Here are some recent happenings at the Jensen household. . . A week ago today, the inversion FINALLY lifted on Cache Valley, and this is the sight we were treated to! Awesome! I loved the beauty of the frosted trees and plants. It was almost worth the weeks and weeks of not seeing the sun. Almost.
I got a short cut and color this week from Stacie. She always does an awesome job. I was ready for a change, and she did exactly what I told her to do, but I don't think I love it this short. Thoughts, feelings anyone???Below this picture (I can't separate them for some reason) is proof that the dreaded day has come. When one of my children are the same height as me. Does this mean Jake and I should start seeing eye-to-eye on more things? Haha- It's crazy that I don't look down on him anymore!
We had a great time having the Bundys come to stay last weekend. Ryan spent Monday in Logan working, and was doing some work on his little work laptop when he got back here. I thought it was cute so had to take a picture. Also one of his short hair which is a result of his crazy 80's hairstyle he did for our New Years Eve party. 
Whenever they come, Lindsey always volunteers to make us dinner. She still does it, even though she's learned that I always let her! We always love eating her yummy concoctions.
It cracks me up that Lydia is big enough now to sit up and be fed a cracker! What a big girl. As always, Emma is great to play with herself and her "friends."
Cam, Linny, Emma and I enjoyed going to first dam to feed the ducks three loaves of bread. Those were some hungry ducks! We had almost every duck on the dam huddled around our pier by the time we were done. I loved it. It was a fun way to pretend it's not the middle of winter still.
I don't know how we're all going to go back to life as usual tomorrow after all the fun times we've had the past two weeks. It's going to be tough. No one is looking forward to it. Kylee, Brody and Sal left last night to drive back to Arizona through the night. It was sad seeing them go. I am so happy they were able to be here for two weeks and enjoy all the fun time we had together. Here are some collage highlights:
I love decorating for Christmas and love seeing reminders of the reason for the season all around me. It really helps me get into the spirit of Christmas to see decorations, lights, and to hear wonderful Christmas music.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Evening at the Weyerts. We enjoyed an incredible meal Christmas Eve, several fun games, then more fun Christmas evening. It was fun to be with the Nelsons and Teresa and her boyfriend Brad-and of course Tom and Freda.
Christmas morning and afternoon were spent opening presents with just the five of us, eating a tasty breakfast, and playing "ticket to ride" a fun game given to me and Mike by Jessica. Ky and Brody joined us about 2:30, and we enjoyed opening gifts with them, then going to the Weyerts for presents, leftovers, and several fun games.
We had a lot of laughs over the week Kylee and Brody stayed with us, and enjoyed having Madi and Makayla over for dinner one evening, and the Bundys for several days after New Years.
We had a blast on New Years Eve with the Hatchs, Bundys, Caspersons and Petersens. We ate a yummy meal (if I don't say so myself. . .) did a fun picture scavenger hunt, played some 80's trivia games, and several other fun games. Lindsey had the great idea to have an 80's theme, and everyone enjoyed dressing up- esp Cody as he won the grand prize for the best outfit. I'll post better pictures of everyone later when Lindsey had edited them. Notice the awesome, creative cake Lindsey made. I'm so glad everyone could come and enjoy being together.
The best part about the Holidays, besides celebrating the birth of the Savior, is spending time together with loved ones. I'm so happy Ky and Brody were here to enjoy everything with us. It was wonderful to be with so many extended family members on both sides. 
Christmas came early today when Kylee and Brody surprised us by coming home for Christmas 5 days earlier than anticipated! Me, Mike, Jess, Jake and Cam had been on a mini-family reunion overnighter with Ann, Carol and their families at Sherwood Hills in Sardine Canyon. We all had a great time, and we loved being together and enjoying good food, company and fun and entertaining games. When we got home today (with the Bundy's along who came to spend the rest of the day with us- or so we thought- turns out they were in on the surprise so wanted to come and see the Hatch's and our reaction) Kylee and Brody were in the house waiting for us. We were expecting the house to look like we left it the night before even though we knew our friends doing the boys paper routes for us would have been in the house that morning folding and preparing the papers- but the house wasn't as we left it- several lights were on, there was music playing, a candle was lit, and several nutcrackers were sitting in the middle of the living room floor. We all stood in the entry of the house puzzling over who would have done that--- was it our friends playing a joke on us after they'd done the route? Just then Kylee comes running down the hall yelling surprise! It was so unexpected and fun, that of course I was a bit verclempt and totally speechless! It was so exciting, and now it feels like Christmas is truly here.
