Elle Goes to Oakcrest

Now this was totally trippy for me. I couldn't not believe that Elle was old enough to go to Oakcrest!!! What in the world?! I have thee best memories of Oakcrest as a young girl. I got to go twice and this will be Elle's only opportunity to go. She was a little nervous at first and wasn't completely sure who to go with. I was so glad that Brianna had moved into the ward a few months before. She's the only other girl Elle's age. I was so grateful that she had a partner. The closer it came the more excited Elle became. I told her so many of my memories. Can't believe how clear they all still are. - Another fun thing was that Toby and I got to go up since he's in the bishopric. We thought she'd be so excited to see us when we first got there but it was more of a big smile and wave and then she kept on with her friends. Guess I was happy that she was getting along so well with them. She had wonderful experiences, LOVED her counselor, and loved the new friends she made. We on the other hand missed her desperately and were so anxious to get her home. She is a very loved girl here in the Christensen home.

Grandma Christensen

We always love any opportunity to go visit Grandma June. She is just so special and all the kids love her so much. This was the first time we'd seen her with oxygen so I thought the kids would be a little apprehensive but not at all. Especially Tate. He just climbed up right next to her and wrapped his arm around her next. He is the most loving little boy. While we were up in her room Kemp somehow knocked a snow globe off of her window sill and it shattered. Kemp completely lost it. Cried and cried and cried. When he tried to tell her sorry he couldn't even open his eyes. She just took him up in her arms and told him a story of when she was a little girl and her and her siblings broke a neighbors window. Then she followed up with, "Also it's Sunday and I always forgive on Sundays." hahah She is just as funny and witty as ever. Sure love our time with her.

Friends

These girls. They've been with me for more than half of my life. They've been through every up and down and everything in-between. We shared so many laughs and cried and had so many meaningful talks and so many pointless talks. We have more memories than I can count. I'm so thankful for their friendship. At this point they are more like sisters and I'm so grateful. 

Movie in the Park, Chicago Concert, Manti Pageant, Tj's Play, Movies, etc.

The good times have begun! Man I love summer! We've already been able to fit so much in and we've been having a blast! One of my favorite things to do is go to a movie in the park and when the Scera outdoor park was showing the Greatest Showman we jumped on it! We are all so in love with that movie and it was so much fun watching it on the big screen outside at night. We went to a Chicago concert with friends that was honestly terrible because they played all of their new songs and only like 2 of their greatest hits....but we had a wonderful time with all the old ward friends. We love them. We also went to the Manti pageant with the Stevens, Ashbys, and Rothes and that was neat to experience that with our kids. They won't be doing the pageant any more and we didn't know that when we went so I was so glad we got to do that one last time. I remember doing it as a kid so I wanted my children to have that memory as well. We went to Daybreak and watched one of Tj's play which was super fun. He is very talented in Theater and singing. We've taken the kids to some movies which they always seem to love. I also love these pictures with our home teacher Bro. Stevens and Tate's teacher Sis. Friess. We are surrounded by such wonderful people in this ward. It really does take a village.

Tate Turns SIX

Tate turns SIX!!! Oh how we love this boy!!! He is everything that is good in this world. We had the best time celebrating him. First we went up to Pineview to a house that Lindsay and her family were staying at and we swam and ate and had a great time with them. It was Lindsay's birthday too so I think Tate felt special like they were celebrating it together. It was the most beautiful home and surrounding views. Then we drove straight to Alpine and had a swim party up at Kathy's for him. Then the celebrating kept going and we came back to his house for food and cake and ice cream and presents. My parents gave Tate the cutest little jeep that he drove up and down the neighborhood the whole night. It was awesome. I hope he felt loved and adored because he certainly is. His smile can light up an entire stadium. Happy 6th birthday Tate! Please stop growing now!!!