NEW YORK CITY- DAY 1

So where oh where do I start? Shane and I spent the last 5 days in New York City and we had the best time. I've ALWAYS wanted to go to New York and we finally just decided to go. I'm going to just blog one day at a time because who has time to sit and blog a 5 day trip in such a short time- so here goes day 1.

Our flight left at 8:30 am Wednesday morning and so we were up early. I have 4 little girls and it's always hard to leave them and I must say that I was a little emotional to say good bye for a few days. Shane and I haven't left all 4 girls for a long time very much so it was a little different to take off by ourselves. But I'm glad we did! Our plane ride was great- on time departure, smooth ride, we watched Iron Man, and took a little nap too. We landed at 3:30 and after we got our luggage we waved down a cab and off we were to the big city. New York is an amazing city! The history there is unbelievable and I'm so amazed by the buildings and architecture and of course, the people. Driving into it all was just like being at the movies. I've seen the city a million times on TV but seeing it in person is so much more grandiose and incredible! We stayed just south of Times Square at the Marriott Courtyard Hotel and it was really clean and nice- what I would expect for the price we paid to stay there! :)

After we cleaned up a bit, we were ready to hit the city. We had tickets for "Mary Poppins" that night so we only had just over an hour for dinner. We went down the street to a restaurant called Jack's Restaurant and Grill and had a great dinner. Then we headed towards Time Square to our show. Time Square is so amazing! People EVERYWHERE, taxi's cruising up and down, horns honking, steam coming up from under the streets, every kind of smell imaginable- good and bad, and lots of shopping! It was great! The buildings are so incredibly tall that I felt so little in this big city.

There's every kind of store imaginable in New York! This Reeses picture is for my little Shelby! She loves peanut butter cups and this was at the Hershey Store in Time Square. She would have gone crazy in that store! We definitely made our mark shopping in NYC, that's for sure.

One reason I wanted to go to NYC is because of Broadway. I've seen shows from the traveling broadway groups but I really wanted to see some shows On Broadway. And they surely didn't disappoint. We saw Mary Poppins the first night and it was great. These actors and actresses are so amazingly talented. Their singing voices are incredible and the show was really entertaining. I'm glad my husband is such a good sport and doesn't mind going with me. I think he actually enjoyed all the shows. Love that guy! After the show, we took our time walking back to the hotel, taking in all the sites and sounds, picked up a piece of cheesecake to eat at the hotel and we were ready for bed! It had been a long day of travel and we were excited for the next day in the Big City!

Lexi's First Day of Preschool

Lexi started her 2nd year of preschool today. She stuffed her bad full of odds and end toys for show and tell and was up and ready for school. I hope that excitement lasts.
It seems that with my girls that when one was leaving for preschool or school that the next one in line was always in the pictures. Like Shelby and Sage and then Sage and Lexi and now here is Lexi and Libby. They are such good buddies. Shelby and Sage left for Oregon today with Shane's parents and so Libby has asked me 100 times already "Where's Lexi?" "Where's GG?" "Where's Belby?" And those that know my little Libby know that when she talks- SHE YELLS! It can drive me crazy. But I think with all the chaos of having 4 kids at home that maybe I don't pay attention to it as much, but now that it's just her- WOW! She is so loud! Love her, but she's just loud.
Anyhow, as for Lexi, I'm excited for her new year of school, new adventures, and a new year of learning. She's full of energy and excitement and loves to learn new things. School is just up her ally. Love ya Lex!

Times to remember...

Last night a group of us friend went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner and then went to a movie. It was my friend Camille's birthday so we went out to celebrate. It was really YUMMY! I've eaten there before and it was just OK, but last night I had the Mediterranean Mahi Mahi and it was DELICIOUS! And then to top it off, I had the lemon raspberry cheesecake. It was great too! I don't think I've ever ordered the same kind of cheesecake there- I always try to order something different. It was a fun night hanging out with the girls!
Today we spent a good 4 hours at Classic Skating. It was so great because we got there shortly after it opened and my friend Stacee and I and our kids practically had the place to ourselves. Every time I've been there the place has been packed and it's hot and stinky and just plain gross. But not today. The kids had a great time!
Here's Ann, Kate, Shelby and Sage-

And Sage and Libby- I love big sisters!

