Resisting

In an effort to "Resist the boring" I would like to introduce to you the least boring thing in my life. Now I'm not saying Lainey is boring, she's anything but boring, but Calvin... he's in a league of his own.

Here are a few (recent) faces of Calvin Charles Abbott:

He's a little Odd, but we love him anyway :)

OK now its your turn

This blog is getting boring

Resist the boring, people.  Resist.

Hello

It's been a long time since I've posted on this lovely blog. I thought we would just drop in and say hello to you all!

I also thought I'd throw this in for a "farewell" to Cami.

Funny that one of the only photos I have on my computer with Cami and I was taken almost 6 years ago in the same country she is going back to.

We love you Cami!

I Will Miss You Cami!!!!!

I can't even begin to describe how much.  But I'm so proud of you.  You will be the best missionary ever.

See ya later, girl!

Because this is what happens when you visit Aunt Bethanie on your birthday

We make molten chocolate lava cakes with whipped cream.  And we dance in the kitchen.

Buon Viaggio, Cami.  I cried all the way home from the airport.

Guess who's spending her birthday at Aunt Bethanie's house?

Happy Birthday, Cami!!

You're really weird, and I super love you.

I Forgot to Inform the Family!

This is a wee bit late. But I forgot to tell the most important people in life about my 2011 Cross Country season! I took 3rd in region with a time of 15:38 for a 5k! And I took 7th at state! It was fantastico! Except the only problem is that the two super fast kids that beat me at region, are from Ogden! WOW!!! Anyways, I know we have a few runners in the family so I thought I might as well mention it! C ya!

No title can describe

I was digging through a box of photos looking for a certain one this morning, but I honestly can't remember now which photo I was looking for. I found so many other hidden gems and I need to share them with every fiber of my being.

Grandma Nette made us do this.

Yes, we were willing. But look how little the boys are! They didn't know what they were doing! Forgive! Nice beads, Jesse.

 Hey Tess, remember this?

She and I were so very grown up and mature, so we determined to take the younger and inexperienced boys on an overnight "Backpacking Trip" to the pond.

Jojo: "Pretend you're just finishing your hike, because I don't know if I'll have my camera handy when you actually do."

Is this the time that we hiked all the way over the mountains and came out by the lake somewhere and then hiked along the highway all the way to the Junior High Seminary Building where we collapsed with exhaustion?

Or was that a different time?

I saved the best for last.

Every single face in this photo cracks me up! Tess's might be my favorite. Or Hanna's nearly-lost-pants. Just kidding, Jake's my favorite.

New York is Awesome

Look at my baby

Check out Lily's new instrument. 4th grade orchestra! We just bought it for her yesterday and she can hardly keep it in its case. I was serenaded this morning while doing my hair and makeup. Love it, love the excitement, love her!

North Fork Waterfall!

Grandma's email this morning inspired me to 'share' with you some photos that I took this past summer, and forgot to blog.

 Anyone who has hiked with JoJo knows that her favorite hike in the valley is to the Waterfall in North Fork Park.

Sydnie and Coleman were staying at my Mom's for a few days, so we hauled them up there one lovely afternoon to check it out.
Actually, I'm recollecting that we couldn't wake Coleman up.... so Syd was the only one who joined us:)  Coleman was hangin' out with Babo when we got back, having some breakfast, happy as could be.

 I spy, with my little eye, one little Sydnie, way up high.

Some kids take after their Mothers, did you know that?

Mini reunion

On our recent jaunt up north, we met up with some fellow Sladers to see the recently returned Jordan. Fun! Thanks to Shelly for letting us bombard her home. Sisters.

There he is, with some brothers.

Ultimate cutie!

Do these two look guilty? Well they should. They disappeared for a while. Then a neighbor called to say they got doorbell ditched, and some other neighbors too. Hmmm, whose idea was that?

We love our family!

