Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Jensen Update -- June 2021

  

 June Update: 

*Jaiden and Jenna took care of our neighbor's big dog for a few days while they were out of town. It was a bit overwhelming, but they got paid well! 

*Jaiden and Jenna had their dance concert!! They both did great! Click HERE for more details. I took some videos of their dances. If you are interested the videos are in Dropbox in our shared folder: 2021--Jensen Pictures--Jensen Videos

*Jaiden got her Patriarchal Blessing! 

*Jaiden and Janelle went boating with friends at Quail Lake

*Jenna, Jaiden, and Janelle went to Girls' Camp!! It has always been run by the stake before, but now (after lots of requests) they are going to alternate camp on a ward level and then on a Stake level. This was the first one on a ward level. They went "glamour camping," which is basically staying in a nice big house/cabin in Big Rock Candy Mountain. They went zip lining, floated down a river, hiking, played games, did skits, went snipe hunting, ate well, and had an all around good time! 

*Janelle had to appointment with the Stake President to submit her mission papers!! (On June 15th)

*Jenna started a dance camp with a friend at a different studio from where she currently takes dance. It is basically like a punch card where they can pick and choose which classes they want to go to on which days, up to 16 classes. I was hoping that she would get a feel for what kind of dance she likes best. The girls' current studio only does modern dance. So far she said that she likes Hip Hop best. 

*I had loads of interpreting jobs! 

*Jenna hurt her wrist by flying off of her bike, but thankfully it wasn't broken 

*Josh went to Lake Powell with the Young Men and was able to learn how to surf behind the boat! 

*We went to Rella's dance concert and really enjoyed it! She is a great dancer! We enjoyed dinner with Shane and Alicia's family and Mom and Dad afterwards.

*We had a great time at the Father's Day party! We stayed over at Janika and Brandon's town home Saturday and Sunday night while Janika and Brandon were in Bear Lake at his family cabin. 

*The kids all did the FH History Challenge by filling out a questionnaire about their dad. You can read that HERE

*The kids had some water fun at Alicia's house with Adria, Rella, Calder, Ani, Layla, and Noelle!

*The kids also enjoyed visiting Chris and seeing his treehouse, sauna, rockwork, and cool polished rocks! 

*We visited Grandma Jensen for the day and Jaiden and Janelle painted their little graduation dolls (a Jensen tradition). *Those who were available came swimming over at Grandma and Grandpa Westra's house! The kids had fun with their cousins!  

*Jaiden and I went to see Les Miserables at the Hale Center Theatre in Sandy. We absolutely loved it!! 

*Jaiden had a swimming party with her dance studio classes

*Jaiden and I ran out to Crimson Cliffs to watch Colton's basketball game since he was in St. George for a tournament. We only saw the second half of the game, but Colton did great! Afterwards I took Jaiden out for a smoothie and we practiced interview questions for Distinguished Young Women. 

*Josh started summer soccer practices and they finally started giving him some hours with his new job

*Tuesday, June 29: Janelle got her mission call to Taipei Taiwan!!! LOTS of people came to support her in opening her call and there lots more joining in on Zoom. This picture only shows some of the people there -- there were lots more who showed up after the picture was taken! (So they missed the announcement, ha ha!)  

Click HERE for the Facebook Post about her mission!

*Ellen started having contractions and ended up in the hospital on the same day that Janelle got her call. So they joined in on the Zoom call along with the other family members.

*Rick and I interpreted for Tuacahn's show of Annie

*It looks like Baby Evan will be born soon!! 

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Janelle's Mission Call!!

Janelle has been SO anxious to receive and read her mission call!! Of course this is totally understandable! She had tons of people there in person and lots more who joined in over zoom!! You can see her opening her call HERE!! 

We are all beyond excited!! Janelle will be a fantastic missionary! Here is a group picture of those who came out to support her -- and there were lots more who showed up throughout the evening (missing the announcement, ha ha!)
In case you missed it, she is going to the Taiwan Taipei Mission!! Now she can put her three years of High School Chinese to good use! She reports to the MTC on November 15 and will be teaching the gospel in the Mandarin Chinese language! 

Sunday, June 27, 2021

The Best Dad Ever!!

For Father's Day we had all of the kids answer a questionnaire about their dads. I put the responses of our kids together with some pictures (it looks like we need to get some more updated pictures of some of them) to highlight the amazing dad that Rick is!

