Yay, Kyle and Wendy!

I love this one! Wendy said she always makes Kyle skip when they are walking so we got it in their pictures. So fun!

Aren't they very photogenic!

I just love these two! Kyle and Wendy ( my brother in law and his fiance) gave me the opportunity to photograph them for their engagement pictures and I had a blast. They are just the most fun couple and I am so happy for their upcoming wedding!

Valentines day

Sorry for just throwing this all in at once, but a lot of fun things have been happening! This month I put together a week of valentines for everyone in my family; just something small for each day until the 14th. For the girls it was a box of character bandaids one morning (because we go through so many bandaids you wouldn't believe!) Another morning it was a new book, or a little stuffed animal...anyway you get the idea! So, being the lucky mom that I am to have such thoughtful girls, on the morning of the 14th I come out of my room to help the girls get ready for school. They are standing in the middle of the room, all together, with this poster that they made! Derek told me later that Erin made sure they did something for me because of all the time I put into the "week of love"; as Erin called it! I thought it was a very wonderful gesture that they acknowledged the time and effort I had put in for them! **sniff, sniff** my girls are growing up!

Cutest boy ever!

Handsome boy!

Emmett and his beautiful mommy

We got a visit from the cutest little nephew ever this weekend! He has really grown since the last time we saw him. You can see a lot of his mommy and daddy in him! We had so much fun with Laura and Adam's little family and wish they lived closer so we could see them more! The girls just oooooohhh and aaaaaah over Emmett; especially his cousin Lauren! Now if we can just keep his grandma from accidentally dressing him in girlie pjs (teeheehee) he'll be just fine!

more updates....that's all I do!

Clogging as become a big thing in our home lately and what a production it is to get the girls ready for their performances. Glittery costumes, scrunchies, braids, lipstick, eyeliner, the list goes on!! I have learned to pack some things to their performances and competitions that never entered my mind. Thank goodness for other moms willing to bestow their wisdom on me! Erin and I are actually going to be taking clogging lessons here soon; only because we see how much fun these three are having and the exercise benefits! Ok that's just me; not Erin! These girls are doing so well and it is sooooo much fun to see 4yr olds dance as a team! If that's not cute I don't know what is! I, however, will NOT be picking up a pair of black vinyl pants for myself, thankyou very much!

Wow, time has gotten away from me, but I hope to catch up on some posts. Hopefully people haven't given up on me completely! Anywho, Derek and I went to Costa Rica last month, and as always I don't have my good pictures, or really any pictures of the trip. But Derek and I did go on a river tour to see ,obviously, crocodiles! We were on the boat for this picture and you can see how close we were because the edge of the boat is just in the corner of this picture! I was not zooming in! Crazy Costa Ricans! But very nice people!

Everyone but Erin finished soccer season in October. Erin continues to play indoor soccer until the end of this month. I've enjoyed watching them play so much that I signed up for my own indoor soccer games! Who says the kids get to have all the fun! But man, what was I thinking? It's been over 15 years since I played on a team and I was sucking wind the first 10- 15 minutes of my first game! Then I remembered how to play smarter, and was able to finish out the game without colapsing on the fake grass!

Morgan was a little spitfire this season and wants to follow in Erin's foot steps with competition soccer.

Shannon is just having fun with it for now, but believes she wants to be like her big sisters. It was sooooo cold for this last game. But she got to wear her tiger hat which I think is the cutest thing! I got Lauren a monkey hat too!

Erin is growing up so fast, I'm having a hard time keeping up with her! She's going to surpass me in height here soon! She already wears my shoe size and tries to borrow my clothes! She has really enjoyed this competition soccer and indoor soccer. It is time for a break though, and she'll get one until Spring after these next two games. Erin has a mean kick when she can get her foot and the ball to connect just right! It's been fun watching her team grow together, seeing as how this is their first year together. A lot of them have gotten much better.

No, there will be no pictures of me playing soccer; mainly because I'm the only one taking the pictures, but because I don't look as good as these girls when I'm pushing myself. Like the ugly cry, I have the ugly work out face! My girls always look at me in wonder after I've done my running, and inform me "Mom.....your face is REALLY red!" I don't need that kind of exposure on the internet!

My cousin, Daniel, was married last weekend and we had the privilage of going to the ceremony at the Salt Lake Temple. They were such a bubbly couple; at least Melissa. Daniel is very Jensen! I can say that because I've been told I'm the same way; we don't show too much emotion. It's great when trying to bluff in a game!

