Jack-O-Lanterns and Field of Screams

Since Jenna's birthday was this week she decided to have a get-together with friends. They all came over to our house to carve pumpkins. The jack-o-lanterns looked great! She also made a carameled apple bar with caramel and a variety of toppings. After carving pumpkins they all headed over to the Field of Screams for the haunted corn maze. Fun night! 

Happy 16th Birthday to Jenna!!

Jenna turned 16 today!! Our baby is growing up! She didn't have Madrigals this week, and so she was able to sleep in a little longer! Her good friend, Clarissa, came to the house early and set up cute decorations on the door with a "Happy Birthday" sign and balloons and a poster of pictures of them through the years. It was SO cute!! Made me cry! There were also balloons on sticks lining the porch steps. The Young Women leaders also left a cute sign in the yard. 

Jenna has such thoughtful friends! Several of her friends gave her gifts, and she received loads of text messages from both family and friends wishing her a happy birthday. At school she was surprised by a few white roses and notes that were delivered to her in every class period!! After a bit she realized that the deliveries were from her dad. She said that all of the girls in her class asked her who gave her the flowers. When she saidm "My Dad!" They were all like, "Awww! That is SO sweet!" Some said, "My dad would never do something like that!" 

For lunch Jenna's "lunch bunch" all came over to our house for lunch. I had gone shopping last night and was up late getting all the food and baking one of the cakes. Jenna baked the other cake when she got home. She didn't get home until after 10:00 because she and her friends were out delivering their Sadies' posters. They decided to ask some boys from Hurricane and so they had to drive clear out there. For the lunch I made White Chicken Chili and it turned out really good! I had never made it before and so I was happy with how it turned out. However, it didn't make as much as I was expecting. I doubled the recipe and it still didn't look like enough to feel a crowd of 12 hungry teenagers! So at the last minute I cooked a cookie sheet of taquitos too. We also had the two cakes (one regular and one gluten free).

Usually I am working in the morning, but the teacher had cancelled class on this particular day, which worked out perfectly for me! But then one of our other interpreters cancelled for today and Rick was still feeling sick and so I had to scramble to get ready and hurry over to the University after the lunch and work for a few hours.

 After Jenna got home from school I brought her to the DMV to get her driver's license! She had taken and passed the test yesterday. She got a -13, which she wasn't happy about, but at least she passed, haha! We were in and out of the DMV in less than fifteen minutes, with license in hand! Then we headed to Nothing Bundt cakes since Jenna wanted one for her birthday. (They have two kinds which are gluten free, and they are amazing!)  I ordered a few of the Bundtlets, and she also got a free one for her birthday and so headed home with four of them!  

After we got home Ethan Allred came over to take her on a date. He had asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday and she said, "Go to Home Depot!" So random! They walked around Home Depot and then went out for ice cream and then picked up some painting supplies and canvases from his house and had a painting party! So all in all Jenna had a GREAT birthday and felt very loved!! 

Josh's 16th Birthday!!

Josh turned 16 today!! He and I have really been focusing on his driving hours the past three months and he finally finished his 35 hours. One of the driving instructors contacted him this week to set up the hours he needed of instructor driving time. Since Josh has soccer after school he had to schedule it before school -- at 6:00 a.m.! At least the roads are much less busy at that time! Thankfully Rick brought him, because I am not awake at that hour! He did this for a couple of days this week and then drove after school one of the days since he had a soccer game and didn't need to be at the school until a little later. There was no school Friday due to Easter Break and so he was able to get a few hours in that day and a couple more hours on his birthday. He finished all of hours and so now he just needs to take the test! 

Josh was hoping to put together a party tonight with a bunch of his friends, but too many of them were going out of town for Easter and so he ended up postponing it. Thankfully Jared invited Josh to hang out with him and all of his friends at his apartment. They had a smash tournament and then went to the encampment mall at Dixie State University to play spike ball. They had a great time! Then Josh met up with a couple of friends to play night pickleball. So it ended up being a good day. Jenna and I made this balloon arch for Josh. I thought it turned out really cute!! 

River Tubing and Jaiden's Birthday Party

Jaiden went river tubing down the Virgin River in Zions with the Williams -- Fun! 

Tonight Jaiden decided to have a simple birthday party with her three best friends, Emily, Mariposa, and Lizzie. They watched Frozen 2 while belting at the top of their lungs. Jenna, Clarissa, Audrey and Lindsey gave the older girls pedicures and made and served them brownies. Perfect party!

Daddy Daughter Date for our 16 Year Old!

Rick has a special tradition of taking his girls out on a special date for their first official date when they turn 16. They dressed casual for bowling at Dixie Bowl and then changed at the Seminary building for dinner out at Cliffside restaurant, and then for a walk around the cactus gardens! I sure love these two!!

Your First Date

Good morning sweet girl,

Are you ready to be seen?

Because today is the day

You’re turning sixteen!

