Family Pictures

I really wanted some family pictures done before Christmas and so I had Janika ask one of her friends if she would come with us for an hour to take some shots with our camera.  Unfortunately Jenna wasn't smiling in most of the pictures but we were still able to get a few cute ones.

Vegas Get-Away!!

When Rick realized that he and the kids were out of school the day before Thanksgiving he suggested that he and I go out of town to Vegas Tuesday night over to Wednesday to get some relaxing quality time together before the crazy caroler schedule began.  I thought that sounded like a great idea and so we left Janika in charge of all of the kids and took off Tuesday right after school.  We stayed at the Red Mountain resort which was about twenty minutes away from the strip.  The resort was really nice!  I think we will definitely go there again!  We decided to go work out at the fitness center first before it closed for the evening and then we went out to a delicious all-you-can-eat buffet. 

We brought two laptops because we thought we would have time for some journal writing and so forth but the time went too quickly and we didn't even use the computers.  The resort had a really nice spa which included a steam room and sauna.  We enjoyed that and also went swimming in the outdoor pool, which we had all to ourselves.  We went back to the buffet for lunch.  We were planning on seeing "Catching Fire" in the theater at the resort but missed the time and so we headed back to St. George and made it just in time to see it.  We LOVED the movie!  It was a nice little retreat.  I love spending quality time with my honey! 

Nov. 18-24

The kids were out early all week because of SEP's.  Tuesday morning I brought Janika in for a "teeth whitening" appointment since that is what she wanted for her birthday.  The appointment was at 7:00 a.m.!  I drove her over and got her checked in and then went home to get the kids ready for school and Jaiden to and from piano lessons.  After getting the kids off the school I went back and picked up Janika.  After my class that night I went straight to Pack Meeting where our Bears were in charge of the skit.

Wednesday I went to school early because Jaiden and Janelle were receiving special academic awards at school.  I still need to scan in their certificates and include them here.

I went to Janelle, Jaiden, and Josh's SEP's. They all got raving reviews, although Josh's teacher admitted that he is a talker.  He is VERY loud at home so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.  But I still was surprised because teachers have always said how quiet all of our kids are (even if they are loud at home.)

Thursday Nov 21st was Rick's birthday.  We weren't able to really celebrate today because I had class and Rick had carolers.  But the carolers sang "Happy Birthday" to him and got him a big cheesecake (to share with all of them of course)!   Rick and I will celebrate next week with an overnighter to Las Vegas!

Friday the 22nd the girls had activity days and then Jenna went to Eva Conover's Birthday Party and Janelle went to Heidi Wakefield's birthday party.  They had a great time.

Saturday 23rd:  We went to Rick, Jaiden and I went to watch Janelle perform at Dixie's Tellabration at the St. George Opera House which featured all of the District Storyteller Winners along with a couple adult story-tellers.  All of the kids who participated got a certificate and a $10.00 award.  It was fun to watch the story-tellers perform their stories and Janelle did a fabulous job!  Later on Janelle got awarded a medal at a school assembly.

 

Jaiden's Thanksgiving Tree

Jaiden made this darling "Thanksgiving Tree" in Activity Days! 

Nov. 10-17 and District Storytelling Festival

This week we had the usual array of interpreting, working, teaching, school, piano, dance, young mens/womens and so forth.  Sunday we attended Stake Conference.

Tues. 12:  We continued driving practice with Jase.  Jase took the PLAN test, which is a test that helps students prepare for the ACT.  He did very well on it getting 100% on the Math portion. Janika went on a required career day field-trip to Dixie University even though she was sick.

Wed. 13:  My mom and dad were involved in a car accident on their way to their Ensign Club tonight.  They had a neighbor in the back.  They were turning left and a car was trying to beat the light and T-boned them knocking their car over on it's side.  Their brand new Lexus was totaled, but the safety features in the car may well have saved their life.  Some bystanders helped get them out of the car and they walked away without a scratch.  We are so grateful that they were okay!

Thurs. 14:  Playgroup was at my home with eight little girls ages six and under.  They were pretty good but it was difficult keeping an eye on everyone at once since they all wanted to run around outside.

