Homestead Golf with Kamri

This weekend we took Kamri golfing at the Homestead.

It was beautiful. I think she really enjoyed it.

Here is a little video of Kamri saying "Daddy".

Spring Break in Sunny St. George

Haven't had time to write about our fun vacation...so here it goes...

We arrived Wednesday afternoon, checked in to our Hotel (the new La Quinta) it was great. Hung out for a little bit, then went to surprise AJ at his soccer game. We told him we were not going to make it because I had to work, but we lied...we left Heber at 11 and got there at 4. Not to bad when you are driving with 4 kids in the car and one only 6 months old who hates her car seat. After the game we went to Chili's to eat and tell the kids we are giving them each $20 to do whatever they want with. McKade and Jadyn were pretty excited, not so sure Anycia and AJ were excited. But I thought it was pretty cool...hey free money to buy whatever you want! WAHOO! I took the kids swimming that night...it was windy and a bit chilly.

Thursday we got up ate breakfast at the hotel, Andy went for a run and I took the kids to Wal-Mart because I needed a new diaper bag because my strap broke...some ended up buying a few things with their money. After we hung out by the pool while Andy went golfing with his friend Shawn Holmes. (his wife and kids came swimming) Again the wind was blowing and it was a bit chilly...too cold. So we got dressed and went to lunch at McDonalds so the kids could play...YUMMY! Kamri decided it was time to have a big blowout...so we were going to go back and get her clothes and take the kids to the wildlife museum, but when we arrived at the hotel it was warm so the kids got their swim suits back on and went swimming...this time it was much warmer and nicer. We met the boys at Bajio and Panda Express for dinner.

Friday we got up to meet my family to go to ZIONS NATIONAL PARK! We arrived and got on the shuttles to go to emerald pools...we figured that would be a good little hike for the younger kiddies. To the first pool it was paved and we had not trouble with the strollers...but then we realized that you can't take the strollers past the first pool...so those who had strollers turned around and went back and the rest of us went on. I had Kamri on my back and we went hiking. It was lots of fun. The kids enjoyed it, I think! After we were done hiking we decided to let the kids get ice cream and then we would have lunch later. We got back to our cars and went to Washington to Texas Roadhouse. It opened at 4 but people started arriving at 3:50 just so they would have to wait 2 hours to be seated...it was a great steak house and not too pricey. I would like to try it when Andy wasn't sick to his stomach and order a big steak and not feel guilty for eating it! Andy and I went and picked up our race packets for Saturdays run 4 kids races. After we went back to the Hotel...yep you guessed it we went swimming, again! Hey what's a vacation if you can't go swimming?

Saturday was race day! We all got up early to be to the start by 7:15. It was lots of fun. The little kids ran the 1k first then the 5k and 10k followed a half hour later. Andy, AJ, Erin (my sister), and Dave (my brother) ran the 10k. My mom, Anycia, and I ran the 5k. Andy took 2nd in his age division losing to the 1st placer by 2 seconds. AJ took 2ND in his age division. Erin took 1st in her age division and 3rd overall woman! Anycia took 1st in her age division. Dave, my mom and I just ran it and finished! Andy says we were the most inspirational...look at him be nice! This was Anycia's, my mom's, and my first race ever! My goal for myself was to finish under 30 minutes and I did it in 29:29...considering the hills I was happy. So after the races Andy needed to go rest because he still had the stomach bug...so most of us went to take a nap. Kade and Jadyn went with my parents, Dave and kids, Amy n Steve and kids to eat lunch and then they went to the wildlife museum and we met up with them at the Dixie rock to hike for a bit. It is just so pretty on those red rocks to hike! Today was by far the best day for the warm weather...

Sunday was time to pack up and get ready to leave...but it was absolutely perfect weather so we got a extended check out time and swam that morning...yep we went swimming again! But it was so perfect...for some odd reason the last few times we have gone to St. George the day we leave is by far the best day. (weather wise) It was just perfect it was so hard to leave the sun, but when we got home at 5 it was just as beautiful here. Nice, sunny and warm!

