Happy Birthday Chris for March 7

Chris and her amazing Mother Chaz ... 2 beautiful women! I love this photo of them. 

We met Chris in 2004, she came to Christchurch from BYUH to present a paper at a a conference of Pacific Art historians. Our house was full of people, Peter Brunt, the Giles and all of us, less lucy. Mike had just got back from his mission. He picked Chris up at the airport and raced Ashley Giles all the way home in Pete's sports car. I remember Chris coming into our kitchen and meeting her for the first time, as I chatted with her I had a very strong feeling that I would know her as an older woman. Mike and Chris have been married for 10 years now and have two beautiful, crazy, funny children that we adore!

Chris has the most beautiful blue eyes ... luminous eyes. When she smiles her whole face lights up. We have never met anyone that can turn to a camera and smile and bingo it is a perfect photo of her while everyone else pales into insignificance. She is made to be photographed! Chris is a high achiever, she can do anything she sets her mind to, like learning graphic design, house painting and  swimming, running a half marathon, setting up a business, developing her photography abilities, helping to design and revamp an Inn and now working in the corporate world as a Creative Director for Dartmouth Hospital. She faces challenges with courage and perseverance. She is mega competent, her competency and creativity really stand out in the Darmouth Roar video she directed, it made international news and has had nearly 5 million hits.

Chris has brought some amazing people into our lives, her parents Steve and Chaz, her siblings, Joy, Nate, Brig and Jordan and all their partners and children. Chris loves her family passionately. She has wonderful friends that we have fallen in love with, Leilani and Rob, Felicity and Nathaniel and of course the Vials. These people have been a very significant and important part of Chris' live and she loves them dearly and we have grown to love them as well.

Chris has a vulnerability to her that makes her wonderfully authentic and open in her relationships. She loves to lip sync, which is something that she now does with lars and Roxcy. She has an eye for colour, design and style. She is highly creative, great at finding something on the cheap that will change a look for her or a room. She is a wonderful Mum, generous and kind to lars and Roxcy. She plays with them, does creative things with them, laughs with them, she really enjoys them as people and loves to hang out with them. She loves dancing and going to concerts. She has seen a lot of the world. Chris has a good sense of humour. She loves movies and loves watching the Golden Globes and Oscars, a bit of a family tradition for her, following the red carpet and commenting on what is being worn by celebrities on the night, right through to the awards.  As a result of her years of stage when she was at high school she knows a good script and good directing. Chris has brought some great TV series into our family. The best thing about Chris is she loves Mike! That of course thrills us. She is proud of him, completely trusts him and believes in him and really enjoys spending time with him. He is her hero.

Chris has brought a wonderful energy, richness and colour into our lives. We love having her as part of our family.    

Chris at play with lars and Roxcy ... these 2 little people light up her world. 

Chris with lars ... a new Mum, that moment that changes your life forever. Captured by Leilani one of her friends.

Behind Mike on their tandem ... I have not been brave enough to get behind Mike on their tandem yet. I admire you Chris.

March 7 is Chris' birthday, this is our birthday song for you to dance the night away to ... every time I hear it I think of you. We hope you have a wonderful, wonderful day. We love you Chris ...  

http://youtu.be/0yBnIUX0QAE