cultural hall. Everything turned out really great and I'm sure that Jeff's mom and dad are glad to have their turn over for a few years. I think everyone had a lot of fun.

And In Other News...

Mr. K is smiling! He loves it when we talk to him and gives us a big open mouthed grin every time we do. I even got him to giggle for the first time yesterday. I tickled his neck and he laughed and laughed. It was so cute! This is the funnest part of being a parent, I think. I love each time my kids learn or do something they've never done before. It was almost as Korver was just as surprised as I was at the noise that came out of him. He is such a fun baby. He's so content and happy most of the time.

This is my favorite picture of my two boys having fun together.

A New Friend In Our Home

Last Monday night, our family was sitting in the family room watching t.v. when we heard a knock at the door. The kids ran to see who it was and found a box with a big white envelope addressed to us attached to it. We opened the box to find a special friend who will be staying with us this Christmas. It was an elf who we had to name and adopt as our own. The name we choose for her is Rosie. Rosie watches us all day and then at night, she goes back to Santa's workshop to help Santa make toys and report on how our family is doing. She's a funny little elf in that she's forgetful and forgets where she was last in our home. So each day when we wake up, we have to search for her. She has been in the craziest of places. We have found her hanging from decorations, on top of the cupboard, hanging from the light, and doing a headstand on our banister. It's always fun to look around the house and see where Rosie has wound up. Rosie can't be touched because she will lose her magic. And we were told in the letter that if we are good, Rosie will return to us next year. The kids (and us) are having so much fun with her. I really hope that she keeps coming back to us.

I Love These Two

I just want to take a minute and blog about my awesome parents. I love them so much. They are constantly doing things for Jeff and I. Whenever we need someone to tend they are the first in line. My mom always goes the extra mile to make things fun at holidays. She's an amazing cook and an unbelievable mom and grandma. My dad is so funny and caring. He's so great to play with my kiddos when they are there. I seriously couldn't ask for better parents and I'm so lucky. Michelle took our family pictures last Sunday and she captured exactly as I see my mom and dad. I absolutely love this picture of the two of them together.

Lunch Anyone?

A few months ago Jordann had such a good idea to get together with all 3 of the kids birthmom's and go to lunch. We finally were able to nail down a date that would work for all of us and meet together at Olive Garden. It was so much fun. I get a little emotional looking at these pictures thinking that all 3 of these special girls chose me to be the mommy of their babies. ME, out of all the other mom's in the books. I truly feel like the luckiest person in the world sometimes.

This picture was taken by my-up-and-coming photographer daughter, Abbi. That's why we're all kind of looking down.

Hallie, Jordann, Abbi, Teressa holding Rain, Michelle holding Korver.Teressa and Abbi

Jordann and Hallie

Michelle and Korver

It was so much fun to all get together. They had never met each other before (Michelle and Jordann had met once, briefly.) We had a good time chatting and hanging out. We decided that we're going to do it once a month and I'm really happy about that. It was fun having them all together.

Finding Our Perfect Tree

Last year Jeff and I decided to start some traditions with our kids. One of which was to go cut down our own Christmas tree. So the day after Thanksgiving we headed out to find our perfect tree (after buying a permit, of course.) After we found a patch of pines, we found one pretty quickly. We were able to put the truck in 4 wheel drive and drive right up to our tree. The girls got out with Jeff to help him cut it down. Korver and I stayed inside the truck where it was warm.

I love this tradition that we've started and hope that Jeff is up to keeping this one up. It's kind of a long drive, but the kids had fun watching Christmas movies on the way there and back. We always grab something to eat on the way and some treats for the ride. I love the tree this year, too. It was the perfect size for my tiny little house. I tease with Jeff that when I get my bigger house we're going to be like Clark Griswald in Christmas Vacation and have to tie it to the top of the car to get it home.

This Kid Melts Me

One day Abbi and I took a bunch of pictures of Korver. He pulled so many faces in a matter of just a couple minutes. He's getting so big I can hardly stand it. I just want him to stay little and cuddley forever. But I know that won't happen. I can already see it in his face that this kid is going to go places.

I LOVE the look he gets on his face when he cries. I think it's the cutest thing ever.
Big yawns.

Korver is starting to smile so much at us. I'll be holding him while watching t.v. and look down and he's just grinning away at me. Then when I talk to him he talks right back. He is such a cutie.