Overview of October

I'm a slacker. Yes, I know. There are so many things to get done during the day that I have to pick and choose what to do. Unfortunately, I haven't chosen blogging. I will try to improve. Promise. Since I hardly posted anything about what we did this month, here is a quick recap of the month. It starts from the end of the month (Halloween) and goes to the beginning of the month in descending order.

We all dressed up for Halloween this year. Each of us were characters from the Wizard of Oz. Our Halloween was actually the week before the 31st. We dressed up and headed out to Zoo Boo at our local zoo with some friends. Gabbie loved it; everyone at the zoo loved us. We kept seeing people take pictures of our family as we were walking past them. I guess not many people get as dressed up as Kyle did.

Our handsome Lion...

Dorothy and Tin Man crawling through the tunnel of fish...

trying to get a picture of the kids and daddy but they were too interested in looking at Kyle and his weird outfit...

Another day this month we went to a volleyball game at Kyle's school where three of his students played. Noah and Gabbie got dressed up in some clothes they hadn't worn yet. Naturally I had to take some pictures of this handsome little guy...

He has the cutest smile...he'll smile at you and then when you talk to him about his cute smile, he will scrunch up his shoulders, bow his head and turn to the side like he's embarrassed. It is super cute.

whenever we tell Gabs to 'say cheese' this is the look we get...

We realized during the beginning of the month that we hadn't been to the zoo in a really long time so we planned to go on Friday night right after Kyle finished with work. There were hardly any people there and all the animals were up close so we could see them really well.

We finally broke down and got a double stroller because it was too much of a hassle for me to go places while trying to keep Gabbie in the stroller and carry Noah in the Baby Bjorn. They love sitting next to each other. Noah almost always ends up with his seat laying back because Gabs likes to sprawl out with her feet and arms over on his side and accidentally hits him if he is sitting up.

The best thing we saw at the zoo was the Daddy Elephant playing with his son. They were hitting each other with their trunks (well actually I think just the son was hitting his dad).

Gabs and Noah LOVE their bath time...Sometimes they take baths together and other times Gabbie begs us to let her take a shower...

beautiful girl...

handsome guy...

Any time she gets into our bedroom, she pulls out my shoes and starts walking around the house in them.

Early in the month we made fruit loop bracelets. Gabbie was showing them off when I took this picture mid-chew...

She was talking to Jesus...

Playing with some toys...

During conference weekend for our church, the first weekend of the month, Gabbie watched a scripture video on the computer while we were listening to the prophets and apostles...

She is so brave now. Any slide she sees is one that she has to go down.

Sorry for the mammoth post. I will update more often. Things are going great in Texas. We miss our family and friends in Utah and Virginia but we are adapting well.

Halloween

Our ward Halloween party was this past Saturday. They were brilliant bringing in a photographer from the ward to take pictures of the families. Thank you so much Kelli.

We dressed up this year like the Wizard of Oz cast. Gabbie was Dorothy, Noah was the Lion, Kyle was Tin Man, and I was Scarecrow. (we were nominated for best costumes but you had to be inside to win so we didn't)

Here we are:

Family Pictures

We have wanted to get some new family pictures since Noah was born and last weekend we took the opportunity to get them taken. A friend of ours in our church ward recommended the photographers and we were very pleased with the results. Here they are for you guys to take a look at (Grandma's and Grandpa's your pictures will be in the mail soon).

Thank you so much to Gilgen Photography for taking some wonderful pictures of our family.

Happy Halloween

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Hope you guys have a wonderful time dressing up and enjoying
each others company.

September Fun

We have had a pretty uneventful September. Kyle has been very busy with work and we are trying to get into a daily routine at home. Gabbie and I have been working on doing things that are productive during the day.

She watches a couple shows in the morning, mostly "Super Why" and "Sid the Science Kid". Each show teaches her some very important reading and science concepts. We were watching an episode of "Super Why" last week and they were spelling the word 'chair'. Gabbie walked up to the tv and pointed at each letter and told me what each one was, except for the h.

