New Jersey

I have so much to catch up on - but I will have to just work backward. Chandler and I went to New Jersey to visit our old UK neighbors - they sadly moved away from us last summer so we had to go visit them! It was so much fun - I was really excited to go there as I've never gone before - but I have gone to NYC. New Jersey is beautiful where they live and they have such fun things - they belong to the Noe Pond Club which was fun - it's basically a private swim club, but it's a pond instead of a pool.

They also have a really nice Golf Club - seems like the kids have such fun places to go for the summer! I only got to stay for 5 days and I left Chandler there for 5 more - he flew home alone and he did fantastic! I got to go to NYC to see my BIL Ryan for dinner but it was so hot! We got to go to the Jersey Shore and went to Point Pleasant (like Santa Cruz), poor Chandler got a little sick so he didn't get to go to NYC for dinner, just as well it was SO hot there! Cathy took me shopping - I dropped a pretty penny in just 3 days - but got Chandler lots of clothes which he so needed.

He went to Boy Scout camp this summer and I was trying to get him to pack his clothes and I couldn't get him to get any clothes together - so I finally looked and it was because he didn't HAVE any clothes!! Poor kid!


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It was a terrific vacation and I needed it - even though it was short. My super babysitter Pauline watched the other 3 kiddies (Tyler is still in CA/UT) and they had a fantastic time. Chandler got to go to Six Flags Great Adventure - said he went on the tallest roller coaster - he was so excited about it. He also got to go into NYC and ate at hmm, forgot the name of the diner, but the waiters all sing, went to the top of the Marriott Marquis in the elevator to see the city. Went to Broadway because Donnie's friend is in Billy Elliott so they dropped him off for rehearsal, went to the Empire State Building & Macy's - all full days and so much fun with great friends!!!

Arrow of Light

I don't think I posted these before.... in March Chandler received his Arrow of Light - they have a really cool Chief that comes and shoots arrows!

Move over Von Trapps

The Von Cranes are in town!

Last Thursday night was the school Spring Concert - it was a huge extravaganza of music! Our Winter concert was canceled due to the snowy weather we had this winter so they packed in a ton of performances in this one show....

The quality of music by all the kids was fantastic! They worked really hard and you could really see the difference even from last year.

I have some of it on video but I never seem to have luck posting videos on my blog. Both Tyler (vocal) and Chandler (Clarinet) had solos this year so it was extra special for the Von Cranes....it's nice being in a small school the kids have a few more opportunities they might not have in the big schools back home. It's all good for now :)

nIan playing the trumpet (you know brass is always in the back!)

Chandler's trio (violin, flute & clarinet spotlight solo)

The spectators

Circus Olympus

For the last 2 months Chandler has been working on the school play - he had been going to practice after school 3x a week and some weekends. He was part of the Cerebus - the three headed dog. It was a twist on greek mythology and they did a few of the stories from it. It was really well done and it was impressive to watch Chandler act and DANCE, yes, dance.....


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Pizza Night

So instead of worrying each day if I've taken a photo, I'm going to kind of work backward (and forward) for the last couple months...

Last week (March 9th) we had school conferences so no school for the kiddies - Tyler's French class went to Paris for the long weekend so I let Chandler have a few friends stay over.

They made homemade pizzas - it was fun, instead of just the standard "pepperoni and cheese" I got requests like, stuffed crust, onions, bell peppers & mushrooms!! A few of the boys had never even made homemake pizzas before - it was too funny watching them play with the dough, they didn't even know what to do with it!? I really like Chandler's group of friends - they are all such nice kids!

Priesthood Preview

Chandler gave a talk at Priesthood Preview the other week - we told him the topic and after much complaining and gnashing of teeth he wrote his own talk. We didn't preview it, or at least I didn't but this is what he churned out and I was quite proud of him.

Since this is more of a journal for me I am putting it on here so when I print out my blog this year it will be there - I'm sure Chandler's children will love it.. ha ha

It is exciting to start think about having a Fine Young Man in our house - what blessings will come from this!

Lucas also gave a talk on the same day but in regular Church - he has memorized the 1st Article of Faith. He also read the whole talk by himself - he did a great job!

January 17, 2010
Chandler Crane

The most important thing you can do to prepare for the Aaronic Priesthood is to live worthily. Examples of this is to listen to appropriate music and watch appropriate movies. You will also have to have obedience.

Obedience includes scripture study, prayer and following the commandments. Another important thing is to learn to serve others. For example I cook breakfast for my family all the time. I also help out by shoveling the snow off our driveway. I also of course do most of my chores. But you don't need to only help out your family, you should help out other people as well.

I went to Rosemary's [Cottrell] house and helped with the walls of the bedroom. You can also help by carrying other people's bags if they look like they are struggling. I think the Aaronic Priesthood is important because you are doing your Duty to God. If there was no priesthood there would be no Church of God. I bare my testimony that I know this church is true and I am committed to working on these three things, living worthily, obedience, and service for others. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Happy Birthday Chandler!

I can't believe my little man is 11 years old!

Here are some things that make me smile when I think about my #1 Son.

He is turning into the kid that other kids like to hang out with - his siblings might have other thoughts on that but that's what I see.

Chandler is funny and animated - he always has an analogy or story for all of his stories! He is also very sporty - we bought all new Catchers gear for him this summer so I cannot wait until Baseball season to try them out!

Chandler is very thoughtful and I love that about him. He thinks of how other people feel and senses things other kids just don't.


I love that he is musical - he has really taken to the Clarinet!
(Windsor Legoland in August)

I love to watch old movies with him. He loves my favorites - Adventures of Robin Hood, Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, Stalag 17 - this summer I thought he was ready for Kelly's Hero's so we watched it together.

