A wonderful 2 weeks

Where to start.

We had a great week in Pagosa Springs Colorado with The Sherwood family. We have yet to go to a reunion with the kids where they actually play with their cousins (our last one we went to was 4 years ago).

Henry traveled great, and Will thought he needed to wear his shoes.

Treats and movies were a great combo on the drive over 

It started off with a visit to my grandparents. Forrest and Mary Jensen. They are both in their 90’s. My kids played in this same tree 3 years ago when we visited them. It is amazing to see how much they have grown.

Our family and my wonderful Grandparents

Then on to Pagosa springs.

Kindy was kind enough to let us crash with their family in their condo. My kids loved it! Playing with cousins all day, and staying up much later than mom and dad ever let them do.

Our days were filled with ATV riding, tubing, hiking, playing outside, scavenger hunts, fun family dinners, dodge ball, the amazing race, Olympics and a rodeo.

Needless to say we were just a bit tired when we started our drive home on Saturday.  

Here was our view every morning from our back porch.

 Monday Kris was awesome and found a cool thing with marbles for the kids that stayed behind. I think they played with these for hours!

Lindsay missed Henry and I think Henry missed her too. (we all miss Lindsay!!!)

This is one of my most favorites from the reunion.

Henry decided he was hungry enough and actually held his own bottle. Hopefully this will be a bit more regular.

playing Drip drip drop. (duck duck goose with water) the kids loved it.

We went on a hike and my serious fear of heights took full effect. The kids had a great time playing in the water a bit down stream of the waterfall. It was a tad bit cold. But being kids this didn't stop them.

 Then there was tubing. We found a 100 yard area where the kids just went up and down. No photos but we loved it.

Thursday was the amazing race. We had fun and Will was awesome. He drank an entire cup of mineral water. That stuff smells so bad! He will only drink water and Choc milk so this was huge!

Thursday night we went to the rodeo. And Chris and I signed our 4 kids up for mutton busting (sheep riding), they did great. Annmarie geld on the longest and even held on while the sheep rolled on her.  Kris took photos so when her world travels are over I will get the photos from her.  We were so proud of our kids for trying something new and they did great!

Friday was the Olympics. The kids had a blast.  

Jed's starting position was more of a plank than anything else.

Friday we got a photo of all 6 sisters. It has been 10 years since we had one taken. When I get the ones online I will add. The 

 Saturday we headed home. The plan was to spend the night in Denver but with 2 kids that threw up Saturday morning we were going to make the long haul. Chris was not 100% either. We stopped and saw Grandpa Scott for an hour. The kids were glad to get out of the car. We had a good time with him. After his house we told the kids it was nap time. Everyone except Chris napped for at least an hour (most 2). We were a very tired family. We only had 1 sick issue about 3 hours from home but luckily nothing got in the car. When we pulled into home at 2am we were so happy to be there!

showing off the new hats Grandpa Scott gave them.

 Sunday night Annmarie lost tooth #3. She has 2 more that will be falling out soon.

Henry learned how to crawl and now he is all over the place. He likes to be put down and let go. He was loved by his cousins and is missing all the attention.


A big thanks to - 


Kindy for letting us be part of her family for a week, and taking on extra kids for a day or so


Lindsay for being my go to Henry sitter.


Jill for also being a wonderful help with my kids and especially taking Henry at time so we could do things as the 6 of us.


The rest of the family, for putting up with us letting your kids play with my kids and for so great dinners :) cannot wait for the next one in 2 years. 

Congrats to Greg and Nicolle for having the latest grandchild Sunday. We missed you all but are glad She is here and is as cute as your other 2.

Tuesday

There will not be the typical 10 today, I'm way to tired for that. Here is what is going on.

as of today Chris is coming to the reunion!!

Henry spent 24 hours in the hospital with croup. Once again I love Blank Children's and I have such an amazing ward! When we have recovered I will write more. Henry is at 70% so he is all good.

wed we went swimming to the local pool. it was awesome. big slides diving boards. 12 dollars on family night. We had a blast.

I love my ward. Thank you thank you thank you.

