Thanks-Giving

I know, I know, it's been a couple months since I've updated, believe me, a TON has happened, I'll catch up this weekend...promise.  In the meantime, I've been thinking a lot about what I'm grateful for this Thanksgiving Season.  I've written a list, if you care to indulge me...:)

I've decided to dedicate this year's grateful list to motherhood...it's shaped every part of my being:

 I’m grateful my children demand I talk to them when I don’t feel like talking, feed them when I’m not hungry, and make me get up at all hours of the night to comfort, feed , and sometimes clean up throw-up or wet beds. I don’t think I’d discover the world outside my own needs without them.


I’m grateful my children haven’t learned how to hold back their tears when they’re sad, laughter when they’re happy, or screams when they’re frightened. They constantly remind me that emotions are for sharing.

I’m grateful my children have great imaginations that test my sense of decor' to the max. (we all have room numbers taped by our doors). They’ve taught me that things aren’t important, but people are.

I’m grateful my children start out small and helpless so they don’t become aware of my incompetence until they’re teenagers. By then, we’ve both grown so accustomed to each other, we somehow manage to make it through the rest of life together.

I’m grateful my children get into trouble in Primary, throw tantrums at the grocery store,  and quarrel in public so I’ll never be able to get too arrogant, proper, or judgmental of other people’s children.

I’m grateful my children occasionally miss the bus at the precise moment I’ve stepped out of the shower, forget their lunch or gym clothes, need an emergency permission slip filled out...the list goes on...why you ask?  Because it helps me remember that life happens, and that's ok.  Schedules need to be somewhat flexible, or I would feel frustrated all the time.

I’m grateful my children always need new shoes, piano books, prescriptions, haircuts, fieldtrip money, food, toothpaste (not the minty kind), and socks. That way, I don’t have to waste my time thinking about a new wood floor. It’s difficult to get wealthy and think about luxuries when you have to buy toilet paper and milk by the truckload each week.

I’m grateful my children know how to play. My six-year-old asked me to play Candyland.  I nodded, but made him put it up on the counter while I made rolls.  He was very patient, and even moved my guy, when I wasn't keeping up to speed. Thanks for playing Taylor.  Next time, I'll get on the floor with you!

I'm grateful my children question my every command and giggle when I get angry. It’s difficult to feel too powerful or self-righteous with kids around to remind you of how funny you look when you’re pointing your finger, or trying to count backwards from 10.

I’m grateful my children sqeeze me tight with each hug.  I love the leg hugs, the linked arms while walking in the store, holding hands everywhere, and the occasional whispered "I love you mom" with a big neck squeeze at night when I tuck them into bed.  It reminds me how important physical affection is for each of us.

I’m grateful each of my children seem to easily say "let's pray" when we need help with ANYTHING!  They don't just hope for heaven's help, they expect it, and you know what?  It always comes.

And lastly, I’m grateful for the gift of children in my life. I enjoy each random thought they express, each act of unconditional kindness, and each expression of testimony and faith.  They teach me way more than I'll ever teach them!!

Happy Thanks-Giving!  (thanks Heavenly Father for "giving" me children!)

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall!!

You know you've had a complete summer when you've done the following:
1.  Sold Kool-aid on the corner..we added in Otter Pops...mmm.
2.  Enjoyed a few camping trips.
3.  Family BBQ's galore.
4.  S'more roast off in the backyard.
5.  Night games with the neighborhood kids.
6.  Lots of sleepouts in the backyard.
7.  And even a bout with Giardia from playing in a nearby creek! (not so fun for my Ashlyn girl...:)

Here are a few more of our summertime highlights.

Beauty Parlor anyone? 

Come get your nails (fingers and toes of course) and hair done for free!! 

 Connor got this huge soccer net for his 11th birthday.  It's been a GREAT investment and gets used all the time!

 Connor and I went to a REAL (pronounced ree-al) soccer game. They were MLS champs last year btw... It was our first professional soccer game to watch in person, and oh, can I say I'm hooked?!  (Except for all the beer everywhere we looked...:(

 We went swimming as a family at a nearby aquatic center, and the boys had a blast on the wave runner...until they crashed...we laughed every time!

 Gimme a s'more!

 The "Giardia" creekbed!! 

Parker went to scout camp for an entire week!  I asked him if he got homesick, because I REALLY missed him...trying to read between the lines, he replied..."uh, yeah, I guess so".  I said, "not really, huh?"  He came clean and said, "not really, sorry mom".  I just laughed and told him I was glad he had such a great time, and I wouldn't have it any other way.  :)

Jensen Energizer Bunnies!

"If Cousins are the right kind, they're best of all. Kinder than sisters and brothers and closer than friends."

Gone Away Lake ,Elizabeth Enright

Huge YAWN! Oh what a whirlwind weekend, but ooooh sooo fun! We could not have fit anything else in! The masses gathered at the Jensen pad on Friday evening around dinnertime. (This is after a long day/week of cleaning, trimming and weeding from top to bottom, and front to back.) We enjoyed a BBQ, badmitten, games, snowcones, fireworks, and having our first anual family sleepover. Yes... 12 little children, and 11 adults all spread out!


Saturday, we braved the Provo River in our canoes and boats. Later on that night, Ashlyn and I had a blast at the Stadium of Fire!


On Monday, we cheered all the floats and bands and everyone in the Provo Parade. Aaron and Melissa then treated us to a delicious taco bar at their home.

