Happy Halloween!

It was a gorgeous day today! Actually it has been a gorgeous day everyday but I unfortunately I am often too busy to notice (which is really sad!)  But the class I interpret for cancelled this morning and so I took advantage of the time and sunshine to walk to the park with Jenna.  It was so nice to take in the fresh air and sunshine and listen to her precious laughter as I chased her around the playground.  Her favorite park game is where I am the monster and she is the little girl and I try to catch her.  She always manages to escape just in the nick of time and thinks it is hilarious that she can outwit the monster -- every time!  

Things have been busy and stressful and so I hadn't really done any Halloween preparations and the kids were pretty much on their own when it came to costuming.  We have several of those big plastic tubs filled with costumes, but some of the kids still want to come up with their own thing -- no matter how random it might be.  We finally convinced Jaiden not to be a lone "musketeer."  With Janika's help she finally decided to be a wind-up ballerina doll.  Janika was a devil, Jase was a woopie cushion (although that only lasted about five minutes), Jared wore one of those blue-morph suits to school, and an M&M costume tonight (for about five minutes), Janelle was a bat (I never could figure out make-up for a bat even after searching for an hour on the Internet), Jaiden was a ballerina doll, Josh was superman, and Jenna was a lady-bug.  We have pictures of Janika in that same lady-bug costumes when she was around that age.

Yesterday I helped with Jenna's pre-school party in the morning and then was gone from 12:30 to 9:30 p.m. interpreting a class, going to a meeting, teaching a class, and then attending a class.  Janika was babysitting and sent me a text saying that she would bathe all of the kids since she knew it wouldn't happen on Halloween night.  She is so incredibly awesome!  I sent a text back asking if she could help the kids find their costumes and accessories and lay them out for this morning.  She said that they all managed to find something amidst tears and tantrums. 

Rick ended up coming home from work around lunch time feeling sick and went to bed.  I ran over to the elementary school to watch the kids in their costume parade around the track.  After school Janelle went to piano lessons and I ran over to the dollar store to get glow sticks for trick-or-treating.  I lined the kids up outside for a picture and realized the battery on the camera was dead -- the spare was too.  Ugh!  I usually always have the spare charged.  So I used the kids' camera which takes lousy pictures.  Oh well.  I brought all of the kids over to the ward Halloween party and trunk-or-treat.  Rick was still not feeling well and stayed home.  The party was fun and Janika and the other young women helped with the carnival games, costume parade, and passing out candy for the trunk-or-treat.  We didn't get around to decorating the trunk of our van -- maybe next year.

Then we came home and took the kids trick-or-treating in one of the neighborhoods in our ward.  Rick must have felt bad about missing all of the activities because he got up and came with us.  I enjoy trick-or-treating with the kids.  The weather is so perfect and it feels so good to be walking outside and there is always excitement in the air.  I don't necessarily like the sugar high afterwards though!  I ate my fair share of candy too.  The kids know that recess peanut butter cups are my favorite and so they always give them to me!  

Jenna's Pre-School Party

Jenna goes to two pre-schools -- Mrs. Kathy's on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and another little pre-school with five kids on Tuesday and Thursday mornings where the mom's take turns teaching teaching the kids.  Allison did such a wonderful job putting together a fun Halloween Party for the kids this morning!  Jenna got to go to Mrs. Kathy's pre-school the next day and had a lot of fun at that one too.  Lucky girl!

 

Pumpkins

Primary Program

Today was our primary program -- the Deaf Branch combined with the Hearing Ward.  I was able to help with the program by teaching all of the primary kids some of the songs in sign language and then leading the kids from our branch in sign language for the rest of the songs while the rest of the children sang.  We actually have 12 primary kids from our branch now!  Wow, I think that is the most we have had!  They are all fairly fluent in sign language and so it was easy for them to follow along signing the songs.  It was a lovely program and I'm glad that I could be a part of it!   

