Father's Day!

June 19, 2011

Father's Day has always been a day I have loved.  I grew up with the world's greatest dad, and it was a joy to celebrate him once a year.  And now I also have the world's greatest husband, who also rocks it as a Daddy.  Not to mention a fantastic father-in-law.  So I look forward to this special day once a year to show these men just how much they mean in my (well, our) lives.

Holidays are always as much craziness as fun when your families are close by.  At one point in our marriage, I was really lobbying to alternate and just get to relax and spend a whole holiday with one family (I really wanted to be fair about it, of course).  But my husband was all for seeing everyone every holiday (Thanksgiving is our one true exception).  So I embraced the craziness! And it turns out that when you don't expect relaxation to be a big part of holidays anymore, they still turn out to be just as fun.  Just different. So....

We started the day off right with a big, unhealthy and perfectly scrumptious breakfast with my Dad.  We ate, laughed, and played with the kids.  It was quiet without any of my siblings around, but kind of special to get my parents all to ourselves!  My dad has made it no secret over the years that he loves Father's Day and his birthday... even more than Christmas!  Knowing that he loved them so much always made me pay extra attention to those special days.  And to be honest, it made me love them that much more myself!  My dad and I are kindred spirits.  We share a special bond, and I know that no matter what he believes in me.  He believes that I am good, smart, and beautiful.  He knows I am capable, kind, and honest.  My Dad knows my potential and what is more, he believes I will reach it.  You have no idea how wonderful all those things were growing up.  And even now when I doubt myself and then I start to think of my dad, his faith in me buoys me up and gives me confidence to work to be the person he believes me to be.

In turn, my Dad knows I grew up thinking he was the best man on Earth. And he graciously scooted over to allow my amazing husband to share that honor with him when I got married.  He knows that I find him inspiring, humble, strong, and kind hearted.  He is a hard worker, generous, and knows how to kick back and have a good laugh.  He makes the best popcorn in the world, and with a big smile he always answers, "Dad, do you want to play a game?" with "Do you want to lose?"  He gives the best bear hugs, listens well and offers sound advice, and he is a talented story teller to boot! Dad, remember those days lying on my floor at night and making wind noises while you brought Chip and Chipper to life?  And now it warms my heart to see the first man I loved play with my own little children.  

After church we headed out to Tooele, and actually did have a pretty relaxing evening with Griff's family.  I know, I guess it isn't always craziness! Randy and Cindy made rotisserie chickens on the BBQ - so yummy!   But mostly it was fun to enjoy Randy.  My father-in-law is really a special man.  He has an incredible work ethic, and he has an intense love for his children.  He taught Griff through example how to be strong, respect oneself, and be unselfish.  His example showed Griff how to cherish a wife and allow her to become a part of himself.  He is a loving, supportive father-in-law and a devoted Grandpa.  I know he loves my boys deeply, and I look forward to watching them build their relationship in coming years. And I love watching the special bond Randy has with his first grandson, Chet.  It warms my heart to watch them together.

And finally... my very favorite part of Father's Day was celebrating the man who makes my heart complete.  Griff is an amazing father, a devoted husband, and a talented and kind man.  I was talking about Griff with one of my friend's parents before we got married.  They always really really liked Griff.  My friend's mother said of Griff, "Still water runs deep."  I always think about that when I think of my husband.   He is level and collected, but he has this inner strength and surety of purpose that pulls me to him like gravity.   He makes me laugh, keeps me on my toes, and can make our boys laugh like I will never be able to.  He loves me with all of himself.  He is always up for a challenge, and loves to try new things.  I never question that he adores me... even when I'm pretty sure he doesn't particularly like me at the moment.  And I know that he will take care of us.  It is a joy raising my sons with a man like Griff.  Happy Father's Day to the man and father I could never do without!  I love you, Griffin Jack.

Colt at 6 Months

Baby Colt ~ 6 months

So here are the stats:

Length: 27 inches (75%)

Weight: 16 lb 13 oz (50%)  

Head Circumference: 45 (75%)

Colt flip-flopped from his 3 month check-up!  At 3 months, he was in the 75th for weight and 50th for height.  It was actually comical because I tried to put him in some shorts at the beginning of the summer, and I was shocked when I couldn't even do up the zipper.  Then I tried again a month later, and the shorts fit perfectly!  My chubba chubba baby is slimming down. Boo. He still feels like a chubby little baby to me though. 

At six months, Colt's sweet disposition was holding strong (and still is at almost 8 months ~ I will get caught up.  I will get caught up...).  Unlike Jack Jack, Colt did not like solids at first.  He even cried the first few times I tried to give him rice cereal.  But just after six months, it was like someone flipped a switch and he suddenly loved to eat.  Mind you, he had that tongue thrust going on and could only keep about a tenth of each bite in his mouth.  But he loved food!  In fact, just after he started eating solids, Colt became obsessed with his tongue.  He was constantly sticking it out, biting it, and just altogether enjoying that funny little tongue too much. He also started to love love love sucking on his hands.  His two bottom teeth started coming in at just about six months and within a few weeks, they started making that grin of his absolutely irresistible. My favorite thing about Colt's appearance is his hair.  Seriously, this baby looks like a blown dandelion!  His head is covered with long, soft, fluffy hair that sticks straight up.  It's adorable.  Colt still loves his binky.  At six months, his favorite toys were the horse jumper, the exersaucer, rings, and his daddy.  Just seeing Griff walk near him starts Colt giggling or squealing in anticipation of being played with.  He started thinking Jack was pretty funny at this point, too, and would randomly crack up while watching his brother's antics.  

