Ode to McKenna

We really do love McKenna. I know that our blog seems to be filled with Katie, so I thought I would dedicate this post to our own special Bakenna Monita.

McKenna is so much fun! She really has so much personality. She is very affectionate, happy, playful, and interested in the world around her. She LOVES her big sister. We have just discovered that she loves the swings, sitting & riding in a shopping cart without her infant seat, Mommy's hair in her face, and Dad's facial hair. She also enjoys screaming (happily) - that seems to be her way of expressing excitement. That, along with wiggling her entire body, especially her toes. McKenna is such a fun part of our family and we love her very much!

OUR Garden

So...

When we got home from our trip to California (a 5 day trip) Katie & I went in the back to check our cucumber plant. This is how many cucumbers we found on it! We have had a cucumber factory in our backyard all summer. It was great! Katie thought it was fun to line them all up. She got a kick out of the "big huge ones." Needless to say, that was the last day of the life our plant. We couldn't keep up with it anymore so we pulled it out. It was kind of sad - that plant served us well...

Grandpa's Garden

We are so lucky to have Grandma Joy and Grandpa Doug so close. We love to go visit them - Katie especially! She loves to sing songs for Grandma and pick fruits & vegetables out of Grandpa's garden.

She even likes to eat what she picks! She loved the raspberries and was so excited about the zucchini she found.

She also liked that she was tall enough to pick these pears.

Doe A Deer

Now & Then

Summer 2007

Summer 2006

It is fun to see how kids grow up, but it's funny how some things don't really change. Katie still loved the same rides this year at Lagoon and insisted on going on the airplane and boat over and over again. And I love that I was able to capture the same moments two years in a row! My guess is that next year these rides will still be a hit. Katie was more brave this year, and being a little bit taller she was able to go on more rides. She discovered the bumper cars, the "big swings", the Tilt-A-Whirl, and the ladybug ride that went up and fell straight down. It would probably be more appropriate to say that she was very brave. I know some adults that won't even go on those free-fall type rides! Needless to say she had a blast and couldn't get enough of it. Oh, and btw, it is SO fun to watch your kid enjoy being a kid!

The Tradition Continues...

I am happy to say that we are continuing the favorite Hopkin Family birthday tradition here at the Jensen Home! Katie had a kick out of the "first bite" game.

I had a wonderful 24th birthday. Last night Dave & I went out to dinner to Magleby's and sat and talked for 2 hours, even with the end of the BYU game playing in the background! It was amazing! It was really nice to get out, just Dave & I, and do something other than go to a movie (which I love doing, but it is not very conducive for conversation). I was very happy to discover that we still have things to talk about other than our children and relationship problems! Dave is so wonderful and I love those few moments that we get together, just us, when we can enjoy each other, laugh, and remember why we love being together so much.

Then, today (my birthday) after church we went on a drive on the Alpine Loop which I LOVE to do, but haven't done in a very long time. Katie tested out my birthday present (portable DVD player) in the backseat and gave positive reviews. I loved the peaceful, quiet, beautiful drive, and again, more great conversation with Dave.

I also loved getting the birthday wishes from so many of you either by phone, email, or on facebook. I definitely felt special today on my birthday, so thanks! 24 is great so far!

Sitting Sisters

We have ourselves another sitter now!

McKenna is really enjoying being able to sit and play with Katie these days. And Katie seems to like it too! These girls are so fun, especially when they play well together (and Katie isn't trying to stick her finger down McKenna's throat). Katie is really good at making McKenna smile and sometimes laugh. Usually all she has to do is look at McKenna and the smiles start. Hopefully they always love playing together!

Biggest Smile Ever!

I LOVE THIS GIRL!

First Haircut

So Katie had her first real haircut about a week ago. I didn't dare try to do it myself. She's very much in a "leave me alone Mom!" stage, and I didn't want to risk chopping off a chunk of the little hair that she has. But, she has desperately needed a haircut for a while now so we went and did it. Nothing drastic at all (we're still trying to grow it out). The stylist just straightened it out in the back and cleaned in up. It is so nice not to have to do her hair everyday and feel like she still looks cute & clean. She did great and we both were very happy with her new haircut.

(Above are the before, during, and after pictures.)