I LOVE Christmas time! Even though beginning right after Thanksgiving, I'm unable to sleep in past 4-5:00 because of the business and anticipation, I wouldn't change a thing. It's so fun deciding on, and shopping for the kids. It's fulfilling to do things for others. It's so festive to look at Christmas lights and the decorations in our home. It's great to spend more time with family and just relax and enjoy the season. And, it's great to watch snow falling outside and appreciate the beauty of nature. It snowed most of the day yesterday and the temperature was a balmy 33 degrees (after a week of below zero, it felt like spring) so Mike and I went on a lovely 2 mile walk last night. It was so fun to wade through snow- as most people hadn't shoveled the 6-8" yet. Then this morning, I helped the boys with their routes (why not, I'm awake anyway. . .) and again was struck by the beauty of the season. If you don't live in a climate where you enjoy snow, I'm sad for you. At least for the month of December (after that you can be sad for me) when it's such a fitting scene for the Christmas season. To those of you who are used to snow in winter and don't have it now and are missing it greatly, don't worry- you'll be home soon-and we have lots waiting for you to enjoy :)
I wish I could say this is my new Christmas tree, but alas, it is my friend's Lorene. Isn't it divine?
We had the most amazingly fun trip to Glendale and Mesa for Thanksgiving this year. I'm so glad we were able to go and do so many fun things! The the best part about the trip was seeing Kylee and Brody after missing them for three long months. Ok, Ok, it was fun to see Sal the dog too. We were on the go the entire time for the three days we were there. Here are some of the highlights:
We did an awesome 3 mile hike Thanksgiving morning. The weather was divine, the scenery different than what I'm used to when hiking (but still pretty) and the company was the best.
The girls and I prepared a tasty Thanksgiving feast in an amazingly short amount of time while the boys watched "Up." It was great to have Mom join us for dinner and a fun card game she taught us. We enjoyed seeing Jord and Jake and their darling girls that evening for some pie and ice-cream in their lovely home.
We had fun playing rounds of Scum and Wyoming Rummy our two nights in Glendale.
The girls and I had a great time going shopping on Black Friday for 4 hours. The boys had a great time sleeping in, then going to check out the Cardinal's stadium. I'm amazing that all the stuff I bought was able to fit in the car for the drive home. But when you have a seriously amazing packer and organizer like Jessica with you, it can be done!
It was a real treat on Friday to enjoy another delicious Thanksgiving dinner- this time at Mom and David's, joined by the Griffins and Robertsons. We had a nice time visiting, eating, enjoying the awesome weather, and playing shuffleboard.
What trip to Mesa would be complete without a trip to Rosa's Mexican Restaurant? The food is incredible, and the atmosphere (especially at Christmas with all their fun decorations) is so fun. We loved the matinee afterwards of "The Blind Side." True stories about football players? It doesn't get any better for our family!
We loved being able to stay for two nights at the Skeens Winter Quarters. I'm sad beyond words that they're selling it, and this will be the last time we'll all stay there.
We loved spending some time with the Hoffmans. It was so exciting watching BYU pull out a win against the Utes with them, then just as fun for the girls (me and Lorene) to be victorious against the boys in two matches of ROOK! Woo hoo! The boys have all sorts of excuses, but that's just what they are. Better luck next time guys. It was so cool to see the next generation getting into the game just like their parents. I'm so glad we were able to spend time with our great friends, and only wished we could have seen the Frost's this trip as well- but they were out of town for the holiday.
It was sad to say goodbye to the Hatch's on Sunday- and incidentally Brody's 25th birthday- but I'm happy knowing this goodbye is only for a month- then they'll be home for 10 days for Christmas.
Thanks to everyone for their hospitality and for all the fun times. We'll never forget Thanksgiving 2009!
Quite a bit has been going on lately that I haven't written about. About a month ago, we did some rearranging in the family room to make room for a new flat screen TV, and we're absolutely loving it! Every time we watch something, one of us will comment on how amazing the picture is. It's been so great to have it- (thanks again for the hook-up Adam!)
