FAREWELL, ELDER C

Another Elder from my side of the family has gone out! He got called to Arizona and is such a cute, good kid. I know he'll do wonderful. I'm sure my parents are up in heaven dancing the jitterbug in happiness!

Future Elders- cousins: M, M and C Man.

We had a good time in Price listening to him speak, eating at the luncheon, visiting with family and friends and saying good-bye.

Cousins: M, C Man, RM A, and the man of the hour- Elder C.

The family that was there from my side.

SNOW BOY/ ART BOY

I have a snow-obsessed son in my house. Well, all of them are pretty excited for winter to start, but Elder D is especially excited. He's missed snow and particularly snowboarding for the last two years on his mission in England. He said it never snowed while he was there. It just rained and rained and rained (I think he was there for some record flooding). Anyway, it started to snow this afternoon and he was out there in it between classes. He just couldn't resist! He built a huge snowman and the snow was so heavy and wet that it collapsed, but he was still thrilled! Now it just needs to start piling up in the mountains so he can really put it to good use! haha!

My 21 year old son! Happy as a kid!

He's also an art major at Snow College and I am so impressed with what he is doing. I love that I have children that are artists! Even if they don't end up doing that for their occupations, I just know how much art enriches your life and I am so happy that my children see that too.

A boy and his drawing. (Yes, he does wear flannel everyday).

ELDER GORDON IS HOME!

Elder Gordon is finally home! He served the Lord for 2 years in the England Manchester Mission and came home last night! We are so excited to have him here, but are so proud of all his accomplishments while he was away and especially the amazing man he has become!

Those faces say it all!

The elders he came home with (he's the second from the right).

Elder G and his proud parents. 

He's ours again!

At Olive Garden. That was where he wanted to go and then they didn't even have what he wanted on the menu anymore.

He's got a bit of an accent and can do great impressions of the characters he met. It's been so much fun hearing all his stories and adventures. What a great person he is!

Here's some video footage Sister S took on her iPhone of the reunion. 

LAST ELDER GORDON UPDATE

My oldest son is soon due home from his mission to Manchester, England. I can't tell you how excited I am to see him! He is such a fun, kind, obedient kid and a blast to be around. We're really missed him. 

Facebook tribute on his birthday this year. He's an awesome snowboarder, has fabulous fashion sense and is a passionate Pokemon player. Haha, JK on that last part.

Elder G and the oldest iron bridge in England.

 He got to call on British Mother's Day because he will miss the one for the US (because he will be home!). It was so great to talk with him and see him. We are so lucky to be able to Skype/FaceTime, etc... now. Back in the olden days, we would have had to pay a pretty hefty phone bill to talk to him for an hour. 

 He's grown so much on his mission, both in spirituality and in maturity. He shared his beautiful testimony of missionary work and the Savior with us. 

His comp, Elder J, and him as we FaceTimed yesterday.

 I am so proud of him and the amazing example he has been to our family. What a blessing it is to have missionaries out. I will really miss it.

Elder G and the Hogwarts Express.

A MISSIONARY CHRISTMAS

Elder Gordon is still enjoying his mission very much. He writes very enthusiastically even though the British, in general, are not very receptive to the message of the Gospel. I am so impressed by his unfailing positive attitude.

Christmas Dinner at the Stake President's home.

A very jolly Elder Claus.

They even got some snow!

He and his 'flatmates' (cuz they're in England), went out and wrote 'He is the Gift.com' in the snow. Always a missionary!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO US!

Another Christmas has come and gone. I am always so sad when the Holidays are finished. I go through withdrawal and wish I could do it all over again. I love the magic and always will.

Princess P and Sister S. I love these girls!

Awesome A, Aunt P and Sister S. Ready to open gifts.

Christmas Eve gift opening is always so fun.

Our cute little grunge baby nephew, W.

Kids on the stairs! 'Quit taking photos and let's go see what Santa brought!'

Santa sure was good to these kids this year!

 Sister S got her green iPhone. Little C got new skis and boots (since he has grown so much and can't even wear Dad's stuff anymore!). Princess P got her iPod Touch! Awesome A got the brand new GoPro. Everyone was more than happy!