Very handsome guy, that one is!

She had a very pretty dress; buttons down the back and cute detail on the train. Very classic, which is what I'm pretty sure they were going for.

Two peas in a pod

These two are getting married in June. This is my brother in law and his sweet girl!

We are so excited for Ashlee to join our family! Bret and Ashley were gracious enough to pose for me so I could get some practice with my newly tweeked talent. They are a fun couple to work with.

This one is my favorite! They both have such pretty blue eyes! And Ashley... that hair is just gorgeous! My girls can't get enough of these two. Thanks again Bret and Ashley!

Photography; what FUN!

Missy Lolly; our biggest and best ham!

(not touched up yet)

I have always enjoyed photography and trying to capture that perfect image, but now that I have a better idea of what I'm doing......I'M HAVING SO MUCH FUN! I thought I was getting some good images before, but I've started using my photoshop (now that I have a clue how to use it; thanks to Emilie). Those of you who have taken her classes, know what I'm talking about. What a fun lady!

Miss Moo; our helpful and "stick to it" one


Miss Shani; miss "drama" herself

Miss Erin; our oldest and getting braces this month

Now that I know what I'm capable of creating, I think I'll have my camera in my hand a lot more. I made my bro in law and his soon to be bride pose for me, even though they already had some pictures done earlier. I just needed something to play with on the computer and they turned out really cute. Soon to come!

Make sure to eat your vegetables!

Derek was involved in a reenactment of disasters for the purpose of training health care and emergency workers. Being a nursing student, this was part of one of his clinicals for school and had to show up and call on those acting skills of his. Derek's role to play was that of an inmate being transfered by a bus that was involved in a serious crash with a tanker transporting rocket fuel. They were suppose to be taken to one of the hospitals in the area, involved in the training, and dropped off at the ER. Derek was suppose to have had a heart attack 3 yrs ago, taking nitroglycerin and asprin. He was suppose to be having another heart attack after the crash and not have his meds with him. Unfortunately, things didn't seem to be planned out very well and Derek and the other actors were taken to different hospitals before being dropped off about 2 blocks away from the hospital they finally ended up going to. While fully shackled and in their prison garb, Derek and the other men were made to walk those two blocks to the hospital; crossing a very busy road. Derek said they received some very strange looks from people in their cars wondering what was going on. Derek said he caught the wide eyes of one little girl. He wished he had told her,"make sure you eat your vegetables!" Derek could see why no one would want to try to run in shackles. He came home with marks on his ankles and wrists from being shackled for nearly 3 hours. The "makeup" artists had used perminent marker on their "victims" so Derek came home with "dogs" and "cats" written on his knuckles and some fake tats on his hands. They wanted to put tats on his neck and head, but Derek said no way when he saw that they were using perminent markers. I got a kick out of the picture; big tough Derek next to the little squatty police officer! Love it!

Lolly and PCMC

So I couldn't get the photo to turn on my laptop so sorry it's sideways. Lauren had some tests at Primary Children's today and this is her smiling face before the tragedy begins. She wasn't too sure about running around without panties under that gown, but we got over it quickly. She kept saying " I don't want shots, I don't want shots." I had to keep reassuring her that there were no shots; I just didn't tell her about the nice catheter she would be getting in her bladder. She wouldn't have understood much anyway. After the VCUG, she kept asking me what it was the doctor "put in her bum". She said "it felt like a shot in my bum" OHHHH! I felt soooo bad, but luckily kids are very resiliant and once her catheter was out she was just fine. She just wants to talk about her experience A LOT! Unfortunately her problems have worsened over time and we will be going in for surgery in about 3-4 weeks. I'm not sure how we are going to get that gown on her again after today. She loved getting the Bambie toy. Not so thrilled with the doll in the hospital gown. Hopefully she doesn't develop a phobia of hospital gowns!

Once again, I'm at work and have time to post on my blog. So I borrowed my mother in laws acoustic guitar and had it restrung yesterday. I took it home and learned some cords! I really enjoyed it and had to tear myself away from it to come to work. I think my mom was getting a little tired of my going over the same notes again and again in her kitchen. At least you could start to hear a tune out of what I was playing! Hey, it's my first "lesson"! The girls were with me when I took the guitar in to be restrung. The store had keyboards and drums as well as walls of electric/acoustic guitars. Shannon fell in love with the drums! She was sure that was her calling in life! "Mom I love this (glittery gold) drum. Can we get one?" Lauren about jumped out of her pants (which isn't hard to do since they are barely hanging on as it is) when she pushed a couple of keys on a keyboard and a loud noise issued forth! It made the girls laugh. Morgan liked a blue electric guitar with green lightning bolts on it (typical Morgan-style) and Erin just had a headache from "all the noise the girls were making". But Erin did ask if she could get a disco ball for her room! Over all it was a good field trip for them and they got to do some people watching as well. I must say, there are quite an array of people that come in and out of that store. The girls got an eye full! I was just waiting for that one comment that was going to get me the black eye, but they kept their comments to themselves. What a lucky mom!

