Christmas Vacation

This Christmas vacation has been wonderful for a number of reasons; we didn't have to deal with the chaos and costly expense of getting to and from JFK airport to fly and visit family in Utah, both our families were no more than 40 minutes away from our house, I don't have to drive to and from downtown SLC to ballet for 2 whole weeks, Mike bought himself a "man tv" to match his "man couch" which means I have a lovely tv in my room now (just in time for the new baby), Cy turned 3, and baby #3 is just weeks away!  Here are some highlights from the week so far.

Cy's new house

Regressing with a shavy (pacifier) in preparation for baby sister

Taking advantage of Aunt Shawnie who will play or dance anytime

Loving Shawnie

Pretty Madi

 Getting smashed by Uncle Scott

Birthday presents from Grandma Coleman

So happy with his new "mouse"

My Mom and sisters preparing for a Danish Christmas Eve

The big kids playing games

Cy and Sam

Messing around

Dinner Time!

The Jensen Kids...Cy refused to wear his matching pj's properly

Dad, Mom and their girls

Dancing and singing carols around the Danish Tree

Presents!

Enjoying Grandpa Coleman's famous spaghetti sauce

A little friendly mother daughter competition

The kids in playroom heaven

Baby Shower

Once my sisters realized I had virtually no baby girl items and was in the last few weeks of my pregnancy, they decided to throw a baby shower for me while visiting over Christmas.  It was so fun to enjoy the evening with 20+ family and friends, many whom I haven't seen in years and many who have played such a big role at different times in my life.  Thank you to everyone who came and helped share this special time with me.

The Nutcracker

Madison has been performing in The Nutcracker this week with Ballet West.  Though her role doesn't require much dancing (I prefer to call her eye candy), it has been a great opportunity to watch and mingle with the pros.  Madi has been working so hard at the Ballet West Academy practicing 6 days a week - which shakes out to 15 hours every week on top of school and church obligations.  I don't know of many high school athletes who practice that much in any sport and I've found myself feeling a lot more admiration for ballet dancers.  They are the true athletes.

This performance was extra special because Papa Lee is recovering from major cancer surgery.  We are so glad he had the strength to sit through the show!

At about 32 weeks pregnant, not much is fitting me anymore so be forewarned, you may see this outfit in several upcoming entries because I can't bear to buy maternity clothes that I'll only wear for another 6-7 weeks!

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving is the first in 5 years we were able to spend with family.  We've either been alone or with friends/adoptive family in New York.  It was so great to see the kids play with their cousins and connect.  Now that I'm 8 months pregnant it was certainly nice to have a break from cooking as well.

Thanksgiving Dinner at Grandma Pia's 

The Big Cousins

One snowy night this week, Cy asked if he could "rock me".  I thought he wanted to be rocked and very quickly he told me "NO! I rock you!"  So I did my best to sit on him without crushing the little guy with my 8 month pregnant weight.  He then put his hand on my stomach and started singing "La La Lu", which some of you know as the lulluby from Lady and the Tramp.  These are the days I want to marry that boy.

A much needed (and rare) snuggle for sister

Friends & family watching the BYU/Utah football game

Madi's in the Nutcracker!

Ballet West’s annual presentation of The Nutcracker in SLC.

We are Delighted to Announce Special Casting by our daughter Madison

as A Lady In Waiting

Get your tickets at www.balletwest.org.

See you there!

The Accident

Last week I was picking up some books at the library while Madison babysat Cy and one of his older (and taller) friends.  I thought the house was fairly childproof and that all dangerous objects were too high for him to reach, but I failed to think about an older child.  In the 10 minutes I was gone, they became curious and grabbed an old mace can I got over 7 years ago.  Cy's friend managed to unlock it and spray it directly into his face...mouth, neck, ears, eyes and all.  After Madi heard Cy screaming and found him running into walls yelling "cloth, cloth, cloth" she called me.  By the time I got home he was in the shower getting rinsed off with soap and water, while his poor buddy was probably mortified as I'm sure he assumed the spray can was filled with water.  

After a thorough wash of his face, I looked online to see what one should do in the event of being drenched in mace, and found there was no reason to go to a hospital unless there is a respiratory reaction.  The best thing to do was rinse his eyes and entire face with milk then sit and wait.  So we did, over and over and over....for 3 hours on his little tomato face.   I'm sure he thought we were torturing him as he doesn't even like to wash his hair in the shower.  

