Nananananineteen, 19, 19!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVE MUFFIN!!!

Jensen was born at 5:30 p.m. after only 12 hours of being in labor and being induced. He wanted to cook extra long. I really don't know how to have a baby naturally, I've been induced with all the boys. He was actually due on Dec. 4...(10 days late!!) He was a real kicker inside me and was a sweet lovey baby and is still now. Jensen is so affectionate, even in the 7th and 8th grade (when most kids, let alone boys want NOTHING to do with their moms) he wasn't embarassed to be around his mom in front of his friends. He is always kind and considerate and sooooo loveable. Ask him to do Nacho Libre...or Napoleon Dynamite...soooo funny!!!
Love sleeping babies!

One of my very favorite things about Jens is: He is a good sport. No, not just a good sport, a great example of what every player should play like. He's told me before that he loves after losing a game he makes sure that he is the first one to say good game and shake hands. It's easy to be a good sport when you win, it's when you lose where you can show integrity and the sportmanship of a player. This is George and Jens hugging after playing an intense game of the two high school rivals in Provo...Timpview and Provo. Jens and George play on the same club team during the fall. Provo lost but Jens is still showing that he is a Great sport on the field.

This photo is classic Jens. It's his face for a lot of photos
OR these two below...

These girls were always just friends, he was always playing with them for the camera.

Sweet baby Jensie...3 months

This is silly Jens.

This is animal lover Jens.He LOVES animals!! Here is a great story that depicts this:

Jens and Adi the 1st.

Very first professional photo of Jens. 4 weeks old.

Here is getting ready for my mission Jens. He just got his hair cut so he could submit this nice photo for his mission papers. This is the "before" photo with long beautiful flowing hair...

Here is "soccerball" Jens. When he was little this is how he would call soccer. Well, every other sport is called something with a "ball" on the end...baseball, basketball, football, volleyball, softball...why not soccer ball. Funny stuff. This is Jens' team in Iowa in a national game against the #1 team in the nation. He is heading the ball into the net making the only goal during their stint at nationals.




During a ballroom tour to California 09, Jens and Cristin doing their jive on California Adventure stage.

Happy Birthday Jensen!!! WE LOVE YOU!!

T-bone's birthday! Freshman and 15

Our baby boy (I still call him that...you can tell me to stop, but I won't) is 15. I can't believe it!! He was different from the very start. The other boys had to be practically yanked out...when they were born, he wanted to come early (2 weeks) and decided to let me throw up (the only time I threw up with any pregnancy, YES I LOVE to be pregnant!) and cause "fake" contractions to start. Of course they went away when I went to a room...Make a long story short...Went in on Saturday morning, they wanted to send me home, but not after looking at an ultrasound and making sure they were making a sound decision, AGAINST my wishes. After the ultrasound they decided to keep me there because not only was there not enough fluid to send me home and bake an extra 2 weeks, the cord was wrapped several times around his neck. So I was in bed at the hospital from Saturday morning until Monday at 6:40 a.m. waiting...

10. Tyler is getting good grades, I really never have to ask if he has homework.

9. He has a legendary love for babies. He is often found in the nursery wanting to help out there.

8. He is very proactive. He is always looking for ways to make money. Every summer he has signs up for lawn mowing, but mostly he's done alot of that work for free. Tyler is a soccer referee and always calls up the assignor asking for games when she usually has to call refs to schedule them.

7. Recently, a couple weeks ago he was overheard telling a friend to "go and pray to find what you are looking for, that always works for me."

6. He loves cars.

5. He is talented, he plays the cello and he plays soccer and has a really great corner kick. He is very good at the foxtrot and got a 92 out of 95 on his intermediate foxtrot test.

4. Tyler is so so so kind. He likes to act tough but he always ends up being so kind to everyone.

3. Sharing comes so easy for him. Just the other day he comes home from mutual (they call it that now) and gives me two pieces of candy. He is always thinking of others and how they feel.

2. He is very diligent in his tasks. When he was in the deacon quorum presidency he initiated all the meetings. He also is a very good hometeacher.

