80 Years Young!

My Mother in law just turned 80 years old on Saturday! 

 I'm pretty sure I don't want to live to be 80, but good for her!!  She has struggled with dementia for a few years now, and they have had a rough go of it, but they are sure amazing people! My father in law, Reilly has taken such wonderful care of Eleanor, I can only hope that Karl and I would do that for each other some day.

I created a picture board of some fun memories of Eleanor and her family through the years.

The grandkids made a sign and we enjoyed delicious shredded beef tacos and cake.

Karl goofing around with the kiddos!

In following Jensen traditions, we had a pinata for the kids.  Connor was the one to break it open.

March Madness!

March has been full of a lot of fun activities for the Jensen Family!

My mom and I went on a hike in AF Canyon and ran into a ....yup, a moose!  I kept telling my mom, 

"Hold still, I want to get your picture!"  

She was like, "Uh, Heather, I think we better get moving!!"  

 "One more shot!"  

When I looked up, she was crossing the ravine to the trail on the other side...she wasn't sticking around!"

Connor took this two day class and passed his state referee exam! 

 Yay! 

Taylor has been wanting a Go Kart for a really long time!  He is very 

persistent and determined 

and decided to build one with his friend Josh.  Karl knew this was a huge project that would definitely involve him, so he bit the bullet and found one on KSL.  Let me just say, Taylor has become 

very popular 

with all the neighborhood children!  :)

The Student Council held a fund raiser this month by allowing kids to pay money and pour ice cream and toppings on the top of the student council member's heads.  

Hilarious!

Cold!

Messy!

Fun!

Starting out clean...

It all begins!

Ashlyn was VERY EXCITED to dump all kinds of stuff on her brother's head!

 

One of the grossest things I have ever seen!  That shirt was stained for life!

Awesome kids though!

Outdoor Adventures

Parker approached me with a GREAT IDEA!  

"Hey mom, do you think Connor and I could head down to Zion National Park and hike and campout?"

"Um....just the two of you?"

"Yeah!! We'll backpack in and stay a couple nights, then come home."

Outloud I replied, "Um...I'm not so sure that's such a good idea...." 

Inside I thought, "There is absolutely no way a 16yr. old and a 14yr old are driving down to Zion on their own!  New driver, flash flood season, no adult?  Uh, uh."

Luckily Karl stepped in and said,

 "I think it would be really fun for you guys to have some bonding time on Parker's spring break.  How about this, I come with you guys and we go play around for the weekend in Goblin Valley, hiking the slot canyons!" 

MY HERO!

So the three of them headed out and had a fantastic time!

The boys brought 2 lbs of bacon and cooked it over a fire.  Yes, they did have a coleman stove and a pan, but how boring that would have been!!

It worked!

Gorgeous red rock!

They uh, sort of got a little lost, but figured out how to climb their way out!

February

February was a blur...for you too??   I know it is a short month, but sheeze!  I blinked and it was over with! 

Here are are some of our highlights:  

Grandpa Jensen hosted a fun Valentine's Party for us.  He bought everyone a balloon!

 

Taylor made this awesome Valentine box...a vending machine!!!

Ashlyn made a splatter paint Valentine's Day box.  She got some paint, and cut a straw.  She then sucked up the paint just enough to get it in the straw, then blew the paint on the box.  

Pretty clever!

Connor has wanted a queen bed for a while now.  I found a great one and now he sleeps like a "King!"

Connor passed his Board of Review for his Eagle!!! 

Yay, Yay, Yay!!!

Now we get to plan a Court of Honor.  

Our school had an evening devoted to Abraham Lincoln.  We had a program, music from the kids and a cake decorating contest.   Ashlyn really wanted to enter, so I pulled her out of school at lunch and she decorated this baby all by herself!!!  

We were so proud, and you know what??

Out of 30 cakes...

She Won!!!!  

They had 1 winner in each of the 3 categories, and she won for "most like Abe Lincoln".  Some of the cakes looked professional, but knowing Ash did this all by herself and won, was awesome!