Random Bits from our Hotel and Beyond

So I have a few pictures that aren't really a story, but that I want to share.  Here they are!

 

First Trip to D.C.

We made our first trip into Washington DC on April 30.  We were there about half a day--we wanted to miss traffic on both ends--and so we kept our sight-seeing to a walk around part of The National Mall. We found some free parking and the first memorial we came to was George Mason.

Paul and Glenn

Paul was really happy to be a daddy again.  He missed running around and playing with Glenn when we were apart for 3 months.  Whenever Glenn would talk to Paul he would say, "Remember how you run and chase me daddy, and then tickle me?"  Glenn really missed doing that with Paul and I know Paul was so happy to be with Glenn again, doing all of those fun things!

Fun with New Friends

The second day we were in Sterling, we went to the library to get a card and get acquainted with activities in the community.  They have a really fun park just outside and as we were playing out there, we met some new friends.  We have been really welcomed to this area--there are a lot of nice and friendly people here.  And family-friendly too.  There are a lot of places to go and things to do with little kids.

Rocknoceros

The friends that we met that day at the park, Jennifer and Greisen, invited us to a kids concert later that week at the mall.  We met them there and had a good time at the concert.  They are at our mall the second and fourth Thursdays of every month--pretty cool!

Home Sweet Hotel

As I mentioned previously we stayed at an extended-stay hotel for 5 weeks before our apartment was available.  It was smaller than I had pictured in my mind, but it worked out fine for our needs. 

The Space Shuttle

On April 17 the space shuttle Discovery was taking its final flight and landing at the Dulles Airport to then be displayed in the National Air and Space Museum at the Udvar-Hazy Center.  Paul came home and we were going to go somewhere to see if we could see it...but the roads were all jammed!  So many people had the same thought and the highways were like parking lots.  We were up in the hotel room on the third floor, watching the news coverage.

Easter Sunday

The first Sunday we were there was Easter.  We had been excited to go to our new ward and get to meet people.  Well it was kind of a crazy day--the holiday, Spring Break had just started, and a large extended family had come to visit. So most of the people thought we were just visiting.  Paul and I stayed with Glenn in nursery because the leaders were out of town and others were just helping out, and it was brand new to Glenn and I knew I couldn't just leave him.  One of the little boys that was part of the visiting family was having a hard time.  He wasn't crying loudly, but I could just see it in his face that he was so sad.  He let me hold him and comfort him, but then he got louder and sadder.  One of the leaders asked what my son's name was--he wasn't my son.  So they asked what my nephew's name was--he wasn't my nephew either.  Okay, what's his name--I have no idea.  And that's how they found out that we were not part of that family and that we were new in the ward.  He felt bad that they hadn't really welcomed us better--but it was a crazy day.

Reunited at Last!

On April 6, Glenn and I woke up early (and actually it was snowing that morning!) and went to the airport with Grandma Esther.  We had 2 big suitcases and 2 small suitcases and a back pack.  Glenn was very clingy and wanted me to hold him.  I was trying to get the suitcases weighed and checked and hold Glenn and it was really hard.  I was sure glad my mom was there to help me.  Once I got 3 of the bags checked it was a lot easier.  My mom took a couple pictures of us with her camera and then we said good-bye.  Glenn and I went through Security and then went to the terminal.  He was so excited to see the planes and to be finally getting on one!  We had talked a lot about airplanes and how we were going to ride on one to Virginia. 

As we waited for some of the first class passengers to board a gentleman sitting near us told me that we could board before most of the other passengers because I had a little child.  I was grateful for his suggestion and we were able to board sooner.  We went on the plane and found our seats.  Glenn looked out the window and had fun looking at the little buttons and such that were at our seats.

 

The Movers are Here

The night before the movers came I was packing the last things, making sure I had everything that I would need for the 5 weeks before getting our stuff again.  I also was finishing the jean quilt.  I went to bed at 4:30 and was up at 7:30am.  The movers arrived at 8am and started getting things ready.

They walked through, I told them what stayed and then they got all their packing materials and went at it.  They started at about 8:30am and finished at 2:30pm!

Saying our Good-byes

The last week of March we were saying our good-byes.  My friend Vivian had some sisters in our ward over--to help tie the jean quilt--and to say good-bye.  It was so nice to see them all once more.

We had a great ward there and I'll miss them!

 Lynette. Jessica. Kayley. Jennie. Vivian. (Xander).

 Lily. Xander. Glenn. Nathan. Jaedon.

March Happenings

Even though Easter was in April, we celebrated it in March.  Glenn and I wanted to participate in the family festivities and so we worked things out to have an Easter Egg Hunt early.

Easter

The kids getting ready to go outside...

 

Fun with Family

Glenn and I took some time to spend a few days with Grandma and Grandpa Thibault.  We spent the night at their house and just enjoyed being with them!  I know Glenn loves being there and I do as well.  My grandparents are the most Christ-like people I know!  I'm so grateful that we lived close enough to visit often and that my son can know and have a relationship with his great-grandparents.

