Toddler Adventures

What do you do when time passes way too fast and your little boy is almost two? I haven't blogged about Rylan for almost six months. I was starting to have major guilt and anxiety over it. I mean he is just so cute and he is doing so many fun things. I decided to pull up my Smilebox program and put about twenty pictures into a layout I could live with. I mean who wants to scroll through twenty pictures? That's kind of a LOL statement coming from me and my blog. I was trying to figure out how I could do one post over the last six months. Then I remembered that you can save layouts in Smilebox as JPEGS. So this is my new attempt at overdoing picture posts.

Rylan will be two in a couple of weeks. It's gone by so fast. About six months ago, he really started to understand what I was saying to him. The first layout is of him with one of his sister's flip flops on. I told him to get his shoes on because we were going bye bye. I did this just to see what would happen. You can see the result in the first picture. Now he can almost put on his own sandals, putting straps through loops and all. He says quite a few words now, but the phrases he is saying are, " I see you" and "where are you". He always says "thank you" and he loves to beg with "pease pease". He loves to call me "mommy" and John "daddy". He's been saying Aubree's name for quite some time now. We're waiting to hear him say his own name. He folds his arms for prayers and mumbles words as if he's saying the prayer. He loves to finish with a big "amen" at the end.

Rylan is so much fun and it's just amazing what he is picking up now. I will miss this age and all of the new discoveries that Rylan is making. I'm so glad that I get to share them everyday with my little "Bud Bud".

Jensen Easter April 2011

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Aubree Adventures

Aubree had some good times these past few months. Here are a few of the highlights. She went to the County Fair with her father a few days ago and played some of the games. She won this huge banana by herself on the ring toss. Apparently she has pretty good aim. She also won several other stuffed animals below herself. I guess the Wii carnival games was a good or bad purchase. I haven't decided yet. We also have some pictures of her with a very cool lizard that our neighbor found in the neighborhood. It was a cute little guy that didn't squirm when held. Aubree loves the outdoors and all of the creatures that she finds outside. This was a real treat for her. We also went to a mother/daughter 50's night for Girl Scouts. We borrowed some costumes from Annabell our wonderful neighbor. She actually sewed them for another event that her girls attended. I'm so thankful that she let us borrow them because I never could have pulled this off myself. Childhood is so fun. I'm glad that I get to enjoy it again with my own children.

Aubree with her giant banana prize.

These are the other prizes she won
by herself.

Rylan liked the giant "Nana."

Aubree with a cute Lizard find.

He has spikes around his head.

He looks like a mini dinorsaur.

Our girls scout mother/daughter

50's dance costumes.

Aubree's Baptism Highlights

Aubree was baptized a member of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints on March 19, 2011 by her father. We went to northern Utah for the baptism so that more family could attend. We had lots of family come and support Aubree. It was fun to see everyone and they helped make the day even more special for Aubree. Aubree was baptized and confirmed in Logan, Utah in her Grandpa and Grandma Jensen's Stake building. It was a very old building but the Spirit still felt the same. It was also a much colder day then it was back home with the temperature around 45 degrees. The sky was gray and light snowflakes started to fall before the baptism. The program was made up completely of family members except for Bishop Matthew Hyde who presided and conducted. Uncle Scott Jensen gave the opening prayer followed by a spotlight of Aubree given by Aunt Kimberly Curl. Grandpa Anthony Hal Berry gave the talk on the the importance of baptism, while Grandpa Robert Jensen gave a talk on the Holy Ghost. This was followed by the musical number, "When I Am Baptized," performed by Rachel, Clara, Joshua, and Aubree Jensen. Of course John performed the baptismal ordinance and confirmation. Aunt Debra Ashcroft gave the closing prayer. The confirmation circle consisted of John Jensen, Robert Jensen, Anthony Hal Berry, Bruce Ashcroft, Scott Jensen, Todd Jensen, Eric Ashcroft, Brett McGettigan and Bishop Matthew Hyde. This baptism confirmed my testimony of the importance of family. I'm so glad that we get to continue our families beyond this life. Every year we get to participate in more and more ordinances for our family and extended families. It's so neat to see so many of us magnifying our faith and staying strong in the gospel. I know I will continue to do my part to help keep my eternal family keeping their covenants.

Aubree and John before the baptism.

Jensen family picture.

Aubree being a good example for her brother.

Aubree with Grandma Peggy

and Grandpa Bob.

Grandma Lynda and Grandpa Hal.

Aubree with cousins Kiah, Jackson,

Trent, Rachel, Clara, and Joshua.

Aubree in confirmation dress.

Aubree with cousin Kiah.

Aubree and Aunts Kim and Angie. A few of the special gifts she received. Trent and Joshua. A sweet innocent picture of my little angel.

Smelling fake flowers :)

Dress without jacket.

In Grandma and Grandpa's court yard.

A few days after the baptism

Aubree tried skiing for the first time

at Wolf mountain ski resort in Ogden Canyon.

We went skiing with Kiah, My sister's fiance Jason Savage

and John.

Aubree on the magic carpet lift.

She had a great time.

