Derby

The ward Elder's quorum had a pinewood derby. Porter and I were there as Seth's cheerleaders.

Seth was super excited to go. He spent all week making this...um...lovely...car.

Now, when I say he was excited, that's an understatement. He, seriously, left an hour early just to see if the track was up and the scale was there so he could weigh his car.

No one was there.

He came back home.

He then gave me 20 minutes so I could get Porter finished fed, use the bathroom, and throw a Smart Ones in the microwave so I could have dinner before shooing me out the door. While I was doing the said things above, he was practically dancing around impatiently. Yes, like he was 5 years old.

We got to the church a half hour early. There were only two other people there and they were setting up the track. Seth didn't waste any time. He went straight to the scales and waited for the track to be done. They didn't finish it in time for him to do a run before the races.

He went first.

And won.

Then won again.

And again.

You get the idea.

Seth got first place!

He even admitted to me that he was nervous before the races started! Talk about competitive spirit!

In the modified cars racing, he lost, but he had the fastest legal car!

Jenny's Shower

Its seems as though we've started a new tradtion...

...Tana, Jen Farr, Jen Reed, Erin, and I put together a baby shower for Jenny Rudolph!

Jenny has to be one of the sweetest girls I know. She's so willing to give of her time and smiles whenever anyone needs her. I've only known her a few months, and I can truly say she is one of my favorite people! I'm so glad that I had an opportunity to help host this party for her!

Because of a little more experience, we had more games and things planned for this shower. Throughout the whole party, we had the women decorate bibs and have safety pins on themselves...they couldn't say "baby"...but I think for the next shower if we do that again, we'll do something else. While the bibs were drying, we had DELICIOUS food from Erin, Jen, and Tana; played a couple other games;...

and Jenny opened her pile of presents :)

There were over thirty people at the shower, so there were a lot of presents...but not much room. I think next time, as well, we'll do it at the church. :)

We learn as we go!

Well, the bibs were done, and it was time for Jenny to judge!

Erin's won!

Here is the one I made.

And a few of my favorites...

By Heather Taylor

Not sure who did this one, but I like it!

By Jen Reed

Again, not sure who did this, but I think it's adorable!

By Brianne Pitts

(I think this one is my absolute favorite! She made it in like two seconds too! Amazing.)

I'm so glad it was such a good party!

Finished Product

I finished the decorations over the dining room table. It was relatively simple, and I think I like it, but I'm still deciding. I think I need more decor before I really decide because this is now the biggest decor in the apartment...aside from the furniture.
What do you think?

As a side note:

Uncle Glenn Jensen came into town on business and took us out to dinner tonight! It was great to see him. We hadn't seen him since Shlitterbahn in Texas. He's welcome any time!...especially if he feeds us ;)

Porter was so cute. We went to Red Robin (since it's really the closest nice place here) and he got to play with a balloon bear (which he made squeaky noises with...with his mouth and completely destroyed) and he got to take a balloon home! I even got him saying "a-ooofff" once.

The Rest of the Week's Events

Last week should have been a really good week. It was pretty good. Pretty stressful, but it had some good parts. You already know about Porter and what happened with him up till the doctor's visit on Wednesday. What you don' t know is, I missed going on four outings with friends because of what happened. Granted, there was a very good reason why, and they all understood, but I was really looking forward to al of them.

Wednesday night, we got to go to dinner at the Miller's house. We had a great meal, and were so glad we got to get to know them better! Alex and I plan on many playdates to follow :)

Thursday morning, I missed another outing because I couldn't get Porter's splint back on his leg and I was freaking out because he was crying and complaining. There was no way I could've gone in the state we were both in.

Thursday afternoon, Ty, Seth's friend, came into town. He had an interview for a dental school in Portland, and we offered to have him stay with us so he could save some money. Seth was really glad to have him here...even though I'm sure I spent more time with him because of Seth's schooling.

Thursday night, we went bowling with a bunch of friends to celebrate Eric Johansen's birthday! It was a good turn-out, and a lot of fun. I got a score of 108...or something like that. Seth and Ty creamed me, but whatever. I'm getting better!

Saturday, Ty, Seth, Porter, and I went to the Oregon Zoo! This is the first time I think I've ever been to one...truly! If I've been to one before, I don't remember. Either way, it was pretty fun...but it was FREEZING! It even snowed while we were there. None of us were prepared for that and by the time we were done we were numb in places.