I checked Janelle and Jaiden out of school after playgroup to bring them to their annual eye appointment.  I had Rick meet me there after work so that I could go straight to DSU to teach my ASL class and he could bring them home.  Then I went straight to a Pre-SEP meeting for Josh's Chinese Immersion Class.

Friday 15:  Friday I got a sub for work and brought Janelle to the District Story-telling Competition that she was competing in.  She did AWESOME!!  We found out a few days later that she got a perfect score and won FIRST place in her category!!  There were 30 or more kids in her category between the morning group and the afternoon group (all who had already won in their various schools) and so to win first place is really impressive!

Saturday 16:  Yesterday after school I had Den Mtg. at our house and we passed off the Basketball Merit Badge (with eight VERY hyper boys!)   Then Rick and I went out to dinner and then did an interpreting job together.  Today I had an all day interpreting job and Rick and the kids worked hard cleaning all day.   

Sunday 17:  Today I was the "cookie grandma" for nursery even though I am definitely not a grandma!  My nephew opened his mission call tonight.  Many family and friends gathered at his home and me and my boys called in so that we could hear the news.  He got called to Nashville, Tennessee!

Jaiden's Thanksgiving Tree

Jaiden made this darling "Thanksgiving Tree" in Activity Days!

Nov. 4-9

Monday (Nov. 4): Today is Derek and Danielle's 6th Wedding Anniversary!   I interpreted Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Dixie like I do every week.

Tuesday (Nov. 5):  I had an early interpreting appointment this morning and then ran a few errands while I was out.  I taught my ASL class tonight like I do every Tuesday and Thursday.  Jared, Janelle, and Jaiden had a "students-only" piano recital at their piano teacher's (Lisa Dunkley) house.

Rick and I went to the temple tonight at 7:00 and so I finally got to see the new movie!  When I had gone to the ASL sessions, they didn't have the new movie ready with ASL yet.  There was so much more emotion with this one -- I really liked it!   But it is really difficult having temple night on a school night -- especially so late -- so I think we will stick with the Deaf Branch Temple Night which is on Saturday nights at an earlier time.  It works so much better with our family. 

Wednesday (Nov. 6) Josh went to a fieldtrip with his school class to go see "Peter Pan" at Dixie High School.  They always do a fabulous job on their shows.  Jenna had an extra playgroup this morning to make up for a missed one last week.  The kids had piano lessons after school and then Jaiden had her weekly jazz/hip hop dance lesson and the older kids had Young Mens and Young Womens. 

Thursday (Nov. 7):  Today is my mom's birthday!  Jenna went to playgroup this morning for three hours and so it was nice to have a few hours to get things done at home.  Tonight Rick and I went to the Jim Brickman concert at Tuacahn and really enjoyed it. 

Friday (Nov. 8):  On Fridays we have Scouts at my house after school.  I also work that day and so I have very little time to try and get things cleaned up before they come.  I finish interpreting at 1:00 and then hurry and pick up the kids from school at 1:15.  Then we have Scouts at my house at 2:00 (I am the Bear Leader).  It is always stressful trying to hurry and get the house presentable before everyone arrives.  We combine with two other wards and so we have 8 Bear Scouts and three leaders.  We played Charades for Scouts and then boys had a fun time. 

That evening Rick and I went to his Seminary Faculty Party.  They have their "Christmas" party in November because December is so busy.  I am grateful because if it was in December I would have to go alone with Rick is out caroling every night.  I was grateful that they made special gluten-free accommodations for me so that I could enjoy a delicious meal and dessert with everyone else.

After the party Rick and I walked over to the high school to watch Pineview's production of "The King and I."  Rick doesn't like that play but wanted to support his students who are in it.  We also wanted to support their director, Annie, who used to be one of our carolers several years ago.  They did a great job with the show and I was impressed with their talent!

