Happy Halloween!

Carson has a little photo shoot with his aunt this morning. I didn't get him a fancy costume because (1) I wasn't sure if he would wear it and (2) he doesn't really care anyway. He is wearing a little owl hat, but you can't really see it. Hoot hoot!

A Little Update

It's been a while since we've posted anything. I wish I could say it's because we have had so much going on, but that isn't really true. Here's what has been happening.
Jake had to go to Cedar City for work for a few days. He got to fly on the corporate jet there because apparently a 3 hour drive takes far too long.
Carson and I stayed home for this trip, so we had some good bonding time.

We are looking forward to carving the pumpkins we grew in our garden this year. Unfortunately, we didn't get one as cool as our three-pumpkins-in-one that we got last year.

We are All Here

My family has this tradition... Every time we get together with my mom's family (the Christensen side) we recite a little poem together. Usually we gather around right before eating a meal or playing a game to say it, and most of the time we casually ramble through it so that we can get on with the party. But not today. Today, I think everyone wished the poem would last a little longer. I know I did. That's because we recited it during my grandpa's funeral.

At 96 years and 11 months old, my grandpa Christensen finally got to go home. He has been waiting for it for a while, especially since grandma died five years ago, and more than anything, our family recognized his passing as more of a sweet reunion than any sort of loss. Of course we cried, because we will miss him - a lot. The amazing thing about Grandpa is that he touched each family member's life in such a personal way. Somehow I think all of the grand kids think we are his favorite, because he genuinely loved and cared about each of us. He attended every graduation, baptism, ordination, school production, and sporting event that happened near Salt Lake, and even made it to a few functions in other parts of the country. Most of all, I think he was the perfect example to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren - a true patriarch in every sense of the word and a perfect follower of Christ if there ever were one. I'm going to miss him, especially at Sunday dinners and every other family function we attend. The beauty of it is that we will always have the poem to remind us that we are never that far apart.

We are all here
Father, Mother, Sister, Brother
All who hold each other dear.
Each chair is filled, we are all at home
Tonight let no cold stranger come
For it is not often thus around
The old familiar hearth we are found.
Bless then the meeting and the spot
For once be every care forgot.
Let gentle peace assert its power
And love and kindness rule the hour.
We are all, all here.

(This picture was taken on Carson's blessing day in August. I think it was the first event in all his years Grandpa ever missed, so we went to him... and boy, am I glad we did.)

Mr. Carson Goes to Washington

Our little family had a great time this past week enjoying our nation's capital. Here are a few things we learned:

• Business trips are a lot more fun when the whole family is there. Jake's boss was kind enough to invite me and Carson along.
• Getting through airport security with a baby by yourself is impossible. Bring a friend!
• Baby slings are awesome! It sure beats the stroller, and Carson was happy as could be.
• Smithsonian brownies taste like chocolate flavored sidewalk chalk that got left out in the sprinklers. Don't buy one!
• Local tour guides are the best. We got to spend some time with my college roommate and her family. It was great to see them.
• Paying extra money to fly on Delta rather than Southwest (which is what we normally do) is worth it. Paying extra money to stay in a Marriott rather than a Holiday Inn Express (where we normally stay) is not worth it.
• October is a great time to visit DC. The weather was great, and tour buses were rare. We had a great time!
  

Andiamo al tempio!

In case you missed it... there is going to be an LDS temple in Italy. One more reason for us to plan a trip. Maybe we can make it for the groundbreaking or dedication. Speriamo.

Speaking of Italy, I ran into a group of Italians at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC today. What are the chances? More details/pictures of that trip are on their way...

Roma. Ancora, non ci credo.