Bryce and sleeping

We had a 5 hour afternoon meeting on Tuesday. Linda watched the kids for us and since they were so excited to be at Grandma’s,  Bryce decided not to nap. So when we got back to pick them up at 5:45pm he had just fallen asleep in the swing. For our fairly scheduled approach to life this was a first for him to just drop dead at some random spot. Funny kid. And when we put him to bed at night he doesn’t ask for a blanket, he wants a cup of water. He holds that cup like a football and it is his comfort item. What would we do without him?

thought of the day…..

Count your blessings……not your burdens.

I guess I have had this flip flopped. Thanks to Grandma Christensen for being a kind reminder to focus on the good.

:)

Santa Cruz 2010- part 2

Saturday, June 10th, 2010

After a rough night, which Mommy at least is used to by now, we were up early getting ready for a new day. We met up with everyone and headed to the Santa Cruz Wharf for a walk. The kids were in heaven when we discovered barking seals at the end of the pier. Daddy took a cute video of Bryce's excitement which I can't seem to upload. We also visited the arcade, which everyone will agree was a total waste of time and overstimulating to the poor kids. We only went because of free tokens that we got with our ride passes, but we won't do that again.

We took a pretty coastal drive to Capitola to enjoy the beach. The only problem was that the sun wasn't out and it was cold. Bryce fell asleep on the way there and slept the whole time at the beach. Hope's swimsuit ended up in the trunk of the car and by this point she was so tired. Jared and I were walking ahead of her at the beach and after hearing laughter I turned around to find Hope pretty much in the nude. I guess she was going to take all her clothes off whether we had a swim suit or not. To the kids credit, they really did well considering all the things we did. And she really was so excited to come to the beach. It must have just been so frustrating for her to finally make it there, and have no swim suit and no sun. Poor girl. Grandpa and Adam did take her into the waves in a shirt and underwear. Which she delighted in. And she did get to play with Sadie in the sand. But Daddy , Ethan, and Mommy were just done by Saturday afternoon and we headed home earlier then everyone else. Hope fell asleep promptly with her hand in a teddy grahams bag and Ethan soon followed her. We were grateful to avoid any more car damage on the way back, but enjoyed some laughs as at the bridge toll booth our $5 blew away with the wind and Jared had to chase it down on the freeway. And Ethan melted down after Davis when we suddenly realized that Mommy forgot to get his solids out for dinner and he ended up being spoon fed a Wendy's vanilla frosty. That sufficed him for awhile. :) All in all we had so much fun being as a family and look forward to having more experiences, both good and otherwise.

Santa Cruz 2010

Friday, July 9th, 2010

We took the kids to Santa Cruz with some of my family. Daddy had been before, but for the rest of our little family it was the first time. We had such an experience! We are so glad that we went. We were so surprised that the kids enjoyed every ride. We had unlimited ride passes and much to our joy the kids loved every ride they experienced. Although Bryce let out a little frustration with getting soaked on the Log ride (thanks to Mommy sliding forward, smashing Hope and causing torrential splashing). Good one Mommy. Despite that, Hope was ready for a second turn on each and every ride. In fact, this being the kids first time with any amusement type ride Hope was almost in hysterics when I tried to explain to her at the end of our first ride (the merry-go-round) that when it stops we have to get off and let others have a turn. We also struggled to explain that we have to wait in line for our turns. Regardless, it was of course challenging to take our high-needs little ones into a wildly loud environment but Hope summed it all up that night in the hotel when she told Daddy, “we had such a fun day!”. For Jared and I it makes it much more worth it.

Things about Friday that I’ll remember-

It is not easy to find a public restroom in Santa Cruz. Hitting the metal device on I-80 and ripping off a portion of our bumper. Awesome.  That the I-phone can find you ANYTHING you might want or need….navigation included. Ethan sleeping with Mommy and Daddy, who really didn’t get to sleep. Waking up to find that Bryce was not in bed with Hope. Bryce digging into HOT salsa and turning his ears and face bright red. The kids huge smiles on the rides with Brody and Sadie.

Pictures of Friday, Thanks to Daddy having his I-phone:

 

This is actually Bryce’s look of terror when he is not sure what is going to happen. While he is carefree and active, he can be very cautious. We knew that he would either love it all or cry.

 

Hope loved it all! And Bryce did to. He held his one finger out the whole entire ride. Not sure why.

Helicopters. The LOVED this one. Wish I had a picture of Bryce’s smile when the took off, but the girls were all smiles from beginning to end.

Rode this one 3 times at least.

After the log ride.

Cool down period before walking to an ice cream shop. You can’t go on vacation without hitting up at least one ice cream shop!

Bryce’s Pool & Pizza Party

We had fun day on your birthday Bryce! We started the day playing at Wacky Tacky, and ended the day with a pool and pizza party at Grandma and Grandpa Forman’s house. Thankfully Grandma Forman is so good to take pictures, or you wouldn’t have any of your party! Other then biffing at the bottom of the slide and getting scraped up under your eye and on your belly it was a fun party. Hope and Sadie helped you open your presents and you loved everything!

Happy Birthday Bryce!

Dearest sweetheart Bryce,

Happy 2nd Birthday handsome boy! Yesterday you turned two and although it was just another day for you, for Mommy it was a landmark. You are leaving the baby stage and will increase in independence from here on out. You are growing up so, so  fast. On your birthday I tried to savor each little moment with you and file away snapshots of you in my mind. You are a darling boy Bryce. You are active, playful, smiley, giggly, and loving. You love to tease and then laugh about it. You are a lefty. You love music and instruments. You sleep in a toddler bed!  You cannot get enough of cars, balls, animals and when it is just our little family around you won’t stop talking. And how we love your sweet voice! I love when you hug and express affection. I love to push you endlessly on the swing. I love to see you get excited about seeing a horse, dog, cat, or even ant. I love that you run to me calling my name and can’t wait to tell me something. I love your immense excitement to see and your admiration of your Daddy. I love when you bring me a cup and ask if I want cocoa. I love that you run upstairs when we mention a bath or shower. I love your deep blue eyes, and thick lashes that sparkle when you smile. I love to cuddle you when you are upset or cry. I love your obsession with anything electronic and your undying optimism….. These things will likely change with the passing years. While I want you go grow up and gain experience, I do wish I could stop time just for a little bit to savor you right now. You bring all of your dear family so much joy! And you are so special to us all. With all of our hearts and everything we have we love you Bryce!

-Mommy & family

Christensen Family Reunion 2010

Saturday, June 26, 2010

We had a Christensen family reunion from my Dad’s side of the family. It was at my parent's house and as I type this Hope climbed on my computer chair and after surveying the pictures she said, “Mommy, I had so much fun!”. I am sure that comment was in reference to the reunion. There was a bounce house and obstacle course, a wonderful blow up slip and slide, in addition to carnival type games and massive amounts of food. We really enjoyed visiting with cousins and letting the kids play endlessly. Thankfully our children clad in swim suites all day did not get sunburns (thank you spf 85!) and no one was hurt during the races and while being thrown down the slip’n’slide by Adam and Josh.

My stripling brothers. This was their workout for the day. Tossing kids down the slip’n’slide.

This is a picture of the aftermath. The kids were toast the next morning!