Ryan, Blake and I went to Utah for Jay's (Ryans brother) return from Thailand as a missionary. It was a quick 4 days but SO wonderful!!!

I wish I had a video (someone does) of Karen anticipating Jay coming down the escalator. I really thought she might pass out from anticipation. what a mom! Really. There were so many squeals from false alarms.

The must have 4 generation picture while waiting at the SLC airport for Jay

One of my favorite parts of the trip was getting to be an AUNT. Because Ryan and I are both the oldest--95% of our nieces and nephews were born after we already had Aubrie and/or Robbie. That means when we are all together, I am usually doing mom activities. But with only Blake I could read, help bathe, go on walks with, wrestle, etc with our nieces and nephews. I dont know what it's like being a grandma, but I think being an aunt is a close second. All the good stuff of kids without the middle of the night parties and having to discipline anyone. I'll take it!!!

Since we've been married I don't know that we have ever been at the Jensens home with everyone and not gone on as many runs as possible. They all love (or just try to love, right Laura:)) running and I really like going with them. My first running since Blake was born--little or a lot sore the following days.

All of the grandkids minus our 3 back in NH. I felt so sad they werent there when the kids were all playing. I LOVE cousin playing(I believe I've mentioned before).

We spent the night down in Orem with Mom and Dad the night we got there so we could see them for a bit. I have never lived in the house where they live but mom and dad make any place feel like home. I wish I had a picture of their garden--WOW!!! and everything about the house that they have redone. It all looks amazing. I love you mom and dad. One of my favorite things about being there with them was the next morning waking up and we couldn't find Blake anywhere downstairs. I was a little panicked for a split second till I realized we were in the same house as dad and of COURSE he would come get whatever baby is around as soon as he wakes up. This was what we found upstairs. A bathed and happy little boy and bear mush and homemade wheat muffins for breakfast that we all sat around and ate. Breakfast was always the best meal of the day at home.

and yes, i invited myself to the boys golfing trip :) and it was so much fun. Beautiful weather and I like golf more and more every time I play. Blake rode shotgun in the golf cart and slept the whole time.

I don't have any picture of the family night discussions or Jay's report to the High Council or his talk on Sunday-but they were ALL amazing. Jay is so mature, wonderful and has great spiritual depth. We were both so impressed by him and really grateful to have gone!

*he brought home a cobra head in a jar...how many missionaries can say that:)

In random order...

Update: The order (Ryan got it wrong. Its okay Ryan) Robbie (that is the Robbie scowl--he can still do it), Blake, Aubrie and Hallie



Can anyone tell who is who....all 4 kids at one week old. I made them B&W so that color won't help (although there are some telling features:)) Where did they all get those dark heads of hair?

I wanted to see if they even look alike

Anna's Much Anticipated Visit

Easter-time

Easter Sunday was a little windy and cold...not quite the warm sunny weather that I always picture in my head. We had two different "hunts". One at the Earnshaws (greatest family ever!) and other younger families on Saturday. That was an inside hunt--and Hallie wanted to be Tinkerbell for that one (I know you thought I was confused with Halloween).

Sunday our friends the Parks invited us over for dinner and Easter egg hunt. They are wonderful people and have treated us like their family since the very first week we moved here and we randomly met them at the library. We've spent most holidays/birthdays with them over the last year plus we've lived here. They go all out for events and Easter egg hunts were no exception. There were even tall ladders and lots of money involved.

Randomoniums in April

Last snow of April...we (I use the word loosely) took full advantage of cancelled school and work and played outside all day before it melted!

Cute little man.

Sunday Junior Monopoly Extrtavaganza.

I remember my dad playing Risk with us for hours on Sunday afternoon and I used to really like that. I thought maybe they were old enough now for Junior Monopoly and they were. I finally was done after almost 1.5. They kept playing and have played a few times since. I love board games on Sunday and it was fun to play with them.

Dying Easter Eggs. The dying was fun but the colored sand--not so much.

This morning I saw Ryan walking around with his toes curled up and together just tippy-toeing around. Then 2 minutes later Robbie comes in..."Mom, when I walk in the bathroom something gets on my feet, like dirt or something"--and I decided that it was high time I mopped the floor.


As Anna would say....GEW!

Tonight, as we drove home from Boston after dropping Anna off (post later about those good times)--I was feeling pretty sad. For all of us. Anna brought Brixton and B-Diddy and Robbie and Bricky were just two peas in a pod. It was like they had been joined at the hip. Robbie is often in Aubrie's shadow because she is the oldest and has a strong personality. But these last 4-5 days we have just seen this new side of Robbie. He is so witty and can really be a leader too. Anyway, I sat there wishing Bricky (and the rest of the family) could live next door. A few minutes later I just happened to look in the back of the car and Robbie had fallen asleep and Aubrie had scooted over next to him, pulled his arm through hers and was holding his hand. And my heart felt much better. Robbie has a great big sister that loves him and I am so grateful they are so close.

still wouldn't mind the whole neighbor thing though:)