Janika


1.  When I spend time with Dad, we like to?

Go for walks and catch up

2.  Dad is really good at?

Getting to know people and making them feel special when he hasn't seen them or heard from them in a while. There were frequent overheard phone calls growing up of "OH MY NIGHT (insert name here in all caps) HOW ARE YOU?!!!" and shouting across the grocery store in a similar manner haha.

3.  How am I like my Dad?

I'm told we look alike and we share a similar love of singing and performing (but not in choirs. We were both born to be stars. 😉😂)

4.  How am I not like my Dad?

He is SIGNIFICANTLY louder than I am!

5.  I know my Dad loves me because? He made sure to take time to talk with each of us kids one on one as frequently as possible about everything - life, goals for the future, and doing all he can to help us get there.

6.  My Dad's favorite food is?

Actually not totally sure of this one - Chinese food? Or dad hash maybe?

7.  At home, my Dad likes to? Trudge around the house and dramatically act like no one has been more tired than he in that moment. Also sing and dance in the kitchen depending on the day.

8.  Something funny about my Dad is? He does not understand the concept of dating exclusively and tried to set me up with multiple guys while I had a boyfriend... And once even when Brandon (boyfriend at the time) had come to meet my parents in Saint George!

9.  My favorite memory with Dad is? I'm sure there's more, but what comes to mind is being in Tuacahn's Les Miserables together. I really loved that we were able to do such a big new thing together and just have that be our thing.

10.  What I love most about my Dad?

He does so much to strengthen our family in many ways to make sure we are able to learn to overcome, meet goals, and just improve in general, and I'm really grateful for that example.



Jase

 

1.  When I spend time with Dad, we like to?

Talk, I just enjoy seeking his advice and getting closer to him. 

2.  Dad is really good at?

Managing his finances. This is a skill that I’m really grateful he taught me. 

3.  How am I like my Dad?

We are both very cheap and only use coupons. 

4.  How am I not like my Dad?

My dad does not like animals, but my wife got us some pets and now I am a definite cat person. 

5.  I know my Dad loves me because?

He already wants to know what’s going on in my life and genuinely listens to the answer I give. 

6.  My Dad's favorite food is?

I have no idea.... Salmon I guess?

7.  At home, my Dad likes to?

Spend time with mom or just relax. 

8.  Something funny about my Dad is?

He comes up with great holiday traditions that other families think are so weird, but we love them. 

9.  My favorite memory with Dad is?

He is really great at April fools jokes and it was hilarious every time he pulled a prank on someone.

10.  What I love most about my dad?

He is loving, caring, and knew how to raise us kids perfectly. I hope to raise my kids well just like he did.




Ellen Jensen (for her Dad):


1.  When I spend time with Dad, we like to visit Home Depot and prep for home projects. 

2.  Dad is really good at helping everyone have a good time playing instruments and singing karaoke really loud! 

3.  I am like my Dad because we're both touchy people. 

4.  I am not like my Dad because he is much more outgoing than I am. 

5.  I know my Dad loves me because he will always help me and be there for me!

6.  My Dad's favorite food is peanut M&M's. 

7.  At home, my Dad likes to listen to his music super loud!

8.  Something funny about my Dad is how annoying he tries to be when he wants attention. 

9.  My favorite memory with Dad is going on a solo trip with him and my mom after I came home from my mission. 

10.  What I love most about my Dad is that I know I can always count on him. He is a wonderful example of what a righteous priesthood holder should be and showed me what kind of person I wanted to marry!




Jared

 

1. When I spend time with dad, we like to have a good talk wherever we go, play some pickleball, talk about the gospel, just do something fun!

2. Dad is really good at teaching the gospel! I remember being amazed at his ability when I went to an efy and he taught over 400 youth at once, with a very strong spirit! It’s definitely one of his spiritual gifts!

3. How am I like my dad? Dad and I are very alike. A lot of people have told me we look a lot alike and we act really similar! We’re both very high energy and love talking to people!

4. How am I not like my dad? Although we’re a lot alike, we do have different interests. He’s very into music and I’m really into things like sports! Although he’s pretty much always willing to play some good pickle ball with me!

