Hi Everyone.
I am late writing! That is because yesterday was such a busy day. I left around 8 to go to the bay area to see Collin Bradford and Katie (DeJong) Steiger. I left Jens at home with Natalie, and then Mike took a little time off in the afternoon to stay with him. It ended up being a really good thing because I got caught in traffic on the way there and on the way home! It was so fun to see both of them, though, and I thoroughly enjoyed my "day off".
This week was mostly our usual same. We did have the missionaries on Wednesday. I also went out in the boat with Natalie a few times, just with her and Jens. It was fun--we all got in and swam a little, which felt great. Jens really loves the boat! On Monday night after going out, we got back to the dock. Natalie and I were getting everything out of the boat and I told Jens to stay right by me. Of course, the little monkey ran away with no shoes on, so I was calling him to come back. He looked back at me (with a definite "ha ha look at me disobeying" look in his eyes) and fell off the dock into a (fortunately) empty boat slip. Also fortunately, he was still wearing his life jacket, which did just waht it was supposed to and turned him face up in the water. He was VERY alarmed, and I hope he learned his lesson about running away! I am horrified to think what could have happened if he hadn't been wearing his jacket still.
Saturday Natalie and I went to see "Hairspray" which we both enjoyed. It was a really fun show, and the songs and dancing were good. I would recommend it to anyone. Also on Saturday, I read Harry Potter, and as Jessie said, found it very satisfying.
Jens woke up sick yesterday, which is never fun. He felt so lousy that he watched a whole movie with Mike while I was gone (broken into parts, though--some before his nap, some after). He was up for about two hours in the middle of last night, so we are all very tired. I have a feeling we will be taking it easy today!
It was fun to hear from you all!
Love,
Alison
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
July 18th
Hi Everyone.
Yet another Wednesday is here. It is amazing how quickly time passes!
We have had a busy week. Last Thursday Mike and I went on a date to see the new Harry Potter movie. It was fun to go out and the movie was pretty good. I think my favorite is still the 3rd one, though. I am looking forward to the last book coming out! Jens stayed with Wendie, who is so nice and thinks Jens is really smart. She is almost like a surrogate grandma.
Friday we went to the concert in the park and had dinner with Natalie and JP. Jens likes the music, but after about ten minutes he just wants to run around and look at things, so it was kind of hard. we stayed for about an hour and then were tired of chasing and came home.
This weekend I cleaned both cars, the Camry because it is dirty, the Passat because we are trying to get rid of it. We have had a few sale options, but so far nothing has panned out. The CA government has a "car retirement" program where we can get a little money for it, so that might be our best option, as there is a long list of problems with the car.
Kristin came on Monday. Jens and I picked her and and Matisyn up at the airport. Jens was so excited because I put both two car seats in the back to go get them, and he kept saying "Mati's seat! Pick up Kristin and Mati at the airport!" We rode the escalators about fifteen times wwhile we were waiting for them, and Jens and Mati entertained each other happily in the back for the whole drive home. We went to Livermoor Park, where the kids played in the water feature until, sadly, Mike called to say his motorcycle had run out of gas on the way home and he had had to walk and could I come get him so he could gas it up and ride it home? Even worse, when we got to his bike someone had stopped (it was on a VERY busy street) and stolen his helmet, which he hung on the foot peg facing away from the street where no one could see it. I guess we are lucky his bike didn't get stolen, too. Mike is sure it will be up for sale on Craig's list or ebay soon. It is sad to think that some people are so dishonest.
Anyway, we had a fun night with Kristin and Mati. She and Jens played together so well. It is interesting to see his gentle side come out--he seems to know when kids are smaller and he needs to be careful. Yesterday we went to story time and the zoo with Kristin and Mati, then took them to meet Karen, Kristin's mom. It was an adventure, but we finally met up and dropped them off. Jens has been asking about both of them since. Jessie, he called Mati Abbie several times, and also called Kristin Aunt Jessie. It was really fun to see them both!
Today we have been doing a big clean, including all the laundry I've been putting off, unpacking the last box in the office, and rearranging the office so it is a little more guest friendly for next time we have company, which will be soon. Someone is coming to look at the Passat this afternoon and the missionaries are coming for dinner, which is always an event. We are having bbq beef--my first batch of the summer.
Hope you are all doing well.
