Happy, Happy Birthday Jason Dear

So no sooner had the dust settled from Tegan's birthday and baptism, than it was time for Jason's birthday! Poor Jason. He gets lost in the shuffle a little bit with his birthday so close to Tegan's. We talked about it when I was pregnant with Tegan, and Jason, who was so happy at the prospect of his impending fatherhood, told me that the baby was his birthday present. Having seen what multiple birthdays so close to each other was like in my mom's experience, who had a child three days before her birthday and another one three days after, I warned him that it may not be so great, but Jason stayed firm. He was pleased to share his birthday week with our baby.

Fast forward eight years, and for the eighth year in a row, I have forgotten Jason's birthday until there isn't enough time to do anything about it! This year was no exception. When you think about it, I never had a chance. What with Disneyworld and then Tegan's baptism, Jason's birthday was the last thing on my mind! It wasn't until yesterday that I looked at the calendar and saw that his birthday was today. Oops! I asked Jason why he didn't remind me and he just smiled and said that it was on the calendar for all to see and why didn't I just look there. Well ha, ha very funny. Then to make it even worse (if that's possible), not even one hour later I was making plans with a friend for the next night to go to a concert down at Temple Square. When I got off the phone, Jason smiled at me and asked if I really wanted to go. I had forgotten his birthday again! Well we both laughed at that one and I called back my friend and told her why I had to cancel. Funny, right? I'll try to do better next year sweetheart!

So happy birthday to you Jason! I love watching you reach a new age four years after me so I can provide you with my sage advice. I love your sense of humor and willingness to forgive my weaknesses. I have loved enjoying every year with you.

In case you were wondering, we did do something for Jason's birthday. We took him out to Chili's for a special birthday dinner.


Here is Jason enjoying his birthday buffalo chicken fajita.


Since it is Jason's birthday, we decided to splurge and share a dessert. Doesn't it look yummy?


It was very yummy! This picture was taken three minutes after the first one. It really was only three minutes! You know a digital camera will tell you the date and time a picture was taken. We loved it!

So again happy birthday my dearest, darling Jason. I'm glad you were able to hear from everyone in your family. Well everyone except for two of your brothers, and three of your sisters. And I guess technically you didn't talk to your mom. She left you a message. Wow, so who did you talk to today? Your dad and my dad. Well who cares. We all love you very much and wish you the very best! Sorry Ludlow family, I will stop teasing - eventually! It's just nice to know I'm not the only one who forgets!

I love you Jason! Thanks for being born. Thanks for growing up with such a strong testimony and staying close to the gospel. Thanks for going on a mission and then coming home and moving to Utah so you could meet and marry me. Thanks for marrying me and for raising three beautiful children with me. Happy Birthday!!

Tegan's baptism

Now that some dust has settled from our trip and having family in town, I feel like I can post about Tegan's baptism. It was a wonderful day. Tegan is really growing up and I am so proud of him! Tegan was baptized on his birthday, September 15, 2008. When my older siblings and I were baptized, we didn't live in Utah and we chose our baptism date. Because my birthday is in December, I was baptized on December 25, 1980. It has always been special for me to know the exact date that I was baptized. In talking to Tegan, he told us that he wanted to be baptized on his birthday. I thought it was great and set about to planning it. There was however a glitch. This year his birthday was on a Monday, and while I thought a baptism was a great family night activity, others felt differently. Well this meant that we needed to get special permission and have his baptism at 4:30 in the afternoon. There were some sacrifices involved, but it was all well worth it.

Here we are at the church before the baptism, still waiting for people to arrive. As you can see, we were very happy and excited.

After the baptism, we were able to stop the children from running around with their cousins long enough to take a few pictures. My sister Malauna came down from Boise with her sons Roderic and Hyrum, my sister Keturah flew in from San Francisco with her husband Brook, and even my brother Cortney and his wife Misty came with their three children, Cashton, Parker and Quinlee.

Jason's Mom (left) flew in from Phoenix with her husband Barry. My Mom (right), had to postpone some clients in order to be at the baptism. We are so glad they were both there!

We also got a fun surprise when Jason's grandparents came up from Midway. We are so blessed to have so much family who love and support us! It was great having them there.

Here we are back at my house for the birthday party. I had a really fun time posing for pictures with Malauna and Keturah. Thanks again for coming girls!


Here I am with my Mom's youngest sister, Rachelle. I have a confession to make. She is my favorite aunt. She is a couple of years older than me and has been a really good friend. I'm very glad she was able to come with her family too.