We all had lots of fun...our next get together with some of my family is for the October St. George Marathon where Andy (husband), Erin (my sister), Dave (my brother), Mari (my sister), and Tyler (my brother-in-law)will be running! I am so proud that my family is getting into exercising together! It is wonderful to do things to get us healthy! Some of us really really needed it...it has been far too long of being out of shape and just being plain fat (that's me I am talking about). But all in all it was a fabulous vacation...sometimes a vacation after the vacation is what a mother needs...if you all understand what I am saying. Vacations sometimes are not so relaxing for the parents when you have kids there. Don't get me wrong I love all my kids and I like to take them on vacations but it is a lot of work too. But a vacations without the kids is the relaxing kind. One day I will get one! (wink, wink, Andrew!!)
~I don't have photos on this laptop to show all the fun times so I will put them on later!

Spring Break 2008

There is much to tell and stories to write about our fun in the sun but, first I need to just post a few pictures from our trip.

Kamri (6 1/2 months old) and Me
Anycia (16 yrs old) and AJ (13 yrs old)
McKade (8 yrs old) and Jadyn (5 yrs old)
Jadyn at the pool just relaxin'!

Kamri

(Kamri loves to play with her toes and eat them too!)

Kamri is 6 1/2 months old, she is moving around, pulling herself up on everything to stand, she is saying mama mama, and her newest trick is trying to wave. I will wave at her and say "Hi Kamri!" and she will raise one arm and look at it trying to figure out how to move it... it is so cute. Andy gets her to wave to him but he gets the two arms raised with a loud squeal trying to say Hi back.

She was trying to have a conversation with Anycia last night. Kamri would squeal or scream and Anycia would copy her and she would laugh and it went on like that for a few minutes...it was cute. Kamri wants to be so big so she can be everywhere and play with everyone. It is so much fun having a baby in the house again!

Superbowl Champs!

This past weekend Andy's football team won the Park City Indoor 6 vs 6 Football Championship. They finished the season a perfect 11-0. After taking the season title with a perfect record, they won their playoff games and finally beat the team that has won it the last 3 years.

Andy really likes the thrill of competition (Surprise, Surprise!) and enjoys the team he has played with the last 9 years or so in the outdoor and indoor football leagues. They are all really fast. Andy is the quarterback, (always wanted a superstar and now I have one) he just throws the ball and they go get it. But on defense he saves the day...with is quickness in running and with his long arms and quick hands!

They were down and he threw the winning touchdown with 10 seconds left in the game...it was a long 50 or more yard pass...what an arm...it was perfect right to the guy...it just landed in his arms! I am so proud of him! He saved the day!

Here is the team photo:

Team Caulk & Roll Painting (bottom left to right): Matt Larson, Sean Van Wagoner (owner), Brook Larson, (top l to r) Marc Bowthorpe, Andy, Mitch Morgan, Kip Winterton.

So in Love!

Is it a cover model? Nope. Is it a celebrity? Nope. It's Hot Stuff Pizza!




Just wanted to share this beautiful smile with the whole world.
I love you Holly. I can't wait until the sun brings out your freckles again!

The love of my life...

I asked my husband, Andrew, in an email...Do you like me? and his sweet reply was this...

Nope.
I love you
Always have.
And not just because you are beautiful
Or sexy,
Or funny,
Or silly,
Or smart.
I love you because you have a good heart and you are a good person who helps people when they are down, and you are positive and you have so much love for everyone you are around. But, mostly because even though you are so beautiful and perfect, you still have time for people like me.

How sweet is that? I am so in love with him and I want the world to know it! I love you, babe! and just so you know you are so so stuck being married to me!

The Bus...

So I was walking by the front door of my office building to go get my water bottle and saw this bus out front. So I ran to my desk and grabbed my camera to take these photos...it brought back so many memories of our bus that my parents owned when we were younger. Yes, my parents owned a bus, what do you expect when you have a family of 10...and it was so embarrassing for my older siblings. We'd get taken to school in it and get ice cream in it... I remember my older sisters and brother (they were teenagers) ducking in the seats so nobody would see them. Everyone knew it was the Thacker Bus! It was lots of fun playing school in it and all the kids in the neighborhood would want to carpool in it to school because we lived too close to the school to ride the bus. Anyways I thought this was hilarious!

Bath Time

Splash! Splash! Splash!

