Road Trip...Road Trip...Viva Las Vegas

Every year Shane has his annual work convention in Las Vegas and every year I take full advantage of going. The last couple of years Shelby and Sage have gone with us and we've had a great time swimming, school shopping and playing. This year Shane flew down Monday and the girls and I and my sister Leslie and her little baby drove down on Wednesday. There's a lot of good things about having all girls, but I must say that having road trips with just my girls is WAY fun and I see more of them in our future ahead. We had a great time talking and sharing stories and doing MAD LIBS (when was the last time you did one off them? 3rd grade?) and buying treats at every stop. I'm glad Leslie came with us even if she did make fun of me the whole time. ha ha! She stayed at a friends house and came and hung out with the girls on Friday so I could go with Shane to dinner. Thanks Les! I didn't take many photos- I guess we've been there enough and I have enough photos from there that I didn't take much. But I did get a photo of Shane and the girls with a guy from "The Blue Man Group". That was a great show! And we did jam out on the front row of the "STYX" concert. The girls got guitar pics thrown at them and everything- it was great! Vacation for me is being able to read a book uninterrupted and I did just that. I started and finished "The Host" while we were in Vegas. I couldn't put it down and I loved it! So all in all, great company, great food, great shopping, great time!

We love the 4th of July

We had such a great 4th of July weekend. I think it has to be one of the busiest holidays because there's so much to do, from parades to fireworks to BBQ's to swimming to you name it! I love it! Our weekend started Thursday night, July 3rd , at the local Riverton City parade. I'm still in wonderment at how people here in Riverton set up chairs a WEEK before the parade to save their spots. And they set up chairs along Redwood Road the main road in Riverton and I'm amazed that nobody touches the chairs and there they sit for a whole week until that beloved parade starts. I took the kids to swimming lessons at the county pool in Riverton so we drove past these chairs every day in amazement that day after day they were still there. So the girls and I decided there must be a reason why people are saving these coveted spots so we drug out our camp chairs and saved the best spot possible! We were so excited each day to see our chairs on the side of the road as we drove to swimming lessons each day. So Thursday night we ventured to downtown Riverton and lo and behold amongst all the crowds there were our 3 camp chairs right up front right where we left them. The kids got so much candy and had a great time. Shane and I sat there and laughed most of the time! Parades are really a funny thing if you think about it. Like these cops on their motorcycles that come driving way fast past your kids who are standing on the side of the road and then these cops stand up on their motorcycles- who knew these cops were stunt drivers? I was just waiting for an accident to happen! And all the city councilmen? I guess I should be more into politics. And the roller skating stunt group? Where do they find these people? Anyhow- I loved the parade - We'll make it a Jensen family tradition! Friday morning Shane got up and went golfing and I ran the Riverton City 10K with some friends. Then we went to Grandma and Grandpa Hammond's for breakfast with family. Then it was off to Ogden to my Aunt Karyn's for swimming and BBQ. This is what my Lexi looks forward to all year- swimming at Aunt Karyn's. We had a great time! Notice Lexi's bright red cheeks- Shane brought home some new sunscreen that the Dermatologists were raving about. We went swimming earlier that day and I loaded the kids up with this new sunscreen and would you believe that my girls got more sunburned that day than ever before! So glad that we have only the best sunscreen- THAT DOESN'T EVEN WORK! Thanks Dad!

Then we hustled home to take a 45 min. snooze and then off to Shane's parents for dinner. You can always count on good food and lots of people there. Then we dragged Shane's parents and my parents and the kids to the Riverton fireworks. They seriously were the best fireworks! We had the best seat and they went on for 30 minutes straight and they were right above our heads. Even my little Libby was clapping and enjoyed them. We didn't get home and to bed till after midnight but what a 4th to remember! I love that everyone is patriotic and we have this one day each year to really think about this great country we live in! We are so lucky!

I love starting traditions for our family and the 4th is a great holiday for traditions. So next year the chairs are going out for the parade on June 28th and we'll watch those chairs sit there for a whole week before the parade actually starts! Only in good ole' Riverton!

Fairview Camping Trip 2008

We spent this last weekend camping with my sister Mindy and her family and some mutual friends of ours from Colorado. I can kick myself because I have lots of pictures of the kids but just not any of the adults. Our friends are Ben and Michelle Wilson and it is so great getting together with long time friends. It's so easy to reconnect and have a great time together. We haven't seen them for 4 or 5 years now, so it was a good time reminiscing around the campfire and laughing and sharing stories until late in the night. We had a blast! I think I took this picture of Sage and Ryder 4 different times. They kept bumping the table and their blocks would fall down. So finally they stopped giggling enough to get the picture with the blocks still standing.

