Happy Birthday Sweet Girls

Today  is Dayna's 14th birthday and it is also  Emily's 3rd Birthday.

Happy Birthday sweet girls.  I hope your birthdays were good ones.   This will be the last birthday Posting on this blog.  I will expect to see their birthdays on your own blogs.  I don't have pictures for all of them and they are are too hard to get.  I know you have busy lives.  Dad and I will treat this as our own blog.  You can add anything you want to it.  I will send out the ID and PASSWORD TO YOU ALL FOR THAT.  If you don't have your own blog please put your own families birthdays on here.

Happy, Happy Birthday Leah

Sorry I'm a day late.  We were in VA. Just got home.  Kind of throws all my time off.  But we love you lots. and I just know you had a happy birthday.  I sent your card today.  So you can watch for it Saturday.  

Birthday Men

Some good-looking men in the family have birthdays happening!  Jason's, the best looking man (this is Heidi, if you haven't figured it out), celebrates the day of his birth today with yet another turtle pie.  Be jealous.  

 Jordan, who does give Jason a run for his money with regard to looks, celebrates tomorrow.  Don't know what he'll be eating.  You'll have to ask him.  

Happy birthday, boys!!!!!

Bouncy Boy

This is for Dad. While Mom and Dad were here visiting this week they got to see Christopher doing his favorite thing--bouncing in his bouncy chair. Dad really got a kick out of it. The video doesn't do it justice, though, because he was distracted by the camera. He bounces so hard he actually catches air and his feet almost touch his head.

Our trip to Utah.

We just got home from Jenylyn's.  We went out to Katie Rose's wedding.  It was Thursday in Bountiful.  We have been to Bountiful for 3 weddings and it was snowy all three times.  This time however it wasn't on the roads.  She was a beautiful bride and very happy.  The reception was in Springville at the Art City museum--I love that place for weddings.
We saw many people we knew during the week.  Mike and Karma were at the wedding.  We saw Ross and Linda after the temple. They live just a short way away from the temple.  At the reception- Julie and John, Jennie, Kylee and Jim, Ross and  Karma and Mike, Michael was there from Boise, Jeff.  They both looked good.
  And we went on the trip a little early to go to Jake's  farewell.  So we got to see Dad's siblings. Janie had prepared a nice buffet and there were hundreds of people there.  After, we went to Holly's and Matt's, Shannon, Leah, and Christopher. We also went to Kearns to spend the day on Wednesday.
It was a  very nice trip.   Loved seeing everyone.  And sadly forgot the camera everywhere we went.  

Happy Birthday to Miles

Happy Birthday big guy.  We'll see you in a couple of weeks for your baptism.  We love you lots!!!Hope you had a very nice birthday.

Happy Birthday Teresa

You are a darling.  We love you and hope you had a happy Birthday.  Sorry I'm late.

Happy Birthday, Christopher!

Happy birthday to this cute little man! He is having a fun day being snuggled and kissed. We couldn't love him more!

Happy Birthday Tadd

We love you lots.  Looks like you had a very nice day at the zoo.  Hope it was a fun day for you.

Happy Birthday Sara

Happy Birthday sweetheart.  Hope you have a nice birthday.  We love you bunches and bunches.

Happy Birthday Tawnie

I don't have a picture of you but we are thinking of you anyway.

Holly's answer

Wow! That's quite the question! I think I would sit down and write a letter to each of my kids for them to read when they are adults, then I would just spend the whole day with my family. I would play Barbies with my girls and snuggle everyone the whole day. I would also make phone calls to each of my siblings and to my parents. Then I would eat whatever I wanted and NOT exercise!  

New Question, we want answers from everyone.

If you knew today that you were going to die tomorrow, what would you do today?

Happy Birthday Cassie

I'm late for Cassie's birthday.  We love you.  You look so grown up in the ballerina pictures.  Happy Birthday. 

Nice Visit

We had visitors for conference last Sunday.  Jeny and Mark decided to come here for conference.  We worked on and finished Tara's quilt.  We always try to have something to work on during conference.  It helps concentrate on the speakers better.  We went to Yakatori for dinner Friday.  They went to Panera's for lunch Saturday then we went to Ken and Peggy's house for a really delicious dinner. They are getting ready to go to Texas for the winter.  They have a beautiful new home there.        Sunday we had David and Tricia, Courtney, Danyna, and Austin over for dinner.  It was a nice 3 days.  

