Seaside, Great Yarmouth

Went to the Seaside today and had some fun in the sun. It was a great time spent with the kids and we learned a few things. Don't let daddy pack the bag--you won't have swimsuits. :) Also, maybe someone should have remembered a stroller?
Despite the few things we forgot we had a great time. The kids luckily did have a change of clothes--thanks dad! We had a great drive up and even found a couple more places to explore another day.

Congratulations!

We got news this weekend that my sister Christy is getting married. Ryan proposed on the 24th of July. We are very excited for the both of them. Ryan is an awesome guy and we are excited to officially have him in the family. We wish we could be around more often to help celebrate. I just love the picture of Ryan that Christy sent. Hopefully she doesn't mind me posting it. It just shows how incredibly happy he is!

Also in the news of family. Chelsi and Kasey have found out that they are having a little boy in December. Boys are awesome!! Thrilled to have so many fun things going on in both of our families.

Congratulations to all you guys. We love you SO MUCH!!!

So you think you can dance?

Carter and his moves....watch out ladies!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brennan Guy

misc....

Brennan is already one month old! Where does the time go? He is a big pig and an ever growing weed. He has outgrown a few things already and is doing great. He loves being on his stomach and can get himself flipped over if his arm isn't in the way. I have video I will post on that.
Thought we should get one picture of the kids all together. This is the first time we have since Brennan was born.
Dad and Brennan taking a little snooze.
Taylor in her new PJ's that she got. She is such a little girl. I don't know what I am going to do with her. The only color she knows without any confusion is....pink!

Relay Race

Sports Day!

What a fun day for Carter and the whole family. The school had a sports day on the 21st. All the kids are divided into teams and have different events to participate in. Carter was super excited when we all showed up to watch and cheer him on. Then each class did relay races.
This was Carter's team at a rest station. They decided to do the Hokey Pokey. They let Mason join right in. It was great!
Taylor having a go at the course. She got about as far as this picture. With a little hand she was very proud of herself when she finished to the end.
Carter's class waiting for their turn at the relays.

It's a Party

Poor Mason couldn't stand the thought of not opening presents on his actual birthday. We told him we were having his party in a few days, but he wouldn't have it. He even said "Birthday" or as close as Mason could come to saying it anyway. It was clear what he wanted to do. He was so excited that same day to get a card from Mrs. Santiago in the mail. He got his OWN bottle of ranch dressing from Aunt Heather and Uncle Matt. Now that went over really well with him! :)
Fruit snacks and computer games were opened during his party. His cake was just chocolate, yellow and plenty of whipped cream icing-Mason's favorite!

Our first visitor!!!!-YIPPEEE

Last week Gma Mason arrived. The boys were at the window as soon as they heard Dad's car driving up. It was very funny to see how excited they all were. The night before they were pretending that I was Gma. Carter had been counting down the days! Mason wasted no time jumping on Gma's lap and making her feel right at home.
She was so thrilled to meet Brennan and we are grateful for the help around the house. Especially during the summer break with all the kids home. We are looking forward to Gpa joining her in August.

Mason Michael Christiansen

Mason turns 7 today and we get to celebrate where he was actually born--how fun! When Mike and I found out I was pregnant in November of 2000 we were a little shocked. He wasn't in our life plans quite yet, but we were excited for this new adventure of being parents. Welcome to parenthood! We never knew what kind of challenges Mason would bring when he arrived on July 17, 2001. We were so excited our first little baby was here. We didn't get out of the hospital before we started testing to find out why when he cried there was no noise. From there on out it was doctor after doctor. One possible diagnosis after another. Mason was happy and smiling through it all! In October of 2002 we got the official diagnosis of Angelman Syndrome. There began our whirl wind of reading, learning and mostly just continuing doing what we were doing...being mom and dad.
Mason is such a blessing in our lives. He is happy the majority of the time. He tries so hard to accomplish all that he can. He is determined to be just one of the crowd. At school he wants to do everything that all the other kids are doing. If they get a worksheet he better get the same thing. Mason was helping me choose the pictures and he was smiling and pointing at the one of him and Mrs. Santiago. She was Mason's para in kindergarten and 1st grade. What a special relationship he has with her. When he wants to talk about her, he makes it very clear. We get some of his best communication when he looks at pictures with him and her. She was certainly a God send to this family and to Mason of course. Mason is going to be going to 2nd grade this fall. I can hardly belief that much time has passed since he was born.
Mason loves his family and loves to cuddle any chance he gets. He LOVES the TV and can pretty much start any video he wants. He loves to be outside playing. Water, bubbles, play-doh, paint, and of course dumping anything are his favorite pass times.
Happy Birthday Mason. We are so grateful you are part of our family!!

Mason turns 7!

