A Bit of Blenker

The Project... finally finished!

2009-01-20T13:24:00.001-08:00

It's finally finished! A mini version of our big table for Jordan and Nolan to sit at for years to come!

Handsome Little Princess

2009-01-08T14:33:00.000-08:00

My mom got Jordan a chest of Princess dress-up clothes, which was a hit. But it took all of maybe a few minutes for her to want to dress up Nolan... you can probably guess that Shawn was not in the room otherwise Nolan would not have been wearing this dress. Handsome little princess!

Even Curious George gets to wear a dress.

Christmas with the Blenkers

2009-01-08T14:08:00.000-08:00

Christmas morning! I am pretty sure that Jordan helped open every present under the tree... whether it was for her or not. This year was probably my most favorite Christmas day yet! We decided to stay home all day, and in our pajamas of course, while our parents just kind of came in and out all day. It was so nice!

Shawn's parents gave the kids this incredibly cute kitchen for Christmas. Can you tell they love it? What you don't hear in this picture is Jordan tell the baby that he is too little to play with it. It's only the begining...

The Christmas Card dilema: so every year we recieve Christmas cards from friends and family, and we love looking at them and reading updates on their lives. So we have been saying this entire last year that we really wanted to do that this year. Well did you notice? If you're thinking that you didn't recieve one from us, its not because we forgot about you, its because it didn't happen! I love this piture, but if you had any idea what it took to get this one good shot... oh my goodness. Things were looking good, both had a bath, both fed, both changed, both seem to be in relatively good moods... but if it wasn't one it was the other... oh man it was exhausting! By the time we had the picture, I was too tired to go through all the work of sending it out! So next year... next year will be the year.

I love decorating for Christmas, and I hate taking it down. My house always feels so bare after its all put away. Shawn's parents came over to help us decorate the tree. We love having them so close... Jordan and Nolan especially love it.

Last year when we took Jordan to see Santa it was a disater, but a very funny one. We were totally those parents with the screaming child, afraid of Santa. This year went much better, and Nolan did well too. But seriously, doesn't he look like the Real Santa?

Gunstream Christmas...

2009-01-08T13:56:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite traditions is decorating the Christmas Tree at my moms house with everyone. We decorate while mom makes snickerdoodle cookies. All we are missing is Joel, and of course a man for my mom.

My oldest brother Jeff's family, his wife Chelsi, daughter Bella, Ethan (right), and Holden (left)

My middle brother Chad, his wife Stephanie, and their daughter Brinley

Trick or Treat!

2009-01-08T13:50:00.000-08:00

Go Broncos!!

2008-10-13T13:23:00.000-07:00

I think the Lord knew that it was vital I marry a Denver Bronco fan. Being from Colorado, having entire family dedicated to the Broncos it would just be too much conflict to have a fan of a different team in the mix. So of course Shawn too is from Colorado and he is an extremely dedicated Bronco, Nuggets and Rockies fan. And so of course we are passing on down, generation to generation.

Our Farm

2008-10-13T13:16:00.000-07:00

Ok, so we had been talking about wanting to grow a small garden with a variety of fruits and vegetables because not only would it be cheaper, healthier, but also fun for the kids to help with and watch grow. On the side of our house Shawn built a little garden area, and we planted a watermelon plant and zucchini plant. Unfortunately we planted a little too late, and we knew we did but we thought it would be a good learning experience for us so we can know a little more for next year. Well we got our first Zucchini this week! Just in time for ridiculously cold weather, so unfortunately we won't get anymore but we were rather excited!

Introducing Katie Henbest!

2008-09-20T20:41:00.000-07:00

My long time friend Katie Wilson got married this past weekend, September 19th to Derek Henbest. She was incredibly beautiful, and the wedding was incredible. I am so thankful to have been apart of their day. It was good to be with friends. Starting at the top, obviously is Katie in her seriously incredible dress, then me and my friend Dani Wilson (Katie's cousin), and then the last picture is me, Katie, and Katie Freeby Gross who is another good friend from college.

Mommy & Nolan

2008-09-20T20:38:00.000-07:00

Babysitter in the works...