After all the dust settled, it was still Tegan's birthday, so of course we needed cake to celebrate. When he was younger and didn't have a preference for a flavor of cake, Jason and I alternated between chocolate and white. Well, now Tegan has a preference and it isn't white cake. That's okay. I can live with chocolate cake for him. I still have two other children who I hope haven't been corrupted. Only time will tell.

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend and participate in any way with Tegan's baptism. It was a very special experience.

Happy Birthday to my Teganangel

Tegan, you changed my life forever and for the better. Eight years ago I held you in my arms for the first time. You were so fragile and small and perfect! You sure did need your mom and I glad you didn't outgrow that. Remember last night when I was tucking you in and you were telling me about the book "Love You Forever?" We were talking about how you would cry at the end when the grown man rocked his mom back and forth, because you were thinking about me dying. And then you started to cry again. I love how sensitive you are. I love how much you care about other people's feelings. You never complain to me about not having friends. Everyone seems to want to be your friend, because you want people to feel good.

Today my heart could have burst with joy when you were baptized and confirmed. I know it wasn't a step you took lightly. You think things through and decide what is best. Plus, you will always ask questions, and then even more questions! You have a bright, inquisitive mind and I hope you never get sick of asking questions. I was talking to your Primary teacher after your baptism and she told me how much she loves you. We talked about your desire to do what is right. You don't choose the right because you are afraid of the negative consequences, you choose the right because you want to. You are simply amazing.

I know Dad and I put some additional responsibilities on you because you are the oldest. Thank you for shouldering those responsibilities. Your little sisters look up to you and you are a great example for them. You help them make good choices, comfort them when they are sad and show your love for them everyday.

Tegan, I truly don't know how I am so blessed as to be your mom. Like I said before, you changed my life forever when you were born. I am a better person because of you.

Thank you and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Back home again

There is nothing so good as sleeping in your own bed. After a week in a hotel, I am very ready to sleep in my bed again.

While the trip is still fresh in my mind, here are some thoughts.

September or October are great times to visit Disneyworld. As I mentioned many times, the crowds were minimal and for the most part the weather was fine. Well fine other than the constant heat and humidity. But even that wasn't so bad due to my next thought. The minimal crowds meant we stood in very few lines, and because we were there during the off-season, we were able to get some terrific discounts.

Because we went in September, we were able to take advantage of a Disney promotion which gave us a free dining plan. We just needed to stay at a Disney resort, which we were happy to do. Yes it was their cheapest resort, but believe me, we weren't there to spend the week in our hotel. Plus I didn't want to have to worry about our children messing up a fancy place. The benefit of the food package in regards to the weather was that we took at least one break, usually more, to eat in a nice air-conditioned restaurant. We got out of the sun and were able to rest and relax. Plus, did you read above where our food was free?

So when we go back next year for the Christensen Family Reunion, there are few things that I would change. It was truly an enjoyable vacation!

Day Seven: Epcot (again)

Now that the week is pretty much over and before I start writing about what we did today, I just want to make it very clear that I am exhausted! My feet and legs are really sore and I feel like every time I walk outside I am drenched in sweat. My sweat! Every morning the window of our hotel room is covered with condensation because it is so humid here! It looks like it rained every night and who knows? Maybe it did. I wouldn't know because when it is bedtime, I just fall into bed and go right to sleep. I don't remember the last time I slept this well. One morning on our way to the car, we saw a rabbit sitting in the grass, eating. It wasn't afraid of us and we got very close before it hopped away. Now, when we go to the car, Kierra calls for the rabbit and is upset that he doesn't appear. At least it is a way for us to coax her out of the room and out to the car for another fun filled day!

Seemingly in an attempt to prove wrong all the skeptics that say you never get anything free from Disney, we have had Disney castmembers give us stickers almost nonstop. At times it has felt like we couldn't approach a castmember, even to ask the time, without being given stickers. Well as you see here, Janica had too many stickers and too much time on her hands and put both to very good use! In case you can't tell, they are on her arms, legs, hands and stomach. Yes, very good use.



So today, as I promised yesterday, we went to Epcot. We had lunch reservations at the Biergarten in the Germany pavillion, so we decided to work our way around the World Showcase until lunchtime, and then decide from there. It made more sense for us to walk clockwise, which meant we started in Mexico. Here are some pictures from around the "World."

Mexico


Norway

China


Outpost to take a break and play some drums

Finally we were at Germany and it was time for lunch! I was really excited to eat at the Biergarten because so many Romanian foods seem to be german, and I was hoping for some sausage stuffed cabbage. They didn't have any, but the food they did have was so delicious, I wasn't disappointed!
We all really enjoyed the band that played while we were there. They were fun and it was interesting to hear so much german music.
True to form, when it was time to dance a polka, Janica jumped right up and would have danced by herself if Jason hadn't decided to dance with her. What a cute couple! Thanks for the suggestion Luella that we eat here. I'm glad we didn't miss it.

