Instead of spending his 30th birthday partying with friends, or even drowning his sorrows with a cold root beer, Matt spent the day hauling small children and heavy car seats through the airport on his way to Utah.
Matt's little sister Kristin got married last weekend and we couldn't be more thrilled for her and her new husband, James. That special day will get it's very own post. But, this post is about how we kept busy on days in which vows weren't exchanged.
Our first day in town, Matt's birthday, we headed up to Hooper to visit Melinda's cousin Dustin and his amazing family. Dustin's wife Adrienne surprised Matt with a birthday pie! And, her kids made sure that we were all appropriately accessorized for the occasion with party hats and noisemakers. Dustin went above and beyond and even hung up a piñata.
It was one heck of a party, and we love visiting them. Adelaide was ready to move in with her cousin Emery and we had to drag her out of Emery's room when it was time to go.
The next day we were able to meet up with Kristin and James on campus in the morning, as well as revisit some of our old haunts. In the afternoon, we went to the park with old friends, dance partners and roommates. Our friend Janelle even made birthday cupcakes for Matt! That's three parties for thirty - despite the airplane thing, we think the milestone was well celebrated.
It was so fun to see everyone's growing families. And, to cap it all off, Matt's mom and sister, Jessica, were able to swing by and see us at the park on their way into town.
The day before the wedding we had free as everyone else was tied up with important last minute details. We headed up to Salt Lake to show the kids Temple Square and check out the new City Creek Center.
We're going to fast-forward now to AFTER the "I dos." Once Kristin and James had absconded in their fancifully decorated car, we met up with Melinda's brother Jed and his wife Eve for a trip to the aquarium and dinner.
The kids had so much fun looking at all the fish. Unfortunately, the lights were low so we don't have many pictures of their delighted faces. Eleanor fell asleep after the aquarium, so Adelaide got her aunt and uncle all to herself at dinner - and loved every minute.
Sunday was our last day in Utah. We were able to join Grandma and Grandpa Jones for a quick breakfast, do a quick visit to the capitol building and conference center, meet one of Matt's MBA classmates for lunch and still let the kids run around the Gateway Mall fountain to wear them out before the return flight. Whew! We fit in a lot this trip. We sure do love and miss all our west coast family and friends.
So, are you tired of Jensen Family pictures yet? No? Of course you aren't. Don't worry, in the next couple days, we'll post about the wedding.
Happy 30th Birthday!
Matt's little sister Kristin got married last weekend and we couldn't be more thrilled for her and her new husband, James. That special day will get it's very own post. But, this post is about how we kept busy on days in which vows weren't exchanged.
Our first day in town, Matt's birthday, we headed up to Hooper to visit Melinda's cousin Dustin and his amazing family. Dustin's wife Adrienne surprised Matt with a birthday pie! And, her kids made sure that we were all appropriately accessorized for the occasion with party hats and noisemakers. Dustin went above and beyond and even hung up a piñata.
All our kids, from youngest to oldest.
Snow cones from Dustin's sweet Shred Shack truck.
The party team kept things lively.
Adelaide and Emery became fast friends, bonding
over a love of princesses and shaved ice.
The kids had a lot of fun with the piñata. All except
Eleanor, who cried her heart out when Kaleb broke
it in half. She's against animal cruelty of all forms.
It was one heck of a party, and we love visiting them. Adelaide was ready to move in with her cousin Emery and we had to drag her out of Emery's room when it was time to go.
It was so fun to see everyone's growing families. And, to cap it all off, Matt's mom and sister, Jessica, were able to swing by and see us at the park on their way into town.
This "Aunt Kristin" person keeps
telling me how cute I am...
As soon as we saw the purple hat, we knew
Adelaide wasn't going to leave the bookstore without it.
An old friend from folk dance,
Boubacar, and his BEAUTIFUL family.
Roomies reunited - Melinda and Janelle.
Aunt Jessica surprised Adelaide with an
early birthday present - a Princess Tiana doll.
She carried it around with her the whole trip
and even slept with it on her pillow.
The next day we were up early with our east coast time zone programming. We were staying at the beautiful Thanksgiving Point. The kids had a lot of opportunities to explore the gardens and waterfalls there. The rest of the day was spent planning, running errands and helping Kristin and James move. There was also an awesome bachelorette party. Funny mustaches were involved.
Eleanor was especially fond of the flowers.
She wanted to spend every waking moment
in the gardens just looking around.
Sisters on a walk.
Sorry for the funny angle, we did the best we
could with the timer feature to get a family shot.
Jessica won the his or hers
competition at the bachelorette party.
The day before the wedding we had free as everyone else was tied up with important last minute details. We headed up to Salt Lake to show the kids Temple Square and check out the new City Creek Center.
Eleanor took a lollipop break before we headed out.
Adelaide can make a lollipop last literally all day,
Eleanor polishes them off in no time.
Fanciest bathroom ever.
Temple Square!
City Creek Center did not disappoint. What a cool new
shopping area with beautiful water features.
In the evening we met up with the gang for the
Groom's Dinner. We love this happy cute couple!
Adelaide stole all of Melinda's pizza crust.
Playing with Dad's glasses.
The kids had so much fun looking at all the fish. Unfortunately, the lights were low so we don't have many pictures of their delighted faces. Eleanor fell asleep after the aquarium, so Adelaide got her aunt and uncle all to herself at dinner - and loved every minute.
A girl and her trout, nothing like it.
Mesmerized by sharks.
Rowing down the Amazon River.
Shark Attack!
Squishing Uncle Jed!
We miss these guys. Aren't they so cute?
Sunday was our last day in Utah. We were able to join Grandma and Grandpa Jones for a quick breakfast, do a quick visit to the capitol building and conference center, meet one of Matt's MBA classmates for lunch and still let the kids run around the Gateway Mall fountain to wear them out before the return flight. Whew! We fit in a lot this trip. We sure do love and miss all our west coast family and friends.
In the capitol building. Eleanor
loved the echo off the marble.
Walking to see the Conference Center Fountains.
Playing through nap time = sleeping on the plane!
So, are you tired of Jensen Family pictures yet? No? Of course you aren't. Don't worry, in the next couple days, we'll post about the wedding.
No Lissy in the pictures? Wish I still lived in Utah so I could have seen you too!
ReplyDeleteSadly, no Lissy this trip. We weren't able to get much north of Salt Lake since we needed to be on hand for wedding things. And, the one day we got to SLC was last minute so we couldn't give her any warning. Sad I didn't get to see her cute pregnant tummy.
DeleteYou sure missed out, because it is a GIGANTIC tummy. Seriously.
DeleteI'm so sad we missed seeing you guys! Next time you are out this way, give us a little more warning and we can meet up with ya (even as far as provo!)
We sure loved seeing you guys! It was great to catch up!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I got to see you while you were visiting "The Bubble" and meet your cute little girls in person! I can't believe it had been 5 years since I had seen the two of you!!!!
ReplyDelete