These white roses are yours

On this special birthday.

They represent purity and virtue,

Something you show every day!

Many privileges happen

At this magical age,

But driving and boys

Seem to be all the rage.

However, dating is where

All the fun begins.

Dating  is what bring

The biggest kind of grins.

I’m the lucky one who gets to take you

On your very first date!

Date training is my responsibility,

So I’ll make sure I do great!

We will first go bowling,

And have a fantastic time!

We’ll work up an appetite,

And I’ll feed you on my dime.

We’ll then go to dinner

At the fanciest place in town,

I hope dinner at Cliffside

Won’t make you frown.

When dinner is through

And the night is still warm,

A walk in the gardens

will make the perfect forum.

We’ll talk of your hopes

Your dreams and desires.

As you think about your future

And joys that will transpire.

So, my sweet, beautiful girl,

I hope this makes you glad

To have your very first date

With your dear ole’ dad.

Happy "Sweet Sixteen" Birthday to Jaiden!!

We had a full day today! We sang "Happy Birthday" to Jaiden and she opened her presents (the ones that had arrived -- there are a few more packages arriving this week). Rick gave her a dozen roses for her birthday and a sweet poem (see next post) asking her out on her "first date." (This was the note that caused the fire -- see next post!!)

Jared taught the lesson for Come Follow Me and did an awesome job! We had a great discussion and took lots of notes in our scriptures. Then we had the sacrament administered by the men in our family.

Rick then attended another ward's sacrament meeting (first time back since the quarantine) as part of his High Council responsibilities. He is not thrilled about returning to church, but had somewhat of a change of heart after hearing the speaker in church. He said church was very different! There was no singing -- the organist just played the organ for the sacrament. There was a 15 minute talk given by a single lady. He said it was very good and opened his eyes towards people who are alone during the quarantine and really need the blessings of being able to attend church meetings with other people. We practiced the musical number that we have been working on and went and sang it for a few people in the ward. They got emotional and really appreciated the gesture.

Jaiden's friends, Mariposa, Emily, and Lizzie brought over a bunch of gifts for Jaiden -- a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a big package of "Crumbl Cookies," a pre-dating pampering kit, and several treats and little surprises. Emily had a whole box of hand written "open when" notes. So sweet!

Rick fixed a delicious meal of shisk-a-bobs. We haven't had that in years and it really tasted wonderful! We had home-made ice-cream for dessert. It was a bit runny but still very yummy! We then all played "The Resistance." Between the flowers from dance concert, the roses from Rick, and the flowers from her friends, Jaiden had three beautiful bouquets to brighten our home!!

After our family games I worked on putting Jaiden's birthday collage together! Here is what I posted on Facebook/Instagram:

Jaiden Jensen is sweet sixteen today!! Jaiden is beautiful inside and out! She is intelligent, optimistic, compassionate, energetic, athletic, talented, and a wonderful friend to others. Jaiden loves to be involved in everything and is always up for a challenge! She is a talented dancer and singer, a straight A student, and a member of the student council at SCHS. Jaiden brings so much joy to our family! Happy Birthday, Jaiden! We love you!!

Janelle's 16th Birthday Party

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

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.  

Spring Break Temple Trip!!

This week was our Spring Break.  Jase and Jared left for their temple trip Monday morning at 6:30 a.m.  They had a good time and did over 800 baptisms!  I have attached a collage of pictures.  Grandma Jensen met them in the Ogden temple on Tuesday and they ate lunch together in the cafeteria and she took them out for ice cream afterwards for Jared’s birthday.  I was hoping the boys would try and get with Grandma and Grandpa Westra on Wednesday but Jared said that their schedule was too tight. 

Rick had a very busy and interesting week interpreting in Las Vegas.  They kept him busy from morning until night.  The first day after working all day they had him interpret at a hospital from 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. and then asked if he could stay until 6:00 a.m.!  But seeing as he was scheduled to start working the next morning at 6:55 a.m. he said that he had better finish at 1:00.  He had quite a variety of appointments and said that a couple of them were really sad situations.   

 

Meanwhile the kids and I got some fun activities in.  Monday the kids and I worked hard in the morning for two or three hours cleaning the house and then I rewarded them with a trip to the dollar store to pick out a prize.  I had an afternoon interpreting appointment and then we got “The Good Dinosaur” from Redbox and had a movie party.   Tuesday morning I brought the girls in for haircuts.  Jaiden wanted layers and I love how it turned out!  I wished that Janelle had done layers too but she didn’t want to.  Her hair was really long and so she got a good 8 or 9 inches cut off.  Jenna’s too. 

