Summer Wrap Up

I can't believe how quickly this summer has come and gone! It definitely still feels like summer with these 100+ degree days, but school is back in full swing! Before I get into school, I wanted to write a few things about summer...
Being in Baby mode, our summer was pretty low key. We spent most of our time at home and even though I had plenty of moments I thought I'd lose my mind, I have to say Pierce and Madi did pretty good, considering. I think they had more outings with Kathryn and Grandma this summer than with me, and I was so very grateful for them and their willingness to take the kids and get them out of the house for some fun. I could not have survived with out them! My other saving grace this summer was swimming lessons!

Pierson loves swimming and did really well this year. He worked hard learning the butterfly, breaststroke, sidestroke, and also set his personal best record of retrieving 18 rings in one breath, and learned to do a great flip turn. It was fun to see him learn all the different strokes and see how much he improved.

Madi came SO far this year. She went from being terrified to put her face in the water...to THIS!



This was her 1st year to really do swimming lessons, I didn't attempt it last year because of the nightmare it was the year before (meaning she got out of the pool, ran away from the teacher, out the gate and down the road. Forcing the teacher to get all the kids out of the pool, close the pool and hop in her car to catch up with her down the road. Nightmare indeed.) So, I wasn't going to put her in again until I knew she was really ready. Our Hawaii trip helped her make huge progress and she finally dared put her face in the water. Then when lessons started in June she was still very afraid to go all the way under and screamed the first few days of class. By the 2nd session she was jumping off the side and doing great! I could not believe how far she came in one summer. We were so proud of her.

My two happy swimmers! Great job Madi and Pierce!

We did manage to make it out of the house for a few fun outings. We hit our favorite water park with the Hall cousins and all the kids were excited to try out the new carousel.


Madi loved it and cried when we couldn't go again.


Pierce was excited to get the "American Flag" horse.

Matthew and Brooke

They all loved it! The new carousel is really cute, such a fun addition to down town St. George.

The Friday before school started we wanted to do something fun as a last hurrah for the kids. We had a packed day. We started with another trip to the water park in the morning with Julianne, Joey and Tommy, and also our Freidenburg friends, Traci, Boyce, Trey and Hudson. The Freidenburgs were getting ready to move to Vegas, so we were happy to spend this day with them. We have had fun getting to know them through Pierce and Boyce playing sports together. We will really miss them!


Madi calls this her "ruffly bum" swimming suit. And I love this ruffly bum.


Here is Boyce and Trey with Pierce and Madi, they are such fun friends, we will miss them! (And Tommy, who we are glad we get to see often.)

Later that day we geared up for a fun night out with the Brooks Family. After heading to "Back to School Night" to meet Pierson's teacher, we headed out for a fun night. We enjoyed a yummy dinner at Red Robin, the kids were very excited to use their "Free Kids Meal" coupons from the Library summer reading program. (The Library was my other saving grace this summer!) After dinner it was on to miniature golf. Madi started off with a hole in one on the first hole! Wow! The kids had a great time, then we finished up with yummy glaciers at Frostop!

Madi, Pierce and Joey

We wore them right out. (Jensen was so tired he slept 11 hours that night for the first time!) What a fun night! It was hard to believe it was time to gear up for a new school year and a new routine!

Jensen's Baby Blessing

Here is day 2 of the big weekend...
I have to start with Saturday night after we got home from Pierson's Baptism celebration - Ryan and I had talked with him about fasting and he decided he was ready to try fasting for his first time for Fast Sunday. We were talking about some things he could fast for, help to do good in 3rd Grade and Aunt Crystal and her family. Ryan was in his room with him saying prayers and I was feeding Jensen, Madi came running in to me and excitedly exclaimed, "Mom, I have a great idea of what Brother can fast for...that Uncle Amos will come back to church!" Earlier that day we had been talking about how they were excited for Uncle to be coming to the baptism, which led into a conversation in which they asked me for the first time, why Uncle has tattoos. (I had been dreading this one.) I talked to them about how Uncle doesn't go to church and how we can be a good example to him. It was so sweet to see Madi's excitement and sparkling eyes and she thought about this. It all seems so simple to her, let's fast and pray and then Uncle will come back to church! Sweet girl.
Sunday Morning came and even though I got up early, made sure the kitchen was sparkling clean, got as many things ready for the luncheon as I could, and gave myself plenty of time to get ready for our 1:00 church, I somehow still ran out of time to fulfill my one and only great desire for the day- to get pictures before church.
Sacrament meeting was a wonderful experience this day. Ryan gave Jensen a beautiful and sweet blessing. I felt incredibly blessed to have so many family members and dear friends there with us. The men who participated in the blessing were: Uncle Rob, Uncle Jeff, Uncle Steve, Uncle Mark, Uncle J.D., Kenny, Uncle Scott, Great Grandpa Jens, Bro. Massey, and Bishop Brooks.
After Sacrament meeting we had everyone over for lunch and a birthday party for Grandma and Uncle Steve. It worked out great that we could baptize Pierce then bless Jensen in the same weekend, which happened to be Grandma's and Steve's birthday! It was pure and total chaos with so many people in the house, 57 to be exact. Yes I counted. 26 Adults and 31 kids. By far the most people we've ever had in our house at once. And I was actually surprised the kids didn't outnumber the adults by more. Due to the chaos I again failed to get the pictures I wanted of everyone who came, but I did manage to get just a few.
Here is a particularly special one...(just wish I'd gotten a better background, but can't be too picky in such chaos)

My Grandpa Jensen holding his Great Grandson, Jensen. I haven't ever written why we chose this name for our baby, it is my Mom's maiden name, honoring her and this great man, who we've always called Grandpa Jens.


