Do you really expect me to eat this stuff?

At the request of Grandma and Grandpa Bender I post this next video. Aaron started eating vegetables last Saturday. He has tried carrots, sweet potatoes and now green beans. For some reason, he made some funny faces this time when he was eating. We have since given him green beans again and he liked them.

Enjoy!

Joys of Parenthood...

...tormenting your child.

Frequent Fliers

Aaron and I have been to Utah twice so far this summer. We have one more trip scheduled in September for my brother's wedding. Our first trip was back in June. We had lots of fun. We had a family reunion, we went to the zoo and we also had Aaron's blessing.

The reunion was lots of fun and we got to meet a lot of family members that we hadn't met yet. It was at a park in Draper. Unfortunately, I didn't get many pictures of everyone because we were so cold. It was freezing -- we were all bundled up! Later that night some of us met up and spent the evening together. We had a great time and it is always fun to catch up!

The zoo was far from freezing. It was just the opposite -- we went mid-morning because we knew it was going to be a very hot day. This was Aaron's first trip to the zoo. I don't really think he cared that much, but the rest of us had a great time!

Aaron fell asleep as we were leaving. It was so cute! He really knows how to party hard!

Nick flew up for the weekend so he could attend the reunion and so we could do Aaron's blessing.

Here are a few pictures of Peyton and Aaron. The first picture was taken when Peyton was 11 1/2months old and Aaron was three weeks old. This is Peyton at 15 months old and Aaron at 4 months old.

This picture was taken on the way home from the airport. It takes Peyton a few minutes to warm up to the competition. I am so excited for when they can interact and play together!

So CUTE!

I just thought this was a cute picture. We went to Cafe Rio then went shopping. Kyle came with us and helped us with the boys. He is a great babysitter.

When Aaron and I went to Utah for the second trip it was because Nick was prepping to take the bar exam. It just so happened that most of my family was headed to Wyoming to go camping. So, I spent some time with my mom (even though she isn't in one picture -- I don't know how that happened). I was also able to visit some friends and family that I don't normally get to see.

We took a walk down the Lagoon Trail. I hadn't ever done that before so I enjoyed it very much! Meg and Will rode their bikes and my mom and I walked and pushed Aaron in the stroller.

Meg really wanted a picture with Aaron. She is such a good aunt. She loves to hold him and play with him.

Mom and I were trying out different settings on our camera's. Will patiently sat there and waited -- it was very helpful.
We went to the pool with my mom. It was our first time at a public pool -- we had to protect the kids with our life. Aaron had fun and loved splashing and loved it when Meg and Will would pop out of the water. He would laugh and splash more.

My friend Tiffany and her son Bridger came to visit Aaron and me. It was fun to be able to spend a little time catching up with her.

It just so happens that Heather was in Utah the same time I was. It was so fun to be able to meet up with her and go to lunch. We had such a great time talking and eating our burgers, cheese fries and Dr. Pepper. Yum!

We took a family picture while we were there. From left to right: Mistee (the dog), Mom, Sam, Grandpa Jensen, Grandma Jensen, Will (in front), Meg (in front), Adrianna, Aaron, Marianne, Peyton, Jessica, Andrea and Scott.

4th of July

This year our Forth of July celebrations were very minimal. Aaron and I went swimming in the morning, then just hung out while Nick studied. I was missing Centerville's festivities and my family, so Nick took me to Cafe Rio to make up for it. It was very good, but I really wished I could have been in Utah and run the 5K with Jessica and my mom and enjoyed the parade and all the other fun stuff going on. Later in the evening we met up with some friends and watched some fireworks. It was a good day, but I hope that next year we will have a big BBQ, fireworks and have lots of family around.

Here are some pictures from us watching the fireworks.

Quick Aaron Update

Aaron is almost 5 months old. He started rolling over a few weeks ago. He can sit and stand with assistance and he cut two teeth this past week! He is growing so fast. We went to the doctor a few days ago and here are his stats:

Weight: 20.1 lbs (98th percentile)

Height: 26.8 in (90th percentile)

Head Circ: 17.5 (90th percentile)

Aaron has started studying for the bar with daddy. 

He can no longer go in his bouncer without being buckled in. He rolls out of it. One day I caught him escaping.

