Early Christmas Eve and Christmas!!

We had a fun Christmas with the family! We rented an Airbnb in Orem. It was a spacious house with seven bedrooms and so we had a room for every couple and a room for Jaiden and Jenna to share and one where Evan and Eli could sleep. The other grandkids slept in the same room as their parents. The master bedroom and bathroom were huge with a gigatic shower with shower heads on the walls and ceiling. Some of the other rooms were pretty small, but that's okay, as it allowed everyone to have their own sleeping space. 

There was a big backyard with a trampoline, basketball area, and playground for the kids. I booked the place clear last August and at the time I didn't know if it would be much too cold for the playground in December, but the weather was unseasonably warm for this time of year. It felt like St. George weather! So the kids were able to play outside for hours! The adults also had a great time playing speed on the basketball court! 

I liked the Airbnb, but they it wasn't stocked very well and so that was frustrating. Things they didn't have that I wished they had was: cooking spray, kitchen scissors, shampoo and conditioner, hair dryer, scrubbers to wash the dishes wish etc. But I liked the house and neighborhood and I think I would return. I would just make sure to bring a bunch of extra stuff from home. From staying in past Airbnb homes I have learned that I need to bring tinfoil, plastic wrap, ziploc bags, more wash cloths and dish towels (they NEVER have enough) and specific cooking thing if needed. Now I need to add shampoo and conditioner and bars of soap to the list. 

We checked in right at 4:00. The host's name was Forrest and he was very responsive. In fact he was there bringing some new pans and hot pads because apparently people walk off with stuff like that. Maybe that is why they keep supplies at the bare minimum! We fixed dinner, which always takes longer than we anticipate. The cheesy potatoes always take way longer than I think they will. I need to up the temperature and cook them without the foil because it seems to cook faster that way. 

We had everyone bring things for the dinner this year and that really helped things go more quickly and smoothly. We had a delicious dinner of ham (Brandon cooked on his smoker at home and then brought), cheesy potatoes (Janika made), salad, veggies (Ellen made), rolls, martinellis with "Better Than Sex Cake" for dessert -- one regular and one gluten free (made by Janelle and Bryton). Although apparently they didn't think it was really better than sex and so they changed the name to "Love Cake," ha ha! Jared kind of got in trouble with the family for booking a DJ gig tonight and promised not to do that next year! So he and Hallie didn't arrived until 7:45 missing the dinner, lesson, and part of the sibling gifts. 

After dinner we cleaned up and then Rick gave a little lesson upstairs in the theater room. He always does a great job with that. This one included an object lesson using some clay face masks, relating it to the healing and cleansing power of atonement of Jesus Christ. He gave everyone face masks that they would put on later. Then we did the siblings gifts. The only rule for the sibling gift is that they have to make the gift. The gifts have gotten better and more creative through the years. 

Jenna's gift to Jaiden was a hair kit. She designed a box and put together a tutorial -- both written and video that included instructions on how to improve your hair. Then she had a bunch of hair products. She really spent a lot of time on it and it turned out really cute. Jared and Bryton made Jenna a bunch of homemade scrunchies, which turned out really cute! 

Jaiden made a funny video for Jared and Hallie about Jared's life as a Jedi. She spent 5 or 6 hours making it. It was super cute and creative! We all watched it up in the theater room and everyone got a big laugh out of it. 

Jared gave Janika and Brandon a card saying that they would babysit their kids for a night out and included a gift card to Costa Vida. Jase and Ellen made Janelle and Bryton a darling coloring book. They had taken several pictures of Janelle and Bryton and changed the pictures to drawing that they could color. It was super cute! Janika and Brandon made darling crayons in the shape of letters for Evan, Eli, and Elsie. That was super fun too. We were so impressed with everyone's gifts! 

After sibling gifts the kids went to bed and the adults stayed up and played games. We played a game called ..... which we enjoyed. Then Rick put out gifts and went to bed and the girls and I put out the stockings. 

The next morning the kids were up early, but their parents kept them entertained with a movie in the theater room. We all joined them around 8:30 and went down for stockings and presents! Christmas is always more fun when there are young children and it was fun watching the grandkids open their gifts! 

