Yikes! Jensen has his learners permit

Jensen finally got his learners permit. Its freaking out his parents a bit, especially because we can't go anywhere that we don't her "Can I drive?" He is actually turning into a pretty good driver. I have a bit more patience with J than his father, so Boomer tends to sit in the back seat and tries not to be a backseat driver. He drives with both his sisters as well. Its hard to believe that J is really 15. Where has the time gone? So fellow drivers......beware Jensen is on the road!

Elder Chase Whittaker arrives home!

Elder Chase Whittaker returns home from faithfully serving in the Orlando Florida, spanish speaking mission. What a great day! It is such an exciting experience to wait for the missionaries to return home from serving a mission for our Heavenly Father. They have a definite spirit about them and you can tell by their countenance that they are doing the Lord's work. It was great to see Chase and to see that missionaries truly leave as young men and come home as MEN! I was so happy for Todd and Ann to have their son return home and feel of their love and joy that they have for Chase! Welcome home Elder Whittaker! We love you and are so proud of you!

The Todd Whittaker family...together again! Chase hadn't ever seen Dani and Ryne's cute little boy, Graham. Graham was a little unsure of Chase, but it didn't last long.
Proud parents
Our first look at Elder Whittaker after getting off the plane! I have to say I was a bit jealous....but not too long and it will be my turn.

First Day of School

I think I have pictures of the kids on the first day of school for every year since Shea started Kindergarten. Someday I will get them all together and put them in a book called "The First Day of School" book. Quite clever, right? I think they are ALL in front of the house at the front door. These are the pictures for 2011-12 year. Easton is in third grade and Jensen started high school...10th grade. Where has the time gone?

Easton and Jensen
with Treyson McMurtrey
Devyn and J...J talked Devyn into driving him everyday to school, so he didn't have to ride the bus. They are great friends...sure love her! and him too!
The High Schoolers
Jake Taylor and Easton are BFF's.

Tour of Utah Bike Race

We had just been to my childhood friend, Lisa Gygi Coleman's, daughter's farewell in Midway, when we noticed that the Tour of Utah was due to come down the road where we had just been. We decided to pull off the side of the road and wait for them to come by. A lead car saw that we were sitting by our car waiting for the bikers and he stopped and asked for volunteers to stand at the intersections and hold the cars from crossing in front of the racers. Pretty cute volunteers, don't you think?

Volunteers
The racers were awesome! They were going so fast that you could here a definite buzz as they passed. They were all catching the wind drafts from the riders ahead of them. They came and went pretty fast. We were so glad that we stayed to watch.
This helicopter was maneuvering overhead and he was pretty fun to watch as well.
More of the racers....We followed them up the canyon from Provo canyon and down the loop into American Fork. They were moving pretty fast even for the up hill climb of Provo Canyon, and when they reached the top of the loop, they were gone......just like that!

Jordyn turns 22!!!

Today was Jordyn's 22 bitrthday!! Hard to believe that 22 years ago that our cute baby girl was born. She has sure matured into a beautiful, strong, and independant woman! Happy Birthday Jordy, we all love you!!

Opening her presents!

Its hard for Easton to let the birthday girl open her own presents. He wants to get in on the fun!

Jordy has really gotten into biking, she loves it. She has been wearing Boomers helmet, now she has her own.

Jordyn wanted to go out on the boat with her friends for her birthday. We went back and forth, should we go, should we not go. The weather just wasn't cooperating. We finally decided that we would chance it and headed for the lake. We headed west, towards the sun and these next pictures are what we were leaving behind. Pretty crazy!!

Looks pretty dark!

Notice the rainbow!

Jordyn and Linds...best pals forever. We decided to dock for a while and wait out the storm. We had dinner and chatted, and a few swam. Jordyn and Lindsay decided it was cold, and they need the wetsuits to stay warm. Hahaa! they looked pretty cute in them.

We docked in a private marina for a while and it was pretty calm. The crew swam over to this swimming dock and practiced their diving and back flips. L to R: Brad (Lindsay's fiance), Lindsay, Jordyn, Mandy, Shea, Kyle and Boomer. They were watching Easton on the dock.......

......playing He-man in his wetsuit!!

Swimming back to the boat. We decided it was time to head back and we would tube until it was dark or the weather turned uglier.

It ended up to be a very relaxing evening. Good fun, good friends and many laughs. However, Boomer did launch Mandy, Jordy, Brad and Kyle, to the point that there were many ouchies! Happy Birthday Jordyn, may you have a great upcoming year and may it be filled with much joy and happiness. We love you!

Final Swim Meet of the Summer

Easton has been swimming this summer on a little swim team taught by Michael and McKay King.(They live 3 doors down from us) They have a pool in their backyard and it has been a great experience for Easton. He has improved his swimming skills alot this year. Today was his last meet of the year. Jaxon (my nephew) has been swimming, with Easton and he too has done very well. Way to go boys!

Easton is in the middle, waiting for his heat to begin.

Jaxon during warmups. Jax swam the 100 free, the 50 back and the 50 free. Great job Jaxon!

Easton swimming the 50 backstroke.

Easton also swam the 50 freestyle.

Jaxon is on the far right, waiting for his heat to begin.

This is Easton, he swam the 25 breaststroke. He was getting ready to dive in. He was so determined to do well, and he did a great job. He and Jaxon, both got a trophy for being a top 12 swimmer in their age groups. We can't wait til next year!

Jensen's Teachers Quorum goes to Zion.....hiking and camping!

The teachers from our ward went on a high adventure campout to Zions National Park. Jensen had a blast.....