Happy Birthday to Emma

We hope you hade a very fun birthday!! You are a darling girl and we love you very much!

Tara remembers Santa

As you can tell from mom's answer, Santa is still real for the Griersons, and I am pretty sure we will continue to leave him cookies and milk and refer to "presents from Santa" forever.

However...

I remember being suspicious of Santa for as long as I can remember. But one Christmas in the Missouri house, we had gotten some display shelves from our next door neighbor and on Christmas morning we found that Santa had put little presents in each of the little cubbies. Either Spencer or I were reading off the names ("To Tara, from Santa") on each of the wee presents and at one point Dad said, "I don't remember writing on all of those." I looked wide-eyed at my Dad, surprised at his carelessness with the ruse they had protected for years. I don't remember being surprised that Santa wasn't real, I already suspected. But they weren't allowed to admit it! And thus, we still will not acknowledge that he doesn't exist. 

Lauritzen roadshow

Tricia sent me some pictures of the roadshow and I have been trying all morning to get them on.  Can't get them.  So look at facebook for them.

David's Memory

    He said that he found out about Santa when he was about 9 by snooping in the closet then seeing on Christmas that it was from Santa.  I guess we weren't very sneaky.

Heidi Remembers...

I don't think there was ever a definitive moment when I knew Santa wasn't the man in the red suit who lives at the North Pole. (I know he's actually a real man--he's my dad!) I had my suspicions early on. Once I found a present under the back of the tree from Santa to my mom. The problem with that present was that it was under the tree early in December, well before Santa was to come. Holly and I tried to prove he wasn't real by writing to him one year--I think I was eight. He wrote back, and sure enough, it was my dad's very distinctive handwriting. Christmas is still magical (maybe even more so!) knowing that Santa isn't some random stranger, but a man I know well and love. I do wish we could all have Christmas together again, complete with Amy and broomstick. Those were great times. I'll have to be content doing my best to make it as magical for my own kids. --Heidi 

Holly remembers

I am sad to see the chair go. My most vivid childhood memory is of Dad rocking me in that chair singing the Three Fishes song after I had had a nightmare. It was such a comfortable chair and we sure got a lot of use out of it!
I think the Christmas when I realized there wasn't a Santa Clause was when I wrote a note asking for a car and Santa wrote me a note back saying that it wouldn't be possible.  I recognized Dad's handwriting, so I figured it out, but I still tried to believe after that just because it was fun!
Holly

Happy Birthday Ashley

We hope you had a wonderful birthday.  We love you very much.  You are growing up way too fast.

Happy Birthday Jenylyn

I can't find any other pictures.  We all wish you a Happy Birthday!!  I told Dad we should leave right now and go be with you since you are alone on your birthday.  He wouldn't do it.  We could have been there for dinner.  How fun.  But Happy Birthday anyway.  We all love you lots.

Happy Birthday Lydia

We sure love you and can't wait to see you at Christmas.  Have a Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Trina

We love you lots and hope you have a great birthday.  Happy Birthday

Jeny's answer

What do you mean? Santa isn't real?

Jeny

Christmas memories

My memory is not good enough to remember when this happened.  But, I do remember when I was about seven years old climbing up the shelves in my parents closet in Fairbanks to see what good things they had stashed.  Clearly, when those same items showed up under the tree on Christmas morning, I knew where they had come from.  But, that didn't diminish the joy of Christmas at all.  Just made me feel clever.  I suspect all of you have done the same.

New Question--lets have some answers-

When did you first realize that Santa Claus wasn't real?

Happy Birthday

Heidi is 35.  Wow, I can't believe it.  What a great young woman.  We love you lots. Hope you have a very fun birthday.  Glad you enjoyed your root beer and ice cream.

And . . . .
Happy Birthday to Holly.  She is not having a Happy Birthday .  She is sick today.  But we hope she feels better real soon.  Have a quick recovery and a better Birthday.  We love you and are so glad you two are in our family.  I wish I could come tend kids so you could sleep all day.

