Happy Birthday, Brandon!

Brandon was also having a "off" year, which means no friend birthday party. He picked to go to McDonalds for dinner and then back to our house for cake and ice cream and presents.

Brandon chose an iron man theme for his birthday this year. Again, maybe I should invest in some cake decorating classes, yes? Although, they really only care about the action figure on top, right?

Brandon got this cool birthday crown from his kindergarten class celebrating his birthday

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Jensen for the "boy" scooter. Now he doesn't have to ride Emma's girl scooter.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Jeppsen for the cosmic catch game, it is sooo much fun!

Happy Birthday, Cait!

Caitlyn was having a "off" year, which meant we celebrated her birthday just with our family. She picked to go to Burger King for dinner and then we had cake and ice cream and presents at our house.

She was really into High School Musical and I did my best to give her a High School Musical cake. Let's face it though, cake decorating really not one of my best talents. Sorry kids.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Jeppsen for the Ken Barbies...now my princess barbie dolls finally have someone to marry!

Lovin her new dress up.

This is her new make-up pouch.

Parker loves his ice cream.

She was sooo excited about the Barbie in a Christmas Carol movie...Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Jensen.

Happy Halloween!

We had a special treat this year for Halloween. TT and the boys were here and got to come trick-or-treating with us. And then Grandma threw her traditional Halloween party, which the kids love, love, love. Thanks Grandma & Grandpa and TT!

Pumpkin Patch

Since it was getting so close to Halloween we made a trip to the pumpkin patch. Which now a days can be quite the outing, with the pony rides, carnival rides, cotton candy etc...what a production. This time Matt and I decided to try an experiment---just go to the pumpkin patch and just get pumpkins--nothing else. We didn't know if we could pull it off, but surprisingly our kids were great about it. We just told them in the car before we got out that we were just here to pick out pumpkins. They had a great time, granted they asked a couple of times for a ride ticket, but all in all they didn't really care. In fact, I was the one who was feeling guilty for being so "tuff," but honestly they had fun without all the extras. So, moral of the story, yes kids can appreciate the simple things in life if we just give them the chance.

PS.....thanks for letting me vent.

October in Ohio

It was fall break and time for our annual road trip to Ohio to visit Rob and Tara and Carter and Cannon. My mom, and Amy and my kids and I drove over and spent the week with them. We started with a trip to the farm with Carter's preschool class. Everyone had a great time, but poor Aunt Amy got stung by a bee---Ouch! I think it was her first time being stung, but luckily she isn't allergic. Everyone got to pick out pumpkins that we took home to paint, which is always fun. And Aunt TT had a special surprise this time. We got to make haunted houses, just like gingerbread houses, but with chocolate graham crackers and halloween candy--YUM! And of course the kids just loved being together and playing, playing, playing. And thanks to Uncle Rob, we got to go do a little shopping without our little helpers. :)

Fall Fun

Me and Brandon at his first kindergarten field trip. We walked to the fire station from his school. He loved it and it was fun to get to go with him.

Caitlyn giving Parker a ride in the jeep. He loves it!

We Got Talent!

Our primary put on a talent show and the kids all participated in their own way. Good job guys!

Brandon made some lego pictures.
Caitlyn did sommer-saults.
Emma did a jump-rope routine with her friend.

Apple Pickin

The annual preschool fieldtrip to the apple orchard was a great success this year.  It was kinda funny though because we thought her little apple outfit would be fitting to wear that day,  but when we get there there we find out that the bees are attracted to the colors RED and yellow---oops I must have missed the note that came home from school specifically telling us not to wear red and yellow.  Oops...luckily she made it out without a bee sting.  Actually we learned an interesting fact; if you count the number of seeds in your apple that tells you how many times a bee visited the apple blossom--cool, huh.

Here we are on the hayride riding out to the apple trees where we get to pick our delicious apples.

Caitlyn picking some juicy ones!  Remember you don't pull, you twist the apple off the tree.

I think there favorite thing is getting to play on the toys after our picnic lunch.

Of course a train ride is always in order.

A Day of Firsts

Caitlyn's first day of Super Seniors!

Brandon's first day on the bus---he loves it!

Brandon's first day of kindergarten--notice the spiderman wristband--awesome.

Emma's first day of 3rd grade--she was so proud that she bought her first day of school outfit with her very own money.

Do You Have To?

Yes, all good things must come to an end. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for an awesome time!  We miss you all and can't wait until next time!

Spray and Play

For one las hurrah before everyone had to leave we took the kids to a spray and play.  It really is just like a glorified running through the sprinklers party.  But it was perfect because you didn't have to worry about anyone drowning and the kids get their swimming fix.  In fact I think we only had one little mishap; out of the blue a little girl came over and dumped a bucket of water over Parker's head.  Oops. 

Sister Jensen

My sister Haylie left for her mission right before everyone came out for the summer.  So while everyone was together we all wrote her letters.  I think she said she got the most letters in her district that week.  She is doing great and we are so proud of her!

Good Old Fashion Fun

One of my kid's favorite activity is going on a walk with Grandpa, and if they are lucky it is frog hunting season.  The funny thing about this walk is that they are coming home from a totally different direction than what they started walking.  Aparantly they got a smidge lost, or "just turned around."  :)

Parker's First Birthday

For Parker's first birthday we just had family over for a small party.  It was so fun to celebrate this day with everyone and it is amazing to see how fast he is growing up.  Don't you just wish they could stay in that cute, immobile, baby stage forever?

How old are you?

OK, so cake decorating isn't really my thing.

Before

After

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for my first truck!

Ride that buckin' broncho!

This is my favorite picture---future party animal!

Thanks Uncle Alan and Aunt Melissa---unfortunately I bleed R-E-D----Go Utes!

Here is Parker digging in to his first cake.  He loved it!  PS..Sorry about the sideways video, I couldn't figure out how to turn it, but you get the idea.

This was kinda funny....