"I'm a WHOLE HAND mom"

Oh the sweet sorrow and joy of my little boy getting a year older. Makes me sad to see him grow so fast yet so proud to be the mother of such an incredible boy.
He was very insistent on having an Indiana Jones swimming party. Of course what mother can tell her sweet child no. He was so ecstatic about the Indiana Jones cake. "Mom, its Iniana Jones" It's so cute how he says things and the joy little things bring to him.

Of course, what would a swimming party be without a flying Superman. Brody loves to be thrown, he would have us tossing him all day if we let him. So fearless, and he is so proud of himself that he can almost swim on his own, no floaties.

I'm not posting all the present pictures since it would take me forever and they all would be of random Indiana Jones paraphenilia. He did get the hat, whip, lego set, lots of Adventure Hero guys, and the new movie. Spoiled, you ask? My kids? NEVER!!! We have been promising the kids a playroom campout and have been looking for a little tent to set up in the basement for some winter fun. Without any hints Grandpa Ed picked the perfect gift, Transformer tent with a sleeping bad and flashlight. He was so excited that we finally get to "camp in". Thanks Grandpa, this little boys day was definetely made great by your thoughtfulness.

What would a birthday be without best friends. Brody loves Payton and tells everyone she is his best friend. Well, this summer he found another best friend in Mason, whom he tells everyone is his brother. They are practically inseperable. Brody is such a loving boy, I am so glad is easily accepts people into our family and loves them so much.

Every party needs to go out with a bang. Since fireworks were not allowed in the pool area Curtis decided to create a finale of his own. Kiddie slide+ Adult goofball= Great kid memories and lots of laughs.

Happy 5th Brody!

"FALL- ING"

So, every morning the kids come and crawl into bed with me and usually go back to sleep. I LOVE it, it gives me some extra zzz's and I get to cuddle with my little bugs. Brody had crawled into bed with me around 4am and when Payton woke up she crawled into my bed but instead of cuddling with me, she snuggled up to her brother. It melts my heart seeing how caring and loving they are with each other and I just couldn't pass up capturing this adorable moment. They truly adore each other and get mad at anyone who hurts their brothers/sisters feelings. I hope this bond will stay this strong as they grow.

As tradition has it, we rake all the leaves in our front yard to surround the Walnut tree. Once all the leaves are piled, the kids get to jump out of the tree and disappear in the leaves. Payton was a little hesitant at first, so she wanted mom and dad to throw her in the pile. I love this picture, too bad you can't see the huge grin on her face or hear the little girl squeal. After this there was no holding her back. We propped a ladder on the back side of the tree so they could get up all by themselves.

Here is a short clip of the kids jumping out. Listen to little miss attitude as she tells her brother off. Oh boy are we in trouble with that one.

Happy Haunting

So, I couldn't talk the kids into matching costumes this year, grrr, I really wanted to be pirates. Brody of course was none other than The Incredible Hulk. Painted nails, painted toe nails, green hair and a loud growl. He loved it and was so happy that he could be mean all night and not get into trouble.Payton wanted to be a Fairy, although she wanted to wrestle with her brother all night. The idea of dressing up seemed to be a lot cooler than the actual dressing up and walking in heels. Guess she is a lot like her mom, dresses are pretty but suck to wear.I was able to talk Curtis into wearing matching costumes. If you can't tell, I am a Black Widow and Curtis is the Fly that I am going to devour. We had a lot of fun making our costumes. I am so glad I have a husband that is willing to appease my crazy notions. Happy Haunting.

AGING QUICKLY...PLEASE HELP

So it was my birthday almost a month ago, and yes I feel older. Those stupid wrinkles around my eyes are reminding me that I am becoming an old woman.