This Family is 100% Normal

IMPORTANT

Last night, I found out that my dad "planked" at the family reunion. ....!?!??!?!!?
If anyone has a picture of that, PUHLEASE post it.
That is all. Thank you.
~Jamie "almost" Hughes

Strawberry Spinach Salad Delight

For those of you who tried the spinach salad at the reunion last week, here's the recipe. I had a lot of requests for it, and figured this was the easiest way to share. I got the recipe from my Relief Society President, so I don't claim any genius here at all - but this salad is FANTASTIC. 

The Cast of Characters:

1 lb. spinach leaves

1 qt. strawberries, sliced

3/4 cup sliced almonds

1/3 cup sugar (sorry Gramma)

So first we're going to put our almonds and sugar in a pan and heat it up.

 The recipe says to use a sauce pan, but I cook almost everything in my cast iron skillet, and it worked fine. Except I think I had it on too hot (med high) because it started smelling 'done' before the sugar was completely melted. Try medium heat.

 I was skeptical about heating up just nuts and sugar, but it works! Something melts! I'm not exactly sure where the liquid comes from - the nuts? Who knows. I used raw almonds that I chopped up, rather than sliced ones. I'm a rule breaker like that.

It takes 5-10 minutes for the sugar to dissolve, but once it does (or starts burning, like mine did) just dump it all out on some wax paper to cool.

You have to spread it out pretty thinly because they cool to hardness and you'll have a sugared-almond-rock if you don't. But you know, don't let me tell you what to do. 

So then throw your spinach and strawberries into a big bowl and whip up the dressing:

Dressing Cast of Characters:

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 t. salt

1/4 cup vinegar (I used white distilled)

1/3 cup strawberry jam

1/2 cup oil

2 t. poppy seeds

Throw the first four ingredients into your blender and mix it up good, then add the oil while the blender is still blending to 'emulsify'. I'm not even sure what that means. Then pour it out into a bowl and stir in the poppy seeds gently. 

By now your almonds should be cooled and you can put them in the serving bowl with the spinach. 

Wait to pour the dressing on until you're ready to eat the salad. 

Mmmmm!!

Jamie dearest, will you tell your Mom that I put the recipe on here? I'm not sure if she reads the blog or not. Shanks!

A Little Haas History

In November 2010, Jake Ryan Haas visited the home of his great great grandpa, John W. Hess in Farmington, UT. He was the grandfather of Sharon Haas and built this home for his wife Caroline. The first Primary was organized under his direction when he was bishop of the Farmington Ward during the 1800s. He was a great man and a dynamic church leader in the area. He served as bishop for 27 years! There is more wonderful information on John Hess at http://jacobhess.blogspot.com.

Just so you all know...

Since I'm counting the days and practically the hours I'm just going to mention that my family comes home in 12 DAYS!!! (I'm SO EXCITED I can hardly stand it.) We're coming to Utah next weekend and can't wait to see you all very soon!

She's LEGAL! Ahhg!

Today is Hanna's birthday! My parents no longer have any children who are children. Weird.

Today is also Caleb's birthday. They share. I feel like I skip her a little bit each year - since I'm married to Caleb, not Hanna. Plus I blogged about him extensively over on my blog, so I think we're covered there.

Isn't she cute? I just love her.

She graduated from High School last week - which was definitely another first for my parents. Weird again.

 Happy birthday, Hanna! You're the coolest.

HAPPY BDAY TO MOM, GMA. NETTE!

To a mother of 6, a grandma of 26, and great-grandma of 9--so far.
LOVE YOU, MOM!!! Hope your day is a happy and WELL one.

Blessing Day

He's Officially Ben Marvin Christensen on the records of the Church, now!

Officially Official

We've decided that his name is Ben Marvin Christensen. At one point I liked Ben Owen, but then we would have had two kids with three names from Star Wars, so we didn't go for that one.



P.S. Marvin is Diana's father's name. It may sound funny at first but it really grows on you. :)

He's here!!

Baby Christensen was born this morning!

7lbs 12 oz 20 in

 Mom and baby are doing great!

Who woulda thought

I would like you all to know that there is another Red-head in the family

(ok its not really red yet, more strawberry-ish. but its getting there!)