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.

in the summer

What? Only 19 more days of summer?!

I look forward to the change in seasons, but man did that feel like it went by fast to anyone else?

Summer has treated us well. Just some of the things of note:

Enjoyed Santa Monica Beach.

T got his own log on Splash.

Finally got a fried green tomato sandwich in my belly.

(it had been far too long, thanks HB!)

Met the hatbox ghost.

Saved T's life while scaling the Matterhorn.

Tried to find a campground with my sister's and their families.

Resorted to camping in the backyard.

Probably one of my faves, FIRST FAMILY SELFIE...

Celebrated France's independence with crepes.

Finally found Score Four on ebay. Come on over if you haven't played it before. 

Enjoyed our fancy pants robes at the Grand America.

(perks of working events)

Ate a ridiculously tasty croque madame.

Finally got around to my quilt. From our trip to Europe last year, we decided to get fabric from each city we visited. Each of those squares brings back so many memories.

Even T has gotten in on the sewing action.

His face. Can't. Help. It.

Found this little big guy in my work stairwell. RIP.

Had a couple visits to 7 Peaks. My Dad wanted to win so bad.

Cheese pull-a-parts. They will change your life. 

And give you some major garlic breath (if that's your thing).




Spent some time with these newly weds before they moved back to London.



Supposed to be watering the garden and getting the mail while our friends were on vacation.




Babysitting = legos.





Made it to 28 weeks.
We are 2/3 of the way closer to meeting baby S.



Let's see what else we can fit in with our remaining 19 days!