Giving beef stew is a kind of a funny family tradition that has occurred on and off through the years. The kids always loved beef stew and always begged their dad to buy it. But he said it was too expensive and only would get it if it was on a good sale. So he would add it to their stockings and easter baskets (if he found a good sale) and they were always so excited to get their very own beef stew! So apparently there was a sale recently and so he got some for the kids. We were happy that the airbnb had a Christmas tree! 

I loved the gifts that the kids got us. They had a really funny group text where they exchanged ideas back and forth. Janika showed me their chat and I got a good laugh out of it! Jenna told them all of the things that were broken in our kitchen and so they decided to get replacements for all of those things, which was a great idea and perfect gift! We have two spatulas at home -- one of which is melted and the other which sheds plastic. So they got us a new set of spatulas. 

We keep using broken wire whisks with no handles and missing wires, and so they got us new wire whisks. It is funny, because it would have been easy enough for us to replace all of these things, but I just don't think about it or get around to it! Our rice cooker has a missing foot and so we have to balance something under it on one side. So they got us a rice cooker. We have this big tupperware bowl and lid, which I got at a garage sale probably over 25 years ago. I love that bowl and lid and use them all of the time. Well, the lid finally cracked on one side a year or so ago, and so I added some duct tape to it to hold it together. Well, Janika did some digging and found the exact bowl and lid set (now vintage) on ebay and bought it for us. I was pretty excited about that!

Jase had mentioned in the text list that we only have like three spoons and that he was pretty sure his boys took two of the three spoons to the sandbox! We do have more than three, of course, but can never seem to find them. So they got us two boxes of new utensils and a utensil holder and organizers for our drawers. Our electric knife recently gave out and so we had no electric knife to carve the turkey last Thanksgiving. So an electric knife was also included in the package!! Janika also got a rug to replace our old, worn out rug by our front door. I am a very practical person and so I was thrilled that every gift was something that we needed! 

After gifts we hung out with the kids outside and Rick and I went for a nice walk. The kids enjoyed the tramp and playground and the adults enjoyed playing basketball. Kind of a funny story... after everyone had been playing outside for a while Janika said she could smell gas. Several other people said that they could smell it too. It was sort of on and off. She was really nervous about it and wanted us to contact the host and also the non-emergency number for the city. 

So I contacted the host and he said he would come over and check it out. Janelle called the city and they sent the fire department over. So the host comes over and then a fire truck with two firemen all decked out in their fire fighter clothes. A few neighbors came out wonderining what was going on. They brought their sensors all around the backyard and neighbor's yard but couldn't find any indications of any problems. The poor host was probably wondering what he had gotten himself into by renting his property to us. It was a little embarrassing. But the fire fighters gave fire hats to the grandkids and they were in heaven and wore them the rest of the day! 

Well, a couple of hours later Janika starts cooking the potatoes and apparently the oven was dirty and smoke starts pouring out from the oven, setting off a very loud fire alarm! No, we didn't call the fire department, but apparently the fire alarm notifies the home owner who texted me to say that he disabled the fire alarm and wanted to know if everything was okay! 

After dinner and dessert we played games and then just stayed up and talked. It was just so fun to be together. Little Elsie didn't want to miss out on any of the fun and stayed up with all of the adults. She didn't seem to be the least bit tired! 

Rick got the grandkids a really fun racetrack, similar to the one our kids had growing up. They absolutely loved it and it kep them entertained for hours!! 

Thursday morning I went for a nice walk and then we just packed and cleaned up and headed out! Then Rick, Jenna, Jaiden, and I went to Janika nad Brandon's and tended Everett and Callan so that Janika and Brandon could go out to lunch at Tucanos. They chose Tucanos since Hallie was working there all day. Then we all headed to the Westras for the Westra Christmas Eve party!! 

Christmas Sacrament Meeting Program

We had a beautiful Christmas program!! I am the music coordinator for our ward and so I am very invested in the Christmas program, and so I am glad it went so well! Our "temporary" ward Christmas Choir sounded awesome!! I tried to record the song that Jenna, Jaiden, and Emily sang, but the app decided to malfunction at that moment. Sad!! It was beautiful though! Rick and I both sang in the choir (Rick took some convincing, but I am glad that he gave in.) Jaiden also sang in the choir!

