Heading Home

Janika and Brandon arrived home from Hawaii very late Friday night and stayed over at Brandon's parent's house. Saturday morning they picked up Evan from Ellen's parent's house in order to babysit him for the day. Ellen was finally released from the hospital today since her contractions hadn't started up again. Tomorrow she will be 32 weeks and then she will be able to go to the Riverton hospital which is closer to their home when she goes into labor again. 

Josh and I played with Everett and Evan and then got ready to head back home. We picked up Jenna from the Westra's and drove the four hour drive home without incident -- although I was very tired! Rick would be arriving home from his cruise Sunday afternoon and I was looking forward to seeing him! 

Red Robin

After visiting Jase and Ellen's place we headed to Grandma and Grandpa Westra's house for a little visit and I found a bunch of photos on my phone afterwards and so apparently Jenna was doing a little photoshoot, ha ha, making memories of their home before they move. We were able to see all of the changes that Scott and Amy did fixing up the basement into a living space, and then we met up with some of the others for dinner at Red Robin! 

Jase, Ellen, and Evan

Friday, October 15: After doing baptisms at the Draper Temple we went to Chick-Fil-A with the Williams and then Josh, Jenna, Rella, and I went to go visit Jase and Evan and see their new place. We weren't able to see Ellen because she was still in the Murray hospital. She and Jase had gone to the Murray hospital last Monday (at 31 weeks) because she was having contractions. The next morning she was dilated to a six and they had given her an epidural, expecting imminent delivery. We were all very nervous about this and praying hard for her. Then a few hours the contractions slowed way down and then dilation did not continue, and so they ended up taking out the epidural and eventually moved her out of labor and delivery. So she was still in the hospital, but it was Jase's day off and so he was taking care of Evan. 

Jase gave us a tour of their new place in Herriman. Below is a picture of the house (they are in the basement apartment). It definitely has some quirks (notice the picture of the outlet -- they are all like that, ha ha), but is spacious and roomy -- 2000 square feet! They seem to like the area and ward, and the  landlords who own the house and live upstairs have a couple of young boys and so they get along well with them and have been able to trade babysitting. Jase and Ellen have enjoyed living there and are exciting to finish furnishing it when they can. They have a lot on their plate right now! 

Draper Temple

Last night Jenna stayed at Rella's house and Josh stayed with me at Janika's house. Jenna and Rella watched a movie there and Josh and I watched Thor. I tried to anyway, I kept falling asleep, even though it was only 9:30! In the morning Josh and I picked up Jenna and Rella and then headed to the Draper Temple where we were meeting the Williams. Josh baptized Jenna for her five names and then he and Bradley baptized each other and then Bradley baptized his sisters and cousin. We had brought family names (Dutch) and so they were all difficult to pronounce! I was a sweet experience feeling the peaceful spirit that was there and witnessing Josh baptizing Jenna! 

Cornbellys!!!

Since Rick was gone interpreting on a cruise over Fall Break, I decided to bring the kids on a little outing up North. Jaiden was still in school at SUU and Jared was recovering from his ACL reconstructive surgery that he had on Tuesday, so it was just me and Josh and Jenna. The night before we left I went to visit Jared and bring him some groceries, and then went to watch Josh's late soccer game. Josh and I stopped at the mailbox to get the mail after the game around 11:00 p.m. and then my car wouldn't start! After trying and trying we finally left the car there and walked home and went to bed. 

The next morning I walked over to the car and prayed that it would start. It hesitated and then thankfully it started!  I gave a prayer of thanks and then drove straight to Dixie Battery to get it checked out and sure enough it needed a new battery. I had to wait at the battery place for about an hour. It was a nuisance, but I was really glad that it went out BEFORE our trip and not during it! It took us a while to leave since we had to pack and clean the house and eat lunch, but we finally made it out the door. 

We drove four hours to Janika and Brandon's place (they were in Hawaii) and Alicia and her kids met us there and then we rode with them to Cornbellys in Lehi. Alicia's friend is a realtor and had a booth there and so we were able to get in for half price (around $13.00) each and so that was nice! Derek and Danielle met us there with their kids as well and we got a couple of pictures with them. Then the Williams, who had already spent four hours there earlier in the day, came back to meet up with us as well. Cornbellys was WAY bigger than I was expecting! There were tons of people there! It was fun though -- games, corn maze, haunted houses, animals, a giant slide, hay ride, and a really cool fireworks show! There were lots more activities that cost money, but we kept to the free stuff since we had already paid a bit to get in! 

After we left Alicia dropped off me and Josh at Janika and Brandon's and Jenna went with them to sleep over at their house. Josh and I stayed up to watch the new Thor movie. At least I tried to watch it -- I kept falling asleep though! The next morning I picked up Jenna and Rella and we headed to the Draper temple to do baptisms! 

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.