Bear Lake July 5-9th

So, we at the Jansen home are great at getting the exact camping spot that trashes our awnings. Last year, it was the awning on the camper, this year, we got out of a freakish 1 hour storm with nothing ruined or hurt, but our two brand new stand alone awnings were MaNgLeD! The storm came in about 3 minutes. We saw some icky clouds, but they looked like rain. Well, let me back up. We all arrived on Tuesday (my family), Lindsay and Ryun arrived later that day, mom and dad's family later that night. Corey got there on Wednesday. Thrusday morning Dad and KImber left, than Lindsay and fam on Friday morning and Corey about 2:30. We enjoyed fishing, swimming, playing cards, walks, beach time (altho we were not impressed with the beach, but then learned the water was about 100 feet IN from flood waters), and just plain relaxing.
Back to my storm story: Corey had just left, and it was almost 4:00 and we were going to go and see if they had a boat to rent for an hour or two. Jake and Chase and are the rental shed about 100 yds away. Mom, Me, Bryce and the little kids were starting to pick up chairs, toys, etc. and putting them under the trailer pop-out so we could keep everything dry. In about 30 seconds, we see Jake running and then all of a sudden a gust of wind comes. I hold onto the awnings thinking it will be over quickly, and Bryce and Mom run to their tent that wasn't staked down. We tell the kids to run into the trailer and then the party started! Wew! We got trashed, saw tornados of sand over at the beach and overall....everything that wasn't staked down went flying and what was staked down got mangled. Mom and I were in our swimsuits, so we were freezing...but in the end, we just let the awnings mangle themselves and then actually called the stores and they let us return them! Side note to anyone NOT having grown up in Idaho: When you have a severe wind storm, just take the CANVAS off your awning! Born and raised in Washington State, the worse things that come your way camping are RAIN and HAIL....hence the reason you keep your awning UP! :) So, lesson learned.

those of us here the last night, Jacob built a huge fire and we all had to keep scooting back.

kelton, keeping the fire going with his frisbee. it was almost out and he made it burst back alive

Overall, we had a great time, and altho camping with 4 little kids is hard work, we love it (right?)

HaPpY 4th of jUly!

This year, we decided NOT to try and get down to the big River celebration, but keep it closer to home. This is the last year my parents will be here, so we decided to keep it low key and attend the Rexburg Parade and have lunch up with the Choffin's. Abby and Ashley came with us. We got up there an hour early, and let the kids settle in. It always get SO crazy like 15 minutes before the parade and then we get 50 college kids that try to get in our space. Mom moved over 10 times, and more and more kids just kept sitting right on her purse! It was crazy. It wasn't too hot, and the kids got their fare share of candy. We headed to the water park "rexburg rapids" after lunch and hung out there until 5:00. It was a busy day but the kids did just great! They LOVE the water, so they stayed happy the whole day and then crashed on the way home in the car. We chilled at home and got the kids these glow sticks (from out of the laundry room, apparantly I forgot about them last year). They didn't really watch the fireworks very well, but preferred to run around and make too much noise. Half the time we were hushing them. :( Next year, we're gonna sit right under 'em so they will be amazed. Plus, Evan slept thru the whole thing in the car, so it was nice to be parked down at the church where we got to leave and not wait in all the traffic. We came home and did our little fireworks. Papa Larry got all the kids to start throwing poppers at eachother and Chase didn't even cry when he got pelted in the face. :) We enjoyed it all but was glad the day was over (until we heard crazy fireworks outside till 1:00am). Next year, we're doing our little fireworks show the night before! :) Saw some neighbors doing it, and it seems like such a great idea! :)

boy...we heart summer!

In the late of the evening, when the house gets a little hot from the sun beating in the windows from 4-6, we head outside to the front lawn where the kids can ride their bikes, use sidewalk chalk, we play soccer, let Evan scoot to his hearts content, and usually get to visit with friends that are passing by. Jake was working swings this week, so we got a low key evening to try and take some pics of the kids. Chase is in jammies, Taelin in her ripped "comfy" pants, and Evan wasn't quite happy, but hey- this is life. Unperfectly perfect. Jake and I have decided that we have parented quite the group of mini-control freaks (go figure with their parents). Each like to have life their own ways, which usually means lots of compromise and occasional bliss or lots of "loud" compromising and frustrations. I'd rather have them figure out who they are and what they want out of life now, than when I can't do much about it as teens or young adults. So, a toast to high willed children that come to us from Heavenly Father as strong and immovable. :)

Happy 5th Bday Chase!!!!!