Happy Birthday Courtney

Courtney's having a birthday.  We love her and hope it is a wonderful birthday.  How did she grow up so fast.

Happy Birthday to Kelsey

Happy Birthday Shannon

We wish you a very happy Birthday.  We love you lots.

Joshua's birthday

Joshua's birthday-- a big happy birthday to you.  Love you Josh!!

Heidi's first thoughts. --Thanks Heidi

First thing I thought this morning was "How am I ever going to get up this early every morning from now until June??" We (the girls and I--Jason has had to be a very early riser for years) have been getting up earlier and earlier every morning for the past week so that we can get adjusted to the school schedule instead of the summer schedule of sleeping in until 9. I will really miss sleeping in. School starts tomorrow, and I think we're ready now.

-Heidi

End of an era

Well the old green story telling chair is gone.  It went to goodwill today.  Lots and lots of memories of that chair.  Tell us your memories of that chair.  I'd like to hear them.  I'll post a picture of it when I find it.

Hey, why is no one else going to answer the last question?  Kristi did. It was 43 years old. It's time.

Happy Birthday Tarquennis

Missed it by a day.  Happy Birthday to you.  We love you.  Hope your day was wonderful.

Kristi's answers--So glad you answered

Favorite vacation

Very hard to decide. Favorite DESTINATION was hands down Hawaii. Nickell was hired to do a wedding in Kona so Lloyd and I tagged along. It was the very most relaxing and beautiful vacation we have ever been on. Of course we plan to move there now and I have found a house, just need a job…it might not happen. We loved the temple, the ward was wonderful and so friendly. The snorkeling was my favorite thing EVER. I could get lost looking at all the fish! One day we decided to take a walk to the green sand beach. It is the southernmost part of the United States AND the sand is green so who wouldn’t want to go. The beach is not accessible by roads so we thought we would be able to make the 4 mile journey to see this wonder of nature. Then we started walking…and walking…and walking. It was so hot and we had absolutely no idea if we were even going in the right direction. One of the locals (Albert and yes I have his phone number if any of you ever want to call him for a ride)drove by in his truck so we stopped him and asked if we were headed in the right direction. He offered to take us since he was headed that way. He dropped us off and we hiked down the rocks to the beach, played for awhile, took lots of pictures and sat on the rocks just watching and listening to the ocean. After awhile we hiked back up the rocks and there was Albert. He had been waiting for us to do our thing so that he could give us a ride back to the road where our car was parked. I rode in the cab with him while Lloyd, Nickell and Aaron rode in the back of the truck. So I got to hear all about his life in Hawaii as a retired tuna fisherman. That’s how all the people were.

Favorite family vacation was in 2000 when we took the kids to Disneyland. We spent 10 days I think playing all over Southern California. It was the first time we had been on a family vacation just to go on vacation…no mission farewells, baptisms, family reunion etc. We just went to have fun. And we had FUN! The kids still tell stories about that vacation. Ask Jordan sometime about the RESPECT he was shown on that vacation.

NEXT QUESTION

What was the first thing I thought when I woke up this morning

I thought ugh, I don’t want to go to work. I miss Kade and Tadd. We were at a Jensen family reunion this weekend and Kade had been at our house for the 2 weeks prior to the reunion. On our way home Kade called and said “I went into your room when I woke up and you weren’t there and now I’m sad” Broke my heart!! I love those 2 little boys so much and hate leaving them.

We have had a fantastic summer though! First we were able to go to Tara and Joe’s wedding and see all the cousins we don’t usually get to visit with. Then we had Amy and her family come visit and had a blast with them (PS Amy is a fantastic cook), then Alex stayed with us until the end of July. He and Brock had a lot of fun together. THEN we had the Jensen reunion and got to see all the cousins on that side that we rarely see. Some we have never even met before. So it has been a fun summer with our families and we love them all!!

Seems like I kind of took a side street there for a minute, This has little to do with what I thought when I woke up. OH WELL J That is kind of how my brain works…lots of side streets!

Kristi Jensen

New Question: What was your first thought when you woke up this morning?

Mom-  I think I thought, Well, I guess I have to get up.  It's a beautiful morning for edging the lawn in the back.  I already did the front.  Gets harder each time but I love working outside.

Let's try this again

After the wedding I believe it was Spencer who cleaned the basement.  I thought I had taught them to clean better than that.  Today I finally went down to clean the basement and found a few more items.  No make-up, though.  Sorry Mindy.  Here is what I found:

A pillow (really, how did Spencer miss a pillow?)

A headband thing

An LG charging cord (this was plugged into the wall then shoved down into the cushions.  I do understand how he missed this one.)

I am still trying to find the owner of the shoes, the black grab-your-hair thing and the thin, tan headband.  Please let me know if any of this is yours.  And if you ever ask Spencer to clean for you, be prepared for large, pillow sized items to be missed.

Also, YAY TRICIA!! for making a post for David.

Davids vacation from Tricia

I asked David what his favorite vacation has been in his married life. I was certain he would say Disneyland or Disneyworld with the kids. I was wrong, without hesitation he said HAWAII!! That is about as much input from him as we’ll get. Hawaii was amazing. We went with my brother and his wife to Maui in 2005. We had so much fun exploring the islands, eating the food, swimming with sea turtles, attending the luau, snorkeling, riding the waves and eating some more. Dave went to some Pro Golf tournament one day with Troy. I don’t know much about it but he was pretty excited. The highlight of the trip for both of us was the magic show at Warren and Annabelles. My brother has been several times and just went on and on about how we had to go. It was AWESOME. If you are ever able to attend I highly recommend it

Those who haven't answered-You know who you are.

Let's see who we need:  Lori, Kristi, Amy, David (Yeah right), Matt, Kelsey, Jordan, Nickell, April, JD. I guess we could make them in charge of the next reunion.  Let's hear from you.

Happy Birthday Joe!!

Happy Birthday, Hope you have a great Birthday.

Hooray!!!! for Tara

Favorite vacation answer:

Well, Mom already explained (with fancy pictures,even) my favorite family vacation -- Hawaii! (The Blob and Gino the surf instructor/beach bum were the best.) So I guess I'll have to talk about another family vacation that I enjoyed. I have several because I have an awesome family that makes basically any trip fun, despite all my memories of the kicking and punching fights with Spencer on the many drives. 

I really enjoyed what I will call the "National Wonderment" trip we took, on which we saw Niagara Falls, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, the Anasazi ruins, and probably some other things I have forgotten. Memorable moments: Spencer getting sick all over his side of the car from scarlet fever right before Yellowstone/Spencer getting sick in the sulfuric pools of Yellowstone itself; getting soaked in the little outlook points by Niagara falls, in our lovely yellow plastic ponchos; and looking at the cool storms coming in over the grand canyon. AND sitting in that awesome tree with my favorite brother which produced one of my favorite ever pictures of us. (which i think might actually have been a later trip. oh well)

I have also loved camping with my family. Spelunking, "exploring" the forests with Spencer, losing keys in the river, the elk caravan that walked right through our tents, and probably my favorite recollection (which is foggy but mostly intact) - sitting on the air mattress in our tent, playing Uno or something, while the downpour outside sent a river through our campsite. We were basically floating on that mattress! It was awesome. 

And I loved our recent-ish trip to Canada, when we went to Lynn Canyon and watched mom clench-jaw her way across the swaying canyon bridge, and ate KFC cake that my parents love for whatever reason, and the kind of laughably lame aquarium on Victoria Island with that guide girl who always got really high-pitched at the end of every sentence, and the wizard trees and giant hydrangea bushes, and fish and chips in newspaper at white rock beach. I think the Canada trips might be my second favorite after Hawaii. 

Since this is so long, I'll just give honorable mentions to our Lake Powell trip and our Zion's trip -- both awesome. 

And of course, for every vacation there are always "memories" made, which I have learned is actually code for things that go wrong but are funny later. 

Daniel's Birthday

I guess I didn't have Daniel's birthday on my calendar yet.  Sorry Dan.  Hope your Birthday was wonderful.  Love you

Becca and Spencer's birthday.

We love you guys lots and lots and hope your birthday is a great one.

