Birthdays, Beach and Disneyland

We have had a very full January. We had birthdays, we celebrated, and even went to Southern California for 8 days. During that time, we spent 2 days at Disneyland. Let me go back to the beginning...

We Celebrated Ella and Brennan's moms birthday on the 20th of January. We had a wonderful time with some of our family and friends over at the new house. Ella is so loved and received more presents than she needed. But, she is loving them all!

The birthday girls

Ohh and Ahh over the presents

Being sung to

It is funny after last year's cupcakes took me hours to make, I vowed to do things easier for her 2nd birthday. Well...that didn't quite happen. However, these didn't take me as long. Anyways, I always feel that since her last name is Snow and she was born in the dead of winter that she should have a snowman theme. I wonder how long it will take me to get over that?... So, I made snowman cupcakes. The funny thing is I enjoyed them more than anyone else. Brennan says they were a little too intimidating. Oh well, they were sure cute!

After we celebrated her birthday, that Friday after school we packed up and headed to Newport. My parents have started this new tradition going to the beach for a month in January and February. My siblings and I definitely benefit from this decision. We went down and enjoyed the sunny, but cool weather. It was better than Salt Lake weather! We had a lot of fun going to the beach, looking for shells, and playing in the water.

The tide came up so high and went down so low that when the tide was low the beach created these warm tide pools. Ella loved them because the ocean was so cold!

Newport after a week of storms, crazy huh!

Ella's actual birthday was the first sunday that we arrived at the beach. I bought a brownie mix and thought I would just do something easy. Well, I forgot to buy oil, and I didn't want to break the Sabbath so I made brownies with applesauce... Well I needed 2/3 cup of oil so I put in 2/3 cup applesauce... Needless to say, when the brownies came out of the oven they were flat, tasteless, and really it was like eating cardboard. So, to make up for my mistake we headed down to the doughnut shop and ate doughnuts and muffins for Ella's birthday "cake". She loved the sprinkles.

Heading back from the doughnut shop

lighting the candles

She blew them out all by herself!

The one day that it rained, we headed to Disneyland with my parents and my sister and her children. Even though it was cold and wet, it was nice because there were no lines. It was fun going with Ella for the 1st time. I don't think she quite understood what was happening but she liked the rides, especially the Matterhorn. I was very surprised when we saw all the characters (Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy) she was not scared at all. In fact, I told her to hug them and she would. She was however scared of the princesses. Like I said, she doesn't get it quite yet.

See... no one around!

Our first Disney pick and she is asleep... Oh well!

She loves Cars. That's what happens when all the cousins around her age are boys! Princesses... not yet!

We had a wonderful time and can't wait until July when we head down to California again.

2010 can come yet!

I haven't posted Christmas or any December pictures! We have had a wonderful December, and I can't believe tomorrow is New Years Eve. Is it just me, or has anyone else wondered where 2009 went? We have done some fun things in the last couple of weeks. We started by attempting to go down to Temple Square earlier in the month on a Friday night. After driving around for an hour looking for a parking place, needless to say our "Christmas spirit" wasn't so joyful anymore, so we went home. Well, we decided to make another attempt at Temple Square, but we decided to go on a Wednesday night (not as bad as a Friday, but there were a TON of YW and YM? Brennan and I don't think things through very well). It was absolutely beautiful, but this time Ella's attitude was not so pleasant. We were lucky to get 1 picture of her!

Ella enjoying a good book!

We also had a wonderful Christmas Eve, and Christmas day. Brennan and I are very lucky because my family celebrates Christmas Eve and Brennan's family celebrates Christmas day, so we never miss out! We enjoyed great food and better company! One of my favorite things however, was to have Ella get her presents from Santa. We decided that this is the last year she will not demand for something special so, we didn't go to over board with presents.

Seeing her presents for the first time!

So excited for her Einsteins!

She is attempting to smile. She doesn't quiet get it.

Do you think she likes the princess shoes? Love those cute little legs!

I have to tell you all one more things that makes Brennan and I laugh so hard. We have been showing her pictures of Santa so, she has started to recognize what Santa looks like. Well, our neighbor looks just like Santa, and one after noon she saw him outside and said, " Whatcha doin Santa?" Then, the day after Christmas, we all went to Home Depot and and we were looking at lights and a older man with a darker mustache and beard was looking at lights also and Ella turns to him and says, "Hi Santa!" He loved it. My conclusion is, she thinks anyone with a beard and mustache is Santa Claus. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everyone!

