Halloween!

Happy Birthday to Adam last week! We love us some Animal!What a day! The girls are in the mid-stages of a terrible bug and so this amazing day that we've been prepping for all month was sort-of a bummer. Emory laid around all day to try to reserve some energy for the Trick-or-Treating, she looked and felt awful. We did make some fun sugar cookies but had to quarantine Em's. This was the first year I've really taken them out door to door. It was gorgeous weather and we had fun. Tessa was totally into it and loved every minute. She just oohs and aahs at all the decorations, and loves them all - even the ones that her big sister is too afraid to go near! Here's a few picture of the big day and the little ones leading up.
Charlotte and Wilbur and PenelopeGardner Village with Grandma AudreyPainting pumpkins

Playing in the leavesEmory's Preschool ParadePrimary CarnivalAnd the BEST COSTUME goes to my brother and sister-in-law, check it out here!

Vampires anyone?

So, we (all the girls in the house) are getting a "little" excited for the Twilight movie. My wonderful Aunt Page found us tickets to the midnight showing, just in the nick of time - apparently they were almost sold out in the SL area. Let the waiting begin!

Tessa's Birthday Part II

Here's some pictures from Tessa's party. Thanks to all the family for coming over and for all the great gifts. Emory is enjoying them just as much as Tess!

Spinning anyone?

Before I moved back to Utah, I had a fabulous walking routine with one of my good friends Mandy. It is one of the things I miss the MOST, along with the warmer weather, rescuing rabbits, playing at the park, and better fitting clothes! So, we got a membership at our local REC center and I'm trying to take advantage of it. Cory, Adam, Amanda, and I wake up at the butt-crack of dawn to attend this really "fun" spinning class. "Fun" is a relative term, it is fun but it is also ridiculously hard! Here's what spinning is, if you didn't know:Indoor cycling is a form of high-intensity exercise that involves using a stationary exercise bicycle in a classroom setting. Participants set goals based on their heart rate, which can be measured by hand or using a heart rate monitor and ride simulated variations in terrain by altering resistance and cadence. If someone is new to indoor cycling and has not yet purchased a heart rate monitor then they can judge their level of exertion on an RPE (relative perceived exertion) scale. This scale has numbers which range from six (no exertion at all) to 20 (maximum exertion). Instructors guide classes by calling out the level of exertion participants should be at. Besides being a great form of aerobic activity (burning between 400-600 calories in 40 minutes), indoor cycling is also beneficial in strengthening the muscles of the lower body. It tones the quadriceps and hamstrings, along with working the back and hips.

We're definitely addicted! Our instructor uses a 1-10 scale and I think I hit 12 sometimes. My first time I felt like I was going to pass out, but it's super fun to push yourself. Today we beat the Italians!!
PS That second to last line is an amazing TWSS!

Halloween or Christmas?

There are so many things I love about being in Utah. One of them is NOT the snow before Halloween, but it comes every year since I can remember. I remember so many times crying because I had to wear my coat under a princess type costume. "Princess' do not have muscles!!" Oh well, luckily my girls have selected perfectly warm costumes and they're turning out great. Here's us doing Mr. Potato Head Pumpkins and then 3 days later in a blizzard!Emory is very happy that "the snow finally woke up!"
We've loved all the fall activities that we've been able to participate in. Jackets, no mowing the lawn or weeding, and spending time with family. My cousin Austin and her husband Richard blessed their sweet baby Ethan on Sunday, so we drove out to Tooele for the event. WOW! Having lived in Utah for the vast majority of my life, and I had never visited Tooele before - what a treat! It was Fast and Testimony Meeting and there were some AMAZING testimonies! (I'm only being a little sarcastic!) The Blessing was so beautiful and the shin-dig afterwards was super good. Good food, family and fun.

A couple of weeks ago we made these super cute Halloween decorations at my Grandma's house. It was so fun to visit and get creative with my mom, Grandma Audrey, Aunt Page, and cousins Adrianne, Austin, Amelia, Amanda. ( I stole these pics from my cousin Austin's Blog! Thanks Aussie!)Mom and meAmanda and PageThe Finished Product - mine looks a little different than this one, but nonetheless, very cute!

Family Pictures

We've had two new additions to our family since our last Christiansen Photo, so it was time for a new one. We went out to the Great Salt Lake and had a grand ole time throwing sticks, writing in the sand, dancing to the rave music blaring at Saltair, and running from monstrous mosquitoes!We couldn't get a smile out of Tessa to save her life!These were just some fun shots of the cars coming from Tooele. Trent is very talented. You can check out some of his other stuff at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/trentdavis/sets

My baby is ONE!!!

I can't believe it! We all love Tessa Elaine so much, and truly couldn't imagine life without her - seeing as I wouldn't have her attached to my leg or hip. Here's a little montage of some of this "lovely" little girl's 1st year of life!

Here's a few silly things about Tess:
She always wakes up with a smile!
She loves to sneak upstairs to see Grandma.
She feeds more than half of her meals to Kirby the Dog!
Her favorite song is Patty Cake.
She loves the book "Five Little Ducklings," and wants it read over and over.
She can say so many things: Hi, Bye, Uh-oh, Dad, Ma, Dog, Woof, All done, Go, and NO!
She has taken up to 12 steps but still prefers crawling!
She likes to push buttons, especially keyboards and cell phones.

We love our Tessalaner!!!
In case you didn't catch the video here's the link:

Tessa Elaine's 1st Year!