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY CHASE!

We had a fun outdoor party for Chase! We had balloons, an umbrella for shade, drinks, cupcakes and our pools/slide up. It was so much fun!! Chase was kind enough to let siblings of his friends to come which meant that Kelton and Taelin had friends too! Chase had so much fun and they all got wet and stayed cool. Altho the set up and clean up took me forever, it was worth it to see the smiles on Chase's face. He was so excited and still has an "area" in his closet for all of his presents. :) Chase is the best person to give a gift to, he gets SO excited for each and every one. Its a blast to watch him enjoy his day so much. So, after lots of popscicles and hotdogs, water fights and giggles, we call this day a huge SUCESS!!!

no more bloggin'?

So, this is on my mom's computer because mine will not let me publish anything in blogger now! urgh! Until it is fixed (which means uninstalling Internet Explorer 9),

Almost one...say what?

Dear Evan,

When you didn't cry when you were first born, I was worried. Then I realized you were so sweet and laid back, I was astounded. I have continued to stare at you since you were born, constantly amazed at how wonderful the first few weeks, then months and now almost a year has been. You have always been so patient and mellow. I used to call you mellow-jello. You make me smile, you make me want to be a better mommy. I see you sit and watch your siblings and you are so patient when they attempt to carry you across the room. You wait and watch and enter their games at the right times, or keep yourself busy dumping and sifting through your basket of toys. I love how you dump your legos, and then pick them right back up (or lately you evenly distribute them across the room by throwing quite far!).

You eat and eat. Always trying foods at least once (even if they are icky). You have learned to scoot, and you get so angry when we try to make you crawl, but the minute you are let loose you are happy, babbling and right back on track of enjoying life and keeping busy. :) Your brothers LOVE to get you on their bellys and get face-to-face with you and talk. You deal so well with them. Taelin gets right in your face and talks "baby talk" to you all the time, you just smile until you've had enough and then you give her a little squeal to show her you are done. I seriously cannot get enough of your happy cheeks, cute teeth and belly laugh (which stops every 3 laughs to make sure others are laughing). When you sit in the middle seat of the van and fake cough and fake laugh, it makes the rest of the crazy noise (sometimes fighting) seem a whole lot more manageable.

I feel blessed to have your spirit in our home. I love you so much.

Love, Mommy

the Payne Family

Took this for my little sister and her family :)

it was a very quick shoot, (15 minutes) but we got some really cute ones!!!

Myrtle Beach, SC June 4-11th

START: June 3rd, Idaho Falls

Daddy arrives home to an immaculate house, packed car, meals prepared, kids sitting in the car having gone potty and changed (evan sleeping) and with a dvd in and ready! Off we go to Utah where we stay overnight at the haytt hotel and eat dinner and get to bed.

Early at the SLC airport...everyone got their bags! Kelton was such a big helper

and carried toys for Evan in his backpack!

The kids wafter watching a mermaid show, they got to go up above and visit with her



the kids holding a horeshoe crab, taelin was not happy about it, but did a good job! they have 10 eyes and 10 legs. we love aquariums!

most of them were burried in the sand, but kelton found one and loved to pet it. they were hard shells and their tails lookd scary, but there were no barbs or stingers! it was fun to touch something that was dangerous looking. Taelin finally touched one and got a lolli pop. :) g

Proof that Nathan, Oma and Opa

Overall, we had SO much fun! From beach days, to the Sky Wheel and mommy and daddy's walk on the beach to visiting daddy's old friends in Georgetown! Mommy especially enjoyed Marie, and hanging out with everyone! The kids got SO comfortable with the water, and even Taelin was dunking her head under! We watched fireworks, rode fun rides, ate lots of sorbet and icecream and swam/beached it all week! Daddy and uncle Nathan got to go parasailing and they said it was nice and breezy. :) The kids did AMAZING on the plane both ways! :) We were complimented 4-5 times between the two of us on how well our kids did and how well behaved they were (one lady said it was luck, HA!). It was nice of those around us. Now...back to normal life. Good thing normal life is pretty darn good, laundry: not so much! :)