Celebration of Families

I brought the kids to the "Celebration of Families" event today at the city park.  They had a blast at all of the different activities and were thrilled with all of the free treats and prizes!  We entered our tickets into the various drawings and Jaiden got her name drawn out for one of them!  She was SO excited!  She got a cute stuffed animal (puppy), a beautiful soft pink blanket, and a new came called "Petfolio."  The weather was perfect!  We are blessed to live in such a beautiful, sunny area!

Halloween Party

Tis the season for Halloween Parties!  Jaiden went as an "80's" girl to her friend, Amber's party tonight. 

Josh Lost His First Tooth!!

It was driving him crazy and he had his dad pull it out.  It was ready to go and popped right out!  Josh was very brave -- and SO excited to get his money from the tooth fairy!

Happy Birthday Janelle!!

Janelle is ten years old!  To celebrate I brought her and Jaiden to the spinny park Friday night with Janelle's  best friend, Layla Purdy.  We picked up a pizza on the way and then the girls played for about three hours -- until well after dark.  They had a ball.  Then we came back to the house and watched a movie.

Saturday the carolers had and all day practice and Sunday we had a little family party for Janelle with a nice dinner, presents, cake and ice-cream!

 

General Conference and Spinny Park

General Conference is always one of my favorite weekends of the entire year.  I was really looking forward to it this year and took notes on every single talk (except when my hubbie and daughter kept me occupied tickling their backs.)  I was so excited to hear President Monson's announcement about the change in the missionary age!  Janika and Jase were excited about it too.  This means Janika could be serving a mission in just over two years and Jase in 2 1/2 years!  Their missions seemed far away before but now they seem so close!  Time to step it up with preparation both spiritually and financially!

I loved the messages both at the Relief Society General Meeting and also this weekend.  There were so many messages that I felt were meant just for me.  Rick made his traditional "Conference Crepes" and they were a big hit.  Rick makes breakfast most weekday mornings for the family to eat during morning scripture study.  I really appreciate it because it helps me out and also allows me to get an extra half hour of sleep!  I really like that morning connection we have with the kids before they leave for school.  The kids want him to put these crepes on the menu for his regular morning breakfasts but he said that he was saving them for "conference only!"

Grandma Jensen was in town for the weekend on a "Girls' Weekend" with Julie and her daughters so we got to visit with them for a bit.  Grandma Jensen stayed at our house for a few hours while Rick and Jase and Jared went to the Priesthood Session.  We went for a walk so that I could show her all of the damage from the recent flood and then then helped me get the kids bathed and ready for bed.  I wish she could have stayed longer but I am glad that we got a little visit in at least! 

Sunday we watched the morning session of conference and then had a yummy lunch comprising of turkey breast, potatoes and gravy, and veggies.  We took naps and then watched the second session.  Then I took all of the kids to the spinny park for a little fresh air and exercise.  It was Jenna's first time there and she loved it.  She has no fear!  Jase put her on on the other end of his "swing" and kept shooting her high up in the air.  I kept freaking out over it... "Be careful!"  "Not so high!"  "Hang on tight!"  Jenna, on the other hand, wasn't scared at all.  She loved it and kept asking to go higher.  She was able to get herself on and off most of the equipment and get herself spinning.  It didn't seem to make her sick or dizzy either. 

Josh was a lot more cautious and nervous.  He climbed into the "tea-cup" and it started spinning round and round on its own.  He was freaking out because he didn't know how to stop it and I had to come save him.  But Jenna kept asking me to spin her faster and faster.  Thank goodness she doesn't have a weak stomach like her mommy!

Hands in Harmony Caroler Retreat

We had a difficult time coming up with a place and date for the caroler retreat this year.  Every time we had a date set there seemed to be a conflict.  Finally Rick just decided to have it on a Thursday night at the spinny park.  Brodie Perry was the presenter and offered a lot of great vocal tips.  The retreat was pretty simple this year but I think everyone had a good time and learned something new. 

Happy Birthday Jenna!!

My baby girl is FOUR years old today!