Spelunking

While Edith had a whee of a time with Grandma and Grandpa, the rest of the Jensen crew drove to Maquoketa Caves and went camping, hiking, and of course....cave exploring.  With some $2 headlamps from Wal-Mart (which ended up providing a little less light than we planned), our group was ready to explore the depths of Maquoketa.

Relaxing at our campsite, getting some foil packets ready to cook.

Creek play.

More creek....these girls love a good creek.

This cave is not too tight for Melissa to fit through!

These girls are small, I don't think they'll get stuck in this cave (whose name I cannot recall).

Climbing out of a cave that Daddy was not keen to climb into.  This girl was plenty brave!

On a very nice woodsy hike.

Posing on the trail inside of "Dancehall Cave".

Alena really came into her own climbing through these caves, over and over and over.

Under the land bridge.

Softball - Nora's first year

Nora decided to try out softball this summer and Melissa decided to try out coaching.  It was a coach-pitch league (no strikes or outs, but lots of fun) and they got to be on the best-named team, the "Sunbirds"!

Nora did a wonderful job hitting (almost never had to use the tee) and she was the fastest base runner on the team.  Melissa did a great job getting the girls ready for games and the girls all made solid improvements.

Looking cool in the dug-out!

A good throw from short stop....coach Mommy looks impressed.

This was a solid hit, between the pitcher and the third baseline.  Clearly, she knows how to place a ball....one word....coach.

The team in full!

AFV???? (and Carlton of course)

Alena and Daddy went to Elmcrest for the Zach Johnson Classic.  It was hot and a lot of walking and they saw too little golf to make that part exciting.  They did get to see Grandpa Steve play a little out on the course, but the highlight was not Grandpa....it was getting to meet the host of America's Funniest Videos in person!  He was very nice and really quite buff!

An orange cat and his girls.

Edith and Jones.

Nora and Jones.

Alena and Jones.

Edith's first camping trip

Nothing better than camping in the great outdoors, lollipop lights illuminating the scenery, fire going and enjoying some great Ossman company (and a cold beer).






Even babies like beer.  Too bad it's empty.


A bit of land-kayaking.


Edith like camping soooo much, she didn't want to miss a second.  Which included not going to bed.  So, Mommy and Grandma Dee took Edith back to the farm and slept there (about 10:30pm).  Everyone came back in the morning for pancakes.

Nora's first dance recital

Nora finished her first year of dance (ballet and tap) and capped it off with an exciting recital performance that I still cannot believe.  She was not nervous in the least bit, although I was nervous for her, and she performed amazingly.  In fact, she performed so amazingly and did so well at listening and trying her hardest all year that she was awarded one of only 5 "Outstanding Student" awards for the entire dance troupe which includes a scholarship for next year's dance lessons!  GO NORA!

Chef Alena

Alena has really become quite the chef in the kitchen the past few months.  She is an expert at pancakes, grilled cheese, and has her own secret recipe for deviled eggs.  She also likes cooking recipes delivered from Blue Apron (pre-boxed ingredients shipped to our house).

Easter 2017

Dying eggs a couple days prior.  Out of order, I know.

Nora turns 6....already?!

We just cannot believe that our little Nora is already turning 6!  Our sweet girl celebrated with some friends from school at our house which included a pinata, lighted and loud dance party, photo booth with costumes, and of course cake (or cupcakes). 

Stick Fort

Alena and Nora worked for hours during the 2016 and 2017 winters to build this stick fort in the Bever Park woods behind our house, gathering only fallen branches for its construction.

Here it is from earlier in the winter.

Edith's 15 month stats

Edith went to see the doctor this morning.  We had skipped her 12 month check up because I was tired of going to the doctor and wanted to delay her immunizations anyway.  She is up to 30 inches (27%), 18 lbs, 12 oz (15%), with a big 47 cm head (82%!)  She hadn't been to the doctor since the beginning of November, and everyone who recognized her at the office was so happy that she was looking so good!

Edith is an expert climber.  She goes up and down the stairs all day.

We don't think she has said a real first word yet.  She sounds like she will say "shoe" when she picks up a shoe and "book" when she gets a book.  She loves both of those things.  She will carry her shoes and coat all over the house.  The bookshelves are immediately cleared of books when she enters the room.  Her favorite book is "Baby Reads" and she will pick it out of a pile to look at.  The only time she will sit still is when she is looking at her books.

Most nights she is now sleeping from 7:30pm to 7:30am.  She just went down to 1 nap a day from noon-3 if we are lucky.  While Ben and I were on vacation, she started eating solid food.  Grandpa Ed fed her a banana and pizza.  Now bananas are her favorite food.  She also likes blueberries and crackers, and she still loves carrot soup.

Pinewood Derby

This was Nora's first year for the Pinewood Derby.  Daddy was out of town during the race but he helped the girls complete their cars ahead of time.  Alena and her car "Dot's Amazing" came home with a 3rd place trophy, beating 4th place Nora by only hundredths of a second.  Nora walked away with most colorful car.  Its name: Silly Car.  Tillie and Lucie also were in the big race.  Edith roamed the gym, carrying around her coat and trying to get into mischief.