Spring and Summer Where has the time gone?

Well, winter ended, spring came and went and now summer is half way over and I am just getting time at 5 a.m. in July to write on my blog. BUSY! BUSY! BUSY! Sadly I just lost over 100 pictures and 20 videos that were on my phone and I was trying to transfer to my computer, but they somehow got erased in the process. All well, hopefully I will learn how to use it better in the future. Luckily I still have the pics from the digital camera. I will give you a few highlights of our spring and summer so far. We will go from most current to January since it is easier to put the pictures in that way.

Most importantly, Coach graduated with his Master's of Education in Administration in May and can now officially become a school Administrator (Assistant Principle, or Principle) now we just need some jobs to open up! He is enjoying the summer break playing with Princess, reading books, biking huge distances (up to 50 miles in a day), Playing at seven peaks, taking starboy on burger boy outings, and holding down the fort while I am volunteering at the care center (I need 500 Rec Therapy hrs by December to recertify) and going to school. (I am taking a class at Salt Lake Community College also for recertification).

Starboy has had a fun summer with COUSINS!! He went to his Jensen Family Reunion in Wyoming and got to spend more than a week with his Jensen cousins, He got to go to Family Camp with Smith Cousins, and Baseball Games, Hiking and Seven Peaks with Hunter Cousins.


Princess has enjoyed spending lots of time with Daddy this summer. This Jeep stroller was Coach's Father's Day Gift. They have done a 5k together in the running stroller and ran up Provo Canyon. Princess has also ridden in the bike seat over 20 miles with her Dad. Princess misses Mom when she's gone, but is happy to enjoy so many ways of getting around with her Dad.

I got a new mountain bike also so that I too could join my family on their biking excursions. I am up to 15 miles in one day (part up and part down hill) Besides working at the care center, and doing my class, I have also been crazy enough to sign up for a Tri-atholon in Sept. with my sister. So I should technically be in training. I ran a 5k a couple weekends ago to prepare.

I just and hope that the 5k, 12 mile Bike ride, and 350m Swim will not be the end of me!! My goal is that my sister and I can be SMILING at the end, no matter how long it takes us to finish.

Starboy started Karate in March. Princess and I actually won a contest for building the best snowman (it was a princess snowman) and the prize was a free month of Karate at the facility just down the street. He did Karate til June 30th when the studio closed because of high rent. He earned his yellow belt.

We got a Thanksgiving Point pass this year making it so we can enjoy the Dinosaur Museum, the Farm and the Garden's as much as we want. This is the erosion table at the Dinosaur Museum
Starboy and Princess can spend hours building dinosaur islands and playing with the sand and the water.

My parents invited Starboy and I to join them for April Conference. It was a very special experience. The first time Starboy got to see the prophet speak in person.

Princess turned 2 in February and received a princess kitchen which she loves dearly. She had two birthday parties and a lot of fun. She loves to talk, sing, and dance!

Princess is still allergic to wheat, but that didn't stop me from making her a great birthday cake!

In February Starboy's school had a Luau with a dress up contest. Our team won. This is his friend from school that we dressed up and took with us. It as a fun night! Starboy even won a pair of shoes from it!

And that brings us back to January. The other notable things that occurred, since my pictures got erased...

Starboy

He played Jr. Jazz Basketball this year and loved it. He finished 3rd Grade and had a great end of school year!! This last Saturday he had his first Equestrian Vaulting Class (Gymnastics on Horses) and he was a natural... was doing a head stand on the horse while moving on the first day.. (wish that video hadn't gotten erased) Don't worry, there will be more on that in the future.

Nutrition Momma
I have begun writing songs on my guitar and on the piano. They are not amazing, but they are a great stress reliever for me, and the care center residents and my family are great audiences. I miss being with my family all the time, and can't wait till Aug 5.. when my class is over and I stop full days at the care center.

Princess

Princess can count to 13 and she loves to say big words like "frustrated" and phrases like "I want to stay here forever, it's beautiful" She paints, jumps on the tramp, loves to wear dresses, and HATES having her hair brushed.

Coach

He has been a lifesaver this summer and unlike me, wishes that it could last a while longer before he has to return to the halls of junior high.

That the catch hope, hopefully next time it won't be so long!

Blessing Day

Yesterday Princess was given a name and a blessing by her father at church. A lot of our family and friends came for the occasion. Coach's blessing was just beautiful. I wrote like mad trying to get as much of it as possible another woman in our ward also took notes and gave them to me. Between the two, I plan on typing the blessing and putting it in her baby book. It was a very special day for our family. After the blessing Coach had a lion king moment and held Princess up just like the baboon holds Simba up for the congregation. It was pretty cute and funny. He is such a proud Papa.

My Niece E. who is only 18 months younger than me came down with her family and stayed over Saturday night to Sunday. Her son is only 8 days younger than Starboy


Her daughter is 18mths older than Princess.


She has another son that turns 4 this coming Saturday. We have always been very close, so it is very fun for us to have children that are close.

She helped me get Princess into her blessing dress before sacrament meeting. The dress was to big to fit into the car seat, so we had to change her at the church. It worked out just fine.

After Sacrament meeting our families came back to the house for a small luncheon. My sister's were wonderful and brought many different salads and sandwiches to help feed everyone. Princess looked like an angel in her beautiful blessing dress. She was very well tempered even when she was being passed around to so many different people during the luncheon. Everyone was amazed at how big she is for only 9 weeks. She is very healthy and has beautiful big cheeks.

Everyone admired the photo collage I had created of the wedding dress-blessing dress. We displayed it in the front entry for the occasion.



Grandma H. and Great Grandma L. were there. I was happy to get pictures of Princess with them and even with her Cousin E. Who is only 4 months older. It really turned out to be the most beautiful day. The sun was shining so that people could eat outside. The children were able to be outside also so that adults could visit inside. There were so many people that we cared about there. I am so grateful for such a supportive loving family on both sides. Our children are blessed to have such wonderful Aunts, Uncles, and cousins.

Like Father Like Daughter

From the time princess was born, she always liked to sleep with her hands up by her head. She was even delivered with her hands up by her face. Coach and I have always thought it was cute, but wondered why.


She sleeps this way in her boppy, on a blanket, at night or for a nap


All dress up for Easter, but snoozing away!

Well, last night I finally figured out why Princess sleeps this way. Coach has been sleeping in the other room with Princess in between feedings because I have not been sleeping as well when she is in the room with me. I went to get her for a 4 am feeding and saw them in the exact same sleeping position. Of course Princess's arms are shorter but still CUTE! The mystery solved. Favorite sleep positions must be hereditary.