Christeson Family Holiday Newsletter 2009

CHRISTESON FAMILY HOLIDAY NEWSLETTER Vol 22 - 2009

INSANITY BECOMES YOU … “Oh my goodness - I loved it! A brilliant piece exhibiting a woman spinning wildly out of control into psychosis!” … This was my comment to Ashley regarding a piece of fiction I had read written by Sylvia Plath BUT it could have defined ME!!!!

I wish I had both time and strength to attempt to write my yearly holiday news letter for you in my regular bizarre but clever format but life these last two years has spun wildly but deliciously out of control! As such you will have to settle for our Christeson craziness in a nut shell; a simple, but informative, synopsis of the life of our family during the course of the year. I am working on one of my manuscripts in hope of publication by this time next year (keep in mind this is a target goal) so please cut me a break, at least for now, and I promise to drive y’all nuts in 2010 as I return to my regular, zany writing style. In the mean time this is where we are, where we have been and where we are going … NUTS that is!

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS – except that one where you fly it never ends well … Cam has experienced life’s hills and valleys due to the challenges tied to being a stressed out, stretched thin, sleep deprived student. He also currently works at a local call center pulling his hair out as the deals with customer complaints day in and day out, however, he will be graduating from Utah Valley University in April with a degree in International Business and is eager to finally see a light at the end of the undergrad educational tunnel. Now on to an eagerly anticipated job search within his field and grad school after taking a break from books, exams and extensive group projects :)

JINGLE JANGLE … Up coming holiday fun we are planning for our four kidlets: Jon has tickets to a Pens game in the Igloo section; I am planning a zany scavenger hunt by car, out door ice skating at PPG place (simply magical), a drive through Heartwood Acres to see all of the themed Christmas lights in the woods. Cookie & pie baking and candy making, a $10 bucks you’re it shopping spree (we draw names and with only ten bucks whomever finds the most creative or comical Christmas gift within the designated time frame wins!) We will also be preparing to be another family’s surprise secret Santa to help brighten their holiday. We may take a trip to the Pittsburgh Children’s Museum for fun and adventure (even adults think the museum rocks), story time with scones and hot cocoa (as we love to read to one another from our extensive Christmas book collection). Board games, our Charades marathon, making a zany family video to post on You Tube, dining out and about at a couple of Pittsburgh’s many hundreds of non chain-related restaurants like Fule & Fuddle & The Old Stone Wall Castle and this does not even begin to entail our traditional Christmas Eve Family Home Evening, feast and festivities. Yup, we’ve got a lot to whoop and holler about from the moment the kids hit the Pittsburgh tarmac! I LOVE the holidays

NO PAIN NO GAIN … Spring semester Ashley had to leave IUP to return home for hip surgery due to a congenital problem which has plagued her since she was a child. After years of various treatments, physical therapy and differing diagnoses we finally found an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in arthroscopic surgery who diagnosed the problem precisely. She survived the ordeal including many weeks of physical therapy at which time she enrolled at Penn State University where she is working on her generals leading to a degree in elementary education with a minor in psychology. She has proudly been on the Dean’s List at school and thoroughly enjoys her many new friendships and activities all the while juggling school along with her job at Longwood as a food server with a smile!

HYMNS – THE ORIGINAL SOUL MUSIC … Ashley enjoyed performing in the college musical ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ (Feed me Seymour!) using that dynamite voice of hers. Acting and dancing along with the cast, bringing the house down in laughter and mayhem; but alas her hip has unfortunately continued to be the bane of her existence through it all! Michael was the percussionist in the pit which was fun for them to be working on the same musical production together. In addition, her first calling in the Church, as a young adult, is that of our ward Primary chorister. Ash simply adores working with the children and teaching them through her love of music. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Primary children as well as all adults and youth throughout the world follow an identical curriculum from week to week focusing on doctrine and music taught each Sabbath day. The LDS church sets a precedence in how exceedingly organized and inspirational all church meetings, classes and activities are designed and implemented no matter where you attend church throughout the world. Great precedence is placed on music, in our meeting house alone we have four pianos, one of which is the grand piano in the chapel and an organ; this is true to form in most every LDS ward around the world. The Primary auxiliary (for children) is happy, fun and inspirational; Ash loves preparing each week looking forward to working with the children, teachers and leaders of that organization.

