aren't sundays great?

mum forgot to mention that she won first place in her age division and dad won third! i won nothing, but i did get my fastest 5k time (i think, they never really called out our times, so it's not official). i just had a neat experience so i'll share. one thing that really impressed me from the women's broadcast last night was how important it is to serve and lift those around us. my patriarchial blessing counsels me to be cheerful and uplift those around me. i kind of feel like the last few years have been pretty bleak for me. i feel like i'm not as happy as i used to be and so i haven't been doing a very good job of uplifting those around me. i think mostly that's because of all of my health fiascos. but i felt so good running yesterday and i seem to be getting better. we had such great meetings at church today and i really feel like things are beginning to turn for me and that i'm on the way back to being cheerful again. it's a really great feeling. so i've been trying to be aware of those around me and who i can help. i was coming back to my apartment tonight after playing games at kasey's. i remembered that one of the girls i visit teach wasn't at church today. she has been sick this week so i figured she probably wasn't feeling well. so i gave her a call to say we missed her today and to see if i could bring her anything. she said she hurt her back and was trying to get ahold of someone to give her a blessing. i said i would try my home teachers and get back with her. i made a few phone calls and found someone that could do it. i'm going to meet him soon and go over to her apartment. i'm just so glad i called her! it's so nice when we are in positions to help other people. it's a simple and silly thing, but i am glad i have experiences like this to remind me that it's always important to be concerned about others. that is what makes us the most happy. i need to try harder to remember that! hope everyone has a good week!

Winter snows in Sept.

We had a big surprise yesterday when it snowed. Your dad and I went out and tried to save what veggies we could. I didn't think it was going to stay but it did. We still had snow on the ground this morning when I got up. Brooke has pictures of the race. It was cold and windy but we ran and got warmed up quickly. Several in the group won drawings. I got a year membership to a gym in American Fork which I gave to Grandma to see if anyone there could use it. Brooke came to SF,and we picked up Dallin. McKay was here doing laundry and Dallin waited in line while he played the piano. It was nice to hear again. Grandma came with Brooke and helped me start on the baby's blessing dress. We also shopped for Brooke's Halloween costume and she was very happy to find plastic fruit at All Dollar for her Chiquita Banana lady hat. We enjoyed turning on the basement fireplace and having hot chocolate. I thought about the race. It has been six years since our first 5K. Tyler ran with me and tried to get me to not quit on the hill. I wasn't prepared to run hills and did walk alot of it. Since then, Kim and I look for hills to run and they have become my strength. I was on the slight hill yesterday that I passed most of the people. I have learned that if I am going to make it up, that I have to really dig in. There is alot to think about there. I have been making alot of pie filling from our apple tree. It is loaded this year with many little apples. Thanks to Dallin and Dad there are no worm holes. However, in my tomatoes, I am finding alot of bite marks. I am thinking it is the squirrel I saw several weeks ago running by along the fence. Your dad and I went to the temple on Friday night. We don't get to go together often. It was very nice and he was set apart as a veil worker. That means he is the last to get done. That means more time in the Celestial room for me. It was really nice. Tyler wrote up all of President Hinckley recent addresses ( summaries of them). It is great. I am sending a copy to Bryce. Dad is going to use them. Maybe Tyler could post them. I am so excited for Conference. Maybe someday we can all go together. What do you kids want to do about drawing names for Christmas? I need feed back. For those that might not remember...it is Tyler's birthday on Saturday. I know I am excited for our present to arrive!! Love you all MUM

Dallin's letter home --events of the week...hold on cause here we goooooo!

've got a lot more to talk about than usual. I finally got a calling in my ward, I'm on the activities committee. I think that should be pretty good. On Tuesday I went over to Joshua Bohling's apartment and helped him with his physics homework (PHYS 121). It was a lot harder than I expected, and it sounds like Josh's teacher doesn't really teach, so I might be helping him out a lot. It was actually pretty fun getting to help him. Yesterday, I got to go play kickball with some elementary school kids. For my American Heritage class we have to provide 10 hours of service for some organization (not church), so me and Colin signed up for TOPS (Tutoring Outreach to Provo Schools), so every week for . We have our second intramural football game tonight, hopefully we'll win this week. Tomorrow we have a stake get-together/party-like thing at Kiwanis park. I might come home with McKay on Saturday morning to do some laundry or just because. I think we're going to go hiking with Brooke; were you going to hike with us?
So, here's a summary of my week, just so that I can fulfill the assignment (look at the bottom).
On Monday, I came home and I also had Family Home Evening.
On Tuesday, I helped Josh with his Physics homework and I also got a ward calling.
On Wednesday, I played kickball with kids and I also stayed up late reading my Book of Mormon.
On Thursday, I wrote (well actually, I'm writing) this letter and I am also playing football.
On Friday, I am going to a Stake party and I am also going to do homework.
On Saturday, I am hiking with Brooke and I am also watching the BYU game.

