MARCH MADNESS!!!

March was a crazy and fun month for us. I love March because we kick it off with Jon's birthday on the first...that's always a great start! And then there is always the 1- 1 1/2 weeks of really great weather in March to give us a break from all this bitter cold. The down side of that however is going back to the cold once Spring has decided to tease us. Seems like the depression gets twice as bad, because I realize I now have to go back to the hideousness of winter clothes just when I got all excited getting out my spring clothes. The good news is, I know I can suffer through because I've done it for 25 years previous to this one. Meanwhile, here are all of our fun photos from March :)


We kicked off the birthday weekend with the Vanilla Ice/MC Hammer concert...I realized how old I've become by just sitting in the seats and having no desire to join all partiers down below.




Our theme song for the day was "Lucky to be in love with my best friend"


Lily had so much fun at Kangaroo Zoo for Amy's birthday!


Except for when she tipped the stool upside down and then got stuck.



Making Caramel apples at Gigi's.


I took away the apple the Gigi had dipped in white chocolate for her...oops.


Then she got it back.


We babysat baby Adelaide overnight and Lily was the best helper. She LOVED to hold her and of course, give her her bink (or occasionally steel it).


We figured out how to work the ipod


And finally, this picture was taken just a couple days ago when she got the flu. We got our TV in our room just in time...it was a lifesaver!

Um... time for a new post?

The Lefrandt family seriously fell off the blog wagon. I think Ash spent so much time on her list of one thousand things (see below) that she felt like she was done blogging for the year. This post is for all of you to comment and razz Ash to get her to blog... after all we don't want her to turn into her sister Mykelle who blogs 3 times a year now do we?

My dear friend Lisanne did this on her blog and I loved it. I realized how similar we are in so many way that I didn't know before, and of course I loved to learn about her and the unique qualities she posesses that make me love her. So I'm copying her.

MY TOP 40

1. I used to be a morning person, but since having Lily I'll do anything to sleep in till 8
2. The part I get the most compliments on is my hands
3. I have no clue how to bargain shop. For me it's all or nothing...something I'm desperately trying to figure out how to change.
4. I love to get captivated in a good book.
5. I love, love, love when it's pouring rain outside.
6. I love to bake when it's cold
7. When I get a pedicure it's either a classic red, pink or french. Never anything else.
8. Since getting older I prefer to ride in silence in the car...it's my time to think.
9. My favorite movie in the world is You've Got Mail. My mom and I have watched this hundred of times together and my dad and Jon love to make fun of us for it.
10. I believe my husband can do anything in the world
11. My baby girl is the most precious thing in the world to me
12. I've always wanted to live on the East coast. For whatever reason I feel like the people there are hightly educated, successful and full of class...which I love.
13. I'm a total homebody
14. A day with my sisters is just about as exciting to me as anything in the world. No matter what we are doing.
15. If I could play any sport it would be tennis, and I'm determined to learn to play better this summer.
16. If I could collect anything it would be dishes...just like my momma.
17. The best day of my life, hands down, was my wedding day
18. The best experience of my life has been having Lily and being a mother.
19. I love my friends and need them in my life but only in small doses, and my truest friends understand that about me.
20. On a totally shallow note, I think being a high society girl on the upper East side of Manhattan would be so amazing
21. I love to surround myself with people who inspire me.
22. I love to watch my husband watch The Office.
23. My absolute biggest pet peeve is chewed up gum anywhere but the mouth. If I see it laying around I get so grossed out. And those people who take out their gum to save it for later absolutely astonish me!!
24. I have the most amazing family. We all have our differences, but at the end of the day we allknow how to forgive and love one another. We are each other's best friends.
25. Most of the time I would much rather put $40 toward clothes than spend it on a nice meal...something my husband totally hates and ignores about me. In fact, we can't even discuss it anymore.
26. I hate confrontation, but I don't shy away from it if I feel it's necessary.
27. I'm so sad that David Osmond got kicked off American Idol:( I don't think anyone in this world has a better voice. I've begged him in the past to record How Great Thou Art and he still hasn't done it. So David, if you ever read this...I'm still begging.
28. I gained the most insight on myself when my older sister went on her mission and I stopped comparing myself to her.
29. I met my Hottie Hubby after scoping him out at my best friends wedding
30. I am the worst gift giver. I get anxiety over giving the wrong thing. And having to be sentimental...forget about it.
31. I love sunday dinner
32. I rarely put lotion on
33. I LOVE Chik Fil-A chicken nugget with polynesian sauce and diet lemonade...YUM!
34. I get so nervous to give to much mac-n-cheese or too many hot dogs to Lily for fear of giving her cancer one day
35. My dream car is a brand new black Tahoe (not to be confused with my current grey, definitely not brand new one) or X5
36. I am ALWAYS looking for a new hair do and new make-up
37. My old white house will always take me back to my childhood and some of the best memories of my life.
38. All of my High School girlfriends (they absolutely hate this term but I have no other way to distinguish) are obsessed with fantasizing over vampires, phantoms, warlocks, wizards and other weird things, and I couldn't identify less. It's in these moments when I realize it's okay to be different.
39. I want to own a house in the Hamptons one day. Or at least rent one out every summer
40. I Love to cook dinner. I believe that dinner around a table every night is one of the best places to teach children and create memories.