Trip to St. George

At the beginning of March, my sister Maren and her ward had a little trip scheduled to St. George.  I had been wanting to visit with Paul's Grandma Jensen one more time before moving, and so we scheduled that with her.  It worked out great to drive down with Maren and her friend Ryan.  It was nice to have other people to help entertain Glenn, and I was getting where I wanted to go but didn't have to drive!

 Glenn was pretty good in the car--except for one little stretch between Spanish Fork area and Nephi.  He was so tired but didn't want to fall asleep.  But he eventually did and slept until Cedar City!

Snow Day

Like I've mentioned before, we had a really mild winter.  We had two nights in Lehi where the snow stayed over night!  That's it--only two!  So when the snow did come, Glenn wanted to play in it.  And since it wasn't too cold, I could enjoy being out there as well.

Fun with Friends

Glenn and I took several opportunities to visit with our friends before moving.  We even spent the night at Lorenzo's a couple of times.  We just love spending time with them!

 

More Cuteness Called Glenn

So I tried to upload a few other videos of Glenn doing various things, but for some reason they wouldn't load.  But I was able to get this one to do so.  

For those of you who haven't seen Tangled, you may not know what he is doing.  He is saying who he is...and I am just so proud that he is quoting movies at such a young age. ; D

February Birthdays

In my family we have several birthdays in February.  We gathered at my parents' house and then headed to Chuck E. Cheese's to celebrate.  My mom chose that because 20 years ago my younger brother wanted to go there for his birthday.  We thought it would be fun to go again, this time with kids of our own.

The night before I took my Mom to a BYU Ballet for her birthday present.  Aunt Sandy's niece, Hillary, was one of the main dancers in this ballet.  I was happy to support her one last time and to see a beautiful ballet:

The Snow Queen

Valentine's Day

We came home the Friday before Valentine's Day and noticed a big box on our doorstep:

Projects

So to make sure I got everything done before moving, I made lists...lots and lots of lists.  

One of those lists were of little projects that I wanted to accomplish.  I felt that I would want to take completed projects instead of piles and boxes of unfinished work.

Now I still brought uncompleted things here to Virginia, but I did get a lot done as well.

The first to get done was an "I Spy Bag" with my sister Kirsta.

She had seen this on Pinterest or something and thought it would be fun.

Fun with Cousins

During January and February, we had several play dates with Glenn's cousins.  I knew he would miss playing with them, so I wanted to make sure he got one last time to be with them.  

When we were up at my Mom's we spent some time with Lena, Jasper and baby Freya.  

We had a lot of fun with them.  

Eye Surgery

So back in November I went to a free consultation at Hoopes Vision to see if I was a good candidate for lasik surgery.  I had been growing tired of contacts and glasses all the time.  And so I went in just to see.  

I remember hearing about it years ago and the thought of a laser going at my eye did NOT sound like fun AT ALL!  I remember having the hardest time learning to put in contacts--way back in 8th grade!

But at the consultation, they ran all kinds of tests and then talked to me about different options.

Turns out my corneas were too thin to do lasik.  I felt kind of devastated when they told me.

But!

Fun at Grandma Esther's

I wonder why we always seem to say "Grandma's house" instead of 'Grandpa' house....I'm not sure exactly, but it was pretty much true this time because Grandpa Don wasn't there much.  He was gone on a lot of business trips and so it was just Grandma and us.

Glenn and I went to my parent's house the last couple weeks of January and into February.  I had eye surgery and it was so nice to have some help with Glenn as well as meals and company.  We had a lot of fun being there and playing.  One of the things we did a lot was watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!  One night as we were watching there was a contestant with my name, but the spelling was exactly the same!

Background Info and a Visit from Sirie

So I guess that I didn't really explain why we had a going away party for Paul...

Well Paul got a new job in Virginia and his start date was January 16, 2012.  So after Christmas, his birthday and New Year's--which was pretty low-key for us--he packed up the car and drove across the country to Virginia.  He made several stops along the way--he stayed with his sister in Colorado; he visited an old friend and mission companion in Missouri; he visited his aunt and uncle in Alabama; and he visited with some good friends of ours in Tennessee before arriving at his uncle and aunt's house in Virginia.  He lived with them from January-April.  Glenn and I stayed there in Utah, mostly to stay in the house through March for tax purposes and to find someone to rent it.

Our Helper

Glenn really loves to help us--in pretty much everything we are doing.  One time I was wiping the counters in the kitchen and then moved on to the table.  Glenn wanted to do that, so I let him...

Paul's Birthday/Going Away Party

For Paul’s birthday last year, we invited a lot of friends and family over.  It was not only to celebrate Paul’s 30^th birthday, but a chance for Paul to see people one last time before he moved to Virginia.  We were really happy with the turn-out!  We loved seeing so many of our friends and family there—thanks to everyone who came!

 

Videos of Glenn

Okay, I have a few videos of Glenn from October through December of 2011.  They just kind of show what Glenn is like and I love 'em.  He is a fun kid!

