Hello Everyone!
We are in beautiful Utah, where spring is in full swing. It is fun because spring is sort of coming to a close in California, and here everything is in full bloom. We are excited to be here for Loren's big day, and we are all expecting some big announcement about his future plans. (ha ha)
We have had a rough week--Jens started getting sick on Thursday, although I didn't know it that day. I should have guessed when I spent the whole morning (9 to 1) with Jens hanging on my leg whining and/or crying. We did manage storytime, although it ended with a tantrum from Jens. To top that terrible day off, I forgot about my book club, which I had been looking forward too. I was very disappointed. The book we read was "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls, and it was just fascinating. I really wanted to go and talk about it with some grown ups! Friday Jens woke up with a full blown cold and I realized the reason for his extremely irritating and horrendous behavior. I was relieved to know there was an explanation, but sad that he got sick just in time for our trip.
We drove to Utah on Saturday--Jens threw up once, so the whole car smelled terrible, but he was very good overall and we made good time. It was nice to get here while it was still light out. Jens was automatically drawn to Grandma and Grandpa. Sunday morning Jens woke up and the first thing he said was "Grandpa?" We had some nice family time on Sunday, although we missed seeing the Bacons, who were at home with the barfs. We still haven't seen them, and are feeling a little worried that we aren't going to see them at all on this trip! We saw Loren on Sunday night, and he was alsoa big hit with Jens. Jens insisted that Loren read scriptures and brush teeth instead of anyone else. That night when I was putting him to bed I told Jens that we were all going to sleep at Grandma and Granpa's house--Mommy, Daddy, Casey, Jens, Grandma, and Grandpa. Jens immediately said "Loren??"
Mike had to work Monday and Tuesday, but we managed dinner with friends both mights, and I spent Tuesday with Kristin, going for lunch and wandering around the mall. It was nice. Today Loren and I picked up Gram at the airport and walked around temple square. It was so beautiful! The flowers are at their peak and the air is so fragrant.
Jessie, I enjoyed the picture game and was grratified that I knew the answer. Notice I say knew, because I was sure I was right! Your girls sure are cute. We will miss you this week! I have had a hard time realizing that you aren't coming out!
Have a happy week, everyone.
Love,
Alison
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
April 18th
Hi Everyone.
We have had an exciting week due to the purchase of a . . . SANDBOX! Jens is so in love. He has already spent hours in it, even though we got it on Friday and didn't play in it Saturday (rainy) or Sunday. It is all he seems to think about, and he usually talks about it first when he wakes up. He doesn't want to come in for meals if he is playing in it, and he has already lost at least half of a bag of sand. It is making my days pretty easy, but a little boring.
His latest fun phrase is "Sogood," and yes, that is without a space. He picked it up from me because I was showing him how to smell flowers and saying "It smells SO good!" So now he likes to "smell" the flowers in our yard and say "Sogood!" He also applies it to the primary song where it says "a popcorn ball that would smell so sweet." He always puts in sogood instead.
Sunday we were invited to dinner by a really nice family in the ward. They have 5 boys, one of who is 2. Jens was in heaven.
Monday I went to a birthday lunch for Natalie. It was sort of last minute, so I tried desperately all morning to find someone to take Jens, but couldn't find anyone, so he had to come. I was so stressed out and he was SOGOOD! He was cute and charming, very excited about hugging Natalie's arm at various times throughout the meal. He ate, played with trucks, and didn't throw a single tantrum. He sat happily in his highchair for an hour and fifteen minutes (UNHEARD of!), and when we finally left, everyone said how great he was. This doesn't happen often, so I am still glowing.
Yesterday we laid low all day, which means that Jens played in his sandbox for four hours. Also in Jens news, we have switched down to one nap at last. Yesterday was the first try out, and it went well. He had a rest in the morning but didn't sleep, then napped from 2-4 and went to bed by 8:30. It was nice. We are trying again, but I am visiting teaching at 2, which means he is going to nap afterwards, which means he will be tired and cranky during. Sigh.