1. He is a hard worker. Here's a story that tells all about how hard working Tyler is. One summer we bought passes to 7Peaks. During one excursion to the park, towards the end of the day we were gearing up to go and I think that I had some extra boys with us making for a long day and I wanted to go home badly. I sternly told everyone to stay by me so I wouldn't loose anyone. As I was making sure we had everyone I noticed that Tyler wasn't around us I began to get extremely irritated. I didn't want to leave everyone else to go look for him so I tried to just yell for him. But to no avail. We waited, very impatiently until I could see him way down by the tube rental. He had 4 tubes, 2 tubes on each arm helping the workers gather up tubes. Not only just 1 time but he went and gathered several times. My irritation melted as I began to feel remorseful for having thought badly of Tyler just wanting to get in more fun. He is the one to go chop wood down, help with a roof, mow lawns, shovel sidewalks, clear debris, all for the sake of helping others.

AND...he's sooooo cute...he was a beautiful baby.

We LOVE Tyler so much and are so glad he's part of our family. Huuppy Birthday Tyler!!

(said like Horror book in the Pagemaster)

Jens gets more press

"The Tritons got huge days from freshmen ...Jensen Smith. ...Smith assisted Otto on two goals and netted one of his own.

"We dominated the game," said head coach Brandon Ermels. "The socre line is just a small indicator to how well these boys performed."

"Not until the 30th minute did Iowa Central extend the lead to 2-0 when Smith buried a [throw] in from Kyle Roach."

Shhhhh...Surprise!!!

For over a month now, my friend Susan and I have been planning a trip to see our boys in Iowa, we just had to convince our husbands to make the looooooong drive in such a short trip. I asked Brian's work if I could steal him away for this weekend and didn't tell Brian until ONE hour before we were leaving. He didn't especially like that spring but went anyway...I didn't tell Jens at all and he was surprised in fact he didn't know how to react when he saw us. It was soooo short but I was so glad to see him. I got my bucket filled of Jensen love. That was the best!!! You've all probably seen the pictures on fb but in case you haven't... here they are.

Be prepared...Jens looks old.

The team right before the game, getting pumped up. This picture show cases the corn fields all surounding the fields. Lovely contrast with the sky, corn field, and grass.

Jens getting a header...look at his great face!

Jens...this is the man picture. He looks old doesn't he?

Jens and the Hancock kids...Elijah, Alivia, Jens, Tysa, and Michelle

Little Alivia LOVES Jens and he her. She would follow him all around, when we went back to their dorm she wanted to go to every corner that Jens was in. Such a sweet little relationship.

At the end of the game I had to have a picture with him on his field.

Little Isaac, Kate, Jens, Alivia.

While Jens was holding Alivia, Levi tackles Jens. It was so much fun.

While at the restaurant they were playing salsa music. We all egged Jens on to demonstrate. Amanda was a willing participant. It was fun to see that too.

After the game we went to a mexican restaurant. Kate asked the servers if they served ice cream for birthdays and told them it was Jens' birthday. Then went back and told them it wasn't but they decided to celebrate it anyway. That is why Jens is wearing the lovely hat. This is the family that took care of Jens while he played in Des Moines for the Menace since middle of June. What a great family! We love you guys!!

We stayed with the Thomas'. Lori and BJ are great cooks, we had a full day of meals and boy is the Iowa corn excellent...It was so comfortable in their home. They live right in Fort Dodge and take care of the boys every Sunday. They come over for dinner and get their laundry done. Such a great family!! I am so greatful for their sweet sacrafice and to look over our boys. A big relief to know they have another mom and dad there. We love you guys!!

Here I am finishing little Violet's gift. Was the perfect opportunity to do that. 32 hours round trip...that's alot of sitting.

Happy Birthday Christian!

Same picture....almost. Same cousins and sitting in exactly the same spot.

Just cute!

Ashley, Christian, Miquel

born 4 months apart.

courtesy of harrisphotogallery

Some really great things about Christian are:

He likes to hunt, fish, and camp.