AN EVENING IN PARIS … In September Ashley became engaged to Michael Loew, her high school sweetheart! (She is now a sophomore in college) We have known and loved Mica for several years now and watched as the two of them have grown and matured weathering the ups and downs of teenage drama finally arriving at a very happy, more mature young adult plane in life. (Just stab me in the eye with a fork, haha, just a little of my own mama drama. YIKES! ). Michael our intensely devoted, loveable second son joined the Church two years ago and is working on his degree as well; he is also an exceptional singer and percussionist. Michael’s grandfather invited Mica and Ash to travel with him to France where our two kidlets spent an incredible week in Paris. It was Ashley’s dream come true due to her love of the culture, language, art, architecture, cuisine, and history; she speaks the language beautifully. Mica decided he may never have an opportunity quite like this again so he proposed to Ashley while on the Eiffel Tower! They spent their time touring as many museums and historical sites as possible and even enjoyed a day at Disneyland Paris. Ash and Mica do not plan to marry for at least another year and a half as they continue their studies and formulate a solid game plan to begin their life together; but in the mean time mom and daughter look forward to planning the big event which will be in Salt Lake!

VEGAS SCHMEGAS … This past spring Ashley, Mica and I flew to Las Vegas to meet up with Cam or some fun in the sun! We had a riot staying off the strip at the Golden Nugget hotel where they have a gigantic, exotic fish aquarium smack dab in center of the swimming pool with a Plexiglas water slide which runs through the center while sharks circle about! We had fun on the strip and riding the New York New York roller coaster as well as hanging out on Freemont Street at night for the unique light show. We even got to spend some time with our niece and nephew Whitney and Kirk along with Jon’s sister Kathy, Curtis and grandma Bev; it was lovely to see everyone! From there Cam drove all of us to Utah so that we could spend time with grandma and meet up with additional Christeson nieces and nephews: Delanie, Brooke, Kolten, Beau, Jed & Lexi as well as uncle Kurt and we also enjoyed visiting with aunts and uncles Malc & Sharon, Dallen & Joan, Duane & Barbara and many cousins on the Beck side of our family. We hosted a lovely party and program for grandma wherein Cam accompanied Ashley on his guitar as she sang a song he had composed and then Ash and Mica also performed for everyone in attendance. Though they love singing pop and rock it was their a cappella version of ‘I Believe in Christ’ which is most tender and moving. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Utah; it was Mica’s first trip out west so he was mesmerized with the Nevada desert and mountainous Utah. We were able to take him to visit Temple Square in Salt Lake and other local points of interest; as a convert of two years he loved this! I also enjoyed visiting with our dear friends Myra & Gregg as well and staying with Uncle Malc and Aunt Sharon who are always so gracious! FYI In & Out is not our fave haha but the Purple Turtle still rocks.

M-I-C-K-E-Y … In July Jon and I planned a trip to Disneyworld in Orlando and took Ash and Mica along for the ride. They wanted to audition for American Idol and though they each have remarkable vocal talent they crashed and burned in the auditions though they felt overall the experience was interesting and insightful. We all had a blast at the various theme parks once again and meeting up with dear friends Pam and Joe who now live in the area was delightful! Favorites: zipping from fast pass to fast pass on my scooter, Rice Krispie treats shaped like Mickey heads, Aerosmith Rockin’ Rollercoaster, Cinderella castle bathed in pink, having Sergeant Jon as our daily tour guide haha & Tink! However, we hated that it poured buckets of rain mid July on and off every day, it was bizarre; lots of fun in spite though

CACTUS PETE … Jon remains very busy with US Steel enjoying his work and always sharing interesting or comical stories about the week’s events negotiating with companies throughout the world and dealing with on going commodity crisis. He traveled to NYC on business WITHOUT ME – that will never happen again! Haha. In the fall, however, we spent a week and half in Phoenix for Jon to attend his annual Ferro alloys conference and looking at sublimely decorated new homes from sun up to sun down in diverse communities for future retirement. We had a riot in Phoenix and though we did not have time to meet up with a number of friends and family in the area on this particular trip we were at least able to enjoy a breakfast with dear friends Phil and Anita. We went slumming dining on delicious Mexican food from a questionable, hole in the wall restaurant minus the switch blades lol to enjoying fine dining night after night with several of Jon’s vendors; just don’t ask him about the Mr. Bubble in the Jacuzzi fiasco?! I poured an entire box in forgetting that once the jets were turned on we would find ourselves in an ‘I Love Lucy’ moment with bubbles exploding everywhere!! I razzed him that it was like walking around the resort with a Mafia boss due to everyone knowing him &/or wishing to seek him out for private meetings haha. All in all we enjoyed a magnificent trip and look forward to the day we can relocate to the warm, sunny environment.

PRAYER – the worlds greatest wireless connection … Jon and I also keep busy with our church callings; Jon currently serves as the Teacher Development instructor and I am serving as the Gospel Doctrine instructor. We both enjoy our callings immensely and are challenged to dig deep, study the scriptures and prepare and present lessons which teach correct principles and doctrine. In addition, I continue to keep very busy with my company Christeson & Associates promoting my unique style of training for diverse businesses and industries. I meet so many delightful people and enjoy attempting to educate, motivate and inspire them all the while using a great deal of humor and crazy-fun activities and teaching methods in the process.