Here's all of our messy, dirty, stinky or whatever else you want to call them, kids. There's nothing like the freedom of being in the mountains and running and playing and getting dirty just because! It's the best!

This is what I call multi-tasking! Here I am taking care of my sick little Lexi who's laying on my lap, trying to catch a fish and also hanging onto my demanding 18 month old who isn't quite sure what she wants, but it always consists of me for some reason! AHHHHH! I never did catch a fish- Lexi and I went back to camp and took a nap- and that's not so bad either!

Here's Shane doing his chores. Slicing the wood for our big bon fires we had each night!

Shelby, Asher and Sierra made a clubhouse up in the trees. It's so great to see their imaginations all work together and to have a great time together. One evening up there, our friends little 2 year old came running over to the trailers with his eyes as big as they get and yelling, "There's a deer in our clubhouse!" That pure excitement was so flippin' cute!

On the other side of our camp, Sage and Ryder had their own clubhouse. Not quite sure what went on in the clubhouse but it sure kept them busy.
We truly love camping and being in the mountains- no thoughts of work, stress, things that need to be done or should be done, etc. etc. etc. It's been so much fun for our family to bond together and create some great lasting memories together. I love my husband and my kids more than anything and there's no other place that I'd rather be than to be with them!

2nd Annual Hammond 5K Family Fun

Last summer I trained for my first half marathon. I tried to think of ways to help with my training and so I though that I'd organize a family fun run and invite all my family to come and engage in some exercise while being together. So that was last year and we held our 2nd annual fun run last night. I think we've started a tradition. Some walk, some run, and some ride their bikes. We go 3.1 miles along the Jordan River Parkway Trail and I think it's a lot of fun. I love this first picture and all the big grins that are on the kids faces. They're all so cute! Thanks to my family for coming to my annual event and sharing in the fun. Here's a picture of us all before the 3.1 miles. And here we are after the 3.1 miles. A little hot and sweaty but hey we all just accomplished something!

When my family got home that night, my little Sage told everyone to look under their pillows. She had put envelopes under everyones pillows and in our envelopes were badges she had made everyone that said "YOU WON"! How stinkin' cute is she? She must have done that while I was taking 5 on the couch earlier that day. Love that girl!
We had a great time so till next years run...

Wand or Sword?

So the other day, the girls and I ventured out to Kohl's to buy new summer pj's and swimsuits. Of course, Shelby and Sage pick out Hannah Montana jammies because they have the eye masks that come with them and Lexi picks out The Little Mermaid nightgown , not because she loves little mermaid, but because it came with slippers and this wand. That night after bath time they all got into their new pj's and were excited to go to bed. Shane and I spent a few minutes outside cleaning up and just then our neighbor pulled up in the driveway. After talking for a minute, Shane looked toward the house and suddenly yelled, "Lexi!" As I turned and looked toward the house I saw the last swing of the sword (wand) and red flower petals flying in the air. Lexi had used her magic wand to destroy my flower pots on the front porch. I couldn't help but laugh as she turned and ran as fast as she could into the house and straight to bed. I don't feel like these pictures give it justice but you can see all the petals lying on the dirt in the pot and there were many more that had gracefully fallen onto the flower bed below. What am I to do with this little girl.

Don't most little girls with wands say "Bippity Boppity Boo"? This Lexi of mine is such a crackup and most definatly keeps up hopping! Shane has his little boy, she just looks like a little girl!

I still laugh everytime I walk out on the front porch and I've even left some of the petals just to make me smile!

Summer days at the splash park

Today my sister Leslie called and invited us to meet her at the splash park. It's finally 86 degrees so why not! Julieanne and Jones were there and my girls had a great time. Thanks for the invite Les! Leslie and Julieanne were sarcastically commenting on Libby's hat and how attractive it was. I sarcastically told them that I had one that matched. I must not have been that sarcastic because later in our conversation they told me that they thought I was serious. Now c'mon, I know I don't have the greatest fashion sense but a matching hat like this one? Thanks for giving me no credit, you two! I know it's dorky but it's our first swim day this summer and who wants a sunburnt head? Or for that matter who wants a baby with a sunburnt head? Not I!!! Next time I find a hat for adults in this cute style I'm buying you each one and I'll expect to see it on you both at the next family get together! Crocheted flowers and all!!! :)

While we were there, this fire truck pulled up and started spraying the water from the top of their truck. The kids thought that was so cool. I was taking some video of Sage playing in the water and running over to where the firemen were shooting the water. While you watch the video pay attention to the fireman that's walking behind Sage. It's toward the end of the video. His fellow firemen got him good. It's pretty funny. We had a great day!

