July

I obviously wasn't around much because we didn't take very many pictures. Well, not that I'm all that great at taking pictures either, but Joe is even worse than me. I guess I have some pics on my phone from the 4th. Brek got to do his first sparklers. He loved them. I worked a ton. Like full time, plus some. I got to help my boss's open up a new restaurant location in West Valley. We had tons of new teammates to train and just a whole bunch of stuff to do to get things up and running. It was hard work. But again, I loved it, and miss it.

So, since I don't have any pictures of those things, I do have a couple random ones of Brek, plus a couple we took on his birthday.

I don't check on him often during nap time, but I'm sure glad I did on this day. Such cute little feet sticking out.

We saw this bumper sticker one day. I totally want to get it for Joe.

Another trip to the aquarium. It's nice to have season passes. You can make a short trip of it and not feel like you wasted any money. I love it when he climbs on the frog.

Sometimes, his head really is too big.

We were actually in Evanston, Wyoming during the week of Brek's birthday for MAT Camp 2012. I got to teach my first class this year. It was pretty stressful, and my sum up of the week is that "I survived!" I was teaching a class of ten 4 and 5 year old kids, only 2 of which were girls. I got to come up with the idea of what my class would do, and I thought an aerobic, moving, dancing sort of thing would be perfect. They have lots of energy and it would keep them busy. I called the class "Musically Active." We did a warm-up routine each day that was the same. Then each day had a theme. We did country line dancing, kick boxing, and ribbon dancing. Then we ended each class with some fun yoga stretches. I think that was their favorite part. 

To be honest, it really didn't go well. The first day went much better than I expected, but each day after that, fewer and fewer kids would actually participate at all. Day 3, I only had 2 kids that would dance with me, and we were being ninjas, which I thought was super cool. The last day I invited parents to come in and see some of their favorite steps (I had the kids pick their favorites and we made a routine.) Even then, they didn't really participate. Huge thanks to Joe who got all the music put together for me in a legal, non-copywriting fashion.

On a more positive note, Brek was able to attend a toddler class. It was during the same hour as I was teaching, but we made some friends that were able to take him with them. He loved it. Each day the teacher would come and tell me how smart he was. We had several people ask us what sort of training we were doing at home that made him able to keep rhythm and make connections from things in books and in real life, etc. They didn't believe us when we told them we weren't doing any sort of music lessons or pre-school or anything of the sort. He's just a smart boy. But I'm glad he did well in the class and had fun.

I was also able to play viola in the symphony, and then played tuba in the orchestra. Joe played trombone, so we got to sit and play together. That was really fun. Luckily, orchestra was during Brek's nap time, so we didn't have to worry about him then. Joe taught his regular low brass and garage band classes. He had a good week.

We had WONDERFUL hosts (and I was super excited to not be camping this year). They even got us free passes to the rec center and I was able to take Brek swimming on his birthday. He was sung to several times during the day, and one of the kitchen classes made him cupcakes too. He loved blowing out the candles, and tho I don't think he really understood what made that day special, he was a happy boy and we had a lot of fun. Love you little guy!

He got to pick out a balloon at the store. His had a truck on it.

Such a cute face!

And it gets even cuter!

I know I don't look great, but I still love this picture of us.

Being sung to at lunch

After he blew out the candles.

And enjoying his cupcake

Mommy and Daddy got Elmo shirts too, just for his special birthday.

Random July Pictures

Well, just because I thought we needed a few more pictures, and they are all unrelated, here's a fun post.

First off, this one's just cute! Shows off his 4 bottom teeth so nicely.