I really enjoyed seeing all the animals and this zoo had a VERY good variety! It's very big!

I have to say, my favorite part of the zoo was the penguins. That shouldn't surprise those who know me. There was a cute little penguin who swam up the the window a couple times where I was and I just died. SO cute.

Ty took us out to dinner to Poor Richards after, and then left to Kennewick, WA to meet a girl he met online. I think he needs a wife, so we were fine with him leaving us a day earlier than originally planned.

I have a lot of pictures of the zoo, but they're mostly animals because it was so cold no one wanted to pose. So, I think I'll spare you this time.

Things Porter has picked up this week: spitting; mimicking coughs, noises, and sneezes; and rubbing his hands together like he's trying to get something off of them.

Cast or Not

...not

We just got back from the doctor we were referred to and he said Porter would just need a splint. This way it would be easier for me to bathe him. He said Porter's hairline fracture would take a couple weeks to heal. SUCH good news. I'm glad he doesn't have to have a cast.

If the splint slides around on him, though, I'm supposted to take him back in and then he'll get a cast.

I'm glad his little leg will heal quickly.

11 Months

...and what a day it's been.

It started out pretty well! I've lost 5 pounds in a week since I started my exercise program, which made me excited.

But not for long.

Porter woke up and I went to get him. On the way back down the stairs, I slipped and fell with Porter in my arms. His little leg was in back of me and I was afraid I'd landed on it because he was really crying. It took about ten minutes for him to stop, and then I checked his leg to see if it was broken. I couldn't tell right away, but when I touched his little shins, he started crying again. I tried to get him to walk, and he couldn't put weight on it. So, I set up an appointment with a doctor, went there, and waited for hours before getting an x-ray. Porter wasn't very good toward the end of this. Poor guy.

We got home and awaited the results, which took a lot longer than they said, but when they called us, we were told his little tibia had a fracture.

So, this is Porter at 11 months today.

We get a cast on Wednesday.

What a great way to spend your month birthday.

Pointing

Porter has learned how to point!

I think he's pretty proud of himself ;)

Cannon Beach

Isn't this place GORGEOUS!?

Seth, Porter, and I went to Cannon Beach yesterday with a bunch of friends, and had a great time! It was a fairly warm day, so we took the opportunity, and we're glad we did!

It seemed like the thing to do that day, too. There were quite a few people on the beach with us.

Porter wasn't so sure of himself at first, so he looked concerned at everything and everyone for a while...

Once he got used to the idea, we had to keep him from eating the sand...

...gross.

Before the sun set, we got to play a bit and make the fire...like true "boyscouts" ;)

Well, at least Eric was. (the boyscout, that is) The rest of us liked to just sit and enjoy the view!

After the sunset, we roasted hot dogs and smores.

Thanks Johansens, Reeds, Farrs, Bolicks, and Tiffany for a great time!

Thank you!

I have such great friends and family! All of you are awesome. Here I was complaining because I was sore and feeling sorry for myself becuase I was so tired and bored, and you all came to my rescue. I really appreciate everything everyone has said and I LOVE all the ideas and advice! I'm actually really happy that I have people who can empathise with me because it always helps a situation. Thanks so much for your comments!

Seth came home the night I wrote that post and told me I should save it as a draft before posting, wait a day, and see if I felt the same way the next day.

Maybe I should've done that because yesterday I had a great day! I talked to Becca and Sarah on our new webcam, and I had a bunch of girls over so we could plan a baby shower for Jenny. When we were done planning we socialized for about 2 hours! I've been invited to a dinner, the beach, a birthday party, and bowling all within a week! I almost wanted to cry after everyone left, I was so happy.

I told Seth about it when he came home and he was happy for me, but didn't heistate to tell me he told me so. ;)

What is my DEAL?!

Warning: venting post...

Okay, those of you who know me well know that I'm not usually socially awkward, but it seems like ever since we've moved to Oregon...I've become that way! Maybe I forgot how to be social! I mean, I haven't really been invited to a lot of stuff and when I was invited to things when we first got here, I was occupied with family things and trying to move into another apartment. It made socializing rough. I wonder if my saying no has made a difference...