Questions about Christmas

I can't remember what we do about Christmas... do we still draw names or have a calendar for individuals to give to? I couldn't find one in my email messages. Cheers,
Tyler

Four years and counting

Natalie and I celebrated our 4th anniversary this past weekend. Actually, we started celebrating a few weeks ago by going to a Diamond Rio concert. The picture I took here is us in our country duds. So I went to a country concert even though I'm not a big fan, and on Thursday Natalie went with me to a spiffy steakhouse even though she's not a big fan. It was nice to have some red meat--it's a rare treat for me.
We've enjoyed reflecting on all that we've done over the past four years. I created a photo gallery that shows our family. You can see it at: http://www.tyandnat.com/photos/family/index.html . I've also finally gotten around to updating our website: www.tyandnat.com. Since we started this blog it has been difficult to motivate myself to update things on our site but we put up a few more pictures and I'll probably get a new video or two up soon.

3 Peaks, 3 Weeks

Hey! I guess I could do a post. That would make me a blogger right? Yep; increase my nerd status. I think being nerdy is popular with the ladies right about now eh?

Three weeks ago me and my roommates Keith and Matt decided to hike up Spanish Fork peak. Not really awesome... but we did get some cute photos of all of us.

The next week me and Matt went hiking up Timp with a couple girls. It was still a bit crowded even though it was a week after labor day, but the weather was really nice. It was a pleasant hike and we got a good view of some mountain goats.

Just a few hours ago me and Matt hiked Santaquin peak. This was an incredibly lovely hike. I would totally recommend it over Timp (I think I might be biased because there was an awesome sunrise when we went). It was perhaps one of the coolest hikes I have been on and I will certainly be going back because it looks like there are a couple great places to camp and explore.

Me and Matt decided we should do a reality TV show called 3 Peaks 3 Weeks.

car help anyone?

Hello all! It’s been a busy week. Tuesday was ward temple night, Wednesday was book club at kasey’s (we read Gods and Generals, I still have about 100 pages left but I watched the movie so I would be able to participate in book club), Thursday was institute, and last night I went to the state fair with the friends for emily’s birthday. Fun stuff huh? So, I’ve decided to get a new car. Mine is making funny noises again and the casing is all coming out and I’m just ready to get a car that I don’t have to fix all of the time. I know some of you have done a lot of car research so I’m asking for opinions if you have any. I’ve been looking at either the Toyota matrix or the mazda 3—5 door hatchback. I really want to get a wagon, but those are really pricey. So I thought a hatchback would be good because you can put the seats down and still put skiis/bikes/lots of stuff in the back. And they are small enough that they get pretty decent gas mileage. I have a couple other friends that are also looking for new cars so we are going to go test driving today. I was planning on getting a used car, maybe a 2003 or so, but a guy at work said that now is the time of year that they are getting rid of all of the 2007 cars and bringing out the 2008 models. He said that sometimes you can get 0 % financing on a new car and that works out to be a better deal that getting a used one. Anyone have any words of wisdom for me? my registration expires in jan so I have until then to look around. Just thought I’d see if anyone would like to comment. merci and have a good weekend!

EMail from Dallin

I thought you all might enjoy this list from Dallin. He asked us for any input so I think it would be fun if you think of more to add it to this list. I thought he did a good job. I went and got my cholesterol check and the guy couldn't get blood out of my left arm so he really jabbed my right arm. Yowzers! That hurt for a long time. I thought of Kira. I'm glad I don't have to do that to other people! I have a media question to pose. Would it be cheaper to take our home videos somewhere to have them put on CD's or would it be just as well to buy the equipment and do it. Anyone with experience out there. I want to do the slides as well. I am wondering also how interested or how much need there is for 72 hour kits, 1st aid kits and food storage there is in our family. That might be a really fun theme for Christmas this year. Tell me what you think! MUMFor my first letter of the project I am supposed to write about the following: What ten commandments would you best summarize the rules, ideals, and taboos your family advocated?

