Graduation!!

I was so excited for this day to finally come! There were times when I really didn't think I would make it through. Thankfully I did! It was such a great day. I spent the morning with my parents and my niece. We went shopping, went to lunch, and really just hung out. When it was time to go to graduation we dropped my niece off at her friends house, so she didn't have to sit through a graduation, and picked up my Grandma H. Clayton, Paul and Karri were all coming too. They were going to meet us there. It was really fun to have their support. The actual graduation was boring, as usual, but my department had a lot of fun. All of the Deaf Studies Majors sat together so we just signed the entire time. It was great. We also checked our grades that were supposed to be posted before graduation. That was fun, because we knew at that point that we really did graduate. I was really excited about it. I was also really lucky because Paul knows ASL so I was able to sign to him and he would talk to the family. It was really fun. After graduation we went to Goodwood BBQ. That is my favorite, because it is the closest to real Southern Barbecue. YUM! It was all and all a very good day! I'm so happy I stuck with school, even if it took me a long time to finish.

Catch up on life...

My life has been a little crazy this last year... I finally graduated with my Bachelor's degree in Deaf Studies. I was so ready to be done. I'm so happy that I can say I'm a college grad, and that I was able to get my degree in something I really love. I have been working at LDS Family Services for about two and a half years now, and I LOVE IT!! When I graduated I started to apply for teaching jobs (kind of as a wish, because I'm not a certified teacher), and full time secretarial work. I could really only apply at one school, a Charter school, because I'm not certified, and I didn't really think much would come of it. I didn't really hear from any of the places I was looking, but I wasn't too surprised by that. I figured it would take a little while for me to find something, because I had recently graduated. I decided to treat myself to a graduation vacation, and I headed to Arkansas and Tennessee. While I was in Arkansas I got a call from the school I had applied at... They wanted to meet for an interview! I was so excited! Like GIDDY. I couldn't really control my excitement. Then I started to panic. They wanted to meet two days after I got home. So, naturally, I said yes. I went in for the interview thinking I wouldn't get the job, because there are a lot of awesome ASL teachers out there, and I graduated with great people that were also applying for the teaching job. I thought the interview went well, and was anxious to hear if I got it or not. A couple of days later was my mom's birthday, so the family was going out to dinner. I was riding with Clayton and Paul, and on the way down I got a call from a number that I didn't recognize, it was the assistant principal of the school!! She wanted to offer me the job!! I was so excited. This time I couldn't control it, and the boys also started to freak out. That was nice of them. It was fun to get to the restaurant with such awesome news. I had landed my dream job, and I had only graduated two months earlier. SO AWESOM!! Since then I have started teaching. I love it. It is a little stressful, but I feel like I'm getting the hang of things. I feel like the students are improving and they are really enjoying the class. I hope thats true. Other than teaching there isn't a lot of new going on in my life. I'm getting ready for a new nephew and a new niece. I love being an aunt, and I'm so happy that two of my siblings have moved back to Utah so I get to be Auntie. Life is good. I will post more detailed posts about graduating, my trip to AR and TN, and about teaching. I just wanted to catch up on my life.

Summer!

Summer in our house always starts with a family trip to the zoo for Mom's birthday. Mom loves the zoo and invites all of us kids to go along for the day. This year we had, Mom and Dad, Ryan, Kimi, and Elise, Jetti, Scott, and Duke, and me. It was awesome!

Happy birthday Mama!!!

Elise loves Duke so much!! She has since he was born and man a live they are so cute together! Duke totally loves Elise!

Ryan and Kimi took a weekend trip with friends and no kids, so LUCKY Auntie Kylie got to babysit. I had so much fun! I love that girl! Jetti and I took the kids swimming with Kirby. Elise is going to be a little fish one day. She wanted to be like the bigger kids that were there and swim by herself. One day little one, one day.

I love being Auntie so much! I wouldn't trade the time I get to spend with those little ones for anything!

Joe and Margie came and visited for two weeks! We love them and it is always great to see them. We love to just get together and play games, and chat. Really there is always some sort of game going on. I'm so thankful that Joe and Margie set aside so much time to spend with us, and I hope we continue to get to see them as often in the future.

Clayton and I gave my parents tickets to go to Stadium of Fire to see the Beach Boys for their birthdays. I also bought a ticket for myself, and Joe, Margie, and Grandma H bought tickets and we partied. It was so much fun! And yes they still sound really good. I sat next to some... intense... ladies. They were so excited to be there!! Dad and I got into it too and were singing and having tons of fun!