Happy Birthday Dear Grandma and Uncle Steve! I am pretty sure this was the loudest Happy Birthday we've ever heard!

After everyone had had their fill of good food and good company the house was quiet again. And I, of course, was wishing we had gotten the pictures I wanted before church. Sweet Kathryn, came over offering to help me clean up my house. I refused to let her, as she was hugely pregnant, just 6 days away from having her baby. But I had her snap a few pics of us. So here we are, exhausted baby, worn out Mom, untied Dad, disheveled but happy kids, at the end of a great day!


To top off the weekend, on Monday before Steve and Katie left town they stopped by for a bit. And while they were here Steve got a phone call...He found out he was accepted into Dental School! We are thrilled for him! Madi has been praying for "Uncle Steve to get into dental school" for about 2 years now. We know her prayers are answered. I warned Uncle Amos, and Madi has been praying for him often, "bless Uncle Amos to come back to church forever." It's only a matter of time with this girl. ;)

Pierson's Baptism

On Saturday, August 6th, Pierson was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I could not believe this day had come! (I'm still trying to accept being 30, how could I be old enough to have an 8 year old son?!) It is amazing how fast time is flying by and that our little boy is so grown up and has reached this important milestone in his life. He was very prepared and excited for this special day and Ryan and I were so proud of him. Before the baptism, each child being baptized was spotlighted by coming up to the stand and having everyone sing their favorite primary song. Pierson chose "Scripture Power" and did a great job standing up in front of everyone to sing. He had told me earlier that this was the part he was nervous about, standing up in front of the whole audience.

Ryan was so sweet and tender as he baptized him and then confirmed him a member of the Church. Pierson had been a little sad as he told me he wished Grandpa could be there and I had promised him that Grandpa would be there, that we probably wouldn't see him, but that he would be watching, along with Todd and Grandma Kathy and probably all of his Great Grandmas and Grandpas. I was so filled with love and gratitude as I watched Ryan perform these ordinances for our son. Gratitude for my loving husband, our sweet son, for our Savior and our Father in Heaven and for our wonderful and loving family- the ones we have lost and miss terribly and the many, MANY that were there to share this special day with our family! It was a wonderful experience for all of us. I was also thankful for DeAnna taking Jensen and for Grandma and cool aunts and cousins who had Madi at their side so I could really listen and fully enjoy and appreciate these special moments!


Pierson ready to be baptized, with his Dad

Here is Pierson with all the awesome friends and family who came to support him on his special day...


The Rollins Family - Kenny, Erin, Ellie and Addie. We were so happy to have them come up from San Diego to be with us! I was so busy trying to get pictures of everyone who was there for Pierson, I failed to get a picture of our own family! Ah! So I was glad we had snapped this one of us with the Rollins, the only one of us together! (Thank goodness Erin is as much of a picture fanatic as I am!) They really are like family to us, we are so thankful for such close friends!

Ms. Ferdinando with Pierce and Jace - Jace is Pierce's neighbor friend who was baptized with him. Ms. Ferdinando was their 2nd grade teacher, I thought it was so sweet that Pierce wanted to invite her. I totally dropped the ball and didn't call her until Pierce was getting ready that afternoon, he said he was thinking about everyone that was coming and wondered if I had called her (he had told me several weeks before that he wanted me to) so I called her about an hour and a half before it started, and she came! What a sweet and loving teacher!


Robison Family - Aunt Katie, Anya, Shylynn, Brigham, Kimball & Uncle Steve - Anya and Pierson have always been special, close cousins and have so much fun together, we were thankful they made the trip down here.


The Brooks Family - our great friends and wonderful Bishop- Julianne, Bishop, Joey and Tommy. Joey is a great friend to Pierson and we all just adore Tommy, Madi loves to play with and help take care of him. Julianne told us he has been calling Madi "my Madi", melt my heart! (They are hoping to adopt another baby... so if you know any unwed expectant mothers who may consider adoption, send them this way! A-mazing family!)


Hall Family - Uncle Jeff, Harrison, Brooke, Matthew, Baby Dallin & Aunt Crystal...we were missing Todd, of course! We are so thankful so live so close to these special cousins, we love spending time with them!