Curtis surprised me with a night out. He took me to dinner at Tuscanos in Salt Lake and mmmmmmmm...it was so yummy. It is the Brazilian version of Rodizio Grill. Then he took me to a piano bar, The Tavernacle. He got a bunch of my friends and family to come, Rob even showed up. I was really nervous when they started having people with birthdays come up and dance on the two Grand pianos. I was dying, how could they abuse and scratch a beautiful piano. But, nobody else seemeed to mind. When they finally called me up I wasn't sure about the whole dancing thing. The whole time I was up there I felt like I was hardly moving, but apparently I was dancing more than I thought. Hope hyou get a good laugh at my silliness. It was a great night. THANKS LOVE.

2008 Fall Competition

So, prancing around naked seems to be my hobby of choice. Fall competition was last weekend and yes I am late on my blogging.

This competition was so much better than spring. All the girls were so nice and closer to my body type which made it easier to relax. I have lost about 10 pounds since the last competition and have put on a little more muscle mass.















Thank you to everyone who came to support me, it means alot and is so exciting to walk on stage and hear people yelling for you. I didn't place this time which is ok, I am another step closer. It just helps me to keep working at it. Thanks to my family for putting up with my weird diet and training schedule. The kids seem to like watching. The first thing Brody said to me was "Mom, I want to go on stage and be strong". I love that they want to be healthy and strong.

2008 Bodybuilding

It's that time again. My Bodybuilding competition is next Saturday, September 27, 2008.
For those of you that I don't have your e-mail, here is the info.

Northridge High School--Layton
Starts @ 7PM (my class is about halfway through and it lasts for about 2 hrs, so if your 30 min late you should be ok, you know who you are)

Tickets are $15.00 Adults $5.00 6-12 5 & under are free

If Adults want discount tickets then you need to send a check ASAP to:

Bianca Purtell 3790 W 2550 S Taylor, UT 84401

Thanks for your support!!! If you have any questions, call me!!!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!

So, Monday was Payton's first day of Preschool. Not that she needs to go education wise. I came to the conclusion that Payton needed some socialization when she tries to wrestle every little girl that she comes into contact with. I'm not quite sure where she gets this from, but it sure isn't making her a lot of female friends although the boys like to play wrestle with her.

Any whoo.... Monday was her first day. I admit I was a little worried that she might start crying and hold onto me whilst making a scene, so I tried to prepare her by encouraging her to be a big girl and not be shy and that she could do this.

So this is how it went.....Pull up to the school and I open the car door for her and hold out my hand to help her out of the truck. She says "No Mom, I'm a big girl and you don't need to hold my hand, I can do it". I smile thinking, ok, this might not be as hard as I think. She marches right past me says "Hi Teacher Lisa" to her teacher and walks straight into the classroom and starts talking to all the kids. I wave and say "Goodbye Payton, I Love You".
She doesn't even turn around, just keeps chatting away. I grudgingly walk back to the truck and pull away and start crying..... ok, so I sobbed like a little baby who got their candy taken away, so what, you just wait till your baby starts really growing up and tell me your heart doesn't get ripped out of your chest. It was so hard watching my little girl grow up and be so dang independent. Guess that pep talk should have been for me 'cause I sure felt like crying and holding onto her leg so she wouldn't leave me. Needless to say I spent the next two hours sitting on my couch in a stupor, not sure what to do with my free time without a shadow telling me what to do or how it should be done.



I love her so much and sure do miss when she is gone, although it is only 2 days a week. She has such a strong spirit and sure does fill any room she enters. Oh the trouble we will be in when boys get involved. I think I will start collecting guns now. Anyone with GPS equipment and spy gear can donate at anytime 'cause I'm sure I will be in need of all things soon. Don't bother with chastity belts because the girl can wiggle out of anything, but Electronic bracelets would be wonderful.

Sweet Lagoon!!