1. If you want money, do a chore and earn it. Do your part (chores) to help out around the house.
2. Be home by scripture time (9:00 PM). If you can't be home by then or you want to stay out later, call and check in.
3. On your assigned day, you are in charge of all the prayers and dinner cleanup.
4. We support each other in what they are doing.
5. Get your homework and chores done before doing anything else.
6. We must have golden rod eggs on Easter. (Yes, that's a rule)
7. Follow the prophet. (and other church leaders)
8. If you make a mess, clean it up.
9. If you're not home by dinner time (5:30 PM) and you don't previously check in, you are in charge of cleaning up dinner.
10. 2, 4, 6, 8, Christensens are never late! (Even though we, the kids, never bought into that phrase, it was true.)

Here is Tyler's addition: Limited/monitored tv time
* Call home weekly
* If we're eating something really good for dinner eat as much of it as possible because the leftovers won't last long.
* Pay your tithing.

First week at BYU

Well, I survived my first week. My classes are pretty good, I really like my physics class, but don't really like my English class. I have lots of homework every day, but that's life. My ward is cool, from the few people I've actually met. I like our dorm room, it's pretty big for just two people. That's about all I can think of for now (my brain's semi-fried from homework), so if you want me to let you know about anything else just tell me.

Dallin

Looks Like Bryce needs Extra Prayers

Hello.... did you get my pictures? well.... this week has felt like 5 weeks put into one... things have been pretty difficult with my comp. ummmmm I really dont have much to say... I'm sorry this week has just been a struggle .... I love you... hope you have a good week. Elder Christensen

Peach Days in Brigham

Dad took off early from work on Friday and we picked up Grandma Fife and drove to Brigham. Then we took both Grandmas to Smithfield where G. Fife stayed with her sister and G. C. went to the cemetery with Dad and found family buried there. Then we went to a very sad Mexican restaurant in Brigham for dinner. I was hoping for Scuba burgers but it was not to be. Then we walked downtown and had a nice stroll down memory lane. We looked at the windows and saw the Hones. It was fun to talk to Karen and hear how Kristin ( has cerebral palsy) is getting a college degree by using a special computer that responds to the movement of her head. She was happy to hear about those that have continued with piano. We saw several people from different periods of our life and were amazed how old they looked or didn't look. We see more people in a short time in BC we know than we ever see in SF. We went to WalMart that night and I was jealous at their large selection of flannel and yarn colors and no people. We saw Marla Brown and she said that Steven was in pre-med and that Trevor (Bryce's age) was in Brazil on a mission. They are moving to Wellsville into a new home. While we were talking to her, Karen Smith came and we got to talk to her. She said I gave a VT message on exercise and jogged the entire I gave the lesson to her. I don't remember that! When we came back from Smithfield we went the back way thru Honeyville. I was wondering where the Mackley's moved to and low and behold, there they were in their garage, working on a project. It was a fun house and fun to see where it was but we didn't stop. Back to Brigham. We got up the next morning and hurried home for Doug Barber's funeral ( have pneumonia) ...they said 200 people were coming for the lunch so I was on the phone for many days lining up food but our ward is so great that everyone will help even if they are going to be out of town. Then we went to Tommy Fratt's wedding ...she has been a widow for a long time and is in our ward. Then we went to the Chemistry Dept. Graduate get together and visited with Doug Tanner and saw his two children. He said that ..Mark Seeley is at BYU working also like Jo Hadfield. We had fun visiting with students from Hong Kong, China, Italy, Argentina, South America, etc. ( lots of chinese) . Brother Wollenzien saw a bear down by the SF river near the farm. That is spooky. It is Father's and Son's this weekend...any takers? We have tickets for the Sunday afternoon session of Conference. Who wants to go? I can't believe this week is over. I sure miss my vacuumers and bathroom cleaners. We got the best Brigham peaches if BYU boys want any and a lot of Funeral potatoes is you want some of those dad can take it to work. Have a great week! Love MOm

