Memory Lane

One of the neatest things we did on our trip was take our kids to Sunset Beach in Santa Cruz. We went at sunset and asked if they knew why this beach was so special to us. Monte told them that this is the beach that he proposed to me on 15 years ago this summer. They loved hearing the story, especially Kaitlyn! Then they played in the surf for a little while.

It was a crazy feeling bringing 5 kids back to the place it all started 15 years ago. When I said yes I don't think I could imagine the journey we were about to take together.

So where did you get engaged?

The Beach!

The second day of our family reunion was held at the beach. The family rented a pavilion and we had a wonderful time at the beach. One of the things I miss the most about not being in California any more is the beach. I grew up inland but a couple hours your there and having fun!

Chandler loved the water. He tried boogie boarding a few times but preferred just playing in the waves.

Kaitlyn did the whole girl thing. She would run in the sand and then when the wave came she would scream and run away. But she had a blast. Oh yeah, this picture is as close to boogie boarding that she got. She liked the little waves to come up and go under the board.

Now Britton on the other hand was never out of the water. He was out there with his aunts and uncle body surfing and everything. When I was out there with him a seal actually swam by! The water was cold but he must have stayed in it hours at a time. I think he would rather have done this than anything else we did on our trip.

Sydney was all about the sand. She played and built and she also would go ankle deep in the water to jump the waves if Papa was holding on to her. But she had fun in the sand. Which is better than last time I took her. If her feet came off the towel she would scream.

This is what Connor did with his day at the beach. He played in the sand for a few minutes and then fell asleep with the aid of Grandmalona and then Mema laid with him the rest of the afternoon. I think he took almost a 3 hour nap. But between the train yesterday and the 14 hour car ride the day before, who could blame him.

I have now decided a perfect vacation would be a week at a beach house!!

Happy Days are Here Again!!

Connor is 18 months old!!
What does that mean???
Nursery Time!!!
You got it!! Today Connor went into the nursery at church for his first official stay!!
Yeah for Connor!!
Yeah for mommy!!!!!!!
He tried to escape when we first got there but he stayed and played. The only mishap is a nasty bite mark on the chin!! Sorry baby but the two hours alone in church to remember what the Spirit feels like were glorious!!
Now to just avoid Sunday callings for a while....
Happy Day!!

Chug-a-Chug-a-Choo-Choo

Isn't this train look like fun!!! We loved it. We started our vacation out with a family reunion in Santa Cruz, CA. We had such a nice time. We met different relatives from Monte's family and played with cousins we already knew!

Connor of course loved the dirt and the watermelon. They made for a wonderful combination by the time the day was over!

This is one side of the train when we pulled out of the station. The ride took us through a Redwood preserve. It was beautiful. In all it was about an hour long train ride.

The train ride had one stop and the kids all climbed up on this old log, so of course the genealogy grandpa couldn't pass up an opportunity to have his picture taken with his posterity. So here is a picture with Papa Craig and 5 of his 20 grandchildren ( 2 more on the way!!).

And of course most of my camera's memory stick is pictures of these two guys. This is Connor and his cousin Jeremiah. They are less than two months apart and both are quite the toe heads!! They had fun running all over the place together. Tara and I would hold each others children and the family I don't think ever figured out which one goes with which one. As for the blond hair it inherited by me and Nat the non Jensen parents. We were both just like that as babies. (but grandmalona might try to say otherwise!)

And you can't miss those great photo opportunities that will embarrass them later!!

Overall day one of the family reunion is making it almost worth the long drive!!

I Interupt this Travel Log with an Important Announcement!

Happy Birthday Kaitlyn!!!

Today Kaitlyn turns seven years old. I can't believe my little girl is growing up!! Unfortunately for Kaitlyn she woke up in the middle of the night throwing up. What a great birthday surprise. We are trying to make her at home sick in bed birthday a fun one though!

So here is my 7 things you need to know about Kaitlyn!!
1. She is a girl girl. They don't get much girly than her!
2. She loves her friends. She would play all day if allowed!!
3. She loves to be unique and do her own thing!
4. She is a really good girl. She tries hard to be honest and to do what is right.
5. She is an amazing sister. She knows how to tease back with her big brothers and be kind to her little siblings. She reads books to Sydney almost every night.
6. She has a great smile even with a mouthful of missing teeth!!
7. She loves to do her hair, clothes everything. She is a drama queen. I have actually watched her throw a tantrum while looking in the mirror!!

Happy Birthday big girl!! Your mom and dad love you very much!! Hope you feel better soon!

I've Got Pictures!

So often when asked how I like living in Utah, I tell people I really enjoy it, but that I miss my family. I have often been brought to tears just trying to explain to people how awesome my parents are. It is really hard for me to have to live so far away that it keeps them separated from their grandchildren. The only problem with going home for vacation is I remember what it is I am missing.

Magic Where Are You?

So I our family is back from its vacation!! I am going to try hard this week to figure out how to get my camera to download photos again!! We had a great time and I got some wonderful shots.

But now if I could just be Samantha on Bewitched and wiggle my nose and all the laundry would be done, all the bags would be unpacked, the groceries would be bought, and the house would be put back together again, and of course the 8 pounds I gained would be lost!

Picture This!!

Okay Camera still not allowing downloads so you are just going to have to picture this one. My husband just got home last night from the Trek at This is the Place. He was at youth conference. So Friday night we went looking for an outfit that would sort of look pioneerish yet be cheap. We were at Kohl's for something else when we found these cotton pants from Chaps that were vertical pin stripped blue. For $5 he had to buy them for the Trek! Along with a blue button down $6 he was the snazziest pioneer ever!!!

So.....

Pin stripped blue pants..........$5

Blue button down...................$6

Monte home after hours of hiking sun burnt and blue sweat stains everywhere

............Priceless!!!!

Where is a good download when you need one!