My First Time To San Francisco

Our house, the guy at the bottom left was a huge selling point for me ;)

If you are facing the house and look left, this is your view and a culdesac for the kids, yay!

Facing the house, look right and this is the view...those hills look allergic to matches to me...

Just like that *poof!* Nathan and I's week away together is over. At the beginning of the week the two of us flew down to San Francisco to go house hunting in the suburb Walnut Creek. As soon as we got off the plane I could smell the fresh ocean air off the Bay and I felt strangely welcomed. When we got to the Marriot we were staying at they didn't have any King beds left and so they gave us two Full sized beds which was a throw back to our Honeymoon bed situation (no choice but to snuggle up! shucks!) and that was just the beginning of several really annoying service issues with the hotel.

But I ain't gonna spend time complaining about the size of the bed when Nathan and I had days together, just the two of us. Our first day looking for a home to rent we saw 7 homes and got a good feel for the area and where we wanted to be. That afternoon we were driving around a neighborhood, in this case killing time until an appt., when we found a house for sale/lease. Just like with our very first home in Boise, the moment I saw the house I had a feeling it was the right one. We got an appt. to look at the house right away and at first I was bummed cuz the realtor told us there was already a lease application in on the house. But Nathan and I loved the house and the realtor encouraged us to go forward with an application as well and long story short, we got the house!!!! Yay!!! Phew!!! ...Yay!!!

We spent the week signing lease agreements, working out kinks (ie: T-mobile has no service at our house so I will have to get a new phone that has Wi-fi capabilities) and finding and getting Kennedy registered for Kindergarten.

That brings up a whole new issue. Where we have been living the cut off date for Kindergarten is in September. Kennedy's birthday is at the end of October so there wasn't even an option, she had to wait to go. But in Cali. the cut off date is the end of December and the registration lady was totally wanting us to put Kennedy straight into first grade. We will likely only be in the area for one year and I don't know what the rules will be where we move but all of a sudden Nathan and I were worried we weren't making the right choice for Kenna. Anybody have any opinions or advice? As it stands we are still putting her in Kindergarten. I mean, it isn't like she is going to be the tallest in the class...even if she is the oldest.

Anyway, it has been the most wonderful week with Nathan- getting to eat out together and go to movies together and just having hours of uninterrupted time to talk and be together. And thank you to my Mom and Dad who watched the Fiesta Trio for us all week!!!! We will have a guest room/bath in our home here so this is an official open invitation for anyone who would like to visit! Nathan and I scoped out Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39 and saw Alcatraz from a distance and would love to go exploring with anyone who comes down.

P.S.- It feels weird that I am not going back to VA...I miss everyone so much but it hasn't really set in that I'm not going back, with all that has been going on. But just know that I think about everyone often and miss you guys!!

Nathan and I on Pier 39 down at Fisherman's Wharf

More Pier 39 stuff

That is Alcatraz in the distance behind me, I'm a little weary to get much closer lest I somehow get captured and held captive there...I read too many books...

The Craziest Saturday Ever

Mi Madre, Ashley, Me, Natalie

The table settings and decorations

Me and my 'Seesters'

I did it. I made it through one of the busiest days I have had in a long time. Everyone decided to plan everything for last Saturday. And on top of that my Mom and I accidentally chose the time for my little sister's bridal shower at the exact same time as the Family BBQ for my high school reunion. There were at least 4 other things that I was invited to or wanted/needed to attend going on all in the same day. Why does that always happen?! You got nothing going on and then bam! everything all at the same time...but I digress.

Saturday morning I got up and got ready -right there I accomplished more than usual, right?- and my Mom and I scampered around the house getting last minute things for the shower ready. We got to Carino's Italian Restaurant early to set up and I was surprised how well all of our decorations looked and helped to transform the room a bit. This shower -one of several Ashley has been thrown- was for Grandma, Aunts, cousins and a few dear family friends to be able to help celebrate Ashley and Shayns upcoming nuptials (say the last two words with kind of an uppity air and it's more fun). It was nice to see everyone and visit for a little while before I had to leave. You can't see me but I am making a yucky face thinking about how I had to leave early. Boo for that.

