Christmas 2010

Christmas Day.

Christmas 2010

Pajama Party. Lisa Johnson and Wendy Brimhall with babes. Gavin and Tavner. And Brekyn.

Christmas 2010

What a great Christmas. It all started with a trip to Salt Lake City to see the lights. It's been such a long time since we have done this that the boys had no memory of ever doing this. Taren had to work, so he wasn't able to go. We took along our, "Son from another mother", Andrew Phelps. He has been a part of our family since he was about 2 or 3. It was a beautiful night. Then we had our annual "Noorda Family Pajama Party." This is always held on Christmas eve. We all had a great time. We had about 6 little pairs of feet running around. I love all of my great nephews. Christmas day was fun. The boys got everything that they wanted. In the afternoon we spent some time at my mom and dad's home. Grandpa and Grandma Jensen. It was a nice and relaxing Christmas day. I hope that everyone else had a wonderful Christmas.

Thanksgiving.

It was a great day. Weather wasn't bad, just a little cold. Had time to put the turkey in the oven, get the rolls set out to rise and went to the gym with David for a little work out. Boys were at home cleaning for company. This year Grandma and Grandpa Jensen joined us along with Gina, John, Allyssa, Rand, Rylen and Tevin. Wendy, Tyler and Tavner dropped by. We were missing a lot of family, but it still was a lot of fun. I actually got talked in to going to the Black Friday sale at Walmart that started at 12:01 a.m. My boys wanted to see what all the fuss was about. They enjoyed seeing all the crazy people. My boys were actually a great help to everyone. They were grabbing things for people all around us. I have such good hearted boys, always willing to help.

My little Vampires "Halloween Memories."

These are my 3 boys. I didn't realize that I dressed them all as vampires at the age of 2 until last year when we had our niece Allyssa and her son Rylen over for Halloween. Rylen needed a costume. I remembered that I still had the vampire cape that my friend Lori made me in 1994 when Taren was the first vampire. Watching Rylen be a vampire made me reminisce and I got out all the old pictures and realized that all my boys were vampires when the were 2 yrs old. Aren't they the cutest?

October 24, 1020

Pumpkin Carving Time. This is always a fun tradition in our house. The boys brought out the big tools this year. A drummel tool and some kind of saw. Taren was very creative and did the Utah Jazz logo. I guess David had love on his mind. He did the heart. Loren and Gavin tried to make them as ugly as possible. Scharla and I just followed a pattern.

October 17, 2010 Jack "Super Dog."

Loren wanted to make a Halloween costume for Jack. He took a piece of cloth and colored the whole thing. Now Jack is Super Dog. Ready to fight crime. Faster than a speeding bullet.

September 2010

Wow, how the months just slip away from me. Gavin got his learners permit in September. He was quite excited. He passed the test on his first try. He is excited to have his permit, but not too keen on driving much. He says that he doesn't really think about it much. I guess we need to push him to drive more. He has to have a certain amount of hours before he can get his drivers license.

School is going well for all 3 boys. Loren is getting all A's. Gavin is doing well and enjoying the social part. Taren really seems to like college. Taren also got a new job. He now works at Best Buy. He works at the one in Jordan Landing. So now he is much closer to home.

Time feels like it is just slipping away. We just have to keep making the memories.

First day of school.

The first day of school is always bitter sweet. It always seems to have a certain feel to it. A buzz in the air, so to speak. I think I get more excited for my boys than they do. And it's not an excitement like, "Oh they are finally going back to school." It's a genuine excitement for them. The butterflies, the new teachers, the new grade, the new friends, etc. etc. The first couple of days I do miss them, but that wears off. Things need to get done and cleaned and organized. I wish my boys all of the happiness and excitement that going back to school brings. Taren is a freshman in college. Gavin is a sophomore in high school and Loren is in 7th grade in junior high.

August 13, 2010

Friday the 13TH. After work I took Loren and Gavin to Tio's, a Mexican restaurant in Day Break. It was good. Hey, at least I didn't have to cook dinner. Tio's did!

August 10, 2010

Well, today was a sad day. The other Noorda family had to leave. We enjoyed every minute we got to spend with them. What great kids. What great parents. It is a joy watching Candee and Eric be great parents to their beautiful kids. We all wish that they lived closer to us. Have a safe trip back to New Hampshire. We love you guys.

August 9, 2010

Today was Jaren's 6TH birthday. I think he liked all of his gifts, especially the bow and arrow that his family made him. He is such an adorable kid. He reminds me and David of Eric. Everyone had a lot of fun shopping and eating out today. Of coarse there were some more water fights. I guess it's just not summer without those.

August 8, 2010

What a great day. Everybody just hung out around the house. I think the kids had about four water fights. It didn't seem like they were ever dry. Within the last two days, all of the cousins from Utah and Wyoming, except for Daniel, were able to come down and visit with Candee, Eric and their kids. I love to see how our family has grown and to learn more about them and each of their personalities.

August 7, 2010

Our family is here from New Hampshire. They arrived at our house Sat. afternoon. It has been so fun just hanging out and getting to know each other again. I can't believe it has been 4 years since we saw them last. Their youngest was 8 months old and on Aug. 25TH he will be 4 yrs. old. Being around the family is the best.

August 1, 2010

Today we went over to Heather's house to let Gavin and Loren go swimming with Trey. He is their adorable 3 yr old cousin. What fun.

July 31, 2010

Happy Birthday Loren. Today we celebrated Loren's 13Th birthday. His birthday is on August 3rd, but he will be at Bear Lake for Scout camp. I think he had a good birthday. He is definitely a boy that does not ask for much. It was hard for him to come up with some things for his birthday list. Oh, how I love that boy.

July 29, 2010

I've gotten a little behind. All I can say about today is spagetti dinner. It's one of our comfort foods.

My Children. What can I say? They are the best thing that has happened to me. That's Taren, upside down. And the one pointing is my youngest, Loren. It's always nice to get off work and come home to spend time with my boys. Tonight we had dinner at Taco Bell (I'm not cooking after work) and then spent a little time out in the backyard. Why does life have to go by so fast? I wish I could find the rewind button and push it until they were toddlers again. I guess I just have to soak up every moment I have left with them.

Well, I finally started the 365 day journey. It only took me until July 27Th to do it. Even though I have been planning this since January 1st of this year. Hey, I guess better late than never.
So today was a typical day off of work for me. Just more work at home. Laundry, cleaning, meal making, more cleaning and more laundry. At first I felt like maybe I should just take a picture of all the mounds of laundry I was working on, but then I remembered seeing something beautiful when David and I pulled into our driveway last night. A beautiful sunflower growing up amongst the other flowers. It's just quietly growing there, not bothering anyone. I love sunflowers. So I knew I had to take a picture of that. I also love coming out onto our front porch at night. David bought us a new water fountain and it sits next to one of my flower pots that I love. The sound of water at night is so soothing. Today was a good day. . . .I got some laundry done.