We did dinner with my former roommate Katrina, and her fiance Kyle. (They're married now, and tomorrow we get to go to their Open House, and I'm SO excited!) This is one of those, quick, before we leave let's take a picture by stretching my arm out. And I have to say, it got us all in. Go me!
And lastly, Joe, Brek, and I spent a week in Evanston, Wyoming for MAT camp. Joe was busy teaching and playing. I was busy chasing Brek around. We ended up camping due to some mix-up in housing, but despite the fire hydrant rain, our tent was still standing and dry, and we had a great week. The hardest part was Brek's napping. Generally, he takes 2 naps a day, each for at least 1 1/2 hours, sometimes longer. While away from his bed and comfortable surroundings, I think the longest nap we ever got was an hour, but usually they were only 30 minutes. So he was one tired little dude! But he was still happy and social and loved all the music. A fellow teacher/camper took this picture and posted it on her blog. Apparently we were well known for our hallway naps.
I also posted the youtube video of Joe & I performing at the MAT Camp Staff Concert. I feel so famous! haha! :)

MAT Camp 09

Two weeks ago we ventured over to Evanston, Wyoming for a week for MAT Camp (Music-Arts-Technology). This was Joe's 4th year as a teacher, and my 2nd year in attendance. We love the town of Evanston and hope someday we'll be blessed to settle and raise a family there. For now, it's just a dream.
While there, we stay with families that open their homes to teachers; and this year, we got to stay in Betty and Larry's "mansion." When we called the couple to find out how to get to their home, they told us to look at the mountain, find the highest house with the green roof, and follow it. They weren't kidding. Their log cabin, 3 story home was the highest home in town, and overlooked EVERYTHING! One night, we watched the dust-buster plane BELOW us. The view was amazing. It made me fall in love with Evanston even more.

The view from where we stayed

Joe taught the low-brass workshop, and then several classes he co-taught with his nephew Andrew: a 3-5th grade "Everything Makes Music" class, a John Zorn "Cobra" class, and an advanced electronic music class. He also played baritone in the band, trombone in the jazz band, and tuba in the orchestra.

Like I said, Joe's nephew Andrew was there teaching with him.

Actually, ALL of Andrew's family was there. It was definitely a JENSEN party. 

Andrew also taught a blogging class, and played french horn in the band and orchestra.

Andrew's brother Nick played clarinet in almost every group he could. He is awesome!

Here is Nick playing in the woodwind quintet on the last day. He's the 2nd one in from the left.

Ryan also played tuba up at camp.

Here is Ryan and Joe; I think they are reading the paper in the woodshop room.

This is Ryan and Jacob practicing yo-yo. They took the "Yo-Yo for Musicians" class that was offered.

Carol, the wonderful mother of the brood of boys, was also there at camp.
She took a ton of world music classes.

Joe and Andrew, aka "TubaTronix" performed at the faculty performance. This was their setup before they went onstage. They did great. It's always so nerve wracking for me because I get nervous about all the things that could go wrong. I'm such a great and supporting wife that way! Sadly, in all my nerves I forgot to record it. Sorry.

Here we are waiting for TubaTronix to perform. From front to back: me, Ryan, Jacob, Carol, and Nick

This is Andrew and Joe in their element.

This is the Cobra class. Very entertaining to watch!

This is the "Everything Makes Music" class. The kids got to play around with DDR dance pad, Guitar Hero, and various other 'toys' that Andrew uses.

Cobra in performance

The last pictures are of Andrew and Joe playing around once camp was over. You can tell these boys have just as much fun as the kids!

Look at that serious face!

Now, you may ask what I do all week. I played tuba in the band, and also attempted to play cello in the orchestra. Cello? you ask. You're right to question; I don't actually play the cello. I learned for about 2 months in one of my BYU classes, but that was 2 years ago. Let's just say it wasn't easy. In 2 months of beginning cello, they don't teach you how to play C naturals, or any flats. The pieces we performed were very challenging. One of the songs I played the first note of each measure. That was a good improvement for me! But it was fun! Next year I may try more; we'll have to see.

I also watch the boys teach a lot; I helped out with the 3-5 graders a few times, because 2 adults and 20 kids just isn't enough! I also bought ear plugs and worked on some schooling too.

All in all, it was a wonderful and successful week! We can hardly wait for next year!