1 Opening Song: “Away in a Manger,” with the ward choir. (Congregation come in on the third verse).  

2 “Witness of Christmas,” Sung by the Primary. Accompanied by Reagan Tachiini. Led by Sophie Rees.  (This was absolutely darling! Three little girls sang little solos at the end and it was so cute!)

3  “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” sung by Alivia Jackson. Accompanied by Brooke Ence (Beautiful!!)

4 “If I was There,” sung by Paige Allred, Ethan Allred, and Chay Gubler, with Drue Ence on the violin and Josh Allred on the cello. Accompanied by Rebecca Gulbranson. (Drue and Paige wrote this song and it was gorgeous!)

5 Youth reciting “The Living Christ” (The Bishopric asked four young men and four young women to each recite a part. It was nice having the youth involved and I liked the variety of having different speakers).

6 “What Child is This,” sung by Jenna & Jaiden Jensen, and Emily Williams. Accompanied by Rebecca Gulbranson. (GORGEOUS!!! Jenna was really worried since she has been sick for the past week, including losing her voice, but the song sounded beautiful!)

7 “Peace, Peace, Peace,” sung by the Ward Choir. Accompanied by Jennie Rowan, led by Rebecca Gulbranson (Beautiful song!)

8 “Oh Holy Night,” sung by the Ward Choir. Soloists Jenna Jensen and Ethan Allred. Congregation join in when indicated. (One of my favorite songs! Jenna and Ethan did a nice job on the solo parts!)  

 
9 Closing Song: “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” with Shauntel Anderson on the organ, Rebecca Gulbranson on the piano.
(Such a powerful number!! The piano is extremely fast and complicated. Add the organ and congregation and this song is thrilling! I loved singing to this!! )

I pride myself on planning a program that ends on time (I hate when programs go over!) But we had a last minute addition to the program, which pushed us over by five minutes. But it was a beautiful number and a nice addition!

Interpreter Christmas Party

Rick sometimes complains that all of the interpreter/Deaf get-togethers are only for the girls (Girls' Night Out, Girls' Christmas Party, Girls' Hiking Trip, Girls' Camping Trip...) So he said he wanted to host an interpreter party for the interpreters AND their spouses!! We kept this one only for the interpreters, and not the Deaf, because we knew the spouses wouldn't come if the party was all in sign language! Those who came were Kelly and Curt Bunting, Andrea and Ben Luikart, Rick and I, Shauna Evans and Cari Shakespear (they both came without their husbands and so they are pretending to be a couple in this picture, haha), and Tiffany and PC Harding. 

Rick fixed a delicious salmon dinner with potatoes and vegies. Others brought side dishes and dessert. Ben brought his own food because he hates salmon. We will have to remember to fix something else next time! We tried playing a game that Tiffany brought, but it was complicated enough that no one picked up on it very well -- partly because we were all distracted and wanting to visit. If we do a game next time we might have to choose something that doesn't require any kind of concentration, haha! Several couples stayed and visited for quite a while. It was fun to get together! 

Jenna: Madrigal Salt Lake Trip

Jenna went to Salt Lake for the Madrigal Christmas trip the past couple of days and I also had the opportunity to go as a chaperone. I am really grateful that I had the opportunity to go. I have never been on the Madrigal Salt Lake trip before and I really enjoyed it! This would be my last opportunity to go and so I am glad that Mr. Moore approached me about it. 

The Madrigals met at the high school at 3:00 to head up on a school bus. I rode up with my friend Amy Ence, the other chaperone. It was really fun to visit on the way there and back. We left a half hour after the kids did, but still caught up with up them when they stopped for dinner in Fillmore. The kids continued on to SLC where they went ice skating at the Gallivan Ice Skating Rink. It was really cold. I told Jenna that she should bring a nice coat, beanie, and gloves, but she didn't listen and only brought a hoodie, so she probably froze!  

While they went ice skating Amy and I stopped in South Jordan for dinner. Amy was meeting up with some family members and so I had her drop me off at Texas Roadhouse. I got a grilled chicken salad and it was delicious. Then we headed to the Hampton Inn in downtown Salt Lake arriving shortly before the kids. Jenna said that she and Anna stayed up and listened to a scary podcast and then had to watch a Hallmark move after that to get their mind off the podcast. So they were up until 3:00 a.m. apparently, which was definitely not a good move and left them very tired the next day.