Note: The day after Thanksgiving found me in horrific pain once again; I ended up in the hospital for ten days, oddly was released due to improvement (but no diagnosis) and within hours returned by ambulance which resulted in an emergency surgery. FINALLY the culprit responsible for several years of trips to the hospital and a great deal of suffering was determined – gall bladder! Blessed is all that I can say; and an even deeper appreciation for my husband, our relationship (story in and of itself) and for my Savior in whom I felt so prominently by my side through the fear, anxiety and sickness. When you are hanging by a thread in the abyss of illness it is humbling how the Lord never lets go – not for an instant! Many heartfelt thanks to all of you who kept us in your thoughts and prayers! Now its time to play catch up and hopefully still pull off the magical Christmas I had envisioned for my family if I can just get my strength back.

With all of this being said may I propose that you now cozy in, hunker down and feel free to keep up with our comings and goings, as well as see many of the family photos I post on our family blog at http://beccashenanigans.blogspot.com (or Google my name if you have difficulty accessing the blog and link on to it from there). Also catch me on Face Book, or at www.trainingwithatwist.com The wild and crazy blessings of technology, correct?!

There now, that should just about wet your whistle until you hear from us again!

HOME OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE … May God continue to bless you, our troops, and may God bless America! Passionately INHALE life and EXHALE gratefulness! ©

Jon, Rebecca, Cameron, Ashley, & Missy Belle Buttons :)

Christeson Family Holiday Newsletter PHOTOS 2009

2009 photos = Christeson Family Holiday Newsletter

New website: www.trainingwithatwist.com

Christeson & Associates has a new website. Visit us at www.trainingwithatwist.com

A warm and wonderful Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving - such a delightful time of the year! Jon, the kids and I are looking forward to beginning our preparations baking everything from scratch - only thing missing is my mother and Cam. However, Cam plans to spend time with grandma out West and then we are looking forward to having him with us for an entire week of fun and frolics over Christmas!

The week of Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to cozy in, hunker down, play board games, eat great food and spend time with family and friends! I wish y'all could be with us! :) I am so very blessed to be married to a man who loves creating special memories as much I do and who enjoys the many traditions our family has embraced over the years. We are so blessed to have four happy, healthy, self-motivated kids who are excelling at school and work and who each have strong testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ. So very blessed to have so many incredible friends and family members throughout the country who are very dear to us. We are very blessed to each be gainfully employed considering the crisis of this economy and equally blessed to live in the United States of America a land of freedom, liberty and opportunity! God bless our troops and God bless America!

May each of you enjoy a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving holiday as you reflect on your many blessings; blessings, no doubt, as rich in depth and texture as our own. xoxo Beck

More Little Shop of Horrors photos :)

A hilariously entertaining performance!

Bringing Our Family History To Life!

The Gospel Doctrine lesson I am preparing for our ward this week focuses on temple and family history work. One of the suggestions it makes is to learn about our ancestors lives. In preparing the lesson it caused me to reflect on a Young Women’s project, “Generations of Women”, Ashley and I devised in order to bring her ancestors to life for her when she was a senior in high school; something I plan to briefly focus on this week as an example. What a blessing it was in both of our lives to work on this delightful mother-daughter project together which she will be able to share with her own children one day. And perhaps when she serves in the Young Women's program she will be able to inspire the youth to want to seek out their own history.

What does a pre-Civil War southern plantation and a Negro (African American) nanny … a one room school house and a love for playing Chinese checkers … an 80 year old ceramic mixing bowl and a 1940’s pill box hat and gloves … a depression glass tea cup and a World War II Hollywood glamour shot … a 1975 wedding veil/hat and a POW bracelet ... and a pink, size one cowboy boot and a beanie baby all have in common? Experiences and artifacts which knit heart to heart throughout the generations of time from Ashley’s 3rd generation great-great-great Latter-day Saint grandmother all the way down the line to Ashley herself!

What fun we had as mother and daughter over a period of several months; dreaming up, discussing, laughing and planning an incredible project which helped Ashley achieve her ‘Good Works’ and ‘Choice and Accountability’ values; through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Personal Progress program for teenage girls.

Ash titled her project “Generations of Women” a presentation and artifact display which was combined with hosting a Victorian Tea for the leaders and young women in our ward as well as special guests.