Right about six months, Jack started telling Colt in a very stern little voice, "Stop crying right now" whenever poor little Colt even fussed.  Yikes!  So we started working on that, and now I think it is so cute when Colt cries or fusses, Jack stops whatever he is doing and yells, "I'm coming baby Colt, I'm coming!"  And then if Colt is accessible, he gets deluged with toys from the toy basket.  It is adorable.

Teneil and Colton's Wedding

June 10, 2011   The Wedding Dinner

Colton's family hosted a dinner for the soon to be newly weds the night before the wedding.  Colton's mom had decorated the tables so cute and dinner was great.  It was so fun to gather with the wedding party and family to launch the wedding festivities.  Colton went to Samoa on his mission, so there were even some polynesian dancers to keep us entertained.  The dinner got us all excited for the next day!

Travis, Devin, Grandpa Jack, Griff, Grandma Bonnie, and baby Colt

Colt with the beautiful bride to be.  Nelly looked amazing!

Love that man next to me.

Colt playing with Grandpa Jack.  

The lovely couple with their parents.  (Colt seems to have really gotten around.  Does it seem like he is in most of the pictures? hahaha)

Griff, Grandpa Roy, Grandma Toni, Cassidee, Travis, Devin, Grandpa Jack, and Grandma Bonnie

June 11, 2011 The Wedding Day

The wedding day was beautiful!  Teneil and Colton were married in the Bountiful Temple.  They both looked amazing and so happy.  It was so fun to see our cute Nelly married for time and eternity.  This is only the second marriage ceremony I have been able to attend since my own, and it was so neat to witness it again.  What an amazing blessing to be sealed to your love forever.  Speaking of which...  

here is my dearest love with our darling, happy, energetic little boy.  I love these two together in their suits.  

While Nelly was getting pictures, Jack became obsessed with one of the fountains in the temple grounds.  Actually, it was the money in the fountain that he was obsessed with. He had everyone laughing as he pointed and yelled,"Money!  Money!" for seriously half an hour.  And he had Grandma Bonnie pretty concerned when he kept trying to go in after it.  I think she was convinced he would drown before the morning was done.  It was pretty hilarious.  Cute little Anika joined on the bench before long.   

Jack shaking hands with his Grandpa Jack.  These two are good buddies.

These pictures are a little out of order, but that's okay.  Jack spent most of the reception playing in the basement - watching movies, playing with toys.  It was heavenly for Griff and I.  We didn't have to be chasing him all night, and instead got to visit with all the guests.  Plus, I think Jack had a blast.  He looked very handsome in his little tux.

 So did Chet...

And Colt... who incidentally crashed on Jack's lap while watching Toy Story 3 and was gently moved by his daddy to this safer location.

The Christensen family with their newest son/brother-in-law!

Griff and Cassidee

Colt had just started this funny little thing where he stuck his tongue out all the time.  It made me laugh.  What a fuzzy headed cutie pie.

My handsome little boys!  They looked so adorable in those tiny tuxes.

Teneil and Colton with their nieces and nephews.

My Fam!

A pic with the happy couple.

Isn't this the sweetest picture?  I love how Colt is looking up at Grandma Bonnie with that little smile on his face.  He is so lucky to have great-grandparents who are both still around and love him so much.  

The first generation of Christensen children... or so I like to think of them. :)  Griff and Devin.

Cutting the cake.  I LOVE that they fed each other nicely.  It drives me crazy when people shove the cake in each other's faces.  I think because they look so beautiful and handsome, and it is such a sweet, special day... I don't know, you might think I'm a stick in the mud.  But I like sweet.

The newest Mr and Mrs Chinowyth!

The newly weds' first dance.

And a last dance with Dad....

 ...which was promptly interrupted by a little pink pixie who wanted to dance, too. :)

And of course she got her wish.  Who could turn a little tinkerbell like Anika?

Anika and Devin

Colt spent most of his night with this cute Tiffany. She is the bishop, and the Christensen's good friend's, daughter.  Colt adored her.

I love this girl.  She has always loved me, and I can feel it.  I wish her all the happiness with her new husband.  (Who we love, too, incidentally - you chose well, Nelly!)

I had to get a picture of Nelly's hair.  It looked so pretty.  It turns out that our very own Deedee did it.  

And we saw the happy couple off through a tunnel of sparklers and shouted good wishes.  They left in a car covered (and I mean every square inch covered) in post-it notes.  It was actually pretty cool looking.  Oh, Nelly and Colton, may you always be happy!  Your going to love being married... it is the greatest!