Updated Happenings

Life around here is pretty normal. And, like normal, we haven't updated the blog in a while. Not sure if anyone is paying attention. Hi! You may be the only person reading this. But, know this, you are appreciated.

Back to the actual point of this blog. JOHN LOST HIS FIRST TOOTH!! I have photographic evidence as proof.

Can you see it? We as slackers in our parenting duties of photographing every precious moment of our children's existence neglected to photograph said event until today (about a week or so after the loss of said tooth).

John was, and still is, incredibly excited about his loss. If you look closely at the photo you can see his new Big Boy tooth coming in.

We also gave the camera to John and Kelsey to play around with this morning, and this is what they have to share.

Enjoy, and feel free to comment with your favorite childhood memory of tooth loss...iness.

Happy Fourth of July

A very big Happy Freedom Days to everyone! In honor of the 4th of July, we take the kids to see the balloon festival every year. It's held in the baseball field behind the Utah Valley hospital and this is it's 26th year. They have lots of balloons, people, kids, and even an early pancake breakfast by the Kiwanis club. It's a good time!

We decided to see the balloon launch on Friday morning. I was hoping that there wouldn't be as many people attending the Friday session as the ones for Saturday and Monday. I was right. It was a LOT less crowded! It was actually more enjoyable this way. The only problem we/the pilots encountered was a strong crosswind somewhere overhead. There wasn't any wind on the ground, but it's been fairly windy for the past couple of days, and the atmosphere above us could be doing anything.

Anyway, we got to see the balloons inflate and one was even offering rides (I didn't check out prices). But it was an awesome sight to watch deflated fabric suddenly "balloon" overhead and then lift off of the ground! The kids loved it!

Thanks to Daddy's camera abilities! The panoramic picture is awesome, Shawn! I think the Coke bottle was a favorite of everyone's this year. John kept calling it "Dr. Pepper" but he finally figured it out when he could see the letter "C" on the huge label.

Amazing what they can fly? So...the unusual balloons this year were the bottle, piggy bank, and Smokey the Bear. Kinda fun to see something different in the sky.

Updated Family Pics

For all those who'd like to see our updated family pics, this is for you! We tried to get family pictures taken last Sunday, and although we didn't use a pro, we got some decent results. The results aren't "decent" because of the photographer...more like the resistance of our children. We couldn't keep the older ones focused or still for longer than five seconds. The younger two didn't want much to do with smiling or looking good. Ah well, so goes life. If you'd like prints, let us know. If you'd like to make your own prints, let us know and we'll send you larger files.

The one above is the one in our living room. I like Kelsey's karate move.

Daddy with his three wriggle worms. I think Jack was having a moment not worthy of the camera. He's a cuddle buddy right now, not a wrestling boy.

Kelsey's usually so photogenic. It's a wonder why I don't have one of the girls together. Oh, yeah. Bekah was not having a good picture taking day. Jack was able to give us a few good smiles before he was ready for nap time.

And this was Bekah! Enjoy!

A Month of Firsts

We've just had our first snowfall of the season! Doesn't Mt. Timpanogos look beautiful? It was cold, windy and rainy down in the valley all day. When the clouds broke apart for a few minutes, I knew I had to get the camera quick...this wasn't going to last long. I was right. By the time I'd run down to the basement and back upstairs, the perfect photo moment had passed. Luckily, the clouds parted just enough to let some more sunlight hit the mountain. Not quite as good as the first time I noticed it, but enough to give some definition to the hills, valleys, and snowy peaks. So pretty!

Another first for us this month has been the "first day" of preschool for two of my kids. John and Kelsey started HeadStart on the 15th of this month. Kelsey goes once a week and John goes four days out of five. Both of them are so excited to be going to a school. They are both getting so big and learning so much! I'm so proud of them! Aren't they cute!?

Enter...Jack Jack!

After waiting for months and months, James Alexander Colloton has finally arrived! He was scheduled to come via c-section on the 23rd of July, but he had other plans. Monday night, Mom's water broke and we hurried to the hospital to see if we'd have to have an emergency c-section done. Low and behold, he'd finally listened to Dad and turned head down.

No c-section for Mom!! About 12 hours after arriving at the hospital, Jack made his entrance...dark hair and all! Everyone's doing great...a little tired...but that's to be expected and will probably continue for awhile. We're all VERY happy Mom didn't have to be cut open again. She's already up and around...and missing the family.