Love,
Alison
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
July 11th
Hi Everyone!
Happy Birthday, Betty! I hope you are celebrating again.
We are home safe and sound and trying to get back into our normal routine. We really enjoyed the rest of our time with family in Utah. Wednesday Loren came down and that night we had a cookout and stayed for a few fireworks at the Bacons, then Loren, Mike, Jens, and I went down to the stadium to watch the BIG show. We were a little worried that Jens would hate it, but he loved it and has been talking about fireworks ever since ("More fireworks up in the sky? Noisy!"). It was a little late, so Jens fell asleep on my stomach while watching, which was a little unbelievable. The show was great, though.
Thursday we ran some errands and I got a haircut, then we went up to the cabin to be all together. Friday morning Mike, Jens, and I went to Salt Lake to see Loren's house and have breakfast with him. His house is cute, and I will send a few pictures. We spent the rest of the day at the cabin. Jens sure loves his cousins! He had a great time following them around. We also tried his first candy bar Friday and fell immediately in love. It was just a mini twix, but it had a strong impact!
Saturday we celebrated Betty's birthday and packed up to head home on Sunday. Mike and I were dreading the drive, and with good reason. It took so long! Jens screamed for probably an hour and a half of the drive (spread out, though, not all at once). And Nevada seemed to last forever. But we made it home safely, and everything was well here. Even my plants survived our absence.
This week we have been settling back in. Monday we grocery shopped and Tuesday we cleaned house and had JP and Natalie over for dinner. They showed off their beautiful Hawaii pictures and we felt sufficiently jealous.
This morning we suffered another car blow, this one delivered by my own hands. Our Camry, you know, our "good" car, lost its passenger side mirror to the garage. We were on our way to storytime, which, incidentally, Jens was VERY good for, and I backed out and knocked it off. It was one of those terrible, slow motion things, where I looked, realized I was too close, but my reactions weren't fast enough and I knocked it off before my very eyes while shouting "NO!" We will get it fixed. We found a mirror online for $45 instead of the dealer cost $200 and they will install it for us and just charge us labor, which will hopefully be less then $100. I am feeling very dumb and cranky about the whole thing.
Well, that is all from us. Have a happy week, everyone.
Love,
Alison
Happy Birthday, Betty! I hope you are celebrating again.
We are home safe and sound and trying to get back into our normal routine. We really enjoyed the rest of our time with family in Utah. Wednesday Loren came down and that night we had a cookout and stayed for a few fireworks at the Bacons, then Loren, Mike, Jens, and I went down to the stadium to watch the BIG show. We were a little worried that Jens would hate it, but he loved it and has been talking about fireworks ever since ("More fireworks up in the sky? Noisy!"). It was a little late, so Jens fell asleep on my stomach while watching, which was a little unbelievable. The show was great, though.
Thursday we ran some errands and I got a haircut, then we went up to the cabin to be all together. Friday morning Mike, Jens, and I went to Salt Lake to see Loren's house and have breakfast with him. His house is cute, and I will send a few pictures. We spent the rest of the day at the cabin. Jens sure loves his cousins! He had a great time following them around. We also tried his first candy bar Friday and fell immediately in love. It was just a mini twix, but it had a strong impact!
Saturday we celebrated Betty's birthday and packed up to head home on Sunday. Mike and I were dreading the drive, and with good reason. It took so long! Jens screamed for probably an hour and a half of the drive (spread out, though, not all at once). And Nevada seemed to last forever. But we made it home safely, and everything was well here. Even my plants survived our absence.
This week we have been settling back in. Monday we grocery shopped and Tuesday we cleaned house and had JP and Natalie over for dinner. They showed off their beautiful Hawaii pictures and we felt sufficiently jealous.
This morning we suffered another car blow, this one delivered by my own hands. Our Camry, you know, our "good" car, lost its passenger side mirror to the garage. We were on our way to storytime, which, incidentally, Jens was VERY good for, and I backed out and knocked it off. It was one of those terrible, slow motion things, where I looked, realized I was too close, but my reactions weren't fast enough and I knocked it off before my very eyes while shouting "NO!" We will get it fixed. We found a mirror online for $45 instead of the dealer cost $200 and they will install it for us and just charge us labor, which will hopefully be less then $100. I am feeling very dumb and cranky about the whole thing.
