Spring Cleaning

I say it all the time but Trent is amazing. He never stops working. Seriously ever.

Saturday I came home from a run to this.

Hopefully our kids will pick up his hard working habits.

So far so good.

An Open Fire

We had a spur of the moment hot dog roast and it sure was delicious. Kim and Luke have the coolest firepit.

There is nothing like a hot dog over a fire. Delicious.

Grandma Night

Last night we had Grandma night. We had planned to go out with my family while the kids were being taken care of. We were a little late getting started because my boys had a scrimmage game first.

While they played soccer the girls swung.

And I sat and simply enjoyed the sunshine on my body.

We finally hooked up with everyone, ate dinner at Yanni's, and did some shopping at REI.

It was a fabulous.

And a big thanks to my mom for entertaining the kids with an egg hunt, coloring, and fun.

Organized

Some of my kids are very organized. They get their outfits layed out the night before. I was laughing at this one because Andrew even layed out his socks.

Moustache

Oakley had some of my smoothie and it made the perfect moustache.

This girl is pretty dang cute, even with a moustache.

Cavity

I don't like the dentist and I don't like him even more when I have a cavity. I hate everything about it. The numbing, the drilling, the taste, the grinding, and the recovery.

I know I should not complain, because a cavity isn't that big of a deal, but I hate it.

And I really do like my dentist, he is a good one.

You Tube

We had Sunday dinner with my family. I tried to get a shot of the boys sitting on the couch with their phones. Unfortunately Luke saw me and put his down right as I took the picture.

I told him to pick it back up and this is what I got.

 

Then it turned into You Tube showings. Our favorites always include:

 

"hide your kids, hide your wife."

"ain't nobody got time for that."

"kapooya."

Saturday

I had a little outing with Kim. I needed to go to Nordstom's and use a gift card that has been burning a whole in my pocket. I only shop at Nordstrom's when I have a gift card. Let me just say that place in no Ross. ;)

 

I walked away with the Toms I have been coveting forever. And luckily they had one last pair just in my size.

We hit up Spanky's for lunch, laughed until we cried, and went our separate ways. It was a great couple hours.

Thanks Kim for always entertaining me.

 

And thanks Brad for giving me the gift card. Love getting new Toms!

Where Are You Springtime?

The weather has been teasing us the past few weeks with the anticipation of Spring. We have some great days, then not so great days. The kids have even brought their outside toys out of hibernation.

I was so excited that I had gotten up early to run and when I emerged out of my room and saw that it was snowing I almost turned around and crawled back into bed. Luckily I had already gotten dressed and stretched before I realized the weather.

 

 

And just look how sad the warm weather toys look with a layer of snow.

 

So instead of riding bikes I found the girls doing this in the warmth of their bed.

 

Here's to hoping Spring will show up for good.

The Hobbit

The kids had been dying to watch The Hobbit for a while now. Ever since Aiden and Andrew got Hobbit Legos. When it came out we watched in one night.

 

Why is this movie sooo long?

Trent was asleep in the first 10 minutes, Oakley made it 3/4 the way through, Aden and Andrew actually watched the whole thing, and Paige and Morgan were walking in and out doing who knows what.

 

It could be a good show if it were only 1 hour shorter....

Barricade

We get to watch cute Mason on Wednesday's and we love it. However, I have forgotten how much work a moving baby is. We tried to barricade him in, but we was too smart for us.

And I may or may not have been singing Les Mis while making Mason's "barricade."

"beyond the barricade is there a world you long to see....."

The Melty Way

Most everyone knows I love food. Love it so much if I get a craving I will think about it none stop until I get to satisfy my craving. That is how it is with this place. I love it and crave it all. the. time.

 

 

Luckily Kristen had a birthday so we went to celebrate. I introduced her to this fantastic place. We had a great time eating and hanging out with out kids. Love this place and love my Kristen.

St. Patty's

Like I said, we had fantastic babysitters while we were away at Moab. I stole what pictures were taken to document all the fun. Nate and Jenny took Friday night, which I don't have any pics of. Jenny probably didn't want to remember any of this I am sure. ;)

 

Brook and Ben had the rest of the weekend. They took them to a St. Patrick's Day party with Ben's family and then the kids got to sleep over at the Lee's. They even made a trap to catch the Leprachaun.

 

Unfortunately they didn't get him, but apparently came pretty close.

 

Brooke and Ben had had enough, so they locked the kids outside for a while. Something I do on a daily basis.

 

 

And they worked their magic and made these 2 fall asleep at church. I couldn't believe it.

 

 

The kids had a blast with their babysitters. The Hoard loves a vacation from parents about as much as we love a vacation from kids.

 

Moab 2013

The day after Dodee's funeral we headed down to St. George. After such an emotionally long two weeks it was good to have this adventure ahead of us.

 

We drove down, hit up Training Table, a couple of gas stations, and finally made it to Moab.

 

 

We picked up our packets, set up camp, and got our running gear in order.

 

Luke, Kim, and I were running the 5 miler together. Its always fun to chat it up, people watch, and freeze together at the top.

Always a good thing to cross the finish line. Every one did fantastic!

 

Luke 48:48

Kim 47:23

Amy 40:34

Trent 1:20:50

 

 

The Moab race have THE best snacks at the end. I  mean the BEST snacks.

 

 

They even have TruMoo chocolate milk! For those that know me know this is the best chocolate milk around.

 

After race photo shoot, as always.

 

 And come to find out I got 2nd place in my age division. Next year I am shooting for first!

 

We filled our stomachs with some Mexican food at La Hacienda.