He LOVES the water! He is always a little unsure at first, but starts having a good time after a few minutes.

May Madness

I guess I will start off with pictures of Aaron. Our little Aaron is getting so BIG. He just turned four months old last Friday. He is laughing tons, grabbing and mouthing toys and entertaining his mommy and daddy all day long. I think he is still trying to get used to us moving because he started waking up 3-5 times a night. I knew it was too good to be true.

This is Aaron in his high chair. He loves to be involved -- so I sit him here so he can see everything.

The house we are staying in has a swimming pool. Aaron wasn't so sure about it at first because it was a little chilly. Nick worked with him a little and I think he really liked it.

Mommy and Aaron just hanging out watching daddy irrigate. We stayed at our sister-in-law's parents' house. During the summer they irrigate their back lawn every two weeks. Basically you just open this valve and the lawn gets covered in water. Tenielle said they used to play in it -- we had a good time with this new adventure.

Look mommy I can sit up all by myself.

Just kidding -- remember, I am just a baby!!

Aaron really enjoys looking around at the world. He always has wide eyes and is intently looking at everything. One night he was a little cranky, but it wasn't time for bed. Nick had the idea to take him on a walk in the stroller without the car seat. What a great idea! Aaron loved it! No cries, no peeps, nothing! Just his beautiful BIG eyes inspecting everything.

Just my precious baby and his BIG smile!

He knows he has everyone wrapped around his slobbery little finger.

Our last day at SummerPointe was bitter sweet. This was our first place together and Aaron's first home. We have a lot of fun memories at this place. We were sad to leave, but were excited for the new adventure that was ahead.

It was a seriously long day. We planned on leaving at or around ten, but didn't get out until five. We were all so exhausted.

What a mess!

Our friends Cam and Brittny were so kind to let us stay at their place. It helped my sanity for sure. Harry, Carolyn and Matt helped us move. There is NO way we could have done it without them. They're the BEST!

Okay, so the week before we moved . . . Nick graduated!!!! Yay! I am so proud of him. He has worked so hard over the last three years in law school and I couldn't be more happy for him. We went to all the festivities and had a great time!

Because Nick worked as the general counsel for the student association at OU, we got VIP passes to the school-wide commencement. It was great! Close parking, golf carts taking us to our seats, free water. It was fun to be treated to all these nice things, especially with Aaron.

Let's play "Where's Nick?"

Oh, my sweet Aaron did so great! He sat in the humid stadium for THREE hours and was very content. He fell asleep in my arms just in time for the very loud fireworks. I just covered his ears -- it worked out great!

Chris and Tenielle -- SO CUTE! It was so fun to have everyone there to support Nick.

My surrogate husband for the night. He helped me with Aaron, held the video camera and took pictures. Thanks Matty!

Nick's parents are so wonderful! So sweet and extremely supportive of their son. We love them so much!!!

Nick's cheering section.

On Saturday we went to the OU law school graduation. It was so fun to see Nick hooded and walk. Once again, I am so proud of him!

Our friends the Cullimores (our support system).

The whole family.

Nick and his adopted girls (minus Kapri).

Nick and Kirk. Congrats guys!!

Chris and Grandma just playing around posing for "candid" shots.

The group (minus me and Aaron -- he was hungry).

Nick and Grandma Eva. We love her so much -- she is such a trooper! Doesn't she look so beautiful in that dress?!

Harry and his boys. They are so handsome! I married into such a great family!

Aaron and Nick -- my two favorite boys! (Not quite sure why Aaron is so surprised).

Nick with his parents! So cute!

Nick and his dad -- Harry is such a great example for his sons.

Grandma Eva and her first great grandson. She just loves him so much. When we were first married, she would call Nick and ask how we were doing. Now she just calls me to check in on her great-grandson.

For my first Mother's Day Nick got me these beautiful red roses and made me breakfast in bed. They were both wonderful surprises.

This is Aaron and Dr. Jimerson. He was the doctor I worked for and my OB doctor as well. Such a great guy! I really miss my friends at work. Thanks Dr. Steve for being such a great doctor for me and Aaron.

Before I left a few friends got together and had a fodue party! Thanks Ella, I had such a fun time! It was so nice to sit around and talk intimately with everyone. I have such great friends and miss them all so much! I love you guys!