Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Christmas Morning




Christmas was pretty fun this year because Gavin was old enough to figure out how to unwrap presents. He loved getting new toys but I think he loved ripping the paper more. Gavin and Garrett got matching PJ's, thanks to my wonderful bro-in-law, Chad. Gavin got this cool kid-sized chair, which he thinks is pretty cool. Santa brought us a Wii and he brought Garrett Guitar Hero. Not sure how I feel about that yet...
After the traditional breakfast and gifts at my parent's house, we went for the traditional minestrone soup and Grandma Gerry's homemade rolls at Grandpa Christensen's house. Then it was back to my parent's house for yummy ham and roll sandwiches and games. What a day! All in all, we had a wonderful Christmas weekend.

Oh Christmas Tree


I'm usually dying to put the tree up but this year, it took me almost 3 weeks to finish the decorative touches. The boxes sat in the kitchen for way too long. I just thought I'd post a picture for all to see.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Growing Up

I can't belive my baby just turned 1! Can anyone tell me how to slow the growing process? I swear, the past 12 months just flew by!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Someone Else's Bucket List

I stole this list from someone else's blog and I find it interesting. I've made lists of my own like this in the past but I like to refer to this one as a means of comparing myself (I know, it's never a good thing to compare yourself to anyone) and see where I measure up. My 'accomplishments' are in bold.

I guess what I glean from this activity is that while I may feel frustrated at my current situation as a young working mother, I have still done a few things in my time.

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band (does middle school count?)

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris (I guess the airport doesn’t count)

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train (The sleeping part is a bit iffy)

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23.Taken a sick day when you're not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (here’s the kicker – I was there but didn’t do it because I'm too cheap)

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (I'm glad the person who wrote this list was smart enough to use satisfied rather than happy)

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo's David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa - this should be closer to the top on my list. I'll get there someday!

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business (boy, what an adventure)

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (no, but I’ve sure enjoyed them)

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma (I tried, but I passed out at the finger prick, and I've been using that excuse ever since)

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt (I bought the fabric, cut it out, and didn't dare sew it together)

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone's life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake (The swimming is a bit iffy. Does standing in the water holding your nose count?)

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee