97 Years Young

This past Saturday my parents, Tara, Ali, Jenna, Krista and I made the trek up to Armstrong, IA for

my Grandma Jensen's 97th BIRTHDAY!!!!!  Can you believe that?  Think about how much this world has changed in 97 years!  We had quite the trip.  Before we left Krista needed to wash her car and as she was getting out with her tall, skinny heels, she bit the dust . . . hard.  I thought for sure she broke something, but thankfully just instant bruises, wet pants and a little smudge on her new jeans.  On the way home we hit snow and got stuck behind a plow going 35 mph on a 2 LANE.  We finally made it out of the snow, ditched the snow plow and then get picked up by a State Trooper (no ticket though, perhaps because Krista was shaking and could hardly talk :)).  After about 3.5 hours in the car with no stop, we were ready to be home!

The party was a good time, we were able to see all of our Aunts and Uncles and some of our cousins.  We also met one of G-ma's friends who has 17 KIDS.  And the kicker?  They had 17 kids in 16 years with only one set of twins.  That makes me tired just thinking about it. 

Grandma definitely does not look or act 97!  If it weren't for her bad knees, she would still be up moving around.  I was once asked in an interview who I looked up to most and instantly I said my Grandma J.  She is an amazing women who has been through so much in her life, yet she still has strong faith in God and has never given up.  She lost her husband to cancer (20+ years ago), one of her sons to a long battle of cancer and her youngest son was killed in a motorcycle accident.  I can't imagine continuing to have faith in God after putting me through all of that and I would certainly want to give up.  I know I screamed many things at Him when we lost our little Jack and I still question Him, why and I probably always will. 

4 Generations (this was a few months after G-ma was very sick).  My sister, Tara took pictures from Saturday and uploading photos is not one of her strengths, but she looks even better now!

Half way to TWO!

Will hit 18 months last Thursday and he must realize what the doctor is all about.  At his 15 month appt he was giving hugs left and right, not the case at his 18 month appt.  Tom took him and said he cried/fought the entire time. Can't say I blame him, who in their right mind likes doctor appointments?

Will update:
36.5 inches (off the charts for %) and 27 lbs (60% - I thought for sure he was over 30!). 
Will still fits his nickname "The Crazy".
He has some kind of a ball or multiple balls in his hands 99% of the day (I tried to put out a glass vase with decorative "balls" and he gets rather upset that he can't play with the "balls".
He loves his scooter and insists he carry a ball in his hands while he rides it.
He has plenty of new tricks that constantly have us saying NO WILL (one of the new tricks is shown below).
He tries to stand on anything he feels will make him taller, even if it's his cell phone.
The only teeth left to come in are the big molars . . . thank GOODNESS.  Teething bites.

He is getting very fast - I can't imagine what he will do when he can ride toys outside -thank goodness for helmets!  Possibly even bubble wrap?  :)

Playing catch with Grandpa and Grandma Linda.

He loves to put on shoes that are way too big.

Watching a cartoon . . .

He gets bored and decides to get off the chair his own way . . . 

What are we going to do with you, Will?

Cheers to the New Year!

The holidays are over! I say this every year, but it went entirely too fast! But, we sure had a great Christmas, New Years and now the end of our week long vacation. It sure was a fabulous Christmas Vacation! We fit a lot in and perhaps it's time to start the "eating healthy" goal and to take a break from cocktails (until next weekend of course :)).

The night before Christmas Eve we went to our neighbors house for dinner and he sure did do a great job of cooking! We are so lucky to have such a fun group of neighbors!

Christmas Eve was spent at Tom's brother and sister-in-laws house - lots of food, drinks and family fun. I left the camera at home and the video camera's card was full . . . so hopefully the sister-in-laws got some great pics!

Christmas Day we went to my parents house and again, lots of food, drinks and family fun! I did remember the camera and there are a few pics below. We finally got a picture of all the sisters and we ALL liked the picture - not an easy task when it comes to 4 picky ladies! Will's I teeth were trying to come in which made for a tired, grumpy child. But thankfully chomping away at the passy seemed to help! He wasn't as excited about the presents but he sure does love to play with all of them now that those stinkin teeth popped through!

Sunday night my bff from highschool, her fiance and a few other friends came over and of course we had to break out singstar. Did I mention that singstar now has BON JOVI!?!?!?! 10 songs to be exact . . . and no, I do not sit in my bsmt and sing all day, every day. :) It was so great catching up with them and I sure wish they would move back to IA!

Monday we recovered and Tuesday night we were at it again. Tom went to watch the IA game with some friends so Will and I stayed at Krista's. Krista made sure our wine glasses were never empty which I guess turns into 3 bottles of wine later . . . oops. But I sure do love sister time!

Thursday night Tom and I watched inception - which everyone needs to see. Very intense!! Friday night we got together with our neighbors to celebrate the New Year! One of our friends taught us a game called Shoulders and honest to God, I have not laughed so hard in a LONG time. This might be our new favorite game!

While we went through the worst 2 months of our lives in 2010, that doesn't make us want to forget it. So many other great things happened in 2010. I will look back on 2010 and say we grew stronger as a family, realized more than ever how important family and friends are and really learned the meaning of the motto "don't take life for granted" and will try to follow that each and every year!

I hope you all had a Happy New Year and I wish all of you a FABULOUS 2011!  CHEERS!!!