Holly's vacation

I married a teacher, so we're poor and we've only been on two vacations since we've been married. My favorite, of course, was the family reunion! You were all there for that, so I don't really need to go on about it.  The other vacation that we went on was when we were pretty newly married and we drove to California to sing at Matt's friend's wedding. We got to visit Matt's old stomping grounds and go to the beach with Kristi and family. Some day when we're rich (haha!) we're going to Scotland.

Mindy catching up

We moved again.  Not by choice, but we found a great home in a very nice neighborhood, and it's a house we could live in forever.  The picture in the back yard shows our grapes!  Purple, pink, and green seedless table grapes.  We have a play house for the kids in the back, a nice covered porch, big trees to keep it shaded, a garden area with great soil.  Can you tell I love the yard?  The inside is dated (1990's teal carpet and walls, pink bathroom counters, flowery backsplash tile), but in very good condition so we can take our time updating. 

Jason takes the bar again on the 24-25th.  Please keep him in your prayers. 

Favorite married vacation:  By far I'd have to say our favorite vacation was when we went to California for Nickell's wedding and Disneyland. So nice that it worked out for Nickell to get married the same year we planned to go to Disneyland!  We stopped in Las Vegas on the way and went to Shark Reef.  We also happened upon Calico ghost town and decided to stop there and see what it was all about.  Jason and I spent a day in San Diego at the temple, and we all went to the beach with Kristi's family.  Jason got the worst sunburn ever.  We all had so much fun though!

Childhood friend:  Does high school count?  My best childhood friend was Sue Coakley.  We did almost everything together, including honors classes, choir, band, and shows.  We still keep in touch.  For a young childhood friend, Shauna Wursten would have to be the most memorable.  She came over to invite me to play soon after we moved to Colorado Springs, and I didn't want to but Mom made me, and I'm glad she did.  Dad mowed a path between our back yards and we went back and forth as we pleased.  Her mom made scones for breakfast when I slept over, and we played Barbies a lot.  She moved to the Netherlands after a couple of years, and we were pen pals for a long time. 

Birthday memory:  One year Jason planned a whole surprise trip for my birthday.  He pulled it off too!  He's usually not good at surprises because he gets too excited about it.  He planned for his mom to take the kids for a couple of days, and he took me to Salt Lake to go through an endowment session at the temple, and a few other things.  It was so fun, and a great break from the kids during a hard mom time. 

I think that catches me up! 

Jeny's Favorite Vacation

My favorite vacation is when we all went to Hawaii.  There are so many good stories that came from that one, and I guess this is what I use to decide what a great vacation is.  Tara's eye burning was great, Spencer had his 18th birthday there, we snorkelled and got to swim with the turtles, sunburns everywhere, and "Beware of the Blob".  Fantastic movie, and the theme song is one that every nerdy family should know. Tara and I beat Mark and Spencer through the Dole Plantation maze with only minimum cheating.  And who can forget Geno, the surfing instructor that lived on the picnic bench nearby?  Ah, good fun.

From Jeny to make us smile

I am at work, and making tons of copies, which means my screensaver came on.  I just saw these, and they made me smile, so I thought I would share them with you.  Hope you smile, too!

Way to go Linda Teresa

 

My response for this question is hard. My favorite vacation as a kid would be the last time I went to Spain with dad. I really love going there, miss my family there, and love the culture there. But I also have loved the family trips I've taken with the kids. It's so fun to show them new things, and so fun to see them get excited by seeing new things. They get excited about going to new states and seeing how different the cultures is just in our country. I love that they want to attain the goal of seeing every state (up to 27 so far) so I guess all the vacations make each previous vacation even better because we are closer to our goal :) The kids and I love traveling, and we'll find every excuse to go somewhere new. :)

McKayla's birthday

Happy birthday McKayla.  Hope your day is awsome. Love you.

For Everyone--New assignment!!

I am grateful for spending time as a family.  Describe a favorite vacation in your married years.  This is an assignment  for everyone.  Grandchildren and spouses. For children. a favorite vacation in your family.  We should have  66 responses.  If you don't answer-I will hound you.  

Happy Birthday

I couldn't find a picture of Dan.  Happy Birthday to you.  We love you.