OntarioCanada/Niagara Falls Trip!

On Friday, July 27th we got up at 4am and headed out to Ontario, Canada (about 30 minutes over the border) to see our friend Heather! She got married earlier in the summer and since we were sad we missed her wedding, we decided to go to her reception in Ontario. Initially it was supposed to be a surprise, but we had to tell her a month in advance to make sure they would have the time to hang out with us when we were there.

It was a really short trip (we headed home on Sunday evening) and it was about 7 hours one way, so there was a ton of driving. But Auralia was a champ and we were glad we did it. On Sunday, we stopped in Niagara Falls and did all of that- it was amazing! I was surprised at how much I liked it. Tyron was awesome and researched it beforehand, which helped. Viewing it from the Canadian side is the only way to go. The views are much more spectacular. We did the Maid of the Mist boat ride- would definitely recommend that as well! Auralia didn't love the noise of running water- probably reminded her of the bath which she doesn't like. But she snuggled up to Tyron in her little baby rain poncho and sucked on her soother and was fine. Here's some pictures of our trip:

Tyron loves swimming so at 9am he wakes up and decides to take a swim with Auralia in the hotel pool. It was way too cold for me, but Auralia enjoyed it. She doesn't like baths even though there is little water and it's warm and there are toys, but she didn't mind the lifejacket & cold water at the pool- go figure!

We loved seeing Heather & Lyle! We wished we could have had more time to spend with them one-on-one; but life is what it is and so we appreciated the time we did get with them. It made us really miss our old life of having many good friends who we could spend time with- we really are loners in New York.

The beautiful bride & handsome groom

Niagara Falls! I had no idea there were 2 falls there! The famous horseshoe one (Canadian Falls) and a regular one (American Falls). You can see a Maid of the Mist boat going into the mist- it was a really fun ride!!

Auralia all ready for the boat ride in her baby sized poncho- so cute!

The American in front of the Canadian Falls

The Canadian in front of the American Falls :)

Family Visits

We have been so blessed to have some of Tyron's family members here this summer! JaCobi and Nathan visited in July. We sucked at getting pictures with them, but did get a couple. They had a pretty well rounded NYC experience- Harbor Cruise to see the skyline & Statue of Liberty, Lion King Broadway show, Temple night, Top of the Rock Observation Deck, a Yankees baseball game, America's Got Talent results show, and lots of yummy food!

Mom & Dad Jensen were here for almost a week in early August. It was a little rough as dad had some stomach issues the first day and then I got a stomach bug for a day on the weekend and was throwing up. But we enjoyed the visit in between all the stomach issues :)  Again we sucked at getting pictures!

Now we won't have any visitors until next summer (hopefully someone comes!). We are really looking forward to getting away for a few weeks in December for Christmas in Utah :)

4th of July

Trying to catch up here! For the 4th we stayed at home and had our friends Lance & Lejdja along with her mom & sister over for a good ol' fashioned summer BBQ. We played frisbee, ladder golf, and blew some bubbles for Auralia. When it started to get dark we came back to the apartment and watched about 20 firework shows from our windows- definitely a perk to living on the 17th floor! It was a really low key, relaxing, & enjoyable day.

Here's Auralia all dressed up and ready to Par-tay!

Happy 1st Birthday Auralia Jane & Clint's visit

Wow I can't believe it's been so long since I did a blog update! Shame on me.  So Auralia turned 1 on June 21st! Her 12 month stats: 28 inches long; 19 pounds 11 ounces.

My brother was here on her birthday, so we went to Jones Beach on Long Island. It was great- not a Florida beach by any means- but still the beach and much nicer than the ghetto beaches in the Bronx! Auralia seemed to like the water and sand, although a couple of big unexpected waves freaked her out. Here's some pictures of our day at the beach!

First time in sand...

Then her first wave comes!!

 Her "It's COLD" face!

Loving walking in the waves

 

We also had a little birthday for her here at the apartment:

Tyron and I got her these foldable, attachable tubes that you can crawl through. They're pretty awesome!

Here it is in all its glory!

Okay the adults had fun in them too...

It was a lot of fun having my brother here for 2 weeks. He did a LOT of sightseeing in the city with his girlfriend and her parents and it was super hot & humid during most of his visit. But he got a really well rounded NYC experience! 

It's been way too long... Utah trip & more!

The time has flown! Can't believe it's been 2 months since I blogged last! Of course, my blog isn't  being read by readers dying to know what I've been up to, but rather, more of a journal entry for myself :)

So... I missed her 11 month post in May, but I'll be sure to post for her 1 year birthday on the 21st of June! Can't believe it's already been a year. Auralia & I just returned from a month long trip to Utah and Tyron had burned scented oil all day before we got there. When I got home I was flooded with all of these nostalgic feelings. I couldn't understand why until it hit me that it was the scent that we used when I was birthing Auralia last year. Crazy how scents can trigger feelings and memories.

Anyways, yes! We are home from our long trip. We missed Tyron like crazy, and he missed us like crazy! When I saw him, it felt like we were dating again; like he had just driven 12 hours to visit me and it was all so surreal. It was fun to have a day or two where we felt like young dating kids again :)

Auralia helping mom pack by smashing down all the clothes

Excited to kiss the Bronx goodbye for a month!!

We celebrated my 25th birthday! 

My awesome ice cream birthday cake!! DE-LISH!!

Merryn & Jason blessed their new baby boy (Cooper); it was perfect timing that I'd be there and would be able to spend time with them!! Loved getting together with the old gang again :)

Don't you love how our hair goes from light to dark? We're cool like that :) What's not cool is how pasty I am in this picture! Don't worry, I got some sun on my vacation!

So excited to be around so many people, new toys, and DOGS!

4 generation picture with great grandma!

Kisses from great grandma!

Aubrey was so great with Auralia! We slept in her room with her and Aubrey never complained about Auralia's middle of the night crying. I have the best sister!!

She loves her Unky Clint! Clint is here now visiting for 2 weeks!

We got to go to Lagoon Amusement Park!! I haven't been to one in years, and we had a wonderful day! The weather was nice and cool and the lines were short- perfect day :) Here Auralia is on the carousel.

On the train that goes around the park

Clint, his girlfriend Michalla, Mom, and Aub on the Samurai- craziest ride ever!

Clint just had to get a ridiculously big corn dog!

Clint graduated from high school!

And seminary!! Clint is such a solid young man- so proud!

Watched the solar eclipse through a welder's mask

Auralia bonded with my mom the second mom visited in December and clinged to her a lot during our visit. My mom was sweet and would get up with her in the mornings, change poopy diapers, bathe her, and feed her! It was great getting so much help with Auralia!!

Got to visit with my long-time friends Natalie & Nichole! We also got to visit with Abigail- it was nice for the babies to meet & become friends :)

Auralia doesn't turn 1 until the 21st, but we wanted to do a little family celebration while we were in UT. So we BBQ'd and made strawberry shortcake and just had a low-key but fun time.

Me earning a "Mom of the Year" award- I put on the hat, the elastic string snapped a little, she screamed, I felt bad... you get the gist.

Take 2! Much happier birthday girl!

Being way too dainty with the shortcake

As you can see, she finally dug in and got a little dirty. She didn't eat much, but rather squished it in her hands.

I shouldn't end on this picture, but it probably is the best picture! My dad and his brother Paul being complete dorks... like usual :)