A few improvements...

Ever since we bought our home, almost 6 years ago, we've wanted to fix our driveway. It was never finished all the way to the road, and the cement that had been poured, wasn't done correctly. The top portion was flaking away, and just plain horrible. We decided to make a few more improvements along with the driveway: fix the front steps and add a patio in the back. I've taken a few before and afters.....and then just some fun pictures of the process. We are very very pleased with how it looks now, and can't wait to use it! Patio furniture and a swing are now on my wish list!!!

DRIVEWAY BEFORE

AFTER

I forgot to take this picture until it was already a little dark. Sorry, its not the best, but it really does look awesome! We still have the orange cones out for a few more days...Saturday will be the first day we can drive on it. Tanner is waiting, impatiently, for me to come back across the road...he was NOT very happy that I left him there.

FRONT STEPS BEFORE

Notice there is no top step, just exposed wood...not so pretty.

AFTER

Looking good....Tanner too!

BACK STEPS BEFORE

The back steps also didn't have a top step, just an awkward step up into the house.

AFTER

I'm so so sooo excited to use this. Dinners, lunches, and breakfasts will be so much fun out here!

A FEW FUN PICS ALONG THE WAY

Tanner spent every minute outside on the days the cement trucks came! The trucks came at 6:30am, but he still wanted to go watch. What a boy!

It took 2 cement trucks to pour our driveway...I know, ALOT!

This picture was taken at about 6:45am...on a school day. I guess cement trucks are worth it. I admit, even I thought it was pretty cool.

The back steps had to be demolished with a jack hammer....very very LOUD!

LOVE this picture of Tanner. Brad was wearing safety goggles while he was using the jackhammer, so Tanner had to be just like him.....safety first! lol

Brad let me hold the jackhammer, just to show me how heavy it was. That thing is HEAVY! I didn't really "hold" it, I could only keep it propped up.

I probably should have put these last few pictures a little earlier in the blog, so you could see a little more of the progression of things, but too late now. This was after the driveway had been dug out.

A friend came to help us level the driveway.

Wow, what a difference the patio makes. I'm super excited to use it!

School's in Session!

Even as a little kid, I've always loved the first day of school. Finally getting to wear the new outfit that I'd picked out weeks ago, the smell of new shoes, new backpacks, seeing old friends and a little shy about meeting new ones, wondering if the teacher will be nice, if she'll like me....sorry, went a little nostalgic on ya, but anyway, I do love the first day of school. This end of things, being the mom, is a bit different. I have mixed emotions. I'm glad that the family is back to a regular routine, glad that the kids are no longer able to argue all day with one another or tell me how tough they've got it by doing chores "all summer long", but also sad that they're gone all day and my house is quieter (I would say "quiet" but Tanner is still at home....enough said). It was fun to see the difference in my girls as they got ready....Meagan, super super excited to go, Lindsay, still excited but more subdued. Tanner got excited too once they got their backpacks together. He had to put his on, and even loaded his backpack up with his water bottle. We took the girls to school (even though they can ride the bus, its fun for me to bring them on the first day) and I had to remind Tanner several times that he wasn't going to school today and that we were not stopping to play at the playground. If I hadn't, there would have been a total meltdown in the halls of the elementary school. He was okay with it but still asked when he was going to school. My girls are growing up and getting much more mature....even Lindsay only gave me a half-hearted hug as I left her class this morning...she's always been my homebody. They came home today with big smiles on their faces and LOTS of stories about who they sat next too, what they did at recess, and what they thought about this new school year. Love you girls!!!!

All dressed (except Tanner, still in his "mario bros" jammies) and ready for the 1st day! Tanner had to put on his new shoes too.

Lindsay...funny story about the shoes. We bought her a cute new pair of Mary Jane-type-shoes that she could wear with any outfit, but would look so adorable with her skirt and the really fun pair of striped tights she has too. The night before school, we were discussing outfits (like all good mothers and daughters do :)) and she decided that it might be too hot to wear her tights....probably right I thought. But then this morning, she came up wearing those socks and shoes. Oh. You've got to understand that Linds is my tender-hearted little girl, and if you say something, she'll either get her feelings hurt, or she'll do what you want her to do, just for the sake of making you happy. I decided not to say anything and just let her be. After all, she still looked adorable.

Meagan...the tomboy posture says it all. Love those baby blues!