Tuesday we had breakfast at the hotel and then we all rode on the bus to the Hartvigsen School, which is a school for special needs students. I guess Mr. Moore had ordered teddy bears for the Madrigals to pass out to all of the kids, but they didn't arrive in time, so that's too bad. But the show went well and they were able to carol to some of the classrooms after. 

Then we all headed to the State Capitol Building and took a bunch of pictures and then did a concert. The accoustics were awesome and I was able to get some good videos. Then we stopped at an area where there were lots of restaurants. Jenna, Anna came with Amy and I to Cafe Zupes. I got a yummy salad. Then we all went to Trader Joes. Who knew that Trader Joes would be such a highlight of the trip, ha ha. They carry lots of yummy gluten free food and Jenna came away with a whole bag filled with snacks. 

We then went to the Joseph Smith Building. That is such a beautiful building! The set up was kind of weird though because they were singing up on the balcony with the audience below on the first floor looking up. I stayed on the second floor and walked around to the other side where I had a more eye level view. It was a bit of a rough performance. Jenna said that it was so hot and so they all felt like they were going to pass out. 

Rick met us here for that performance since he was also in Salt Lake for some work meetings. He had come up on Sunday and then stayed with him mom in Ogden and had meetings all day. He brought his mom out to dinner for a belated birthday gift and went to visit Tanner Wittwer in Primary Children's Hospital. He became very sick a week ago and they found a brain tumor. He is only 15. It is so heartbreaking! Since Rick was going up we asked the RS presidency if they wanted to send up a care package. They put together a huge basket filled with books and fruit and treats and other items as well along with a minky blanket. When Rick arrived Tanner's parents had just learned that Tanner would require surgery. We are praying so hard for him! 

Rick had to teach a class over zoom tonight and so he planned to stop in the seminary building in Fillmore to do that. So he had to rush out right after the performance.  After the performance we all went and looked at the candy display in the Macy's windows, were which so exquisite and amazing! They have these HUGE Christmas ornaments made entirely from candy. Jenna took a little cat nap on a bench in the mall. 

We then walked over to the Church History Museum for a performance there. Jenna's feet were killing her because of her church shoes. They are typically supposed to wear black performance shoes, but several of the girls had comfortable shoes, boots, or even slippers, which were a lot more warm and comfortable for walking around so much. Their feet didn't show anyway under their dresses, in fact they all had pajama pants or other pants under their dresses too, which I thought was funny. I wish we had known they could get away with alternate shoes because she would have been a lot more comfortable. 

After the performance at the Church History Museum Jenna and Anna decided that they were more tired than hungry and so they skipped dinner and took a thirty minute nap on some couches in the building. Jenna said that she slept great and that the nap really helped. We then went to the tabernacle building for the next performance. That is such a beautiful, iconic building with great acoustics. Being there brought back a lot of memories from when I sang with the Mormon Youth Chorus as a young adult. 

Jenna said that they loved singing there because the building was so cool. After that there was time to walk around temple square, but it was really cold and so everyone headed over to the conference center, where they had their final performance. It was a busy day, but fun to follow them around and hear them sing. 

Then we headed back to the hotel for a meeting with the group, where Mr. Moore emotionally gave a sad announcement that he wouldn't be with them after this semester. All four of my girls had Mr. Moore as their director in Madrigals and we really grew to love and respect him. He retired in 2020 after a wonderful, successful career of directing Madrigals, band, and orchestra. Then when Mr. Leonard had to leave at the end of last year because of his family situation, Mr. Moore felt prompted to come back. But so much has changed in the past five years and it was a really rough transition for everyone. There were lots of differences in opinion, and drama in the group, and kids started dropping out. About ten members of the group ended up leaving, which was really unfair to everyone else. This is why the numbers are so small. It was all very unfortunate. 

As for Jenna, I wish she enjoyed Madrigals as much as her sisters did. She was in Madrigals last year with Mr. Leonard and seemed to enjoy it okay, but wasn't passionate about it. She wasn't going to do it again this year but I convinced her to audition again. I was so excited that Mr. Moore was coming back and wanted her to be able to have him as a director. But then there was conflict in the group and she really struggled with the earlier time. With Mr. Leonard they met Monday through Thursday at 7:00, with Fridays off, but with Mr. Moore it was every other day at 6:40. The previous time worked better for Jenna and she and her friends went to the temple every Friday morning since they didn't have Madrigals that day. 