I had trouble doing Jenna’s expander last night (Rick usually always turns the key on it). I had done it for a couple of nights before he left knowing that I would need to do it while he was gone and was able to do it quickly and easily.  But then I must not have turned it a complete turn last night because I couldn’t see the hole and I tried and tried and couldn’t get the little key in the hole and Jenna and I were both getting really frustrated.  So while the others were getting their hair done I ran her over to the Orthodontist a couple blocks away.  I learned that they are closed the whole week for Spring Break!  But the secretary let us in and tried helping me even though she isn’t the one who actually works on teeth.  I thought we finally got it, but then later that night I couldn’t see the hole again and still had trouble.  

 

On my way back to the hair place I got pulled over and got a ticket!  I was so upset about it!  Apparently the cops are on full force during Spring Break in St. George because after that I saw them everywhere!  I didn’t even know what I had done wrong.  He said that I had turned right into the right lane and then slid into the left lane without signaling.  I didn’t even realize I had done that – there were no cars coming in either lane and I had to make a quick left a block away.  Of course I should have signaled but still…it seemed a little nit picky.  I haven’t been pulled over in years and years – I can’t even remember the last time.  I don’t know how much it will cost me until I go in to the courthouse next week.  So frustrating!!!

 

Tuesday our activity was the Spinny Park.  The weather was gorgeous.  The Purdy’s came too and Mari Purdy had texted two other families to see if they wanted to come.  So that was fun for all of the kids to play together and for us moms to visit.  She had also brought ice-cream bars for all of the kids (and a popsicle for jenna).  The girls all went to Purdy’s afterwards for a movie but Josh didn’t want to go.  I went to the church to get my temple recommend renewed and then picked up Jenna and let the other girls stay later.

 

Wednesday I interpreted at 11:00 and then picked up a birthday gift for a party Janelle was going to on Thursday.  I took the kids to the Children’s Museum and they had a blast!  I had never been there before and was pleasantly surprised at how nice it was.  They kids lasted for THREE HOURS!!  I thought it would be really crowded but it wasn’t too bad – a little at first, but it really slowed down as it got closer and closer to closing time.  We just did quick easy meals all week.  The kids watched a movie tonight and I worked on pictures. 

 

Thursday I had an early interpreting appointment, which ended up being a cancellation.  We did work at home and then I brought the kids to the Splash Pad hear the St. George library since I knew today was supposed to be hot.  It was really crowded!  Janelle stayed home with Layla and Josh didn’t want to go and so it was just Jaiden and Jenna and we had invited the Purdy’s.  Janelle had a birthday party for Carter clear in Diamond Valley.  She went with her friend Layla and so Mari Purdy brought the girls at 4:00 and I picked them up at 9:00.  They had fun at the party playing games and fugitive with a huge group of teenagers.

 

I got an interpreter request for all day Friday and decided to go ahead and take it and let Janelle babysit.  It  lasted for 6 ½ hours and then I had to go back in the evening for almost four hours.  So it was a long day but there wasn’t a lot of interpreting and it was fun. Rick got home Friday night before I did.  The tournament continued Saturday and Rick took over that one (another six hours).  The weather had turned colder and he said that he froze!  I stayed home with the kids and we worked hard cleaning the house for most of the day.  The boys arrived home from their temple trip and Jase went to work Saturday night. 

 

Today was ward council, choir, and church.  Rick fixed a delicious Salmon dinner and it tasted so good to me!  Well, that is our week.  I am NOT ready to get up EARLY tomorrow morning!  It is always difficult jumping back into an early, busy schedule again after Spring Break – especially after the time change!

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Roy and Karen Phillips brought Ky, Jase, Jared, and Ben Sellers on an awesome temple trip this week!!

Happy Birthday Jase!!

Jase is 16 today!!  He can now drive (well, almost) and date!  He is still working on getting his driving hours in but now that Caroler season is starting he will be performing everyday and so we won't be able to finish up the hours until January.  I also told him that I wanted to be his "first date" and so I took him out to eat at Golden Corral.  When I asked Jase what he wanted for his birthday he said "Chicken Noodle Soup and Money" and so that is exactly what he got!  We will have to postpone his "Sweet Sixteen" Birthday Party until after Caroling Season is over! 

 

Roses

So Janika's 16th birthday is tomorrow and she is leaving at 6:30 in the morning for a Madrigals trip to Salt Lake for a few days.  Rick has always wanted to be the "first date" of each of his daughters when they turn 16.  He has plotted various ideas for something fun that they could do together before they start the official "dating scene."  But with the Madrigal Trip and Caroling every night, this "Daddy-Daughter Date" will have to be postponed until Christmas vacation.  He also wanted to do something special for Janika on her birthday, but since she wouldn't be here, he decided to do it a day early.

He went and got a dozen white roses for her.  He also gave a beautiful bouquet of red roses to me, which was a nice surprise!  The white roses where separated into several different bouquets with some red/white carnations.  He had each bouquet delivered to her in each of her classes with a little anonymous note.  Each note had something to do with the class she was in.  For example, Math was "15.999999 + Purity = Janika."  (Since she isn't quite 16 yet).   Happy Birthday Janika (tomorrow)!