Family Olympics, Primary talk & Time outs

Our kids LOVED watching the Summer Olympics. We were surprised how much they got into watching the "team show". One night Matt & I came up from the basement where we had been watching a movie in between events. What to our wondering eyes appeared, but Jay laying on the floor watching the women's marathon! We have no idea how long he had been there, but probably quite awhile. I wish I had a picture, because he had his arms propped behind his head and he informed us matter of factly that Romania had won the gold. Funny kid.
For one Family Home Evening activity we decided to have our own Olympics. J & A made posters with the Olympic rings, for our decorations. Our main events were the hurdles (jumping over a series of pillows) archery (shooting rubber bands at a target) and basketball/target practice (dropping bean bags into a plastic bin). It was a really fun night and the boys are still talking about their best scores and times.




Jay gave a talk on baptism in Primary last week (children's Sunday school.) He did a beautiful job and didn't need my help at all. The rest of the day and Monday he continued to recite it many times. In the car he asked "Do you want to hear about baptism Asher?" to which Asher replied, "No tanks, maybe next time." Jay will be a great missionary someday like his Uncle Seth.


Below is a series of the boys in time out. (They had gotten into a Costco tub of Tootsie Rolls while I was getting ready for church. Matt had already gone.) *Notice how younger brother A. likes to taunt older brother J. by sticking out his tongue.




Can't you just tell that Asher is feeling great remorse for his bad deed?

Bearwy dangerwous animals!

Last Sunday (Aug. 17th) we were hanging out and Asher comes bursting into the house saying "Guys, I found (fowned) a very (bearwy) dangerous animal outside! Matt and Jay followed him outside and Ash was talking rattlesnake and dangewous animals in our "own backyawd".

Matt went to the find spot and discovered a central plains milksnake (red, black, white) under our BBQ grill tarp that was on the ground. (NOT dangerous.) It was a big mean one, that had escaped a year ago. (It had actually gotten loose before and bitten two of my friends during a "Girls Night"- I'm still embarrassed about that night) Anyhow crazy huh?! Asher is an animal finder for sure!

Gone fishin'

We took the boys fishing last weekend-- the boys fished and I took pictures & read my book.
Jay opted to use his homemade rod (a stick with a fly,) and Asher used a Spiderman rod that was broken except for one eyelet. The boys caught lots of fish all on their own and with the help of dad too.

Jay letting Ridge touch his fish. R. loved it. Another fisherman in the making...
Disclaimer: Matt put those blue socks on Ridge with the green crocs, not me.



One of the things we love about Ridge is that if you are stationary anywhere he likes to back in to our lap and sit right where we are. Especially with Matt. Whenever Matt gets home from work R. books it to daddy and won't let him out of his sight.


Oh the adventures these two have in store!





The fisher"men" in action


Asher found this live crayfish all by himself


Matt helping Ash with his catch, while Ridge looks on with his P.B. sandwich

Jay's "new" room

Yesterday we were cleaning up our basement. It is the space where the kids reign supreme and it's basically always cluttered with their toys. Jay had created & stocked his "basement room" complete with clothing and snacks. The couch pillows were walls and the bean bags were a pillow. ??? O.K.

I had been wondering where ALL his clean underwear was disappearing to as well as 2 pairs of shoes. I didn't get a picture but inside the firetruck was a huge pile of clothes, shoes, toys & wrappers of all sorts. His aquarium night light which is a favorite (thanks G & G Hand) was his t.v. The kid is a pack rat.

Matt in Walla Walla WA

When Matt has to go out of town for work, he always finds something to fill up his spare time. He says it's so his time away from us goes by faster. (We are truly that fantastic.) Although if we lived closer to fly fishing streams, I'm sure he'd come up with another reason to go fishing any spare moment he had.

These are both self portraits. Lovin' the headlamp in the first one, for his night fishing.


In this one you can see part of the backpack he propped the camera on. I wish I had a picture or video of him staging this one.

Where does the time go?

You can probably tell from this picture, that Jay was very excited to start Kindergarten today.
At his school all the kids wear the same "First Day of School Shirt." You could spot them a mile away. He loved it!



After much internal debate, I agreed to let Jay ride the bus to school. (I did follow him though, baby steps for me.)


Getting on the bus. (I am at this point, crying but trying to be happy at the same time.) He was so excited it was hard to not be excited for him also.



In the classroom


Asher loved spending a few minutes in Kindergarten as well. He starts Pre-school next week. The hits just keep on coming.


The main entrance to our beautiful school. Have you ever noticed that when you go into a school you feel young (probably from past memories,) but also old? Maybe it's just me.



When I asked Jay what I was going to do with him gone at school EVERY day he responded "You'll take care of the other two kids. Two kids are easier then three kids right mom?" I guess he is pretty good at math.

We love you Jay our miracle baby!

Distraction

My Uncle Vance sent me this quote and it is ringing true to me this week in particular:

I believe there are times in your life when, because of your righteousness and your determination to do what is right, Satan will not be able to deflect you into serious transgression. He will switch then to the strategy of placing before you a banquet of good and worthwhile things to do, meant to distract you from those that are the most important and essential to accomplish in your life.

Richard G. Scott - Brigham Young University - 12 September 1999.

I'm working on not "being in the thick of thin things." (props to Carie S. for that gem)

New Mexico Take 3

Sean watches on as Brenna & Seth do some late night yoga


Seth has skills!


The Jenkins Family



We girls love our dad!


Jayden, Seth, Brent, Sean & Daisy


Chloe & Jay

The Enchantress goes to Maui

Who knew they named a store after me?!

Here are all the girls (plus Rob) having lunch at Tommy Bahama courtesy of Dad Jeppson. All I have to do is think about that food, and I'm suddenly hungry! Pina colada cake or Barbados brownie anyone?

Some pictures from our San Diego trip

This week Matt is in Walla Walla, WA for work so to help the time go by, I am trying to get up to date on my blog. We are fortunate to have had such fun trips so close together. San Diego, New Mexico, Hawaii. No wonder I'm behind!

It's amusing to me that I am so much better about journaling our lives through a blog then with pen & paper. I think it excites me just a little bit to know this will be a book that will make up some of our stories. I also love that I don't have to do any cutting or gluing of pictures/paper.

San Diego Trip May 2008
At the K.C. airport waiting for the non-stop flight to S.D. Anything non-stop is great, especially with kidlets.


The family at Sea World watching the Shamu show. If you look behind Matt's head, the white ball cap is Sam.




La Jolla


Through one of Matt's herpetological connections we met up with Jeff Lemm who works for the San Diego Zoo/Wild Animal Park. He graciously gave us free tickets to both, and pointers on the animals to see first when you go to the zoo. (The Pandas and Polar Bears.) They are awake and waiting to be fed. We were rewarded for our efforts to book it to the back of the zoo first thing:



Behind the scenes tour with Jeff Lemm & his son Matthew. I can't remember the name of this rare iguana, but will put the name in when I find out.





Jay thinks this is a glossy snake. He and Matt went road cruising many times.