A Beach Birthday

This weekend I celebrated my 26th birthday. I am now OVER a quarter of a century old and can hardly believe it. This year Jason and I went to Seaside for the weekend. It was our first night without Levi and I realized it was our first trip alone when we were not visiting family since our honeymoon.
It was freezing at the beach but what else would you expect in Oregon at the end of October? Or in July for that matter?
I introduced Jason to a Jensen/White family favorite. Camp 18 off Hwy 26. It has great breakfast. Sadly we missed the breakfast, but the other stuff was good too.


We went to an aquarium right next to our condo. It was small but they let you feed the seals. Also they had a stuffed lobster that was humongous! It had died because a drunk guy tried to steal it and when confronted he dropped it on the ground and walked away. It died shortly after. How sad. What WAS that drunk guy thinking?

A special thanks to:
Scarlett and Preston Rencher for watching Levi for the weekend and keeping him alive.
Brook Carter and Morin Clan for babysitting and letting us leave earlier than planned.
Denese Jensen (mom) for assisting with babysitting duties and keeping everyone in line.

Toddler Tricks

Though Levi has not said anything other than 'dada' and the occasional 'mama', you can tell just by watching him that he knows what is going on around him and is quite smart. Recently he has been started to do follow directions. We'll see how long that lasts. Here are some of the latest.


My mom and many other mothers have told me the reason why they had children was to do the dishes, the laundry, cooking and other chores. Levi's new job, for now at least, is dusting. He loves it.Down the stairs. Once Levi started crawling, he started going for the stairs. Only now has he begun to understand how to get down. Afterwords he then proceeds to shut his gate.


One of the few times Levi pays attention at church is when people are singing. A favorite thing to do is to copy Brother Rodemack and lead the music. He has transferred this skill to other music moments, most especially, the Office theme song. For some reason he loves it. It's catchy I guess.

More Toddler Tricks:
-Putting his diaper (or other things) in the garbage, but usually brings something back. Hmmm.
-Laying down.
-Clapping hands.
-Summersaults. He just needs a little help getting all the way over.
-Kisses. Sometimes.

It's Harvest Time!

Since Jason grew up in the "country" I have learned a lot about what living in the country is all about. And I have learned one of the best times of the year is harvest time. This year I was actually able to go and help. I think I was being trained for the first three years, a sort of waiting period I suppose.
Levi with Uncle Willy in a fire truck at the Fireman's Breakfast in Moses Lake, Washington.
Levi, playing found some of the lawn, wind things (I have no idea what you call them) at Aunt Chris's house. Very entertaining. Maybe we should get some.

This was the coolest thing ever. We moved the truck right under the digger. Now THAT'S farm fresh.
The back of the truck getting filled. We had to unload some of it at a family members house to make room for.......APPLES! Jason found me some of the hugest apples I have ever seen!
It was a good day. Now.... what are we ever going to do with this much potatos, apples and onions? If any of you want some, ask. Please. We have a ton.

A Day With Friends

As all mom's know, there are those days when you want nothing more than to leave the house, preferably without the kiddos in tow but you can't just leave them on their own, right? When that happens, one of our favorite places to go is the Morins, some family friends. While the kids go crazy, us moms can have a normal conversation for a change, instead of doing like I do and having a conversation with a one year old where I not only talk to him but respond for him as well.
Jackson, Levi and Cameron. Three fun, crazy boys with a TON of energy.
Cookies. Courtesy of Grandma Morin (is that what you call yourself Kate?)
I got this shirt several months ago and was more excited than any normal person should be when picking out a child's shirt. I just couldn't resist it when I dressed him in the morning. His clothes did not match at all (what goes with orange anyway?) but I was thrilled. Levi could care less.
His shirt says: "I'm skin n' bones...need more CANDY"
The firetruck. A favorite toy. Levi's getting the hang of it and is getting better about not letting Jackson roll over him or push him around too much. I forsee in a year or two Jackson bossing around both Levi and Cameron and getting into all sorts of trouble. Mark my words, mark my words.

At Grampy's House

At Grampy's house life is always just a little more exciting. A little bit funner toys, new adventures, better treats. It's always fun to go to Grampy's (and Gram's)
Levi during conference. This was about the only time he sat still. This rocking chair was sat in by my grandfather when he was little (Levi's great grandpa).
A new favorite toy, Grampy's golf clubs.
Looks like a professional huh?