Saturday (Nov. 9):  Rick and the carolers had an all day rehearsal today -- starting at 6:00 a.m.  Yuck!  The kids always want it early so that it will end earlier and they will still have some time for fun.  I would think that teenagers would want to sleep in!  It is difficult to sleep with a houseful of teenagers in my basement singing and playing bells!  I do enjoy listening to their beautiful music -- just not at 6:00 a.m.!  Corri Theobald provided a big delicious breakfast for all of the carolers. 

We have been trying to squeeze in driving time with Jase and so Rick took him driving today after the rehearsal.  Then Rick and I went to the adult session of Stake Conference tonight.  Rick always grumbles about "one more meeting" when it comes to Saturday night Stake Conference.  But I love going because it is one of the few times I get to hold hands with my husband and actually pay attention to the speakers without constant distractions from kids! 

Jim Brickman

Rick got us tickets to the Jim Brickman concert tonight in the outdoor Tuacahn Amphitheater.  We bundled up in coats and blankets and enjoyed holding hands and snuggling with "America's Romantic Piano Sensation"  (as Jim Brickman humorously kept referring to himself throughout the night)!   It was very romantic and relaxing and we thoroughly enjoyed it!

Funeral Weekend

After the funeral and graveside service, Jaiden and Janelle went with Shane and Alicia to their house in Lindon in order to attend their cousin Adria's birthday party.  It was her 9th birthday.  The kids had a blast at the party and were SO excited to be able to sleep over at Adria and Rella's house!

Janika had been planning on going to her High School Sadie Hawkins Dance tonight with her friend, Eric Theobald.  They were planning on doubling with their caroler friends, Tori and Trent. But then we learned that my Grandma's Funeral was today which caused a change of plans.  I felt bad about Janika having to cancel her date for Sadie Hawkins, but she handled it very well and I was so proud of her attitude and maturity.

While we were up North Janika wanted to take the opportunity to go see her friend, Brandon Healey," perform in his high school show, "West Side Story" in Ogden since it happened to be opening that weekend.  We were very grateful for Gerilyn and her willingness to take her so that she could go see it.  Rick and I had our own plans for the evening and were grateful that everything fell into place for that as well.  

We slept over at my mom and dad's again.  Sunday morning we were planning on getting family photos done since Alicia had offered to take some for us.  But we woke up to rain and snow and it was very cold.  So we cancelled the photo session.  We went to sacrament meeting and then headed home.  It was Fast Sunday but most of the kids only fasted for breakfast.  Rick and I fasted until we got home.
    
We picked up the girls from Shane and Alicia's.  Alicia said that the party was pretty crazy with about twenty girls!  She had made each of them these darling bags and our girls loved them.  We were grateful that everything went smoothly for the weekend and glad that we were able to attend my Grandma's funeral.  I have really thought about my grandma and her life a lot since then.

My mom had a couple of big tubs of clothes that were my grandmas and asked me to go through them and see if I wanted anything.  She had lost a lot of weight during her last years and was pretty tiny and most of the clothes were too small.  But there were a few jackets that fit and I have ended up really liking them and I always think of her when I wear them!

Impromptu Photo Shoot

The leaves were so beautiful behind the church at my Grandma's Funeral that Rick and I did a little impromptu photo shoot!

 

Grandma Norman's Funeral

Grandma Norman's funeral was held on November 2, 2013.  We wanted to come and so we packed up our family and headed up North as soon as school was out on Friday, Dec. 1st.   We arrived at my mom and dad's house that evening and fed the kids and then got everyone's beds ready.  Saturday morning we got everyone ready and headed out to the funeral.  We arrived early in time to run through the musical number that our family was singing.   It was the medley of "Love at Home" and "Love One Another" that Rick wrote.  We asked Gerilyn to play for us and so she and Grandma Jensen met us at the church.  The song went well and I really felt the spirit then and throughout the whole meeting.  Aunt Nelva spoke along with Merrill and Lorrie.  All of the grand-kids and great-grandkids sang "I Am a Child of God" and I felt a little emotional looking around at the amazing (and big) posterity Grandma and Grandpa have left behind and feeling grateful to be a part of it!  (I will add the program when I get a scanned copy of it).