We all got Star Wars PJ bottoms this year too, except for Princess P. Santa couldn't find her size...

Christmas morning PJ's!

WHITE CHRISTMAS!

No one will dispute me when I say the VERY BEST part of Christmas was Skyping with Elder Gordon from England. We ate breakfast and ran home to get on the computer and it worked out just right. It was 5:00 pm his time and 9:00 am our time, so he'd done most of his Christmas stuff. 

Big, cheesy grin and a thumbs up from Elder Gordon!

He is so funny! We laughed and laughed at all the British terms he's using. He was actually wearing British flag cufflinks (he called them his 'posh' clothes or 'smart' clothes). He's going to be popular with the girls when he gets home. haha!

Chatting with Elder Gordon on Christmas Day.

The kids ran over and shoveled the neighbor's driveway before we went back up to the barn.

Awesome A and Uncle C in the truck, jamming to EDM.

Christmas Day playing in the snow and visiting the cows.

THE LAST CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

This is Princess P's last year in elementary school. I have mixed feelings about that. Everything she does will the be last one- last Halloween parade, last Christmas Program, last May Day, etc... The good: It's the last. The bad: It's the last. Oh, the contradictions of being Mom.

Princess P (in the red sweater) sings and plays her recorder with her class.

Our Family Night on how we will #sharethegift #Heisthegift

 We also had our traditional Christensen family Christmas party. It was FUN! There were some awesome White Elephant gifts. Sister S got Edward Cullen's ashes (a bottle of glitter). I got some PooPourri.

Yay for family!!

IDAHO FAREWELL

Our niece is leaving on a mission to Ohio for the LDS church, so we decided to go hear her give her farewell talk and visit the family in Idaho last weekend. We haven't seen them for quite a while, so it was fun. 

My cute, mini family.

We also stayed in a motel with a pool and hot tub, so that added to the vacation feel. It was FREEZING there! They have snow and seriously frigid temperatures. We have yet to feel winter at our house.

The whole group of family (both sides).

Gma and Gpa Gordon

The Idaho Gordons.

ELDER GORDON UPDATE

Elder Gordon is doing an amazing job on his mission. He stays so motivated when he's had so many disappointments. I am so proud of him I can hardly stand it. He's doing a fabulous job! This photo is of him with ALL of his companions so far. 

In order left to right.

Here he is at the Preston temple. They get to go to a session when they go to Preston for conferences and meetings.  

The Elders in his flat. Elder Gordon is in the yellow tie.

WARPED TOUR 2014

Big C and I were blown away, but our sweet, little, newly-returned missionary wanted to go to Warped Tour this year! She hadn't even been home a month! She said it was a huge shock at first, but then she loosened up and had a great time. I have very mixed feelings about the 'loosening up' part...

Friend, Awesome A and Sister S.

They always come home with lots of free swag from these concerts and have a great time talking with the band members. This year they each got these awesome glasses.

A with the lead singer of his new favorite band- Icon for Hire.

Two A's in the mosh pit!

A and another band member from Icon for Hire.

A and the drummer from Icon for Hire.

THE LONE MISSIONARY

It is kind of strange having only one missionary out there now. I was worried that Elder G would get really homesick or trunky with Sister G coming home, but he is doing better than ever and has no desire to come home.

Pres. Preston and Elder G.

 In July, the Manchester mission got a new president and so Elder G had to say goodbye to his old one. He really enjoyed Pres. Preston and will miss him, but it was also fun to learn that his new President is from Utah.

Elder G and his favorite investigators.

It seems that Elder G gets some great investigators going and then gets transferred and has to leave them to be baptized by someone else, but he is really enjoying teaching the gospel and getting them ready.

4 'generations' of missionaries.

 In 'mission speak'- the above photo is of 4 generations of Missionaries. From left to right they all trained each other. 

Teeing off for P-day at Oxenholme driving range.

Welshpool.

 Elder G has also seen some amazing scenery. I can't wait to go pick him up and see it for myself. (hehe- that's kind of a wish, not necessarily set in stone...) But I have always wanted to go to England and this might be my only chance.

Elder G on his throne.

Keep up the hard work, Elder G. We sure are proud of you!