Jared's Star Wars Pictures

Jared (age 8) is REALLY into Star Wars right now! Here are a couple of pictures he drew today.

Janelle and Jaiden's Artwork

I will be adding more artwork soon, but I wanted to make sure I could work the scanner first. So here is Janelle's Pirate (age 5 1/2) and Jaiden's self-portrait (age 4). I'm not quite sure what ORB means but I'm guessing that those are a just a few of the letters that she actually knows how to write!

Happy 24th of July!!

This morning we went to see the Ivin's 24th of July Parade. There is Janika waving on the float sitting next to Cameron Bronson (who plays Gavroche in Les Miserables). They are representing Tuacahn in the parade.

Our other kids had fun gathering up all of the candy that was thrown out. Jared and Jase were the fastest and I was proud with how well they shared the candy with Janelle, Jaiden, and Josh. When the kids got home they had their own little parade in the front yard. They rode their big wheel or bike and threw out candy to each other and the neighbor kids. Cute!

My Uncle Merrill called and said they were down staying at their vacation home and invited us to come swimming. So we enjoyed swimming and visiting with Merrill and Lorrie and my cousin Katie's family. Rick and Janika were in the show tonight. They always do fireworks after the show but tonight they did extra. It was a fun day!

Janika and Her Capri-Sun Bag!

A very creative gal in our ward (Andrea Schmutz) has made all sorts of cool things -- including bags made out of capri-sun packages. She has a big bag made from capri-suns that she uses for her church bag. She also has these really cool bags all crocheted out of those plastic grocery store bags. She is truly the queen of recycling!

Janika was so entralled that she called Andrea up and asked her if she would teach her how to made some. Andrea agreed and told Janika that it would be a good idea for her to start off with a little bag first. So this is Janika's first little bag (she put the handle on later). Instead of being sewn together like many of Andrea's are, this one has a white grocery bag laced through holes that were made with a hole punch. Janika has also started crocheting together grocery bags -- but that project takes a lot more time. So if you receive a gift bag from Janika made out of capri-sun bags then know that it was made in love!

Riley and Kallie's Wedding

We went up North to see our niece, Kallie Venable, get married. (Kallie is Rick's sister Jodi's daughter.) Kallie married Riley Sabey in the Salt Lake Temple on July 19th. Aren't they a cute couple? They had a lovely ceremony and Kallie looked gorgeous! (Okay, Riley, you looked good too!) Congratulations Kallie and Riley!

We are so excited for you and are happy that we were able to celebrate with you today!

Kallie and Riley's Reception

Kallie and Riley's reception was at Grandma and Grandpa Jensen's backyard. Their yard looked beautiful and it brought back memories of my own reception since Rick and I had our reception in his mom and dad's yard too (14 years ago). Julie did a wonderful job decorating and everyone loved the ice-cream Sundays -- especially the kids who piled their Sundays with every possible topping including gummy bears and M&M's. The boys did a wonderful job taking gifts as people came and all of the kids enjoyed blowing bubbles as Riley and Kallie hurried out towards their freshly decorated car.

Here are a few other pictures taken today...

Janika and Josh chillin' on the grass, Aunt Gerilyn playing with Janelle and Jaiden, and Wendy at the temple 30 weeks along (only ten more weeks to go...!)

Again, it was a lovely evening and we are happy that we got to come see our family and be a part of Kallie and Riley's special day!

Rick and Janika in Les Miserables

Janika has been enjoying her involvement in Tuacahn's Les Miserables and she is already planning to audition for next year's show. Rick, on the other hand, thinks that one year is enough for him! We obviously can't take pictures of the production, but here are a few pictures of Janika and Rick in their costumes. This will help you recognize them when you go to see the show! It really is fantastic and has gotten amazing reviews. Many people have liked it even better than the New York showing. So if you get a chance, come down this summer and see the show (and come see us too!)