Now we are investigating things that grow. Our first experiment is one I used when I taught second grade (thanks Leslie) where we sprout lima beans and watch them grow. Yay for being able to use the knowledge I have about teaching children!

Every night before we put Gabbie to bed, we sing some Primary songs and say family prayers. Gabbie loves singing the songs, especially "Popcorn Popping" and "Once There Was A Snowman" which she asks for every time we sing. However, when we get to prayers, this is what she does...

She knows that we are getting ready to put her to bed and doesn't like it. Any ideas on how to make prayers more reverent?

She is also into princesses lately. Whenever she sees the blue hair 'thing' (can't remember what these are called) she puts it on and says 'Princess Gabba'. Then she wants to make Mommy, Noah and Daddy a princess. I thought she looked like an 80's exercise guru in this picture with her big hair and sweat band.

Kyle is usually exhausted when he gets home from work but has been very good to make sure he plays with the kids so I can have a break.

Gabbie decided that Noah's bouncy seat is pretty comfortable so whenever the opportunity arises, she jumps into it and claims it as her own.

Noah is getting very big and active...

Kyle and Gabbie were doing some work together...

Another fun trip to our zoo...this time we went to the petting zoo and Gabs got to brush a goat.

Earlier in the month, we would put Noah down on his belly for some tummy time and this is what he would do...fall straight to sleep.

One final swim before we took down the pool...

We are super excited that summer is over. There have been a ton of rainstorms lately that have really cooled things off. Thank goodness. It was getting to be ridiculous with how hot it was.

Playing at the Park

The kids and I have been trying to walk some every day. There is a park in the neighborhood that is connected to ours which we pass every time we go walking. Gabbie loves it so earlier this week we made a trip just to the park so we could play. Here are some of the fun pictures from our day playing...

Noah lounging in the stroller while Gabbie played...

Gabs had so much fun!!

Random Pictures of Noah

Sorry we are so bad about keeping this updated lately. We have taken pictures; its just hard to find the time to sit down and blog them. Here are a bunch of random pictures we have taken of Noah just because...

He loves our bed...

Noah is getting very big. He is on a pretty regular schedule now. He will take a bath and get ready for bed at night, usually before dinner. Then he eats and is ready to sleep at 8. We try to keep him up a little bit longer but the lavender baby shampoo really puts him out. He wakes up for a feeding around 2-2:30. We both end up falling asleep in his bedroom. Then I put him in his bed and go back to mine. If I am lucky, he sleeps until 6-6:30 then wakes up to eat again. Sometimes he wakes up when I put him back in bed and just wants to snuggle. We are staying up more during the day but when we go out for walks or play group, he just falls asleep. Anyway, things are going great, he's growing like a weed and we all love him so much, especially Gabbie.

Birthday Art

On my birthday this year, I introduced Gabbie to a new art medium. We decided to paint with chocolate pudding. She is always so excited to do any art project and she knows the routine. Before we even start, we have to get her art shirt on (one of my old shirts that she loves to wear) and then grab the art sheet out of the closet. We can only do art when we are on the blanket. Seeing her face as she finds out what we are going to do is another one of those moments that make me so grateful to be a stay at home mommy. It is so rewarding.

Anyway, Kyle captured these pictures when he came home.

Gabs didn't even try to taste the pudding until I stuck her finger in her mouth. She was super surprised.

I helped her write her name and draw a flower. She then proceeded to completely cover her name up with pudding (guess it looked better that way).

Umm, yummy!

Noah was just chilling in his chair. He is always so good as long as he can see us.

Too much excitement led to foot painting instead of finger painting. We had to make sure she stayed on the sheet then and had to wash her art shirt and blanket.

Before...

After...

We had so much fun painting and getting dirty. I am trying to be less obsessive about her keeping clean and instead just let her enjoy herself, whether she keeps clean or not. (not so easy for me to do but I'm working on it)

Kemah Boardwalk Again.

