Preschool Already??
Ellie had her first real day of preschool on Friday and she was overjoyed!! She has been asking for at least a month if it is her turn to go to school. For me it is crazy that my little princess is nearly 4 years old and going to preschool! I am way excited for her, and she already came home singing 3 new songs. What a girl!

Bradley is now 3 months old and so much fun! He smiles and laughs a lot and it is so fun to watch him. He keeps us all smiling!

Okay, so Ashton is such a boy! He likes everything a boy should, but he also has an older sister. He is in touch with his feminine side, and I couldn't resist taking of picture of this classic outfit.

Kindergarten!!!
Burke started Kindergarten yesterday and it was very exciting. When I picked him up he wasn't quite sure what to think his first day, but over all I think it was a good day. He has a great teacher and I am sure that he will adjust and love kindergarten!!

Great Grandpa Jack and Grandma Murl
This is a picture for posterity. My dad's parents live with them so my kids have been able to have a special relationship with their great grandparents. I am at my parents house at least three times a week while the kids are at school. Ashton and Ellie love these two so much! Ellie loves to sit and rock with Grandma and she is Grandpa's little sweetheart! Ash has started to sit with Grandma in the chair as well, and he loves to tease Grandpa. These are some of the sweetest moments and I love to stand back and watch when they don't know that I am there. Having these two at my parents house has been a great blessing to us all!!

RICHFIELD FUN

We went to visit Ricky's Amy on Saturday and we had a great time!! We floated down the Richfield Canal which was lots of fun. There are just some things you can only do in a small town.

Burke, Brax, and Brett had lots of fun! Burke was a nervous for awhile but once he got over that he had a great time. Ashton cried almost the whole time, but he is only two. Next time he will be happier I am sure. Brett was a little unhappy because he lost his stick.

Lindsey was a big helper with Ellie. Ellie wasn't sure what to think in the beginning but Lindsey took great care of her. Paityn stuck right with her daddy!

This has got to be one of the funnest things to do in the summer. We don't have a trampoline so my kids thought this was the neatest thing!

This is my favorite picture from the day. Ashston did not like Uncle Wade to spray him. I thought it was so funny!

See, he really did like jumping, he just had to get use to it! Thanks Aunt Amy and Uncle Wade for such a fun day!!

BACK TO SCHOOL
Braxton startd school last Monday and he has had a great week! His teacher is the mom of one of my good friends from high school so we are excited! Yeah for 2nd grade!!!

GO AMERICA!!!
I have to say that the Olympics are one of my favorite things in the world to watch. Tonight we watched Micheal Phelps and the rest of the men's relay team win the gold medal by like seven tenths of a second and it was amazing!! I of course got all choked up watching the medal ceremony as usual. Anyway, I am proud to be an American and look forward to the next two weeks of events!!

Christianson Family Fun!!
My sister Molly and her two girls were here the last 2 1/2 weeks and we loved having them here! The 20 pictures on this post are from activities we did together as a whole family clan. Fun Times!!

For family home evening we went for a walk up Provo Canyon. It was beautiful!! This is one of my most favorite places on earth and I love taking my kids there.

Ricky has a great "Daniel Son" pose don't you think.

Ashton couldn't stand to be in his stroller. He wanted to be out with the rest of the kids running and playing, but he liked being on daddy's shoulder's the best!

These are all 12 of the Christianson grandchildren. It was a little difficult to get them all to sit still for an FHE lesson, but my dad made it through as they ate ice cream bars.

Bradley fully looks like a little old man in this picture.

Cora is such a poser!

Of course we could not have a family outing up the canyon without my dad's beloved dog Cassie. She is certainly one of the family.

Ashton is also a little poser.

We went to the Hogle Zoo on Tuesday and let me just say that was an adventure!! This is all of the kids but Rebecca's Lily. She was having a bit of a moment when we took this picture. On the back row we have Colby, Brigham, Josie, Burke, Bradley and Braxton. The next row is Ellie, Maggie, Savannah, Cora and Ashton. What dolls!!

Braxton, Brad and Brax.

Colby couldn't resis getting on this Rhino. What 7 year old could??

This is one of my favorite pictures from the day. Cora and Molly; what beautiful gals!!

This is everyone waiting for the bird show.

I think this was Ashton's favorite part of the day. He loves his treats!!

Burke and Brigham think they are pretty funny.

Ellie was a little nervous about sitting by this gorilla, but after some persuasion we got a cute shot.

This is me and Ash on the train ride to end the day. We had a blast but were ready for some air conditioning after 4 hours of the Zoo! We love our family and are so glad that Molly could come; if would have been perfect if Kevin could have been here with us. We love you Kevin!!!!

Summertime Fun!!
We went to the park on Saturday and the kids had a lot of fun. It was one of those great family moments of a perfect day!

Ellie being a big girl.

Braxton being a monkey.

Ashton loving the slide.

Bradley chillin' with daddy.

A rare moment when Burke and Ellie aren't arguing.

Braxton and Burke both went in the dunk tank at our stake pioneer celebration. They loved it!! Burke was really shocked when he hit the cold water, but that didn't stop him from going again.

This is my favorite of the pictures. I love the look on Burke's face!!

Families Can Be Together Forever

Last week we had a tragedy in our family. My dear Uncle Jim was killed in a helicopter crash. The news was obviously shocking and saddened all of our family. Uncle Jim was one in a million and we will miss him greatly! I am so thankful to have knowledge of the temple and that Aunt Tina and Uncle Jim will be together again because they were sealed in the temple. How blessed we are to know that families can be together forever. We love you Uncle Jim!!

Bradley's Blessing Day

We blessed Brad on July 6th and it was a great experience. It is always amazing to hear the blessing from Heavenly Father that he gives these sweet angels. I love this picture of the kids because they all look so happy!! I am thankful that we are a forever family and that I will have my children with me forever!!

I had to throw this one in. It is the classic before church picture with the curlers in the hair. You gotta love it!!

HAPPY 4TH!!!!
This is one of our favorite holiday's of the year!!! It is a day of fun in the sun! We are proud to be Americans and are so thankful for our rich heritage.

This is me and Rebecca and Mandi; two of my fabulous sisters. We missed Molly greatly on this family day.

Burke got to pull the canon string. How cool is that?

Bradley slept through most of his first Independence Day. What can you expect?

Ellie and Grandma Murl are special friends. Ellie sat on her lap for about an hour while things were crazy outside.

Every year we have a HUGE water fight! Burke and Braxton had a ball!