5. I know my dad loves me because: I can tell because of everything he taught me growing up that he really cares! I think of how our Heavenly Father sent us here to earth because he loves us and wants us to be able to progress as much as possible and be as happy as possible. I feel that’s what my dad does too. He lets me face my challenges and helps me face them but does it in a way to help me grow. I appreciate all he’s taught me! He also just tells me all the time! Every time he tells one of us kids it goes a long way!

6. My dads fav food? I actually don’t know what his top favorite is, but I know a lot of his favorites. I remember as a kid he would always hype up Chinese food which I hated cause I was really picky. I’ve since repented of that and love his stir fry. He loves salmon, he loves grilling marinated chicken... he just likes to cook and is good at it! (Except for the hot dog soup incident which he tries to make us forget but I don’t think we ever will haha) 

7. At home, my dad likes to: be in the studio and make new songs, go swimming with us kids, make dinner entertaining by “creating his own restaurants” where he will literally become a different person/character he creates for the evening— you just gotta witness it it’s hilarious.

8. Something funny about my dad is: this man is just one of the funniest guys I know. Seriously when he dresses up and talks in his accents for Mother’s Day tea it always makes me laugh! He could definitely be a famous actor and lets us know constantly that he gave up that lifestyle to raise 7 kids haha!

9. My favorite memory with dad is: like I mentioned before he is really funny when we do our Mother’s Day tea tradition. In fact I think Mother’s Day tea and Father’s Day flee is where I have my favorite memories with dad. It seems to be where he’s happiest - teaching his kids and having fun while doing it! 

10. What I love most about my dad? My dad is my hero. I want to be just like him! He is funny, energetic, and has one of those personalities where people just want to be around him! I think if I could go back in time and could meet him when he was my age we would be good friends. We are good friends now either way though! I love how hardworking he is, and how much he loves all us kids! He is so awesome and I love him so much!




Janelle


1.  When I spend time with Dad, we like to? Go out to lunch!

2.  Dad is really good at? Being straightforward and telling the solid truth. 

3.  How am I like my Dad?

I don't really know, he has a really strong testimony and I also have a strong testimony.

4.  How am I not like my Dad? He will tell someone if something is wrong, I just tend to suck it up. 

5.  I know my Dad loves me because? He interviews with me and cares about my progress.

6.  My Dad's favorite food is? I really don't know... But we have a lot of burgers!

7.  At home, my Dad likes to? Sing and make my friends uncomfortable 😂

8.  Something funny about my Dad is? He never proofreads his texts and we have gotten some very interesting messages. 

9.  My favorite memory with Dad is? Performing with him!

10.  What I love most about my Dad? The way he has raised us and grounded us in the gospel!




Jaiden


1. when I spend time with dad we like to play games and talk.

2. dad is really good at fixing things in our house

3. I am like my dad because we both like to be center stage 😂

4. I'm not like my dad because I don't like public speaking

5. I know my dad loves me because he's always willing to practice interview questions with me

6. my dad's favorite food is anything he makes ahaha

7. at home my dad likes to sing as loud as he can 

8. something funny about dad is he can make soup out of anything, even hot dogs

9. my favorite memory with my dad is recording songs with him in the studio

10. what I love most about my dad is that he's always willing to spend time with me even though we're both busy



Josh


1. When I spend time with Dad, we like to? Play pickleball

2. Dad is really good at? Pickleball

3. How am I like my Dad? We can both sing

4. How am I not like my dad? I'm good at sports

5. I know my dad loves me because? He always tells me

6. My dad's favorite food is? Chocolate covered strawberries

7. At home my dad likes to? Take a nap or watch TV

8. Something funny about me dad is? He likes Meghan Trainor

9. My favorite memory about my dad is: Playing board games

10. What I love most about my dad? He is funny


Jenna


1. When I spend time with Dad, we like to? Go out to lunch

2. Dad is really good at? Pickle ball

3. How am I like my Dad? Music

4. How am I not like my dad? He likes work

5. I know my dad loves me because? He tells me all the time

6. My dad's favorite food is? Chinese food

7. At home my dad likes to? Work

8. Something funny about me dad is? The way he can't spell

9. My favorite memory about my dad is: Telling me scary stories

10. What I love most about my dad? He is funny


(This picture was taken in October 2021 and added to this post later!)



And some more pictures...