She has learned a new trick in the tub when sitting up and I get soaked!

Hey Mom, don't interupt my splashing!

CHEESE! This is fun stuff!

OH MY GOODNESS!

Kamri is growing up! Can't believe it...she has learned the army crawl, eats baby food, and has her moms big bootie and thunder thighs...poor girl! She also has a never ending tummy! She can eat and eat and eat! I think she gets that from both parents! Poor thing! She is always happy and so much fun! We all adore her so much! We're so happy she's a part of our family!

Grandpa (Grant) Jensen turned 99!

My Sister Erin and her baby, Ella (2 months younger than Kamri)

My sisters, Megan, Mari (she has since had her baby, Aliya) me and Kamri.
My Grandpa, me, and Kamri!

Here is my Grandpa holding Kamri...it made me nervous that he might drop her! But he didn't. He just held her and kissed her. He likes babies.

I am a little late on posting this but I just ran across these pictures...it was my grandpa's 99th birthday party! He can't see, he can't hear (very good), and he walks hunched over and slow, BUT he still travels all over the world and goes ball room dancing with my grandma every Saturday night! That is amazing! He says he wants to live to be 100 and I think he will!

He has seen so much in his life time it amazes me. He bought his first car for $7.50...pretty soon gas will be that high for a gallon. He carried one million dollars through the streets of Salt Lake to get it to the bank where he worked. He is a great guy and many people look up to him!

Long Lost Friends

So I was looking at one of my friends blog and I had a light bulb go off! I looked to the right and saw their friends and family list...guess what I knew a lot of those people and was so excited because I haven't seen or heard from them since High School...9 years ago...WOW I am getting old! They all have little families of their own and look like life is going well for them! It is amazing what you can find when you just look around....DUH!

Superbaby (Kamri) Turns 6 Months Old

Dear Kamri, Wow! Six months has passed in a blink. You giggle and smile at your sisters and your Mom. You've been rolling over both ways for a couple weeks now. Also, you've started grunting when you aren't real happy about things, or when you just want to make sure we haven't forgotten about you. Sometimes, it seems that you are saying "Hi" to us. That will probably be the first word you say. You are close to crawling. Mostly you like to scoot across the floor, or roll, and then go on all fours like you are trying to stand up. The other day we took you in the jog stroller and went 2.2 miles. You didn't like it much, but I am sure you will enjoy it when it gets a little bit warmer. Oh, I almost forgot, you've been eating baby food the past few weeks too. Your favorites seem to be green beans and sweet potatoes! You are such a good eater, just like Daddy. (who seems to eat too much!)

Mariah, Ali, Anycia, Kamri, Sam

Jadyn and Kamri being silly

Golf Trip - St. George 2008

Thursday night after work Andy loaded up and headed down to Provo with Shawn Holmes. He met up with brother Brad and loaded up in his Escalade. 4 hours later they rolled into St. George and settled into John Norton's vacation home. It was sweet. Here is the view from the backyard.

After staying up until nearly 1am, all the guys got up early and ate a Mcdonald's breakfast and headed to the golf course. They played Green Spring - Friday (http://www.golfgreenspring.com/ )

We played 36 holes Friday, went back to the house, had a great BBQ, sat in the jacuzzi, and then drove up to Hurricane on Saturday morning to play Sand Hollow Resort.
http://www.sandhollowresort.com/index.php

Brad, Shawn, Andy @ SandHollow Resort

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'...

Kamri is Rollin' Rollin' Rollin', but only from her back to her tummy. She won't lay on her back anymore...she just rolls over to her tummy. So as soon as she figures out how to roll from her tummy to her back there is no stoppin' her! She will be all over the place.

McKade came home sick with an ear ache yesterday, so I got to stay home with him. I went grocery shopping, got some errands ran, did some laundry, you know just the usual stuff. I ran/walked on my treadmill for 65 minutes but for some odd reason the treadmill at home is so much harder than the one at the Fit Stop. It's real nice staying home and getting things done.

Jadyn gets to go to a friends home today and go swimming...she loves to go. She tries to be such a mom to Kamri. She helps out for the most part and then sometimes she is too helpful!

Anycia is driving all over the place...it is nice to have her be able to help out. She is willing to go and take movies back and pick up stuff for us. She is a big help!