Epcot has a program to make the World Showcase more interesting for children. The pavilion for each country has an area set aside where the children can color on masks and learn more information about that country. We bought a $10 passport for the whole family, and we got the passport stamped at each pavilion too. Tegan didn't dig it too much when we started out, but by the end, he was the most insistent that we find the coloring area. He colored his mask very creatively. I think it looks great. Janica colored her mask purple. What was so funny to me was that she used all the different purple markers. She would color with one for a while, and then put the lid on it and get started with the next purple marker. It was very cute.

After lunch, we started back up visiting the countries.


Germany


Italy

Coloring masks at Italy


The American Experience. See how quiet and respectful my children are? Actually, I don't blame them letting off steam. That and the American Experience presentation didn't work. At least it wasn't working then. We came back later to watch it.


At this point we were tired of walking and the kids wanted to ride some rides again, so we took the ferry back across the lagoon.

We went to the Imagination building and rode the imagination ride with Figment. We rode on the ride hours ago and Janica is still talking about it like it just happened! Remember when I said there is a window for taking kids to Disneyworld? Janica is proving to me over and over again that she is right smack dab in the middle of it, because she is enjoying our trip so much! And her enjoyment is helping my enjoyment.

After our Journey into Imagination, we went on Soarin' again. Janica didn't like it when she rode and Kierra is still too small, so while Jason and Tegan rode it, I took the girls on a boat ride to learn about the land. Twice. It was interesting the first time and cute the second time, because Janica kept pointing out the exact same things she pointed out the first time! Then it was time to swap and Jason learned about the land while I rode Soarin'. I really do love that ride! Someone in line told us about the hidden Mickey on the golf ball, which we then looked for. For any of you planning a trip to Disneyworld or Disneyland, do yourself a favor and ride Soarin'. It is the best!

Enough fun time. After Soarin' it was back to the World Showcase. This time we started on the opposite side and worked our way counter clockwise. That meant we started with Canada.


Where we found another rabbit! In case you can't see it, look just right of Tegan's hand.


Next came England where they had a Beatles lookalike band playing, we took some pictures,
and met up with Winnie the Pooh and friends again!



While waiting for the movie to start at the France pavilion, Janica decided to strike a few poses. What a cutie!


Then it was time for dinner at the Morocco pavillion. Out of the many places we have eaten this week, this restaurant was my least favorite. The service was very poor and the food wasn't that good. The best part was the belly dancer. When she asked for volunteers, you guessed it. Janica jumped right up and started to dance. The big surprise was Kierra wanting to dance too. Sadly, by the time we got her out of her highchair and up to the dance floor, the dance was over. I would say maybe next year, but I really don't know if we'll eat there next year. I really didn't like it.

Here is the family at the Morocco pavillion. See Tegan's mask? I love how he put together that patchwork of colors together. Very creative!

By the time dinner was over, it was late and the pavillions were starting to close. We hurried to Japan, which was the only one we hadn't seen, and then went back to the US pavillion to watch the American Experience, which was up and running by that time.

Then we went back to the hotel for bed. I'm surprised I spent as much time writing this as I have, since our flight tomorrow is at noon and we need to get checked out and to the airport. I will try to post some final thoughts tomorrow. Goodnight!

Day Six: Magic Kingdom (again)

When we got up this morning, Jason got right on the phone with Disney Dining and made reservations for us at the California Grill so we could see the fireworks. I know I said that last night was perfect, but that has nothing on tonight, but more on that later.





This morning started early again because we had reservations at the Crystal Palace for breakfast with Winnie the Pooh and friends. In case you don't believe me, here is photographic proof.


Here we are on the speedway ride. As you can see, Jason and I just work the gas and let the kids steer. What I don't understand are all the adults who ride this ride without children. If they wanted to drive a car, couldn't they just drive their cars? I don't get it. But the kids really enjoyed it.

We rode the Winne the Pooh ride and waited in line for the Peter Pan ride, which was one of the few rides we waited for. We also went on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride again. I love that ride! I love the changes they made with Captain Barbossa and Captain Jack Sparrow. The changes made a great ride even better!


Remember how I said Janica loved the Country Bear Jamboree yesterday? Well she had us watch them again today. And that was after she talked about it nonstop for at least an hour! Oh well. I'm not four and that attraction obviously isn't aimed at me. To be fair, she didn't really enjoy the Hall of Presidents like I did, so there you go.