So, went to Lagoon a couple of weeks ago (yes, I know I'm behind). Payton is finally tall enough to ride some of the bigger rides. Brody wanted to ride the Pirate Ship, Payton wasn't so sure but decided to try it. This was the first sway back and forth, she wasn't quite sure what to think. It was really hard not to laugh but I felt bad for the sheer terror she displayed. She made sure we knew that she did NOT want to go on that ride again. I think that's the first time I have seen her truly scared of something.
Brody was in Heaven. He loved it and joined in with everyone else, throwing his hands in the air and screaming "WOOOO HOOOOO" as loud as he could. So cute, my little adrenaline junky. Curtis and I left after a couple of hours to go to the John Edwards show (no not the politician, the medium, dorks). My mom came down and spent a couple of hours at Lagoon with the kids while we were gone before she took them for the night. Of course, she just had to fill them up with suger but I guess it's ok since she's the one that had to deal with the aftermath. So cute, I love how they share and are always concerned that there is enough for the other.

Payton's 3rd Birthday

Oh how the years fly by. My little "angel" is another year older. She is growing up so fast, literally, 6 inches and only 3lbs since last year. Needless to say she is super tall and super skinny. We of course had our swim party again this year. She loves to play in the water and doesn't want to do anything else. My mom and brother Jak showed up, lots of friends and other family....maybe one year we will get the Jensen's to come out.


She gots lots of crayons, paints, and stuff to draw on everything. She is so into dressing up and dancing around, so we got her lots of little dresses, hats, scarfs and other things. She was so excited to have dresses to twirl in.


Everyone says that she looks like my Grandma and this picture proves it. Doesn't she look like a little old lady in the Red Hat Club? So cute.


She wanted a princess cake but she isn't really prissy or girly so I racked my brain to try and come up with something unique that fits her personality, so here it is. If you can't tell it's a dirt mound with all kinds of bugs and snakes. Payton loved it, the first thing she said was "Mom, look, there's a little girl like me trying to eat a snake like I do". I am so glad she liked it and was happy she could finally eat a worm(gummy, of course).

We got Brody the Black Spiderman (Venom) costume and the kids couldn't wait to fight each other, it's hilarious till Payton gets a right jab, the video cuts off before you get to see her clock him back.

After moving the masks so that the could actually so we didn't have anymore mean jabs but watch what Payton does at the end, it's pretty funny.

GOT TAGGED!!!!!

A. ATTACHED OR SINGLE? Attached for 5 years, it seems like we've been together forever?
B. BEST FRIEND? Curtis, it's great how best friends can fight and still love each other.
C. CAKE OR PIE? Pie, but only Pumpkin at X-Mas or Thanksgiving
D. DAY OF THE WEEK? Sunday-Movie night with the kids.
E. ESSENTIAL ITEM? Measuring Tape & Pen/Paper
F. FAVORITE COLOR? Blue-Warm, Calming, Matches EVERYTHING
G. GUMMY BEARS OR WORMS? Worms-but only the Red and White ones
H. HOMETOWN? Fortuna, California
I. INDULGENCE? Cheeseburgers- Homestyle
J. JANUARY OR JULY? July because its hot and there are fireworks
K. KIDS? Brody (4) Payton (3) Diesel (3) Curtis (32)
L. LIFE ISN'T COMPLETE WITHOUT? My Husband, Kids, Family
M. MARRIAGE DATE? May 17, 2003
N. NUMBER OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS? 3 Brothers and 2 Sisters
O. ORANGES OR APPLES? Apples
P. PHOBIAS OR FEARS? Heights and Snakes
Q. QUOTE? "Be careful of everything you say and do, Karma will always come back to get you" --WOW that rhymed
R. REASONS TO SMILE? Curtis in a good mood, the kids behaving, a good workout, healthy food
S. SUPERMAN OR WONDERWOMAN? Wonderwoman, power to the SHEERA in us all.
T. TAG 5 PEOPLE? Aubrey, Brittney, Ali, Stephanie, Alaina
U. UNKNOWN FACT ABOUT ME? I hate feet and I don't like to go on vacation without my house being clean.
V. VEGETABLES? Cauliflower and Celery
W. WORST HABIT? Making To Do lists, accomplishing everything on the list then being mad because I should have put more on the list.
X. X-RAY OR ULTRASOUND? Ultrasound, I like to know that everything is ok in there.
Y. YOUR FAVORITE FOOD? Crown Burger and Fries with their DELICIOUS fry sauce.
Z. ZODIAC SIGN? Libra

