Adventures in Utah with the Christians

Valentine's Day

2008-04-08T05:43:00.000-07:00

I always loved Valentine's Day because my parents called me and my younger brother, Matt their "Valentines" b/c we were both born like almost exactly 9 months from V-day.

Gino's not originally from the USA, so he didn't grow up with all this American holiday snazzle. It's taken lots of training to get him used to it and he still forgets that I love pink roses, not red. Oh well, he tries. Of course all the chocolate is a plus..in every sense of the word, ha!

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2007!

2007-12-21T21:12:00.000-08:00

Mia Gray McNeil is here...11/25/2007!!!!!!

2007-12-21T20:54:00.000-08:00

Mia Gray McNeil (my baby sis, Pam's, 2nd child) was born on 11/25/2007, the day before her Gramma's b'day, 8 days after my b'day and one week after her Uncle Matt's b'day and cousin Amy's b'day. Yay! Another November baby.

Caroline and I traveled to AL to see her. She is absolutely gorgeous, sweet, yummy and looks (t0 me) JUST like Anna Ryn did! Her big sis is TOO much fun..miss personality. She is Pam's little shadow and wants to do EVERYTHING Pam does. We put Mia on a blanket to take her picture, so Rynna (my nickname for her) had to put the closest available personalizable thing (which was the singing Christmas frog and snowman..ha ha) on a blanket to take its picture too! She wanted Caroline to play with her at all times and would point to her room and get upset if Caroline did not come right away. TOO CUTE!

I wasn't as much help as I could've been if I hadn't brought lil Caroline..my cling-on along but I couldn't spend that much time away from her! Anyway, we did get a few things done...the Christmas card photo taken and cards ordered, taking the girls to see Santa at the mall, Pam got her "hair did", we took some fun photos of Pam and Mia, and then just tried to relax.

Tina turns 33! AHHH!

2007-12-21T20:47:00.000-08:00

Gino threw me a sweet surprise b'day party this year. Ronda and her friend took me shopping and Pearce was s'posed to babysit that nite so G and I could go out. When we got home from shopping, SURPRISE! Some of the neighbors came over, we had BBQ, ribs, potato salad and lots of cake! I even got a gift certificate to the spa! Awesome job HONEY!

Spaghetti is yummy!

2007-12-21T20:46:00.001-08:00

Future Rock Climber/s?

2007-12-21T20:40:00.000-08:00

Well, looks like Caroline could be our future rock climber. Corbin only wanted to be in that harness for a few minutes then threw a fit to come down. This was at Snow Canyon State Park..a few minutes from our house.

November 2007

Halloween

2007-11-02T19:55:00.000-07:00

Halloween is so much fun! The south end of Jacob Dr. is closed off for the annual "Ugly Bug Ball". Gino spent about 2+ weeks hand making his costume..."Master Chief" from the video game HALO 3. He won the overall best costume! Go G! Corbin was Batman and Caroline and I were kitties! There were SO many cute kids and TONS of trick or treaters. Enjoy these pics!

Adventures with Gramma, Grandaddy and Great Granny...

2007-10-23T08:53:00.000-07:00

My parents and paternal grandmother came out 10/16-10/22 for Caroline's first birthday. Mama and Daddy slept in the guestroom and Granny slept in Corbin's bed while he slept in the pack-n-play in our room. I picked them up in Vegas Tuesday and we got to Santa Clara around 1830. It was so cute watching Granny ooh and ahh as we drove thru the Gorge. I worked 24 hours Wed so Gino took them up to Zion N'tl Park (http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/zion.htm) and by Sandhollow Lake (http://www.pbase.com/greyflash/sand_hollow_state_park). Thursday the girls went shopping for essentials for Caroline's party while the boys went hiking to the Anasazi petroglyphs and off roading a bit (close to the house). That nite a friend babysat while the adults went to Tuacahn (http://www.tuacahn.org/concerts.html) to see 42nd Street (outdoor theatre). Friday we all drove 2 1/2 hours over to Bryce Canyon (passed Cedar Breaks N'tl Monument on the way..see a previous post for pics of that)(http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/bryce.htm) and back. Saturday was Caroline's party. Sunday we went to church, napped then went out to Silver Reef (http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/ut/silverreef.html) to Ronda and Peter's for supper and to drive around the retired silver mines. Monday Gino watched the kids while I drove them 2 1/2 hours over to see the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/grand_canyon/north_rim.htm). It was, as always, truly breathtaking and amazing...gorgeous clear day and super quiet there as the gift shop/restaurant are closed for the season. I was so proud that my 78 year old, spunky as ever, Granny could see all of these sites in her lifetime and experience the grand beauty of some more of God's creation. She did a couple of short hikes..very impressive...at Bryce and the Grand Canyon. She didn't complain one bit! One the way back, we stopped in Fredonia, AZ at this old Anasazi ruin that is not well preserved. Daddy and I managed to make it to the clamshell lookout. We found lots of petrified wood and could've stayed for hours looking for neat rocks and arrowheads.

