Merry Christmas

Jensyn was able to see Santa a bunch of times this year. This was her reaction every time. She would happily take the candy cane from him, but then freak out when it was time to sit on Santa's lap. I can't really blame her though. Who really wants to sit on someone's lap that you you don't know? I am sure that one day she will figure out what it is all about. Sorry Santa and sorry Jensyn.
This is Jensyn on Christmas morning. Darwin and I woke her up. This is what Santa brought her. She seemed pretty happy about it.
This is Jensyn and Darwin opening one of Darwin's presents. We had such a wonderful Christmas. We went to my parents in the morning. We talked to my brother Darrin who is on a mission and he gets home next week, we had breakfast, and exchanged gifts. My parents did some amazing things this year....My mom wrote a book called "Tidbits." It is like a condensed journal about things she values. There is stuff about holidays and family traditions, memories of when she was growing up, advice, stories, good times and some not so good times. It is amazing. I feel like it is the best gift that I have ever recieved. I read it all Christmas night. There were parts that made me cry and laugh. It is definitely something that I hope to do one day for my kids. In fact, while I was reading it I was thinking of some fo the things that I would one day include in "my book." After my parents' house we went to Darwin's mom and dad's. Jensyn opened a bunch of presents and we played Guitar Hero (that is a hard game for anyone with little hands!!!). After that we went to Darwin's grandparents' and ate a lot of food and talked with his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was a very enjoyable day. I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas.

The Phoenix Zoo

Jensyn and I went to the Phoenix Zoo on Friday. It was so fun. The weather was nice. I was totally impressed by how clean the zoo was and the animals weren't in such small areas like at the Hogle Zoo. This is Jensyn watching the giraffes.
They were in a 2 acre area!
We found the White Rhinos.


I know that this picture is kind of fuzzy. We were in the Zoo store and I let Jensyn wonder around. She found a basket full of soaps that were all different shapes. I watched her dig through them. She found some soap in the shape of cowboy boots. She took off her shoes and socks and tried to put them on!!!! I thought it was so cute. She cracks me up.

Darwin's digit

Darwin's finger is healing very nicely. He has to have it cleaned every other day. His sister Robyn and his mother-in-law Nancy have been nursing it back to health. (I don't have the stomach to look at it.) Here is a picture from day six.

A visit to the ER

It hurts!
Darwin was freezing because he was in shock.
Just waiting for it to get prepped for the stitches.
Feeling kind of woozie.
That is pretty disgusting.
Is Darwin giving you the bird? It sure looks like it.

I sent Darwin on an errand today; I needed him to pick up Jensyn from my parents' house and cut some blocks out of wood for Christmas presents. Well he called me about an hour and half after he left our house to say that my dad was taking him McKay-Dee emergency room. (They had gone to the new Ogden Clinic in Harrisville-but the O.C. turned them away because they seem to struggle with emergencies.) He was pretty shaken up. He cut up his left middle finger. It looked so gross. He got a bunch of stitches that he is going to have to leave in for 10-14 days. The doctor said that his finger is going to look pretty bad for a while since Darwin is missing quite a bit of skin. We are glad that he didn't cut the bone and that he still has complete use of his finger. He did get an x-ray too to verify that his bone was still intact. Thank you McKay-Dee. Now we just nervously await the BILL!!!

Let It Snow

When Jensyn woke up this morning I opened her blinds and set up a "stool" for her to stand on so she could look out her window. I told her that it was snowing. She said "Whoa!" She is adorable. We watched the snow for a long time. When Darwin got home from work we got all bundled up and went outside to check out the snow. Jensyn just marched right on through it like it was not a big deal. It is so fun to experience things through a child's eyes.

Our 3rd Anniversary

Yesterday was our 3rd Anniversary. In some ways it feels like we just got married but then at the same time it feels like this is what I have been doing for so long. Jensyn spent the day with Grandma Nancy so I could get some things done. Darwin went to work and then to class. He bought me 25 long stem pink roses. They are so pretty. They look wonderful in the living room. I am so grateful to be married to such a wonderful person. Darwin really is more that I could have ever hoped for. He is so nice and giving. I am a better person because of him.

So much to be grateful for

Happy Thanksgiving. We really enjoyed our holiday as a family. On Wednesday Darwin, Jensyn, and I went and saw The Bee Movie. I recommend it. Jensyn even sat on our laps the majority of the movie. On Thanksgiving we ate dinner with Darwin's parents'. Then we went to my parents' for dessert and games. We played Cranium boys against girls. Sadly the boys won. On Friday I went Christmas shopping with my mom. We left her house at 3:30 in the morning. I enjoy going even though it is very crazy. We are almost completely done with all of the Christmas gifts that we need and that is a good feeling. I hope that everyone enjoyed the Thanksgiving weekend.

Darwin turns 25

Today is Darwin's 25th birthday!!! I just want to wish him a very happy day. I love him so much. He does so much for me and Jensyn, we are so blessed. I hope that Darwin has a wonderful day. He had to teach Elders Quorum and go home teaching which he thinks is unfair. The Birds invited us over for dinner-super nice. (Sabrina even offered to bake Darwin a cake-but I told her not to worry about it since I bought Darwin a pumpkin pie). Happy Birthday Darwin.

Today Jensyn woke up so happy. As soon as I got her out of bed she started pointing to the bows that are hanging on her wall and saying "bah, bah" (meaning: "I want"). I let her pick whatever bows she wanted and put them in her hair all crazy-like. She ate breakfast with them in her hair too. She is so cute. Later in the day we were getting ready to go to Jason's surprise birthday party and I wanted her to look extra cute, so I curled her hair. She sat soooo still. I am so proud of her.

Jensyn's doctor appointment

Jensyn had a doctor's appointment today. Everything is good. She gained a pound and grew an inch since her last appointment. She is 28.5 inches tall (10th percentile) and 17.5 pounds (not even on the charts). Dr. Allred watched her and said that she is busy as a hummingbird. Jensyn got out books, ran around the room, growled at all of us, and played on the ground. Dr. Allred told us that if we could bottle her energy and sale it we would make millions. We did ask him about her waking up in the middle of the night. He told us to try a 10 day schedule. The first night that Jensyn wakes up we are not supposed to go get her for 5 minutes. Then the next night wait 10 minutes, and each night thereafter wait an additional 5 minutes. He said by the 6th or 7th night she will not cry for a long time and learn to soothe herself. Darwin and I feel like it is definitely worth a try. We'll keep you posted. I am so grateful to have a healthy (active) baby girl!