*2*

Jared and I feel so blessed that we are lucky enough to have been blessed with Taegen-the cutest, smartest, sweetest, nicest, most thoughtful two year old that there is!! Everyday Taegen makes me laugh, smile, and just feel that this mom is one lucky chicky! He is so expressive with his eyes and face-he just melts my heart. Here are some things about Taegen, more for my memory than for anyone reading this.
Loves: Mom, Dad, Grandma's, Grandpa's, Trucks, Books, Trains, Water, Buses, Dogs, Balls,
Music, Dancing, Kids club, Tortilla Chips
Dislikes: Owies, Swimming, Grandma's big yellow bath duck, Sitting Still, Indian Food,
Accomplishments: Crawling, Walking(10 1/2 months), Running, Jumping, Saying
40-60 words with two word sentences, Unlocking doors, Stacking cans 4 high(9 months)





This is Taegen just after he woke up, we went in his room with the video camera singing happy birthday. The look on his face was so cute that you knew he knew something was going to be different about this day.
Taegen and Jared having some bonding time over internal medicine, although I think T is more interested in the balloons and the basketball.
For Taegen's birthday dinner we were able to celebrate at Minados(sushi). They came out after dinner to sing to him and give him his birthday cake. We all pigged out on the delicious fish, hibachi, and crepes. This is our favorite restaurant in Philadelphia!
After dinner we came home to open up presents, Taegen was very spoiled by both grandparents! From Grandpa and Grandma Johnstun he got this really cute cowboy gettup with chaps, a belt with gun, golden nuggets, cantine, and this very handsome vest.
From Grandpa and Grandma Jensen he recieved this very cool tractor with blocks, and two warm and fuzzy jammies. He has also been doing a lot of dancing with the singing card he got from them.-"Celebrate Good Times" Thanks to everyone for how special you made Taegen feel, we love you all!

The zoo

Yesterday was such a nice day we decided to go to the park. There were quite a few girls and a lot more kids! Taegen loved every minute of it. Taegen and a bunch of kids from the ward got to go on the train while at the zoo-which they loved. The train went around and around in one big circle but they never seemed to get bored.
Here are Taegen, Marshall, Jackson, and Jordan all running down the ramp to go see the next animal. Taegen liked the horses and zebras the best, but mostly loved being one of the big kids.

Sunday Picnic

Last Sunday Jared had to go into work at Hahnemann(the hospital in the city that is associated with Drexel). He is now on his last 4 weeks of internal medicine. He was able to get off at noon though, so we decided to enjoy the great weather and head off to the park for a picnic and some fun on the slides. It was Stake Conference so I opted not to go by myself, and that is why Taegen and I were able to pick Jared up from the hospital and head right over. Taegen is still a little wobbly on the slide when he goes by himself. Jared and Taegen coming down the slide together. It looks like Jared is having just as much fun as Taegen.

Taegen worked so hard on the playground that he need to cool off with a 44 oz. drink-don't worry its just water. But seriously, this kid drinks more than me!!!

Last Sunday August 31, 2008, Jared, T, and I decided to take a stroll in Fairmount Park. This is a 9,200 acre citywide recreational park that is breathtakingly beautiful, and this is the first time we have actually taken the time to see a microscopic portion. I don't know why we waited so long, I guess we are busy and haven't taken the time. So with over 215 miles of scenic trail to walk, run, bike, or do whatever you want, we decided to give it a whirl. Along the way there is a a really cute place to eat called Valley Green Inn. It originally opened up as a place to stay for people traveling through, now it is supposedly a great restaurant which the Food Network ranks their brunch "one of the best". We didn't try it, but will have to one of these times. The surroundings reminded me of Utah/Idaho with all of the trees and a cute river running through it with people fishing. Taegen loved looking at the water with all of the fish and we even saw a turtle. All in all we had a great time.

Thursday night was mutual night, Jared(2nd councelor), Basir, Bashir, Micheal, Brandon(president) and Dalyn(not pictured-1st coucelor in the bishopric) went all over Philly looking at Murals. These murals are everywhere out here on all different types of building and they all mean something. I can't explain what they mean since me and Taegen sat in the car and didn't get the spill, but they were still fun to look at. Some of them are so big I can't believe one person can do something like that! After mutual Jared, T, and I decided to go get some icecream. It was a fun night and I think all in all that everyone had a good time.

So If you didn't know Jared has a new calling in our ward, he is now the 2nd councelor in the Young Mens. That being said he is trying to get to know some of the kids in his class. He is over the Deacons and has two kids in his class, Basir and Bashir, twins if you coudn't have guessed. They are on the left of the picture. On the right is Daryl, their 16 year old brother. We decided to have them over for dinner on Sunday, it was great getting to talk with them and getting to know them better.

After dinner we were hanging around and Taegen was playing at the top of our stairs leading to the basement. Now for those of you who live in Philly these stairs probably look familiar and normal, for those of you who don't, they probably look like there in a house that is vacant or a shack in the woods. Just as I was starting to think that it was probably not a good idea that T was playing there and I was actually on my way over he somehow fell and rolled all the way down the stairs!!!! On normal carpeted stairs this is not as big of a deal, but on stairs that look like this it was pretty scary. We were lucky he didn't drop off the side on his way down since there is no railing. He stopped on the landing crying and Jared was there in a flash to get him. He was crying pretty hard but other than a couple of visible bruises on his face and probably a couple that can not see he is ok. I was probably shaking for 30 minutes I was so scared. But all is good.

So it has been a while since I have posted any pictures, I feel like I have been busy, but it is probably more like lazy. Nothing new is going on in our lives, Jared is still in his internal medicine rotation and loves it. He has 5 weeks left of it and then he will move on to OBGYN-lucky kid!

Don't let these pictures fool you, Taegen is not being potty trained. I just thought that the more he gets comfortable and the more he is wanting to sit on the potty the easier it will be when that time comes. He definately looks comfy though, don't you think?
What a cute kid, he will be a heart breaker when he gets older. He is such a boy and is getting really smart. I can't believe he will be 2 next month, where does the time go?