Anyway, we had a great time and, of course, it went by TOO fast. They left on the shuttle this am for Vegas to head back to AL. LOVE YOU GUYS! Come back real soon...(waahhh).

Caroline Sophia turns ONE!

2007-10-23T08:37:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, October 20, 2007, our baby girl turned one! WOW..that year went by super fast! We were blessed to have my parents, Rex and Kay Courtney as well as my Granny (Daddy's mom, Minnie Foxhall) come out all the way from Alabama. My cousin Amy Gainsford and her gorgeous 7 month old Isabelle drove over from Vegas too! WOW! We felt special! Several of our new neighbors came..we had a house full...a great turnout. We had a "jumping castle" in the backyard. We ate pizza, chips and dip, and lots of cake! For Caroline's 1st b'day I wanted to use some of the gorgeous marizipan flowers that her VaVa (Gino's mom, Bruna) spent three months making for our wedding cake..so, I baked a round layer cake and put a couple of those on there...looked beautiful. We also had a big Costco cake and, of course, Caroline's little cake she could dig into. She did so good opening her presents (with a lil help from her big bro Corbin and some of the neighborhood kiddos).

Well, kinda sad how fast they grow up. She still isn't walking yet..trying HARD. She jabbers ALOT, especially in the car. She is an awesome sleeper, LOVES to eat and still loves to suck that thumb. She just squeals at the sight of her brother and loves to play and read books (upside down). We are so proud of her and thank everyone who could come to the party, who sent gifts/wishes and we'll keep you updated!

Some more cool pics...

2007-10-07T20:02:00.001-07:00

We went driving around yesterday to find some rocks for our yard. Here's some more views not far from our house. Corbin, of course, needed to pee while out and had to pee on that bush! Note the surrounding area burned in a fire..don't know when. And this is little Caroline acting silly when we got home. You can see here all of her 6 teeth. She's almost ONE!

Another view of the majestic mountain from our driveway

2007-10-07T19:59:00.000-07:00

This is how the red cliff looks on a cloudy, blustery day. This was taken from our driveway.

Less than 3 miles from our house...

2007-10-07T19:44:00.000-07:00

The Shivwits Pauite Indian Reservation is just down the road from our neighborhood...maybe 5 miles. Prior to entering, we saw this little sign that read, "Anasazi trailhead" (less than 3 miles from our house to the trailhead & then maybe a mile or so hike in) so we had always wanted to check it out. Today was the day. It was 69 degrees out with a lil breeze and just beautiful. Gino's been renovating the guest bathroom and we all needed to get out of the house. We ran into a couple on the trail and asked them if there were some petroglyphs and they told us where to go. OH BOY! These were some of the best we've seen yet. There are tons of prehistoric sites in these parts but we never get tired of exploring and seeing them. I always imagine myself an Indian 1,000 or so years ago living here with none of this fast pace or technology...just me, my family, the blue skies, the river, the land and the animals. I imagine them painting or carving these petroglyphs into the sides and tops of these rocks to pass time. It is an awesome feeling being up there looking out..for animals, for the enemy, for friend or foe. WOW! And I continue to be thrilled from my toes up thinking, knowing that our new home is in the midst of this beautiful countryside. I'm like..WHOA! And we live right here! AHHH. Awesome!

