David A. Christensen | Overcoming Society's Assaults on the Family | April 02, 2001 | BYU Broadcasting

David A. Christensen | Overcoming Society's Assaults on the Family | April 02, 2001 | BYU Broadcasting

My mission president. :)

Sedona

We took a trip to Sedona and stayed in our time share over the Independence day holiday (and week after).  We had the opportunity to go on the 4th to the cabin and see mom, grandma, Paula & Johnny. We had a great time visiting them. :)

My favorite place in the whole world! :)

We took a loooong atv ride... and scared everyone cause we "weren't back yet"! (thanks Johnny & Paula for letting us borrow your ATV!)

Then it was back to Sedona, where we visited the local sites to see:

Montezuma's Castle:

Wade keepin' cool

Montezuma's Well

Use @ Montezuma's Well

Hummer Tour
We also took a hummer tool-- by far one of the highlights of the trip! We had a great time with our group, and our guide was hilarious! :)

Our tour guide, don't remember his name...:(

At the one stop we made-- it's sure beautiful country!

Wade in front of the Hummer

Wade

Me

Us with our guide, and the hummer. I don't think anyone had asked for a picture with him before... he was kinda surprised! :)

Tuzigoot National Monutment

We spent part of day exploring the ruins here. It always fascinates me that people lived in dwellings like this-- and then they just left their homes behind... makes me wonder what could have happened to them??

Wade finds the end of the trail...

We had a great trip, and it was nice to explore that part of Arizona at our own leisure. :) Thanks for the great trip, Wade!!

Albuquerque, NM

We went with friends to Albuquerque this last weekend. We had a great time, and since I had never been there, it was fun to see and explore a new place.

They have a rich cultural background with all the Indian pueblos around- and we got the chance to go to the cultural center and the Acoma pueblo. Here's a few pictures from our experiences:

Mark, Erika and Erik

Wade and I

Our next stop was the Sky City Cultural Center, and Acoma Pueblo.

The Church at the pueblo. It was pretty impressive-- 

A picture of one of the cisterns they have to catch rain water. Notice the one cottonwood tree they have there (the only tree)- they affectionately call it "The Acoma National Forest"

This long stretch of a building with the ladders is actually the "Kievas"- where they practiced their religious ceremonies, etc. 

Wade and I

Wade

just a cool shot... 

Just before we all go in trouble for sitting on the benches- which are only for the Elders of the tribe... oops!

We even got rained on... a little bit, but mostly, I liked the shot of the sun behind the clouds...

Mark on the staircase the goes down the side of the plateau- He, Erik and I decided to try it out. It was fairly steep, and my legs were sore for 3 days, but definitely worth it! It was very neat experience. The stairs were carved into the rock, and there were even hand-holds carved into the rock.

here I am on the staircase... hanging on for dear life!

here's Mark again, but notice the steps that he's on and the ones behind him.. this was near the bottom.

Here's Erik, waiting on us ol' folks to hurry up and get down the side of the plateau

A look back at the pueblo on the plateau

A neat looking pen that I just had to photograph...

Wade and the Rio Grande (well part of it anyhow)

Mark and Wade-- at the Indian Fry Bread stop... yummy!

Cool pic of red rocks that surrounded that little area with the Indian fry bread.

Erik caught a lizard... "Can I bring him home?"

Another cool pic from that red rock area... so pretty

and one more... because I can post it! :)

Wade and I at Soda Dam

Erik is definitely "feeling the love" in this picture!

The hot spring across the street from the dam.

Erik after he climbed the rock to get to the top of the dam...

Wade and I

Mark with the "Travis", which was the inspiration for the "Daze burrito" that is served at his restaurant! :)

We had a great time, ate entirely too much food, and only had to fill out one complaint form (which is good if you know this group!) But it was completely warranted in my opinion. I did not post any pictures of the Navajo Dancers that we saw (per their request... or was it demand, or for fear of them destroying my camera?).

