Happy Fall!

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Warrior Dash

Warrior Dash is like no other competition I've seen.  It is a 3.5 mile obstacle course slopping through mud pits, hopping up and over run-down cars, scaling rope walls, and jumping over flaming fire pits.  This particular race was held on a beautiful farm in North Bend, WA.  Mike and Jared proudly SURVIVED WARRIOR DASH 2011! 

The viking hats were issued along with your race bib.  Nice touch, eh? 

MAYBE I'll try it next year! 

Beach Hike

Living in the Pacific Northwest is such a BLESSING because of the breathtaking BEAUTY that surrounds us.  However, the weather sometimes leaves much to be desired. Still, LIFE goes on despite of the RAIN.  We've learned to always be prepared with a rain coat.  BUT SOMETIMES....YOU GET LUCKY!!! Fourth of July weekend we headed out to the coast and found blue skies and sandy beaches!  

We spent two nights at Third Beach wading in the surf, playing in the driftwood, and exploring the tide pools. 

There is nothing like camping on the beach.  We hiked in 1.5 miles carrying all of our gear in a backpack.  Gracie even made the trek.   She didn't carry a pack though.  Mike piled his pack high with gear to ensure that his family was comfortable while roughing it.  Mike found a way to ensure that I have an enjoyable time while we are camping; he does all of the work!  Terrible, I know, but he loves it so much that he makes that sacrifice :).  Another way to ensure a successful camping trip is for Audrey to bring her BFF Shaila
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The tide pools were amazing!We had a tide chart and so we knew exactly when low tide would occur.  Plus, camping on the beach, the tide pools were right outside our tent door.   There is something magical about low tide since an entire world of sea creatures is exposed for a short time and then quickly vanishes with the tide.  We saw sea stars, sea anemones, hermit crabs, and a sea otter.

We found Patrick Star on the beach, you know, Sponge Bob's best friend! 

So Jensen family, this is the trip I WISH we would of had last year! August 2010 was much too rainy! Let's try it again....it's worth the trouble.

Perry Como (an old song writer) said it best in his song entitled "Seattle"

The bluest skies you've ever seen are in Seattle 
And the hills the greenest green, in Seattle 
Like a beautiful child, growing up, free an' wild 
Full of hopes an' full of fears, full of laughter, full of tears 
Full of dreams to last the years, in Seattle 
. . . in Seattle! 

Freedom Festival

Click play to flip through the digital scrapbook pages of our Independence Day 2011.

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Little House in the Woods

What's on the Christensens' list for summer fun???

A Tree House! 

The kids have been dreaming of a tree house for some time now.  

  

Jared even drew up some elaborate plans. 

On Memorial Day, Mike and the boys started construction on a tree fort.

Looks like Mike is doing all of the work!  

At least Gunner is there to guard them.  

Oh, and Grace is there to look cute.  

  School is officially out for summer on Monday....

time to start building again! 

Turkey Trotters

The boys and I ran in the Turkey Trot (1 mile race) and all of us placed!  During the race, I hung back with Sam to encourage him along, but I would have really liked to race Jared.  He is a speed demon! I think he may have a future in track.   

 Jared took first place in the 11-13 year old age bracket, I took second place in the 30-39 category, and Sam got third place for the 7 and under group.    After learning we had placed in the race, I looked over and saw a grocery basket teeming with frozen turkeys.  I assumed the turkeys were prizes for the winners and thought, oh no, what will I do with 3 turkeys!?!  I was relieved to learn that all of the competitors names' went in a hat for a chance to win a turkey.  In the end we weren't even lucky enough to get ONE turkey! Maybe next year?

Beautiful Gray

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