What the crap?!?!

2007-09-21T20:12:00.000-07:00

Before we left for the Tetons, Corb obviously needed some attn b/c he pulled his pants down and took a sh_t in the driveway in front of the house! AHHHHHHH! Preschoolers are FUN.

Wanted to let u know that even though he looks just like his dad, he IS my child. The other day he pooed and then was playing. All of a sudden he says, "Mom. I wanna look at my butthole." I said, "ok", got the mirror out and he squatted down over it and looked. He said, "It's little, Mom." I know he thought the hole back there was as big as his honkin turds. He was shocked. I said, "yep..it IS little. That's your pretty pink little butthole. Are u happy now?" He said, "yeah..let's go play in my playroom."

GOD love it.

5 days off-YAY! Off to Wyoming...

2007-09-17T16:43:00.000-07:00

I am now on 24 hour shifts, two a week. Yes, overtime. Where dem dollas at? Hopefully Uncle Sam won't take em all...

So, I'll have more stretches off and more time for road trips. Latest was to the Tetons and Yellowstone. We left Thursday and stayed the nite in SLC, UT with Aunt Gloria and family. We got to see cousin Megan before her "official" leaving of the nest to Portland, OR. Left Friday am and headed to Jackson, WY. We absolutely LOVED that little town. FUN, FUN, FUN..tons of cute shops and places to eat. But dude..lotsa work hauling two kids and all the crap. Phew. We stayed Fri and Sat nite at the SnowKing Lodge in Jackson. Sat we drove up and saw Old Faithful in Yellowstone and Sun we took a boat ride across Jenny Lake in the Tetons. It was truly breathtakingly gorgeous. Then we did the gondola ride up to 10,000+ feet at Jackson Hole ski resort. Sun nite we stayed the nite in SLC again before driving back to St. G on Monday. The weather is now AWESOME!!!!!

Then we rode up to Cedar Breaks...

2007-09-11T21:45:00.000-07:00

Cedar Breaks National Monument is something to see! This is about 1-1.5 hours from our house. Pretty amazing. After biking and lunch, we decided to ride around a bit. Here's some pics..enjoy.

Biking at ZION...

2007-09-11T21:37:00.000-07:00

So, last Saturday, we went with some friends to bike at Zion National Park. Gino had gone a couple of weeks ago and raved about it, so we all went this time. Let me just tell you, aside from the crotch not used to a bike seat, it was AWESOME! As our friend Ronda says, "I had to pinch myself. I thought I had just stepped into/out of a postcard".

It's about a 2 hour ride in and out. Only the park buses are allowed on the road thru the park so we had plenty of room.

Caroline rode on the back of my bike in a baby bike seat and Corbin rode in the Schwinn bike trailer behind his daddy. He munched on Natural Cheddar Puffs nearly the whole time. Dang!

Then we ate lunch up at Oscar's. It's a lil cafe in the town of Springdale right outside of the park. Tastey burgers for when you all come out to visit.

The weather's starting to cool down so now we are FIRED up to get outdoors and tear it up!

Check out baby girl...

2007-09-11T21:25:00.000-07:00

Caroline is almost 11 months old now..YIKES. She is cutting 3 teeth right now and already has 3. She is fun loving but is very attached to me..a serious Mama's girl. She still loves "boobie" or "ninner" as I like to call it. She loves her big brother and just this week has started calling him "Coo Coo". HA!

She wants to walk SO bad. She's crawling all over and pulling up on everything. She sleeps great for naps and nitetime.

She gives kisses now and is so snuggly. WE LOVE YOU, BABY GIRL, lil Miss Sophia.

Corbin turns THREE!

2007-09-11T21:13:00.000-07:00

WOW! Can't believe our little baby is now 3 years old! Geez. Time flies when you are having fun.

We flew home to AL for his birthday and had a pool party at Aunt Helen's in Gallion. Tons of cousins came and Corb's best friend/girlfriend Kate Lipscomb was even there. We did a CARS theme and had a blast!

