Today was a big day...

We'll start with the last part of the day first because that is how I loaded the pictures! The first one is a cell phone picture and that is why it isn't the best. Tanner had mentioned he REALLY wanted to go to President Hinckley's viewing. I thought it was pretty cool that he expressed it, so we made the trip up as a whole family(I wanted to go also) and took Trax(way crowded-standing only) to the Conference Center only to find out it was a 4 hour line! Not such a swell idea with 4 little children. Well, we walked around the Visitor's Center and saw the Christus statue(Zach said 'Hi Jesus!'), and got back on Trax. Tanner was crying because he was so upset about not seeing President Hinckley. So, Brandon and I decided that we'd get the van, go grab some fast food and then I dropped Brandon and Tanner off at the Conference Center, with the idea that I'd come get them in a few hours. I took the kids home and put them to bed and my mom came and sat at our house so I could go back to Salt Lake(or Swan Lake as Zach calls it!). I must also mention that Megan wanted to stay really bad and was upset, but I just couldn't leave her for that long. I just don't think she would have been quite as brave as Tanner as much as she would have tried. It was cold and she was already tired. She was happy once we were on our way home. After 4 1/2 hours in the line(2 of which were outside) they finally were finished and I picked them up! Tanner was so happy and said President Hinckley had a smile on his face and the room was so peaceful and quiet. He also made mention that he would always listen to mom and dad(coming off of a spiritual high I am sure!) I'm going to remember that! (ha ha) Tanner was determined and I am so impressed with his determination and his drive to want to say goodbye to the only prophet he has known. Brandon asked him several times while waiting in line if he wanted to leave and he would not go! He said it was worth it for him, and we are so proud of him.













Gavin had tubes put in his ears this morning. He did so great! He couldn't have milk after midnight and no fluids after 5:30 am, but no worries because he slept through the night and then we took him straight to the surgical center at 8:30 am. The procedure took about 10 minutes and he wore a cute little yellow gown. This was a much easier procedure than when Tanner had his tear duct surgery when he was 13 months old. Gavin was pretty cranky after the anesthesia(mask only-no IV) wore off but then had a pretty good day. We are so happy it is over and his life will be much improved. 7 ear infections in 9 months is just so sad! He is a happy sweet boy and we are so excited to say goodbye to all those ear infections!

Oh how we will miss him

Doesn't it feel like a member of the family has gone? He is so wonderful and will be SO missed. What a great time to be on the earth and experience having him for our prophet and president. It has been a great, fun ride with him. What a great example to all of humanity. I will always remember him telling us do our best. He was always so encouraging and uplifting.
"Do the very best you can. And when you have done that, you just place the matter in the hands of the Lord. Go forward with faith."

A tribute to my 7 year old Tanner

This Sunday, my "baby" Tanner, will turn 7 years old. It just seems like yesterday that I used to rock him to sleep and lay him in his crib. I really can't believe it has been this long. He is an amazing, wonderful boy. Creative, smart, fun, caring, sensitive, thoughtful, talented and handsome. It has been a great 7 year ride and we wouldn't trade being his parents for the world. We love Tanner! He had a great shark party on Saturday. I made him a shark cake and he had friends and family over for pizza, cake and ice cream, fun and games. They played pin the tail on the shark, toss the bean bag into the shark's mouth, and a fishing for prizes game. All the children took home a bag of goodies complete with shark toys and candy etc. After his party Grandma and Grandpa took him shopping and then took all of our family out to eat. How nice! Tanner truly had a great birthday weekend!

Gavin claps

Today, Megan called to me from the living room, "Mommy, Gavin is clapping!" He sure was and he hasn't stopped all day. Megan was playing with his little piano, and then clapped and he copied her. Even being a little sick, he still has managed to do it. He does it all the time now. The kids' have been quite entertained by him. It seems so cliché, but they really do grow fast!!! It never ceases to amaze me. I love this blogging stuff. Sometimes it is easier for me to sit down at my computer than my table to journal. Although I do keep a journal for each child, I also enjoy this. It is a nice stress relief.

Jensen Christmas Loot 2007

Our children were definitely spoiled by Santa this year. Tanner even told my sister-in-law that he was really spoiled on Christmas day! Ha ha!

Gavin had a great first Christmas. He loves his bouncing Zebra and Baby Tad by Leapfrog. He also loves a little piano toy that my mom gave him. He can play the keys!

Zachary got a bike! He recently finally started to pedal his trike. He was so stubborn about pedaling for so long, but finally decided it moves a lot faster if you pedal! So it was time for a bike. He loves his pirate ship and yes, Santa got him High School Musical 2 dolls.

Megan also got a bike! The theme for her this year was Barbie and Polly Pocket. She got the Barbie Island Princess movie and dolls. She has watched it many a time. She also received a much needed case for Polly Pocket items and Barbie items. Those Polly Pocket shoes are microscopic and especially fun when you see Gavin put one in his mouth!

Tanner received an indoor double basketball hoop that keeps score and you can play against each other. It has been fun. He got lots of shark stuff and the ever popular Mega Rig Shark Ship, and a Spider-man laptop. He is still enjoying his gifts. He is wearing a shark mask in the picture.

Sick kids=Rough times!

It's the most sickly time of the year...When one gets it they seem to all get it, one after another. This time Gavin was hit hard and had a double ear infection that wiped him out. He would just lay there and whimper and moan even after we had given him Motrin and he had started on his strong antibiotic. Can I just say, thank goodness for modern medicine??? How did mothers do it before then? It is hard enough to care for a sick child in this day and age. As a mother, there is such a relief when you can get that antibiotic or whatever it may be, and cure your sick baby. What a blessing! This will be the first time we have a child that needs to get tubes in their ears. Gavin has had 6 ear infections in 6 months! Tubes-here we come. I think we officially meet the criteria now.

Megan wins coloring contest!

Megan is a great little colorer. She won a coloring contest a few days before Christmas and won this little Santa Claus. She is too cute!

Zach singing "The Very Best Part of Christmas Time"

This is a song Zach learned in Preschool for their Christmas program.

Christmas Fun

Gavin's first Christmas! He liked Santa. The Kids had fun dressing up in nativity gear and singing primary songs for a family dinner. I thought these pictures turned out really cute. We visited Santa at the mall the next day.

Merry Christmas 2007

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Merry Christmas everyone!

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