Just an update

Well, we are officially getting into real life. Mike goes back to work today--bummer! He has been very spoiled at getting so much time off. It has obviously been a long time since he actually worked. He had gone back to work for two whole days before having Brennan.
Denise, since you mentioned it. My husband it great at getting pictures up. I am left with the rest. He would much rather hang a few pictures than go through all those boxes of 'stuff' that he would just assume throw away and forget that we have.
Brennan is already so big in our eyes. Mike and I were looking at him last night and were just amazed at how much he has grown. It is crazy how each one grows just a wee bit faster than the rest.
Carter has one more week of school and then it is the summer break. He is going to be so sad that school is out. Although he has been busy counting down the days until Gma Mason gets here. He has learned a bit of math by taking one day away at a time. It is very cute.
Mason and Taylor are getting on well. They have never spent so much time together since she was born. It is funny to see how they interact with one another. Mason forgets that she is not Carter and we can't exactly lay on top of her for wrestling time.
Our house is almost there. I decided that although I still have messes everywhere I should take some pictures. Otherwise time would pass waiting for that one day when everything would be in order. Oh wait--it never is! So there you have it. I didn't get pictures of the master bedroom because Mike was sleeping(he works nights). Our room is behind that door that you can see the two boxes in front of from the kitchen(Mason baracades-they are full). There is a utility room and our room back there. We are settling in more and more everyday. I wish that I had one day with no children and it would be done--but that's life!
Speaking of life. I need to make dinner, have FHE and then get children ready for bed..so I should probably stop blogging.

Our house and some misc..

2 week check up...

Holy cow, has it been two weeks already?
Brennan is doing great. He greatly surpassed the goal of being at least his birth weight when he topped the scale at 8 pounds today.(good guess Gpa and Gma Mason) I can't believe he has grown a pound already. Time flies when you are unpacking boxes. :) He is a wonderful little baby and is only moody during the hours of 8:30 and 9:30 pm..don't ask that is just his time. He is so content all day long, that is just the special hour I guess. It is a tired but don't want to sleep quite yet moodiness. Love it
The kids are doing great with him. Mason even moved him from his(Brennan's) crib to our bed(about 4 feet away from each other)--without us in the room...SCARY!!! So Mason is getting brave, which means we have to be extra careful now. He grabs his clothes and moves him like an animal mommy would move her young. One lesson learned, babies are not that fragile, although we dont' let Mason loose with him, dont' worry. He is safe. Carter LOVES Brennan to death. He is a great helper and is even more loving now that he started school and doesn't see him all day long. Taylor is struggling with being a big girl and still needed help in many ways. She loves helping with Brennan and wants to do everything for him. If a diaper is needed she yells out, "me!" She is running around getting everything for a change. What a great big sister she is.
Alright, speaking of Brennan, he is in need of a mommy right now....Love to all

Check out my Slide Show!

Happy 4th of July!

Nothing is more fun than celebrating the 4th with the English!! :) Carter came home on Thursday from school with a new discovery. I told him they were having a special dinner at school on Friday to observe a bit of Independence Day. He looked at me and with a shock said, "Mom, my friends told me I'm American!!" We have told him this hundreds of times, but apparently it only rings true if his friends tell him. I asked if he was the only American in his class and if the rest were British. That is when he corrected me quickly and said, "Mom, they are English." Geez, forgive me!! He was very proud about celebrating his countries birthday with fireworks.

This is Mason and Daddy on the bumper cars and then Carter had a go. The last time we went to this same carnival Mason was freaking out if we walked by a ride. He was not having a good time at all. That was 5 years ago and time sure has changed. If we had our camera with us for the first ride you would fully understand. Mason was set on a ride that freaked out Carter!!! Taylor and I also went on it and I was a bit scared. Poor Taylor didn't want to go on anything else at all. Might I reccomend something calm for a childs first ride at a carnival. :) oops..

Getting ready for Fireworks. Taylor was quickly in my lap with eyes covered for the fireworks show. Then we discovered that she was still watching through cracks in her fingers--so cute! Mason loved every second of the fireworks. He was wide eyed and clapping with excitement. Carter was running back and forth while watching and was so excited to be there.

Brennan, well he slept the whole time. :)

Happy 4th of July everyone. It still is great to be American. I hope everyone else is as excited about that as Carter!

name change for those that dont know yet

So we have changed little Alma's name. We liked the name Alma, but it just wasn't fitting him and before we set it in stone we decided we should take in other options.
So now...Brennan Guy Christiansen is here. If I had internet yet I would have posted this sooner, but most of you know how moving goes. We have tons of pictures that I will be posting tomorrow when we get our home computer hooked up to the world--finally!!
other news

Carter starts school tomorrow--all day...I am a little nervous for him...dont' worry I know he will do great and I think i will just miss him.
Mason is waiting to start because we need to get everything squared away with an aide, meetings for placement, all those fun things that Mason needs. Can't just jump in with him. bummer.
Taylor is doing great. She is a little mommy with Brennan and is always wanting to hold, help, and take care of the baby. She is brilliant!

Love to all