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! 

Cruise to Canada

Rick and I went on a work cruise the end of September. It was supposed to be going to Bermuda (which is why we chose it) but because of Hurricane Humberto, it was rerouted to Saint John, Canada! So that was disappointing. 

We left on the cruise, Friday, September 26 around 9:30. We flew out of St. George to LAX. LAX kept getting delayed and we waited for a hour to an hour and a half in the plane before it FINALLY left for New Jersey (EWR). But at least it was comfortable and we could watch movies while we were waiting. 

I watched THREE movies on the flight, ha ha. Rick does a lot of work on planes on his laptop, or tablet. If I do that I get motion sickness. I watched a new release called "Parent (something)" and that was fun (except for some unnecessary language). Then I watched "Back to the Future," which I haven't seen in years. Then I watched the "Barbie" movie, since I slept through at the first time I saw it. 

When we arrived and got on the ship we were very unpleasantly surprised to find that they put us in crew cabins! Thankfully they fixed the situation later and we were put in a regular cabin! In spite of everything, the cruise ended up being great and we loved getting to know the people we worked with! 

Visiting Reversing Falls Rapids in Saint John, New Brunswick

After the cruise we were supposed to arrive home the day before Jenna's birthday. Well, our Uber driver went the wrong way or something and got us late to the airport, causing us to miss our flight! We just barely missed it! So we ended up having to book a hotel and stay another night. It ended up being okay, but I felt bad getting home later since it was Jenna's birthday the next day and we wouldn't be home until evening. She was out with Ethan pretty much the whole day anyway and so it worked out! 

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). 

New Year's Cruise!!

 Work cruise with Rick!! 

Each Life that Touches Ours For Good

Friday 16: Today the kids were out of school for a teacher work day, so they got to sleep in! Rick and I still had work. I interpreted for several hours at UT and then hurried home for a quick meal and then Rick and I went to an interpreting workshop at the deaf center for three hours. It was on how to interpret for deaf-blind people. It was really hard! Then we went home and fixed dinner. We were planning on doing something with Janelle and Bryton tonight, but they ended up getting here really late. Rick was going to bed when they finally arrived. We met Bryton and visited with him and Janelle for a bit. He seems like a nice guy! 

Janelle and Bryton went on a hike to Elephant Arch this morning and then they came here for a couple of hours to eat lunch and practice the song for the musical number with Jenna. Janelle and Jenna are singing, "Each Life That Touches Ours For Good." 

 

Jared came down with Hallie's family and they dropped him off for a while this afternoon, which was nice so that we could get the scoop as to what is going on with those two! Then I drove dad to the airport for his cruise! 

Sunday 18: This morning Jenna and Janelle practiced their song some more and Rebecca Gulbranson came over to go through it with them a few times. They sang, "Each Life That Touches Ours For Good." I think it is a really pretty song, and they did a great job -- especially for just learning it the day before. They got tons of compliments on it. 

It was nice to come home from church and take a nap!! Janelle left to go to some activities with Bryton's family and then came back for an hour or so in the evening to go to a practice with Jenna for an Easter song that a group of YW from the ward are doing. They are singing "Risen" by Shawna Edwards. It is really pretty! 

Our family is going to sing for Easter also. We will do "Easter Hosanna/I Know That My Redeemer Lives," an arrangement that Rick wrote years ago. (Side note, we didn't end up singing the Easter Hosanna song because Easter ended up being on Fast Sunday and so we had to move the Easter program to the week before and our family members who were in town for Easter were not in town the week before Easter!) 

Monday 19: Today was President's day and I had the day off work and the kids had the day off school. So that was nice!! Tomorrow will be back to busy!! 

Cruise

Rick and I went on a work cruise over New Year's Eve like we did last year. Everything went smoothly and we had a good time! The ship was SO nice! We loved it! It was an older crowd over all and the new year's eve parties were pretty chill. We walked around and went to a couple of the parties for a while, but then decided to go back to our room and watch a Hallmark movie instead, ha ha. We LOVED that the ship had streaming services that connected to your phone. That's the first time we have seen that on a cruise ship. 

