Monday, March 30, 2009

Hare Krishna Celebration!

Although orignially from Spanish Fork, this year was my first year participating in the Festival of Colors at the Hare Krishna temple in Spanish Fork. Will Lehmitz joined us in the fun (Tiffani was at the Young Women's broadcast and couldn't make it). If you are interested in the history of this holiday, there is a short article that gives a brief synopsis of the myth it is based on at the following website: http://www.indiamarks.com/guide/Holi-The-Hindu-Festival-of-Color-/2719Our ascension towards the temple.
Please pay close attention to Jack's shirt in this picture...it says "No Sweat I'm a dancer" on it.
The crowd was unreal. There were thousands of people there.And the fun begins!This was actually kind of a yucky kiss because our mouths were covered in dyed starch.
Jackattack and Will flexing their muscles

And the final products...
Jackattack
William
Sausha (if you zoom in on this picture you will see that my teeth are covered in purple starch)

The celebration was a lot of fun. I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to attend yet.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Finishing off the Week of JACK

Thursday: Jack goes to DISNEYLAND!
As suggested by our previous blog, Jack and I decided to spend his birthday in the magical kingdom. I think the Land of Disney is suffering from inflation because I ate a $6 hot dog...Our lunch, in fact, consisted of 2 hot dogs, a water and a coke which came to a total of $19.24. I don't know the specifics of Disneyland's government, but I think someone is making money...

Because it was Jack's birthday, Disneyland gave him this button with his name on it. If you have ever been to Disneyland you understand how friendly the workers are there. So, just imagine for a moment my sweet husband frolicing gaily along the streets of Disneyland while every few feet a friendly voice says, "JACK! Happy Birthday!" or "Happy Birthday Jackattack". I don't know that I have ever seen him quite as giddy.

Jack wearing his special boy button

Here we are at my castle. Unfortunately, we had to take this picture ourselves which means you get a very close shot of our faces. CHEESE! We had to get a picture of Jack with Jack (also known as Linguini). It's kind of hard to tell what is behind Jackattack, but it is a scene from RatatouilleMy sister-in-law, Meredith, has been trying to teach her son to call Jack, Uncle Linguini Mary Poppins and BertIf you are wondering, yes, that is real strain on Jack's face. He is actually trying to pull the sword out of the stone...unfortunately, no luck.Me and my castleMe and Jack with our fairies: Flora, Fauna and MerryweatherD'AaRh!This is us on the train. And no, that is not a red shirt, that is my "I'm so pastey white I burn in an afternoon of 80 degree weather"This was Jack's birthday pie that we bought on our way home from Disneyland. Although it looks decent, it was way too rich. I felt like I was eating brown butter smothered in sugar and syrup...yucky.

Friday: Jack catches a 4 a.m. Super Shuttle back to the airport

Seriously, we woke up at 3:30 a.m. to catch a shuttle. Our alarm went off and I irritatingly asked, "Jack...Jack, what IS that?" He chuckled a little bit and said, "It's our alarm honey. It's time to get up." From there I think I said something to the effect of, "NOOOOO!"
This is Jack on the plane. Look carefully. He insisted on wearing his seatbelt over his blanket so that the flight attendants would know he had his seatbelt on.


Friday evening Jack's parental unit, Karrie and Bill, took us to Jack's favorite restaurant Rio Grande. We were joined by fabulous Cassie (Jack's favorite sister) and her boyfriend Daniel.

Saturday: Jack has a day with the boys

By boys, I mean nearly all of our nephews. We got to play with Royal all morning followed by an evening with Dashiel and Myles. If you noticed, I said nearly all of our nephews, that's right, Jennie had a baby. And he even came on Jack's birthday (best birthday present ever...thanks Jen!).

Chase Morgan Fife born: March 19, 2009

7lbs 7oz 19 inches. He spent a few days in the NICU, but is now at home with his parents and doing very well. Isn't he cute?!

Sunday: Jack joins a rock band...well, kind of...