While Joe and Margie were here we were able to put together a little post 4th of July party, and it was awesome! My parents bought a little kiddy pool at the beginning of summer, and we were able to use it. Everyone accept Erik was able to be there, and it is always so much fun to have so many of us together! We don't get to see Erik and his family often enough! I'm so glad Teresa and the girls were in Utah and able to make it down. We had a mini swimming party, BBQ, and fireworks. Elise and Atlee were in heaven. They always tell us they are best friends, too cute!

The girls were loving life!

Duke, however, was not a fan...

Best friends!

They had to wear the same pjs!

Indiana and Zoey also love to be part of the party! They both were able to take there turns riding in the trailer. Elise loved it!

Clayton and I were able to go to JoDee Messina's concert. It was awesome! And it was put on by the Olive Osmond Foundation to help children get free hearing aids, so there was a group of Deaf people that came, and intern there were interpreters there. We had tickets in the same section! That was so awesome for me. Clayton saw what a geek I am about interpreting... There was one interpreter that is want to be when I grow up. She was so awesome. Thanks for coming to another country concert with me Clayt!

I don't have any pictures of the interpreters, but you better believe I have video! I will get those posted soon, I hope.

Clayton and Paul had their 30th birthdays this year and both decided to celebrate out of town. Paul went to Vegas, and I didn't go, but it sounded fun. Clayton decided to go to St George, and I went this time. We went to the Tuacahn to see Hairspray and Alladin. They were great! We had so much fun just doing nothing. We just watched movies, played games, did a little shopping, and a little swimming. Really so much fun! Paul and I planned a dinner to take Clayton out to sushi for his birthday dinner. It was really good and really fun. I love these boys and I'm so thankful that they invited me to celebrate with them. On the way home we decided to stop at Zions. It was beautiful!

Happy birthday boys!

Last year we bought tickets to Wicked, and finally we were able to go! It was great! I didn't really know what to expect, but I love the music. I have heard a lot about the broadway and have been excited about going for a longtime. Everyone In my family saw the production last time it came to Utah, accept for Jetti and Scott. And I was on my mission, and I heard all about it while I was in Tennessee. That was rough! I'm so glad we were able to go! Really I LOVED IT, and I can't wait to see it again!

Mama and Papa

Jetti, me, Karri, and Clayton anxiously waiting for the show to start!

And then school starts and the fun ends right? NOT FOR ME!!!

The first weekend after school started was Swiss Days and how could I miss that? I couldn't. My mom, Kimi, Elise, and I headed up to Heber, and wondered the boutique and shopped until about 12ish. Then headed down to Provo to meet up with my dad at Jetti and Scott's house, and theto Arizona! What an awesome weekend!

We were just told that Teresa is expecting baby #3 and that they were going to have a gender reveal party. Erik and Teresa have had a bet going since they were married about the order their kids would come in. Teresa bet that they would have three girls before a boy, and if they did she would be able to get a boat. Erik bet that wouldn't happen and if it didn't he would get a dog. So babies 1 and 2 are girls. This is the moment to find out who wins... So they had this party and neither of them knew what they were having. They gave the sealed envelope to a friend who ordered a cake with either blue or pink icing in the center, and they would find out when the cake was cut.

So Teresa gives the knife to Erik to cut a piece of cake, and after the first swipe the knife comes out clean! Really!! How is that even possible! So he cuts again and lifts out the piece.... I have never seen icing that BLUE before! There was NO QUESTION that was blue!

Erik and Teresa are getting ready to welcome a baby boy! Erik is so excited and Teresa is excited about the baby, but not so much the idea of getting a dog...

Atlee really wanted another little sister. This was her response when Erik cut the other side to make sure it was blue all the way through. Atlee asked him to check the other corner. How cute is that. By the time I left on Monday I think she was happy it was a boy. PS check out that blue icing.

Scott was also really excited!

On Monday we went up to the mountains and had a little BBQ and through rocks in the river. The girls loved it until the rain started

Gathering everything and anything that could be tossed into the river.

Grandma made sure everyone was safe. No hitting each other as they tossed their rocks and NO going in the water.

Logan is so chill. I love her!

I left Arizona a day early with Jetti and Scott so Jetti and I could make it back for Kirby's bridal shower. I'm so glad we did, because that party was AWESME!! I love Kirby so much! She really became our "adopted" little sister, and I'm do glad she found someone that makes her so happy.

Kirby's wedding was beautiful! I wouldn't expect anything less from the Monty clan, but really it was amazing. Kirby made such a beautiful bride. It was so fun to be locked in the room with her while she was getting ready. Anytime someone would come in the room she would ask if they saw Travis and if he was ok or if he was freaking out. It was so fun! I love them both so much!! My "little sister" is all grown up and married.

I love this picture of all of us. I live these girls so much!!!

Mr and Mrs Travis Holmes. If that isn't excitement I don't know what is!