I jump in the car and Nathan has the kids all ready to go and we drive down to Eagle Island State Park. I was a little bit nervous about the whole H.S. reunion thing. If I am being honest I waffled a lot about whether or not I wanted to even go. I mean, my high school experience was fine. Parts of it were great and parts of it really weren't and so I feel like it evened out to a middle of the road experience. My freshman and sophomore years were in Omaha, NE at Millard North -shout out to my BFF Rachel :) - and only my last two years were at Eagle so I felt like my loyalties were slightly divided anyway. But obviously I decided to go to this part of the reunion. We get there and immediately I feel thrown back into school where you walk into a room and frantically search the room for a familiar face so that you don't feel like such a tard all by yourself. But it didn't take long to find friendly faces and pretty soon I felt relaxed and was able to enjoy catching up with friends (most of whom I still keep in touch with already) and seeing some I hadn't seen in years. It was fun...

...It was also hot. And although we brought our stuff to swim in the river, every time we swim there one of our kids ends up with an ear infection (my ped. said it was probably cuz the water in that area doesn't circulate enough) so Nathan and I were trying to avoid the hassle of letting our kids swim. Plus, let's be honest. I wouldn't have wanted to get in a swimsuit in front of my whole class 10 years ago- what makes them think I would want to now!? So eventually we told the kids we would go to Papas house and go swimming instead.

As we left I realized that the people who never talked to me in High School still didn't talk to me, and those who had been my friends still felt like my friends. I hope my VA friends are right who told me 20 year reunions are better because the 'cool people' have finally realized they're not really cooler than anyone and then everyone can just be themselves. That sounds like a lot more fun to me.

Next (thats right, my day wasn't even close to being over) we took the kids over to Nathan's parents house to swim and then I went over to my sister Ashley's house and she and my older sister Natalie and I worked on Ash's wedding favors together which was fun.

And finally Nathan and I went out with my parents to dinner and the new Batman movie- which by the way was great- Heath Ledger was creepy as all get out and he did an amazing job as the Joker. But by the end of Saturday I felt like I had been hit by a truck...so tired! Even though it was a long day it really was a great one.

What We've Been Up To

Kennedy generously tried all of her safety biking gear on Aly which was adorable...until Kennedy decided to take it all back and Aly cried :( So much for "sharing"...


Papa John showing Kennedy and Kohen his guitar and letting them give it a little try...



Blowing bubbles with Papa Dixie (or "Pixie" as Aly has shortened it too, so funny)...

Kennedy and Kohen after I told them what the surprise was that we were going to go see...

Go Diego Go, Live! Came to Boise and we went with "Pixie" to see the show...

Although it was 'strictly prohibited' I lived on the edge and broke the law for all of my blogging readers by taking pictures of the show...your welcome :)

Papa Dixie even bought the kids T-shirts and a cool light up toy from the show which was a huge treat, very fun...
More updates again soon. Though if any of you are like me, blogging takes a bit of a back seat in the summer because there is so much going on...which is kind of a problem when we usually blog about all the stuff going on, not a great cycle...anyway, hope you are all enjoying your summers!!!!

Aunt Ashley's Birthday

Aunt Ashley's Birthday, Kenna and Kohen "help" unwrap gifts

Aly being held by "Pixie" which is what she shortened 'Papa Dixie' into

Kennedy and Kohen were chasing Ashley around pretending to be "her kittie's"...

All the while AlyCat -legitimizing her namesake- was tasting the cat food in the kitchen...mmm, fiber...

A Message From Idaho

Happy Birthday Nathan!!!!!!!
We miss you....

Those Pearly Whites

Since we have been at my parents house Aly has been out doing herself getting into mischief as she discovers all the new things she can gain access to. Exhibit A: Aly has realized that if she climbs up on the toilet in our bathroom she can crawl on to the counter to get the toothpaste. I had already caught her eating it earlier but when Kennedy came and got me to show me what Aly was up to a little later, I found Aly had decided to go all out and really own her rascality this time around.Two final thoughts: I love Kennedy's 2 cents in the video and yes, child locks have since been purchased and applied with varying degrees of succes. Turns out the doors have to be closed for the locks to work...

Kenna and the Two Wheeler

We had last Saturday to recuperate a little bit before we packed up our bags again on Sunday and headed out for the Bi-annual Jensen Family Reunion. This was the first one where I wasn't ridiculously heavy with child or where I had a new born less than two weeks old so I was definitely looking forward to hanging out with everyone at the 4-H camp up at Donnely that we go to, more than I had in previous years.