I guess I should say Jack reunites with his band. When in Rome performed in Spanish Fork this last Sunday with a few guest appearances from Matt and Heather Kiisel and Jake Patton. Groupies included Tiffani Lehmitz, Sausha Christensen and Megan Norman (even though Megan should be listed as a member of the band and I was pretty freaking awesome at the bass drum). Jack and I had to chuckle on the way home that evening, we could kind of tell who the busiest out of the bunch were by their guitar hero skills. Let's just say Will, Tiffani, Jack and I weren't quite as good as the rest.

I hope you had a happy WEEK of JACK love....
I LOVE YOU!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Mid Week of Jack Update

It is the WEEK of JACK. Tomorrow is his birthday and one day of celebration isn't adequate, so, we have created the WEEK of JACK.

This weeks happenings:

Monday: Jack got a fish


Jack has been NEEDING a puppy for quite a while now, but between our schedules and our landlord's lack of approval, the time is just not right. So, this is our "make Jack forget he wants a puppy by appeasing him with a fish" gift.

Tuesday: Jack got to eat out


After attending a session at the Salt Lake temple, Jack and I ate at the Garden. For those of you who aren't familiar with this restaurant, it is in the Joseph Smith Memorial building with a beautiful view of the Salt Lake temple. Jack loves eating out, but between time constraints and a very frugal wife, he doesn't get to do so very often.

Wednesday: Jack is leaving on a jet plane...

Off to California! I decided that the best way to celebrate Jack's birthday was with his best friend DONALD DUCK! That is right, we are going to Disneyland. Last night as we were falling asleep Jack keep asking me question after question about our trip...it was like talking to a 5 year old about Disneyland
"Are we going to see Captain Jack Sparrow?"
"Are you going to go on Splash Mtn with me?"
"Are we going to see Mickey?"
Granted, he was trying to act like a 5 year old, and I was definitely contributing to the childishness of the conversation, but I thought it should be shared.

Still to come: Jennie Fife goes into labor Wednesday afternoon. Will she be able to hold off for Jack's best birthday present ever? (As Jack just texted to Morgan, "Tell her to hold on for 8 more hours!")

Adventures in Disneyland

Christensen Birthday Get Together & More







Monday, March 16, 2009

Marriage, marriage is what brings us together today...

Hot Rod & Vicki Fife married February 21, 2009 in the Mt. Timpanogos LDS temple

Vicki is a fabulous women and we couldn't be happier for Dad. Those of you who know my father, rest assured, she can handle herself. She is spunky and knows how to bring out the best in the Dadman.
Their sealing was very nice, despite a few giggles as they were told to multiply and replenish the earth. Let's hope they leave that up to their children.


Here is a picture of Megs, Me & Jack, and Matt & Angie. Matt is Vicki's son, and Angie is not only Vicki's daughter-in-law, but she is also responsible for Vicki's amazing wedding dress. All of Vicki's kids were great. We didn't spend a lot of time with them, but from what we could see, Vicki has been a wonderful mother. All of her kids seem level-headed, incredibly smart and healthily goofy.


Jack & I had quite a few friends come to support Dad at his open house in Alpine. I had to include this picture because, although not gay, Ryan & John look like a couple in this picture.



Pictures from the temple.


Here is a picture of my entire family, with Debi & Gary Jensen in the left corner. Debi is my mother's sister and has always been incredibly supportive. Not only does she include my family whenever possible, but she saved my life with her help planning my wedding last year. We all adore her and Gary and are very grateful they could attend Dad's sealing.

The Boys. *Disclaimer: Dustin is not as tall as he appears, as usual we have him standing on a step (it helps his height complex when he is around his brothers).

The Girls & Vicki.

The Girls & the Dadman.

And now, a moment to brag about my adorable nephews. Above is Dynamite Dashiel...

Sweet Myles...

And Royal, just Royal. (Royal's middle name is Jack. In spite of what my husband Jack will emphatically tell you about the origin of Royal's middle name, he was not named after him. In fact, I was still on my mission and had never met Jackattack Christensen when he was born)

I love this picture.

Jackattack & Me


The Dadman & The Vickilady