GO COUGS!!!

Ellie and I went to the BYU game last Saturday and we had lots of fun! Our family has a whole row of seats, so we got to be with everyone and bake in the sun. Ellie and I got to spend extra time with my dad because he drove with us. We don't get much one on one time with him and it was great! Ellie did better than I thought she would. Although we left at half time she didn't really complain at all; besides asking if we could go yet.
Can I just say a word about obnoxious fans? I think we got put in front of the worst BYU fans ever! I understand getting exciting at games and yelling some, but these guys were unbelievable. They literally screamed on every play, good or bad. Poor Ellie kept plugging her ears and looking at them like they were crazy; they were. I think that someone needs to tell them that the ref's and the players can't hear them down on the field. NEWS FLASH!! Besides that, it was a great game, given the fact that we killed UCLA. Go BYU!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLIE!!!!

Ellie turned 4 on Sunday and she could not have been more excited!! I think she has been counting down all summer. She is finally 4 and really isn't a little little girl anymore. I am not sure how I feel about that, but it is fun to see her grow and learn.

We had a party on Saturday with all of Ellie's friends. She had a wonderful time and got enough candy to last a life time. Sorry parents!

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!!