Happy New Years

Our family hasn't gotten our Christmas cards out and haven't even gotten a good picture for them. Every one we've taken, someone has a weird look on their face. So, hopefully we'll get a good picture for cards and a little note out soon.
Our family sure hopes that this year has been good to everyone. It has been good to us. Lots of changes for our family and new friends made along the way. We love you all, are grateful to have you in our lives, and hope you have a very Happy New Year!!

December

December has been such a busy month for us. I'm just going to write a big update so our family can remember all that we did.
We had to have our house all decorated for Christmas before we left for our Knotts Berry Farm family reunion. The Young Women in our ward had their Christmas party at our house the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Then came the ever anticipated - Kacee's 14th birthday!! Hurray!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I felt a lot older that day. My oldest is 14 and can go to Stake Dances. Yikes - boys dancing with my little girl. I don't think I'm ready for that. She had 10 teenage friends come sleepover, and I watched 5 of my nieces & nephews the same weekend. I think by that night I had 19 kids in my house. Thank Heavens for DIET COKE!!!!
Then Eric's 12th birthday came 3 days later. And he and I were sick. Good thing we celebrated a day earlier. He was ordained a Deacon the following Sunday. My parents came out for it along with Kurt's parents and his sister's family. We are so thankful for all that made the trip to support Eric.
The next Sunday was so special. When you only have one son, you enjoy all the moments. Because they won't come again. So, I was an emotional wreck, and cried all through the passing of the sacrament. Eric you did such a great job passing the sacrament, and I'm so proud of you. Kurt was asked to pass that Sunday and they asked him to stand next to Eric. I know Kurt was very proud that day.
Then we had our Jensen family Christmas party and white elephant gift exchange. We really look forward to this party. My kids love going to the dollar store and buying their gifts. Kurt and I found good ones this year. I was on the hunt for a big ugly bra. But, instead we found KY warming jell, a dvd to learn how to belly dance, cds with romantic songs. And, who was the lucky one to get some of our items - My nephew who has been home off his mission for about 6 months. We all had a good laugh and loved watching his face turn 4 shades of red. But the best part was to have the surprise of Kurt's older sister Karne, her husband, and their son come down from Sedona for the party.
Our Winter break has gone by to fast and I'm not ready to go back to work. It has been a fun December.

Katie's long awaited trip at our home away from home

Katie has waited a long time to be tall enough to ride some of the big roller coasters. And finally this trip was her time. And, she wanted as many pictures of her in front of them as I would take. So, the first picture is of her in front of Montezuma. This ride goes upside down and is fast. She loved it and Papa was so proud of her. That ride is one of his favorites and he rode with her. He has ridden on this ride with all my kids when it was their first time. Everyone loves it but Emmy. Some day she'll like it, I hope. Cause, she loves all the other rides. Then, she rode on the Jaguar. She would've stayed on this ride with her cousins all day. And, there is dad so proud that he has another kid that loves roller coasters!

More Knotts and a big THANK YOU!!!!

Thanksgiving day and Friday were such a blast. It is so fun to watch the faces on all my little nephews and nieces as they see all the big rides. And where do they even start? But it is even better when they got to see Snoopy! I think I was just as excited. I know, I'm adult.

Some of our group stayed in the little kid area, and some of us went for the bigger rides!!! aka: Kurt, Jared, and Jason. They decided it was time to try this crazy ride that just spins you around and around. I decided I wanted to enjoy the rest of the day and not feel my stomach turning.

It was so fun to be able to take some of my nieces on their first big roller coaster. Maybe, they have already been on one, but Auntie Christine likes to think she was the first to take them.We met back up with everyone to watch the "Snoopy on Ice" show and the wild west show. We got to watch amazing Ice Skaters, snow come falling out of the sky, and actors shooting guns and spraying water all over some of our group. (The kids didn't care if they got wet. Not I, to cold.)

The biggest Thank You to my parents for putting this all together. It was a great family reunion. They are special memories that will last forever. We love you Papa & Grandma up to the sky!!!

What a Happy Thanksgiving at Knotts Berry Farm