Payson Lakes

We spent this last weekend camping at Payson Lakes with the Sherratts and Seidels, two families and of course friends from our neighborhood. We had the best time and can I just say that I absolutely LOVE being in the mountains! This place is beautiful- surrounded with pine trees and aspens and there's 3 little lakes that you can fish in and swim in. The kids had a blast. There were friends for all of them and they all ate everyones food and played at each others trailers, rode scooters and bikes, played Indian Jones in the bushes and dirt and had endless fun. Shelby gets the award for the biggest wipe out award. She was cruising down the road on her scooter and I was yelling at her from behind to slow down, like I already had 100 times before that, and just then she hit the bottom of the hill at full speed and wipe out! I must say it wasn't graceful at all but I'd definately give it a 10! Her elbow and side have pretty gross road rash and she shed a few tears but I keep telling her at least she gave the onlookers a good show! Way to go Shelb- I wish I had taken some pictures of it, but I just wasn't thinking "pictures" at the moment. She'll show ya the scars I'm sure. We had the best time and look forward to going again in 2 weeks.

Laney Jo and Libby Lou- it's bedtime!

Doesn't Shane look masculine on that awesome beach cruiser? The bike is my friend Camille's and it is so fun to ride.

My friend Camille and all the kiddies getting ready to go fishing.

Shelby and Kamrie

Of course Sage was the first one in the water-

Absolutely beautiful!!

Lexi and her two boyfriends- Carson and Skyler

Does it get any better than this?

Blue Scorpions and Yellow Hornets!!

The school year is ended, our last soccer games have come and gone and the year end piano recital is done. Summer is here, if only it would warm up just a little bit! Lexi informed me that since preschool was over that it'd be okay if I never signed her up for school again. Sorry to tell her that's not how it works. She hasn't even officially started school and she's begging to not have to go already! She is going to summer camp at her preschool and I'm telling her that it's "Summer Camp" not "School". A little of that parental "reverse psychology" works every time. The girls are signed up for swimming lessons and we have some fun little camping trips planned over the next few weeks. Here's to no school, late nights and sleepovers in the family room and playing with friends all summer long!!!!!

Piano Recital 2008

Here's to another great year at piano lessons! This is at the girls' year end piano recital and they both did great. They take with their cousins and so it's been a lot of fun for them! Takes me back to the good ole days when I use to take. I hated piano recitals. My twin brother and I always had to play duets together and dress alike, I'm sure, and everyone always thought we were so cute! My mom was always proud though. Good memories!

11 YEARS and COUNTING!!!!!

What more can I say on our 11 year anniversary than it's been the greatest journey of our lives! Hard to believe time has gone this fast already and to think where we were then as to where we are now- WOW! 4 kids, pharmacy school, ups and downs with health, back and forth between Arizona, owning our own pharmacy, owning a home and reliable vehicles, 2 dogs and a multitude of other pets from an iguana to frogs. We have been so blessed and I feel so lucky to have Shane as my husband and best friend on this journey of life. He has always been so good to me. He's taught me the art of honest communication, the beauty of loving ourselves for who we are, and of course, enjoying the good things of life. He's a great example to me and the girls. Thanks for the greatest 11 years of my life! I look forward to the many many many more years that are to come! I love you ! ( Do you like the coordination of the music? Very fitting and cheesy too, but oh well!)

Sage's Kindergarten Graduation

Sage graduated from kindergarten today and they had such a cute little program. The kids all dressed up as what they want to be when they grow up and they had a fashion show and it was cute to see what the kids wanted be when they grow up- from a farmer's wife to a mental health therapist, what happened to the days of being a doctor or a mom? They were so funny!!! Sage dressed up as a pharmacist just like her daddy! She looked so cute. She was so sad when the program was over. She didn't want kindergarten to end. She had a great teacher, Mrs. Jones. She was so good to Sage and taught her so much this year. I'm so amazed at how much she has grown up this year. She is such a great reader, is a great little friend and loves learning new things! Congrats Sage on a great year of kindergarten- on to bigger and better things- the 1st grade! The top picture is of the girls with their Nanny, Shane's mom and the next one is Sage with her teacher.