Andrew is going to St. George this weekend to play golf with the boys (his friends)...lucky him! Wish I was going to warm sunny St. George too, but I get to stay home lucky me (not really)! He gets to stay at his buddies home and play a free round of golf on Saturday. So he only has to pay for Fridays golf and food. Not too shabby! He will be bringing AJ back with him for his spring break for the week...the kids are all excited about see him.

We are celebrating my parents birthdays on Saturday at Chuck A-Rama in Salt Lake. The reason for Chuck A-Rama is because my father is a very picky eater, plus my family is so big (35 people and growing) that we know they can get us all in at once.

As for me I am trying to workout and get back into shape. It is nice that some of my old pants are starting to fit better. In my wardrobe I have fat clothes and skinny clothes...my goal is to fit into the skinny clothes again! It will be like having lots of new outfits!

Lots of fun at the Yergensen House!

Our little girl is growing up!

(This photo was taken when she was about 2 1/2 months old)

Our little sweet Kamri is growing up...she is now rolling over on her own. From her back to her tummy. She grabs her feet and gets into a ball and then she rolls over...it is so cute. She will soon be sitting on her own and crawling and then walking. Before you know it she will be 16 yrs old like Anycia and driving a car. I'll be 43 and Andrew will be 55, craziness! Seems so far away but it's just around the corner. Time flies when your havin' fun!

The last of the 5 babies on my side of the family is due on March 7th. Kamri will be growing up with 4 girl cousins all born within 10 months of each other. Amy's little girl Lauryn was born the end of May 2007, Lisa's little girl Halle in August 2007, Kamri in Septemeber 2007, Erin's little girl Ella in November 2007, and now Mari's little girl Aliya in March 2008.

Also on Andrew's side of the family we have Chris and Val's little girl Liv born in April 2007 and Matt and Chelsea's twins Donavon and Anna born in December 2007. So she has tons of cousins her own age. I think it's great. She'll have so much fun with them all.

Back to Work Full Time :(

Today is a very sad day for me...When I had Kamri in September I had 8 weeks maternity leave and then I was ever so priviledged to only work 3 days a week for 3 months. Well my 3 months are up and I have to come back full time. I dropped off little Doodle (Kamri)at Daycare this morning and was just so sad that I didn't get to stay home with her and see her happy little face light up whenever you're around her. I also got to stay home half day with little Poo (Jadyn)too because she only went to Kindergarten half day. I will miss being with them, but on the plus side thinking about the money from working full time is good thing too. I will just have to be tough.

Biggest Winner (Loser)

My Thacker siblings, spouses, and mom are trying the do the Biggest Winner (Loser). It started in January and will end in April. I am not doing so hot. I need to step it up a notch and kick my butt into gear.
I also have to get ready to run a 5k in April and a Triathlon in May. The 5k is with most of my family. We are going to go to St. George and run the Run-4-Kids races. There is a 10k, 5k, and 1k that most of us are participating in...even the little kids. I am excited and I am hoping this will keep me going. This will be my first race that I will be competing in. I am usually the cheerleader for Andrew, but this time I will be running too. He is doing the 10k with AJ and Anycia is doing the 5k. The little ones(Kade and Jadyn) will be doing the 1k. I will be pushing Kamri in the jog stroller during the 5k.
I will post pictures of us after the races.

From Eating Cereal for First time to Getting Driver's License

In the past 24 hours, some crazy stuff has happened. First, last night Superbaby (Kamri) had her first attempt eating rice cereal. She loved it. In typical Superbaby fashion she tried to hold the spoon and feed herself. Wish I had taken a picture of the rice cereal dribbling down her chin and how her eyes popped up at the idea of eating food from a little bowl.

At the other end of the spectrum, today I took Anycia to get her driver's license. She is now official to drive. I've known this time was coming, but it is just a weird feeling. It makes me that much older!

Superbaby turns 5 months old

Kamri, today is your birthday. Kind of. 5 months ago you surprised us, and came a little early. Your light, strawberry blond hair has yet to flourish, but it is just a matter of time. You are starting to giggle, and your favorite new thing to do is squeal. Maybe you were a little pig once before? It is really cute. Crawling is still months away, but you insist on trying to walk and stand right now. Another thing you like to do is put anything within reach into your mouth. Sometimes you get frustrated when things don't quite fit in there.



