Soccer Season

I didn't know how much I would enjoy watching soccer! I LOVED going to the boys' games and cheering them on. Connor's division was comprised of both 5th and 6th graders, but his particular team was 90% 5th graders. They started out losing most of their games, but as the season progressed, they caught fire, and by the end they took 4th in the tournament!!

Taylor's team was hilarious to watch! Every now and then, when Taylor heard us cheering (or saying something like..."run the other way bud..."), he'd stop dead in his tracks, turn to us, and give us a big "thumbs up"! Soon several of the other team members caught on to the thumbs up thing and it became really funny. Kids and parents thumbs upping each other through the games!

Such shy, reserved boys...;0

Connor made some awesome goals throughout the season, and really grew as a player.

Their coach was awesome! After losing their last game, he huddled them around and told them how awesome they each were, and how proud he was of their hard work and progress.

Next year boys!!

Taylor running up on the ball...go Tay!

He wore that medal for the next few days, and check out that big bag of skittles!! What a treat!

Indian Days of Summer

We've had some fun activities this past month. You know how it goes, just trying to get it all in before the snow flies...It's hard to believe September is almost over! Here are a few of the highlights of the last dog days of summer:

My Parents and I took Sean's kids, and Taylor to the Wasatch State Park pond to play and of course feed the ducks!

We had a wonderful picnic, waded in the water, played on the playground and just enjoyed the beautiful day. Of course we topped off our day with shakes at Granny's! YUMMY!

Taylor, Megan, Josh and Ashlyn all decided to wash Karl's truck. It really wasn't very warm, but they had fun getting wet anyway.

(Karl paid them each a dollar :)

Sean and Melissa visited us from the great state of Washington. While here, we took all the cousins to Highland Glen Park and enjoyed the ducks and water. (just missing Nathan's kids...:()

For some unknown reason Sunday really does bring out the best in our kids. They find all kinds of creative ways to play, and generally get along really well...what happens to the rest of the week?

(gotta love Karl asleep on the couch in the background...day of REST, right??)
TWISTER...it's a Classic!

First day of school! We started on August 20th, which seemed early, but the kids were ready, and truthfully so was I!!

Birthdays and MORE Birthdays!

September is a big b-day month for us. Well, actually Fall is, we have 6 of our 7 birthdays from Aug. 10th to Nov. 1st. Ashlyn gets the Winter all to herself :) Anyway, Parker and I have a birthday 2 days apart. I'm not so crazy about celebrating my birthdays anymore, so it's great to focus on Parker. As it just so happens, my boy is becoming a man, and turned 12yrs on the 18th! Today he received the Aaronic Priesthood! He is such an awesome kid, truly someone I learn much more from than I ever teach him, to be sure. Karl ordained him and gave him a beautiful blessing, he is so blessed to have a dad who honors his priesthood...we all are. Here are some highlights of our week.

Mom and Me in Park City...shopped all day for my birthday, got some awesome running shoes!
Parker with his friends! He had a night game birthday party!

Parker just received the Aaronic Priesthood! Wonderful!

The Deacon's quorum presidency came to welcome Parker into the Young Men's program. They were steller! They each took turns outlining the duties of a Deacon, and gave him a hearty welcome. I was SO IMPRESSED, and very touched!!

Would you believe he ate the WHOLE thing??

Parker begged us for a unicycle...get this, he wants to learn how to play the banjo, and ride his unicycle!

He practiced all weekend!!

August Rush

I don't know about the rest of you, but

August FLEW BY!

With all the school prep and responsibilities (I chair a committee at the school), and Connor's birthday to boot, we were swamped all month.

My sweet Connor turned 10 yrs. old.

I remember being 10. I remember looking out the window, waiting for my friends to show up for my party, hoping people would come. I vividly remember standing off to the side of the window, behind the curtain so no one would see me, then feeling great relief when cars started to pull up. Funny huh? Haven't thought of that for a while. It was great to be in double digits, but still be a kid. I was never in a hurry to grow up, still that way. We celebrated Connor by having a big party with his friends at our house, then celebrated again at Payson Lakes with G & G Baxter.

We LOVE Payson Lakes!

Powered doughnut birthday "cake"...perfect for a campfire celebration!

Connor's friend party...all a bunch of hams! :)

Grandma and Grandpa Baxter and grandkids.


One of those "pensive moment" pics. My Parker boy is sure growing up!

Did you know "Nessy" the Loch Ness Monster's sister resides at Payson Lakes? Yup, true story! (looks like she brought a friend...)

Parker and Connor spent much of their time jumping and somersaulting off the dock. There were several teenagers admiring their tricks, which only encouraged the boys! hmmm...

Connor and Taylor..they rowed all around...so fun!

These rafts look cute, but they proved to be hard to maneuver...

only turned in circles, it was really funny!

Family is the BEST!

My sister Allyson (2nd from left) is expecting her first baby...I couldn't be happier! I love her so much, and she is going to be such a terrific mom! We held a simple baby shower for her at my home in July. Soon after she moved with her husband to Arizona!! What? and leave me? I know...it's tragic. I guess education is a good reason...but you better come back sista!! (my other sister Adrienne is far left, then my mom to my right)...great gals!

California Vacation

Last July our family took a wonderful family trip to Northern California. We spent almost 4 days with Karl's family at a beautiful resort called Asilomar (next to Monterey), then headed up to the San Franscisco area, then to Yosemite, and finished up at a beautiful ski resort town called Mammoth Lakes. No one in diapers, DVD player, kids you can reason with...well, most of the time...and beautiful fresh ocean air! It was the perfect getaway!

Here is a glimpse of our 10 days away from the craziness of the Jensen life:

Asilomar is a wooded resort located right next to the ocean. We had nice hotel rooms and all of our meals were catered. My sister in law Lisa and I taught the cousins a Jensen cheer to promote a little healthy Jensen PRIDE!

Monterey Bay Aquarium. Ashlyn looks a little leary...good thing there's glass!

The Jensen family is known for their HIGHLY competitive Rook tournaments. I have managed to boycott this tradition for 18 years, but my cute hubby begged me this year to just play one game. Turns out we didn't do too bad...

San Fransisco with Alcatraz in the background...well, behind us...
How cute is she??
Ashlyn purchased some oriental PJ's, a fan and an umbrella. If not for the blond hair, she might fit right in, in China Town!

Mammoth Lakes Lodge. Pure heaven after spending a horrible night in the "Cabin of purgatory" the night before...it looked great on the website, but turned out to be a gross place to stay, so we found a beautiful condo for around the same price. We had a miracle, and were very blessed! Alyssa was especially relieved!

Yosemite

We took a gondola to the top of the Mammoth ski resort, played in the snow, and enjoyed the breath-taking views!

Connor and I tried to hike to Rainbow Falls, but realized it was twice as far as we thought, and it got dark...I hate cutting a hike short. Beautiful woods though!
Devil's Post Pile.

A natural wonder, formed by lava following a volcanic erruption.

It was amazing!