Just getting home after a fun day.

Tanner and I had been sitting on the grass, watching and waiting for the bus to come! He missed them.

____________________

It wasn't just the first day of school for the kids...teachers too! This year, my hubby is going back to school with a Masters of Education tucked under his belt! Way to go Brad, we're so proud of you! It's been a tough 2 years, but you (and "we" too) made it! I failed to get a picture of Brad this morning before he left for school, but I found a "goodie" instead. I pulled this picture out of our scrapbook....it's his very first day of teaching.....8 years ago! Ha Ha. He was the Business teacher at the middle school then, but has since moved over to the high school to teach P.E. and Weightlifting classes. He loves his job and the kids too. He is an amazing teacher and I know the students really love and look up to him too. Love you hon!

Sorry about my reflection in the background...it's a picture of a picture. I love this picture, it's so funny. He was really embarrassed when I took it the first time (and none too happy about me putting it in the blog). You can tell he's thinking, "Geesh, are you kidding me, I'm not in 1st grade, just take the picture already, before someone sees me!" He looks so young too, I'm sure I haven't aged a bit in 8 years...right?! Take notice of those glasses...as if you couldn't see them from the next room, they're HUGE! Ah, the good ol' days!

Christensen Family Olympics 2009

Family Reunions are the best. This year Aimee and Brennen were in charge and they chose an Olympic Theme. It was awesome...every detail was perfect! Our Olympic Village was a house on the hill in Draper. It was fantastic...6 bedrooms, lots of games, hot tub....so fun! The Opening Ceremonies for the Olypmics was held the first night...we even had a torch! Next, a family talent show. We are an amazing group of talented people! Skits, magic shows, dancing, singing, demonstrations! WOW. :) We also got to design our "country" flag and choose a name...we chose "Matthanada"...like Canada, but different. ;) The next day we visited Kennecott Copper Mine. It was so cool. It's hard to describe how huge it really is. Tanner LOVED the big trucks! That same afternoon, we held the Ladder Golf competition...Mom, a "first-timer", had amazing good beginner's luck and almost won the gold, but Brennen just beat her. The kids had a good time too...Congrats Josh! The next day we went to Boondocks. So much fun! The kids loved the boats that have water guns on them, and I loved the go carts! Oh yes, I had a fast fast car.....or maybe its just my amazing skills! Ha! I know I'm "editing" so much out of this post, but everything was awesome and super super fun! During closing ceremonies, everyone received a participation award and a gold medal! We're all winners in the Christensen Fam! All good things have to come to an end, but, we're looking forward to our next reunion! Woot Woot!

Oh Ellie, what a goof!

We had so much fun with these 3 little girlies! Each have their own personality and we love them to pieces! Rian, Kaylee, and Ellie.

Josh...on his dragon? I think. Or maybe it was his booby-trap. (That's what I said, booby-trap.) Just some good ol'fashioned Goonies humor!

Tanner and his best-buddy and sidekick...Spencer!

Lindsay and Dallin....connected at the hip for the entire reunion. It was fun to see these two get a long so well. They really had fun playing.

Cute little Ri

My handsome crew!

Happy 5th Anniversary guys!
Brennen, Aimee, and Kaylee

Love these kids!

Do you like our swimming pool?! It wasn't hot enough for a hot tub...just right for a pool. And the kids didn't care.

My cute sister, Cami, and her adorable Rian Joyce!

Ladder Golf participants! Way to go guys!

My dad, the Magician, and his amazing assistant, my mom! I wish I had a picture of everyone's talents, but of course, just when you think you've taken a picture of everything...you realize too late that you haven't.

Oh yes, they can dance!

The family chickens. What a talent!

Tyler, Dallin, and Suzanne putting on a skit.

Dallin's got some smmmooooth moves!

Who doesn't love Napolean Dynamite?! Gosh!

Cute pic of our Meags, but a fantastic shot of our family t-shirts. Each family had their own color and on the back it had the Olympic Theme: genos*heis*aion....which stands for family*unity*eternity. If you look closely, every member of the Christensen Family has their name in the tree....two claps for Brennen and Aimee, the host family this year. You guys did an amazing job!

What's not to love about Ellie Belle? This pic was taken at Boondocks...one of the activites we did. The kids (and adults too) had so much fun there!

Until next time, so long!!!!