Hospital

In March Nathan went to Primary Childrens Hospital in Salt Lake City to have open heart surgery to repair his aortic valve.


Nathan was excited to have a ride in a wagon to the operating room


After 5 1/2 hours in the operating room we were able to meet up with Nathan in the Cardiac Intensive Care and see him wake up from surgery.



The first day he was hooked up to quiet a few IV's and tubes that drained fluid from his heart.


He kept trying to yank all these tubes out when he was allergic to the Morphine and itching like crazy.


Day 2 So happy to be unhooked from some of the tubes and machines. Here he is holding Strawberry, the bear that our babysitter McKenna sent Nathan from college.


A therapy dog came and visited Nathan while he was intensive care.


Day 3 Nathan got moved out of intensive care and had a visit from Uncle Brad.


Nathan got moved to his own room on the 3rd floor which we were so excited about. It was nice to be away from all the screaming babies and have a little bit more privacy then the PICU offers.


Day 4 Nathan started feeling better after being off pain medication (since he had such a bad reaction to it). Here he was enjoying a Butterfinger milkshake, which was his favorite thing to order from the hospital menu.


Mimi brought Daniel for a visit....


And, Grandma and Grandpa Jensen brought the girls so we had a nice family reunion in the the playroom at the hospital. (They have really fun toys & activities there).


Day 5 Nathan has feeling so much better. He enjoyed placing his own orders from the room service menu at the hospital. Here's his ideal meal: Strawberries, french fries and a milkshake.


Nathan loved this little wheelchair they ordered for him. It was just his size and he had fun exploring the hospital in it!


On our way home!

Life in February 2011

Here are some everyday pictures of our life in February....


Rachel is quite the troublemaker! Here she got into the shampoo and decided to wash her hair!


One of the girls favorite things to do is wrestle


Rachel loves jumping off the end table onto the couch. She's fearless (except she's terrified of dogs!)


Daniel showing off his new glasses


The girls love things with glitter and sparkle!


The girls love princess movies and Tinkerbell. They watch the Tinkerbell movies every Tuesday and Thursday with mimi!


Daniel loves to read. He now can read chapter books and we just read "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" together


Nathan is the master builder and loves to build forts


Nathan is our social butterfly-- loves playing with the girls and makes friends wherever we go...


Daniel with his Spanish teacher Senora Zopetti at celebrate literacy night at school.

LIfe in January 2011

Daniel got glasses in January! He loves the frames he picked out-- blue rims with orange handles. He thinks he looks so cool...

Nathan turned 5 in January! He still has a major train fascination.


Nathan blowing out his candles with spit!


Ashley with her cousin Jonathan


Ashley's dad retired in January. A celebration held in his honor at the Alta Club in Salt Lake Ciy.


Ashley's Aunt Claire (her dad's sister)


Uncle Eugene


Cousin Charlie and his wife Shannon


We all went around the table telling funny stories about Ashley's dad


The Freedmans and Heilners


Ashley & Dave


We had a big combined birthday party for the boys at a gymnastics place. Rachel had the time of her life. She LOVES jumping on trampolines.


Lizzy loves gymnastics too. We go every Friday and the girls get excited whenever we go.


Daniel in the foam pit.


Nathan on the trampoline


Nathan


We got mini cupcakes for the party, from one of Ashley's favorite new places, Cupcake Chic. They are so good!


Ashley's parents with her brother Stephan

Life in December 2010

Daniel turned 7 in December! He was very excited to receive this journal from his Primary Teacher Sister Deans.


Papa with Rachel


Since his birthday fell on a Sunday this year, we were able to celebrate it at Mimi & Papa's house after church.



Blowing out his candles.


Daniel got to bring in birthday treats to his class at school. Here he is with Mrs. Peterson his English teacher.


Lizzy was enjoying painting some pictures, as well as her face, nails and body!


We took the kids to Temple Square in Salt Lake City to see the colorful Christmas lights.


It was actually a great evening to go, because it had been raining that day so there weren't many people there seeing the lights. Luckily, the rain stopped just when we got there! Perfect timing...


Salt Lake City LDS Temple


Rachel really enjoys getting her picture taken and here she is saying 'cheese!'


On Christmas Eve we invited Dave's family over this year to celebrate. Lizzy was enjoying some laughs with Uncle Brad.


Nathan with Dave's dad


Dave's fish creation


Opening a few presents on Christmas eve. They loved the lollipops from Uncle Brad


Uncle Brad & Rachel


Can you tell how much Daniel enjoyed the lollipop?


The girls making Christmas cookies for Santa with Grandma Jensen


Ashley & Rachel


The girls loved spending time with Uncle BRad


Christmas morning. Santa brought Daniel a new bike, Nathan a tub of Legos and the girls their own dolls.


Papa came over early Christmas morning to watch the kids open their gifts. It was fun to share the excitement with him!


Dave & Daniel


Dave's big gift to Ashley was that he watched the kids for four days while she went on a girl's trip with her friend Emily to San Francisco.


It was such a fun trip. LOTS of shopping, eating out, sleeping in, relaxing. Ashley & Emily were just in Paradise.


While in San Francisco Ashley & Emily met with a color/style consultant who told them what colors to wear, what styles to pick out, hair color suggestions... so they spent the rest of the trip shopping for new clothes to follow his advice.


On New Year's Day we got together at Ashley's parents house and went sledding.


Uncle Stephan


Barrett, Ashley's nephew


Daniel