Return trip

So Friday morning we let bright and early to head home.  We made it to the airport on time, got our car checked in, through security, had breakfast, boarded the plane and then were told to deboard due to engine problems and that it would be at least 2 hours before the plane would be ready....realizing that we would miss our connecting flight in Phoenix we contacted the airline to find out our options. We were told the only other flight would be at 6 pm and the only seats left were in first class...but not together.  We took them and hoped for the best.  (we were supposed to be home by 5 pm)  After the airplane was fixed, we re boarded and headed for Phoenix were we spent 6 hours waiting in the airport....Ours boys did surprisingly well but boy were we ready for our flight to leave after about 2 hours!  Once we did board we were able to get Peter sitting by Alan and I was a few rows ahead with Isaac on my lap not sure how this was going to go.  But Peter was so exhausted he passed out before we were at altitude so Alan and I were able to take shifts with Isaac who was determined not to sleep...But we finally made it home, tired, but in one piece.  We had a great time.  I always feel like I never have enough time but I am glad I got to see everyone that I did and am grateful we got to tag along with Alan!  I already miss the ocean.....

Great America

Our last full day in Cali we spend most of it at Great America with Alan's cousin Dawn and her family.  Peter and Isaac I think were in stimulus overload but they had a great time!  Peter thought the Peanut characters were pretty cool as did some of his cousins.

 I don't know what it is about carousels but Isaac NEVER smiles while riding them.  He likes them, always wants to get on but then he is stone face after that until we are done.  Silly boy.

 Peter on the other hands is all smiles!  Especially since he got to ride with dad!

 Peter got to ride his first "real" roller coaster with dad.  It looks like he is terrified in the picture but that is actually a happy face just caught at the wrong moment!  He loved it, and had to ride it twice!

It is amazing how fast these go when you are trying to record it...but I think you can at least tell he likes it!

One of Peter's favorites was this big water spray park, he stayed in it with Alan until he was blue.  Isaac on the other hand went one round with me and I think he was traumatized...he was more than happy to eat lunch and take a nap after that!

 

Riding more rides and just having fun!

I promise Isaac did get to ride some rides, but for some reason I don't have pictures of them.  It was so fun to see the cousins and we had a great day just playing and being a kid!  And I think we even all made it out unsunburned but very exhausted!! 

Cali-SFO

Sunday we went to church and joined in with Melissa's family in a birthday celebration which was so fun!  The boys, ever the socialites, loved all the new people and kiddos to play with. 

 

Monday Alan left for his conference in the city and the boys and I headed to Pleasanton to visit my good friend Melanie and her grandkiddos.  (follow the link to check out her paintings) We had a fun time swimming and having lunch so much that Isaac and Peter both passed out for naps and I had some time to chat with Melanie.  After the boys woke up we headed to the city to meet up with Alan and some one of his old classmates and his family who lived near us in St Louis.  We had a fun time playing in one of the downtown parks near the convention center where his conference was.  Peter was so excited to finally play in the sand-I really need to get him a sandbox built!

 Isaac loved the slides, which is not a surprise...he loves anything that creates movement.  And they had a bunch of fun ones that he and Anorah who is only a few months older than him had fun climbing!  It was so fun to see our friends and we wish them the best with their coming baby!

 We stayed the night with Alan in the hotel and then Tuesday the boys and I went to visit my friend Gretchen and her kiddos for the morning/afternoon.  I of course did not get any pictures because we were so busy playing but it was great to visit with her in her new house.  Then we went back to the city to have dinner with Alan in North Beach which is their Italian district.  It is my personal opinion that it is a must to visit if you are in the city and thankfully I have a husband that agrees!  The best gelatto stateside!  We also rode the trolley/cable cars which was a little crowded with two kiddos but they had fun and that is what matters, right?!