This is a very Jens-y letter. He must absorb most of my attention or something. We are leaving for UT on Saturday and are looking forward to seeing everyone.
Have a happy week!
Love,
Alison
We have had an exciting week due to the purchase of a . . . SANDBOX! Jens is so in love. He has already spent hours in it, even though we got it on Friday and didn't play in it Saturday (rainy) or Sunday. It is all he seems to think about, and he usually talks about it first when he wakes up. He doesn't want to come in for meals if he is playing in it, and he has already lost at least half of a bag of sand. It is making my days pretty easy, but a little boring.
His latest fun phrase is "Sogood," and yes, that is without a space. He picked it up from me because I was showing him how to smell flowers and saying "It smells SO good!" So now he likes to "smell" the flowers in our yard and say "Sogood!" He also applies it to the primary song where it says "a popcorn ball that would smell so sweet." He always puts in sogood instead.
Sunday we were invited to dinner by a really nice family in the ward. They have 5 boys, one of who is 2. Jens was in heaven.
Monday I went to a birthday lunch for Natalie. It was sort of last minute, so I tried desperately all morning to find someone to take Jens, but couldn't find anyone, so he had to come. I was so stressed out and he was SOGOOD! He was cute and charming, very excited about hugging Natalie's arm at various times throughout the meal. He ate, played with trucks, and didn't throw a single tantrum. He sat happily in his highchair for an hour and fifteen minutes (UNHEARD of!), and when we finally left, everyone said how great he was. This doesn't happen often, so I am still glowing.
Yesterday we laid low all day, which means that Jens played in his sandbox for four hours. Also in Jens news, we have switched down to one nap at last. Yesterday was the first try out, and it went well. He had a rest in the morning but didn't sleep, then napped from 2-4 and went to bed by 8:30. It was nice. We are trying again, but I am visiting teaching at 2, which means he is going to nap afterwards, which means he will be tired and cranky during. Sigh.
This is a very Jens-y letter. He must absorb most of my attention or something. We are leaving for UT on Saturday and are looking forward to seeing everyone.
Have a happy week!
Love,
Alison
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
April 11th
Hi Everyone!
I hope you enjoyed a nice Easter. We certainly had a lovely time, and Jens liked hunting eggs and especially eating candy. Primary was great because only four of our kids were there, but we found, surprisingly, that it was almost as hard with four as it was with everyone. Sunday night I went out with Natalie in a boat she and JP were thinking about buying and in fact, bought yesterday. JP is in Tiawan, so she wanted someone to come with her and Sunday night was the only night the guy could take us out. The boat was very nice and we are looking forward to riding in it this summer! Afterwards Natalie came down and had dinner with us. I made the Spring Green Soup from the cook book as well as slushy fruit salad (also in the cook book) and it was delicious. I really like leeks, I must say.
Last week we went to story time on Thursday. Mike got Jens ready and Jens got to wear his bulldozer shirt, which Grammy got him. Between the shirt and going to story time, he was so excited we thought he was going to explode. Friday we went to Livermore Park with Natalie and the Harrisons, which has a fun waterfall and water play area. It took Jens a while to get into it, but he had fun. Saturday we went back for a bbq with the Nielsens and the Harrisons and Cosmo and his wife. Okay, actually it is the quy who was Cosmo while Mike and I were at BYU. He is no longer a furry cougar mascot, but rather another Intel geek. It was a nice day and we enjoyed it in spite of a scarey Jens running down to the road and almost into it moment.
Monday was Natalie's birthday, so she came down for dinner again and we had cheesecake--yum. Needless to say, with all this cheesecake and Easter candy, I am not being a very healthy eater!
