Everything Jensen

This morning was full of feelings of good will and generosity toward our fellow men. But, this afternoon we broke out the frosting and the gum drops in a no-frosting-barred gingerbread house competition. While Christmas dinner was a roasting, we held a competition to see who would win the coveted Gingerbread Master award, complete with Ginger Brew prize. First, the experts (kids) did their decorating. They were much more interested in eating than competing. Plus, they didn't want to show us adults up too bad.  Excellent work architect Adelaide and surveyor Steven.   Eleanor getting an assist from Dad.   Once the kids had shown us what to do, the adults took the table. The competition continued until the gum drops were depleted and the gummy bears gone. At first, we put Eleanor in charge of the judging. But, she declared everyone a winner. Too nice. So, we went and pried poor Adelaide away from her book and made her ...

It is so much fun to wake up on Christmas morning to four bouncing, ecstatic kids. They were all so excited. Instead of crashing into our room, like they usually do in the morning, Jefferson and Steven hung by the bannister railing, awed and amazed by the lights and presents below. Adelaide and Eleanor were so eager to go downstairs, but waited, giggling and talking, in their room until they heard everyone else moving about. Finally, when Mom and Dad gave the all clear, they all tumbled downstairs together. And, with great difficult sat by the couch and waited for Dad to pass out the stockings. Finally, time to look inside!  Stockings!    Whoa! Paw Patrol.    Cheez-its, yummm...   A few days ago, the kids picked Swedish Pancakes as their Christmas morning breakfast. Everyone got dressed while Matt whipped up a batch. Jefferson hovered as his kitchen helper while the other kids enjoyed their stocking stuffers.    ...

We've been wanted to get out to the temple to see the lights all season. This evening, we finally made it out. We pulled into the parking lot just before dusk and watched the lights blink on as the light dimmed. We made the kids take a few pictures, then the girls took over the camera and took a few pictures too.  Watching the lights come on!    Kids on a hill    Eleanor's awesome photography.   A great shot from Adelaide   After visiting the lights, we headed up to Grandpa Thomas's house for fun and fondue. Aunt Karina amazingly put on a huge fondue party with several fondue pots bubbling around the room and lots of dipping choices. It was a lot of work, and we all ate through it quickly.  The "kid table." Kids were actually playing on the floor.    The grown-up table.   Full and happy, we headed home to go to bed and get ready for Christmas. Usually, we let the kids open...

Last year, the girls learned about Elf on the Shelf from their friends. And, they were dramatically sad we didn't have one. Long, wishful signs at Target whenever we passed the Elf on the Shelf display shelves sad. Drawing pictures of the elf they wished they had sad. Saving their own pennies to buy a friend of their own. However, their grinch of a mother refused to pay full retail for a plush elf doll, even if they used their own dollars. Nope, total rip off. However, after Christmas they all went on sale, so, you know, that's okay. The got-it-on-clearance-elf has been at the back of Melinda's closet for months awaiting her big debut. And, as expected, she made her arrival on December 1. Sitting at the bottom of the chimney she flew down... And, from then on, Melinda had to move the elf every night before bed time to keep up the game of hide and seek. And, it was hard work. So, we took pictures to prove that, you know, we're good parents. Moving the elf mak...