Wednesday we stayed at Melissa's and relaxed until she came home from work.  Then I headed back to the city for Alan's formal dinner and Melissa and her husband watched the boys for us!  We had so much fun at his dinner, it was a nice change to get dressed up and go out and be a grown up again!  We even got to to enjoy the VIP reception on the top floor of the Marriott with an amazing view of the city.  Thanks again Melissa and Gerardo!!!

I realize that we did a lot in 3 days and I don't have many pictures...that happens when I am having fun I think!

Happy Birthday Peter!

Peter turned 3 this last week and even though I am way behind on posting I wanted to get this one done so I wouldn't forget anything! I am sure it was a bit confusing since we had 4 different "celebrations" but at least he knows that he is loved! 

Labor Day weekend my parents happened to be able to visit so we did our family celebration then.  We had a big dinner with aunts, uncles, and cousins and my parents.  I asked Peter what he wanted for his cake this year and he said a white cake with lemon frosting with strawberries inside so that is what I made him...it actually tasted pretty good!  He also picked out one of his favorite daddy ties for me to decorate the cake with.

 He tried so hard to blow the candles out and after a few minutes and a strategic cake placement he was successful!  Yeah for 3!

 It wasn't my best decorating job but he loved it and that is all that matters!

 Issac also enjoyed the cake...

 We got a lot of rain (thankfully) the day before and the cousins thought it would be fun to strip down (well mine anyway) and place in the pool full of rainwater...crazy kids!

 What 3 year old boy is excited to get clothes?  Mine...I have no clue where his fashion sense comes from but it is so cute!

 My cousin also made some file folder games for church...which I LOVE and have since made some more of my own.  If anyone is interested you can find some at this site, check with me first though because I have already ordered a few and I can send you copies.

 Here he is in his birthday suit...not the naked one...playing with his new favorite loud toy...thanks mom...

 It was fun to have family here to celebrate our fun little man with us!

On his actual birthday we had a little friend party with corresponding tie theme.   As part of his invite we attached ties for the kiddos to wear to the party...and surprisingly they all did!  It was so cute!

Here is the birthday banner I made, time consuming but I think it turned out cute.  Peter loved it so much we hung it up in his room!

Trying to keep life simple for me I had the genius idea to let the kiddos make their own treats.  We made sugar cookies shaped like ties, some cream cheese frosting, chopped up some fruit and let them decorate their own ties.  Messy, but fun!

Blowing bubbles...another kiddo favorite.

Peter showing off his mad sliding skills for the ladies :)

A rare moment of gentlemanliness from Issac!

Some of the kiddos didn't want to keep their ties so Peter was more than happy to receive them.  Alan decorated some balloons for the party with ties and you would have thought Peter had won the lottery!  After everyone left this is how he spent the afternoon.

Later that evening we had a skype call with Grandma and Grandpa Jensen to open his presents and he was so excited for a new tie (and even more so that it looks like one of Alan's) and for a new game where you collect bugs! 

The following day was his "Celebration of Life" at his preschool.  I decorated the rest of the ties for his classmates and they had a cute celebration where Peter got to walk around the room talking about the months of the year and how he has grown from birth.  It was a little confusing for him because they would stop at each year mark and say "and now Peter is born, or 1 year or 2 years" and each time he would say "no, I am 3!"  We took in pictures of each year and talked about him at each stage.  Super cute idea, I wish I had remembered the camera!

 

 

Happy Birthday Peter, we sure do love you!  You are becoming quite the little man and we are so proud of you!  Although it drives me crazy at times we love your thirst for independence and learning. 

 

A snapshot of Peter at three: he still loves ties, it is now a borderline obsession.  He loves to read books, paint, swing, slide, jump, make scarecrows, jump on mom and dad's bed, being outside, helping in the kitchen, snakes, snowmen, dressing up in church clothes, airplanes, coloring, balloons, fish, singing, dancing with mom in the morning, preschool, and watching Cailou and Super Why.  He is a good helper and gives mom great hugs when she needs them!