Takin' it to the limit

On Friday I ran a 20 miler... my longest training run to date. It was interesting because I ran it slow and broke it up (5 miler, 4 miler, 11 miler with 15 minute refueling breaks) and it was actually quite easy. When I ran my first marathon five years ago I couldn't even walk when I was done--I had huge blisters, cramps, and rashes galore. After Friday's run I felt great and was able to go to school and work like normal. Even though I'm still overweight, training for my race next month has been a good idea. I feel good.
As for the rest of the weekend... we went to the temple yesterday, so that took most of the day. On our drive home we were caught in a huge rainstorm that slowed us down. We haven't had any real rain for over a month and a half so it was very welcome. In the evening we went to the drive-in and saw Shrek the Third which was surprisingly very good and clean, but Natalie was too tired to stay for Transformers so we came home early.
Today we took pictures for the ward directory so I'll enclose a copy of the one we're going with.

i'm making you laugh

hope you all love this picture as much as i do. i think i need to start a collection of bad pictures of me--there sure are a lot of them out there. this one was from the triathlon we did on mum's birthday. i had a lovely week this week, all except for the monster migrane that i got on thursday. yesterday i went on a hike up to lake blanche--it's up big cottonwood canyon. it was beautiful and the leaves are starting to turn colors. in the pm i went to the greek festival with some friends. it was so interesting--lots and lots of people and really loud music. i tried some new food, we watched some dancers doing folk dances, and then we toured their church and came home. it was neat-o. bye!

Labor Day pictures

Labor day pictures are available on my picasa web album for those that would like to see the gang. We didn't take pictures until after our FHE lesson so you missed the noodle hockey, noodle dinner ( great Thai peanut recipe for those that would like a copy), noodle questions, and licorice eating contest. MUM

Happy Labor Day

I didn't learn anything real exciting this last week. We learned about feeding tubes and tracheotomy care and chest tubes. It wasn't as fun as learning IVs. We only have one more week of class before we start clinicals. I had my first test for my 12 credit class and did ok. I forgot to study a section and therefore missed most of the questions from that section. We had to make a commercial about a drug for one of my classes. I wish I had Bryce's expertise. Our commerical is pretty dumb. I am not a very good actress.
Yesterday I went down the Salt River, up by Mesa, with my friend Julie and her ward. It was lots of fun. You float down this calm river for about 3 1/2 hrs. There are a few places with rapids. There were about 30 of us in our group. Someone brought several bags of marshmellows that we used to throw at each other. They float really well. They get slimy after a while. I, of course, got burnt. My legs and my armpits but not my face. Go figure. I reccommend never getting your armpits burnt. It is very painful. My feet have a lovely tan mark from my sandals. We went to Cafe Rio afterwards and had lunch. It was really good especially since we hadn't eaten anything all day.
Today we had our break the fast meal. My calling is the break the fast leader. It is a stressfull calling because you never know how many people to plan for and you usually run out of food. Well it turned out really well this time because a lot of people were gone due to the holiday weekend. We only had 50 people at church today. We combine with another ward so we can get pretty big. We had plenty to eat and lots of good desserts. Good thing it is only once a month.
I hope everyone has a great Labor Day. Lots of love,
Kira

A busy day

I woke up at 5:00 and did a nice 11 miler. At 9:00 Natalie went to the primary activity day and Eli and I rode the bus. We waited at the bus stop for :45 and didn't want to risk missing the bus home so we decided to simply transfer busses and take a ride around town and back home. Eli loves riding the bus--we usually pick one morning each week where he will ride with me to school and Natalie will pick him up at the bus stop and drive him back home (or usually to some activity they are doing). He likes to be able to move around the bus and is able to look out the windows.
After the bus ride Natalie got home and we drove to the library and then I dropped off Eli and Nat and they went to the 4th street festival while I did some shopping. I picked them up and we went home and washed carpets for the duration of the afternoon. Then we went to the grocery store to get chicken wings and headed over to the Barnhills to watch the BYU/Arizona game. They have a slingbox that connects his brother's cable box in Utah to his computer via internet. The game was very pixelated but it was still nice to actually see part of a game (BYU won). We left just before the game finished and put Eli down and then drove over to Nashville (Indiana) and attended a Diamond Rio concert (pre-anniversary gift to ourselves) at the Little Opry. We got home a little before midnight exhausted from a very busy day.