The final touch....

The new patio just wasn't complete without some handprints........

What a Difference a Day Makes

~~WEDNESDAY~~

~~THURSDAY~~

Look What's New at our House!

Awhile back, I mentioned that we had another "big ticket purchase" in the works. Well, the ball started rolling this week, and I couldn't be more excited!....I'll start at the beginning....

This was the deck on the back of our house when we first moved here 3 years ago. As you can see, there was a rather large deck on the back--a 29 foot deck to be exact!!

That deck was way under used because if we are outside, we are sitting in the 3 season room. So, I had a vision of what was needed at the house of 3 boys. Keith took a little longer to see the same vision, but he finally came around!

Last fall, we had a friend come over and help (OK..he did the work, and Keith helped.) remove that big deck. Around noon Tuesday, this was the look of my backyard:

And by the time I got home from the pool later in the afternoon, this is what it looked like:

Do you see where this is going? Wednesday at lunch time, this was at the end of our driveway:

We are putting in a new patio!! It's not only going to be a patio, it is going to be a basketball court, too. Before the summer is over, we are going to be putting an in ground, adjustable basketball hoop in. You may see a hoop in these pictures, but it came with the house, and the back board is completely broken out.

Jared and Trevor loved watching the guys work. We stopped and picked up Subway on the way home from Bible School and ate it in the 3 season room so they could watch.

And now it's done....all we need now is the new hoop! I can't wait to hear the constant thump of the basketball....x3!

My Pitchers!

Both Cale and Jared had their last baseball game last week. It was an end to a great season for both of them. Keith and I couldn't be more proud! Jared had the opportunity to pitch during several games and although it made Mom a nervous wreck, he proved that he has it in him! During Cale's second to last game, he was given his first opportunity to pitch...ever! He was so excited to be on that mound! I was on the edge of my seat (lawn chair!) during his 2 innings. Just like his brother, he proved that he has it in him, too! His first game as pitcher was a huge success! Here are a few pictures of my boys on the mound....I played with Picasa and figured out how to do a mosaic. Thank you, Renee!

(Click on the picture to enlarge it.)

Mom and Dad are already looking forward to next year, boys!

End of the School Year

The kids FINALLY had their last day of school on June 8th. With all the snow days this year, none of us thought we'd ever see this day! Each of them had a great year, learned a lot, had a great time with their friends and seemed to be happy kids when I sent them out the door each morning. We have been blessed with not just good kids, but good students, too.

Here is Jared and his teacher Mrs. Smith. He really learned a lot this year and improved in every area. He had a GREAT year in 3rd. grade. And yes, she really does have a bathtub in her room and it's one of the kids' favorite places to enjoy a book!

Last day of school with Mrs. B--and the end of the Jensen kids in kindergarten....

My boys with Mrs. B--they were all lucky to have her for their first teacher!

The night before the last day, Trevor had his kindergarten program. He was way on the end so we were able to sit directly in front of him and see it all. They sang some songs and some kids recited their "Rainbow Words" and some kids (including Trevor) showed off their math skills. He's learned so much this year, it's unbelievable!

Mrs. B. had made each of the kids a Memory Book with tons of pictures that she had taken throughout the year during parties and field trips. They also got these really cool T-shirts. There are iron on pictures of all of the kids. The kids all worn them to school on the last day, and Mrs. B even had one of her own. I've already washed it up and it's hanging in the back of the closet--never to be worn again because I don't want anything to happen to it!

So.....Here we come 1st. Grade, 4th. Grade and 7th. Grade! Bring on SUMMER!!

A Love Connection

Trevor proposed to a sweet little blonde haired, blue eyed girl during his first year of preschool. Well, that was more then 2 years ago and they still see each other every day at school. Trevor came home this week and told me "I've had a Love Connection with Ellie." I asked him what he knew about a Love Connection, and he told me "You know, Mom--when you look at someone and you get hearts in your eyes."

Well, when I told her Mom she said that same night Ellie had mentioned that Trevor still wanted to marry her, but that "she never wants to have to kiss him."

And they said it wouldn't last......

My New Favorite Picture

Both Cale and Jared had games tonight-at the same time-AND at the same place. Games are rare to be at the same place. I didn't even take my chair--I just walked between the 2 games which were at side-by-side fields. I made Trevor put his uniform on tonight so I could take this picture. It is my new favorite picture!!

Memorial Day

This year we went to Coon Rapids for Memorial Day to visit Keith's parents. They live on an acreage not far from their small, quaint country church. You know the type..a little white church with about 20 pews and a tall steeple that can be seen from quite a distance. Down the road from their house is a small country cemetery. The older section is on the south side of the gravel road, and the newer section is on the north side of the road.

Within the last few years, Jared has taken a real interest in going with Grandma to visit the "grave yard." The two of them have been there numerous times and she has told him all the stories that she knows. I've gone with them on occasion, and I've heard the stories now, too. Jared knows about the guy that fell off of the church roof when it was icy. He knows about the man that was kicked in the head by a horse, and the young man that was a friend of Keith and his brother that left a party and got lost on a cold night and froze to death. Jared even knows about the little boy that was backed over by his dad when he was 3 and then a number of years later, the dad shot and killed the mother before killing himself. Most importantly, Jared knows where his Great-Grandparents are as well as the Great-Greats and the Great-Great-Greats. And he knows their stories, too.

Keith doesn't usually go to the cemetery when we are there, but this time Jared asked him to go along. They walked through it hand-in-hand just talking and looking. Jared knew the things to show him, and the stories that went along with it.

After Jared's first trip to the cemetery, we talked about how people bring flowers and put them on the graves. He thought that sounded like something he wanted to do. So now, every year before Memorial Day I buy some flowers to take. They aren't anything special, but Jared thinks they're perfect! I really love that this is something he enjoys because I sort of feel like it is a lost art.

This is the stone for Keith's grandparents. Keith's Grandpa died when Keith was young. Grandma Anderson died when Cale was just 6 months old. She was such a happy and sweet (and a little feisty!) woman. Breaks my heart that my kids never knew her, but I can still see her watching Cale and just giggling at him. Keith and I still remember things about her that make us laugh. Jared had flowers to bring to her.

This stone is where Keith's Uncle Elwin is buried. While growing up, their family and Keith's family were very close. Keith's cousin, Paul, stays in close contact with us so that is how Jared relates to Elwin. He died while I was pregnant with Cale. He was such a kind and funny man and Keith and I still talk about how much we miss him. I think that he would get such a kick out of my boys since he was the Dad to 3 boys of his own. Jared always makes sure that he has flowers to take to "Paul's Dad."

And finally, I would like to take this time to say THANK YOU to my Dad who served with the Army in Germany during the Korean War, to Keith's Dad who also served with the Army, and also, my brother, Todd, who served in the Air Force for a time in the late 80's.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!