Cousin Lovin

This summer was chock full of cousin love.  We had cousins visit us from Dietrich, Texas, Florida, and even Virginia!

 Whether it was snuggling up on the couch after a long day in the water....

 ...jumping on the bed at Grandma Jensen's "cousin party"....
(Daniel and James Jensen- Texas)

 ...being buddies on fun day trips...
(Addison and James did A TON of things together... they were buddies!)

 ...eating together...
(James Jensen- Texas)

 ....waiting for a train....
(Ali Smith-Dietrich)

 ... having a sleepover....
(Loni Bingham-Virginia)

or... eating Popsicles poolside...

(Weston Jensen- Florida)

We just couldn't get enough of our cousins this summer!  Addison and Brogan love ALL of their cousins and talk about them constantly. 

Summer Storms

I usually love a good summer storm.  I like the smell rain hitting dry dirt, and love watching lightning streak across the sky.  However, this summer we experienced a total windstorm that I was not a fan of.  

Stewart was working late so the kids and I decided to walk to cooks, rent a movie and grab some dinner from the deli.  It looked a little gloomy out, but it wasn't windy. It looked like it would take awhile for the storm to roll in, so we braved it.  As SOON as we got to cooks the power went out.  I thought, oh great, better make our way home quickly.  As SOON as I walked out the door the biggest gusts of wind started blowing!  It was blowing dirt and branches so hard that you couldn't hardly see!  There I was stuck in a powerless cooks with two kids in a double stroller.  Stewart was only in Burley and they were going to close cooks.  Thankfully one of the guys who worked there (who I went to high school with)  Offered to  give me and the kids a ride home.  I was SO grateful to him!  When we got home I decided to run back to cooks and grab the stroller.  As I drove the four blocks to and from the store, these are the pictures I snapped.  HOLY STORM!

The kids and I sat in the dark, powerless house and listened to the sirens of police cars and firetrucks.  It was a bit scary, and I was wishing Stewart was home to comfort me, but I was glad I had my babies curled up with me.  It was a storm to remember!

Summer=Water

Our whole summer revolved around water.  My kids can not get enough of it.  This is a water fight that was particularly fun.  It started with the little kids, then got out of control!  My sister in law Cheryl is quite the character.  It amazes me how well she just fits right into the family... like she's been here all along!   

 We took my grandparent's paddle boat down to dog creek and did a little cooling off.  Addison asked me everyday after this to go to Dog Creek to swim.  It was a blast!

 Brogan was Grandpa's buddy.  He had a lifejacket on, but it just drove him too crazy!  He was SO much happier to be able to swim without it!

 A cute picture of the cousins getting dry on the dock.  What a great time!

New Fridge

My parent's got a brand new stainless steel fridge this summer, so we got their new hand-me-down fridge.  I was just a little excited for the up grade ;)  Thanks Mom and Dad!

Family Picture Time!

This summer both my brothers came home with their families.  It was such a great time.  I wish they just lived here, that would be awesome!  While everyone was home we had a family picture session on my parent's newly finished porch stairs.  I think they turned out all right.

My kids would not behave without holding a kitty (those are Addison's "babies").

 Eventually Addison had to have a kitty and be standing on her own.

 Stewart was a little annoyed that we had to have kittys in our family picture, so I pretended to ease his pain.

 Our whole Jensen family (minus Uncle Jon).  A pretty good looking group!

 At the end of all the attempts of picture taking, this is what all the adults felt like.  (The kids weren't quite sure what was happening).

 Grandma and Grandpa Jensen with all the kids (crying or not!) :)

 Addison sportin her shades.  She's pretty cool

 Brogan and his best buddy!

Krista's Reception

Krista and Brian had the most beautiful reception!  

 This is the closest thing to a decent picture these two will take together  :)

 Look how long Addison's hair was.  So gorgeous!

 Of course Brogan was wet before the night was over...

...and Addison ended up with her skirt around her neck... but the kids had so much fun.

 They had super yummy cupcakes in place of a traditional cake, but they still wanted a cake top for their 1 year anniversary.  I made this simple white cake top for them (hope it tastes good!) 

 I like this picture.  It's very realistically us, just a couple of goof balls.

 THIS is where Brogan spent the better part of the night.  Those treats were just within his reach, and he didn't mind it that way!

Krista gets Married!

Brian and Krista Stephenson  The happy couple got married in the Manti temple.  We went down the night before and enjoyed the whole trip!  

 Addison was SOOO excited, she got to go IN the temple!  (They let her go into the waiting room) but it was a special experience for her.

 These are two of my favorite people!  

 My sweet little family

 Brogan was precious smelling the flowers

 So proud to go to the Temple

 Manti, Utah

 I LOVE this man!

 At the luncheon after the wedding, they fed us well.  Addison really enjoyed the cake!  HAHA!  Too good.

 My sweet little man

Krista gets Engaged

This is my cousin Krista.  She is pretty awesome.  We did a lot together growing up (including a lot of getting in trouble).  She went with me to market every week in the summer, and we came up with a crayzay summer bucket list (which included touching a random tree in the middle of some guys field on the drive home from market, jumping off bridges, and crazy early morning black Friday shopping). The thing I remember most, is that it was always a good time with Krista! 

Krista did another crazy thing this year.  She got hitched!  I was so stoked to be able to throw her a bridal shower.  (of course we added a little crazy and made it a lingerie shower).  She made quite a haul! 

Of course, we couldn't just stop with a simple shower.  After the shower us "younger gals" paraded Krista out to dinner for a "bachelorette party".

This is about as crazy as it got.  :)

Okay- maybe it got a little more insane ;)

Summer Re-cap

As Promised,  I will re-cap the summer for you.  

When I think of the things we did this summer, this is what I see...

Our backyard, our swimming pool, and our dog Emmett.  

Seems like we were in the pool EVERY day this summer (even when children were not supposed to get wet, or fully clothed... minor details).

 Lots of Popsicles

 Hanging out in Grandma's pool with family

 Driving Grandma's gator!  

Addison is a SUPER good driver in this thing, and low speed just doesn't do!  She takes after her momma ;)  And Brogan prefers just to bum rides from people who don't get stuck.