Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!

After Kris and I spent a week in Cleveland with Ayrel, Ben and Avery we headed to Salt Lake City for a short weekend visit to be a part of Jill's blessing. More to come on that. Flying standby was a breeze, we literally walked off of our plane to Atlanta and right onto the one to Cleveland. The same as we headed to SLC. 
Then came our trip home, which was. not. a. breeze. Keven joined us for the fun, Soren donated valuable experience and time helping us chart our course, and we eventually decided to head to Las Vegas in the hopes of catching flights through Phoenix or Albuquerque to arrive home. Didn't work that way, and we ended up in lovely downtown Burbank shuttling to Los Angelas and then flying home the next morning. Non-revving is an adventure!

A few hours later I spoke to Ayrel and learned that they had beat us home. In fact, had we made it to Albuquerque we may likely have been on the same flight, and that's when we would have learned they were coming to El Paso for a friend's wedding!

Grandpa Jensen holds Avery for the first time

Little Avery received clearance from the doctors to make the trip. She had to wear a Holter pack the first 24 hours she was here, but that was the only stipulation.

I think the grandparents are doing an admiral job of sharing thus far!

Not-So Guilty Little Pleasures



$5 bouquet and the roses smell heavenly ~ Shoes too cute to leave behind





Starting a new book just for fun - I love the PW blog, so am certain I'll love the book

And look how beautiful the book itself is when you take off the dust jacket!



Pecan Coconut cookies - I ate at least two....or three....maybe four.
They are really good.

Family Talent Show

Not to brag or anything, but I do have a very talented family. While our children were growing up we would always have a Talent Spotlight for Family Home Evening where one child could share a special talent or host a talent event. We had everything: "Star Wars" being pounded out on the piano, "Chubby Cheeks" contests, dance performances on our outdoor "stage", pogo stick challenges, drum solos (where Barbi dolls were used as drum sticks, much to some younger sisters' consternation), spoon hanging contests, and the list goes on. This past week I have been reminded of the many varied talents of my progeny.

Kyle is a Sword Swallower!
Although not by choice. We can almost laugh about it now, but when he ran around a corner and into the blade of this:

being wielded by his unsuspecting cousin, he ended up in the emergency room for the night.

Scary, but all ended well.

Hurrah for a brave little boy and his amazing parents. Hurrah for priesthood blessings.  Hurrah for talented medical personnel who took such good care of him through the night.

"I'll make sure he's comfortable, Dr. Morris."

"His CT scan looks fine. We won't have to do any surgery and he won't even need stitches!"

"Nurse Doris, why don't you take a break. I'll watch over the little guy."

He was able to walk to church with us the next day!

Elena, Jake, Curtis, Kyle, Mitchell and Aubree

 

 

Mitchell dazzles with his amazing leaping abilities!

Elena wows us with her unique sense of high fashion!

In a blur, Curtis can eat a whole plate of French fries and macaroni & cheese without his hands!



 Tanja can still take on her dad in a game of HORSE (but I think she lost this round)!

And it appears that ALL of my grandchildren (newborns excepted) have a talent for throwing big rocks into water with every intent of soaking their grandmother! Soren gets credit for being their coach.

 
 
I have absolutely no doubt that if these 3 had been around they would have joined in with equal enthusiasm and accuracy.

Indulged

Oh yes, I do know how fortunate I am to be able to spend time with my new grandbabies! I have been able to be with almost every one of my 11 grandchildren within hours or days of their arrival on earth (and certainly longed to be with them when I couldn't). 

The whole world slows down when I'm holding a baby and most of my "problems" just melt away. It stands to reason, then, that one of my most favorite of all things to do is to rock a baby to sleep and take a little nap in the process.  Or to lie on the couch cuddled up with a sleeping baby.

Needless to say, I'm about as relaxed as a person can be right now. Avery is a snuggle bug and I am getting lots of opportunities to indulge myself.  Oh, and Kris is getting a little bit better at sharing!

 

Plus I will get some time with Jill, Aubree, Kyle, Curtis, Elena, Mitchell and Jake this weekend! Don't forget, I had an entire month with Alex, Seth and Gabe. This summer has been fabulous for this grandma. Like I said, I've been quite indulged.

I've always said you just cannot spoil a baby. I don't believe grandmas can get spoiled either....


They Say That Waking Up Is Hard To Do
One lovely morning this week Ayrel and I ate breakfast in the back yard while Avery slept in her mommy's arms

 We admired her delicate ears and her beautiful dark hair, curling in the humidity

 We marveled at her tiny, perfect fingers and toes (her daddy's hands and feet, most certainly)

Ayrel left for a few minutes and I held Avery.  I couldn't resist taking a few pictures while she was in my arms:

Well, good morning, Sunshine!

 Have I mentioned how much Kris loves Avery?

I think the feeling is mutual!

Have I mentioned how delightful it is to watch Ben and Ayrel with Avery? 

I think they kind of like her!

Today:

 Avery had a photo shoot - she's 1 month old already!

 We walked to the store to buy peaches. Avery slept the whole time.

 Ayrel was a little crafty.

 Ben grilled up some fabulous chicken. I made some pies.

 Kris helped take care of Avery

and told some interesting stories.

 Avery enthralled us with every move, awake....

....or asleep.

And for sure, she grew right before our eyes.