Everything Jensen

Happy 10-year anniversary to us! Ten years of smooching, hand holding, and adventuring. DRAMATIC RE-ENACTMENT  The Real Thing In this past 10 years, we've lived in three states and moved four times (twice across country!). We've added three kids to the family and are working with all speed to bring home number four. There have been ups and downs, but mostly ups! Lots of hard work, lots of fun, lots of laughs, a few ER trips, snow storms, sunburns, museums, mountains, and that one time our babysitter cancelled the night of our tenth anniversary (so we celebrated with ice cream and rented movie). Good times, great times, the best of times. And, lots of flower and chocolates, too! Here's to another ten years and many, many more.

Back in college, Melinda had the BEST roommates. Every single one of them - amazing. And, we had amazing times together. So, we were so excited when Melinda's old roommate Alissa let us know they would be coming down to visit for the weekend, after a trip to Disneyland the week before. Alissa and her family live in Utah, and it's been an embarrassing number of years since we've gotten together. Of course, our kids became instant buddies, just like we did so many years ago. We spent a lot of time just hanging out and playing around the house. But, we were also able to make a trip down to Old Town to see the Mormon Battalion and a quick trip to the beach (brrr... so cold, but we did it!).  Eleanor and Charlotte, panning for gold.  Adelaide and Josie, washing the clothes.  Alex struck it rich!  Total best buddies!  Balloon buddies  Quick playtime and good bye on Monday before our girls had to go to school.  A...

So, without a doubt, the best part of Hawaii was getting to catch up with Joe and Emily and their kids. We used to have so much fun together back in Provo, when Ruby was tiny and the others still a distant dream. It's hard to believe that was ten years ago! We are so grateful they let us stay in their home. It really made the trip. Emily and Joe shared with us the best local eats as well as beaches and hikes we never would have found on our own. Of course, our kids were enamored with their cousins, and can't wait to see them when they are out in San Diego later this summer.  On Friday morning, Ruby developed a terrible stomachache that she just couldn't possibly go to school with. Joey wouldn't dream of going to school without her. As soon as their dad gave in and told them they could stay home, the stomach magically cured. In fact, it started to feel much better when we offered to take them all out for Hawaiian bread and cocoa rice. Cousin party was on! Everywh...

Today we had the opportunity to go to the Polynesian Cultural Center. Melinda's been before, and it was just as fun and interesting and delightful and delicious as she remembered. The center is divided into "islands" where you can watch presentations about different polynesian cultures (with lots of dancing, singing, drumming and good humor). And, each village has fun activities. We smashed coconuts, wove coconut leaves, cheered for a boat parade and more. We even tried dancing with poi balls - though that really meant we just whacked ourselves with them a lot. They make it look so easy! Eleanor hasn't stopped flashing her shaka sign since she learned how to do it.   Learning how to weave coconut leaves.  Steven is showing off his new Maori tattoo. The Samoan village told Adelaide that  cracking coconuts was "man's work."  Her reply... let me at it.  The Hawaiian hula dancers were Adelaide's favorite part of the trip. Sh...