2008-09-20T20:14:00.000-07:00

Sorry if you can hear me in the background asking Shawn if he wants relish and mustard on his hotdog! I know- I'm a pretty extravagant cook right?

Four Months... still huge!

2008-08-26T14:33:00.000-07:00

Jordan and her monkey

2008-08-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

So in all our travels we came across this little, and key word "little" town called Goodgrief Idaho. We were just looking for a place to strech our legs and let Jordan get some energy out... and all we found in Goodgrief was this monkey and a general store that was closed. But Jordan sure did love this monkey.

Oh Canada, Oh Canada!

2008-08-26T14:02:00.001-07:00

Some might call us stupid, in fact we might call ourselves stupid for attempting to drive a total of 32 hours in the car with two young kids... 16 hours each way but somehow we all managed to make it home alive and well! It actually wasn't as bad as I think Shawn and I had anticipated.

Jordan just needed a lot of entertaining as you could imagine. And of course grandpa tried to teach her how to say "are we there yet?" but thankfully that didn't work out. We did come prepared with every snack imaginable, every kid movie we owned, lots of books, crayons, and lots of other "stuff". All in all Jordan and Nolan did pretty well.

We were in Olds, which is a small town outside Calgary for those that are familiar with Canada. It was Shawn's grandparents 60th wedding anniversary, so there were lots of cousins, aunts, and uncles. We really enjoyed seeing his family, and being able to spend some time with his grandparents. I am thankful to have married into such a great family.

On the way home we stopped in Bamf National Park for a night. It was incredible! Probably one of, if not the most beautiful places we have been. Everything is so green, and the town that we stayed in Canmore is so so cute. Lots to do there if you love the outdoors. We took Jordan and Nolan on their first "hike". This is the resort that we stayed at, it sat right against a mountain so lots of trails around us... but of course a hike with a two year old only lasted like 30 minutes... which we were actually pleasantly surprised by.

Jordan and her cousin Clayton were the entertainment for the weekend. They found Grandpa & Grandma's coat closet, with all their scarves, hats and gloves. And of course they loved grandpa's walker!

Chaos...

2008-07-20T16:36:00.000-07:00

We all know or have heard that when you have your first child your life changes drastically. But when you have your second child life just becomes chaotic. I would like to believe that our house is organized chaos? ... but I'm not sure that its always the case or ever the case. Nolan is two and a half months old (and huge), we have managed to both keep our sanity and Jordan is still alive. It has definitely worn off that she has a new baby brother. She could care less if he was in the room, and half the time forgets that he is even there. When he cries she gets really close to him and says in her best mommy voice "stop crying baby". Apparently someone has told her that before...

Jordan turns two!

2008-06-04T15:59:00.000-07:00

Jordan just had a birthday! She'll do anything for cake!

Sharing...

2008-06-04T15:44:00.000-07:00

How in the world do you teach a two year old and only child (or was) to share? Now that Nolan has joined us, we have been working with Jordan on sharing... maybe she is finally getting it?

2008-05-29T19:10:00.000-07:00

Daddy & Nolan... he loves to be held... Nolan that is.

I do believe he looks like a Blenker!

It's A Boy!

2008-05-19T15:18:00.000-07:00

Nolan Anthony Blenker was born on Monday night, May 5th 2008! Weighing in at 9 pounds 2 ounces, 21 inches long. Again, the Lord has blessed us with another healthy baby. The labor and delivery went well with no complications. Shawn and I are still adjusting to saying 'he' and 'she'. Gosh that anticipation of not knowing whether he was a girl or boy was incredible! Jordan is adjusting a lot better than we expected she would. She is full of hugs and kisses for Nolan, and the occasional clumsy knee or hand hitting him in the face or head. But overall she has done very well. Our family is complete!

Home At Last!

2008-05-16T16:28:00.000-07:00

We have finally moved into our house! We love it here! It will take some getting use to because there is so much room, and no background noise. We are so use to hearing girls in the lobby, or students outside our windows late at night, people singing in the shower, toliets flushing... here at the house we hear the occasional dog bark or car drive by... but thats it! It has definitely been worth the wait.