Fun in the Sun--St George 2008

Every year the Jensen family caravans down to St George. We decied not to hike this year. We just wanted to relax and get some sun. Not as many pictures this year, we were too busy having fun. Payton loves swimming and never wanted to leave, she got quite a nice tan also.
Brody was a little fish. He loved wearing this suit so that he could swim all by himself with the big kids. He couldn't get enough of jumping in the water.
For those of you who were there you will laugh at this funny photo of Angie and Gavin "cuttin' it up". We had a great time with everyone staying up late playing games.
The kids fell asleep on the way home and we were bored and wanted to watch a movie. We strapped one of the screens to the steering wheel so that Curtis could watch too. I know...we are dorks.

On the way home we stopped at the Ancient Life Museum in Lehi with Jill and her family. This is Brody in the middle with Jace on the left and Jared on the right. I'm so glad he got some good bonding time with his cousins.
A shark made it inland and decided that our family looked like we were edible, luckily I have kung-foo grip and showed that shark what was up.
Oh the joys of coming home from vacation. As we pulled in the driveway we saw something that looked like a skunk headed for the backyard towards the dogs, it was actually a PORCUPINE (check out the claws on this thing.) It turned around and looked at us and decided to take a rest on the side of our house. We tried calling Animal Control and Wildlife Services but neither would come help us. As we were trying to get pictures it would turn around and start bristling its spikes, SCARY!!!! So, Curtis went around the house to put the dogs in the kennel and found our back yard flooded from a broken sprinkler pipe the dogs got to. Then as he went to go inside, our front door was unlocked and open. He heard something in Brody's room and thought we had a burgler in the house. After an extensive search, found nothing, and our night slowly wound down. Luckily the porcupine was gone the next morning or someone would have gotten an earful.

Had a couple of ideas...

I can boat, I can swim now all I need is fins.

Come swim with me for my 3rd birthday

Roy Aquatics Center

Saturday, August 9, 2008

11am till you drop

You can call mymom if you have any questions.

THANK YOU SO MUCH...you can say whatever you want, you don't have to use this. LOVE YOU!!!

Memory Fading...please help!!!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.
EVERYBODY PLAY! I want to see what memories you have!!(especially since mine is failing me)

And those of you that read my blog and never comment, I see you and you better say something!

Slacker

Yes, I know I have seriously slacked in my blogging abilities lately so here is a little run down. We will be tearing off our roof this weekend and planning that has been nothing short of a miracle. Going to reroof, insulate, redo attic fan, rebrace roof, put in skylights in the kitchen....in the meantime we have spring cleaned the whole house, had a yard sale, rearranged all of downstairs, finished fencing the back yard, put privacy fence in the kennel, put the roof on the kennel, helped my mom with her remodeling, and tried to fit in some fun days with the kids in between my gym. Take a breath, yes I know but really there is no time to breathe. Next weekend is St George, the week after is Payton's birthday, the week after is John Edwards (no not the politician), and the week after both kids start school. So you see no time for blogging. Not to mention I am 10 weeks out from my next competition. No stress in our lives. Please love me and understand my lack of communication.

Boise 2008

So every year we go to Boise to see my cousins. This year they had lots of plans for us which was nice. No thinking on my part and lots of fun. Uncle Dan took us fishing at the Dam near Idaho City. It was a hot day but the kids had tons of fun catching lots of fish, and I got some much needed sun.