Jenna is also taking lots of college classes and an AP class this year and kept both her jobs (Tuacahn and lifeguard) and so she doesn't have a lot of down time. Mr. Moore required (or very strongly encouraged) them to take Concert Choir along with Madrigals and so I signed Jenna up for Concert Choir. She was at FSY in the summer during Class Choice and so I am the one who put together her schedule. But she hated Concert Choir. She said that the only reason she survived Madrigals last year was because she had a free period right after on some of the days (not really a free period, but an online class). So she could roll out of bed and go to Madrigals and then come home and take a shower and get ready for the day. 

She said that having Madrigals and Concert Choir back to back was exhausting. So I wished that I had listened to Jenna and let her take an online class after Madrigals, like last year, and not forced her to take Concert Choir. She would have had to get special permission and learn the songs on her own, but it definitely would have been better than listening to her complain about it everyday. 

The school will be getting an new director, and I wish Jenna would continue, but she has already decided that she is not going to, which makes me so sad! I have LOVED watching my children perform through the years! I was already so sad that Jenna didn't want to be involved with the plays anymore and will miss hearing her sing with the Madrigals. 

On the upside though, Rick has decided to put together a caroling group again in conjunction with Liberty Village. Jenna only got to be a caroler one year, several years ago, and she is excited about being able to do it again. So I guess the timing is good in that way. So I WILL be able to still watch her perform, and I am excited about that! Carolers is a lot smaller, more personal, and includes acting, bells, and sign language. I think it will be a better fit for her. But I am grateful that she was able to participate in Madrigals under TWO amazing directors over the past couple of years. I am sure she has learned a lot from her experience and I look forward to seeing her perform in a different way in the future.  

Jenna and Anna Ence 

Thanksgiving Week!!

We had a great Thanksgiving week! I had the week off from work at Utah Tech and Jaiden had the week off from SUU. We went shopping for wedding dress and she narrowed it down to two dresses that she really likes! We will wait and check out some other stores. She isn't officially engaged yet, but since we know it will happen soon we wanted to set up some appointments while she was home for the break! (We did come back two months later to Bell Tower Bridal to buy the one that was her favorite!!) 

Monday night I met Tiffany Harding at Tuacahn so that could preview the musical, Elf, since we will be interpreting it in December. Tuesday Jenna had a dentist appointment and Jaiden and I went to another bridal place called Mae's bridal. This was a little rental shop in someone's house. But there wasn't a very big selection and she didn't find anything she was interested in. We stopped by a few possible venue places on the way home. 

Janika and Brandon's family arrived on Tuesday night. It was nice that they could come for so many days! Jase and Ellen's family, on the other hand, headed up north -- so they swapped places!! Ellen's brother, Danny, was getting home from his mission the day before Thanksgiving and having his Homecoming the Sunday after and so they went up for all of that!

Janelle and Bryton also came down. They stayed at his the Gustins, but came over for our Thanksgiving lunch and other activities. Jason also came down on Tuesday or Wednesday. Wednesday night we had the BIG two and a half hour interview with Jason!! The rest of the family watched a movie. It went well! We have the questions and answered documented for posterity, ha ha!  

Wednesday included a lot of baking. The girls were a huge help and Jenna made a ton of stuff. Then we had our Thanksgiving meal thursday around 1:00. Everything was delicious! 

We spent the day and evening chatting, playing games, watching movies, and just enjoying each other's company! Janelle and Bryton headed to the Gustins for their Thanksgiving dinner that night. 

Friday we went to the Mall to participate in the Light the World Giving Machines! It was the first time I had been to one. Jared and Hallie spent Thankgiving with her family, but decided to come down on Friday and so they met us at the Mall. We did the Giving Machine and then did a little shopping before heading back home! 

Jase and Ellen also went to the Giving Machine up north too! 

Saturday morning Jaiden and Jason left at 3:00 a.m. in order to drive clear to Arizona for Jason's friend's wedding!  It was a long drive, but they had a great time!