Alligator - As Requested

"Alligator" by Katie Jensen

She came up with this all by herself. She was drawing in my little notepad very intently, and when I asked her what she was drawing she very matter-of-factly said "an alligator." Sure enough, she was!

Posting

I apologize for not being on the ball about updating our blog. I don't know what is going on, but it seems like weeks go by before I even THINK about posting anything. I don't know if it's a time issue, or if our lives just don't seem that exciting lately (that's kind of sad), but I want you to know (those who view our blog regularly) that I am thinking about it and am sorry that we haven't had very many posts lately. I guess I must be encountering some sort of bloggers block. Oh no - another thing to worry about! :)
I don't want to promise anything, but I will try to be better about keeping our blog current.

Recent events:
- Dave's surprise 30th birthday trip to San Jose
- Becca Bailey & kids came to visit!
- McKenna gave me kisses by her own will & choice (yay!)
- Baxter is GROWING
- Katie drew her first alligator

Deja Vu

They must be sisters...

Introducing...

BAXTER

Princess McKenna

New Years Eve GHIII Extravanganza

Pay particular attention to Katie's lyrics & her bent knee power pose. She was born to rock!

Katie & Dave playing GHIII (notice Katie's "rock on")

Cutest girl in the world

New Puppy

So, in about 3 weeks we will have a new addition to our family - our very own, genuine, black lab puppy. Ours is the one with the yellow collar. He is about 3 weeks old in these pictures. He will be about 7 weeks when we get him so he will look quite a bit different. We can't wait for him to get here. We have had our cousin living with us for about a month now and he has a chihuahua puppy. The puppy has been here too so it has been a good test for us. The girls LOVE the puppy. We really think this will be a good thing for our family. We are so excited.

We are also still thinking of names. We originally were thinking Sage, but I'm not sure that I'm completely set on that. Baxter is another name that has been discussed. We will have to get to know the puppy a little more I think before we decide. I'm sure that he will have A LOT more personality the next time that we see him than he did at 3 weeks. So, definitely look forward to some more posts about our puppy's homecoming in the next few weeks.

Christmas - finally

For some reason it has taken me a while to get back to updating our blog, but here I am, finally posting Christmas. We had a wonderful Christmas here in Provo. We feel very blessed. Everyone was happy and healthy and we were all together.
(As I am writing this, Katie is in the family room saying "I love all of my toys, Mom! Santa gave them to me!" I just can't help but smile. It feels like a Mastercard commercial - after all the presents, it's that reaction that is priceless...)

Here are some captured moments of the day:


McKenna smiling at her new best friend, Minnie.

This was such a fun first Christmas for McKenna. She was totally into it! Every present that was opened, every toy that we gave her, just made her laugh and clap her hands. This Minnie from Uncle Dan & Aunt Mary Kaye was a HUGE hit. She laughs every time she sees it and she sleeps with it at night. It actually is a huge hit with Katie as well. I'm sure McKenna appreciates finally having a toy that Katie wants instead of the other way around.


Katie helping McKenna open her presents.

This Christmas was really fun for us. Katie was old enough to get the whole concept - she understood that it was Jesus' birthday, she understood who Santa was and that he was coming, and she was so excited about her presents. Before she went to bed she even said "I'm just so excited for Santa to come, Mom!" It was really fun. And she was such a good helper with all the presents. She gave everyone their presents, helped us all open them, and got so excited with us when we saw what it was. She is such a sweetheart.


McKenna's new hat from Grandma Hopkin.

This is my number one favorite article of clothing that anyone in our family owns. Not only is it very warm and very functional, it is SO CUTE! I really can't stand it.


Katie enthralled with her Polly Pocket from Grandma Jensen.

Katie entered the world of "big girl" toys this Christmas. She got her first dollhouse from Grandma Hopkin, along with an assortment of dolls & clothes, she got Polly Pockets (with a car that goes nicely with the dollhouse) and Littlest Pet Shop from Grandma Jensen, and a Beauty & the Beast doll dressup set from Uncle Dan & Aunt Mary Kaye. She LOVES dressing up all of her new dolls and playing with them in her dollhouse. Her Christmas presents were themed perfectly and she is now completely obsessed with her dolls. We have so much fun dressing them all up and accessorizing!

Girl Date

Thursday night Katie and I went on our first Girl Date to see the movie "Enchanted." We had SO MUCH FUN sharing candy, popcorn, & Sprite. I let her pick the seats (third row all the way to the left) which ended up being perfect because we weren't in anyone's way when we started dancing and twirling during the songs. It is so fun having little girls! After the movie was over, Katie couldn't stop saying "That was such a good movie!" She then told me "I'm not ready to go home, Mom. Let's go shopping!" How could I resist? So, we went to Claire's and tried on almost every necklace, bracelet, headband, and crown they had. I must say we had a very fun and successful Girl Date, and Katie definitely is ALL GIRL!!!

Rub-A-Dub Two Sisters in a Tub

'Tis the Season

I love Christmas.

