Rivalry Relay

As the tagline reads, "1 day, 6 friends, 60 miles. Salt Lake City to Provo."  Close enough. This year it was more like, "9 hours 58 minutes, 6 family members (who are consequently also my friends), and 63.5 miles (the route had a bit of an adjustment thanks to Udot construction).

This is our second  relay (you can read about the first one here) this summer and I love it. Our team, the Relay-ted Comrades ran in style with our Hawaiian shirts. Oh and you can't forget the pom-pom hat! The weather was hotter than desirable but what can you expect at the end of August in Utah? The race started at the U and ended at Kiwanis park across from the Y, hence the "rivalry" relay.

The most stunning feat was Tanner running up Suncrest. If any have you have ever driven that you know really what it means. Basically 1200 feet + 11% grade for 3.3 miles, just to give you an idea. Though he wasn't the official race "King of the Mountain," he might as well be in my eyes. He killed it. Proud moment for me.

Running behind Hogle Zoo in the pitch dark and hearing rustling // Jason tripping on a tree root // Tanner taking a selfie with a goat // Bailing water out of the back of the van // "Squeeze the pom-pom" // Spelling comrades wrong, ended up com"rads"...just go with it // Sleeping in accidentally 7 minutes before we had to leave // So many honey buckets // Jessica going mama bear when looking for her hubby // PR in the mile and 5k // Chocolate milk // Ending the race with creamies

My sisters (and their misters) killed it. I think we all had pre-race jitters but everyone ran well. We finished in 16th place overall.

If you were wondering, my quads are still sore. Can't wait for the next race.

 Just look behind him, still had about a mile left to go...

longer out than in

This baby has officially been outside the womb longer than he was in. 40 weeks and 3 days. I was already a fairly nostalgic person but becoming a mom has made it even more so. You hear all the time mom's saying how fast kids grow up and now I totally understand the feeling. Around this time every month I get all reflective about when we first found out about him all the way leading up to now. As I walked into the grocery store the other day I looked down at my shadow holding A. It felt weird to see because I know I'm a mom, but most days it doesn't feel like it. Then within that same hour I was checking out and realized I grabbed the diaper clutch instead of my wallet (#newmomproblem). It was like the universe reminding me, yep you're a mom alright.

It's exciting because these babies do something new each day. I can no longer set him down and find him in that exact spot. I can't snuggle him in my arms all day without him putting up a wiggle fest. In the last few weeks his gag reflex has improved and now has a new love for avocados, strawberries and cottage cheese. He likes to twirl his hair with his right hand on top of his head as he falls asleep. One of the twirls I caught him pulling out the 4 originals (he had 4 extra long hairs that we assume to have been the first ones to grow on that little noggin'.) Don't worry, I saved one to tape in my journal. Don't judge. Anything to remember this baby as a baby.

When I walked in to check on him in the morning he was flipped on his stomach fast asleep. This did it for me.  In that moment he looked like a kid. Where is my little baby going? And why is he going so fast?

Oh and to top it all off, I'm pretty sure I spy a little bottom tooth. His FIRST tooth people!

bear lake, it's tradition

My brother-in-law always teases how much our family uses the phrase, "it's tradition!" It's safe to say I have gone to Bear Lake basically every summer as long as I can remember. For the Jensen family "reunion" (not sure if we should call it a reunion since we see each other pretty regularly) we spent a few days sharing a condo on the beach.

Being able to relax with family is my favorite way to spend my time. As our family continues to grow it just gets more better yet. We had a little pet rock painting activity planned for nephews. Tanner ended up being the one to get the most into it with his "zen rock." For our beach day my dad graciously rented a wave-runner for everyone. I could spend all day on one if I could. Didn't get thrown off. Huzzah! Atticus love, love, loves splashing in water so I was optimistic he'd love the beach. The sand must have felt weird at first cause he wouldn't put his feet down. Eventually he gave in and that kid was a little sandy beach bum. It's crazy how much sand gets stuck in all the crevices. TMI?

