Chloe, Let go and Walk!

Chloe has been walking around on furniture for awhile now. She has to have something in her hand, whether she is actually using it for balance or not. One of these days she'll let go and walk on her own. Then we're in real trouble.

First Day

Caleb getting off the bus after his first day.

He had a great first day of kindergarten, although he said he was "really nervous".

He shows Chloe all of the ABC book he made.

Today Corbin and Caleb started school. It was Caleb's first year in Elementary school. I was able to put him on the bus without shedding a tear. I really couldn't be more happy that summer break is over and we will start having schedules, consistent bedtimes, and I will hopefully be able to clean without it being undone within 15 minutes. However, when the kindergarten bus dropped Caleb off, and I watched him descend the steps I got a little choked up. It's hard to believe my little guy is now in school. He was so excited to join the ranks of his brothers and he had a great first day!

Corbin holds up 3 fingers for 3rd grade. Caleb is trying to make a sign language K for kindergarten.


Off they go. Have a great day!

Christensen Family Reunion

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Middle Schoolers

I have to make one quick post. I just watched my 5'10" and 5'6" sons walk down the sidewalk together on their way to the first day of school. It is Chase's first day of middle school. He and Carter haven't gone to the same school for the past 2 years, so the last time I saw them walking down the sidewalk to school together it looked a little different. I am feeling pretty sentimental about it. They will always be my cute little boys.

Isn't it Great? Corbin's 8!

Eight years ago today, Corbin made his grand entrance into the world. When he decided it was time to come, he wasn't waiting for anything - not the epidural to kick in, nor the Doctor to arrive. This has been his way ever since. He loves action and excitement and likes to call the shots.
His first three years of life we called him 'Beano'. He was a cute little tank of a kid with bright, inquistive eyes, and a confident strut. He no longer allows anyone to call him Beano. He still has the bright eyes and confident strut but he has turned from a little tank into a tall, lean, athletic machine.
Corbin is a social butterfly. He loves playing and isn't intimidated by older kids nor is he put off about interacting with younger ones. If anyone wants to socialize and have a good time, Corbin is there front and center.
Corbin has a big smile, a contagious laugh and is a delight to have in our family. Eight years have flown by and I can't imagine life without the blessing of Corbin in it. This is a big year for him. He will be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and also gets to become a cub scout.
Happy Birthday, Corbin. I love you.

Too many pictures

Digital cameras are such a great invention. You can snap away to your hearts content, and delete and edit and never think about how many shots you have left on the film cartridge, or developing pictures that are duds. The drawback is taking way too many pictures and not knowing what to do with all of them. That is why I keep posting slideshows. I know that these can be a pain to look at because they eat up a lot of time. I just can't figure out a way to organize and post all the pictures I like. My dad always wants to pull out the slide trays when we are visiting him, and I tend to roll my eyes not wanting to see my braces, acne, bad perms, and acid washed outfits on the wall in a 4' x 6' format. I am dismayed to admit that it looks like I inherited the slideshow gene.

Hawkes Family Reunion

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We just returned from my family reunion in McCall. Everybody was there except for Mike, who was in Milwaukee working on Doctor stuff; Dave, Melinda, Ada, & Mabel, because Ada was having surgery; and Nate & Mandy, because Mandy was feeling ill in the mornings. We sure missed them and hope they will join us next time.
I made this slide show with pictures from my mom's camera. I still haven't downloaded the pictures of the Christensen reunion from our camera. Luckily, Lisa, Karin and my mom took plenty and were willing to share. This slide show doesn't include Lisa and Karin's photos. Bridger was with us the first 2 days, but then had to leave to get back to work.