I love Christmas trees,

I love Christmas decorations,

I love Christmas dresses (especially matching ones!),

I love Christmas excitement,

I love Christmas music,

I love Christmas movies,

I love Christmas parties,

I love Christmas cheer,

I love the Christmas spirit,

I love everything that has to do with Christmas!

Sweet November

I am sorry to admit that I have been seriously MIA in the blog department of my life. So, here are some highlights from this past month.

We spent our Thanksgiving in Boston for a Hopkin family reunion. It was the first time that we were all together in 2 years. We were sad that Staci couldn't spend more time with us, but at least there was about 1 hour that all 5 siblings, spouses, & kids were all together. It was SO FUN!

The main event of the reunion - the Needham vs. Wellesley Thanksgiving Day game. It was so fun to be there to witness Brian's senior year victory over their Raider rivals.

Katie & McKenna LOVED being with all of their Hopkin cousins (Janie's missing in this picture :( ).

The girls were champs for mom on our LONG journey home without Dad.

Katie enjoyed jumping and hiding in the leaf piles.

McKenna is eating EVERYTHING now and absolutely loving it. She can't get enough! Raisins are a particular favorite.

This Thanksgiving I was overwhelmed with gratitude for 1) family, 2) the fact that we were able to all be together, 3) memories, 4) traditions, & 5) BEATING WELLESLEY!
I love my family and I love the memories & traditions that bring us together.

I can't believe how blessed I am to be surrounded by a wonderful husband, two beautiful girls, and two amazing extended families that love and support us so much. I also am amazed and thankful for how much the Lord has blessed all of us and has been watching over us all. That is what I was thankful for the most this Thanksgiving season.

More Costume Pics

Trick Or Treat

We had so much fun this Halloween! We have been celebrating almost all week. It started with a costume birthday party on Saturday for Katie's friends. Then, Tuesday night we went to a Halloween carnival at our church that Dave was involved in.

Then, Halloween day we went to Dave's work for trick-or-treating around the office. It is always fun to visit Dad at work.

Then for the real deal - Halloween night. Katie LOVED trick-or-treating around the neighborhood with Dad and seeing all of her friends out there too. It was so nice that it wasn't freezing this year! That definitely made the experience more enjoyable!

Katie's favorite part was sorting through her candy and trying to eat all of it. She insisted that she had to eat it all last night, but after some discussion we convinced her that it was better not to. That way she can have candy to eat all week! I think that was a good idea...? Regardless, we had a very fun Halloween. Hope you all did too!

Real Man of Genius

Dave definitely wins the prizes for best jack-o-lantern and most creative way to carve a pumpkin. Yes, he used a drill. First, his own, then when the battery ran out, he used our neighbors. We were all very impressed with his creative insight, dedication, and perserverance.

Way to go Dave, Mr. "Carve the face of Homer Simpson in your pumpkin with an electric drill." We salute you.

Happy 4th

"Someday, when I'm awfully low,
When the world is cold,
I will feel a glow just thinking of you...
And the way you look tonight."

Happy 4th Anniversay Dave!
(tomorrow)

Tagged?

I think maybe Mary tagged me? Unless she knows another Megan and tagged her instead of me, which is VERY possible since there are many people in this world named Megan...
Regardless, I am considering myself tagged!

What was I doing ten years ago: Hmm, let me see...1997...I was actually in my obsessive phase of life and that was actually the year that I attended my first rock concert - BUSH - whom I was extremely obsessed with. But in October, 1997 I was finishing up my first soccer season at Needham High as a freshman.

What was I doing five years ago: I was having my first round of mid-terms at BYU, living in Helaman Halls (Chipman!) and trying to figure out my life...

One Year Ago: A 4 month Preg Meg, coaching Jr. League lacrosse, teaching violin lessons, getting ready for my first Super Saturday as Enrichment Leader, and I think that's it.

Yesterday: First day without a car, walked to Stake Aerobics with the girlies, exercised (yea!), walked home, had quiet time, taught violin lessons, read lots of books, folded lots of laundry, had Jason & Erica over for FHE, played outside, made (& ate) yummy brownies

5 snacks I enjoy: Oh my goodness...um, anything sweet. But here's the real list: cookies, crackers & cheese, caramel popcorn, Twizzlers, strawberry Charleston Chews

Five things I would do if I had $100 million: pay off our house, travel, pay for all the education my kids could get (I guess that counts as 2 things), feed starving children

Five places I would love to run away to: Apple Hill, Italy, somewhere tropical and secluded, Needham (I know, but I miss home sometimes!), I'm having a hard time thinking of a fifth...maybe Cricket Field - does that count?

Five TV shows I like: My goodness, I have TOO MANY shows I watch, but here are the top 5: Lost, 24, House, Grey's Anatomy, Journeyman.

Five things I hate doing: Cleaning toilets, washing dishes, changing dirty diapers or throwup, being too emotional, yelling (I'm with you on that one MK!)

Five biggest joys at the moment: Dave, Katie, McKenna, fall colors, friends,

Tag: Staci, Mari, Kari or anyone else whose name ends with an "i" :)

More Songs

Tiny Tim

ABCs

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