Displays included everything from 1800’s photographs to a late 1950’s Dick & Jane first grade reading book; A rhinestone purse used when visiting Las Vegas back when there were only three hotels on the strip to a 2002 spelling bee award; A braid of her great grandmother’s hair which her great grandpa used to dip in the ink well on his desk to tease her while sitting behind her in the one room school house where her father taught; China tea cups, a flour sack from a Utah roller mill, 1960’s cookie jar, crystal beaded bracelet, key chains from throughout the country to a baby rattle and ballet slippers. The artifact displays were a delightful addition to Ashley’s presentation.

What a blessing this was to us as we discovered charming, heart felt stories about each of our grandmothers. It brought to life for Ash the feelings, passions, humor, sacrifice, experiences of all of the remarkable women in her maternal line!

Most paramount is that Francis Jamima, Maggie Anna, Maggie Elizabeth, Maybelle, Rebecca Lynn and Ashley Bretlyn make up six generations of extraordinary Latter-day Saint women. Six generations, thus far, who have positively been affected as a result of Ashley’s 3^rd great grandparents conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ; and how their testimonies and commitment to the gospel have affected each generation thereafter. Each have enjoyed strong, happy temple marriages and continued activity and commitment to the gospel no matter where they have lived whether it be Tennessee, Utah or Pennsylvania; a testament to personal faith, courage and a desire to make each of our homes a little piece of heaven here on earth.

Penn State Presents ...

Ashley Bretlyn has been spending her evenings in "The Little Shop of Horrors"! Playing the part of Crystal she has blacked up the white girl belting the socks off of the cast while Mica has played drums in the pit for the performances. It has been a riot seeing Ash sing and dance with her friends creating a memorable musical theater experience at Penn State. Contact me for tickets for her November 13, 14, or 15th performances :)

Destiny with the desert pics

Slumming it at a hole in the wall Mexican restaurant we found in Phoenix; no switch blades allowed hahaha ... Lehi Roller Mills a family favorite since the 1800's! ... Sweet Grandma, Cameron & Emily ... Rich & Tami in whom we love to pieces ... And I have a thing for palm trees & cactus :)

Destiny with the desert

What fun Jon and I had in Phoenix for a week of business/pleasure! We were able to accomplish a lot looking at areas we are interested in relocating to in the future and diverse homes/floor plans that we like. It was a treat once again being surrounded by palm trees and cactus, sunshine and blue sky! We went slumming one evening in an attempt to find a hole in the wall Mexican restaurant. We made it out alive, with our limbs intact, after dining in a seedy area but where the food, though simply served, was both authentic and delicious haha.

Our resort was lovely and it was delightful being wined and dined each evening by Jon's vendor's. In spite of dealing with several job related crisis we were able to enjoy ourselves immensely. I especially got a kick out of all of the men who continually wanted an opportunity to meet with him; it was as if he were a Mafia boss calling the shots :) As his company is the largest purchaser of the commodities he buys most everyone wanted a chance to begin a dialog with him in hope of being awarded a contract at some point in time.

The following week I spent in Utah as I wanted to spend some quality time with mom, and Cam. Cam's work and class schedule is erratic but we were able to enjoy one anothers company and fit a lot in during the time we had together. We enjoyed many long, heartfelt conversations, a girls night, movies, and clubbing (just kidding). It was such a treat being with the kids, making wedding plans, talking about Cam's upcoming interviews in Vegas for two possible positions upon graduation this spring and just being silly together!

Also, visiting mom was enjoyable; she continues to be very happy and content and remains cheerful with a fun sense of humor. I was able to take her on outings such as out to breakfast with family, on a beautiful ride up AF canyon, to see the temple as well as to many near and dear places she remembered from her childhood. While there she enjoyed a delightful Halloween party, a family who performed musical and vocal numbers one evening and sacrament meeting on site. Mother has a sweet friend and together they continually pat one anothers hands, and sit by each other during meals and while watching TV; it is heartwarming!

I didn't get to visit as many family and friends as I would have liked but time permitting I was able to accomplish most of what I set out to do while there considering that mom and the kids were my priority. As always the rugged mountains, dome of blue sky and beautiful LDS temples always take my breath away. (Photos will be posted soon)

Spook-tacular Halloween!

We discovered an incredible pumpkin patch (one of many) in Penn when our children were very young and I was very slender, haha. Each year we attempt to return to not only purchase our pumpkins but to take crazy family photos as well. We wish Cam & Emily were here with us - perhaps another year; however, this year our other newly engaged couple Ash and Mica donned their silly spooky smiles for you along with Jon and I. Enjoy a SPOOK-TACULAR Halloween everyone!

Ash & Meg doin' a project runway :)

Fat Heads

We spent a fun evening celebrating Mica's 21st birthday at Fat Heads on the sow-side haha :) The sandwich will freak you out! Then off to Oakland for ice cream to meet up with Stacy, Ashley's dear friend. Also, some pics of Mica and one of his passions - dirt biking.