This is how the kids looked shortly after we started to head back to Aunt Cheryl's house. I'm not sure what it is with my kids but they always seem to have the broken neck syndrome. It's usually when they are trying to pose super cute or when they pass out from a fun day. It looks so WEIRD!
We spent the morning at Shane and Stephanie's letting the kids play indoors with the girls but Brody needed a little boy time. So, we headed over to Brooke and Jamie's house where they have their own water park out back. The kids were in heaven cooling off on this super cool slide. Now I just have to talk Curtis into getting one of these so we have somewhere clean to swim. But somehow I don't think it will last long with our horses/dogs. They would love it to pieces, literally.
The real reason we came up was to see baby Robert Daniel be blessed. My cousin Nanette finally had a boy. It's about time. Not even a couple of months old and they are already buying him a lifetime hunting and fishing license. I have a feeling this little one will be spoiled. Payton couldn't stay away. She wanted to play dress up and rock him herself, too bad he is almost as big as she is.
Brody and Payton couldn't get enough of the pool. It was a nightly ritual to cool off. The kids are so proud of themselves that they swim in the deep end all alone. It makes me want to cry, they are growing up way too fast. Brody loved jumping into the deep end without having someone catch him, and of course in Spiderman gear. They decided that it was much more fun jumping over Adam's head...don't worry, there were only a couple of kicks to the head.
Of course Payton had to jump in the deep end too. She couldn't quite jump as high, but Adam's arm was perfect height. She couldn't stand getting her face wet at first, but she wasn't going to let Brody have all the fun.

Thanks Aunt Cheryl for letting us invade your home. Sorry about Adam's Bird (Payton wanted to play with the bird, thought Adam's shoe would be a good home, then decided it wasn't. Needless to say she literally squeezed the poop out of it, pulled its tail feathers out trying to get it out of the shoe and then took a nap with it.) We hope it can survive the trauma of its chance meeting with our little shedevil.

Proof of Human Evolution

So this is my little brother Jak for those of you who don't know or can't tell. Yes, he does look a little Neanderthalish but it's really the rocker look gone bad. He spends his days long-boarding the road of downtown SLC or playing music with his band, thus the mountain man look. Being the incredibly loving and talented sister that I am, I convinced him that it was time we relieved his head and face of the creatures that have no doubt taken up residence in his habitat. Graciously, he let me cut his hair AND beard as long as he didn't look anything like he did in the military. After about an hour, a forest full of hair, and some minor sideways looks he thought the job was done. But again being the loving sister that I am, the job could not be done if he still smelled like a Neanderthal. SSSOOOOOOO, just got the wash job of his life....watermelon shampoo for the hair and baby soap for the face and beard. (He didn't have much choice as you can tell).
Now doesn't this look so much sexier, (of course not to me dorks, but the groupies will be in heaven especially if the watermelon shampoo absorbs). He still got a rocker look but at least now you can see his handsome face and those gorgeous eyes. Love ya Jak...thanks for letting me torture you once again. They say once you grow up the teasing stops, I guess we got a lot of growing up left to do. Thanks for the fun time.

Living Planet Aquarium

So, every Wednesday my friend Jen and I take our kids somewhere fun. Today was the Aquarium in SLC. This is what 9 kids with only two adults looks like. It isn't as hard as it may seem, luckily Jen and I get along fabulously and have no trouble disciplining each others kids. Needless to say mine usually mind and hers don't dare backtalk to me. So everything runs pretty smoothly. No, we are not crazy....just well organized.






So to spare you all the fish pictures, which turned out great by the way, I just thought I would show my silly kids petting the Manta Rays. Brody was hesitant at first. Putting your hand into a big pool of water to touch something slimy and foreign is never appealing at first. After awhile though I couldn't keep him out of the water.













Payton on the other hand was ready to dive in. As you can see someone had to hold on to her, she was ready to go bottoms up. She got pretty wet but totally enjoyed herself. She kept saying that she wanted to take one home to put in her fish tank. Yeah right, the think would be dead in 24 hours, dressed in a onesie with a bottle in its mouth and strapped in her baby stroller. Nice try though.