The first stop was San Juan, Puerto Rico. We arrived after dinner and so it ended up being an evening tour, which was nice because it wasn't very hot, in fact it was very pleasant out. Near the end we saw this huge Christmas tree lit up that had statues around the tree. We were looking at the tree when all of a sudden one of the statues started walking! We were like, "wait -- that's a real person!" There was this person dressed up like a statue and he would maintain a frozen pose (and he did indeed look like a statue) until someone put money in his can and then he would come to life and move around. It was so cool!!! 

Other ports included Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis. In Tortola we went on this tour that included a taxi drive around the island and then a trip to the beach. The taxi was this open air bus that fit around 4 or 5 people on each bench -- around 20 or 25 total. The ride was so nerve wracking! I can be a very anxious passenger even in more typical driving situations, and this definitely wasn't typical! 

They drive on the left side of the street, instead of the right side, but that wasn't the scary part. The streets were very narrow and windy, going up and down hills, with sharp corners that you couldn't see around. The streets seemed only big enough for one vehicle, not two! It looked like cars were coming right at us and then would pass us in a way that was way too close for comfort! At least we were driving on the side next to the hills and not next to the cliffs -- that would have been even more terrifying!

When we were heading towards a sharp turn the driver would simply lay on his horn to notify anyone coming the opposite direction that we were coming. This would definitely not be a good place for a deaf person to drive! One time after our horn blared we could hear a horn coming from the other direction. I was pretty much praying for our safety the entire time and was very relieved when we finally arrived at our destination! The views and beaches were really pretty though! We went swimming in the ocean at two of our stops. 

The theater on the ship was amazing. There was a big rounded stage with a huge panoramic screen behind it. The screen would show various animated backgrounds that matched that musical numbers. They looked so real! There were scenes with trees with leaves blowing or flowers swaying in a breeze. One of the backgrounds included a brick wall with clocks that had moving hands. The scenes look 3-D. It was really neat! The talent was amazing as well. The singing and dancing were incredible and the acrobatics were breathtaking! 

We went on a behind-the-scenes tour of the ship, which was interesting. Since we were working we stayed busy -- interpreting several shows, tours, and other events. It was fun to get away with my husband to share in new experiences and have some time together!  

ASL Temple Tour

Tonight was out last ASL temple tour! We had groups scheduled for 5:00, 6:00, and 7:00. This was smaller than the last two times, which was expected since it was on a Monday night. We still had a good turn out though! We had about 35 people come at 5:00, 4 come at 6:00. and 10 or so come at 7:00. We had lots of interpreters volunteer also: me, Cassie, Amanda, Andrea, Kelly, Ben, Allyson, and Macie. 

We gathered each group together in one of the language rooms at the stake center and then Cassie Riding and I brought the first group through the temple. Ben Ballard brought the second group through and Cassie and I brought the third group through It was fun to meet new people and to see some old friends that I knew clear back from Utah State University! Saturday is the last day of the open house!! 

Sarah and Chantry Wedding

We have two interpreters in our area who got married on Thursday. We all wanted to go support them, but they had their reception on a week day in Lindon -- four hours away from St. George! This made it a little more complicated, but many of us decided to go anyway! It was a Renaissance themed wedding and so many of the guests dressed up. I even got a Renaissance styled dress for the occasion -- but one that I could also wear other places. They got married in the Provo City Center Temple and had their reception at Wadley Farms. I had never been there before -- it is a beautiful reception center! 

I was glad that I decided to go. I enjoy long drives if I have a good audio book to listen to! I was in the middle of the book, "Dry," by Neal Shusterman -- highly recommend! I went to Janika and Brandon's for dinner and then to the reception. There were lots of friends there to visit (and dance) with! Rick didn't come because he teaches a class on Thursday nights and had already made two trips to SLC within the past month and didn't want to make another one! The reception was fun and the weather was perfect! 

I slept over at Janika and Brandon's house and then brought baby Everett on a walk. Then I met my mom and dad for dinner at Chuck-A-Rama. We enjoyed a nice meal and conversation for two hours! I then went to Walmart and picked up a bunch of stuff for a care package for Jaiden. Janelle just got hired at the MTC and was working that night and able to bring it to her! I visited with Janelle for a while and lay down for a quick nap before heading back home -- again with a good audiobook! Jase and Ellen had come with the boys Thursday night and so we crossed paths! They were coming for Conference weekend! 