I'm so excited for a new year and have many things I want to accomplish for myself and my family:

1. go part time at work: Derek, being the most generous husband anyone could ask for, contributed to my "get Katie out of work" fund. We want to have so much saved in my accounts before I can go part time and he just put me over that edge this Christmas! So now I just want to have all of our dept payed off, and then I'll go part time at work! Yay! Hopefully this March or June.

2. Re tile the kitchen and entry way in the apartment and put in new carpet. Can't wait for that!

3. Recommitte to going to the temple at least once a month. This is going to be one of my challenging ones because of our schedules, but I really feel the need to be in the temple more often. And with the Ogden Temple closing in April that will make it even more fun to plan.

4. Study the lessons in our gospel doctrine classes before the actual class. I'm really hoping to get more out of my classes this year. I just need to stay awake in class after working the night shift before!

5. The old stand by.... get into shape, AGAIN! I do want to run some races this year, so if anyone has one in mind, bug me to go with so I have something to train for.

6. Not cutting my hair, no matter how much I'm hating it at the moment! I really want to grow it out so I can do something with it!

7.Spending more time with Derek and the girls doing things we love. Not enough of this going around due to our hectic schedules and we can feel the strain in the girls. Lauren is always telling me not to go to work and always asking where Derek is during the day. You have to be pretty hard hearted for that not to get to you!

8. I really want to learn how to play the guitar...something I've always secretly wanted to do! I'd like to start self teaching with the girls this year.

9. Finally learn how to hold very simple conversations in Spanish. We have the Rosetta stone at home and I have lots of opportunity at work to use it so.....it only makes sense.

10. Get back into photography. I've really missed using my camera and seeing what images I can catch through my view finder. I also got photoshop for Christmas! Need to use it now!

11. Learn how to set my priorities in the right order. I just noticed that I had putting in carpet and tile before temple attendance and gospel study! Please don't judge me for that one! Hehe!

I hope everyone's new year is the best one yet, and you're able to accomplish most of your goals. I'm going to be realistic and probably only plan on accomplishing 30-50% of mine! I know how I've been in the past. Love you all!

Erin's book report

Erin had a book report due this week and has put a lot of work into her project. We made the animals, truck, hay bales, and tools out of air dry clay. I only made a few suggestions and then Erin took off with it. She made most of the animals and did all the painting. She did a great job and I think she'll get a good grade on it!

The two dogs in the book thought they were tasting "cotton wood candy". This was Erin's favorite part of the book.

The dog, who hates cats, ended up in the tool shed, during a rainstorm, with a bunch of cats.

The hero of the story in this scene is tied to a post and has cats hanging around and bothering him. The haystack is the cats home. The barb wire fence is suppose to be keeping a bull fenced in.

This is the truck the the dog "drove" into the creek with hay bales on the back. The dog's owner is suppose to be trapped under bales of hay. I'm not sure what happened to the arm and leg that were sticking out from under them, but the book report is done.

The book report project consisted of four scenes that the kids picked from their book that were to be narrated and displayed while they gave an oral report.

General Conference Fall 2010

During the priesthood session last night; we were encouraged to add a link to lds.org on our blogs if we hadn't done so yet. So I made it a goal for myself during conference, while I listened of course to the talks, that I would place in my blog a link to the site that explains my beliefs truthfully. There is enough out there that spreads untruths about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and its members. We need to make the truth available just as readily at hand for those that don't know our beliefs or understand. So for anyone who comes across my blog; I bear my testimony to you of the truthfullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon. We have a living prophet of God at this time, Pres. Thomas S Monson who speaks with the Lord and testifies truthfully of Him. The temples of the Lord are homes of refugee and are filled with the spirit of our Savior. I urge you to pick up a copy of the Book of Mormon and read, with pure intent, to know for yourself the truthfullness of its contents and then pray to know whether it be true or not. I know that if you pray, with a real desire to know if these words are true, you will receive an answer to your prayers of this books truthfullness. I testify of these things to you in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

goshute cave

So these pictures are reverse in order. The top picture is the end result of our hike to goshute cave over memorial day week end. The girls were real troopers because that is not an easy hike! You can see the opening of the cave on the picture with Lauren asleep on Derek shoulder. Lots of shale and small rocks to slip on. They did great! And Derek is super dad. He carried Lauren all the way back down to the car so she wouldn't slip and fall. Shannon had help from me on the way down, but still did great! The girls got to see bats and actually thought it was cool. It was a great spur of the moment trip for our little family.

