Polar Express 2009

Every Year, Linda and I take the opportunity to work aboard the "Polar Express" during the holidays. A dress rehearsal is held at the beginning of the season to give the families of the volunteers an opportunity to ride the train.
We used to be able to take the entire family, but now we have to alternate years. This year it fell to Anna and Alisa's families.

Preparing to board the train.


Meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus

Kaily wants to be an elf next year.

Fun aboard the train.

It's All About Family

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them." Desmond Tutu

"A happy family is but an earlier heaven."
Sir John Bowring

"There can be hope only for a society which acts as one big family, not as many separate ones." Anwar Sadat

"The only rock I know that stays steady, the only institution I know that works, is the family." Lee Iacocca

"One Nation Under God"

Well worth the time to watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IpRVwsm478
Here is a shorter version. Also very good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VUo8OuFaiI&feature=related

We all need to do more to help maintain the freedoms we have enjoyed our entire life. We need to get involved in politics and make sure our voices are heard.

Olivia's blessing

What a beautiful day !! We had the opportunity of having our 17th grandchild, Olivia Paige Nielsen blessed in our home.
Patricia and Jens came up from Blanding. Jens' parents were here already, so they decided to come up and bless Olivia here. It was a beautiful day. We had our November birthday parties earlier. The blessing was planned for later.
All of the family were there except for Kesha and Doug. Grandpa Crittenden and JoAnn came over. Jens' parents and his brother Kailen, along with his fiance, were here also. Bishop Berg came by so that the blessing was official. Jens gave Olivia a beautiful blessing. Everyone enjoyed cookies and ice cream after. We all enjoyed visiting after the blessing.

Check out my blessing dress! My Grandma Crittenden made it.

Neilsen Family



Crittenden Family



Grandma JoAnn takes her turn with Olivia.

Annual Halloween Party

We held our 4th. annual Crittenden Halloween Party on October 24th. This year the party was held at Jenny's house and we celebrated Kaitlyn's birthday along with the party.The family met first and had lunch first, macaroni and cheese with mummy dogs. Some of the grandkids came in costume, and the rest were dressed up after lunch. After lunch we set up the games in the backyard for the kids to play at the party.Kaityln had invited some of her friends and they came and joined in the games. We played bob for apples, twister, fish pond, ring on the witches hat, and duck pond rings. After the games everyone joined in the fun trying to break the pinata. It held up pretty good, but finally burst open to a shower of candy. Cake and Ice Cream were served as the party came to a close.