Conference and Accordions

Wow, what a weekend! First and most important, Conference was wonderful. We spent the weekend with Jared's family to watch Conference with them and had a great time. I loved the messages recieved from our prophet and apostles, especially the talk by Elder Jeffery R. Holland about Jesus Christ. I love the feeling that I get that even though these men are talking to millions, it still feels like they are talking to me personally, and I can feel the genuine love that they have for me.

On a completely different note, our family discovered on Friday how to make a minivan look like this:
How, you may ask. It is a simple recipe. Drive on the freeway during Friday rush hour stop-and-go traffic. Then stop about 5 feet from the car in front of you. Next, look in the rear view mirror and watch the car behind you not slow down, hit you, and shove you into the car in front of you. It's that simple.
Thankfully, no one was hurt, but now we get to experience the joy of dealing with the insurance companies about getting our van fixed. We are grateful for the fact that there was an off-duty highway patrol officer who saw the whole thing happen, so we have his testimony that we were at a complete stop before being hit, so we were not at fault.
I am so grateful that it happened on Conference weekend so that we could have the huge spiritual uplift that we needed. Plus, it was great to be around Jared's family and enjoy their company for a few days. Things like that always help to make the bad things that happen seem not so bad, and help give you the proper perspective to cope with the situation. Thanks everyone. We love you!

Waterboy

The weather has been so nice lately. It seems like it has been in the 60s or 70s all week. Today, while visiting Grandma Sherwood, E got a chance to help out in the garden.

Here he is getting water for grandma to pour on her potted flowers. (I just love the boots. He insisted on wearing them today.)

Watering the flowers

The flowers need more water.

The flagpole was looking a little dry, so it needed some water, too.

And you should never forget to water the driveway. Terrible things might happen if it is left dry for too long. (He enjoyed watching the rainbows that the water made in front of him.)

Snow, Snow, and more Snow

A few weeks ago we got some crazy snow here. It was like 2-3 feet in just a few days. I haven't seen snow like that since I lived in New York.Just look how high it came up on the picnic table!

E and H loved playing in all the snow. Even daddy got out and made a snowman with them. H didn't want to stop playing in the snow to take a picture.

Pay It Forward

My sister-in-law is doing a "Pay it Forward" type of thing and I am excited to participate! Great movie, by the way.
Here are the rules:
The exchange focuses on doing an act of kindness without expecting anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn, pass the kindness along and pay it forward in their own way.
This is how it works… I am going to do some act of service, or something fun, inspiring or uplifting for the first 3 blog owners who post a comment on this entry (please leave your email address if I don’t already have it). In turn you will then post about this on your blog, link to me, then send something to the first three people who sign up to play along through your blog. If those who respond to you are local, you can do something in person for them, or you can send something you made, bought, were given or found. No biggie--just do something that will make the person smile. And remember that kindness doesn’t have to involve money; there are untold ways to help others every single day, everywhere you go - just look around!
So if you want to join the fun, just comment on this post, and the first 3 will get something fun from me. Just remember to pass it on.

Catch Up Blog 6 (Christmas)

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas at Jared's parents home. It has been fun this year, as this is the first year that E started to catch the joy and excitement of Christmas. It has been so much fun watching him get excited about the presents, and ask us everyday if it was Christmas yet.
On Christmas Eve, we had an unexpected visit from Santa Clause. No one knew he was comming except for one of Jared's sisters, who had arranged it with one of her friends. He came, and all the kids were so excited. All of the neices and nephews on that side were there, and most sat on Santa's lap. I was suprised that E willingly sat on Santa's lap. He is usually scared of things like that. But this time he got up and was quite happy to be with him.

Even H wasn't scared, which really suprised me. She has always been outgoing and friendly, but Santa can be quite intimidating for those little ones. He didn't phase her, though. She was very happy to be sitting on his lap.

During Santa's visit, we sang Christmas Carols while Jared's sister played the piano. Then Santa asked us to sing his favorite Christmas carol. As we sang "Silent Night", Santa quietly slipped out the door, and left us with the True Christmas Spirit. It was such a wonderful experience.

After Santa left, we had the kids, with some of the dad's, put on the Christmas pagent, while Grandpa Jenson read Luke 2. It was a little chaotic, as our angel never wanted to leave the stage, and the shepards got into a sword fight with their shepard's crooks, and one of the wisemen (E) didn't want to be. It was a lot of fun, though, and helped us to feel the meaning of Christmas.

Christmas morning came at about 9 am, which was really nice for us adults who had stayed up late getting things ready under the tree.

When E walked into the room and saw all the presents, the first thing he saw was a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, which Jared's youngest sister had requested for Christmas. He went straight to the box and said "I want cereal!" We tried to get him interested in his presents, one of which was a bike that was sitting in plain view, or in his stocking full of candy, but he would not be satisfied until he had eaten 2 bowls of cereal. After he finished his cereal he was ready to join the family in opening presents. He is just like his dad.

Christmas Morning

Getting into the stockings.

E got a Buzz Lightyear

H got a baby doll

E on his new bike

Catch Up Blog 5 (New Car)

On December 20th, we got an early Christmas Present. Jared had been watching the used car websites for some time now for a minivan, since we are outgrowing the Camry. Well, he found a great deal that he just couldn't refuse. It is a white 2004 Toyota Sienna, with 35,000 miles on it. So we are now officially minivan owners, and loving it. It is so roomy, and drives great. Even E loves it. He likes to go in his "new van car" as he calls it.
(again, no pictures, sorry)

Catch Up Blog 4 (Baby News)

On December 15th, we had an ultrasound done. We are excited to report that we have another boy coming to our family. His name is Nicholas Scott Jenson. He looks healthy, and is growing 4 days ahead of schedule. Due date is still May 5th.
(Sorry, no pictures for this one)