When Grandma Christensen and Grandpa Campbell were here visiting a few weeks ago, we took them down to the coast. We went to the Kemah Boardwalk and just walked around while Taylor and her friend Drew rode a couple of the rides there. Of course we had to take some pictures while there...

Both grandparents with the kids...

Daddy and Gabs walking back to everyone else after they finished exploring...

I love when they both smile like this. You can really see how much they love being together.

Noah enjoyed some sleep while we were out. We stopped on one of the benches looking out on the gulf so I could feed and change Noah.

Taylor and Drew took the opportunity during our break to go ride this. (Drew is faking like he wants to throw up)

We also stopped at the photo-op spot and took some pictures...

Grandpa Campbell holding Noah for the first time.

Thanks for going with us guys. We loved having both Grandma and Grandpa come visit us. Hope you guys liked your trip. We can't wait to see you again.

Zoo Trip with Grandma Christensen

When Grandma Christensen came to visit us we had to take her to our favorite place, the zoo. We had the chance to go see the aquarium and some other new places we haven't seen yet. It was awesome. Gabbie got to see a turtle and some awesome fish.

Our new favorites...the sea lions. Unfortunately the oldest. biggest one died a few weeks ago. He was barking the whole time we were there and Gabbie thought it was the coolest thing ever.

Hiding from the camera...

In the bird house...it is so peaceful and beautiful. Kyle had to show Gabbie where to look so she could see the birds.

Noah always ends up sleeping when we go to the zoo. He also sweats like crazy too.

Thanks for going to the zoo with us Grandma Christensen.

Noah's Blessing - August 9, 2009

A couple weeks ago we were able to give Noah a baby's blessing and a name in front of our ward. Kyle's mom and my Dad were both visiting so we figured it would be the best time to bless him so we could at least have some family members there. Kyle gave him the name Noah Nathaniel Christensen and then blessed him to continue to develop his patience, follow the Spirit in relation to education, learn to teach, and live up to the men that his name came from. It is a very special, sacred time for families in our church and we were just so glad that we had some family here to witness his blessing.

Here are some pictures from afterwards... (I apologize for the fuzzy quality)

Our family for the summer.

proud Mom and Dad...

This is super fuzzy but I thought it showed how much Gabbie loves her little brother now.

Gabbie was climbing up on the edge of the couch so she could be in the picture too.

Noah in his handsome little outfit....thank you to Sister Taylor for getting us this adorable suit.

We love this little guy!

Family Home Evening

Last week we had Family Home Evening about likening the scriptures to our lives. The best way to do this, for Gabbie, was to act them out. Kyle chose a passage from the Book of Mormon where Nephi and his older brothers are commanded by the Lord to go back to Jerusalem and get the brass plates or scriptures from the wicked Laban. Nephi's older brothers did not want to do it because they were afraid and did not think that having the scriptures with them on their journey was important.

They were unsuccessful twice and Laman and Lemuel wanted to quit. Nephi knew how important this commandment was so he went up on his own to persuade Laban to give them the plates. He was prompted by the Holy Ghost and because he listened, he was able to secure the plates for future generation.

This is such a good example of being in-tune with the Spirit so you can know what needs to be done. It also shows me what can be done with faith. Nephi did not know what was going to happen but he knew that Heavenly Father would deliver Laban into his hands because he was doing as he was commanded. I hope that I have and can develop more of that same kind of faith.

Here are some pictures from our role play...

Laban is drunk and fallen here...(He is also very fat to show his richness and laziness. Thank you Taylor for willingly playing his role)

Nephi's parents, Sariah and Lehi, were very worried about their children being away from them and going back to a dangerous Jerusalem... (I got the best role for my shyness, didn't have to move or say anything)

Gabbie loves dress-up so Kyle made her look like little orphan Annie after we finished our role play.

Thank you Kyle for planning such a wonderful FHE where we were all able to learn a little bit more about Nephi and think about what it must have been like for him to do something so hard even though he was really scared.