Cruise to Alaska (Work Trip)

I had done quite a bit of research before this trip, and the internet said to bring a heavy waterproof coat, waterproof hiking boots, wool socks, hat, gloves, umbrella etc. We also had friends who had just gotten back from an Alaskan cruise just last week and they said that it was very cold and rained everyday. So I brought all of those recommended items, and was two pounds over my 50 pound suitcase weight limit!  Luckily they let it slide by, and I did some rearranging for the way home. I had brought Jared's heavy coat from his mission that handles sub zero temperatures and Rick brought Jared's other missionary coat. But as it turned out, I didn't need any of those things. The weather was in the 60's and very pleasant. 

Of course you never know though, the weather can be temperamental! Rick wasn't thrilled about the idea of going on a "cold cruise," but I had always wanted to see Alaska and was really excited about it! I am more of a "mountains" gal than a "beach " gal anyway. Rick is the opposite. He would choose the beach over mountains any day! Of course it wasn't Caribbean weather, but that is to be expected! Sometimes it was cold on the ship outside, but inside it was nice and they had a solarium with an inside pool and hot-tubs!  

First stop -- Ketchikan. It was on a Sunday and so Rick looked up the closest LDS church and it was only a 1.7 mile walk. So we decided to go! We weren't wearing church clothes, but I figured they probably get visitors all of the time who don't wear church clothes, and I was right. I was surprised by how many people came to church from the cruise ships. Many of them did wear church clothes, but others didn't. It was a pleasant walk (except the end where the "street" was actually several flights of stairs) which made me feel really out of shape! After church we walked around and went to see the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. It was a fun show! I had brought coats with me, but didn't need them. The weather was sunny -- and in the 60's. Very pleasant! 

Second stop -- Juneau, Alaska. We bought and bought tickets to the "Blue Bus," which would take us to the Mendenhall Glacier (which was about 30 minutes away). It cost $45.00 a person. The bus brought us to the visitor's center and we were able to walk a mile in to see the beautiful waterfall up close and the glacier (which was farther away). It was so pretty! It was cooler than yesterday since we were closer to the glacier, but I was still warm enough, and had to take off my coat a few times. 

Third Stop: Skagway. We didn't do much here, just walked around and saw the shops for a bit! It was like a little frontier town. We came back and tried out the solarium and hot-tub! 

Fourth Stop -- Victoria, British Columbia. Canada was so pretty! We were able to do this really cool zipline excursion, that had 8 different ziplines. The longest one was 1000 feet! I was really nervous at first, because I haven't done a zipline in a long time, but once I did the first two, I wasn't that nervous any more. It was really fun and exhilarating! 

All in all, it was great to be able to go visit Alaska and Canada and spend some time together! We interpreted quite a bit, but we had plenty of down time also. It was fun! 

Jenna's Complicated Teeth

Saturday 6:  This morning Rick and I went to an interpreting workshop at the Deaf Center from 9:00 to 1:00.  I LOVE being able to go to things like this together!  The workshop was good.  The Williams brought Jenna with them to the library movie this afternoon “Hotel Transylvania 2.”  Tonight was Stake Conference.  Jaiden babysat the Conovers while they went and Janelle babysat for us.  We were upset with Janelle when we got home because she and the kids were just watching TV (and probably had been the whole time we were gone).  The food was still out, the kitchen a mess, and Josh and Jenna were not bathed or put to bed.  Rick told her that he and I were going to Smiths to get some ice cream and that she had thirty minutes to get it all done before we got back – and she did!!    

Sunday 7:  This morning we all went to Stake Conference and sat in the back up on the stage.  In the middle of his talk President Wagner (member of the Stake Presidency) said something to the effect of how difficult it can be to stay awake during this two hour meeting and motioned clear back to the stage where our family was seated on the front row and said, “I see Jase Jensen, who is currently in our missionary preparation class, sitting there on the stage.  Please don’t fall asleep, Jase – we wouldn’t want you to fall off the stage!”  So everyone was turned around looking at us.  Jase wasn’t falling asleep and so I am not sure why he was picking on him (perhaps our family was being a little distracting from their vantage point, I don’t know).  Jase just smiled and gave him a big “thumbs up” sign! 

