Halloween!!

This week was all of the Halloween festivities. We didn't get around to carving pumpkins this year -- didn't even think about it until Halloween day -- and then the kids were like, "when are we going to carve pumpkins?" We said it was probably too late now and they whined and complained, but got over it. I helped with Jenna's school party and later that night my friend, Allison and I took Jenna, Clarissa, and Anna (the three corpse brides) and Audrey (Deb from Napoleon Dynamite) trick-or-treating on Arrowhead and Vineyard and the streets off of Vineyard. We had a great time visiting with all of our old ward members. One of them had a big popcorn machine and homemade root beer. Another had homemade doughnuts. One house had a fire pit with barbecued meat and another had an entire spread of carne esadas with meat, toppings, chips, salsa etc. It was really fun, albeit a little cooler than normal (by St. George standards -- it would probably seem very warm to all of you!) 

The next day Amy (Anna's mom) sent us a text with a picture of something Anna found in her Halloween treat bag. It was called "Cheeba Chews." It was marijuana! Can you believe that? So Allison and I were freaking out and checking all of our girls' candy. We were wondering who in our neighborhood would be passing out marijuana chews to kids for Halloween! They called the police to come pick it up. Rick had gone out of town and Jase (who was actually home for once) was saying something about how some people put razor-blades in Halloween candy. I said, "Please don't say that to Jenna..." He said, "Woops, too late." Jenna was in her room at 10:30 at night, way past her bedtime, and having a fit, shaking and bawling about the possibility of having knives and drugs in her candy! (Thanks a lot, Jase). We assured her that everything was fine and she finally went to sleep. When I told Rick later he said, "I would have just told her that she had better just give me all her candy to be safe -- that would have shut her up!" Anyway, the police said that they didn't have any other reports and they finally concluded that it must have been an accident -- perhaps an elderly person who inadvertently put it in their candy bowl... 

And just for fun, here is a throwback to when Jaiden made this picture of Thing 1 and Thing 2 for Reflections in the first grade! 

Anna Ence, Jenna Jensen, Clarissa Williams (Dead Brides)

 

Shawn Prince's Funeral and LD Singer Reunion

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend the funeral of a college friend, Shawn T. Prince, who passed away unexpectedly from complications due to undetected Lymphoma. From what I was told, Shawn had gone into the hospital thinking he might have Pneumonia. He was admitted and they weren’t sure what was wrong. They eventually realized that he had stage four Lymphoma and his organs had shut down. Shawn had just gotten engaged nine days before he passed away. So sad!

Shawn and I were in LD Singers together at Snow College. Many of us former LD Singers had the honor of gathering together to pay tribute to Shawn by singing "Bonding," a song that is very special to us, at his funeral. It was an incredible experience to join together with friends, many of whom I hadn't seen in over 30 years!

It was a day filled with tears, hugs, and beautiful memories. I could picture Shawn with a huge smile on his face watching many of his friends reunite in his honor. I am grateful that Shawn was willing to share his talents and testimony with us through the years through music. Years ago Shawn wrote a song called, "That We Might Live Again." He sang this at my missionary homecoming with Mark Tarr and with my sister, Jeni, and her good friend, Jen. The overall message of the song is: "For us all to live again, our Savior died." I am grateful that he could share this beautiful testimony with all of us! Here is Shawn’s Obituary: Shawn Prince Obituary

I am also full of gratitude at the opportunity to reunite with my Snow College friends. Since we hadn't seen each other in 30 years I worried that it might be awkward -- what if we didn't recognize each other? But we totally did!  We were immediately calling each other by name and hugging each other and crying.  I thought – this must be what heaven will be like – joyous reunions with friends and family that we haven’t seen in a long time. We said that it was sad that it took a death to bring us all back together and everyone said how we need to keep in better touch with one other.

It was just like we were transported into the past 30 years as we shared stories and memories with each other. It was really a special day. Even Brother Willmore was able to come and it was so great to see him! Wendy Breck was my best friend at Snow. People called us twins -- Wendy Woo and Wendy Boo -- because we were always together. I was one of her bridesmaids at her wedding. But life goes on and people lose touch. I hadn't seen her for so many years! I am grateful that she came and that we were able to finally talk in person! I am so grateful for good friends in my life! 

 Wendy Woo and Lesli Fellows Neigbergall -- Snow College Roomies and Lifetime Friends!! 

The Three Wendys: 

 Wendy Mo, Wendy Boo, Wendy Woo (Wendy Mohlman, Wendy Breck, Wendy Westra)

LD Singers 1986-87 

Spirit Week!

Jaiden: Fifties Day; Jaiden and Emily: Camo Day 

Jenna, Clarissa, and Anna: Super Hero Day

 

 

Josh Fall Concert

Josh's Honor's Choir put on an awesome Fall Concert tonight! I love their choir outfits this year. They look really sharp!

Josh's soccer team is doing awesome! They have won every game so far! 

Janelle's 16th Birthday Party

For Janelle's 16th Birthday party she had a bunch of friends over for games and snacks! 

Caroler Retreat

Our Caroler Retreat was tonight! We had a murder mystery dinner, games, and workshops! 

  

Fall Break and Janelle's 16th Birthday!!

This week we had our Fall Break (Thursday and Friday). It was really nice to have a break from school, work, and other commitments. Janika babysat for our neighbors. I spent part of Thursday morning in the rain wedding the flower beds because they were starting to look really bad. Rick  decided to go to Vegas all day Thursday to interpret and I had an interpreting job Friday morning.

Janika and Brandon came for the weekend and it was great spending time with them. Grandma Jensen also came for the weekend. Julie was helping with a family wedding and so Grandma came with her and stayed with us. Friday Janika and Brandon and I took the kids to the all abilities park and then Rick grilled hamburgers and hotdogs for dinner. Julie dropped off Jhi and Neko to play with our kids for a little bit and they all loved that! We all watched a movie tonight.  

Saturday we pretty much just hung out. Jhi and Neko came over to play for a couple of hours while her mom and grandma were helping at the wedding. Our kids had a great time playing with them. They are so cute! Saturday Rick gave Janelle a dozen white roses for her birthday and this sweet note asking her out on her first date!!

Saturday night Janika and Brandon went out to dinner with Rick and I and Jase. We went to Kai'li's -- the Basso's restaurant. I was impressed -- it was really good! They had given Janika and Brandon a gift certificate for two free meals for their wedding. 

We then all celebrated Janelle's birthday with cheesecake and then stayed up and played Mafia and Tellestrations. 

Sunday was Janelle's birthday. I can't believe she is 16!!!! We had her open her presents in the morning. She even let me take her picture in her pajamas with her bed-head hair, no make on, and her retainer still in her mouth. Love this beautiful girl! Our family then played a game of Kahoot "How well do you know Janelle?" that she put together for her party this Friday. We also had a little lesson. 

We went to church and Janika, Janelle, Jaiden, and Jenna sang, "The Miracle" in sacrament meeting for the musical number. It was beautiful! Janika and Brandon left after sacrament meeting to pack up and head home. Grandma left this morning before church.  

Columbus Day Concert

I loved the Columbus Day Concert tonight! It was very patriotic! Janelle sang with both the Madrigals and the concert choir. The orchestra did an awesome job too!