Well, that is all from us. Have a happy week, everyone.
Love,
Alison
Monday, July 9, 2007
I am . . .
Hmm. I think I need to reread Persuasion to see if this is really the case. I don't remember Anne Elliot too well . . .
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
July 4th
Happy Fourth of July, everyone!
We just got back from the big Provo parade, which was so fun. I like the 4th because it reminds me that I really am and should be grateful to live in the United States. We are truly blessed. Jens LOVED the parade. I was afraid he would want to run away and I would spend the whole time chasing him, but he was absolutely transfixed. He couldn't take his eyes away from anything, and it was loud enough and crowded enough that there was a little bit of fear mixed in, so he didn't want to run away. He was very disappointed when it was over and cried all the way to the car saying, "More parade?"
We are here in Utah. We drove on Friday, getting a good start at about 9:15. We made great time as we drove the Camry, which has more guts then our sad and decrepit VW. It also gets better gas mileage. Saturday we enjoyed seeing cousins and getting acclimated. Jens has been so great about settling in and sleeping well. He remembered Grandma and Grandpa's house this time, so he knew about all the fun toys and things to see. He has also quickly learned that if he wants to swing, he just has to ask Grandpa.
Sunday we went to two baby blessings, one for Eliza Annie Heaton, our newest Helquist niece, and one for Brody Thygerson, a good friend's baby. Jens was very hard all through sacrament meeting and was insistent about making loud declarations such as "Good job, Aunt Roofie!" (after Ruth bore her testimony) and "I have to go potty!" followed by a serious pooping face. We were very tired at the end!
Monday I had a "girl day" with Kristin. We went for a nice and quiet lunch, then saw a movie. (Nancy Drew--we figured that was as girly as they come--it was a kid movie, but funny and cute, especially if you have read the books.) And that night was had dinner with "the friends." Yesterday we tried to go to the pool. We were successful for about 15 minutes. The water was cold and Jens was very cranky.
That is all to report. We are enjoying seeing the family, and Jens is in seventh heaven with all the kids around. He is being pretty good, although I think he is getting a little worn down from so much excitement. I hope you are all enjoying your Fourth of July!
Love,
Alison
PS--Our skunk has followed us here. Last night the stench woke Mike who woke me to close the windows. It was so strong that we are still smelling it today. YUCK!
We just got back from the big Provo parade, which was so fun. I like the 4th because it reminds me that I really am and should be grateful to live in the United States. We are truly blessed. Jens LOVED the parade. I was afraid he would want to run away and I would spend the whole time chasing him, but he was absolutely transfixed. He couldn't take his eyes away from anything, and it was loud enough and crowded enough that there was a little bit of fear mixed in, so he didn't want to run away. He was very disappointed when it was over and cried all the way to the car saying, "More parade?"
We are here in Utah. We drove on Friday, getting a good start at about 9:15. We made great time as we drove the Camry, which has more guts then our sad and decrepit VW. It also gets better gas mileage. Saturday we enjoyed seeing cousins and getting acclimated. Jens has been so great about settling in and sleeping well. He remembered Grandma and Grandpa's house this time, so he knew about all the fun toys and things to see. He has also quickly learned that if he wants to swing, he just has to ask Grandpa.
Sunday we went to two baby blessings, one for Eliza Annie Heaton, our newest Helquist niece, and one for Brody Thygerson, a good friend's baby. Jens was very hard all through sacrament meeting and was insistent about making loud declarations such as "Good job, Aunt Roofie!" (after Ruth bore her testimony) and "I have to go potty!" followed by a serious pooping face. We were very tired at the end!
Monday I had a "girl day" with Kristin. We went for a nice and quiet lunch, then saw a movie. (Nancy Drew--we figured that was as girly as they come--it was a kid movie, but funny and cute, especially if you have read the books.) And that night was had dinner with "the friends." Yesterday we tried to go to the pool. We were successful for about 15 minutes. The water was cold and Jens was very cranky.
That is all to report. We are enjoying seeing the family, and Jens is in seventh heaven with all the kids around. He is being pretty good, although I think he is getting a little worn down from so much excitement. I hope you are all enjoying your Fourth of July!
Love,
Alison
PS--Our skunk has followed us here. Last night the stench woke Mike who woke me to close the windows. It was so strong that we are still smelling it today. YUCK!
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