And of course, Lexi and her scooter riding tricks. She's so funny! She said today was the "best day ever!"
Check out this video of her roller skating. She was bound and determined to skate all around the track. It took her forever but she did it and fell 100 times along the way! I love Lexi's determination and love for life! She's always game for anything and always has the cute smile on her face, even if she does keep falling-

Camping with the parents and in-laws (not everyone can say they've done that!)

I have to say that a few of the greatest blessing in my life are my parents and my in laws. I have the greatest parents in the world who have been there and supported me throughout my entire life from ball games, to giving birth to my 4 kids, they have always been there. Then I have a mother and father in law who are also an active part of our family's life. They have also been there supporting Shane and I and our children over the past 11 years and Shane and I are so lucky to have such great parents! So why not go camping with both sets of them??? That's just what we did and we had a great time. I often hear stories about people's parents who don't get along or all the horror in-law stories, and I'm sure Shane and I could share a few, but we had such a great time camping with both sets of our parents this last weekend. I'm grateful that they enjoy each others company and don't mind spending time with each other. So just so they know, we love and appreciate all of you and all you do for our family! Our kids are so lucky to have such wonderful grandparents who love them and want to be around them. Not every kid has that and I'm grateful for the influence they have on our children's lives. My grandparents definitely influenced me along the way and I know our parents will have a profound affect on our children's lives. We fished, ate, went on walks, ate some more, slept, ate some more, hung out around the camp fire and ate some more. It was great. Thanks for such a fun couple days!

A Couple of Funnies

Yesterday Lexi was playing with her little buddy next door. I was at a baby shower and when I came home Lexi was laying on the couch crying and was obviously hurt somehow. Come to find out, her and Skyler were playing "Fishing" and Lexi just so happen to be the fish. They had gotten a bungee cord and Lexi actually put the hook in her mouth while she pretended to swim and what do you do when you catch a fish? You pull the pole and try to hook the hook into the fish's mouth, right? That's just what Skyler did and Lexi sure enough got hooked! Her poor little mouth is cut along the entire inside of her cheek. Funny little kids---

My neighbor boy Daxton rides to school with us every morning. The other morning he was rubbing his shoulder and was quite obvious about his shoulder not feeling that great. I asked him about it and he told me that her hurt it at football practice. He said that the QB threw the ball and it hit him in the shoulder. Poor kid! That night I talked to Kenny, his dad, and asked him how football practice was going for Daxton. He said, "What? That kid isn't playing football!" So Funny!! Then this morning when he came over, he again was rubbing his shoulder and began to tell Shane and I that yesterday at football practice there were these birds that were flying over them and one of them flew down and landed on his shoulder and dug it's talons into his shoulder and REALLY hurt his shoulder this time! I was cracking up- where do kids come up with this kind of stuff? I have been laughing all morning at him and his funny stories. What will happen today at football practice? I can't wait to hear about it tomorrow before school! :)

Run for Fun???

