Christmas Fun

We have been keeping ourselves very busy and have been enjoying some family traditions. We've cut down our trees, made delicious cookies (in our pajamas), and even went downtown for an "unofficial downtown day"... and have actually did more then just survive...we've enjoyed the times!! It is still hard on a daily basis, but I'm starting to see signs of true happiness coming back out in smiles and laughs throughout our family. Praise God.

Visit with Santa

We took the kids to see Santa! Their camera wasn't working so I got to us my own, which was wonderful since it was free!! They both did great and gave us wonderful smiles. Timmy asked for a motorcycle and a truck and asked Santa to bring Kenzie a doll. It was precious.

Timmy's 3rd Birthday!!

We had a blast celebrating Timmy's 3rd birthday!! On his actual birthday we went to Chucky Cheese, where he had fun riding the toys and playing the games!! We were all so tired after playing all day. We then had a party for him at my parent's house over the weekend, where close family and friends came to celebrate and party. The theme was Sponge Bob (Timmy's choice) and he went crazy between the presents, pinata, & cake. We really appreciate all of the help that went into the party and for the support everyone gave us. It was really hard to celebrate without Tammy but we made the best of it. Some of his favorite gifts were his gun from Uncle Pete, a Harley Davidson baseball cap, a cook book, and a bike/video game thing...and he LOVES his clothes.

Pictures of Tammy...

More,

Pictures of Tammy...

I'm working on an ABC book about Tammy for Timmy's Christmas gift, and I thought I would post some of the pictures that I've downloaded of Tammy for you all to see.

Mak's First Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving up in WI with both of our families. Our little turkey had a blast swimming at the condo, eating whipped creme (compliments of Grandpa Jensen, who shot a blast right in her mouth, straight from the can!!), playing with Audrey, and visiting family. It was wonderful spending such a long weekend up north. It was hard celebrating without Tammy, but we did our best to focus on the blessings in our lives. Timmy Ray & Timmy Lee went to Alabama to spend time with the Adams. One holiday down and another to go. Please keep us in your prayers!! This time of year has been very hard on us all but we are VERY thankful for the two children in our lives who keep us laughing and smiling. I call Makenzie my little joy bug because she seems to make me smile when I need it the most...and Timmy keeps us laughing everyday.

Mexico!!!!!

We just got home from a week in the sunshine and ocean. We spent every day at either the pool or beach, watching the kids have a blast in the water!! We have two little fish. The family vacation was a HUGE success...the airplane rides...not so much. On the way there, someone had a medical emergency so we had to stop in New Orleans. While it was kind of stressful, Makenzie got to take a picture with the pilots in the front of the plane (Timmy was more interested in playing at the time!!). He was so good on the plane rides. Once we got there, we were brought to the most beautiful rooms. Makenzie slept wonderfully for us. She was a little crabby at the beginning of the vacation but eventually came around to her normal self. Timmy had an awesome time and really enjoyed exploring, eating, and non stop playing. It was a perfect balance of playing, relaxing, talking, and eating. Timmy loved the unlimited french fries and pineapple smoothies and Makenzie got her first taste of banana ice cream. The weather could not have been better and the kids couldn't have had more fun. All of us really savored the time to relax and play while we realized how precious it was to have the opportunity to show the kids another part of the world. While we really missed Tammy not being there in person with us...we know that she was watching and laughing with us the whole time.

PICTURES...

Here are the pictures I mentioned in the previous post..

So many smiles...

You will be able to tell that the last couple of weeks have been a blast for EVERYONE...especially the kids. Between dressing up as a cow & cowboy to jumping in a pile of leaves, we have been enjoying the beautiful fall weather. I included pictures of when my cousin Mandi and her babies came to visit. Timmy had a blast with Abbie (and Mandi, he did steal the pink cell phone!!). It was alot of fun to get together but it made me wish that it would happen more often!! We also went and meet baby Audrey (as I mentioned before), so there are pictures of that too!! We took a last minute trip out to IN to visit with Adam & Annette and Kenzie's boyfriend Austin. Other than the lack of sleep (which was our own fault!!), it was a blast. The following weekend we had game night at our house. It was enjoyable to share our home with our friends and a cute little lady bug named Madeline. :) The kids had a blast in their costumes and Timmy stole all of Makenzie's candy. Today we made a pile of leaves for Timmy to jump in and went for a "hike" in Grandma & Grandpa's woods. For the rest of the week we will be getting ready to take a vacation to Mexico. We are all looking forward to the sunshine.

I want 8 more kids...just like the one I already have.

As usual, the last couple of weeks have been full of fun & busy times. My mom, Makenzie & I took a trip out to Tenn. to visit with Jim & Joanne for some sitting, talking, & shopping...just us girls!!! The next weekend Pete & I went to Dan's wedding up in MI while Makenzie stayed with my mom and dad for the weekend. It was great to get some time for just the two of us and to relax with friends. Last weekend we went up to WI and took a WONDERFUL ride on the pontoon boat. The leaves were beautiful and it was so warm and breezy. I am almost enjoying the weather as it gets cooler and the chance to stay inside. We had our first fire last week and also went to the pumpkin farm. Makenzie is starting to get really active. I can tell that I am going to have my hands full soon!! Chris & Anne had their first baby.. A GIRL!!!! Audrey Suzanne is Makenzie's new cousin and we cannot wait to meet her!! We are all a little sick in the Jensen home so hopefully we will feel better soon. Makenzie is on some meds and is starting to act more like herself, but it's hard to keep up with life when you feel sick and tired. Another awesome thing, that maybe not everyone will appreciate, is that we got a Sonic close by!! Finding this out makes me really really happy. Anyone who has had a cheery-limeaid can understand. Timmy has been doing a wonderful job of potty training (which will hopefully make life a little easier...but right now it's a little bit harder). He has discovered that he loves to carve pumkins and to cook or bake. Also, our little baby is already 6 months old and is quite the chunk. She is in the 95% for height and weight at 28 inches long and 18.9lbs. We just love her soo soo much. I think it's time for another, but Pete has other ideas :)

And I thought things would slow down in the fall...