Happenings of Summer/Fall

Mom put together a "dinner theater" with our girls for their parents, grandpa, Aunt Laura and Uncle Adam. We got to see Little Red Riding Hood with Erin as "Red", Morgan as "BB Wolf", Shannon as "Grandma" and Lauren as " Woody Cutter".

We also saw the girls perform Goldy Locks and the Three Bears. Morgan was "Goldy", Erin as "Papa Bear", Shannon "Mama Bear" and Lauren, of course, was " Baby Bear". The girls helped make their costumes and I had some face paints to complete the look. So much fun!

I've taken the week off because Mom and Dad went to visit Kellie and Ryan in New Hampshire and I've really enjoyed spending all this time with the girls. I miss being able to take pictures on a whim and run around having fun with them. Luckily I got to transfer to a hospital closer to home and won't have to drive so far.

Shannon started Preschool and Lauren was sure she was on her way to class too. So we primped and gave her a backpack too. She was so excited to go to " Grandma school" that day!

I sent Erin and Morgan to school with "good grade" incentives for their teachers on the first day of school. I needed an excuse to make these cute cupcakes and Erin and Morgan's teachers really liked them! Erin's teacher liked them so much she took pictures of them. I think they're adorable and they were fun to make!

the things my kids say and do...

I don't have pictures yet for my stories because I'm at work tonight and nothing else to do, so I'll tell you what's been going on at home. Morgan has had trouble lately with some cousins and not feeling really good about things, so I've been trying to encourage her in things she enjoys. She loves to sing her own songs at the top of her lungs. So a asked her "Morgan, do you like to write your own songs?" She said yes, rather shyly. I explained to her that some people do make a living writing songs and composing music for those songs. She got excited and said " I want to do that! I could do it on my days off from the circus!" For as long as I can remember she has aspired to be a trapeze artist and still wants that as a career. So now she wants to work for the circus AND write music/songs on her day off. I got Morgan her own little note book so she could write her songs down (as best a 6 year old can) and she felt pretty special! She also imformed me that she is planning on having 10 kids so she is going to be a very busy lady when she grows up!
Our dog Sam redeemed himself, I think, for the rest of his life. Lauren was outside playing with her sisters in the back yard last weekend. She usually stays put, but has been known to go back into the house while they stayed outside. I was asleep from having worked the night before and Derek was in the garage working on our suburban. Lauren left and the girls assumed she went into the house. Derek heard Sam barking but didn't think much of it because he barks at birds all the time. But he kept barking rather adamently, so Derek went to see what was up. You have to cross a bridge that goes over a canal to get up to our place and Lauren happened to venture down to the bridge. She hadn't crossed it but had gone up to the opening next to the bridge that allows you to go to the canal! Sam was barking at her because he couldn't get to her due to his shock collar perimeters. Derek ran down to grab her thank goodness before anything happened. So needless to say I don't like to sleep during the day when she girls are outside because I'm afraid she will wander off again. Im very glad Sam barked up a storm and Derek checked on him because it makes me sick to think of what could be. I love my Sam for that! Every kid should have a dog like him! And to thank him for this he's getting fixed in August. Sorry Sam!

HELLP!

