Boys B Day

The boys turned 9 this year. Still can't believe it. Can't believe they were this tiny once either.

 

Andrew had been wanting an art table for a long time. We finally found the perfect one. The best part was shortly after we got it, it was recalled. They refunded all our money and we got to keep the desk.

Aiden just wanted the lego castle set. So between Christmas and his birthday he pretty much got everything castle.

 

We weren't going to have a big party this year. We only do parties every other year at our house. But we went out for dinner as a family. We tried to go to Spaghetti Factory, but it was over an hour wait. So we just hit up Chilis and had some delicious chips and salsa and molten lava.

Happy Birthday to my cute boys!

Gingerbread Houses

Of course we did Gingerbread Houses. I was actually on top of it because I bought a kit on clearance last year for $1. I thought I was pretty smart until we went to put them together and I found out it was a kit to actually make gingerbread, roll it out, cut it, cook it, and THEN put it together. Um no. I am not that kind of mom.

 

 

So we went to plan B. Luckily we had some graham crackers, I whipped up some frosting, and we used whatever candy we had around the house.

 

The kids thought it was great and it turned out to be a success.

 

Next time I will look at the packaging more carefully.

Grandma Wiggles

We went and saw Grandma Wiggles before Christmas and I was so excited to see her ceramic Christmas tree. My mom has one too and I loved it when I was little. It took me back. Love the nostalgia feeling.

 

And we came to visit Grandma, but the kids were too enthralled with the TV and their treats. I think she still enjoyed our visit though.

 

Happy Anniversary to Us!

We began our celebrations Friday night after Brad and Teri came to pick up The Hoard for the weekend. Yep, I said that right, the weekend. We headed out to our favorite Crown Burger and hit up REI for some returns and gator buying to prepare for our Saturday activity.

 

The next morning I didn't roll out of bed until late. It was so nice to sleep in and relax all morning.

 

 

Then we got ready and headed up Mueller Park to do some snow trail running. A first for us.

 

And it was so much fun. Don't get me wrong, It was really, really hard, but so fun. It was like running uphill in sand. But the snow covered trail and trees were beautiful.

 

We made it all the way to Elephant Rock. I didn't think I could make it but Trent wouldn't let me give up.

We came home, went to the boys last soccer games, hit up Burger King (I've been craving their original chicken sandwiches so much lately), then headed home. I read and took a nap and Trent watched a movie. It was fabulous.

 

Then we headed to Little America for an overnighter thanks to Brad and Teri and their Mother's Day gift. The traffic was insane. It took us 30 minutes to move a block only to find out there was no more parking at Little America. Duh.

 

But we finally made it and enjoyed a nice romantic dinner of Pizza Hut with the Clarks. So fun to get to spend some time with them without our kids running around.

 

Then we headed back to our room to chill. Trent is hot.

 

I am not.

 

The next morning we hit up the breakfast buffet and dined on delicious eggs, waffles, hot chocolate, orange juice, croissants, and, best of all, bacon. Such a good breakfast.

 

We picked up The Hoard and headed home. Loved our weekend alone, but also love this hoard of mine. We played a serious game of basketball and then hit the hay.

 

I have loved the last 13 years as Mrs. Trent Jensen. I am lucky to have my life.

My Birthday Week

I had a fabulous birthday celebration. It lasted a few days. The day of my actual birthday Trent and I were able to go for a run. It. was. freezing. I could only go 3 miles. Seriously so cold.

 

Then Trent and I had some errands to run so we stopped at our favorite Training Table for some lunch. And can you believe it? They were remodeling.

 

I had to work which was a big bummer, but The Hoard was nice enough to bring me dinner. It was pretty fun having a visit to break up my night of work.

 

The next night was Grandma Night so we headed out to Yanni's for another birthday dinner. My family is great.

 

The next day Kristen took me to the one and only Robintinoes. It was super delicious and loved getting to hang out with this girl. We don't get to hang out enough.

 

And the next morning she came to borrow some clothes and we were BOTH in the same clothes as the day before. We were laughing at ourselves.

 

Then I headed to lunch to hang out with the Jensen girls. We ate up some delicious Pei Wei and then did a little Christmas shopping. As always, fun to be with this group of ladies.

 

And my cute Andrew wrote this letter to me and told me not to open it until my birthday. Love that kid.

 

 

It was a great week and am so lucky to have so many people that care enough to celebrate with me. Thanks for all the meals, presents, comments, and birthday wishes!

Rolling into December

December has begun and we are already half way through it. It got cold as soon as December hit. Morgan wore layer upon layer to school to keep warm.

 

Ned arrived to watch the kidlets for Santa.

 

I have been doing a lot of Christmas shopping which Oliver found really boring.

 

The New Yorkians moved back home and into an awesome house. A giant game of tag with all the cousins began.

So fun having everyone together again.

 

We took our Christmas card pics and came inside, drank hot chocolate, and watched Mickey's Christmas Carol.

 

We had a huge snow storm and the kids have loved playing in all the snow.

 

Kimmy's Baby Shower

Our book club group met up to celebrate the babies growing in Kim's belly. On the way down to pick Kim up there was the most beautiful sunset. The picture doesn't come close to showing the colors, but it will have to do.

 

 We all met up at Twigs. It was a fancy smancy place and my food was delicious. Best of all the Drunken Donuts. I would go back and just order dessert.

 

We then hit the a late night showing of Catching Fire. The movie was great, but I am not a big fan of Cinemark. I am a megaplex girl all the way.

 

Once again. Always so fun to be with these ladies. And we are all very excited to meet the twins!

The Rest of November

We filled the rest of November with some Just Dance party's

 

I became addicted to Pumpkin Steamers

 

Seriously the best.

 

Oakley wrote letters to Paige and Morgan. Once again I laughed out loud. Oakley kills me.

 

I got my eyelashes filled which always makes me feel better.

 

 

I played nurse and fixed Mason's cute little fingers after he cute them.

We roasted hot dogs and smores for scouts.

 

I started a new job for the school district. I am a clinical instructor, which basically means I do nothing for an entire shift and makes rounds every once in a while to make sure the students are working.

 

The only thing that gets me happy so early in the mornings is my steamer.

 

And one of the perks is meeting some cute people, this one in particular. She is has fun and happy as her daughter Tracy.

 

 

The boys had another sleep over with James and Josh. We shouldn't call them sleepovers anymore, but wakeovers.

 

I hung out with my girls and watched a show.

 

I finally got out and ran after Vegas. I have lost the running bug completely.

 

And I have gained the do nothing and eat all the time bug. But I did find this Lay's potato chip that describes my love for them perfectly.

 

 

The girls and I caught the premier of Catching Fire. Paige had a really hard time smiling for the camera.

 

 

And Heidi introduced me to Cubby's and I am dying to go back and have some of their buffalo cheese fries. Doodee.