It was pretty bright outside.

Then we went jeeping. This always scares me to death.

 

Once at the top Kim and I had some fun. It was really windy, so I tried to fly away.

 

Kim jumped and her shoe did actually fly away, never to be seen again.

But at least we got a good jumping pic.

 

The boys thought we were dumb and decided to look at a plane in the sky instead.

 

Love this group.

 

 

That night we hit up Pizza Hut. Slowest service ever, even for a Pizza Hut. But we keep coming back because the food is just too dang good.

So while we waiting forever in between seeing our waitress we had fun with the camera....again.

 

Afterwards we got some treats. Moab used to be 1 of the 2 places I could find my Oatmeal Cookie Chunk ice cream, but no more. I almost cried. This ice cream as gone the way of the Dodo.....

So I settled for a cone from McDonalds, which I do love. But honestly, what kind of cone is this?

Pathetic.

 

 We had some fun times as always. Never pass up a chance to be dumb and laugh with this group.

  Sunday morning we enjoyed sleeping in and laying around.

Then did some last minute shopping where I found me a quail magnet!

 

 

Kim and I found some hot sunglasses at a random gas station.

 

 

 

 And we walked up and down main street for other treasures.

 

 

After that it was time to say farewell.

We did so with another photo shoot.

Long Live Moab.

And a big shout out to our babysitters at home. Jenny, Nate, Brooke, and Ben! This trip couldn't happen without someone taking care of The Hoard. Thank you guys!

 

And last, but not least Memorable Moments and Quotes.

-Woobie

-Trent trying to find a Moab shirt

-Turtleneck

-Luke is Winchell

-"Morgan calls it a chicken" -Trent

-Pubies

-"That's what happens when you eat..." -Luke

-Kim's chin

-"At least I look good" -Amy

-"Kim, turn around, It's Amy..." -Trent

-"I thought it was a dinosaur taking his own picture!" -Amy

-"My shoe!" -Kim

-"Does this come with a spoon?" -Amy to Waitress

-"It's not even worth your dollar fifty?!!" -Luke at Kim

-"Is that the same Chinese guy?" -Amy

-Head lamps

-Luke going through the snack tent 4 times past the "security guards"

-"I am not eating a sandwich." -Luke

-"I have to pee again" -Amy

-"Trent, what do you call that again?" -Kim

-finding perfect sunglasses at the gas station

-Amy being annoyed with the know it all T-shirt shop guy

-"Well that's sad!" -Amy and T-shirt shop guy

-"That water was the worst water I've ever had!" -Luke

-"You break it, you don't fix it" -Amy at Trent

-"What was that?!" -Amy at Trent

-"That made my butt pucker" -Luke

-"Someday I'll lose my weight, throw up all the food I've ate..." -Amy

-"Someday day I'll gain some weight..." -Trent

And the best quote of the trip...

"Amy, I'm sorry I compared you to a fat lard and Kim, I'm sorry I called you a slut" -Trent

Dodee's Week

I have been trying to figure out how I wanted to do our post about Dodee. It as been such a good, sad, happy, spiritual, numbing, exhausting, loving, experience. Really, I think we have all experienced every emotion out there.

Dodee was such a good example of what a grandma, mother, sister, aunt, and friend should be. And I would say she was a friend to all. When I first met Dodee she instantly treated my like one of her own. I always felt welcomed and loved in their home. And that love was passed down to my children, who adored their Dodee and loved any excuse to get to see her or go to one of her many parties, which always involved Dodee Food.

Dodee is also an example of what a marriage should be. This goes both ways. Papa stayed by Dodee's side up to her last breath. You could feel the love he had for her.

When Dodee decided to go on hospice I was lucky enough to be her nurse. This was a first for me-taking care of a loved one. I loved the opportunity to get to serve her and repay some of the kindness she has shown me the  last 13 years. Although, it was a lot more difficult taking care of someone you love and once again every emotion was experienced.

We were given 5 days to say goodbye to our Dodee. Her home was a constant stream of loved ones and friends. Everyone got to say goodbye either in person or by phone or face time. I hope Dodee could feel the love everyone had for her and realize how many lives she had blessed. It was kind of like a week long party at Dodee's house, which is just how Dodee would have wanted it.

Dodee passed away at home on Saturday the 9th of March surrounded by family. Trent, the girls, and I were able to be there. I won't go into all the details, but Trent said it was one of the most amazing, spiritual moments in his life. Soon more family came and, once again, another family gathering occurred and, once again, every emotion experienced.

To honor Dodee, the cousins got together on the day of her viewing and made tons and tons of Dodee Cookies. They were given away at the viewing. Once again, just how Dodee would have wanted it.

The cookies were delicious and Dodee looked beautiful. Tears were shed again. And Papa was still by Dodee's side.

The funeral was one of the best I have been to. Each speaker did a fabulous job and had their own different personality in it. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day either.

After the funeral we had the Jensen clan up to our house. Some of the cousins we hadn't seen in years. It was such a good ending to the week. We reminisced, caught up with each other, laughed, ate, played, and relaxed. And again, just how Dodee would have wanted it.

And can you believe what has resulted from this:

This.

 Which isn't even all of Dodee and Papa's posterity.

And not even everyone that was in our house.

This week of celebrating was one of the best week's of our lives. It was filled with ups and downs. We will miss our Dodee, but we are comforted with the knowledge that we will see her again and that we have another guardian angel to watch over us.

Hopefully we can all follow Dodee's example by loving unconditionally, serving others, and being committed to the Gospel.

We love you Dodee!