Sorry, all my life seems to be revolving around these days is work and kids, so that's what I have to blog about. Anyway I had a crazy night at work a few weeks ago and four words pretty much sum it up...hellp, blaauuggg, goosh and waaaah..(I'll explain) I had a patient come in complaining of contractions. She was crying from pain and just didn't look like she felt well. I did her assessment. Nothing really stood out except that she was in pain and couldn't really pin point where her pain was, just all over. No cervical change, no contractions, etc. The doctor said to send her home with tylenol!! I was uncomfortable with that so I asked him if he was ok if I sent her down to the ER for some more workup but she checked out with us on Labor and delivery. He said you can if you feel it's necessary. I did, so I sent her down. Then I picked up another patient. It was her second baby and she wasn't feeling well and nauseated. I checked her and she was dilated to 10 cm and ready to deliver. I called the doctor and went back to the room. My patient said she was nauseated and had to throw up so I set her up a little and she threw up, then we heard a gush when her water broke and then a small waaahh! I look under the sheet and we have a baby on the bed! So she delivered without a doctor! FUN STUFF! So we get that taken care of and a little bit later one of our nurses comes up to me and says that the patient I sent down to ER is back on our floor because she has HELLP syndrome. HELLP stands for hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets and is a very serious condition to have especially during pregnancy. She was a very sick lady and I'm so very grateful I followed my gut instincts and didn't send this lady home to who knows what. She was c-sectioned that morning because of it! So Yeah for me! (and her too)! So those of you I love, who are pregnant, go into the hospital if you think ANYTHING is wrong and don't let them tell you everything checks out and send you home if you really feel something is wrong.
Derek went to a Daddy Daughter dance that the elementary school held for the students and their dads or other special men in their life. They had pictures done for the girls and treats (a chocolate fountain much to derek's surprise). Morgan said her dad lifted them up in the air and slid them under his legs and out again. Other kid's dads where lifting them up, but not as high as her dad, according to Morgan. The girls had a great time and loved being with their dad!
The girls are learning their articles of faith before we will take them to disneyland. Shannon has to learn all 13 too so I think we are safe for a little while, I thought! She has just about mastered the first 3 and says them over and over to anyone who will listen. I'm proud of her! Lauren is even picking up words here and there.
Erin got a live bunny for her birthday and I'll have to tell that story later, but it's my own darn fault for not understanding someone with a thick accent. So now we have a dog and a bunny, a show bunny none the less!

Update...

I do way too many of these, but that's all I seem to have time for these days. Christmas was great since we got to stay home and just relax... not much of that going on these days. The girls told us that they didn't get what they wanted but that it was the best christmas ever. I think Santa just didn't care to worry about what the girls WANTED, but more of what he thought they NEEDED! 'nough said! I've been working a ton and really enjoying it, the actually work itself. Some of the staff are a little hard to take when a lot of them are so set against "Utah Mormons" and how they would never raise a family here! Yeah, I was the one out of 5 sitting there at the nurses desk listening to this and not really believing what I was hearing. Because I know for a surety that if I can hear them, their patients can hear them too and most of them are likely to be LDS! Anyway, enough of my soap box! Shannon is now 4 as of yesterday and she loved being queen for a day, but had been up late the last few nights and needed constant reminders of how we treat and talk to people (namely our sisters) when we don't get our way. Lauren is the snuggliest little thing and loves giving hugs and kisses to those she loves. Shannon was giving hugs to those who had given her presents yesterday and Lauren decided to get in on the action, so she just started giving hugs left and right to anyone who would take her...and who wouldn't take that kind of lovin'! Erin and Morgan went back to school today and Morgan promptly informed us that she didn't learn a thing today. Nice. Erin brought a book home from the library and has been reading it none stop! I must say I like seeing that. She also informed me that she wanted to walk the treadmill while watching a movie so she could get healthy. I guess that works. As long as it's not because she decided she was fat. I'm just praying that this year goes better than the last two we have been through, but I'm feeling optimistic about this one! Happy New Year to everyone, we love you....(and good luck!)

Happy Halloween

As always the obligatory Halloween pictures. Lauren had to be piglet this year because she's the last to fit in it and then we are done with it. Morgan was a jack-o-lantern because she has lost 3 teeth since school started! Shannon wanted to be the care bear. We've had that costume kicking around for years, but no one wanted to be the care bear until now. Some of the paint has worn off their faces because we dressed them up THEN had dinner. I was in a time crunch. Erin went as the 50s girl; not sure she wanted to be that for Halloween. She always wants to be the spooky villian. Last year a vampire, this year she wanted to go as a devil; what happened to my girlie girl? I went as tigger but no pictures here. Shannon had to tell everyone her life story and pet their dog and so forth while we were out! I looked at Derek and said "Who's child is this and where did she come from?" Those of you who know Shannon well, know she can be rather quiet when she doesn't know you well ( and that's putting it gently)







Just some fun pictures we tried to take before all the leaves fell from the trees because we have had no time to do any of this stuff lately. But the sun went behind the mountains, the leaves weren't as bright and the girls were getting cold. I thought these turned out fun though; just need a little brightening up! Lauren was playing peek a boo with Daddy while he was trying to get her to look at the camera!