First Day of School

Today was the first day back to school for the Ogden kiddos. Zack was so excited that he kept spilling food on his shirt and had to keep changing! Good thing it is laundry day.


Owen: big time second grader

Zack: king-of-the-school fifth grader

Avery: sweet little Kindergartener

Jay went to work late and so we enjoyed the morning together having french toast and changing Zack's shirts. We walked to school (I love where we live!) and the boys quickly took off to see their friends. I was painfully aware of how big my kids are getting!

Owen found a bug, of course, on the way to school. He informed us that this Monarch was the state butterfly. =)


I love this one: Daddy and his little girl

We took Avery to her class room and then she went in with the rest of her new classmates.

I was just fine until Jeremy whispered in my ear, "...and life will never be the same..." I have never cried when my boys went to school, but there is something different about it being my little girl AND my last. The tears just came.

We walked home hand-in-hand feeling a change in the air for our little family. We walked in the door at home together and I couldn't help but feel that the house was empty. I could hold the tears pretty well at the school, but at home they just flowed onto Jay's shirt (who now needs a clean shirt as well.) But, I got it all out and am doing okay enjoying a little peace and quiet. I read my scriptures at the kitchen table in the sunshine and will be doing laundry today (Zack needs shirts for tomorrow's breakfast.)

Primary Temple Trip

Our ward had a special Primary activity today at the Temple. It was so neat to see all the kids from the ward all dressed up and learning about the temple. Jay and I were invited to be drivers so we took advantage of the photo opportunities!



But wait...there's more!
The Primary leaders had each of the kids stand by the temple to have their picture taken and this is all Owen would give them...

...until he found the gazillion praying mantis resting in the shade of the temple. This kid could find bugs anywhere. He had eight of these guys on him at one time (look on his head.) Owen's words: "The temple is so fun! Can we go back tomorrow?" I guess that is one way to get your kids to love the temple.

Zack decided to get in on the bug action as well (on his fingers)...they liked his green shirt. =)

Green Leaf Bug vs Green Praying Mantis...on Zack's hand. I think we will be going back to the temple real soon!

Cute Stuff!

My friend, Andrea at Knitty Bitties, has introduced me to her friend, Camille at Thimble Blossoms! If you love homemade beautiful bags, bows, quilt patterns, etc., please check them out! Camille and Andrea are doing a give-away at Simplify...pretty fun!

wAteRmeLon AnYonE?!

Avery chose a watermelon theme for her birthday party this year and it was as cute as it was fun! I was impressed that she chose something so creative, rather than princesses or Strawberry Shortcake. My amazingly talented friend, Allison, made this adorable watermelon shirt for the birthday girl and she loved it! All the little girls wanted one just like Avery...thanks Ali! It was a great party for such a sweet little girl!

Avery saved her garage sale and birthday money and bought herself a big girl bike! Jeremy is having fun teaching her how to ride without training wheels. She is doing pretty well for a first-timer! (You can see Zack doing some sweet jumps on his scooter, too!)

Got Zucchini?

Need something to do with all that zucchini from your garden this year? I am usually a super healthy baker, but if you are feeling like me about the abundance of zucchini, I have just the solution:

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Combine and set aside.

3 eggs
1 cup sugar (a little less)
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup canola oil
1 tsp pure vanilla
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 oz melted unsweetened baking chocolate (2 blocks or if you don't have baking chocolate: 6 TB baking cocoa melted with 1 TB plain shortening)
2 cups zucchini

Combine and add to dry ingredients. Mix well. Pour into greased and floured baking pans (regular or mini.) Bake in preheated 325 degree oven for 40-50 minutes. Delicious!

I am not sure where I found the recipe, but I have modified it to my liking anyway. Hope you enjoy your zucchini now! ;)

ScEnTsy!

I always love what Scentsy releases, but this month's Warmer and Scent of the Month have really impressed me. Both items came just yesterday and my whole family loves them! Tangerine Tango fragrance is unbeatable! When I saw the Surf's Up warmer I just knew my boys would love it. Not only is it super cool, but the surf boards are embossed making its quality impressive. It looks great in my boys' room and enhances the 'new look' they are going for!

If you haven't heard of Scentsy, you can check it out HERE!

Everything this month is 10% off and my website also includes the Discontinued List as we are getting ready for the new fall catalog.

If you would like to receive my monthly newsletter that includes specials and sales, please leave me your email address!

Aelizia'a Baby Blessing

This is my brother, Beege. He is awesome! He and Laralei just had their first baby girl, Aelizia Laralei Jensen, last month and she was blessed surrounded by family last week. She is a beautiful little baby and we are so excited to welcome her! Here are some pics from the family dinner we had that day.

Grandma and Grandpa Church, Dad and Mom Jensen, Brian with Laralei and Aelizia (or Tink) Jensen.

Cousins Nia, Justis, and Avery enjoying some dessert.

Cousins Natalie (Steen and Katie's little girl) and Aelizia snuggling on the floor.


Katie with darling long, tall Natalie!


Zack and Maxwell become buds real fast! This look must be a 10-year-old thing.

Ryan and Daniel being such good boys downstairs!

Princess cousins Megan, Nia, Avery, and Madi! They could not get enough fun together!

Andi, Steen, Tommy, Peter, and Katie chatting in the cool WA breeze.

The guys stuffed full before dessert!

Madi and Alex enjoying dinner on the deck.

Peter and Alexis on the deck after dinner.

Matthew and Emily enjoying Mom's awesome lasagna! It was a beautiful day outside made even better by the gathering of family to welcome such a sweet little girl into the family. We love you, little Tink, and we are so excited to have you with us!

Visiting the Yorks!

Each summer we take a trip to WA to visit friends and family. It is always a highlight of the summer! Here is my nephew, Lyncoln. He has tons of energy and makes the perfect Home Alone face...he looks just like Macaulay Culkin!

My brother, Brad, is quite the aspiring photographer and is getting really great at it! He sure has grown up a lot!

Here is my brother, Mike, pushing his son, Lyncoln, around their new home in Washougal, WA.

Avery and cousin Renae posing in the wading pool. It was 109 degrees that day! It was a record high for the Vancouver area. We were happy to be a part of it!

Thank you, Grandpa York and Bandaid Grandma, for the fun BBQ, Christmas in July, and bandaids! We love you and can't wait to see you again!