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

We had such a wonderful Christmas. It was our year to go with Jon's family and we had so much fun. We did Christmas eve at Di's and went home at about midnight to sleep in our own beds. On Christmas morning we woke up and did our own little Christmas at our house and then went back to Jon's mom's for the rest of the day. We just hung out in our jammies all day and ate. It was the perfect day.

Who wants to have to eat breakfast on Christmas morning?
She was wearing pants, she just likes to take them off.
Lily loves her Aunt Abby
I'm aware that this is kind of gross, but anyone who knows Lily knows that this is her classic face. Unfortunately there was food in her mouth at the time, but this is the only picture I have of it.


Lily's favorite part was all the pretty ribbon


Lily was so excited that Bella shared her Princess dress ups. Lily just loved being Snow White for a day!

Santa Clause is coming to town!

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout I'm telling you why.... Santa Clause is coming... to town!

Here is Lily practicing her smile in her jammies for Christmas morning!

Every year Santa comes and visits all of the kids on the Christensen side. This year he came to Gigi's house! (or Diamond as the other kids call her) They were all so good and sang as loud as they could when he came in. Can you see Aunt Abbie holding her?
Here are all the kids singing, anxiously awaiting the arrival of Santa Clause!

Lily got her turn to sit on Santa's lap! We know that Santa has a lot of helpers that dress like him to be with all the children, but we are convinced that this guy is the real deal! Ash and I made a bet to see if Lily would scream when she sat on Santa's lap or not... I won. She didn't. She did great.... we will see about next year!

Jing a ling... Jing Jing a ling...

Attention: For those of you that have your volume on silent, I suggest turning up your volume now. It will give this post a little bit more ambience and get you in the mood for some incredible holiday pictures... Also, if you would like to look at a more detailed version of the picture simply click on the photo of your choosing and the photo will instantly enlarge. Now sit back and enjoy.

With Lowell and Judy on their mission in Singapore we figured this was our year to go "all out". We had a "festive sweater" Thanksgiving this year with prizes for the best get ups. We were impressed with everyones outfits. It made it a ton of fun, and now we have some pretty awesome pictures for our posterity.





None of the pictures fully captures our attire however... Ash won the grand prize with her denim christmas jumper, polygamist poof hair, wreath earings and french braid. I actually won 3rd place.You really should have seen me in my polyester blue pants, snowflake turtle neck and Mr. Rogers sweater... my nick name for the evening was Chester...

Here are all the guys. I was a particular fan of Rileys dangling bells from his Red Cowboy Christmas sweater (he won 2nd place) and Andrews last minute sweater with the beautiful Noel hanging from it. Good times had by all... It really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!!

Happy Birthday Lily Girls!

It is hard to believe sometimes that our little Lily is one! She is walking around everywhere, getting in to every cupbooard and drawer... We are starting to get the screaming thing a little bit more under control. But in the end, we think she is the cutest little thing. We love her sweet kisses and that she is starting to snuggies mommy and daddy. She brings us more joy than we ever could have imagined, and are so grateful for the purpose and meaning that she has brought to our life. We love you Lily! Happy First birthday. 

As many of you also know... we didn't waste any time getting started on our family. In October we also celebrated our 2 year anniversary! 2 years of pure bliss! (right hon!) It is amazing how fast time flies, and how much you can accomplish and your life can change in 2 years. It is so fun doing it all with your very best friend. And now we have our little shadow (Lily) to join in our journey. Happy Anniversary hon. Loves. xoxo.