Arizona Baby

Two weeks ago I got to fly to sunny Arizona to visit my sister Emily, the momma-in-waiting! I rounded up pictures from my sisters (since I forgot my camera!) so I could blog it into the archives.

We took a leap of faith and flew down even though the baby was being stubborn and was already 3 days over due! It actually worked out really well, because we were able to go shopping and out to dinner with Emily and Ren before it all began. It was nice to visit and see what their lives are like.

That night, Emily got the call from the hospital saying they had a bed ready for her! We gave excited farewells and the cute couple went to the hospital to start a long night in triage, hoping gels would get labor started. Well, no such luck. We tried to visit them the next afternoon, but guests are not allowed in triage and they were still waiting for a real bed. Finally at 6 pm that night, Emily got settled in a real delivery room and we were able to party! It was a full and happening room! 

She was put on pitocin and after a little while her water broke. It was fun to be there for the action and anticipation. I felt like I was useful because I helped Emily recognize when her contractions were getting painful in her back, and to ask for her epidural. By the time they came she was in agony, so we were glad she asked when she did!

Finally around 11 pm we left the expectant couple to catch a few winks. Emily was able to sleep until about 3 am, when she awoke ready to go! Sweet baby Jaymison McKay was finally born at 4:05 am and was 8 lb 9 oz!

Grandpa & Grandpa Jensen were headed to the hospital at 5 am, so I dragged myself out of bed and went to see the little princess! It's not often you get to snuggle a baby one hour from heaven. 

Later in the day we went back for more. I found a fitting gift from the first time daddy for his birthday. (Enlarge for a laugh)

I got some sweet awake moments to gaze into her little eyes! We can't tell who she looks like yet, but she is precious!  I had to leave for the airport too soon, but I am so thankful I was able to be there for her grand debut.

Auntie Noelle took some darling newborn pictures. So sweet.

This Just In

Here's a hodge podge of the latest happenings....

Ella is learning the Pledge of Allegiance in preschool. They made flags and Ella just happened to wear a matching outfit.

Tyler's personality is growing by miles. He is so sweet, silly, and even-tempered (hallelujah!).

He just decided he loves his monkey blanket. I had switched blankets to wash it, and he spotted it on his shelf and begged for it. Then he carried it around all day and snuggled it.

Mike also just let him have his George monkey in his crib and he loves to sleep with it. I love how babies this age get attached to things!

Tyler sat at the table for the first time today to color with sisters. His smile says it all.

Last week we had a little game party for the Cougars (we were energetic in the beginning!). The girls like to get out their tutus and use them like pom poms.

Tyler was a little cookie monster!

Maddie is seriously obsessed with the written word. She wrote out the fight song and made decorations for the TV stand. She writes messages to us instead of just talking to us, and also wrote out the Pledge of Allegiance for practice.

Also of note, Mike spearheaded the tomato canning I was avoiding! He must really love me.

Crispy Air

It's been awhile since I posted, because I got to go on a trip (all by myself!) to meet my new niece in Arizona! It was amazing to be there for the birth (right before and after, rather) and to hold that sweet baby fresh from heaven. We are so happy for Emily and Ren... and my girls are dying to meet their new cousin.

In the mean time, we have been enjoying the feeling of fall in the air! I like to describe it as crispy.

Maddie had picture day at school last week. I think she's the cutest kindergartener ever!!!

We have been spending as much time outside as possible, relishing the warm days. The girls think it's fun to cut the grass with scissors, which I totally remember doing as a kid!

  

Today we got to have a cousin playdate, and we made caramel apples!

What an eewy gooey yummy sticky mess!

 

Goooooo Cougars!

It is hard to believe, but we took our kids to a football game for the first time! I guess in the past we have always gotten a babysitter. This year we tried something new: Cosmo Kids Club! We found a steal of a deal for memberships online, and got 8 football tickets and 16 basketball tickets for 50 bucks.

There is nothing like the atmosphere of a home game in Cougar Stadium! Especially when it's a W!

We had to keep the peeps happy... kettle corn was definitely a good idea.

Maddie loved watching Cosmo with the binoculars.

We had to try a Cougar tail!

 

We took off at half time (for another engagement) but Mike and Maddie got to see the band. It was actually perfect timing... it was super hot and the kids had already eaten through a ton of treats and drinks. After the fact, I learned that they allow food bags for kids into the stadium! Well, now we know for next time.

I'm Big and I Know It

That's what all of these faces seem to say to me....

Ella went to her first day at preschool on Thursday! She is going to Ms. Jen across the street, and after watching Maddie do it last year, she thinks she is pretty cool stuff to have a turn.

Maddie rode her bike to school for the first time today! She has been begging, but we had to get a bike lock first. This, more than anything, has made her seem big to me.

She loooooves that pink bike lock. She thinks the word code is the coolest thing ever.

Ty Bud is growing like a weed too. He has decided he loves to sit on the couch, but only for a minute before he climbs all over it like a monkey.

I've discovered nothing makes kids happier than new footie fuzzy jammies. If they can all still fit in those, I guess they are still technically little!

Canyon Zip Lines

My Dad treated us to an exhilarating ride over the weekend! He often walks "the grade", or the steep road that leads down the Snake River canyon near our house. He has been watching the development of this new zip line company and had to try it now that it's up and running.

 

 Mike took some footage of his second ride (there were four lines). Beware, it could make you dizzy!

Here we are getting set for the final line. I wish my video of it would load, but it's a few seconds too long. It was awesome!

We missed my little sis Emily, but she couldn't have come anyway since she's due to have a baby next week! Thanks Dad!

Brigham City Temple

On our way to Grandma and Grandpa's house for Labor Day weekend, we stopped in Brigham City to attend the new temple open house.

It was bright and beautiful when we got there. The temple looks a lot like the Salt Lake temple, on a smaller scale. It is beautiful. The historic tabernacle is across the street (peeking out of the trees).

The girls thought the shoe covers were cool, although Ella always prefers to go barefoot. We entered through the parking garage, which leads right into the baptistry. This was Maddie's favorite part, as she is learning a lot about baptism in Primary.

This was a special opportunity for the kids to see inside a temple. They always sing the song, "I'll go inside someday," but here were able to see it for themselves! I asked Maddie if it was as pretty inside as she imagined, and she said, "Even prettier!" The tile work was especially striking, with the peach blossom as a recurring motif (that area is known for peaches!). I asked Ella what her favorite part was, and she said, "The sparklies!" The chandeliers and sconces in the instruction rooms and Celestial room where definitely breathtaking.

When we got back outside to see the grounds, a storm was brewing and the wind was whipping. Good thing we got that first striking picture against the blue sky!
 

It was a memorable experience for the kids, and so neat to see new temples as they begin to dot the earth.