So I ran my 3rd Half Marathon this last weekend and it got me thinking- why is it that I enjoy running? And not just running to play with my kids but running 13 miles?? Am I crazy? Then I started thinking is it that I enjoy not sleeping the night before and just getting up at 4 am because I just can't sleep and I might as well just get up out of bed and get ready for the race? Is it riding a bus and meeting other fellow runners who all of a sudden become your best friend and give you high fives as you leave the bus wishing you luck? Or it must be standing in the port a potty line, not because you have to go but because that's just what you do before a race so you're not the one darting off into the bushes with your shorts around your ankles. Or is it the reuniting with old friends at the start line, of whom you haven't seen for 15 or so years? But then I thought it must be the adrenaline that starts pumping as I crank my ipod and start down the mountain. There's the smells, sights, and the thumping of your feet against the concrete along with the other 2000 runners. I love the other runners. Like the chubby guy running with his friends who all of sudden yelled, "I thought you said this was a 5K!" and then he took off like a bat out of you know where down the mountain. He was hilarious! Maybe it's the training and running 3 nights a week with friends outside! It's become my therapy, my release, my time away so I can be a better mom and wife the next day. But I must say the best part is finishing. And it may not be that very moment because for some reason I always HATE the last 2 miles of the race, but give me a few minutes and I feel excitement, euphoria, grateful that I set a goal and accomplished something, something that a lot of people haven't done. It's that competitive side of me that's ecstatic because I beat my time from the same race but last year!!! The thing I love about running is that anybody can do it if they put their mind to it and push themselves a little bit. Thanks to my running partners for their encouragement and motivation and for making running just that much more fun and as always for a husband and kids who are supportive. I always feel a little emotional when my family is there at the end, granted they weren't there this last weekend, but all the other times! I love it! So there it is, for those of you who wonder WHY I run just for fun!!!

Walk down memory lane...

So every year, the end of July, I start having these anxious feelings of my kids going back to school. Let me tell you why... 3 years ago I had kidney stones and had to have surgery to have them removed. I also had a horrible kidney infection which knocked me our for a good couple of weeks. I was SICK!! The day after I had gotten home from the hospital just happen to be Shelby's first day of Kindergarten. Every mom knows what a important day this is. Every mom is at the school walking their kids to the line and waits for their teachers with them. Every mom has her camera in hand- I had prepared myself for this day since I had become a mom. It's a milestone in every kids life, right? Knowing I couldn't take her to school, I informed Shane that it would be his responsibility that day to make sure our 5 year old made it to Kindergarten safely. So I said my goodbyes, cried because I couldn't go with her and off they went. A few minutes later the phone rang. It was Shane.

Me: How'd she do?
Shane: I think just fine.
Me: What do you mean, "You think?"
Shane: I just dropped her off and she walked up to the line all by herself just fine.
Me: You did what?
Shane: I just dropped her off.
Me: No pictures, no making sure she made into the right line okay, no..no..nothing?

That's right! Shane just pulled right up in the vacant drop off line (vacant because nobody was just dropping off that day) and dropped my little 5 year old off on her first day of kindergarten. I began to cry and cry and cry. My poor baby had nobody to hold her hand or take her cute little picture like all the rest of the little kindergartners. What were all the other parents thinking?
It was a traumatic experience for me, not Shelby. She doesn't even remember that happening. Shane quickly knew he was in the dog house and every year now my neighbors and friends who witnessed this great event in Shelby's life always remind me of the day that first day of kindergarten for Shelby. Let's just say I've made it up to Shelby!! It's funny now but then it wasn't all that funny!

So yesterday was Shelby's first day of 3rd grade. That's right I said 3rd grade! I remember being in 3rd grade. Who was our teacher Em? Mrs. Price? She was a little nervous but walked right in and was excited to see her friends again. Sage started 1st grade today. She was the first one up in our house and was dressed and was coloring a picture for her teacher. She was a little nervous too but really excited. She just wanted to remember her lunch number. Kindergarten is just like pre school for me so no big deal, but when they're gone ALL day? I'm sure I'll adjust just fine but I'm going to miss my girls for a few days. I still have Lexi and Libby to keep me busy!

Donut Falls

With today being Pioneer Day, we decided, or I guess Shane would say that I decided, to do something to celebrate this great day. So what better way than to go hike in the mountains? That's just what we did and my parents and Leslie and Julieanne and their kids went with us. I haven't been on this hike to Donut Falls since I was younger so it was great to do it again. There were quite a few people up at the top so we didn't get too close to the falls but that's okay. It was just fun being in the mountains, a lot cooler, and being with family. I was impressed that the kids all did great and no major drama occurred! Here's a few pictures of our fun outing.

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!