Kennedy and two of her cousins, Spencer and Caleb are all born within about 3 months of each other. When we got up there and there were kids bikes everywhere we realized that none of the 3 cousins were riding bikes yet, though the boys both have them and have worked with training wheels on and off but still weren't riding without help. Kennedy didn't have a bike yet and had never tried riding a bike sans training wheels but was as eager as the boys to give it a try. I think the key to their success that night might have had to do with Uncle Taylor and Aunt Tara helping them rather than their own parents. All three of the kids learned how to ride a bike! Poor Taylor was soaking with sweat by the end, having run back and forth with the kids spotting them. Thanks Uncle Taylor!!!

Of course I am most excited for Kennedy- she pretty much hopped on the bike and rode off...on gravel no less, cuz thats the easiest place to learn. Nathan and I were planning on getting Kenna a bike sometime this summer but this new development kind of threw things into high gear. When we got back Nathan and I took Kennedy to get her very first bike. She rides it like a speed demon, so I guess it's fair to say she takes after me in that area...The video is of Kenna up at the camp riding her cousins bike and it is only 15 seconds long or so, enjoy :)

The Long Drive

Aly being a little Peach

My cousin Shelly and her daughter Hailey and husband James

Using a Wheat Thin to make sandwiches

The great M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I River

Aly painting her toes with water and a brush

They weren't pleased that I was taking pictures of their tantrum...

A picture I would like to title: Glory, Glory Hallelujah

When we drove from Boise to VA a couple of years ago, I swore I would never do it again...NEVER. I was so traumatized by that trip I can't even tell you. Kennedy was just shy of turning 4, Kohen had just turned 2 and Aly was barely 2 months old and colicky as all get out. For some strange reason none of the children slept at all on the trip and if one of them fell asleep someone else would wake them up with their fussing and they were so overly tired and needy and...well, it was awful. So when Nathan and I realized the best plan would be to have us drive back out to Boise (before we finish our move down to Cali.) I knew that it was never too early to start preparing. I was determined we would have a better experience this time.

We started out Wed. morning and it didn't seem like our children got the memo about how this trip was supposed to be different. They had figured out that I had some surprises and activities and they would NOT stop asking for them. Not to mention a few, "are we there yet?'s and even one "can we go to the airport now and fly to Boise?" which at that point Nathan and I were wondering if that wasn't too bad of an idea! Anyway, it was coming around to lunch time and I happen to look down at our GPS and I realize we are going to go right past Pittsburgh where my cousin Shelly lives. So I grab my phone and call and totally enact everyones worst fears, a surprise, no warning, pop-in visit. When we arrived they were kind enough to let us use their facilities before heading over to a park for a quick picnic. Having forgot my plastic silverware I had to go all McGyver meets Martha and use a Wheat Thin to make our sandwiches. Anyway, it was great to see Shelly and James and have a reprieve from the car even if it was short.

When we got back in the car I started my schedule with the kids and both Nathan and I were shocked by how well the kids did with it. They were quiet and/or slept during nap time, played well during activity time until it would be movie time. They did great. We drove clear to the western side of Iowa that first day, no, no, please hold your applause cuz there is more. The next morning we crossed the great Mississippi which was fun. Let's see, how to describe it?? Um.. it's big. By early afternoon we were in my old stomping grounds of Omaha and though the weather was crummy it started to clear just a bit so we decided, again -last minute- to go to the Henry Doorly Zoo. This zoo is the 4th best zoo in the world, if I remember right, and it is so amazing. If you are ever travelling through it is worth spending an afternoon there. We stopped and went on our way out to VA but the kids are all two years older and we knew they would love the zoo and the break from driving.

After the zoo we were back on the road. I was reading, trying to use the last of the daylight and when I finally looked up my stomach dropped. Ahead of us there was a huge black wall of clouds coming towards us. Having lived in Neb. for 10 years, I knew how dangerous the storms could be and even more so when you are just in your car and vulnerable. We turned on the radio and sure enough there was a thunderstorm warning for pretty much right where we were. Reportedly the storm was producing hail an inch in diameter, winds of 75mph and the possibility of tornadoes. It didn't take me too long to convince Nathan we needed to pull over. We waited out the storm with quite a few other people in a rest stop and though we had crazy wind, rain, and continuous lightening and thunder, we gratefully did not have any hail. The storm went on to knock out all the power in Omaha for a week, and even had two casualties. So needless to say, we were grateful to have gone through the storm unscathed.

We made it to my parents house late Friday night and we were so grateful to have made it safely. I am already missing my friends from VA but looking forward to getting to play in Boise. We hadn't hardly recuperated Sat. when we had to pack up again and head out for a family reunion for Nathan's side up at a 4-H camp in Donnely. So there will be pictures of that soon. But in the mean time, we made it here safely!