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.