Our Rainy Day at Ikea

Sam has been on Spring Break, so we are always looking for fun things to do. It has also been raining non-stop - so we are also looking for indoor things to do!

I needed to run to Ikea, so we decided to make it a destination -- not just an errand! They have a great play area for kids Sam's age and there are lots of toys and things in the children's department. Apparently, everyone else in Portland had the same great idea that I did -- so it was pretty crowded.

The boys patiently waited in line for lunch and gobbled up their food so they could play in the little kitchen that was right next to our table. Then Zak and I dropped Sam off at the play area for a while and we walked around. Then we all went to the children's department to play with toys.

Ironically, we spent so much time playing, that we didn't have time to get what we came for -- but the boys spent three hours at Ikea having a great time!

No Swedish meatballs for these two -- just peanut butter and jelly!

Yum!

These boys want a play kitchen so bad!

Sam taking a break.

The Jensen Bunch

It was an unofficial family reunion a few weeks ago in Jacksonville!

All of Matthew's siblings, along with their families converged at his parents' house for a weekend of family fun.

Grandpa and Nana had a special surprise waiting for the kids in the backyard -- a brand new playhouse! They loved it and it kept them entertained -- and outside -- for hours.

We got to meet our newest nephew, Luke, who is three months old and perfect!

It was a fun, relaxing weekend -- can't wait to do it again!

Sam and Caleb playing with Uncle David in the playhouse.

The kids spent a lot of time scooping and dumping rocks.

Auntie Katie with Luke.

Sweet boys -- Caleb and Sam.

Joanna and Zak getting ready to ride scooters on the track.

Goofy cousins!

Great-Grandma Eleanor loved having all the kids around!

Squeezed together -- a common sight, since there were 19 of us!

Grandpa and Nana with all the grandkids!

Sam's Spring Program

Sam's preschool had a special Spring Program, where each class performed a few songs. His class sang about America -- You're A Grand Old Flag and This Land is Your Land.

Sam gave us very specific instructions before we got there. We were to clap after each song and then he would take a bow at the end -- but we should not take a bow. Glad he spelled that out!

We laughed a lot and the kids had fun.

For your enjoyment, Bright Beginnings Chipmunk Class presents...You're A Grand Old Flag.

Boys & Their Bikes

It was a pretty nice day outside on Sunday, so Matthew pulled out Sam's bike and Zak's tricycle -- it had been a while since Sam had ridden his bike and Zak had never ridden the trike before.


When I checked outside a little while later, Sam and Matthew were sitting on the garage floor, taking off his training wheels! Not so much because Sam didn't need them anymore, but because he needed them too much. Matthew felt like he might learn better without them. We'll have to see how that goes! Needless to say, Matthew's hand never left the seat of Sam's bike.



Zak loves his trike and can scoot all over the place on it!



The boys had fun on their bikes -- we'll have to let you know how it goes without the training wheels.

Zippity-Zoo-Dah!

Matthew decided he wanted to spend his birthday at the zoo -- so off we went to spend our sunny Saturday!

We saw lots of animals and enjoyed a yummy lunch on the lawn. The elephants were all out -- even the two babies -- and they were doing tricks. Zak loved watching the turtles swimming -- he got very excited when they would move around.

The guys checking out the polar bears -- a family favorite!

The beautiful lions.

Sam was a fantastic drummer!

And bell ringer.

And back for a second round of the drums!

Checking out the orangutan.

Goofy face for the polar bears!

Zak enjoyed eating Fritos.

And licorice!

The boys playing around!

Sam was in charge of the map.

Zak wasn't so sure about the big alligator.

Then he decided it was funny!

The three amigos.

Friday Family Fun

On Friday we took the boys to Cafe Sip-n-Play. They had fun playing and Matthew and I had fun catching up!

We ran into one of Sam's friends from preschool -- so they had a great time together.

Good times for this family!

Zak loves their banana bread!

Sam and Landon played for quite a while in this

trunk -- they were cracking each other up!

Sam, Landon and Abby coloring.

Male Bonding

This was a funny scene to walk by last night...
Zak was receiving a lot of encouragement
while sitting on the potty.