June 27

Yesterday was my birthday. Besides the getting older part, I love my birthday! I love that I never have to go to school and that it's usually warm outside. Summer is my favorite time of year so it's the best time for a birthday. It's fun to have everyone over for cake and ice cream cake (this year I was lucky enough to get two cakes- my mom made my favorite, cherry chip, and Matt bought me a Baskin Robbins cake too!!) and talk with my sisters on the phone. I love it!!



I was watching a TV show and they were showing different ways to braid. I usually do the same braids so I was excited to do something new. Well this braid actually was inspired by the one I saw on TV, but it's my own creation. It kind of came out of nowhere, but I kind of thought it was cute. I like it on Rylee better where you can see the side ponytail at the end. Ashlyn's really isn't quite long enough to see the ponytail from the front. Anyway- something different!!

Thanks, everybody, for the great day!

Jensen Family Pictures at Pismo Beach

I Did It!

No pictures for this one, just a long story!

I was so excited a few years ago when Kohls came to Idaho Falls. I told everybody that it's so close to my house that I could walk. Well, I really had no intention of walking, but that was just how close it was to my house. So I hadn't ever walked there because I didn't ever need to. But it's become a family joke when I say something's so close that I could walk there. Well I decided for the first day of summer, I would walk to Kohls. Mostly because nobody thought I would. I put the girls in the double stroller and walked down to the corner of Ammon and Sunnyside where they have an icee shack and got them each an icee so they could eat that on the way. And I'm proud to say I finally walked to Kohls. It took about 45 minutes- the line for the icees was almost that long (really, no exaggeration!). I just checked how far it is and it's 1.44 miles each way, so I just walked about 3 miles. I didn't go shopping, I just walked to it. But I think I'd walk there again- it wasn't too bad, but next time I'll do it when it's a little cooler! I'm still sweating!

Fun in the Sun

We got out the pool yesterday and the girls had so much fun.

Ashlyn even watered the flowers for me.

Ashlyn just wanted to be naked!

Father's Day Pictures

Rylee drew Grandpa a camel just like she saw at the zoo.
She drew a porcupine for Matt, but I didn't get a picture of it.

The girls were performing on "stage" at Myrt's.
They are quite the dancers!!

Great-Grandpa Ludlow with the girls.

Rylee drew Opa a pig.

Holding the puppy- not so little anymore!

Matt, Rylee, Opa, Ashlyn, and Grandpa Blatter.

Oma helped Rylee make this Father's Day gift for Matt- he loved it!

Happy Father's Day!

I want to wish a happy father's day to all the fathers, but especially to the best fathers- Matt, my dad, and Don, my father-in-law. Also to the best grandfathers- Grandpa Ludlow and Grandpa Blatter. I am so blessed to have such wonderful men in my life. Thanks for all you do for me and for the examples that you are to me. I love you!

Love you, Dad!
You're the greatest!

Teddy Bear Day at the Zoo

Yesterday was teddy bear day at the zoo. The kids got in free if they had a teddy bear. We went last year and waited in line forever, but this time we went a little earlier and didn't wait at all. It was the perfect day for the zoo- overcast and about 70 degrees. And it wasn't too busy- but there was a long line to get in as we left. It was a lot of fun! We didn't see Smokey the Bear this time though.

Some of the many monkeys.

The "singing" dog- not sure of the real name,
but singing dog was on the sign too.
It didn't sing for us though!

We didn't see the tigers-
they must have been sleeping.
Rylee was a little disappointed,
but this tiger and all the other animals made up for it, I think!

Zebra.

Giraffe skull.

Lion.

Petting zoo.
Fortunately for me,
feeding time had just ended
so we couldn't go in even if the girls wanted to!!
I'm glad I didn't have to take them in.

Baby Camel.

Petting zebra fur.

Penguins.

Just before we left they had an Animal Encounters show so we could see some animals a little closer- they showed them on the stage and then walked around. It was pretty cool.

I forgot all of the actual names- this was an albino ferret thing.

Leopard tortoise, I think.

Some kind of hawk.

And our favorite- the hedgehog.
Rylee calls it a porcupine and even drew a picture of it for Matt for Father's Day!