The Christiansen Family: July 2009

SuMmEr TiMe ...

We've been having such a good summer!! Jackobi is getting so big -- it's fun to watch her learn and do things. Here's just some of the random things we've done!

Burley Boat Docks ... she loves the water!!

The sprinkler has been a hit this summer ... I'm pretty sure she's determined to learn how to drink from it!

AnnaLeigh has come over to play lots ... they love to swim together and eat popsicles!

First bike ride!! Jackobi wasn't too thrilled to have to 'share' the little cart that we pull behind the bikes, but she actually ended up liking it!

She LOVES to talk on our cell phones! She has learned to call people too ... so sorry if you get a random message from Jackobi on your voicemail!!

She's learned to say 'CHEESE' for the camera (although most of the time she says cheese and looks away!)

And LOVES to bake with Mommy! I'm pretty sure 'clean up' aka licking the beaters is her favorite part!!

We're proud of Brian and his decision to serve a mission. We're proud of all of the good choices he has made in his life that have helped prepare him for this.

He has been called to Albuquerque, New Mexico and will be leaving on August 12th. Last week he had the opportunity to go to the Temple to take out his endowments. It was a good day and I think Nate thought it was pretty neat to be there for his younger brother. Casey, Jackobi and I waited outside for everyone -- it was such a beautiful day! We're glad we were able to be a part of this big part of Brian's life!

CamPiNg ...

Every year for my mom's side of the family goes camping by Sun Valley for our family reunion. Last year we missed out since Jackobi was still pretty little, but we were excited to take her for

her FIRST EVER camping trip this year! She absolutely loved it!! For a little girl who loves it outside, camping is just about as good as it gets! We went for a couple of hikes and she really liked them. One was pretty easy and she literally ran the entire way (it was fairly long for a little girl too!)

The creek was also a big hit! She really liked walking down to the bridge near camp and throwing rock after rock ... after rock down into the water to see it splash!

We also had a pretty good little setup by camp to play in the water (and mud) ... my mom got much better pictures, hopefully I can snag some from her. Jackobi would clap and dance by the water she was so excited!!

Although she thought the tent was pretty neat on the inside, Jackobi also found it to be a rather good lounge chair for a little girl! She would stand up, lay back ... stand up, lay back ... funny girl!

We had such a great time camping and catching up with family this year! It was great to see some of my cousins that I hadn't for a little while and was really fun to see Jackobi interact with the other little kids and see how much she loved being outside!!

Celebrating Independence

Independence Day is by FAR my favorite holiday!!

.freedom.
.pride.
.one nation.

.fireworks . parades . bbq.s . waterskiing . food booths .
those all help too!!

This year our 4th of July was great!! Jackobi is older now and so much fun and shows so much excitement for things!! She loved the parade ... lounged in her chair most of the time, but had a blast ...

After the parade it's tradition to walk down to Nate's Grandpa and Grandma Christiansen's house for a picnic ... it was so nice outside (finally!) what a great start to the day!

After spending the morning and early afternoon with Nate's family -- we decided to head out to see what my family was up to!

That afternoon was hot -- so Tate tradition served us well and we headed down to the river! It was perfect weather!

Uncle Justin even let Jackobi drive the boat for a little bit! She didn't want to let go of the steering wheel!

The 4th was an AWESOME day -- my favorite holiday by far -- celebrating our wonderful country and the blessings and freedoms we enjoy daily. Filled with my favorite things and people ... I love summertime ...

That night we went over to Nate's parents house and had a little bbq -- then Nate's grandparents and Uncle Bruce, Kari and their daughter Abbey came over to put on a little fireworks show!

I was super excited to see how Jackobi liked them since the show at the square was such a hit ... well ... she was tired and was NOT impressed! You can tell from the picture below that she was even less impressed with sparklers! Guess we just need to stick to the show a week before the actual 4th and let her get her sleep in!!

We hope everyone had a fun filled 4th of July and enjoyed celebrating our nation's freedom!

Fashionably Not ...

Yesterday I was in the other room and Jackobi came RUNNING out of her room very proud for putting on her shoes .... I'm not quite sure how she got a hold of her winter boots, but she is stylin' in this outfit! Since her shoes were on she knew that meant she got to go outside and refused to let me take them off. So we walked around outside in her furry boots! Funny girl! Hopefully she gains some more fashion sense before her teenage years!

Ross Park Zoo & Swimming

This week Becky and Steph met up with Jackobi and I in Pocatello for a fun filled day!! We started out with lunch @ Ross Park from Geraldines (my FAVORITE when I lived in Poky). Then we decided to head to the good ol' Pocatello Zoo!!

The zoo was fun, but I have to admit ... Jackobi's favorite part by FAR was the slide and little jungle gym and then the COWS!! The petting zoo portion was closed, but she got pretty close and was super excited! I'm sure my dad will be proud when I tell him! (she loves to look at the cows at his house too ... )

It was super hot so we honestly didn't last too long at the zoo, poor Jackobi's little cheeks were pretty rosy, but she had a blast! Since it was so hot, we decided to hit up the swimming pool at Ross Park. It was awesome!!

The have by far the best kiddie pool I have ever seen!! They have this really cool gigantic toy in the middle of the pool that is really fun! Jackobi wasn't really big enough to keep up with all of the other kids ... and I'm not sure she wanted to yet. But she had a blast running in and out of the pool and I could tell had SO MUCH fun!!

My two favorite Malad girls!

I seriously had one of the best days in a long time! It was great to catch up with Becky ... I miss living with her! (she's much cleaner than Nate!) Jackobi loved Beck and Steph ... she warmed right up to them!! Thanks Becky for the great idea -- we had so much fun!! I'm so lucky to have such a great friend!!

Pony Tail!!

It's official! Jackobi is no longer my 'bald' baby ... she can have an actual pony tail!! I think it's pretty cute, but it's funny because it sticks straight up in the air! I must need more practice doing a one year old's hair!!

FiReWoRkS !!

I love living in Rupert and the 4th of July celebration!! Things started on Monday with YUMMY food booths and the FIREWORKS!!

I was really excited to see how Jackobi would like them since she was so little and slept through them last year!! She loved them! She pointed to the sky saying 'ooh' and 'wow' ... after about 5 minutes she was board, but still loved them!!

We sat with Ashley, Kenzie, Gina and Mylee ... it's fun to see our kids interact with eachother! Jackobi loves Kenzie ... it's fun to see! I love the 4th of July and all of the fun things that come with it!!