Quick Family Update, Inspired By Melissa

My sister-in-law posted an update about her little family. I bet it took her all of fifteen minutes, but it was so great to be able to just get a quick dose of the Scott/Melissa/William Neslen family, who I miss and don't get to see often enough.

So I decided to quickly do the same thing! Here's a little dash of the Jensens' doings of late:

RYON: Will hit his 5 year mark at Intel in November. Loves his new job at Hawthorne Farm; he's been there since last July. Got a special recognition/award at work in front of a group he works with comprised of about 300 people. He would NEVER tell anyone about this except me, and will now probably stop telling me things like this if he reads this. But whatever, he's my husband and I have the right to brag once in a while.

Ryon is an amazing father. His Cedar absolutely adores him. He and Tan are great buds, and we are so loving that he only works a mile from home. It gives us a real life together. He is currently cranking out a deck in the back of the home we've been renting for the past two years. We'd really like to stay here until I finish school, but there is no back yard, so hopefully this will suffice until we are ready to buy a house again.

ANNIE: Is 17 weeks pregnant with baby #3. Is totally used to getting up at 6:30 a.m. with Tan and then getting to bed by 9:30, which I never would have thought possible. Mentally got on the nursing path one last time a few weeks ago, and decided it really isn't the right choice. Started school this past week and is taking one class: Nutrition 225. Dropped Microbiology this term because of a cruise in November and because I decided to put off the Dental Hygiene program one year so baby #3 will be 18 months old instead of 6 months when the intensity begins. Currently has a normal, happy brain even with the pregnancy hormones, and is confident it will continue after baby is born. Has a level 2 ultrasound scheduled to search baby for possible birth defects related to the medication. Risk is very low, but we want to look anyway, and are of course nervous about the results. Is LOVING Tanner being in all-day kindergarten. CC and are doing great together during the day and the hours between 7:45 a.m. and 2:35 p.m. go by very quickly. :)

TANNER: Could not be a happier boy, most of the time, of course. Absolutely loves his school, teacher and new friends. Is so ready to be at school all day and has said frequently "I love kindergarten even more than preschool." Can read short "popcorn" words like "I", "am", "at." Loves his sister and is so excited to have a new baby in the family. Loved turning 6 last week. Loves snuggling with his mommy, which I soak up and relish in. Latest Tanner quote: We were trying to figure out what kind of cookies to make a few Sundays ago: Mommy: "You could make snickerdoodles." Tanner: "What are snooberdoodles?!" Still loves to manipulate and play with his transformers and loves the new remote controlled jeep he got for his birthday. Talks about his aunts and uncles and grandmas and grandpas all the time. Is very excited for Grandma Neslen to come babysit for a week while Mom and Dad go on vacation.

CEDAR: Is a good balance between "I can't believe how precious and cute you are!" and "I want to throw you in the garbage!" I'd say it's about 65/35 right now, in the good direction, which is about a 25% improvement from where she was in the summer. Is absolutely two, and just loves to compete with her brother in any way she can. Is talking a ton right now. First official Cedar quote: C is saying dinner prayer: Daddy: "Thank you" C: "Thaay" Daddy: "For the food" C: "a num nums." Oh it was great. Loves her "babies" which are anything from her little lamb, puppy, rabbit, to her actual baby dolls. Loves "A Mickey Show" right now. (Mickey Mouse Club House) Points to old men in the stores and says "Ponconck," which for some inexplicable reason has meant Grandpa for the longest time. Will talk to you on the phone for as long as you will stay on the line, and sometimes for a while after you hang up. Loves to rub noses, give kisses, and be soft on your face. Loves her daddy. Will remind you that Daddy is "My daddy" and Mommy is "Tan Tan's mommy." Loves Lego's right now. Is absolutely terrible to take in the store unless there is a car cart or she has something to eat. Has naturally curly hair that seems to get darker by the day, which contrasts beautifully with her blue eyes, which of course, she got from her daddy. Is my sweet baby girl.