^^This reunion did not disappoint: Getting stung by a wasp (that is the second time this summer!) / Maddox for lunch on the way there (& back) / An 11 month and a 9 month old sharing a room. Who's idea was that again? / Adam catching a frog. Liam playing with said frog. RIP / Celebrating Katrina's 30th birthday / Carmelitas / Wiggly eyes finding their way onto people caught sleeping. / Trying blue mint Aggie ice cream / Winning 2 out of 3 games of Scorefour against DaBell's / Early morning run with Tanner / Discovering Atticus likes strawberries / Spending all day building a sandcastle followed by sandcastle smash in 30 seconds / Playing tether ball / Tanner's floral pattern combos.

Of course we ended our stay watching the Olympics and eating the famous Bear Lake raspberry shakes. Although I was highly disappointed to find out the raspberries aren't local anymore. So much for Raspberry Days eh?

Love Bear Lake. Love my family.

See, I told you he loves the beach.

camping with a babe

When we do something new with Atticus I always get a little bit nervous. He adds a different element to our family dynamic. Things would definitely be easier if we just stayed at home. Although before he came we (Tanner and I) decided we wanted to be good at still doing things even with a baby. When the invitation from my sister came to go camping we decided yes! It takes some extra work (and planning) to bring a baby anywhere but you can basically do anything.

On the drive there, our conversation mainly consisted of Disneyland and what ideas we had to add to the park and some grumbling about how we really don't want the Tower of Terror to change (that's a conversation for another day). We started up the canyon when I made the comment how good some fries sounded when without even blinking Tanner turned the car around mid-sentence to pick up fries from the drive-in that we had just passed. Apparently he was craving some too.

Lilly Lake was so refreshing. To get out of the heat and the city was so good for us, me especially. We were able to share a campsite with my two older sisters and their families. Enjoyed the sunset as my brother-in-laws caught a number of fish. For dinner we dined on dutch oven taco soup, fresh caught fish followed by smores and cinnamon-sugar breadtwists over the fire.

A did considerably well at night. He decided it was okay to starfish in the middle of our teensy tent, leaving us with less than desirable space to sleep. That little ham. He's cute so we'll let it slide. Happy camping to us.

nothing better than homemade applesauce

Dad has been saying for awhile now, "the apples are ready." 

I had decided at the start of summer I needed to have my mom teach me how to can. New the basics when she had us help growing up but needed her expertise. Have you ever had her cinnamon applesauce? It is so unbelievably good. Here's the kicker, she actually hates applesauce (due to some childhood experience) and never tries it. Yet this stuff could win state fairs. 

So many apples had already fallen so it was time to get on it. Unfortunately I timed it the week my mom was gone and was left to do it all on my own. Felt all confident that it would be easy and I'd be able to stock up my food storage with delicious applesauce. I couldn't have been more wrong. After a long day of picking, coring, cooking, cranking, pouring, sealing, and waiting impatiently...I can proudly say we have 3 whole jars of applesauce. Really though, this had better be the best dang applesauce.

Little deflating to only have canned 3 jars. I'm inspired to try some other fruits/veggies to add to my "stockpile." Thinking about cherries and raspberries next. Maybe green beans?

I told Tanner, we will get to enjoy the fruits of my labor only on a special occasion like a birthday or Christmas. Thanks to mom for answering my many texts and phone calls even though she was on vacation.

now she's a painter

My baby sister is not a baby. She is now a wife. I still have a memory of waking up one morning to learn that my new baby sister was born. Didn't always appreciate her copying me or following me around as little sisters are known to do. My mom would always say it was just a sign that she looked up to me. Whether that was true or not, I sure hope she knows how proud I am of her. It was a good day being able to attend the sealing with so many family members (and friends) present.

The day ran away with me and I barely took a single picture. Thankful to the people that grabbed these shots.

To remember. / Adam, "She can hear." (the sealer thought she was deaf). / The three babies losing it for a picture. / Stopping by Ruby Snap for their July cookies (if you haven't heard me talk about them before, shame on you...they're ah-mazing). / Dancing with Atticus while decorating. / Root beer float milk. / Dad busting out a wig & "Rock and Roll All Nite" during the daddy-daughter dance. / Aerials as the newlyweds drove away. / Finding my parents zonked out the day after.

The week of the wedding was when I started to kick myself for saying I'd do her cake. Yikes! Despite messing up my italian meringue buttercream and having to redo it (a very large batch mind you) AND the power going out AND Amazon Prime's 2-day shipping arriving late forcing me to drive across SLC to three different stores a few hours before the reception...the cake turned out.


Welcome to the family Adam!