Tada!

Wow, I am sorry it took so long to get some of these pictures up. Life has been crazy since Oct. 22. If some of you aren't aware, in October Brennan and I bought our first home. It is in Salt Lake City and we are really enjoying it. It is fun to finally have a place of our own.

In front we have huge mature trees. Let's just say a LOT of leaves! Ella loved it though. We would rake and she would destroy!

I also have failed to show some pictures of Ella for Halloween. Since we had just bought a home, spending money didn't sound like fun so, I borrowed an adorable costume from my sister and Ella was Dorothy from Wizard of Oz. These pictures don't do justice for how cute she looked.

I feel really bad that Brennan and I were so engrossed with buying the house that we failed to do some really fun Halloween activities. Next year things should be a little more calm so there will be cuter pictures. Again, sorry about the long delay!

Next post will be superb!

Sorry everyone, since moving into the new house, my life has been so crazy! We don't have the internet yet(typing this up at my mom's), so I haven't taken pictures of the house to show all you. I also, have a couple of Halloween pictures of Ella.  I will get those up soon as well.  So, stay tuned.

What do Polish people, pizza, and the Cubs game have in common?

The answer is Chicago! This past weekend, Brennan and I were able to go back to Chicago with 2 of Brennan's mission companions and wives. We had an absolute blast with Steve and Sharalee Nabrotzky, and Keith and Natalie Morgan. We were only able to be with them for 3 days and it is amazing to think that it didn't seem like enough time.

We did so many fun things. We went and visited some of the Polish members that they taught when they were there. This is a picture of the Januszewskis, Brennan, Steve and Morgan. This is one of the Solid Polish families in Chicago.

This is the Skinders, and Jerry. Again, more solid Polish members.

This is Brennan's old apartment. The only apartment he lived in. That is what is so special about the old Chicago Polish Mission.

As you can see it was classic Chicago weather while we were there. Rain, wind and just darn right cold. I didn't pack like I should have.

We were only in Chicago for 3 days. But we did a lot of fun stuff. We had lunch on top of the Hancock building, went to the Cubs game(Steve caught a foul ball with his bear hand. He still thinks he's the man. Don't ya Steve!), ate Giradonos(sp?), went to the Polish area, shopped, and just enjoyed the company. It was so much fun to be with the Morgans and the Nabrotzkys. Thank you for the wonderful time! Next trip, Tennessee. Here we come. Oh and by the way, we bought a house.

6 Little Monkeys

The culprits... 5 little stuffed monkeys

Arranging them just right...

There we have it! 6 Little Monkeys jumping on the bed!

Can you figure out her new favorite book?

Grandma-Great

Last week, Brennan's grandma passed away after a month of being moved around to many different hospitals. She was an incredible woman. I will never forget her kindness, love for everyone, humility, and meekness. She truly was a perfect example of the way we should live our lives in order to return to our Heavenly Father. She will be truly missed in the family and by us. Grandma, we love you and will miss you!

Love, Brennan, Ella, and Cat

Edna Christensen
Edna Johnson Christensen 1920 ~ 2009 Edna Johnson Christensen passed away on July 31, 2009 three days after celebrating her 89th birthday and 70th wedding anniversary with her husband, Owen. She was born in Fountain Green on July 28, 1920 to Edwin Theodore and Caroline Nielson Johnson. She married Owen K. Christensen July 28, 1939 in Fountain Green. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple. Edna's life was one of selfless service to others. She served faithfully in many church callings demonstrating a deep love for her Savior. Her last days were spent expressing love and gratitude for her many blessings. Edna is survived by her husband, Owen and children LaRee Snow and Perry (Carolyn) Christensen. Her son Eddie preceded her in death. She adored her grandchildren: Eddie (Stefanie) Christensen, Callie (Karl) Bjerregaard, Nancy Christensen, Brennan (Cathrine) Snow, Weston (Julee) Snow and great grandchildren: Savana, Sadi, Sydney, Grace, Luke, Bode, Gavin, Ella, and Owen. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2009, 1:00 p.m. at the Fountain Green Chapel. A viewing will be held on Monday evening 6:00 - 8:00 at the chapel and Tuesday from 11:30-12:30 prior to the service. Interment will be in the Fountain Green City Cemetery.