Relaxing after a yummy dinner.
That's gotta hurt!

Come play hide-n-seek and tag! Thanks Aaron for playing with us!

A party crasher...

All the adults, dead to the world, after a VERY late night, trying to keep little ones in their beds:)

The tramp sleepers...

Our own tent city!

Anyone for breakfast burritos? Cook Karl was on duty, while some of us ran/walked a Stake organized 5K

Off to the river!!

More white water!

Karl had 4 of our kids in our canoe, and I had Ashlyn and 2 cousins in our raft floating down together.
The canoe got caught up in the side bushes, and I watched in horror as they all tipped over! Taylor was pulled under the boat, and quick as lightning, my superman hubby, grabbed him and pulled him to safety.

It was the scariest thing ever!

Before the tip..

My precious cargo.

Ashlyn won 2 tickets to the Stadium of Fire in Provo. Cotton candy anyone?

They handed out these 3D glasses, and we had fun watching the fireworks explode in a multitude of colors!

Miss Carrie! AMAZING!

All American Girls! :)

After the concert, Ashlyn and I met up with Allyson and Adrienne and their friends.

It's been a long night! Gotta love the glow necklaces and braclets...and the sucker still stuck in her mouth. Great night with my girl!

If you're excited to be at the parade, raise your hands!!

My kiddos.

Guess what/who got the biggest response from the crowd?

LDS Missionaries! The kids lined the streets and gave them high 5's! I'm sure those elders and sisters had some fun things to write home about!

Only in Utah!
Curious George was a hit with the little ones!

Emma and Grandma! Such cute girls!

We are sooo stuffed! Time for a nap!

Payson Lakes

This past week my mom and I took 4 of my kids up to Payson Lakes to do a little camping. Our husbands had other committments, and Alyssa had her Chemistry class, so we just took who we could, and headed to the mountains. It was really fun; perfect weather, beautiful surroundings, and awesome kids! Other than the sunburns (despite my attempt to keep my kids lathered up..) we all came home with big smiles.

Connor summed it up by saying, "you know mom, you can tell we all had a great time by just looking at the pictures!" Enjoy our pics!

Karl and I took a Sunday scooter ride. Love to ride with him!

In case you haven't met, this is Nessy. We think she is a relative of the Loch Ness Monster...
Aaron and Melissa joined us for dinner and boating on Monday night, so fun!

Walking around the lake, searching for fishing hooks...yuck!

The kids begged me to ride in the back of the van from the lake to our site...good thing the speed limit was only 10 mph! :)

The boys brought their own tent, then ended up in our big tent at the last minute...could it have been Connor's "sort of scary" campfire story??

We found this awesome hike called the Grotto. It was an extrememly kid friendly hike, and soooo beautiful! We had a light rain on our way back down the trail, and just sang all of the rain songs we could think of.

Perfect ending to a great couple of days!

Sum, sum, summa-time!

Since every day has been crazy busy with something or other, I've decided I can either be stressed all the time, or embrace this new season of life. Embrace I will! (with some adjustments...can't do it all, right?)

The month of June started out with the boys having a "yeah, school's out" party with their friends. Then Alyssa started a Chemistry class, had Driver's Ed., and girl's camp all in the same week...don't even ask...
Connor made a AAA competition soccer club, and had soccer camp everyday for a week...20 mins. away in Lehi. We're down to 3x/wk, and have shortened our route to 17mins...thank goodness for books on CD! I need to get scriptures on CD...:) I enrolled the kids in the Library summer reading program, and pulled off a fun Primary Quarterly Activity (with lot's of help of course)!

We even managed to have a garage sale, which paid for my new treadmill...the old one broke:(

Oh yeah, did I mention we are finishing our basement? I've painted my heart out, installed tile and wood flooring, (Ok, Karl installed it...), I then hired a cabinet guy, looked at stone for the fireplace and will look at carpet soon. I'm glad I don't do this for a living! (I'd have a breakdown!) I'll put together a post of our basement start to finish when it's all ready.

What do boys like? Water balloons, kickball, and lots of food!
We had a family reunion at Mutual Dell. The zipline was a hit!
Cousins at the reunion.

Happy Dad Day!!

Our KING!

Karl and I celebrated our 19th anniversary with a little get-away in Park City. We had SO much fun! We had an awesome hotel, with a jacuzzi off of our deck! We had no plans but to relax, read and eat!! We did manage to hit the outlets though...you would too, and you know it!

Our "big" pool! Yeah, really big...good thing the kids thought so. We're the hit of the neighborhood. They were jumping off the plaything in the background...swimming just isn't enough of a rush I guess!

Connor received his Arrow of Light.

Yeah Connor!

Last Week of School!!

OK, so it's almost July, but just take a peek into my world, and you'll know why I've been slacking off...

These events were all in one week, and it hasn't let up yet!

Ashlyn had her "end of season" gymnastics competition. So sad it doesn't go through the summer! Gives us time to get those splits down though...:)
Karl's brother Lee, turned 40...so glad I'M NOT 40...YET!

Ashlyn's 1st grade class had a little program the last week of school. This is Brady, Ashlyn's friend. He is a darling boy with Down's Syndrome, that the class absolutely LOVED! They each took turns being part of the "lunch bunch" where they were able to sit by Brady and play with him at recess. Ashlyn has a real soft spot for him.

I chaperoned the 9th graders at Lagoon...these are our "fake scared faces.."

Little man graduated from Pre-school. OK, so I shed a tear or two...