This first one is from the ward Halloween party.  I've gotten it to work somehow.

Christmas part 3

Every year my extended Jensen family has a get together.  I love getting together with everyone, even though it is really crazy with all of us there and little one running around.  

We always eat good food and do a White Elephant gift exchange game.  This is always so hilarious!  And just like any game, there are some good ones and some not-so-good ones.  I think my cousin Ben got some hot dog flavored mints...or something gross like that!  Where do they get this stuff?!

I didn't get a picture of everyone there, but I got a few.

Christmas part 2

Christmas Eve and Day were also spent with my family.

Christmas Eve Paul and I made the traditional Christmas pizza for dinner.

Christmas part 1

First Present

One of the YW in my ward gave a present to Glenn the Sunday before Christmas.  I was surprised at the gift because she was in the younger class and hadn't spent much time with me or Glenn.  I guess she would watch Glenn at Church and activities and just loved him enough to give him a gift.

And this was the best gift!  Glenn opened the bag and was so excited to see this little puppy! 

Funny Face

So while we were at the Crane baby shower Glenn made this really funny face...and we all couldn't stop laughing!  He was able to hold it for a long time, even with all of us laughing.

December Happenings

Dinner with Ethan's Family

I know I mentioned that we had dinner with Ethan and his family before, but I only shared the food pictures. Here are a few more from that night.  

 Jasper. Glenn. Paul.

Getting so Big

As I look at these pictures that I'm going to post I realize how much Glenn is growing!

He is sure getting to be a big boy!

Fun with Daddy

The Grab & Cuddle

The Beginning of December

The end of the year is always so busy, and last year was no exception!

Here are a few pictures from things we did.

Christmas Around the World

Setting up Christmas

The last Sunday in November we got out all of our Christmas containers and decorated our house.

There is just something special and fun about it all!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving with my family this year.  

Paul had the honors of slicing the beautiful turkey.  And Maren making some delicious asparagus.  We really did have the best spread!  We had so much food and we were very grateful, especially since we had been unemployed for most of the year.  We were grateful to be with loving family and to share in the abundance of all of us.

November Happenings

Evelyn's Birthday Party

Early in the month of November we were invited to Paul's niece's first birthday party!  Sweet little Evelyn turned 1!  It was fun to eat her favorite foods, open presents and eat the cutely decorated cake.  

 

My Little Boy and Me

I don't have too many posts of Glenn and I together...so this one is just a few pictures of us

Random Cuteness

Not sure how to start this blog.

I guess I think I have a cute kid and I'd like to share some pictures of him with you.

So here they are!

 

Food Fun

Why not have a blog post about food?  We eat every day and usually fun results from it.  
Enjoy our fun food moments!

We had had some hot chocolate, and this was the result:

The Mustache

October Stragglers

So this is the last post for October.  Just a few random pictures, but ones that I liked.

 Sometimes our basement was really cold...

so we made sure Glenn was comfortable while watching a show. : D

Halloween part 3

Alright, now it's trick-or-treating time!  Glenn got to wear his Tigger costume yet again--I did like that he got multiple uses out of it.  (We found it and cousin Devin's from KSL.com--yay for good deals!)

Halloween was on a Monday last year and Paul's work had a little trick-or-treat at the office.  Paul and Kyle worked together at the time, so we went with Emmeline and Lorenzo to their office.  The boys had fun going around from desk to desk choosing candy from the other employees.

We then headed home and went trick-or-treating with some new people in our neighborhood and ward, the Hsiao's.  I am kind of bummed that I didn't get a picture of Glenn actually trick-or-treating or our friends in their costumes.  But I did get a picture after he went and before we headed to Uncle Devin's house for another Halloween party.  

 

Halloween part 2

I thought it was so interesting that Halloween was a busy time of year for us.  Isn't it usually just trick or treating and that's it.  But we had several things at that time and it seemed like it was part of the end-of-the-year holidays.  I guess I haven't lumped Halloween in with Thanksgiving and Christmas before, but it was kind of like that.

Anyway, after the ward Halloween party, Paul, Glenn and I attended a party at our good friends'-the Jardines.  In this first picture, Glenn has discarded his Tigger costume--he was pretty warm in it--and Paul was wearing his.  I know it doesn't look like he is, but he is.  He dressed up like our friend Kyle--whose house we were at!  Kyle always wears a t-shirt, jean shorts, white socks and athletic shoes, and a hat.  We thought it was kind of funny--and something that we put together last minute. : D

October 2011--Halloween part 1

(Alright, so I am finally going to do this...the whole updating thing.  I have finally gone through every single one of my pictures, saved them on my computer and a copy on the back-up hard drive.  And now I am set.)

Let's start where I left off...we had just celebrated my niece's first birthday and the next thing were Halloween festivities.

Ward Halloween Party

My mom's ward had a fun Halloween party so we headed up north to attend.  My siblings with kids also were there, so the grandkids could see each other in their costumes and have fun together.

 Jasper. Devin. Glenn

Dinosaur. Big Bad Wolf. Tigger