My Dandelion Girl

Dandelions...this "flower" is usually a bad word to most people who are trying to have a beautiful lawn. But to me, it has become one of my most favorite flowers. Shelby gets so excited when these flowers finally pop up every year and thinks they are the most beautiful flower in the world. Yes, we do live in Pinedale where these are basically the only "flower" that grows...but I think she would love them anyways.

Everyday she picks me fresh flowers for my window ledge, plus lots extra. I find these flowers in her pockets, in her drawers, in all of her purses, and if any one stops by for a visit, they are sure to go home with a dandelion bouquet.

Last Memorial day we were in Cokeville to decorate some of the graves of our family and Shelby wanted to add her own touch. She found a patch of dandelions and decided to put them on Grandpa Alleys grave. Even though Grandpa was a weed science professor and dedicated his life trying to get rid of "weeds" like these...I am sure he had a good laugh and a twinkle in his eye.

The other day I was at the store and was about to pick up some weed killer and decided to put it back for now. There will be a time when I will have a beautiful lawn someday...but now I have a sweet little girl bringing me flowers everyday, and I know that this special time won't last forever.

Princesses Live Here

So after my girls had pink eye for the third time in a month EVERYTHING got washed and sterilized. I almost didn't let my girls play in their room or toys for a week...but after a few days of having them follow me around, I decided that they could play with their things again. I had washed all of their dress up clothes and hung them out to dry on our only day of summer so far here in Pinedale. After I stepped back, I had to laugh a little. No doubt I have a couple of princesses living here.

My girls love anything sparkly, shiny and glittery. They also love anything to do with princesses and love to watch the Disney Princess movies (thanks mostly to Grandma J) and the Barbie princess movies over and over. So, of course, whenever they pretend or make believe it usually has to do with princesses. GP is a little worried that all this princess stuff is invading every aspect in our lives...especially after our drive up into the moutains. The higher we got, the more muddy it was getting, especially with the snow mostly melted and all of the rain. We never really got stuck, but had a few places we had a little bit of a hard time getting out of. After a couple tries trying to go up over a small hill without success, Shelby said, "Why don't we just whistle for the animals to come and help us over the mountain?" So, GP gave me that look and said, "And they don't watch enough princess movies?"

Karlee's First Track Meet!

Karlee did the Hershey's Track and Field day that the PAC sponsered. She ran the 30 Meter Dash, 50 Meter Dash and the Long Jump. I think though, she had more fun just running and playing on the football field with all of the other kids. She won the 30 M Dash, and she would of gotten 2nd in the 50 M Dash, but instead of running through the ribbon at the finish line, she ran around it. Pretty good for her first track meet! She also placed 2nd on the Long Jump.

Long Jump

50 Meter Dash

She thought the race was a little long! She was a little out of breath!

On the Podium for the 30 Meter Dash

2nd Place for Long Jump!

30 Meter Dash

Gavin's Sealing Day

SMILE!!! Just love this little boy!

Today, Kariesa and Jared got to seal Gavin to them. It was such a special day, and it brought back memories of when we got to seal Karlee and Shelby to GP and I. Mom and Dad came from New Jersey and brought Grandma Alley, Luke adn Mary Alley came over from Rexburg and lots of the Lamph family as well as friends of Kariesa and Jared's were there...it was neat to see so much support and love for Gavin and the Lamph's.

The day was a little wet and rainy, but when we got out of the temple we had a break in the rain so we were able to take pictures.
After the sealing we went and had a family lunch. Lots of food was made and not much was left over! I think there were 8 or so tables set up and the Jensen group took one and the Lamph clan took almost the rest of them. It is pretty awesome how their family supports each other so much. I wish our family was not as spread out, so we could get together a little more.

Karlee's Dance Recital

Karlee had so much fun at her dance recital...here are some bits of her dances. I thought I wouild let the videos do the talking! (P.S. Karlee won most creative dancer of the year for her class!) I messed up somehow and didn't get sound...but they were dancing to "My Sharona"

Grandpa Great

My girls love to go see Grandpa Great (we also call him Grandpa Waynard)...he always has lots of candy and he has a neat play ground they can play in.  While I was visiting with Mom...I could hear Shelby giggling.  I went to check it out and saw her sitting on grandpa's lap.  They were telling each other silly stories, and laughing and eating candy.  Shelby was in heaven!  I love my dear Grandpa...I am so glad I went to college not to far from Moab, and I am glad for the special one on one time I got to spend with my grandparents.  We hiked together, spent hours into the early morning dubbing music to tapes, I got to cook and sew with my grandma...but mostly, I loved to just visit and talk to them.  They always knew what to say and I always got done with my visits wanting to be a better person, probably because I didn't ever want to dissapoint them!  I am so grateful we are a forever family.

The ZOO!

While my Mom and Dad were down visiting Grandpa Jensen and Grandma Bea  in Utah, Kariesa and her kids and me and my kids went down to meet up with them.  We first got to go to McDonalds to eat an play.  (Yes, I sad GOT to, because when you live 100 miles to the nearest McDonalds it is a treat to go.)  We played there for quite some time and the girls  had a blast!  One little girl had pinched Shelby's cheek and so my Dad stood guard over the playground. Yeah...I wouldn't want to mess with him.  I have seen that look when it was directed at me while growing up (although, not very often). 

After lunch we all drove over to Hogle Zoo.  The girls love the zoo and love to see all of the animals.  It was so much fun to share this day with Mom and Dad and to listen to the girls yelling "Grandma, look at this!' or "Grandpa, that monkey is silly!"  I wish I could live closer to my parents so my children could spend more time with them...but then, every moment we do have is a special memory.  Because it was still chilly, not all of the animals were out, but all of the "cats" were.  That was the most active I have ever seen Cougers, Tigers, Cheetahs act at the zoo.

  Larlee, of course, had to take a picture with the Couger...wonder why?

The giraffes were the favorite of the girls this time.  We got to get up pretty close to them and they thought it was pretty interesting!  After the giraffes we went on to the tigers...Mom decided to run to the car to get another jacket and while I was not looking for that second, Karlee decided to run after her and go with her.  Well, of course, my heart failed there for a second when she wasn't with us.  Luckily Kariesa was there and she practically ran around the whole zoo in 2 seconds.  Me, well, I was out of breath after about 20 yards.  Mom called while we were looking and said Karlee was with her...thankfully!  The feeling of losing someone is the worst feeling possible!

We went in to see the monkeys and gorilla.  The gorilla was pretty feisty!  He was eating cardboard, picking his nose and eating it, and the grossest thing...pooping and eating that.  Blugh!  Like Dad said, you would only have to feed him once!

It was such a fun day.  The zoo wasn't busy at all, so it was nice to see everything and read everything and not get pushed out o the way so quickly.  The best things, though, was spending the time with mom and dad.  I am so grateful for them and all they do for us!