I went despite having a rough time with my rental skiis. I couldn't bend my knees and kept

losing my balance. I even went off on an advance trail by myself and got lost. I took my skiis off to walk up the mountain to see the name of the trail. I slipped and started sliding

down the steep mountain very fast toward some large pine trees. It felt like I was sliding off a roof. It was really scary. I prayed that I wouldn't hit the trees at a high rate of speed. I turned over on my stomach and was able to stop. I think this is the trick to stopping when your skiis have popped off. Believe me I still thank the Lord for helping me realize this in the nick of time. I thank my sister's fiance Jason for helping me get down the mountain. He kept me calm and hiked up the very steep mountain to retrieve my phone and skiis. I will always be grateful to him. I learned a hard lesson to always study the mountain trails before you get on a ski lift. It was very fun despite almost losing or severely injuring my life.

Rylan's First Time In Nursery

I just can't believe how fast time has flown! Rylan started nursery at our church at the beginning of January. He looked like a little stud muffin in his tie and vest. He did pretty well, not crying at all despite the fact that all the other kids were crying hysterically. I took some pictures because I was in nursery with Aubree for about a year and never got any pictures. It's such a milestone for those of us in the LDS church. You're helping your child to start their spiritual journey through life. You're leading the horse to water as they say. I hope Rylan will continue to "drink" of the gospel for the rest of his life. The gospel of Jesus Christ has helped me become the person that I am today. I am grateful to my parents, teachers and leaders that have helped me througout my own spiritual journey. I'm grateful that the gospel helps keep me focused on what is most important in life.

Aubree turns eight in February. She will be baptized in March. She is such a good little girl. She keeps me on track, letting me know what is appropriate for Sunday. I don't think she will have any problems with temptation in her life. I think she is one of the strong ones saved for the Latter-Days. She sure is stubborn but I think that is for a reason. She's not going to be a pushover ever in her life. I'm glad that I've been chosen to help Aubree and Rylan have the best opportunity to return to live with our Heavenly Father some day. I won't take this important job lightly.

Rylan coloring his first picture in nursery.

Rylan's nursery class.

Notice how all the kids are sitting down

except for Rylan.

Nursery is so fun. We get to play with toys.

I even get to play with balls.

Aubree's Girl Scout Cookie Store Is Open

Aubree is selling Girl Scout cookies.

She would love to sell you some.

Even if it's just one box.

You can also buy a box for our charity.

We are collecting boxes for a troop

at our local Air Force base.

The boxes are $4.00 per box.

She has:

Lemon Chalet Creams

Trefoils

Do-Si-Dos

Samoas

Tagalongs

Thin Mints

She is selling them now through the beginning of March.

This is a good opportunity for her to learn

money management skills, people skills, responsibility, and organizational skills.

So I'm getting the word out but she will actually handle everything.

A Ride On The Polar Express

Last week we were able to ride "The Polar Express Train" in Williams, Arizona. It's the same train that you take to the Grand Canyon in the summer. We had a little bit of a scary drive getting there. It snowed quite a bit as we got closer to Flagstaff. Luckily we had our 4x4 Durango to get us there safely. It was very exciting to have some snow for our train ride. It gave us a more authentic experience, but man was it cold! We're not used to that kind of cold back home! We could only get tickets for a Thursday night at 8:00 pm, and we made reservations at the beginning of November. It's a very popular attraction for families. I guess it just adds to the authenticity of the whole experience. After all the main characters of the movie are in their pajamas awoken from their beds. We enjoyed the train ride very much. They did a good job matching the book and movie as well as they could. Overall, I would highly recommend it if you are able to go. Kids that love the movie or trians will really have a good time.

We also went to the Mesa Temple lights in Mesa on our way home. That was a really neat family experience for everyone who needs a little reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. We really enjoyed the lights as a family and are very glad that we took the opportunity to see all of the Christmas displays. We hope to make it a family Christmas tradition.

At the train depot in Williams, AZ



Aubree was excited for the snow.

The train depot.

John and Aubree right before we got on the train.

The train just before our train.

We're excited to ride the Polar Express.

Aubree giving her ticket.

On the Polar Express ready to get to the North Pole.

Santa joined our train and gave the kids their bells.

The view of our train car.

The kids getting their tickets punched.

Aubree thought that was pretty cool.

We were all quite tired by the end of the ride.

Aubree with her bell, wondering if it was all a dream.

John and Aubree having a snowball fight

the next morning.

I think Aubree won.

Rylan's first snow.

This is what he really thinks of snow.

That's my Arizona boy for you.

A replica of the Polar Express.

Enjoying Christmas lights through the

eyes of a child enjoying them for the first time.

Rylan got a kick out this door

that was just his size.

He didn't get a kick out of it

just being for display purposes.

A replica of one of the houses in the movie.

Can you find Aubree in this picture?

Rylan discovering the Polar Express train.

He's really into trains now.

This was a real treat for him.

We decided to take a scenic drive through Sedona, AZ.

Aubree was able to make a snowman

at this rest stop.

The mountains around Sedona are totally

amazing. A drive through Sedona gives

you one of those natural highs. It's so neat

and totally free, unlike the national parks. Sedona

must be the inspiration for "Cars" the movie.

You can hike up the side of this mountain.

On our way home we decide to stop at

The Mesa temple to enjoy the Christmas lights.

The beautiful manger scene at the temple.

Aubree had the camera for a while and

took these pictures.

Some of the many beautiful lights on display.

Aubree took this picture. We had a great mini vacation.