Ten on Tuesday

1. Saturday was Chris and My 11th Anniversary. I cannot believe that it has been that long. That was the best decision I have ever made! So glad he choose me :)

2. Swim lessons have started again. I love to see the improvement my kids have made. Will is doing so much better this week. He has been diving, and doing backstroke with out drowning, and is beginning to do rhythmic breathing with his front crawl. Jeffrey has lucked out he has 2 kids in his class and his teacher has no issues letting him practice his diving as well. He loves it. 

3. Koni and her family swung by on the 4th. We had fun play outside, and watching stuff on YouTube. Glad my kids got to see them since we will not see them at the reunion

4. The 4th was very uneventful for us. It was just way way too hot here. Last week we seemed to stay inside a lot. 

5. Saturday night Chris and I went to a new friends house with 3 other couples and had a great time eating and playing games. Love evenings like this. meeting new people, making friends, laughing and having a good time.

6. Jed has started throwing up again. Poor guy. He is back on his meds and is doing better. Guess he will not be medicine free any time soon :(

7. Chris went into work and asked for the week of our family reunion off. They told him sure. . . then later that day he was asked to work on a case that starts the Tuesday we would get back from the reunion. . . guess He's not coming. Wish me luck next Friday as I drive to Denver alone with 5 kids. Hopefully I will have hair when the reunion starts :)

8.Sadly this week my ragnar team lost the one person I was most excited about running with. But on a positive note I found 6 random strangers to run with. SO our team is set (thank goodness) and I really only have to worry about 6 people not 12. 

9. Henry is starting to move more and more. . . I know the crawling with soon begin in earnest. Guess the floor has to be kept a lot cleaner now

10. Spent a few hours at a friends house today. The kids played outside and had a blast. Thank goodness it is not back into the 80's and not the 100's. Makes me love living here again.

and random photos

The kids made Pilot Henry with swim goggles

Henry is working out already, working on push ups

Annmarie has discovered how to take a photo of herself

Henry eating real food

Having a healthy after dinner treat

Henry trying to eat his toy, while trying to learn how to crawl

Jeffrey being awesome and feeding Henry

Have I mentioned that Henry wants to move?

Love love love this outfit that I got from craigslist in Seattle 5 years ago almost exactly. 

Ten on Tuesday

1. there will be no photos this week. Why because our mouse doesn't work on the home computer anymore. I an right click all I want but trying to use the left one does nothing. I never knew how frustrating it is to use a computer with out a mouse.

2. It has been really really hot here. We are in a heat advisory that lasts from today until Saturday. I'm not looking forward to this week. But on the positive side we have an AC unit that works great. we can still go to the Y and our cars have cold ac as well. So thankful for that blessing in our lives!

3.  We have been watching some awesome soccer the past weeks. The Euro 2012 cup was one that was a blast to watch. Even Will got into the habit of watching and he reminds me of my mom (probably me too but I don't want to admit it). He gets all excited and every time the ball is in the box he thinks there will be a goal. Love his enthusiasm.

4. Chris's trial that should have started yesterday was postponed until September. He has so sad. He will most likely be doing something different and will not get the chance to try that case.

5. Henry oh yeah he is getting on all 4's and moving himself forward. Gotta love having the over achievers. 

6. Friday night we went swimming at the Y with the kids. It was so much fun. I love doing things like that with my kids. We came home and ate pizza. then off to bed. Love speedy nights where everyone has fun.

7. I have made 2 discoveries this past week. 1. Laundry never ends!!!! it just keeps piling up. 2. when you go to bed with a clean house you are much happier when you wake up. I know these are not life altering revelations, which most of you probably already know, but I am sometimes a bit slower to learn these things.

8. Jed has made huge huge huge improvements with swimming. He jumped into the water and actually swam (dog paddled) to his teacher this week!! He also is getting away from doing the death grip while in the water. I am so glad that he is learning!

9. Annmarie loves to read (no news flash here) but she read Diary of the Wimpy kid in 1.5 days. I love love love that I have a reader. And Will is still loving to read.

10. Went running yesterday morning with my boss/friend/teammate for Ragnar. First time I think I have ever had a running buddy. I think I really like it (not the hot sticky but the buddy).  (PS we are still a few runners short if you want to join us in Aug)

Ten on Tuesday

1. Lindsay left us :( we all have been sad to see her go home. It seems so odd without her here

2. Chris and I went on a pre-anniversary trip. Lindsay kindly watched our kids for 48 hours. It was wonderful. She is truly awesome. Henry got a fever and was way snotty. She with the help of some wonderful friends said all was good and let us continue or mini-vacation.

