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!

3 Seconds of FAME...ha ha!

Our card group was featured on Studio 5, and apparently also made the 5 'o clock news! Kinda Fun!!

Summer is flyin' by!

A few pics of our way fun summer so far!! We've also enjoyed swimming lessons, a fieldtrip to the Museum of Natural History at the U of U, a day trip to the Children's Discovery Museum at the Gateway in SLC, girls camp, participating in Youth Conference as we ventured out on a Pioneer Trek in the mountains. (Just call me "Ma!"), EFY, soccer camp, our cul-de-sac of fire celebration with our neighbors on July 3rd, annual 4th of July BBQ/parade with family and a million other fun things that make up summer!

My dare devil son who walks around on very tall, homemade stilts w/o any fear!

SEE what I put up with?? I hope he lives long enough to have his kids freak him out!

Alyssa's summer luau with her awesome friends.

Father's Day in the park. It drizzled all day, all the more fun to have a softball game! (missing 3 brothers)

Dad, sure love ya!

Happy Father's Day Karl!!

Here's to the most amazing Dad ever! I can't even express how much I love my husband, he is such a hands-on dad, and always makes time for each of his kids. He loves them with all his heart, and they know he would do ANYTHING for them! Boy I scored!

P.S. for Father's Day I got him a chain saw...feel free to make that "Tool Time" grunting sound. That's what it's like around here!

Pickin' Peas!

1st day of gymnastics! Gymnastics was a big part of my life for 4 years growing up and I couldn't be more thrilled that Ashlyn wants to try it out!

"Please oh please will you buy some kool-aid?

Only 25 cents!" What a bargain!!

Good News...Bad News...

Yesterday Ashlyn lost a tooth. She pulled it out herself...typical Ash. She put it in a baggie, and then set it down somewhere and couldn't find it anywhere. I told her to just write a note to the Toothfairy and it would be OK. She took this to heart and made a cute card, with a great note inside explaining her dilema.

Sunday morning, believe it or not, nothing was waiting for her under her pillow!!! The Toothfairy must have been too busy visiting all the other 6yr. olds in the world and hadn't quite made it to our house. Surely she'll come while we're at church...sure enough a gold dollar coin was waiting for her under her pillow when she returned from church...whew!

Thanks Toothfairy!

She designed the card all by herself!!

"Dear Toothfairy,
Good news! I lost my tooth today!!
Bad news, I can't find it.
Please bring me something anyway."
Love Ashlyn

Now she has 2 gold dollar coins for 2 missing teeth!

5 miler

Karl went with Parker on his 11yr. old scout 5 mile hike/campout.

They had a great time together!

Check out their hats...We found the one Parker is wearing on a trail a couple years ago, all beat up, ripped, chewed on etc. but he insisted on bringing it home. We washed it up and he has worn it ever since, despite the fact that I've bought him 2 others that weren't attacked by a bear or something. Funny kid.

Summer has arrived!

Summer has arrived!

Our first official family outing was to the Cedar Hills park. We biked from our house then played in the very cold water (didn't stop us :) and ate snacks. We also went up the canyon yesterday for our first summer hike. Much to my discomfort, Connor had a knack for seeing snakes on our trail. I think he pointed out about 5 during our hike...aaahg! But I feigned courage and pointed out the wonders of nature to my younger kids.

Don't want to pass that flaw on...

Last Sunday a neighbor's dog came in our yard and chased our smallest chickens. We found 2/3 and could not seem to locate our little white chick. Then the neighbor called as told us there was a chicken in her yard...Yeah! Karl was especially relieved, he and Parker have such a soft spot for the chickens. They just sat out there for 1/2 hour and watched the chicks play.


Taylor came to me and said, "mom, I have a new game, do ya want to see it?"

"Sure"

He then proceded to take a bag of cotton balls and jump on it. The cotton went flying everywhere and he looked up with such pride in his new discovery...

He then explained "whoever gets the cotton balls the farthest, wins!"

Oh, of course.

"Mom, can we do this for my birthday party?" (which isn't until Nov. but we start planning MONTHS ahead...)

"hmm... I don't know about that one..."


Hiking in AF Canyon