Dad/Grandpa Christensen Visits!

1 Day after Maria and Jerry left, Dad Christensen flew into Denver! He came early for the Baptism, and we were able to put him to work on the house! Main projects were gardening, creating an Apocalypse Bucket, and building a Lean-to on the side of the garage with Justin...and of course bonding with Grey! Grey fell in love with Grandpa on this visit! We can't thank him enough for all of his help!

Relaxing with Sammy

Grey's favorite...Wagon rides with Grandpa

So happy...even though he has tears in his eyes, must have been cold out

Digging holes for the posts of the lean-to

Supports for the roof

Almost done!

Mom Christensen's 5 Mile Race!

On Saturday the Grandma's flew in to stay for a week! Mom Christensen flew out here for Grey's Baptism, but also signed up for her first race since losing weight! She had been training for quite some time, and was now ready for race day...5 miles! Erica, Carter, Joe, Mary and I decided to walk with her and support her. Jerry and Becky were also here, and met us all at the finish line! We woke up early and headed to Boulder, and had a great walk with Mom. She finished with no problems at all...even though she didn't like the hills. She kept saying Graytown doesn't have hills...haha...she did great though...CONGRATS Mom!

Before race

During Race

Almost Done!

Proud Jerry with Mom's bling

RUDI'S!

Here are some vids from the race:

Start of Race

Mile 2

Stephanie made a sign!

Crossing the Finish Line

Mom even got an award...3rd in her division!

Maria and Jerry!

Our engaged friends Maria and Jerry flew from Chi-town to visit! They came for an extended weekend most of which was used to drink beer. We had a great time, Maria was able to tell us a lot about the wedding, and Jerry enjoyed Colorado for his 2nd time. We are so glad they took time to come see us and can't wait to see them in July for the wedding!

Beer samples at Funk Werks brewey in Fort Collins.

Painting table numbers for Mers wedding

Finished numbers

Feeding Baby Grey

At Coors with Tim and Krista

Big Face

Scenic overlook, and skinny Mer before heading down into Boulder

Playing with Grey while the others went on Celestial Seasonings tour

More beer...at Asher brewery in Boulder

Andy was in town too! @ Boulder Falls

Snooze Time!

Why yes, I am drinking beer. Oh, my beard is nice...thank you.

Papa's 29th Birthday!

Happy 29th Birthday, Papa!

A few weeks ago, Justin turned 29. To celebrate his last year in the 20's, we did a few Papa-related activities. First, I surprised Justin by taking him to the #1 rated rib joint in Denver, Yazoo BBQ. As the picture below shows, the restaurant itself was quite interesting. When we were driving around the area trying to find a parking spot, I was really worried it wasn't open because of the ghetto-looking exterior (and, Justin didn't know where we were going, so I was even more nervous that it wasn't going to work out!). But, I saw the half-blinking open sign, so I knew it was at least open. After we parked and walked up, we opened the shattered glass door to a semi-outdoor eating area with metal furniture. I knew right away that we couldn't eat any food in this actual restaurant. So, after Justin ordered, we ended up taking his huge pile of ribs to a Qdoba near the next event I had planned. So, his birthday dinner was eating ribs in a Qdoba, haha.

Papa loved his ribs so much that he had to dig into them in the car on the way to eat them.

Justin's birthday cake: Chocolate Decadence Cake from Whole Foods. Yumm!!

After Justin ate ribs and I ate a quesadilla, I surprised Justin yet again by taking him to our favorite coffee shop to have a meet and greet with a local artist. He liked talking to the artist, who was our age, and hearing about all of his different works of art. He even invited him to come and speak in his classroom!

After all of this running around, it was time for Grey to get home and get settled, so Justin opened up presents and we all enjoyed cake.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JUSTIN!!!

Everyone else is updating... so I guess it is our turn.

Grey's nightly goal: sit on our heads.

Happy birthday, papa! (birthday post coming soon...)

Control (or lack thereof)

Tonight, on this eve of TCAP testing (Colorado's new state assessment), I am constantly stressed about my lack of control I have over my work life. I have taught everything I could have taught, and said everything I could have said. I know my students can do amazing work; I see it every day. However, I worry that Emily, who is advanced in math, will rush and say 2x3 is 5. Or that Marla, whose second language is English, will draw a rectangle with an area of 40 square inches instead of a triangle with an area of 40 square inches (no matter how many times I have guided Emily to go slower, or Marla to read and underline the directions). I will stress and worry about this until scores are released in August.

However, tonight, Grey reminded me that I can't control everything. Instead of eating his food the way we wanted him to (which is another blog post!), Grey decided to make guacamole before eating his avocado pieces. Just when I needed it, Grey helped me realize that I can't control what others say and do, and therefore I shouldn't try so hard to control everything :). Enjoy this pic of guacamole Grey.

1st Birthday Parties

Happy first birthday, Greyson!

We enjoyed two wonderful parties for our one-year-old boy. The first party was a Superbowl/birthday party with Grey's girlfriend, Raeana. Krysta hosted, and we both provided the cakes and two types of chilli, and everyone else brought chilli fixin's and appetizers. It was such a great time celebrating with friends, though I don't think we watched much football!

The second party was a Thomas the train party at our house. Mary had so much fun planning the decorations for the party, and Grey had fun playing with all the trains and party go-ers. The Thomas party was a little more chill and relaxing than the Superbowl party, with the focus being just on Grey.

Thanks for all who helped us celebrate Grey's birthday, both far and near! He loved all the presents, but, more importantly, we love the fact that Grey has so many wonderful people in his life. Enjoy the pics!

 

Superbowl party- Grey's individual cake at the Superbowl party, made by the same person who made Krysta's wedding cake!

 

 

Thomas party- the almost-complete party table, minus the wonderful birthday cake. On the left are individual seven layer dip cups, and on the right are two different kinds of truffles for the adults to snack on.

 

 

Superbowl party- Raeana's individual birthday cake

 

 

 

Thomas party- more decorations.

Grey and Rae's joint cake- lemon flavored.

 

 

Thomas party- Mary had fun getting Thomas-themed decorations!

 

 

Thomas party- truffle train up close. Mary made mint chocolate truffles and peanut butter pretzel truffles. Yummmmm!

 

 

Thomas party- Grey loves his Aunt Jen!

 

Thomas party- individual seven layer dips up close.

 

 

Thomas party- Opening a present, thanks Uncle Tim and Auntie Krista!

 

 

Superbowl party- before the crying

 

Thomas party- everyone watching Grey open up presents.

 

Superbowl party again- Grey tried to grab the "one" candle, and everyone went, "oh, no!" at the same time, causing Grey to burst into tears. Poor Grey!

 

Thomas party- singing to the birthday boy. Thanks again to Aunt Steph (Uncle Joe's gf) for making the cake- healthly zucchini, banana, and applesauce cake! Yummy!

 

 

Superbowl party- "why are you making me eat this cake?" Neither kid was that interested in the cake.

 

 

Thomas party- also not that into the second birthday cake, Grey decided to step in it instead of eat it.

 

 

Thomas party- "I guess this cake isn't that bad..." says Grey, right before he runs away from the cake (see Joe's blog for video).

 

Thomas party- happy birthday boy.

 

Thomas party- Grey doing baby work, pushing the present from Grandma and Grandpa Christensen back and forth in the front room (notice the frosting pants are gone. The true sign of a good birthday party- pantless birthday boy).

 

Thomas party- "What a funny card!"

 

Thomas party- Grey loves his Uncle George!

 

Thomas party- is this how we do it, Uncle George?

 

We love our birthday boy!!