Jack ended up 8 lbs 4 oz and was 21 inches long. He has lots of dark hair...except for a huge bald patch at the front, which the nurses tried to hide with his first comb-over. Didn't work so well...but he is not completely bald like John and Bekah were. Hah!

We'll post more pics after we get them off of the camera. For now, this is what we've got from Shawn's cell phone. Oh the beauties of technology!

edit:

After a run home, and change of clothes (including a shower...I know you are shocked) I got the camera and was able to snap the following for your viewing pleasure.

Plus these three contributed by Aunt Johanna:

Happy Independence Day!

We had a great time with Alex's in-laws from Florida this past week! Wow! The kids already are asking when Aunt Michelle will be coming back to visit them. John's also been asking when we can go get more fireworks from the firework tents. We aren't planning on doing anymore this year (due to Jack Jack's due date being so close to the 24th of July).

The kids really enjoyed all the fireworks they got to see...well, everyone except Bekah. She didn't get to experience the excitement of the ward party. She and Mommy went home early...both girls were cranky and ready for bed. So, when she got to see the family fireworks with the Jensen's, she was more than willing to stay behind everyone else.

Can you see her? Thanks to Heather for this picture! Hope you all had a great 4th of July!

2009 Hill AFB Air Show

This past Saturday we went up to Hill AFB for their annual air show.  We have been in years past and, minus a little sun sickness and sun burns, have had a wonderful time.  This year was no exception.  So much so that we neglected to take pictures of most of what we did.  

 

John and I had a great time walking around the static displays.  He wanted to see anything that he could either get into or was shiny.  We walked through a few large cargo planes, checked out the bomb bays of a B2 bomber, and even got up close and personal with an AWACS.  

Kelsey and Bekah both had a great time.  I don't think Kelsey was as impressed with the goings on toward the end of the day when heat and sleepyness started taking their toll, but Bekah was gung ho to the end stating a "wow.." after every loud jet blasted by the crowd.

  

The highlight of this years show were the USAF Thunderbirds.  I have seen the Thunderbirds perform in past years and have to honestly say that I prefer seeing the Blue Angels.  However, this year I might have to change that.  Ok maybe not but it was the best show I've seen them do thus far: great tight formations, respectful and whimsical when needed, one spectacular show.

Military Intelligence is not just an oxymoron

Featured here is the eldest of the Tweed siblings. You can see that they acclime naturally to military life. Don't quote me on this but I think Philip's first words were "Semper Fi"...then the obligatory "Sir" and "Ma'am." We are proud of the work he does and delighted that he was featured for this video.

Travelin' the High Road

This is going to be a rather photo intense blog, so I'll break it up into two or three different posts. This first one will be about the traveling. The next one will be about Great Grams and the final one will be about Grandma Sue. Hope you all enjoy!

For those of you who didn't know...and those who knew...here are a few highlights from our trip to Illinois! We all had such a blast and we loved seeing the family. The kids did really well in the van and they didn’t even watch a ton of movies like we first thought they’d have to! They did get a little whiny by the end of the day (but even Mom and Dad were ready to get done driving by the time we were to the hotel).

We stayed the first night in North Platte, Nebraska at a Holiday Inn Express. May we recommend the KidSuite to anyone with small children. They have a separate bedroom with a bunkbed, small table, two kid chairs, and a t.v. for the kids. Mom and Dad get a king sized bed in another room. Very nice! Shawn was a little disappointed to find out (as we were leaving) that the kids' room also came with a PlayStation II. He wanted to play a few video games with John John Man.

A few tips for those of you thinking of taking I-80 across the country: Wyoming does not have very many rest stops. The ones they do have very little grass but little prairie dogs will help you eat your snack. The kids enjoyed feeding them! Little America is a great place to stop and refresh yourself while traveling through Wyoming. It has a small playground and picnic tables to use...even if you don't purchase anything from the store.

Nebraska rest stops are wonderful! They have structures for the kids to climb on, through or in. They are so helpful for cooped up children and adults. Iowa rest stops aren’t as great for play areas but most have Wi-Fi and are clean, big, and informative...and shady for those looking for a picnic lunch.

We stopped every two hours or so to let everyone get out and stretch. Thank goodness for that! The little kids needed about 30 minutes to get out and stretch before they even considered it a good idea to get back in the van. Driving time to Illinois was about 20 hours...for those who wanted to know.