Piano Lessons

Last January in order to save money we pulled the kids out of piano lessons and started teaching them at home. Of course it is always difficult trying to teach from home, but Rick has been really consistent giving them lessons each week and man, he is strict! I think they are learning way more than they did in their former lessons! They still aren't thrilled about lessons (except for five year old Janelle who really wants to start) but we at least want them to be able to play the hymns!

Shane and Alicia come to visit...

Shane and Alicia (my brother and sister-in-law) came to visit us for a couple of days this weekend with their two little girls, Adria and Rella. Jaiden and Adri had a great time playing dress up. The cousins all went swimming and took turns standing up and jumping off Uncle Shane's back.

I tended Adri and Rella while Shane and Alicia went to "Les Miserables" at Tuacahn. The kids were excited for their big sleep-over. Adri and Rella slept in Janelle, Jaiden, and Josh's room. Every time I passed their door I could hear them talking, singing, and giggling. It was pretty funny!

Fun With Cousins!

Shane and Alicia offered to tend all of the kids while Rick and I went out Friday night. Shane got another work-out giving the kids horsie rides!










It looks like the kids are playing "ring-around-the-rosies," but Janika said that it was a game called, "Blow the Bubble." I have no idea what that is but Janika said that Adri loved it!


















Josh is just four months older than his cute little cousin Rella. They kept us entertained with their cute smiles and words!

We had fun visiting with Shane and Alicia and Adria and Rella! Thanks for coming!!

More Swim Parties!!

Do you think we could fit a few more kids in this hot-tub? School starts next week and so everyone seems to be squeezing in all of their "end of summer" swimming parties. Our kids have loved it! This is a Ward Elder's Quorum party held in the Green's backyard. Jaiden is the one with the miss-matched water wings and Janelle is the one with the pink goggles.

After swimming and eating, we met some friends at the park and splash pad downtown and set up blankets and chairs and watched an outdoor movie, "Cheaper By The Dozen." Fun evening!

Seminary Swim Party

With school starting soon, the Seminary faculty put together a swim party for Seminary teachers and their families. There were TONS of kids there! Normally when people (at the store or wherever) look at my belly, they will ask questions like, "Is this your first?" or "So which number is this?" I smile and say, "This will be our seventh." Then they gasp, "SEVEN??!!" And then there are all sorts of interesting comments after that. When we go to Seminary gatherings, however, our family size is pretty normal since many of the other teachers have just as many or more kids as we do. I have to admit that it feels nice to go socialize with wonderful families we can relate to so well!

Grandma Jensen and Gerilyn

Grandma Jensen and Gerilyn (Rick's mom and sister) came to visit for a few days. We all love it when family comes to stay! The kids couldn't wait to involve them both in big games of Monopoly and Jase was excited to have someone to challenge him in Chess. They brought us lots of fresh vegetables from their garden which we enjoyed for several days. They also brought us a huge tub of corn on the cob which we cooked, sliced and froze for winter. Gerilyn then took all of the kids out for ice-cream.

Saturday morning Grandma took all of the kids on a walk to the park and then that night she and Gerilyn were able to go see Rick and Janika in "Les Miserables" at Tuacahn.

We were grateful that Grandma and Gerilyn were able to be there Sunday to see Rick sustained and set-apart as the new Branch President of the Deaf Branch. This will be a whole new experience for our family since we will be changing wards (and Stakes) and participating in the Deaf Branch now. Rick is feeling overwhelmed but I know he will do a great job!

Gerilyn always spoils the kids when she comes and Monday she took the entire crew swimming at Sand Hollow and then got pizza for everyone. Josh stayed home and took a nap. That means the house was absolutely quiet and I had the whole afternoon to myself! I was able to take a nap, go swimming, and read a good chunk of Stephenie Meyer's new book "Breaking Dawn." Fun!

Tuesday morning they packed up and headed back home. Thanks Grandma and Gerilyn for coming! We love you!

Happy 14th Anniversary!!

Since it is our Anniversary today, I thought it would be fun to post some wedding pictures to show how it all began!!

When Rick and I woke up this morning, we found two little plates of scrambled eggs and two cups of water. Jase (age 10) had cooked breakfast for us for our Anniversary. It was simple but so sweet! I was really touched by his thoughtfulness!