Their first dance

Last weekend Clayton, Paul, Karri, and I were able to escape everything! It was so nice! Karri's family has a cabin and we headed there. It is so nice! There is no cell phone service, no TV (DVD player yes), and no internet. It is so awesome. We just played games and watched movies and talked all weekend. I can't think of a much bette way to spend a weekend.

The "gangster" boys...

We stopped on the way home to take a picture with all of the beautiful colors behind us, and a really nice guy stopped in his way down the mountain to help. So nice! We weren't having much luck with my baby tripod. Thank you nice man!


Ok so that is my awesome summer! Sorry this was really long, but I needed to get all caught up, and I plan on staying that way.... Hopefully...

Old Pictures!!

Jetti and I went through our parents boxes of old pictures a couple weeks ago, and I think some of the pictures we found are worth sharing. I'm sure those of you that have known my family for a long time will really love them. And those of you that are new to the family I hope this gives you a little insight into how awesome my family really is!

This is the earliest picture that we have of the entire family all together. For those of you that are new to the Jensen family, I'm the bald blond baby, and Jetti has hair.

Grandma J trying to read to both of us at the same time. I can only imagine that was not easy all the time. I love this picture so much!!

Grandma H holding both of us. I love that I'm sitting on Jetti's legs...

I don't know when this picture was taken or where, but I love it. My mom and dad had really cute kids!!

I think this is my favorite picture that we found. Jetti said she and Grandma were trying to teach me how to do my hair... We found a ton of pictures with my hair all CRAZY!!!!! But here is the proof that Grandma H and Jetti tried to teach me while I young. :-)

Cousins! Brennan, Jetti, JL, and me. We are all the same age on my mom's side.

Cousins!! Me, Jetti, Erin, and Katie. All the same age on dad's side. Cousins are the best!! We had way too much fun together in Idaho!

This is my first picture. I was smiling and happy with mom. This picture was taken before they took me to the NICU. Mom and Dad had no idea I was in need of some help. But I gave mom a big newborn smile.

Mom and Dad with Erik. I love love this picture!

Erin, Grandma Broadhead, me, and Jetti

Our picnic table! We loved this table.

I have a lot more pictures I could share with you, but I don't think you want to look at 100+ pictures of my cute family. If you do I will be more then happy to share them with you!!! I love looking at them! Old pictures are so fun to look at!

Disney on Ice

Clayton, Paul, and I went to Disney on Ice again this year. It was a lot of fun. This year was Toy Story!! Paul wanted to go and take his nephew Kairo. So Paul and I picked up Kairo from Paul's mom's house and we were going to meet Clayton at his hotel then head to the show. When we got to the house Paul went in and got Kairo. That also meant we needed a car seat, so we figured out how to hook it in and make him safe. I'm sure that was the first time Paul has had to put the seat in his car, at least by himself because we weren't sure how his car was set up for car seats... We figured it out and Kairo was going to be safe. When Kairo came out to get in the car he looked at me like, "who is this crazy white girl." I hadn't ever met him before and I'm sure he was really confused. By the time we got on the freeway Kairo was passed out. We got to the hotel and let Clayton change then off we went to the show.

Kairo still wasn't sure what was going on, Paul was really excited to have Kairo there. We got there at the perfect time, just enough time to get some food and get in our seats. Very little waiting time. The show was really fun... there were a few slips but nothing too bad. A really cute Grandma sat next to Kairo and helped him calm down and get excited.

After the show I got in the back seat of the car so Clayton could ride up front and then Kairo really looked at me funny. He is really cute! We got him all buckled in and he pulled the hood of his coat up. He fell asleep on the way home and all was well. We had a hard time getting the car seat out, but with a little "gentle persuasion" we did it. Over all it was a great night. I love anything Disney, so when Clayton asked if I wanted to go and told me he could get discounted tickets it was a no brainer. Thanks for the invite and fun night boys!

I was able to watch Elise while Ryan and Kimi went to a wedding on Friday, and I took a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse DVD with me. My mom just bought this DVD and it is all about Minnie and Daisey. One of the episodes is called Daisey's Dance. It is as cute as all the other episodes. At the end Daisy asks everyone to dance with her. This is what Elise did... well she did it a few times. It was SO CUTE! I love this little girl so much!



I started the weekend kinda bummed because my parents, Jetti, and Duke went to Arizona to see my brother and his CUTE family, but when I got to Ryan's apartment I was really excited! It had been too long since I had seen Elise. I had a lot of fun!

Elise

I was going through my pictures and I found these. These pictures are from Christmas morning. Elise was so excited to get her tricycle! Honestly she is so cute!! I felt I should share the excitement.