Frist 5K of the Year

This morning while the girls were at a Primary Day Activity, Vern and I ran in a 5K at the YMCA. It felt good! Vern did awesome! We are going to do it every month and hope to drop a minute each month. On a side note, the guy who won was a dead ringer for Jefe.

Happy New Year

Baby Benjamin thought it would be good to start the year off early, so here we are together writing our new years resolutions. They say if you write them it helps, and hey if other people are going to read them it might work even better.

1. Get in shape and lose weight. My goal is to be were I was before I was pregnant with Meghan. I haven't had a full year of not being pregnant since then, so I need to be back like that again.
2. Daily personal scripture study. We do fine as a family, I just need to do better with my personal time. It is not fair where as a missionary I had hours to study, now I am searching for minutes.
3. Have 3 month supply organized by end of January and all purchased by March. I have not been an organized year supply person. I order what I think I need, but I don't check.
4. Participate in 3 Triatholons - Litchfield Park, Casa Grande, SW YMCA
5. Do something special each day for my children.
6. Have my primary chorister plans prepared before Saturday night or Sunday morning.
7. Stick to a budget.

I could sit here and write more and more and more, but you all don't need to know all of my weakness at once. Hopefully, I can update when I have accomplished my goals.

Best wishes for all of you to make and succed and your upcoming New Year Resolutions.

Living the High Life in High Country Colorado

So, it has been a long while since the last post, and if this is going to be my journal in a sense I need to keep up to date.

We have been at my parents in Colorado for the last week and are having a good time. The kids got to sled the first day we were here and had a blast. Unfortunately, the weather has been in the 50s+ everyday since we haven't been out there again. Here are the highlights so far.
*good driving conditions from Phoenix to Woodland Park on 12/26 (vern drove the whole trip in a day)
* hearing Elena giggle as she went down the hill on the sled for the first time
* watching all the kids (minus Benjamin) sledding and having fun
* no television (a few dvds though)
* going to Sunday School and Relief Society
* All of us have a bad cold - not so good
* Good is my mom is the superwomen I need so that I can rest and get better while she takes care of the kids
* Going to Target on first 75% off day and scoring good deals with my mom - I usually get there 2 days later and get nothing
* Going to Denver Zoo with Vern, the kids and my mom. That Zoo is awesome!!!!!!!!!
* Benjamin sleeping for the entire 3 1/2 hours there
* Visiting with my Grandmother Jensen for a bit
* Celebrating New YEars at 7:30pm because it is so dark around here that no one knows the difference - although we missed the Galloways

We have another 2 days of the trip and I am enjoying a true vacation! My parents rock!

Elena wins 3 on 3 Tournament

Today Elena had a soccer tournament and her team of Aleesa, Hunter and Sawyer won the championship game!!!!!!!!!! They played 4 games and won each one. Elena scored a goal. She has improved since a year ago when she began. Way to go E!!!!!!!!!!

Too Cute For Words

One of Little Vern's earlier words was "Broder"...means "Brother". He sure loves his little brother, Benjamin. I am worried for the day they start playing/terrorizing together. I don't think the girls know what is coming their way. We love our little boys!

Boys Can Sleep anywhere

I have caught little Vern falling asleep in the morningslately. Just wanted to show that Boys can sleep where ever. Note...that is chocolate on his lip...not a bloody nose.

Natalie's Kindergarten Christmas Concert

On Monday (8th) was Natalie's Christmas Concert. We headed over to her school, without Vern because he had class, but with our neighbor, Paige. We got there in time and had good seats. All was well. Then about 8 minutes before the start. Meghan came back from the bathroom and said, "My tummy hurts" and then threw up all over herself, me and little Vern. We quickly went to the back of the room. And very helpful and kind people helped clean up the mess. Luckily most of it was on me and the girls jackets. Natalie sang, "Christmas Bells" and did great. I didn't show Elena and Paige how to video record for that song, but they got the group finale of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". I can't get the video to work yet, so I will wait for Vern to get home and hopefully add it. Natalie did great!

On the way home Meghan got sick again. Upon arrival I asked Elena to go turn the shower on for Meghan and Little Vern. She did just as she was told, but forgot to take the kids clothes off or shut the shower door until it got warm. When I got inside I heard crying and this is what I saw.

Yes, two happy children fully dressed and in the shower. What a treat.