McDermott Family - Uncle Rob, Aunt DeAnna, Graci, Calli, Brock, Davis and Lily. We were so happy to have them come down from Sandy, we are always excited to see this gang!


The Jensens - My cousins, Rachel & Baby Ashley Holyoak, Syd, Uncle Scott, Aunt Val and Great Grandpa Jens. We were so grateful they also made a long trip down here, it was special for me to have some of my Mom's family here. How neat for Pierson to have his Great Grandpa Jens witness his baptism!


The Allen Clan - Aunt Kate, Rob & Bennet, Uncle Amos, Aunt Deli (Trit), Jackson & Hannah, Papa. Pierce and Madi were so excited to have Uncle and Papa come down! They also loved having a chance to play with Bennett.


A PaPa picture!


The Eves - Uncle Derral, Ellie, Bridger, Aunt Carolyn, Thatcher, Logan and Kelton. It's always a lively bunch with these cousins! Pierce really enjoys playing with these wild boys!


Uncle Mark, Aunt Lisa, Grandma, Uncle J.D., Aunt Amanda - We were especially missing Grandpa on this day, but we know he and Todd were watching. We are so thankful for Grandpa and Grandma and we love them so much! Of course having Uncle Mark and J.D. there was essential to the day, we love these uncles and our new aunts! And we are SO excited for Aunt Lisa's baby who is on the way!

Afterward, we headed to Golden Corral for dinner with everyone, it was chaotic as can be, but the kids loved it! Pierce and Madi loved having shrimp and Madi was excited to tell Uncle Mark that she DOES like shrimp! I am officially the only non-seafood lover now. They also enjoyed plenty of ice cream and cotton candy and had fun with all their cousins. It was a wonderful day and we came home happy, thankful and tired, gearing up for the next big day!

Pierson's 8th Birthday!

Pierson had a great birthday this year. He loves having his birthday on Pioneer Day and loves the parade, races and fireworks happening on his big day. Since his birthday fell on Sunday this year, he really lucked out and got 2 days of celebrating. Here's a look at the 2 day party...

We started off the morning watching the parade and then headed to the park for one of Pierce's favorite activities of the day, the big races! Our kids LOVE this and look forward to it from one year to the next. Here's Madi in her big 5 year old race...


Last year she just pranced along with out a care in the world, this year she got a little more serious and ran a bit faster! She won 2nd place and was SO excited!


Pierce had so much fun and took 3rd place!

We cooled off and relaxed at home for a few hours until it was time for the "friend party". I knew there was no way I was up for pulling off our usual style of friend party since I can't even get my laundry all done- so we changed it up this year. We did a small party with his best buddies and headed to Laser Mania. It was such a hit! The boys loved it!


Here they are in their laser gear - Dad, Joey, Pierce and Grant

Then we headed to Ice Burg for shakes. The kids were so excited to get their own big shake! I think this has changed they way I'm thinking for birthdays, this was the easiest party ever and they had so much fun!



Pierce was very excited about his very cool new BYU shirt from Joey!


He also got a great Star Wars Lego Set from Grant. Presents in the car, hand them a goody bag, I'm telling you, easiest party ever, thrilled kids and thrilled Mom.
Here we are for a group party shot, joined by our buddy Tommy.

That evening we headed to Pizza Factory for our traditional birthday pizza. Here's Pierce with his big #8!



That night everyone was excited for fireworks, we met up with Grandma and the Halls at the cemetery. We sat on the ground around Grandpa and Todd's graves and enjoyed the night. Weird as it may seem, we decided this was a great place for us- it was a great view of the fireworks and Ryan and Jeff pointed out- it's the only piece of land that we actually own! (Jeff & Crystal own 2 plots next to Todd and we own the 2 next to Grandpa. We had good reasons to buy plots!) We might as well make good use of it! It was actually nice and peaceful to be there. A new tradition was found!

Matthew, Pierce, Madi, Brooke, Danielle (visiting Grandma from Ohio) and Harrison

Jensen loved the fireworks! Grandma held him and he just starred at them the entire time, totally enthralled!



The real birthday morning. Enjoying his favorite traditional breakfast muffin.


Pierce had plenty of fun Sunday morning playing with his new Legos and was then excited to go to Primary and be sung to on his real birthday! After church we had the Halls over for his birthday dinner, lucky for me he picked cheeseburgers so Ryan did most of the work. Then Grandma, Uncle J.D. and Amanda, and Deli, Jackson and Hannah joined us for cake and ice cream. He surprised us all by choosing Costo's red velvet cake this year. (It's what Daddy had for his birthday, and the kids loved it!)



Here he is with best buddy cousin, Matthew and his birthday buddy cousin, Jackson. Jackson turned 5!


Does he look happy or what? Can you tell he loves his new BYU shirt? (Thanks Joey!)



He had a great birthday and was excited about some cool new Star Wars toys and lego sets (Thanks Luke and Grant!)He's also been talking about Laser Tag ever since and can't wait to go back! We had a great 2 days celebrating Pierce, we can't believe how grown up his is! We love him so much!