Cruise

Rick and I went on a fun, little work cruise to Mexico! The highlight of the trip for me was getting to go on a really cool zipline excursion! The last zipline was called "Superman," and included getting strapped in horizontally and so that we were flying like Superman! I was a little nervous, but it was a blast!! I loved it!! (The video is in our 2025 Favorites Album). 

Easter!

We had a wonderful Easter! We had all those who were in the bell number meet at our house at 8:00 am to run through the song and then headed to church to run through it one with in the chapel. The church program turned out really nice!! 

Opening Song: 199, “He is Risen” 
1 Youth Speaker Bridger Larsen
2 “This is Jesus,” sung by the Primary, Acc. by Jennie Rowan 
3 Musical Number: “It is Well With My Soul,” sung by Paige Allred and Christine France. Accompanied by Rebecca Gulbranson
4 Speaker: Megan Smith 
5 “He Knows/Gethsemane,” sung by the Young Women, Accompanied by Rebecca Gulbranson
6 “Son of God,” singing and handbells by small group (Rick Jensen, Ethan Allred, Andrew Rowen, Calvin Gulbranson, Jaiden Jensen, Jenna Jensen, Clarissa Williams, Bridget Layton) (4-5 minutes)
Closing Song: 200, “He is Risen” 

It was a spirit filled meeting and all of the songs and talks were really nice! I am in charge of the music and so I am always praying that everything goes smoothly! The bell number was beautiful!! We got SO many compliments on it! Even the congregational hymns were loud and powerful! 

We came home and the girls got their Easter baskets. We ate a quick lunch and then I went and interpreted for another ward across town as a last minute sub. I enjoyed their meeting also! Jase and Ellen came over with the kids. We took naps and then had a lovely dinner of ham, cheesy potatoes, salad, vegies, and dessert. 

We didn't have a family Easter lesson today, but we had already had a great lesson with our family mid-week and watched a touching Easter video. We visited with Josh during his mission zoom call while the kids dyed easter eggs and then had a big Easter egg hunt! We had filled a giant bowl with candy-filled eggs and then Jase and Ellen brought another big bag of eggs also! So they boys had a long hunt. They filled their baskets and them dumped them out into the big bowl so that they would have room for more! 

Then they did the egg bash. It was a wonderful day! I am so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ! I make constant mistakes and am so glad for the opportunity to repent. I am so grateful that we will see our loved ones again who have passed away! He is Risen!! 

Janika sent a picture of their cute Easter baskets...

Janelle sent a picture of their passover dinner! (It's a little blurry!!) 

Easter egg hunt

Ellen was busy all day today (Saturday) finishing up the last day of her responsibilities with the Washington County Fair. I reminded Jase that the city Easter Egg hunts would be going on today. He wanted to bring the kids and so I met them at Vernon Worthen park. It was nice that I was there because they did all of the Easter egg hunts at the same time. So Eli's hunt was going on at the same time as Evan's. So I went with Eli and Jase (and baby Elsie) watched Evan's hunt. 

There was an announcement that each group had some eggs with a paper inside and whoever got one of those papers could exchange it for a prize at the tables underneath the pavilion. The boys both got a good amount of eggs filled with candy and Evan got one of the prize slips. By the time we walked over to the pavilion there was a HUGE line of families waiting to get their prizes. Then we kind of wished he hadn't gotten a paper in one of the eggs! I suggested we just leave, but Jase said they didn't have any other plans that day and might as well wait. 

We finally made it there and Evan got a big bubble wand. I have several bubble wands at home already and could have just given him one, ha ha. By that time everyone had gotten their prizes and there were still some leftover and so they opened up the prizes to anyone else who wanted one (first come, first serve). Jase and Evan had just left the pavilion so they hurried back with Eli so that he could get a prize also. Then there was a mad dash from the kids on the playground! Jase and the kids came over to our house for a while so that the kids could play and eat lunch. 

Jenna's Southwest Dance Concert

We went to Jenna's dance concert the past couple of nights. It was held at the Hafen Theater at Tuacahn. The concert was beautiful! I really liked the story too. Jaiden and I went on Thursday night. Friday night I went with Rick and Jase and Ellen while Jaiden babysat the boys at our house. Others who came to support Jenna were: Ethan, Anna and Evie Ence, and Grace and her mom, Julie. 

Jenna looked so pretty and graceful -- I love watching her dance!! I have lots of pictures of her in her pink dress, but not her red outfit, darn it! I will include the videos though!! (The background goes kind of wonky in the videos. We will get a professional video of the whole concert later.) 

     

 

Baby Elsie is three months old!!!

 Ellen's FB Post

3 months of sweet Elsie!

This month has been full of big changes for our family—we officially moved into our new home in St. George, I started working full-time, and Jase is rocking the stay-at-home dad life. Through all the craziness, Elsie has been an absolute angel.

She’s adjusted like a pro—started taking bottles without a fuss, rolled from tummy to back for the first time, and her little smile has been nonstop lately. We’re loving how interactive she’s becoming!

One of the best parts of being here is that Elsie gets to grow up closer to her little friends, Abeellyn and Scottie. It’s been so sweet seeing those cute babies together.

We’re finally feeling settled, soaking in spring in St. George, and just so thankful for this beautiful girl and how well she’s handled all the transitions.

Goodbye to Meredith Poole

Meredith Poole is moving to Oklahoma this coming weekend and so we had a Girls' Night to gather and visit and say goodbye. Her sister, Melissa Julien, and her family are also moving to Oklahoma (which is what inspired Meredith and her husband, Dave, to move also. We will miss them! Near the end of the night Meredith said that we should all get together every couple of years and we threw out ideas, including a cruise. So stay tuned!!