A few hours later he was finally able to open his eyes, and most of the redness was gone.  That night in his prayers he thanked Heavenly Father for his friend (the one who sprayed him), and my heart was filled with so much gratitude that I have a little 2 year old who despite a horrific accident still loves and appreciates his buddies.  My poor little Cy.  He's still a little traumatized and rehashes the story every day, but he always ends with "I feel better now".

3 hours after "The Accident"...still a little swollen and red, but 100x better

Sufjan Stevens Concert

I ventured out with Mike to one of my favorite artists concerts, Sufjan Stevens, though it was a bit uncomfortable now that I'm 7 months pregnant.  It's getting tricky to sit for long periods of time, I have a hard time sleeping, and I look like a fool trying to tie my shoes.  I forgot how ungraceful the 3rd trimester is, but have never been happier to be pregnant so bring it on.  In the meantime, I'll be fighting it every step of the way...off to another concert tonight!

Playing one of his most popular songs "Chicago"

Halloween

Madi and one of her closest friends visiting from Vegas, Jencynn, dressed as Ballroom Barbies (though they are a bit too old to trick-or-treat).   

My cute little Lion practicing his intimidating face

Trick-or-Treating with cousin Victoria

Visiting the Zoo

This Halloween Mike and I "classed it up" for a party.  What better way to do that than dress up as Pauly D and a knocked up 7 month pregnant Snooki from Jersey Shore?  Mike was frighteningly very natural playing the role of Pauly D.

My brother Christopher & sister Anne....yes she chose his costume.  He loves her very much!

October 2010

Although our house is always a work in progress as we add more furniture, art work, etc. we were able to managed squeezing in a little fun this month.  Other than a few movies and a comedy club, we seem to spend a lot of time with friends and family at our house.  Now that we finally have space, and bought an overpriced "man couch" to fit all of Mike's buddies, we find ourselves having guests over all the time for dinners, family visits, or some game night  (baseball, UFC, or football).  
Madi is busy at both ballet and Nutcracker rehearsals at Ballet West 6-8 times a week (on top of all honors classes at school).  She's usually able to designate Friday afternoons and one weekend night for play dates - or should I say "hang out" time.  We worked on a fun gourmet caramel apple project this week using caramel, white chocolate, and cinnimon/sugar sprinkles...mmmm.

I've been trying to spend as much time outside as possible while the weather is still nice.  Mike and I took Cy on a hike up in the mountains where we saw 2 moose 20 ft. off the trail!

Cy is obsessing over cars and trains and shows no interest in any other kind of toy right now.  He even hugs my car when he sees it every morning.

Another hike with family (photo taken BEFORE Cy fell into the marsh)

We've had unseasonably warm weather for the Fall, but the week of Halloween a short snow drift came our way.  Cy had so much fun playing outside and eating the snow which I'm sure is packed with delicious treats from the atmosphere to boost his immune system.

Yard work before the snowfall

Finding a grasshopper

This picture reminds me of Cy's cousin Jack...just a blonde version

September Changes

Mike and I never would have imagined we'd end up in Utah...at least not by choice.  I never understood people (women in particular) that made such an issue out of wanting to end up "back in Utah" where they grew up.  Neither of us grew up here, though I did attend High School and College in the Beehive State, and neither of us particularly though Utah was amazing in comparison to other options.  

After several years in New York with what would be considered a great job anywhere else, it seemed as though we would never break making 500k a year, which is sadly what we needed to live comfortably in our area.  Though we loved New York's flavor, culture, entertainment, natural beauty, convenience to Europe, public schools and especially our church ward, it just didn't make sense anymore with a daughter going into High School and our family growing.  

Mike got a job offer from a few companies; one in the bay area, another in Denver, and one in Salt Lake City.  It just so happened he preferred the position and company in Salt Lake.  We were nervous to come back to Utah, but have found the convenience of old friends and family to far outweigh any other worries we had.  I miss my New York friends dearly, but it's hard to complain after more than doubling our space, finally getting a second car again, space for our 2 year old to run around in, and a drama free teenager.   Here's to September Changes and a new attitude towards Utah!

Sundance

Madi's new posse

Cy's train day

How Could I Forget Paris!

I just noticed that I failed to include photos from our trip to Paris while we were in Europe this summer.  It happened to be the most exhausting part of our vacation, so I must have subconsciously forgot.

Cy flirting with another woman's camera

Moulin Rouge: it was actually a very disgusting part of town

Notre Dame

Madison's favorite thing about Paris: Nutella Banana Crepes

Double Rainbow

If you've followed the latest craze on youtube, you know who the double rainbow guy is.  Only a day or two after moving to Utah, Madi and I saw our own double rainbow (though not as vibrant)!