3. we went up to Minneapolis. we got to go to the St. Paul temple. It was great! There was a blind guy with during the session (time when we are instructed and learn). Chris was seated right next to him. It was a great experience and reminded me that we truly are never left alone. 

3. We did some shopping. The Mall of America

and of course Ikea!! 

4. WE got a recommendation from my brother Greg to eat at Psycho Suzi's. First off we loved the food, we loved eating outside next to the Mississippi river. Needless to say had we not had the heads up on the food, I would have been questioning my brothers sanity. Lets say for the first time in my life I was carded. . . needless to say I didn't have my id and they didn't question my age. Then the servers were more of something you would find at a biker bar. The clientele was very very diverse. 21yr old's to bikers to cute 60 something couples. Would we go again? totally! just not after 9pm at night again:)
te

5. It was a great trip. I think every couple needs at least 24 hours away from the kids and just their spouse once a year. It helps you remember that you are more than your kids. It also is nice to go places with out kids!! so if you live close and need to get away let me know :)


6. Monday Henry "turned" 5 months. He was not feeling 100% so the photo isn't great. He is an awesome baby. He is rolling both ways, loves eating solids, and has 2 teeth! WE love him and are so happy to be lucky to be in his family!

7.Chris gets to be part of the trial his internship (think paid to get credits) is working on. He is excited but sadly he has become very busy.

8. Today we remembered why we love it here. The kids got free lunches at a park, went to another park that had a splash pad, then got to get ice cream at my favorite ice cream place here. Snookies!! so good. made for a great day.

9. Jed asks every time we get in the car if we are going to CO (family reunion). I think he is a bit excited ( I think we all are)

10. reading. Will has FINALLY caught this bug. He reads in bed , in the car, most places. I am so happy he has found books, they are not my first pick, but he is enjoying it!!!

Ten on Tuesday

finally some photos :)

1. we have been so busy!!! swim lessons, kids fit, me teaching and taking a class on "how to teach" group exercise. So glad this week looks. . . pretty much the same.

 2. here is our new toy. The kids love it and I do too. They have so much fun and our grass is about the only green grass in the neighborhood because of it.

3. Henry has done way too much this past week. He now rolls back to front (thank goodness for that. He doesn't sleep so well on his back). His second tooth also cut yesterday (6/16). His food choices are also expanding. He is finally like sweet potatoes, squash and now carrots. Apple Sauce is his favorite by far. He is such a happy happy boy!

did I mention he loves this? it is a little worn but hey he is the 5th

any thoughts on who you think he looks like in this photo below?

4. Annmarie makes me laugh. I would totally do this as a kid and had to get a photo of her doing it too. 

5. I taught a lesson on Alma 5 on Sunday. In there it talks about having the light of Chris in our eyes. and having His image in his continuance. While talking in class it reminded me of someone I know. My Grandfather. Forrest Jensen. He is such a wonderful man and truly has the light of Christ in him. I hope someday to be like my grandfather and his wonderful example.

6. In my class I got to take about being a Fitness Instructor. I had a test I had to take and pass. there was science stuff in it so it was a bit difficult. It was great to pass the test but I wish I got 1 more right so I could get a 90%

7. I am so thankful for the examples of great people there are around me (near and far). I love that people are willing to help a great friend of mine even though they know so little of her, and will do it because she is my friend. Thank you to all of you who have helped me out or helped out those I love! thanks

8. Saturday night Chris and I went out with Lindsay. It was a blast and she is her fathers daughter. She is learning well and are so thankful for her. We will be so sad to see her go on Sunday. The kids are not excited to see her go.

9. Since Lindsay is leaving before our Anniversary she is so kindly watching our kids this weekend so we can escape for a few days. So excited for the trip and so thankful for her.

10. I always disliked eating dinner with other couples when everyone else had served a mission except for me. I was always sad that I didn't get the chance to really study the scriptures the same that they did. Thanks to my calling I get that opportunity now (not quite as intense, but the opportunity none the less). So thankful for Heavenly Father and his willingness to let me work on this weakness.