Well, once again I am surprised by how busy we are...but also actively trying to figure out how to slow us down. It might be saying no to some commitments or hiring a childhood education major from Northern to come in once a week to help me out at home. Either way, I'm keeping Mak, Timmy, & Pete my main priorities and "scheduling" time to relax...CRAZY... I know already. So, for now I'm just sitting back and trying to figure out what in my life I can change. My mom is a HUGE help with everything, but I don't want to take over her whole life, LOL. The last couple of weeks have been so my fun...going to the fair, canning salsa, freezing corn, going to the zoo, visiting Austin & Annette, etc. This week us girls (my mom, my & Mak) leave for Tenn. to visit our old neighbors (who are more like family) and take some time just to sit, talk, and shop!! Jeb is coming to stay with Pete for the weekend and the two are going to be busy putting gates up, locks on all the cabinets, and childproofing our little home (in between ball games and golf of course). We took some family & cousin pictures while the weather was still nice too. In addition to all of this, our family is considering to get a condo on the water in WI where we go boating all the time. While it is a scary time to buy right now..it is also an amazing opportunity to be close to Pete's family while having an easy and comfortable place to stay while we are up in the summer...and we would be able to go during the winter too!! It has an indoor and outdoor pool with hot tubs and is located only 10 min from Pete's parents, and is RIGHT on the water with a boat slip too!! It would be nice to not have to pack everything up all the time and to have a washer & dryer too. That way Mak & I (With my mom and Timmy too) could go up for a longer time and just enjoy the slower pace of Wisconsin, and Pete could come up after work on Friday. My brain is just going to fast for words to keep up right now. I'll stop writing and get some pictures up instead. Love you all!!

I LOVE THE KIDS IN MY LIFE

Well, I decided that I am a lucky girl. I know this may sound silly and a bit simple, but I walked into my kitchen last night and saw Timmy washing dishes with Pete and then looked over at Mak who was sitting in her swing and trying to talk over the boys!! It just made me smile and reminded me to appreciate the little things in life. We're getting in the fall mode (Timmy can't wait to get a pumpkin!!). He is really disappointed that the beach is closed now, so Randall Oak's sand box is his new love. Pete & I are going to be home for the next two weekends...and we can't remember the last time we've been home for a weekend since the beginning of JUNE! I'm really looking forward to some downtime at home with my little family. I'm not looking forward to the colder weather...but I am looking forward to seeing Makenzie wear all her fall clothes, LOL. Here are some more pictures to enjoy :)

Trying to Enjoy Every Day of Sunshine

Not much has changed here...we are still spending time in the pool, at the beach, and up at the trailer in WI. Catom has really picked up, which is WONDERFUL news. This winter is going to be a tough one but at least we already have some big jobs in progress. Makenzie is rolling all over and is eating rice cereal almost every night. I love her so much and I want 8 more kids just like her!! I could totally do it. Timmy got his haircut and has a lovely mohawk, LOL. I cannot get enough of the kid!! He is counting to 10 and we are working on his ABC's already!! We got to spend a weekend up at the trailer with Brad and Michelle, which was a BLAST. It was great going boating and staying up really late by the camp fire. Reminder to me: Mohito Mix is not for me!! We have been planning a trip to Mexico in the fall. I cannot wait till Timmy sees the ocean! He is going to love all the waves and the sand. I am all clear from all the fun issues that go along with labor and delivery. My iron count was way low, so the Dr. has been getting my blood tested to keep an eye on it. While it's not as high as "normal" people are...it's alot better. Basically, we have two of the cutest kids in our life, I have a wonderful and very helpful husband...and right now things are looking pretty good. We still miss Tammy all the time and talk about her as much as possible. I'm starting to read a book called 90 minutes in Heaven to help myself realize that she is much happier in Heaven right now than anyone is here on Earth.

Life's a Beach

Well... I finally got a new camera... so hopefully the pictures will not be blurry anymore!! Since I've updated, we discovered a beach that's only 45 min away that Makenzie & Timmy loves. Timmy enjoys to play in the sand and sit in my lap and laugh at the waves going over us. Makenzie has a little crab flotation thing that she LOVES. She cried when we took her out of the water!! We are already planning on going back this week. Mak has also decided that she was bored of bottles and has had a couple bowls of rice cereal. Timmy has discovered corn on the cob and is really good at eating the whole cob. He also is in love with his bike and Lego's. Pete and I got away for the weekend to Lake Lawn for our second anniversary. It was great to spend time together and have a real conversation. We were able to relax and unwind and look back on how much life has changed and talk about how we see the next couple years of our life together. We know better than to think that it will actually work out the way we plan it, but we can try.