I wanted more room in the family room for more people to watch TV, so we moved a lovesac in from the game room, moved this bookcase out, and scooted the ping-pong table closer to the wall.
Since purchasing a cute Mazda Protege from my cousins daughter Jenny for the kids (they're loving it Jenny and are treating it well) we were able to sell the van since we didn't need 4 automobiles. Well, it would been nice for each kids to have their own car, but that's not in the cards. We were fortunate to unload the lemon in just two days for a whopping $2000 (since it needs a new transmission for $2000). Good riddance! Mike had a day he'll never forget getting it ready to be transferred to the new owners. Ask him to tell the story next time you talk to him.Last weekend I spent one of my favorite weekends of the year going on my traditional Christmas shopping weekend in Park City and SLC w/ Freda, Teresa, Stacie and Jessica W. We had a great time shopping til we dropped both days. Thanks girls for a great time, and thanks Freda for the meals and motel. I loved every minute of the two days!
After four weeks in his cast, Jake finally got it off. . . for 10 minutes, then it was back on for another 4 weeks! It's healing fine, but it's not quite there. He didn't like the feeling of it off, and was happy to get it back on- if you can imagine. This time he's sporting a snazzy red one- (and this one can get wet- so he can shower now instead of bathe).
Cam's been busy playing Jr. Grizz with practices twice a week, and games every Saturday morning. I have missed Jake being able to keep busy with sports practices, and hope he never breaks a bone again!
This week, Ann and I journeyed to Rupert to visit Janet and Dave and help Janet with some painting in her house. We three girls worked hard and fast painting her loft, upstairs hallway, and sewing room- all in about an 8 hour period of time. It was fun to be there, visit, work, and see Tina, Daelynn and McKynlee. I wish I could have seen all the Smiths---hopefully next time.Today I drove to Ogden with Jessica, Carol, Taylor, Madi and cute little Makayla. We met up with Sara, Lindsey, Jamie, and Rachel to see the movie New Moon. There was a lot of hype about it, and frankly, I'd like to see as much for Harry Potter. There is no comparison between the two, and I'll leave it at that. I will say Jacob Black was easy on the eyes. We brought Emma home with us so her parents could have some quiet time to get some packing done for their move next weekend. We're looking forward to them coming tomorrow to pick her up and join us for Sunday dinner. What I'm not looking forward to is decorating for Christmas. I want to do it before we leave for Arizona on Wednesday- otherwise it won't get done until the first weekend in December, and that's just not long enough to enjoy all the hard work! We are greatly anticipating going to Glendale and Mesa to see Kylee, Brody, the Ericksons and Griffins, and our friends the Hoffmans and hopefully the Frosts. My next post will be all about our fun three days in the sun.
Tonight I put up these vinyl letters in the front room. What do you think?
Oh, and one more thing- I'd like to give a shout out to my wonderful husband who spent a lot of time today working off his honey-do list- which included scrubbing hard water stains off the outside water and ice compartment on the fridge, and for cleaning our shower. He's the best, because anything I ask him to do, he'll do, and oftentimes, he'll do things around the house w/o me even asking-he makes our bed every morning, keeps his clothes picked up, does dishes- not to mention all the yard work (there's even more, but I don't want to embarrass him, and I don't want anyone who has a husband who isn't so awesome to get too jealous. . .)
I got a short cut and color this week from Stacie. She always does an awesome job. I was ready for a change, and she did exactly what I told her to do, but I don't think I love it this short. Thoughts, feelings anyone???
We had a great time having the Bundys come to stay last weekend. Ryan spent Monday in Logan working, and was doing some work on his little work laptop when he got back here. I thought it was cute so had to take a picture. Also one of his short hair which is a result of his crazy 80's hairstyle he did for our New Years Eve party. 
Whenever they come, Lindsey always volunteers to make us dinner. She still does it, even though she's learned that I always let her! We always love eating her yummy concoctions.
It cracks me up that Lydia is big enough now to sit up and be fed a cracker! What a big girl. As always, Emma is great to play with herself and her "friends."
Cam, Linny, Emma and I enjoyed going to first dam to feed the ducks three loaves of bread. Those were some hungry ducks! We had almost every duck on the dam huddled around our pier by the time we were done. I loved it. It was a fun way to pretend it's not the middle of winter still.