Corbin is a sweet child but has his moments (well, don't we all?). He is sorta bossy (like me) but is obedient 60% or so of the time. My parenting books say that's normal/good (the 60% part). He loves his books and movies. He loves his playroom and his Hummer truck we got him. It's a two seater that runs off of a 12 V battery. Gino's already trying to pimp it out as he put head/tail lights on it...sigh. He also enjoys our pool with his life jacket on.

Corbin attends Barefoot Montessori school here in Santa Clara. He absolutely LOVES it. We cannot be more ecstatic about it as he has not had interaction with other people much since we moved here.

He is so handsome, cute, endearing. SIGH. I love that child. He gives great hugs and kisses and when he sings, your heart melts. WE LOVE YOU, CORBIN!!!!!

Our new home...

2007-09-11T21:00:00.000-07:00

SOOO, no more third person talk. Here is our new house and one view from the front sidewalk (the entire southwest is "a view"). We finally bought a house after two rentals (one set up by the company and one we found on our own). We have some work to do on it...not as much as our first home in AL. We've replaced all of the carpet, put hardwoods in the dining room, on the stairs and in the hallway, and replaced the tile in the entryway and kitchen. We've painted pretty much the entire interior and bought a pool cover too (10 people can stand on it)! We have a plan for further landscaping, the bathrooms (there's 3) and the kitchen. Gotta save up though!

The neighbors are great and the neighborhood is awesome (we think)! Lotsa paved trails to bike, walk, jog on and parks close by. I am only 7.8 miles from work.

Haven't hung pictures yet, don't have dining room furniture yet..but we are SOOOO happy to have our own place.

Cannot wait til our family and friends from home can come visit!

Then they moved away...

2007-09-11T20:53:00.000-07:00

Tina started her master's program the Monday before Corbin was born on a Friday in 2004. She had a great support system in her husband and immediate family and friends. Caroline was conceived one morning right in the middle of the program and was born Tina's last semester. During that time, Tina interviewed at a few places for a job as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. She accepted at Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, UT.

They put their cute little (1853 sq. ft) house in "the Ham" for sale on a Wednesday and HALLELUJAH! They had a solid contract on it the next day.

Loaded up the Penske on a Thursday, March 15, 2007 and off they went.

Then comes Tina with a baby carriage...# 2...

2007-09-11T20:48:00.000-07:00

Caroline Sophia Christian was born on October 20, 2006 by repeat c/s at Brookwood Medical Center in Birmingham, AL. She was all we ever dreamed of and more.

Then comes Tina with a baby carriage...#1..

2007-09-11T20:44:00.000-07:00

Corbin Sanders Christian was born on August 27, 2004 by c/s for breech presentation at Brookwood Medical Center in Birmingham, AL. He was all we EVER could have dreamed of and more.

Then comes marriage...

2007-09-11T20:37:00.001-07:00

Gino's proposal was alllll planned out. He purchased tickets for Lord of the Rings earlier in the day and went by Jade Palace to give them a heads up that a proposal was going to be in the fortune cookie.
Traffic was HORRIBLE..took Gino over 2 hours to go about 12 miles to pick Tina up. They only had time to run by Taco Bell, pick up some grilled stuffed burritos, and eat on the way to the movie.
Gino kept asking Tina during the previews if she wanted a fortune cookie...what? After Mexican food..huh? She didn't get it anyway. He didn't ask that nite. He asked on a random nite in his apt. She said yes. That was Dec. 2002.
They were married on May 24, 2003 at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Demopolis, AL. FUN and beautiful. Honeymooned in Springdale, UT where they hiked from sun up til sun down at Zion National Park. Oh yes, they even had energy for good honeymoon luvin' EVERYDAY too! Tina says all newlyweds should be doing it everyday on the honeymoon...watch out. She'll ask u if u did!

First comes love...

2007-09-11T20:35:00.001-07:00

Tina Courtney and Gino Christian met on July 21, 2000 @ a Motley Crue concert in Birmingham, AL. They both worked out at PowerHouse gym and had never noticed one another. They both broke up with their S.O.s that nite. Coincidence? Yep. They didn't even have their first date til Sept.