Jens has been especially challanging this week--he has turned very whiney/tantrummy, which isn't very fun. He dug up some of my vegetable plants and has turned picky eater--only white foods seem to meet his expectations. In spite of all the hitting, complaining, and the incessant crying, he has still managed to do a few cute things. He is getting in to pretending--yesterday we went to the zoo and he walked on a stone wall pretending to be a train, and at lunch he lined up his orange sections and made them into a train. Most of his pretending, in fact, has to do with trains. He is also very interested in things that are noisy, and he has found that he himself can be noisy, which we delights in. His new favorite little game is "Peek-a-lou!" Which cracks me up--I know I should prabably correct him, but the "lou" is so cute.
Okay, that is all from here. I am sending a picture of my cute Easter tree that I made this year. Other Easter pictures are on Helquist.com.
Love,
Alison
I hope you enjoyed a nice Easter. We certainly had a lovely time, and Jens liked hunting eggs and especially eating candy. Primary was great because only four of our kids were there, but we found, surprisingly, that it was almost as hard with four as it was with everyone. Sunday night I went out with Natalie in a boat she and JP were thinking about buying and in fact, bought yesterday. JP is in Tiawan, so she wanted someone to come with her and Sunday night was the only night the guy could take us out. The boat was very nice and we are looking forward to riding in it this summer! Afterwards Natalie came down and had dinner with us. I made the Spring Green Soup from the cook book as well as slushy fruit salad (also in the cook book) and it was delicious. I really like leeks, I must say.
Last week we went to story time on Thursday. Mike got Jens ready and Jens got to wear his bulldozer shirt, which Grammy got him. Between the shirt and going to story time, he was so excited we thought he was going to explode. Friday we went to Livermore Park with Natalie and the Harrisons, which has a fun waterfall and water play area. It took Jens a while to get into it, but he had fun. Saturday we went back for a bbq with the Nielsens and the Harrisons and Cosmo and his wife. Okay, actually it is the quy who was Cosmo while Mike and I were at BYU. He is no longer a furry cougar mascot, but rather another Intel geek. It was a nice day and we enjoyed it in spite of a scarey Jens running down to the road and almost into it moment.
Monday was Natalie's birthday, so she came down for dinner again and we had cheesecake--yum. Needless to say, with all this cheesecake and Easter candy, I am not being a very healthy eater!
Jens has been especially challanging this week--he has turned very whiney/tantrummy, which isn't very fun. He dug up some of my vegetable plants and has turned picky eater--only white foods seem to meet his expectations. In spite of all the hitting, complaining, and the incessant crying, he has still managed to do a few cute things. He is getting in to pretending--yesterday we went to the zoo and he walked on a stone wall pretending to be a train, and at lunch he lined up his orange sections and made them into a train. Most of his pretending, in fact, has to do with trains. He is also very interested in things that are noisy, and he has found that he himself can be noisy, which we delights in. His new favorite little game is "Peek-a-lou!" Which cracks me up--I know I should prabably correct him, but the "lou" is so cute.
Okay, that is all from here. I am sending a picture of my cute Easter tree that I made this year. Other Easter pictures are on Helquist.com.
Love,
Alison
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
April 4
Hi Everyone!
Hope you had a lovely April Fool's/Collin's birthday. We certainly enjoyed it, especially because we got to watch conference and didn't have to teach primary.
It has been beautiful here this past week, which means we have spent lots of time outside. Jens and I went to the zoo where the highlight was sitting at a picnic table watching a bobcat. No, not an animal type bobcat, a construction machine type bobcat. I think we sat there for at least 20 minutes. Jens loved every minute, even though the bobcat was far away and the view was partially obstructed. He is a true truck boy, much like his Uncle Peter was at one point. We also enjoyed story time this week, as well as a big two hour playtime at Harrison's house. As we were leaving, I asked Jens if he wanted to give Harrison a hug. The two boys ran and hugged each other so tight I was afraid they were going to fall down and start wrestling. It was very cute.