Before we left for Florida, I read on a blog written by a Disneyworld employee that said tourists are dumb because when it rains, they stay in the parks. Well it rained yesterday and again today and I'll tell you, it would have seemed more dumb to me to leave the park after all the money and effort we spent to get there! Besides, it cooled down the air very nicely, and enough people did leave the park that made it even more fun. While it wasn't crowded before, it was even more empty after the rain. If you'll note, there aren't many other people in the frame with us. See what I mean?


On our way out of the Magic Kingdom this evening, we paused one last time to have a security guard take our picture. I don't know about you, but I for one sure feel safe!



So now on to dinner. Like I mentioned at the begining of this post, Jason made reservations for us at the California Grill. The place was pretty swanky. We had to check in for our reservation on floor two, and then we were escorted on a private elevator to the 14th floor, which is where the restaurant is located. Most of the patrons were in business casual dress and I really felt out of place in my Wal-Mart special t-shirt and jeans, but we got seated just like everyone else and our food was still delicious. When the fireworks started at the Magic Kingdom, we went out to the viewing area, where they had the lights dimmed and played the same music that was played at the park. We had a great view, and then a wonderful dinner to return to once the show was over. I was a bit apprehensive when we first sat down to dinner, but by the end, it was all good. And I do mean good! If possible, I would like to eat there again next year when the Christensen clan goes.



Here are the kids after the fireworks show, still on the viewing porch, and then here is a picture of us after our meal. I think it is pretty obvious we were all very satisfied by the experience. My picture of Kierra's dessert didn't turn out, but she got rice sushi, which was rice krispy treats wrapped in fruit rollups and gummy worms. Very cute and she really enjoyed it.

So our trip is almost over. Tomorrow will be our last full day, since we are flying home on Saturday. Because we didn't really get to the World's Showcase when we went to Epcot on Monday, we've decided to spend tomorrow there and visit all of the pavilions for the different countries. Whew! That will be a lot of walking, but I'll really be disappointed if we go all the way to Disneyworld and miss the World's Showcase.

Day Five: The Magic Kingdom

There really was a reason behind us visiting all the other parks before the Magic Kingdom. Remember all the guide books I read, trying to get advice? Well they recommended that we take our kids to the Magic Kingdom first, because the other parks would be a bit of a letdown. I think they were right. My kids were SO excited about the Magic Kingdom. To them, everyday just kept getting better and better, with more each park better than the last. Today really lived up to all the hype. We LOVED it!! It has been the best day yet. What a blast!



Here we are at the Happiest Place On Earth. We may not look all that happy, but believe me, we are. We just also happen to be pretty tired. For me, it could also be called the tiredest place on earth, but that slogan probably isn't as catchy.

Right away we split up because Tegan really wanted to ride Splash Mountain. This time, instead of worrying about the ride swap, I took Janica to see the Country Bear Jamboree. I can't believe how much she loved it. For those of you who aren't familiar with this particular attraction, it looks alot like this: Yep, bears who sing and don't really move much. I don't see the appeal, but I'm also not four.

We all met up again in time to go to Cinderella's Royal Table for lunch. Yes we ended up with a lot of princess meals. What can I say? I blame the girls, but I loved it too. They kept calling me a queen and treating me like I was somebody special. Well, almost everyone.



When Jasmine came to our table (pictured above), she kept referring to me as the queen and Jason as the sultan. Since our children were prince and princesses, it made sense to me, but not to Janica. Janica didn't like us putting on airs, I guess and informed Jasmine in no uncertain terms that Jason and I weren't anybody special. We were "just her parents," so Jasmine needed to stop calling us queen and sultan. At that point, Jasmine's smile stopped being fake and she started laughing for real. She asked Janica if we should be thrown out of the castle since we were just peasants. Janica didn't like that idea, but she was very clear that we were only her parents and should be treated as such. It was a hoot!

The rest of the day was a real treat, because most of the rides at the Magic Kingdom are for the whole family to ride together.

Janica had a great time in Frontierland helping out with Woody's Round-up. She was a real natural, riding the stick horse. That's my girl!

Here we are enjoying the Dumbo ride. I mean, I know it looks like I'm the only one enjoying it, but I promise, the kids had a great time too.


The Buzz Lightyear ride broke down when we were on it. I mean broke down when the lights came on and everything. Before the ride started back up, it reset everything, including the scores. This was fine by me because Kierra was doing most of the shooting and we didn't have much of a score. However, it did give us an opportunity to take these fun pictures!

To finish off our wonderful day, we had dinner at Chef Mickey's. It is at the Contemporary Resort and we got visited by Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto. It was a perfect ending. Now, to bed.