2011 Christmas Card

Dear Family and Friends,

This year, our Christmas letter is electronic! With all of this technology, it seems like the best option. (Not to mention that I can tell that cards are just not going to get mailed this year!)

What’s been happening with the Christensen’s in 2011?

In February, Mike’s father passed away. He was 90 years old. Mike served as an excellent care giver to him. All of Mike’s siblings came to Blanding as well as other family members. While a sad occasion, it was enjoyable having them all in town at the same time! Mike continues to care for his mother. He is so kind and patient with her. Sidney continues to learn so much…

In April Mike and Sidney took a mini-vacation to Colorado Springs to visit Sidney’s brother, Dave, and his family. We had a delightful trip. One of our favorite spots was stopping at Glenwood Hot Springs. So fun!

We worked on several ‘projects’ this year.

• We painted the ‘junk room’ aka the room where Mike’s dad kept everything. Mike’s mother wanted a guest room and graciously allowed Sidney to move in her sewing machine in as well.

• We had a bountiful garden this year. Sidney kept busy canning tomatoes any way she could. Mike has suggested we not plant as many tomatoes this year (we had 18).

• We also sold all of our rental properties this year and no longer have any rental units. We are actually glad to be out of the business as it too difficult to manage from long distance.

• We painted the living room and entry way of his mother’s home in October. His mother chose the color, sage green. A bucket of paint goes a long way in transforming a room!

• Mike painted our bathroom after the living room was painted. Sidney could not stand the thought of ONE MORE PROJECT and thus, watched.

Sidney decided to participate in the local Farmer’s Market this summer. It was a new adventure and she thoroughly enjoyed it. It was fun to come home each week with a little cash in her hand. Spending money is nice to have.

Mike’s been having success as an author, here in Blanding. He was invited to the local book group where he talked about his novel, The Tomb of the Devils.  Sidney also sold several copies of his novel at the Farmer’s Market. Mike has listed his novel as an eBook on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. Humble as ever, Mike is always surprised when ANYONE purchases a copy of his novel. (Sidney here… This is one of the reasons I love Mike, he is a very humble man.) He continues to SLOWLY work on his second novel.

In September we traveled to Northern California to attend Mike’s 45th Class Reunion. Even though we had a tire blow out the first day, the rest of the trip was uneventful, so-to-speak. After the reunion, Mike continued to fulfill Sidney’s dreams of going to The Hearst Castle and Solvang, California. Even though those places were interesting, the highlight of that portion of the trip was viewing hundreds of elephant seals along the coast. It is interesting that nature always seems to win out!

Throughout this past year, we have been continually reminded of the many blessing our loving Heavenly Father has blessed us with. We are so grateful for the atoning sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ. We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas, as we celebrate the reason for the season, the birth of our Savior.



With love,



Mike and Sidney Christensen
88 W. 200 So.
Blanding, Utah 84511
435-678-2941
Email: sidney7705@gmail.com or mchris1966@hotmail.com