You definitely have your favorites. Your face really lights up when sisters Anycia and Jadyn hold you or try and play with you. You are not very fussy, unless we aren't holding you or entertaining you. :)





Your Mom and I always are looking forward to getting home to you, and seeing what new things you will do next.

Love Daddy

Icebreaker Soccer Tournament - St. George

(AJ taking free kick during semi-final game.)

For President's Weekend Holiday Holly, Superbaby and I went to St. George to enjoy a little sunshine, celebrate our 2 year anniversary and to see big brother AJ play soccer. (Anycia went too, she rode with her Grandma)

AJ plays for U13 Dixie Rebels. His team happened to lose both games I watched. Maybe I am bad luck? AJ also stayed with us and went to the Mesquite Recreation Center with us on sunday evening. We played a couple pick-up futbol games with some of the locals. It was pretty fun, and great to spend some time with AJ. (We missed Anycia, but glad that she could spend time with her mom)

Here are more pics.

Yergensen Family Named Cutest Family in Utah 2007!

Most of you have already probably know this. I mean geez, just look at us... but I will tell you about it anyway. The other day we received notice that it was announced that we are the cutest family in Utah. I knew it was going to be close... with all those other great looking families out there. (You know not all of them do that funky polygamous hairstyle thingy.) This is definitely not something I totally created just to be funny. Kamri gets two pics because she is doubly cute.


(click image to see bigger pic)

Anycia Turns 16!!!!!

Our oldest daughter Anycia just recently turned 16.
She has a car, a job, and a few really funny friends.
I'm really proud of her and her grades. Also, I am happy that she helps take care of her little brothers and sisters.
Now if only she'd clean her room!

Anycia 3rd Grade

Anycia 10th grade

Anycia and friends 5th grade

10th grade

St. George - Painter's 5k Run

This weekend Holly, Kamri and I went down to St. George to do a qualifying run for the SGM. I haven't been training so I decided to just try and do the 5k instead of the half-marathon. We got AJ friday night after check-in and getting my race number, etc.

Saturday, I woke up and ate breakfast with AJ, (half bagel, OJ and a blueberry muffin) then, hit the potty three times, then headed off for the run. AJ hasn't been running, so it was just me. Also, last year half of Holly's family ran the half marathon, and this year they decided not to come.

It was cold. Brr. I wore under armour and a beanie with running gloves. No sweat pants this year. The half-marathon was 9am start. Then my race started about 9:10. I knocked some people out of the way and got to the front. (No, I really didn't knock anyone out of the way.)

I'd like to say that I was telling myself good positive thoughts and that maybe I was being cocky and telling other runners that they were going to eat my dust or whatever, but actually, I felt like I would be lucky if I could make it the whole way without stopping to walk. Then right towards the end of the waiting period, a positive thought did cross my mind. So, I decided to run semi-fast. Not go all out, but to go kinda fast.

They counted it down and we were off. After the first 100 meters or so, I saw AJ, Holly, and Kamri, I was still going strong, so I waved to them and tried to act like I wasn't already tired. My first mile came in at 6:41, it seemed to take forever to get there. The next mile came in 7:07 and then I crossed the finish line in 7:55. I didn't push it at the end. I'm not sure it would have felt good, and not sure how much I could've really pushed.

There were three little kids, age 11-14 that passed me somewhere between miles 1 & 2and there were three women that beat me. But, I am pretty sure that there weren't too many people that were as overweight as I am that beat me.

After running thru the finish, I gathered my breath, got a hug and kiss from Holly and hugs from AJ and was real happy that I only did the 5k. Somehow, I was ready to go do some more!

I made my way over to the finish table where they have the finish cards with the unofficial times and finish positions printed on them. It took forever to find mine. I finally found it and was happy to see I ran in 21:42. I was 29th overall. Then I looked onto my age group finish, I was sure I would see that I was 4th or 5th place. I was quite surprised to see that I placed 1st in my group. My heart said "Wahoo!" I've never won any running event since I was in elementary. So, that is pretty cool.