And the dancers were amazing!! So talented, and inspiring! I wish I could post some pictures, but I will refrain out of respect for their wishes. So, if you want to see them, we will have to get together sometime! :)

BUT the guy who was their spokesperson was pretty negative and attacked the Boys Scouts of America as well as complained about America in general throughout the whole presentation. I felt like saying "I got it the first time you said it- you didn't need to dwell on it throughout the whole presentation."  Unfortunately, his negativism caused me to have less respect for a people who I greatly respected.... (Ok, I guess I still respect the people, but I have had hard time respecting that guy)

Overall, it was fun, and I learned that I LOVE New Mexico Hatch green chile! :) Love, Love, Love it! Must find a place that sells it here in Tucson...

Sunny with a chance of SHOWERS! :)

I can finally breathe! I have been party-to 3 baby showers recently-- 2 of which I was in on the hosting. All were great, but I am happy to say they are over- and that they turned out really well!! Absolutely loved each of them!

The first was on June 12-- for Niki and Van. The theme was "Come Fly with Me" and the decorations turned out adorably! The airplanes were AWEOSME! Here's a few pics of the decorations:

An overall view

Banner 1 "come fly with me"

noticed the "table cloth" it's pieced together with the scraps from the quilt mom made

for Van (it matches his bedroom)

Danelle made the blocks- "Come Fly With Me" and on the back they spell "Van"

Jared helped with the restoration of these old airplanes, and they turned out great!

the other blocks said "Worth the Wait"

The centerpieces with advice cards around the edge, turned out so cute!

gift from Grandma Kathy and Gwen... So cute!

the back side of the blocks... so cute, great job Danelle! :)

the quilt that mom made for Van. So cute!

We hung airplanes from the ceiling over each of the tables, turned out soooo awesome! Way to go Danelle for figuring out that one! :)

Another airplane

and another... 

and another...

mom takes a SMALL break before everyone gets there...

Niki with her sisters and mom! So beautiful!

Renee, Mycala, and Crystal! :)

The games:

Make a baby out of play-dough... :)

The supplies

Niki and Mycala with her "baby"

the winner! :) 

up close- detailed look at the "winner"... sooo adorable! AND talented!

Game: which airplane flies the best??

Rhonda goes for it... can she beat the one out front?? 

The only one who really knew how to build an airplane that ACTUALLY flies was Casey! Way to go!!

Game: The best DECORATED airplane:

So many to choose from... and the winner is....

Phyllis!!

Game: Gift Bingo--- many winners here... :)

 the bingo cards... 

The Guests:

Grandma, Phyllis, Brooke, Cheryl, Sandie Wade, and Millie

Leona (back to us), Teresa, Casey, Carol, Liz and Sandy Layne

 Clayton even snuck in.. and got some dessert! :)

Gwen with David

Danelle with David

 Grandma Millie! :)

THE GIFTS:

an awesome quilt from Leona!

Eyore

 Baby Camo from Grandpa Van

 Diaper bag from Danelle (p.s. she made this!!)

Here's Niki, saying "You made this?! Wow!!"

Erika's Shower (at her mom's house)

Erika

The place settings

wow, look at this back yard! :)

Erika and her mom

look at all these gifts

Her sister gave her all of these pretty clothes

Handing out the "thank you" cookies

working on decorating the "onesie"

It was a great shower, and very fun, had yummy food, and she got a ton of great gifts! :)

Erika's Baby Shower (for the Ward)

Decorations:

The Sign in table

Mom & the balloons

The sign-in sheet

The FOOD

Yummy!

The Trifle

The Gifts!

The beautiful blanket

Such a pretty dress...

Overall, the shower was a great success! I am so grateful for mom, who came and helped with the house and the food! (and the back yard!!)

I experienced 3 great showers in 1 week. It was a crazy couple of weeks of preparing for them, but they were all great!