The boys Cub Scout Pack got to watch The Changing of the Guard INSIDE the gates at Buckingham Palace - no cameras allowed inside, but they were so lucky!!

Chandler has changed the last few months - he's growing into a nice young man instead of my sweet little boy. He always helps me when I ask (with much less groans of denial), he's in middle school now as well, he loves adventure and he'll try new things. He's a really neat kid and I'm so lucky to be his mom.

I love you Chandler! Happy Birthday!

So bummed

I'm so disappointed! Tyler's teacher offered a trip to Rome - but they offered it to the drama club first I guess so there isn't enough room!!!! So sad!

She has been so fortunate - she is going to Normandy France in March - she can go to Switzerland for a ski Trip in February and this Rome trip was to be in January... ah the life of a 7th grader!!!

One of my children is driving me insane, it's not a hard guess to guess which one. I'm not sure if it is a constant need to be heard, a constant need to be "the best" - I said, I'm really tired today - I want to rest for 20 mins.... the other kids go upstairs, play do their homework. This one plants his butt right next to me to "do his homework" (hello we live in a larger house than the one we lived normally at home) shuffles all the papers, sighs, taps the pencil, grunts, because he cannot figure out "what do you divide by 8 to get 4?"

Then they go outside to "play" - he throws a football at the other child - in the face - he said, "we were playing catch". No - catch is between 2 willing participants - not one throwing the ball while the other is on the scooter.

Now I hear another sibling saying "no no no ________" leave me alone...... ahhhhhhhhhhhh - sometimes boarding school sounds so good......

Pinewood Derby 2008/ First SPT

Chandler's pinewood derby was on Friday night - he called his car "The Darkest Night" - he did really well last year - came in 2nd - this year he also had a pretty fast car but as you will see below......
he lost in the semi-finals (he got 5th or 6th overall) to his BFF Greg - coincidentally last year's semifinals - he won over Greg! If you're gonna go out - it's a good way to go. The Cub committee did a great job, they had a great area set up for siblings with the movie Cars running and some hotwheels out for them to play with - it was very fun. I didn't know they only did this for three years and then move on....guess we better enjoy it! That is one calling I hope I don't get - Scouts.




This is my first SPT as well - okay, so it's only a semi SPT since the "self-portrait" part is being left out - I'm not feeling very photogenic these days - I'm feeling kinda old lady like - my allergies are really bad - I had a reaction to my allergy shots last night - stayed 2 hours! Had to have epinephrine and all kinds of jittery making drugs - my great neighbor went to the pharmacy for me to make sure I had an epi pen in the house! I found two more gray hairs and I'm tired.....

But onto my story - today's challenge - if there were 25 hours in the day - I would get to all my household projects - you see pictured are MY tools - that's right I'm Handy Holly around the house. I was going to keep it a surprise for my Hubby who hasn't seen it yet - but I changed the light fixture that broke in the hallway closet. I have a new toilet paper holder to install and caulk to fix in the shower - all the old men at church love me - they come talk to me about electrical & plumbing all the time....it's so cute!

My other project - or hobby is Stampin' Up - which I need to get my tail a-hoppin' - I have to create a bunch of stuff for a selection process for a stamp camp we're doing on March 8th - anyone want to come???!!

Oh by the way - I was finally released from the RS Presidency - I've been in the presidency for 3,5 years - but doing Homemake for 5 - yes ladies, not a typo - 5 years (with 3 different RS Presidents!) - at Tithing settlement I happened to mention to the bishop that I found a HFPE flyer in my computer dated 2002 - see it pays to go to Tithing Settlement.

But my new calling Christina - hold onto your hat - I still am in denial - Ward Choir Director - but here's the clinker - NO Pianist - hello!!??? How do you have a choir without a pianist?? Oh well - I'll just have the YW, YM, & the Primary go up every month!! I guess I'm going to try to hit up Fisher's mom to help me with Easter!!

Happy Birthday Chandler!

I can't believe Chandler will be 9 - his real birthday is tomorrow - Labor day....here are a few things about my boy

1. Chandler love to play games
2. He is very kind and caring
3. He shares and is polite
4. He is very smart
5. He has lots of friends
6. He is very sporty - I can't wait until he plays professional baseball :)
7. He is very soft spoken
8. He follows rules
9. He likes to cook
10. He likes to hang out at home
11. He is very loyal
12. He is learning the piano
13. He surprises me often
14. He LOVES to tell jokes
15. He has a fabulous smile
16. He loves to write
17. He likes superheros - and watches them with me
18. He likes his back and neck scratched
19. He likes to make things up
20. He likes to figure out how things work - future engineer I'm sure

Chandler is very caring and is such a good boy. He helps me in the house and I cannot believe how old he is getting. He has always been my serious child - he thinks things through before making a move. Some people thing he is obstinate - including myself - but it is just his style - his more deliberate and thoughtful - he has much more patience than I do so that is probably why I get frustrated when he doesn't move as quick as I like - because he is figuring out the solution in his head - future wife beware - but I love him and I wouldn't trade him for the world.

Friday night Mike got the best A's tickets EVER from his work - we had 2 seats and another 4 seats seated separately. The 4 seats were 7 rows behind 1st base. We let Chandler choose for his birthday - he chose his mom to sit with him with the 2 tickets - we sat in Row 2 behind Homeplate - we walked in at the same hallway as the visiting team - they told us not to talk to the players - all our food & drink were free - and SERVED to us. Best yet, the game was great - they A's won after extra innings - and even better - there were fireworks! What a great birthday present!
Mike Piazza at bat - we were about 20 feet away. The on deck circle was right in front of our seats - you could reach through the net to touch them!
If you can read it - you'll see it's true - $225 per ticket!!! Yikes, good thing they were free! We were in the Diamond Level.....