AJ took this picture. It is my "tough guy" pose.

So I received a pretty cool crystal and $20 gift certificate for my 35-39 year old male 1st place finish. But, I was probably more happy to have AJ and Holly there to give me hugs and encouragement.

Here is the results! It says I beat the next guy in my age group by 33.3 seconds. I wasn't just beating them, I was killing them! "Boom goes the dynamite!" It is all part of history now... when the other runners' grandkids do geaology research they will always see my name at the top, and under their breath, they will mutter, damn that yergensen guy was fast.... (maybe not)

Kamri does her best MJ impression.

Here is the group photo.. (Seder didn't want her picture taken.)






And, finally...Zak and Jadyn

South Summit Aquatic and Fitness Center

Today we went to the Kamas Pool. We had Kamri, McKade, Jadyn, and cousins Zak and Seder too. The SSAFC has lazy river, a huge slide, and lots of fun areas for the kids.

At first we weren't sure if we were going to get Kamri into the pool. We didn't have a swim diaper or protective swimmer for her, but we purchased both at the pool. So, then we gave it a try.. and she loved it. We weren't sure if she would like to go under the water, so we dunked her for just a second. She did great! Not bad for a 3 and 1/2 month baby.

Here is Kamri and Mom.

Thinking of Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!

Memories of Christmas past gave my heart a big smile tonight. I remember when Christmas meant everyone staying the night at Mom's house. Christmas Eve meant opening Grandma's gift, (and that usually meant pajamas for everyone)then games or movies and food until 11pm church service. I have to smile at even the things I hated doing at the time, which was putting out all the luminaries (the candles in the paper bags) and how it seemed like such a chore.

Christmas was being home. Christmas was Church on Christmas Eve with my family, and definitely the excitement and anticipation of the presents that we would open in the morning.

My brothers and I are all grown up now, and have families of our own. Mom sold that house, and moved to Texas. Most of my brothers have moved away. Things have changed so much. I'm not sure if it works for all memories the same way, but the ones I have of Christmas in my youth are so strong, and special.

It seemed that Chris fell asleep every Christmas eve at church service. And, I may be mistaken ( I really don't think I am) but it seems to me that the last hymn sung each year was Silent Night. The whole congregation gave that song special attention. I don't think there was one person that didn't join in and sing that song with all their enthusiasm, and strength. It was like magic.

For a few years Mom and Ralph were Youth Leaders. I'm not sure how they pulled it off, but they got our young men and women in the church to go caroling, and took us to the old-folks home each year. Maybe I hated that most... or liked that part most... not sure because I remember the urine smell and/or maybe the sterilization smells, but I also remember the big smiles of all the old people that we gave socks or other items. They were so happy to see us, and maybe the most thankful for something so small than anyone I have ever seen since.

I have lots of other great memories, and especially thoughts on my favorite Christmas gifts that I have received, but I will save those for another time.

I wish you all the most merryiest of Christmas'

Andrew

Now, I am just posting nonsense!

Lately I haven't done a great job of posting actual entries, and i really mean for this to be the last time. I just wanted to share this little fake-news article from The Onion.

Tiger Woods Putts Baby Into Diaper

ORLANDO, FL—Tiger Woods added yet another accomplishment to his already outstanding resume Sunday when the 13-time major winner successfully putted his baby daughter, five-month-old Sam Alexis Woods, into a fresh Huggies...

Yergensen's visit Santa

Last night we made the 26 mile journey to Provo's Universtiy Mall. Santa was there visiting as his reindeer were in town at the vetrinary clinic getting a last minute check up. Anycia, McKade, Jadyn, and Kamri all had chances to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas.

This is Kamri's first Christmas, and Santa was way excited to meet her.

This is my kind of contest

Couch Potato Heaven? ESPN Zone (Chicago) is having an Ultimate Couch Potato Competition. The rules are simple: sit in a comfy DreamSeat recliner in the front row of the Screening Room facing a wall of HD TVs, all showing non-stop sports programming and featuring the college bowl games. Participants can order unlimited food and beverages compliments of ESPN Zone, however they may not sleep or leave their chair and restroom breaks are permitted every eight hours. Click here to view the official rules.

My idea is that even if you lose... you still win.