I came home and mowed the lawn and Brody just wanted to sit in the swing and watch. Precious little guy couldn't hold out any longer. He played so hard all day and didn't get a nap. Doesn't he look so angelic and peaceful. Man, I LOVE my kids. I swear they are the best two kids on the whole stinkin planet. (Sorry sisters....yours come in a close second). I am so proud to be their Mom.

Grandma Sippy Cup

Brody started out the morning with finding ways to make mom happy. First he beat me to the bathroom and wouldn't let me have a turn. Then while I was having my turn in the other bathroom Payton starts yelling in her nasally tattle-tale voice "MOOOMMM, Brody is playing with the phone." After yelling at Brody to stop playing with the phone I hear him talking to someone. "My name is Brody, yeah my mom's here, she's in the bathroom" To which I make haste to the kitchen and lo and behold there really is someone on the other end. Thinking he pushed redial and called Grandma or JuJu I grab the phone while growling at Brody and he tells me it's 'Debbie'. Me-- "Sorry the stink pot is bein' a butt again." To my surprise the female on the other end says "Hi Maam, my name is Deborah and I am with the North Ogden Police Department, is everything ok?" WHAT THE H*LL!! He dialed the local Police Dept. and no it wasn't 911, it's like 782-????. I don't even know the number but he managed to figure out the perfect one to call. After reassuring her 5 times that everything was ok, I hung up and Brody says "Mom, that's Debbie. She says she wants to come play...can she play mom?" How can I get mad when he is so dang cute.



Today was Grandmas Birthday. We took her shopping for some clothes and the kids wanted to get her a cake. I didn't have time to bake one so we got this really cute one. It looks like a water melon with big plastic ants on it. She loved it and the kids were so cute singing happy birthday and blowing out her candles for her. I promised I wouldn't put the right amount of candles on so she didn't have to worry about the house burning down. So I put 8 and 1 for 81, duh.




She is 81 today and sure doesn't look or act like it. Sometimes I wonder where her battery compartment is 'cause that women is amazing. She can run circles around me even on my good days. The kids absolutely adore her and nothing could make me happier. They get so excited to see her even though she's around almost every single day. I hope I can be half the person she is when I am her age if I even make it that far. She is the sunshine in our lives and I hope that never fades. She is truly a blessing.

Happy Birthday JuJu !!!!

Today was my mom's birthday and the morning started off eventful as always. Brody wanted chocolate milk and I couldn't help but laugh at his silly milk mustache. He couldn't quite understand what was so funny till I convinced him to let me take a picture so he could see. Isn't there some weird resemblence to Hitler. Yeah, I thought so too. Of course he has to pose, so stinkin' cute.






Of course, Payton couldn't be left out. Such a sassy little stink. When the kids fight I make them give each other hugs then tell each other what they love about the other. I usually hear..."His hair, Her eyes, His hands..." But no, Payton had something else in mind. After slashing Brody's face (her favorite target of choice if you can't tell why Brody always has scabs on his face) she gave him hugs then said "I love Brody's Pee Pee". It didn't help that my mom was laughing her butt off as I'm trying to tell Payton to think of something else. She was too busy thinking is was a game since there was giggling going on. I should have known Little Miss would throw a curve ball in there one day.








The kids were so excited to celebrate her birthday. The kids called her on speakerphone this morning to sing to her but it didn't quite go as planned, of course. Brody told her we were making her a cake and Payton chimed in "Yeah, it's a surprise". NOT ANYMORE STINKER!! Guess we need to have a conversation about secrets and how they work. I guess telling a 2 year old to not tell anyone was a little far fetched. Oh well.





JuJu though high fours were in need today. Curtis cooked a fabulous Salmon dinner and the kids and I made a German Chocolate cake.
I love how silly my mom is willing to be with my kids and to see how much they truly adore her. It's always fun when JuJu is around. Love you Mom and Happy 44th Birthday!! Yes, I put your age in there. You gave it away anyways with the high fours. LOVE YOU.