Pictures

Here are some pictures of us. I wanted to try to get some with all four of us, but it didn't work out the kids both weren't cooperating very well.

Avarie and Reid Update

Avarie is still trying to potty train. We are struggling a bit and I think it is my fault, but I am not sure what to do, but eventually maybe both of us will get the hang of it.
Her imagination is growing everyday. She plays and pretends a ton. It is so cute. The other day we were at Derrick's school because the class above him was having a pediatrics lab and they asked the underclass if they could bring in their children so they could get some experience. So we took both Avarie and Reid. but while they were there avarie some how got a hold of a stop watch and it was her puppy named Kaelen. It was so funny. She is making things up like that all the time. While I was making dinner yesterday she got into my baking stuff and was making soup for dinner. It was hilarious.

Reid is alert as ever and as sweet as ever. He has decided to become very attached to his blanket that has a silky fabric on the back of it. He will get a hold of it and rub it on is face and will fall asleep almost instantly if you wrap him up in it when he is tired. He is holding his head up pretty well while he is on his stomach even though he hates tummy time we are learning what inventive ways we can do tummy time that doesn't make him scream. He is smiling and laughing a ton and loves to Jabber. He loves to watch Avarie and smiles at her constantly. It has been fun watching him grown and develop.

Everyday Update

We have been up to a lot lately. We will be leaving for Utah next friday and are driving there which should take about 24 hours. I think we might be crazy, but the jury is out on that one still. Derrick and I have been running usually 4 days a week and we are up to 1.5 miles. Not far, but for me it is good. I am hoping to be able to run a 5K by December but my mom and Derrick both think I could by the end of the summer. We will see how I feel then though that is a definite maybe. We have also been trying to eat better lately. We have been eating more whole grains and I have been able to find some great recipes that are low of calories, higher on fiber and dont sacrifice on taste. why are we doing this? well first the health of our family, but also for my own selfish reasons. I am trying to get the baby weight off. This weight is not from Reid. The weight I gained with him was gone in 2 weeks. This is the weight from Avarie. Yes it has shamefully taken me this long to get the motivation to do it, but proudly to say I am down 15 pounds as of today and only have 6 more to go for my current goal and then reevaluation to see what the next goal will be, but I am back into clothes that haven't fit me for years and kept for some reason. I really do appreciate my sweet husband sticking with me and helping me to get healthier. If it was not for him putting the kids in the stroller and getting out their with me I would not have been able to do it so THANK YOU HONEY!!! YOU ARE WONDERFUL. I am feeling better about myself and feeling the best I have in years thanks to your support and help!

Happy Birthday to Derrick!!

Derrick's Birthday was on Wednesday. He turned 26 this week. We love you so much honey and are so grateful for everything you have done for our little family. I hope you had a great day!! opening presents

Cake

Derrick and Avarie using their party hats as swords.

What have we been up to lately

Well we have been crazy busy lately!! Derrick has had a lot of projects and tests lately so he has been a little bit of a recluse, but we are so proud of him. Then last weekend he was in Utah for his grandfather's Funeral. His Grandfather will be greatly missed he was such a sweet man.


Avarie and I have have just played around the house and potty training, but while Derrick was gone we did not want to sit around the apartment alone so we drove to Houston and we stayed with my cousin Kristing, her Husband Daniel, and their sweet little one Aurora. Below are some pictures of the two newest Christensen great grand children. They are about 6 weeks apart I believe. We had so much fun while we were there. Thanks Kristin and Daniel and It was so fun to see little Aurora for the first time. They really helped us not be so lonely with out Derrick there.

Hogg Mansion

Ok so while Avarie Reid and I were in Houston we went to this Mansion with Kristin and Daniel that has these amazing gardens. Nothing was flowereing except the Magnolia trees and they weren't in full bloom yet. The gardens were amazing! I cannot even imagine the up keep it would take.

Kristin, Avarie and I by one of the fountains

The house from as close as I could get and still get most of the home in the picture. It was huge. Funny note: The owners were the Hogg family 2 brothers and a sister built the home. Shortly after it was built one of the brothers got married and the other died , so their siste Ima Hogg was the sole resident (yes her name was Ima hogg) mean huh? but funny.

Butterfly shaped garden

Avarie liked this statue

These two are Magnolia blossom. They are these huge trees that have these large blosssoms. The blossoms would fill a large mixing bowl. They are gorgeous and smell wonderfull. The blossom above is not fully opened but the one below is fully open

3 Months Old and Potty Training

We have hit 3 months with Reid! He is still growing like a weed. He is laughing and smiling. It is so cute if we start singing twinkle twinkle little star he starts giggling. He jabbers and make tons of noises and is such a sweety. In the morning you only know he is awake because he is in there his room babbling to himself. He is such a sweet little blessing in our lives.

Avarie is growing also. She has been potty training which is a little interesting but we are getting the hang of things and doing better. She is not not having pee accidents for the most part, but the other one we are still struggling with. Any suggestions out there to help with #2 issues? Avarie is loving her brother and loves to help change his diaper and give him a bath. She is such a good big sister and a helpful sweet girl.

Below and above are some picture of Avarie and Reid.