Being a Dad is Fun

Swimming, bike riding (with protective goggles, of course), and playing Wii - things I wouldn't do that often on my own, but with kids it makes it fun and they make sure I keep on doing them :)

Happy Father's Day to my Dad, who also knows how to have fun - he gifted us the inflatable ball that TJ now uses as his personal swim aid (and it has worked as you can see in the above pictures - even jumping off of the spa into the pool!) and the blue cone in the pictures that TJ loves to use to squirt people. Anyways, back to my Dad - he's been a great example to me about what is important in this life and putting family first as a priority - thanks, Dad!

Heather is missing from most of these pictures because she has been busy conquering her Princess Wii game that she bought all by herself - she finally finished yesterday!

Last Weekend's Cousin Swim

We made it over to David and Sally's house last Saturday to try out their new pool. It was cold - I think because David likes to use his misters and fog effects so that no one can see him skinny dipping - like Sadie was when we got there!

Heather enjoyed exploring a new pool and being around her girl cousins. The boys barely got in the water and spent their time exploring the rest of the new backyard. Looks great, David and Sally!

Shameless self promotion . . .

Since my blog is probably read more widely than Susan's blog (isn't private like Susan's), here's a little something from a recent post:

Speaking of swimming, we wanted to announce that we're going to have a swimming party to celebrate Eric's birthday. He's turning 32, but you all know what a big kid he is, so we figured a swim party is appropriate :) We'll probably do something else with family, so this is more of a friend thing, but everyone is welcome. Here's the info:

Who: Everyone - well, friends and neighbors of Eric, Susan & the gang; We're not going to send out individual invitations - everyone's invited, kids definitely included.

What: A BBQ/Swim party to celebrate Eric's 32nd birthday

Where: At our pool - if you need the address, call me or e-mail or leave a comment

When: Friday, June 20th, from 6:00 p.m. until whenever . . . Sunday?

Misc: The grill will be hot at 6, so bring whatever you would like to cook. We will provide hamburgers, hot dogs & all the trimmings. We will also have cake and ice cream. If you prefer to bring your own meat/side dishes, feel free.

Please don't feel obligated to bring gifts - just come and have fun.

RSVP so we know how much food to have on hand.

Spread the word - the more the merrier!

TJ's Day Camp

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day Toby

We (me for an hour, Susan till 2 am, the kids till 5 am) slept on the trampoline last night and then followed it up with a trip to Krispy Kreme - Toby likes the hat and goggles (from the Mini ride). Hopefully they'll have a good nap this afternoon . . .

Wii Fit Toby

anybody wanna come over for a run, hula hoop contest, or some yoga?

Mini Milestone

The Mini reached 22,222 miles this afternoon - just a cool number since my brother on his mission turns 21 this month on the 22nd (and he was born at 22:22 according to family folklore) - Happy Early Birthday, Nate!

Our Mother's Day Gift to Susan . . .

. . . was to leave her at home ALL BY HERSELF while we went to the drive-in movie showing of "Speed Racer" with the Mini Cooper Club. We also dropped off a card and licorice to Grandma Jensen on our way to the show.
The kids wore their pajamas and were really well behaved for being close together and out pretty late at night. TJ wanted to drive like Speed Racer on the freeway on the way home, Heather told me that life is a contest of making friends so she wanted to get out of the car and go find some other little girls to be her friends so that she'll win the contest, and Toby kept asking if he could sit on my lap and were we going to go on the houseboat?!? They ate grapes, rice krispie squares, flavored licorice, and presliced apples flavored with caramel - I had an upset stomach by the end of the movie just from eating their leftovers so the car wouldn't be a mess. I'm grateful for Susan and my mom who live and care for kids like this ALL the time!

Happy Mother's Day, Susan and Grandma Jensen and Grandma Kennedy!

My week

Elders' Quorum Day at the Park

Pima Air & Space Museum

Playin in the dirt

Toby's First Father Son Campout

Toby helped me load the truck while TJ and Heather went in for their 'adoption physicals.' He's excited to go play in the dirt!

Toby Shared a Scripture in Primary

Toby was brave and did a great job slobbering all over the microphone while repeating Amos 3:7 one word at a time!

Naming time again

Remember this post? Well, it's time to pay some more taxes (bad timing with a car having annual registeration in May - oh well) and to make it fun, I'm gonna make them get me another new license plate (so I actually look forward to paying this "TAX"). So, please leave a comment and let me know which license plate I should order. Here are the choices from last year, if you think of any others, check them here to see if they are available.

Thanks!

HDROOM = Headroom (there is an amazing amount of it in the back of a mini convertible with the top up - and even MORE with the top down!)

BIGSPDO = Big speedometer, the signature dash item that is among the many things that make the mini unique (not big speedo, which is what my brother Nate will be wearing when he gets home from his mission this summer)

THKGBIG = thinking big - this is what has been on the car for the last year

GDGTGUY = gadget guy - who me? have I told you about my green laser that can pop balloons? I'm taking it on a scout campout and to father/sons!

OTRWOMN = other woman - this is STILL how Susan sees the mini - I'm still trying to get her to drive it

NOT QT - Not cute - it is VERY disturbing when women call my car cute to my face (you know who you are). Although, I did notice that Zach 'whatever his last name is' on Scrubs drives a mini convertible on the show - BUT, it's not an 'S' model

MINIPWR - Mini power - uh, maybe if I had control issues?

JLSWIFE - Jealous wife - see 'other woman' above

GOMTRNG - Go Motoring - kinda my favorite right now 'cause it's a catch phrase for Mini and describes the fun time it is to drive this car

DNTGROP - Don't Grow up - too close to 'don't grope'?!?

Lockdown Lineup

TJ says he was the bravest kid in the school when the lockdown was announced. Heather had lots of stories about everyone's reactions in her class.

Can you find in this picture . . .

A police helicopter, 3 swat team members on roofs, smoke from flash grenades, police behind their cars with guns drawn and the backyard fence that police jumped b4 scaring Susan half to death when they came in our back door with guns drawn and yelling?

Goggle Gaggle . . .

. . . ready for a bike ride to Weinerschnitzel for breakfast yesterday. Toby and Heather ate their whole (9 am) hot dogs and TJ ate his french toast sticks. Toby said 'I love weiners!' He also got a watergun at the $1 store and shot people all the way home

Mall Trip

Double Decker Carousel

Toby said 'scarrrrry!' Heather said it was the best ride ever. TJ may be getting too old for such things. Susan didn't even ride. Too scared? I just liked being with the kiddos.

Daddy Daughter Dance Slideshow

Sunday Family Bike Ride

Since it was General Conference and the kids had been inside all weekend we went for a family bike ride after watching the afternoon session on TV. Susan did a great job pedalling (and motoring)! TJ just got tired and held on for a 'tow'

Daddy Daughter Dance

Heather was an AWESOME date last night at her school's fundraiser. We 'doubled' w/the Goodmans (he&I also doubled to senior prom) and Heather and Whitney were the FIRST girls on the dance floor. It was lots of fun and a great idea!