He is so mysterious, keeps you guessing (literally)

He is a gentleman

He loves the outdoors

Sooo cute

He's very independent. I have no worries about him as an adult, or providing for his family.

He is very loyal to his friends, hence he has many.

He is very very smart.

He's very witty, catches on to things very quick.

He has an amazing kick, from where he stands in the goal, he can make it to the other end and have an assist. He's done that several times.

He hugs me...mostly.

He's great with kids.

...and my favorite thing about him is

he's sooooo super super FUNNY!!

I love you honey! Happy Birthday!

Wanna see something special?

Girls with their dads at the beginning, boys with their moms at the end. We start in the back and end up in the front.

Keeper Christian

Christian is the keeper (or goalie if you don't know what that means) for his U17 team. He got injured during this game and has a line/fracture in the middle of his tib/fib. He and another guy went together to get the ball, the kid got Christian shin (through his shin gaurd) and clipped him a good one. Can you say:

DRINK MORE MILK!!!

(he drinks none 4th fracture)

Christian shook it off but he's got a dent in his leg. The dr. put him in an air cast so he can wear it to homecoming and will be able to boogie. Here are some shots of him in action. Pictures...compliments of Tyler.

Here is the perp.

Not so much action I guess, he mostly just stands around...

My new favorite thing

I just have to share my new favorite thing. No I'm not getting paid to advertise for products on my blog but I wanted to share. Have you ever wondered why frozen yogurt is even called yogurt? To me it still tastes like ice cream but you get that warm fuzzy feeling for your brain that you're eating healthy ice cream. I like ice cream but when I want to eat frozen yogurt I want it to taste like yogurt. I have found my answer. I was with my friend buying some things for our coupon shopping and found a coupon taped to the freezer door in Albretson (as Ty used to call it) for this new product. I tried it and loved it..Here it is:
Stoneridge Creamery "Tart" frozen yogurt. I have only found so far in Albertson's, although it looks like maybe they have at Walgreens too.

Favorite Flavor: PEACH, tried them all but Vanilla

Homecoming for Christian

Christian asked a cute girl named Breanna to Homecoming this year. Christian planned, carried out, and executed the asking all by himself. I didn't help nor was I involved.

That, my friend, is illegal.

Here is how he asked her. He bought a pin'ate and some candy "reisens". This is what he said..."I'll give you 14 "reisens" to go to Homecoming with me. I thought that was especially cute. Since I wasn't involved I don't have any pictures...(cough..cough) But Breanna came over last night and answered him. She wanted to decorate his room... Yes I was involved so I took some pictures.

HER ANSWER:

She had a bunch of balloons and candy on his bed.

Can you see the look of surprise on his face?!! He had no idea that she was coming over. Her mom called and talked to me and asked that he be taken somewhere while Breanna came over to decorate his room. Christian did a whirlwind of a job (it was already pretty clean) but neglected to make his bed. The only place she wanted to decorate. So we all made his bed real fast. Christian popped all the balloons in about 22 seconds but didn't think that he'd have to find any papers. Popping the balloons that fast threw any sort of paper all over the place. Which made it that much more fun to find.


First the "S"
It could have been "No way Jo"S"e."


"ES"

And there you have it.

Sheep Dog Fun

For Labor Day we went to Midway to enjoy some sheep dog herding. I would recommend that to anyone. They boys got bored real fast and I could have stayed longer...Here are some fun shots of the dogs. I also watched some dogs herd some ducks. That was fun.

The dog was let go and had to run up a mountain side to fetch the first batch of 8 sheep on the "first lift". Bring them through a gate and down to a certain point.

Here is another activity that you could watch. That was fun too.

Next the border collie ran up on another side of the mountain and fetched another set of 8 red collared sheep, guide them through another gate and bring them to the first group of sheep.

Then the dog gathered all 16 sheep and brought them to the farmer. To get the most points you had to keep 5 red collared sheep and discard the rest. The sheep like to be with their friends so they always wanted to run to the other group. The dog's job was to keep the sheep in front of the farmer. The farmer would select the ones and try to separate them to another section of the yard.