I'm really trying to be more social. I'm wanting to go to playgroups, be part of PAVA, invite people over for dinners, throw parties for people over here...but I feel like no one really wants me around. Almost like they just put up with me. Maybe it's all in my head or I'm just really tired and not thinking straight. Whatever it is, I don't like it. That's why I'm confused with myself and don't know what my deal is. This isn't me. I don't think negative thoughts like, "sheesh, I'm boring!" "I don't think she likes me much" all the time like I have been.

My remedy is to keep trying to be more social and think positively about myself and my situations, but I just needed to vent a bit because it's really starting to drive me crazy.

I think part of the problem is that this summer was AWESOME! I loved all the girls and we all shared interests and got along great even when we saw eachother every day! I miss that.

Maybe I should be more like Chelsey and come up with a bunch of activities...it's a thought. :)

So that this post isn't completely negative, I have to say that it's really not as bad as I make it out to be...I've met a lot of cute girls that I'd like to get to know better...I enjoy spending time with new people and I've had fun...it's probably just one of those days, and I'll get over it.

Back in Oregon

Seth and I arrived safely back to Oregon. I switched Porter's seat around for the trip and he was 100% better! I was so glad! He's definitely staying that way from now on! I can tell you this much, I don't want to eat McDonalds food for at least a year. That's all we ate on the way to and from because it was cheap. Oy. We miss family, but we're glad we got to see you! We've got that new webcam so hail me on MSN anytime! Although, with Mom I might need to get skype...hmmm. I have to say, though, I'm glad I'm done chasing Porter and grabbing a million things from him all the time :)

I've started my exercise program, daily schedule, and practicing today, so I feel very accomplished. I think I'm going to enjoy all the free time I'll have with my schedule as free as it is now! Parties? I think so!

Family Engagements

Aparently, the holidays is the time to get engaged! I had two people in mine and Seth's family who annouced their engagements! Seth's aunt Karen is engaged to Cortino, and my sister Becca is engaged to Kelly! I'm so excited for both of them! Both couples seem very happy together, and I'm so glad. I'm not sure when the marriages are, but we sure hope we can come!

Short Time in Utah

Over the break, yes I'm still writing catch-up blogs, Seth and I got to travel down to Utah to go see his family. We travelled down on New Years Eve, and Rob and Wendy let us stay with them during the time we spent there. We were only there for the weekend. Seth's family was there to drop off Jake at BYU, and drving to Spanish Fork was a lot shorter amount of time than it would have been travelling another 8 hours to Casper from Twin, so it worked out.

We had a lot of fun with Seth's family. We finally got to meet this litle munchkin, Lance. He is Seth's cousin and a month older than Porter.

So cute!

He and Porter played pretty well together. Lance isn't walking yet, so Porter was faster than him and they raced a few times for so Porter could prove it. I thought it was so funny. The Jensen competetive gene lives on!

Porter was, of course, into everything and anything while we were there...

I think this is my favorite picture from the time in Utah:

Jake and Porter were very interested in what was on that computer screen.

It was good to see everyone!

8 teeth!

Over the break...just one day...Seth and I were surprised to see two new teeth in Porter's mouth! This makes 8! He still doesn't chew food very well...but it'll come, right!? Well, thought I'd give you all another reminder on how my child is growing too fast ;)

New Years Resolutions

I don't usually make resolutions because I set goals for myself all the time, but I decided this year I would so here they are!

1. Be healthier. I will start exercizing and eating better. I even have a cute little competition I'm involved in with my cousin Jenni. If you are curious about it and want to lose weight go to her blog and sign up. It seems like it'll be a lot of fun.

2. Study the scriptures more. I want to be better at my personal scripture study. All scriptures. I need to read the modern scriptures and tie them into the quad.

3. Be punctual. I'm not very good at getting up and going places on time because of Porter and because I like to look good, so I need to work on this.

4. Be organized. This includes making a schedule for myself and keeping my apartment nice. I waste a lot of time doing things that aren't really important.

That's pretty much it.
Here I come 2009!

Mikayla's #12

Porter is celebrating...with Seth's help.

Mikayla, my sister, turned 12 on December 30th. I can't believe she's already in Young Womens! Crazy. Anyway, because we were here, we celebrated with her, the family, and her friend Kayla at Gerties downtown. If you're ever in Twin and you like all-you-can-eat pizza, salad and pasta, go to Gerties. Really yummy.

Doesn't Mikki look so happy to be 12? ;)

Happy birthday Mikayla!