The girls and I fixed a nice dinner of ham and cheesy potatoes tonight with salad and asparagus. Then the girls had a fun time video chatting with their cousins and Shane gave us a video tour of their house!  It has been a nice relaxing weekend and Rick and I got to spend a lot of time together.  I feel so blessed and grateful for such a great husband and happy marriage and awesome (most of the time) kids!!  

Monday 8:  I normally don’t interpret on Mondays but had been called for a freelance appointment this morning for three hours – it was at a school and super easy.  I came home and and started reading Janika’s missionary e-mails and then got a call asking if I could go interpret at the hospital right then and so I went and did that.  It was an early out day for school and so the kids were already home when I got back. Janika got her package already – that was fast -- I just sent it Saturday morning! I wonder why packages get there so much faster than letters? Maybe because I used one of the priority boxes from the Post Office?

Tuesday 9:  Josh wasn’t feeling well this morning and ended up staying home from school.  I had to leave him alone so that I could go interpret for my class.  I came home and ate lunch and then got called in for a medical appointment.  I left Josh again knowing that the girls would be home before too long. I had another appointment with DSU (with Rick) after that and so it was a busy day for interpreting and I had to make arrangements for rides for Josh (scouts) and Jaiden (activity days and tumbling). 

Wednesday 10:  So, Rick is sick – again.  He ended up staying home from work today and I ended up covering his interpreting job at 7:00 a.m. Ugh!  It was fine though – I am already up for scripture reading at 6:00 am anyway.  After the appointment and getting Jenna off to school (Josh stayed home again) I helped in Jenna’s Chinese class today.  I go in for an hour every other Wednesday). 

I soon found out that one of the girls had had a very smelly “accident.” I pulled the teacher out in the hallway to tell her (because no English is allowed in the classroom).  I ended up bringing the little girl to the office and they had me bring her to the nurse’s office while they tried getting a hold of her parents.  Meanwhile a little girl skipped out of the nurse’s office saying “I just threw up again!”  I thought, “Get me out of here!”  But my house is no better – with Rick and Josh sick (and stinky).  There is no escape!

I had been asked to sub interpret for a class this afternoon.  It was easy and I enjoyed it.  I left a few minutes early to check Jenna out of school and pick up Josh from home to go to the Orthodontist.   Josh was coming in for a recall (second evaluation – first evaluation was a year ago).  He was in and out.  The Orthodontist said, “get these two baby teeth pulled and we will see him in another year.”  Jenna’s evaluation, however, was a lot more complicated. We were there for two long hours with Josh whining the whole time because he wasn’t feeling well. 

When we went to the dentist a couple of weeks ago he pointed out that Jenna has a severe under-bite and that she should see the Orthodontist as soon as possible to get her jaw corrected while it is still developing.  I had never paid attention or noticed it until the dentist pointed it out to me. He said that his wife had the same thing and since it wasn’t corrected until later they had to go in and actually break her jaw to correct her bite. Yikes!  So apparently it is recommended to try and get intervention before the suture that separates the top jaw matures fully and becomes fused. 

The Orthodontist said that she has an under bite and also a cross bite and that her work is going to be "complicated."  She is going to need an expander, head gear, and the whole works -- all while in the first grade, poor thing!  At least she won't be required to wear the head gear at school.  Although she is sassy enough that she could probably get away with it – and cause the other kids to wish that they were lucky enough to have one too, ha ha!  Jared had an expander but he was old enough to turn it himself (with a little key). With Jenna we will have to do it.

When Jenna was laying there and the Orthodontist was explaining all of this to me Jenna said, “I do NOT like what I am hearing!” After the appointment we ran to the scout store to get some scout pants for Josh since he has grown out of his scout shorts (our Cub Masters are really emphasizing FULL uniforms and rewarding the boys each month for wearing it).  Then we ran to Staples to get some ink so that our printer will actually start printing again. 

The kids were tired and whiney and so I was glad that Rick had made dinner (Chinese food – yum!)  Jase, Jared, Janelle, and Jaiden all had their young men/young women activities.  Jaiden is not in Young Women yet but went to this one.  The Young Women were babysitting from 6:00 to 8:00 so that couples in the ward with young kids could go out for a nice Valentines Date.  Rick and I had been planning to go too but with he and Josh both sick, we had to