Everything Jensen

We spent this New Year's Eve at Times Square, joining an incredible mass of people to watch the ball drop, crowded and freezing, and herald in 2015. Sorta...  Okay, okay, we were at Legoland. Legoland's New Year's Eve festival was full of rockin' kids bands, fun rides and cool hats. Best of all, the brick dropped and fireworks were launched at 6pm, meaning our little revelers were snuggled up and snoring at bedtime. Fun hats! We've ridden the duplo train many times, but this is the first time they were able to be the Engineers!  They were SO excited. Drive that train.  Hot cocoa because it was so cold! Fortunately, we still  have our mittens and coats from living out East. The tree is all lit up and so are their cute little smiles! Happy 2015!  The kids were so tired, they went to bed half an hour early. And, now we're going to watch a couple old shows on Netflix before we crash... Good bye 2014! It's been a g...

Christmas in California is the best! After opening presents, you can take them outside to play in the warm sunshine. Though we love the SoCal weather, it seems our girls were still dreaming of a "White Christmas" or, rather, a Frozen one. Red and green wrapping paper quickly gave way to white and turquoise Frozen puzzles, books, dolls, singing microphones, and more. Aunts, uncles, and grandparents spoiled the kids with all sorts of Disney goodies - and they were ecstatic! Stockings full of candy, toothbrushes and socks! Wahoo! The gasp that came out of her mouth  when she opened this Elsa doll from Grandma Donna was priceless.  Eleanor with a light-up, "Let it Go" microphone,  serenading her new Anna doll, which is lying on the  foam Frozen puzzle next to the Frozen sticker book. After a Jensen family Christmas at home, we headed up to the house at Canyon Lake for Christmas dinner (and a few more presents) with Melinda's family. It w...

Christmas Eve! The girls are so excited for Christmas they could almost burst. Last week we promised the girls we would make gingerbread houses. But, Eleanor became terribly sick with the same flu that brought down Adelaide earlier this month. Poor girls. It took a few days to get back on her feet. Luckily, she's got her energy back and we were able to squeak in this fun activity in the final hours of our Christmas countdown. Master builders at work. Eleanor ate many more swedish fish than she placed on her house.  After our houses were created... and then demolished by little candy munchers, we settled in to read the gospel of Matthew. Adelaide loved looking at the pictures, while Eleanor preferred to play with  the Fisher Price nursery and act out what Dad was reading.  We let the girls open one present, the traditional pajama gift! The best way for parents to ensure the kids look somewhat presentable for Christmas morning pictures. All re...

Of course, we wouldn't let the month go by without visiting Legoland. Gotta use those passes. The girls were so excited to visit the snow hill that was set up for the season. We sled down it once, upon which the girls told us that it was fun, kind of, but they didn't like the cold... or the wet... And, that was that for snow activities. Fortunately, with everyone focused on the snow and ice skating, the lines for the rides were especially  short. We got to go on all our favorites and catch some of the holiday shows around the park. The girls were excited to see the festive decorations. Adelaide wanted to ride in Santa's sleigh. Of course, Eleanor had a different plan. Christmas tree photo op!  Helicopter Selfie #1  Helicopter Selfie #2 While we were at Legoland, the girls picked out their annual Christmas ornaments. They were build your own ornaments, and the kids had a blast putting them together. They were so proud when the little ...

December! Oh how we love this month. A whole month dedicated to cheerful service, with our homes and communities full of beautiful symbols of Christ and so many fun family activities. We've been crafting, cooking and having a ball! Our velvet dresses are out! (Thanks Grandma Gale for sending these cute outfits!) And, the house is filled with Christmas cheer.  We made snuggly blankets, the girls picked the fabric and supervised the tying. And, at Home Depot the girls got to make  festive lawn stakes.  Super Eleanor loves it when  she's allowed to use a hammer.  They sure spruce up our front walk! Poor Adelaide got the flu and missed the church Christmas dinner, as well as the appearance of Santa Claus. Poor thing felt so awful, she wasn't even disappointed to miss the opportunity to sing with the Primary. She just wanted to sleep with her bowl nearby. She did get better in time to go to the school's cultural night! G...

Introducing... the newest, hottest musical group around. Straight from the San Diego Children's Museum, we have... Jameson rocking the guitar, Bennett strumming the base,  Eleanor providing lead vocals,  and, Adelaide banging out a steady beat.  Catch this sensational new... oh wait, we've just received news, that band has broken up. Seems their management decided it was best for all parties to take some time away from the group for a long nap and sippy cup full of milk.  We can only hope for a reunion tour soon. 

We had a full house for Thanksgiving! And, it was a blast. In addition to Barbara, we had Melinda's cousins from Santa Barbara, Phil and Mikki, Uncle Dave and Jed and Eve. The only hiccup was our oven breaking just a couple days before the holiday. What's a holiday without a minor disaster or two? Every time Melinda thought about kicking the oven or chewing out the Whirlpool reps that kept her on the phone for hours, she was able to look at our family's gratitude tree and remember all the blessings in our lives. A peaceful calm would fill her and... just kidding, she ate a lot of chocolate. It was a nice gratitude tree though. The animals were Adelaide's idea. It was a nice touch. Melinda was able to borrow a toaster oven for the rolls and switched the rest of the recipes to stove top (blanched green beans instead of green bean casserole, for example). Fortunately, Uncle Dave volunteered to bring the bird and Eve and Klisa were on pie duty. Melinda and Ad...