Saturday we watched morning conference and then went and looked at some more lovely model homes. They were really nice and ALMOST affordable. If anyone has a spare $60,000-70,000, we will take it off your hands! (That just shows you what almost affordable means :) We also watched a whole lot of basketball.
Sunday, we conferenced and parked. It was a nice day and we were there at the right time to watch the little train run, which makes Jens very happy. I also gave haircuts to both of my boys. Jens looks great. Mike hates his haircut, but hey, I cut it straight and it is what it is.
The rest of the time we have been hanging out. Oh--in special news, I have a potted gerbera daisy, which I have had for going on the third blooming season and it has 12 that's TWELVE buds/blooms on it. It is so cute! Last year I got one measly flower out of it! Apparently it likes Folsom. Also, I am making meatloaf tonight, which doesn't seem exciting, but I am excited because it is a new recipe which sounds good, and I do like a good meatloaf, and I have been known to make a very bland one.
One more thing. I am making Cafe Rio style taco salad on Monday for a friend's birthday. I have recipes for the barbacoa pork, the rice, and the dressing, but I don't know how the salad is actually put together. Is the tortilla warm? Cooked? Fried? I am sort of remembering that is is put in the pan first with some cheese on it, but then I have no idea what follows. If anyone knows, please tell me. Also, can you freeze rice after it has been cooked?
That's all from me. Have a wonderful Easter, everyone. It will be momentous because I think I am going to let Jens have (gasp) a couple of jelly beans. Yes, candy will pass his innocent lips. Sigh. I am becoming a softie.
Love,
Alison
Hope you had a lovely April Fool's/Collin's birthday. We certainly enjoyed it, especially because we got to watch conference and didn't have to teach primary.
It has been beautiful here this past week, which means we have spent lots of time outside. Jens and I went to the zoo where the highlight was sitting at a picnic table watching a bobcat. No, not an animal type bobcat, a construction machine type bobcat. I think we sat there for at least 20 minutes. Jens loved every minute, even though the bobcat was far away and the view was partially obstructed. He is a true truck boy, much like his Uncle Peter was at one point. We also enjoyed story time this week, as well as a big two hour playtime at Harrison's house. As we were leaving, I asked Jens if he wanted to give Harrison a hug. The two boys ran and hugged each other so tight I was afraid they were going to fall down and start wrestling. It was very cute.
Saturday we watched morning conference and then went and looked at some more lovely model homes. They were really nice and ALMOST affordable. If anyone has a spare $60,000-70,000, we will take it off your hands! (That just shows you what almost affordable means :) We also watched a whole lot of basketball.
Sunday, we conferenced and parked. It was a nice day and we were there at the right time to watch the little train run, which makes Jens very happy. I also gave haircuts to both of my boys. Jens looks great. Mike hates his haircut, but hey, I cut it straight and it is what it is.
The rest of the time we have been hanging out. Oh--in special news, I have a potted gerbera daisy, which I have had for going on the third blooming season and it has 12 that's TWELVE buds/blooms on it. It is so cute! Last year I got one measly flower out of it! Apparently it likes Folsom. Also, I am making meatloaf tonight, which doesn't seem exciting, but I am excited because it is a new recipe which sounds good, and I do like a good meatloaf, and I have been known to make a very bland one.
One more thing. I am making Cafe Rio style taco salad on Monday for a friend's birthday. I have recipes for the barbacoa pork, the rice, and the dressing, but I don't know how the salad is actually put together. Is the tortilla warm? Cooked? Fried? I am sort of remembering that is is put in the pan first with some cheese on it, but then I have no idea what follows. If anyone knows, please tell me. Also, can you freeze rice after it has been cooked?
That's all from me. Have a wonderful Easter, everyone. It will be momentous because I think I am going to let Jens have (gasp) a couple of jelly beans. Yes, candy will pass his innocent lips. Sigh. I am becoming a softie.
Love,
Alison
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