Our Christmas 2009

Make a photo slideshow

Thanks for the input...

On baby names! We are still trying to work that all out, but we like to see the baby first anyway for a final decision. I wish I felt more like blogging...I have lots to catch up on. Truth is...I'm just trying to get by with basics...i.e. getting kids to school, showering...etc. Man it's been tough to take care of four kiddos and be preggo...but it's not permanent and it's worth it, right?! Hopefully I will catch up this weekend...we'll see. But if I don't, I still enjoy jumping on and reading about everyone else.

This is pretty much me...with the exception of a couple on the list...he he:

Humor Me!

I put a name poll on the right. Please vote and leave me a comment if possible on which ones you like...my only request is there be only positive comments...Thumper's Rule! Not that anyone would do anything different, right??? ;) Oh, and if you want to remain anonymous in the voting, that's okay too. Thanks!!!

Our 2009

For journaling purposes, I have summed up our 2009. Sorry it is a bit lengthy, but tune in next time for a shorter, quicker to read post if you are so inclined!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The year 2009 was a busy, full year for our family. We had many adventures, and good things happen to us for which we are very grateful!

On January 13th, Tanner turned eight years old. He had about 12 friends over to our house for a crazy basketball party at his own “Marriott”…I mean, “Jensen Center”! 12 boys meant lots of chaos but they all had a great time. Brandon and I also took him out to dinner on his actual birthday to Los Hermanos where the employees sang to him while he stood on a chair and loved every minute of it! He had a great birthday week-he also went to a Jazz game that same week. Can anyone say spoiled? ;) On January 31st, he was baptized. It was a beautiful, sunny, winter day! He requested pasta for a luncheon at our home after the baptism… so pasta it was! We were so proud of him! He is such a great boy, and an invaluable addition to our family.

In April, we planned a surprise trip to Disneyland for the kids. They had ABSOLUTELY no idea we were going. The morning of the trip, I got out a megaphone and announced that everyone needed to get into the car for an announcement! Once they were there, we told them! We did give them a chance to change their clothes and get a couple of favorite things…but other than that they were all packed and ready to go! It was so fun to tell them that way. I wish I could do that all the time! We all had a blast as usual when we go there. It truly is one of our favorite places.

Shortly after we returned, our sweet Gavin J turned two. I made him a horse cake because he loves horses and animals, and since it was a Sunday, we had a quiet little dinner/party with the Grandmas at our home. He has been such a joy to every member of our family. Not only is he very smart (a little too smart sometimes) but such a fun kid also. We can’t ever get enough of him! Everyone enjoys him and loves him so much.

May arrived and that meant lots of activities surrounding the school year ending. Towards the end of May, Brandon took a business trip to London for a few days. He had to spend some time alone while there, but made the best of it seeing Wicked and doing a little sightseeing. It is LONDON after all! Megan performed in her end of the year dance concert and also participated in her Kindergarten play called, Giant John. She played the part of the princess and did a great job. She and Tanner also performed in the school’s dance festival. They had a lot of fun. Zach’s participated in a school dance festival as well as his Kindergarten graduation.

In June, the twins turned six years old. I can’t believe they are six. Where does the time go??? Even if it sounds cliché, I just can’t say it enough, because it is so true! On their birthday, which is June 16th, we planned a day at Lagoon! It was a great day and they had a great birthday! Megan requested a rainbow cake inside and out, which is what she got. And Zach requested a pirate cake. I think they were two happy children that day!

Summer was loads of fun. Tanner played baseball, and the kids took swimming lessons. We went out on Grandma’s boat to Pineview Reservoir for a day of fun, and the boys were able to stay the night and camp there. We picked lots of strawberries in Munga’s strawberry patch all summer long, which is one of the kids’ favorite summer activities.

July brought a busy 4th of July, which included the parade, water games at Grandma’s, fireworks and Tanner and I attended the Stadium of Fire. We were able to go to Lagoon a couple more times (maybe we need a season pass this year???), and the boys went camping again…this time in the Uintahs. We also enjoyed a Reece cousins' reunion with my mom's side of the family at the end of July. We met at a swimming pool near my cousin Diana's home in Salt Lake. A great time was had by all and my kids, especially Tanner loved the high dive at the pool!

In August, Megan and I planned a girl trip to St. George and took along Munga and Aunt Vickie. We saw Footloose the musical and loved it, did some Church History touring, sightseeing and some shopping. Shortly after we returned, school started! The twins started 1st grade and Tanner started 3rd grade. It was hard to believe only one child was home all day! By this time, mom was starting to not feel so good, because we found out that baby #5 was on its way! Wow, it’s a good thing we had a fun eventful summer because I wasn’t feeling so good anymore.

In early September, we took a family trip to the Portland, Oregon area to visit the Smith family, which is Brandon’s sister Heather, her husband Ryan, and their five children. Their daughter Abby was being baptized and we decided to make the trek to be there, having never been. The kids had a great time getting together and we even took a day trip out to the beautiful Oregon Coast.

October was another month for travel! The boys took their annual boy trip to an away BYU football game. They chose San Diego and even went to Sea World. They had a blast and can’t wait to go back. Oh, and the football game was fun too!


To quote Megan, this year’s Halloween was “the best ever”. Gavin was Curious George and Brandon was the Man with the Yellow Hat, Megan and Zach were Snow White and the Prince, and I was the wicked queen from Snow White, and Tanner was a Wii remote, a.k.a. “Wiimote”. It really was a fun Halloween. I am always so sad when Halloween ends. I just love planning the costumes and seeing the kids so cute and happy. It is a lot of work but worth it.

November was a busy month with Kelly’s (Brandon’s brother’s) wedding and the holidays approaching. On November 14th, Kelly was married in the Bountiful Temple. Brandon and I attended the wedding and luncheon. It was a nice day, even with a little snow. After coming home and picking up the kids, we attended the reception. The girl cousins were all so cute in their green dresses and the boy cousins so cute in their matching green bow ties.

Thanksgiving was great! We spent the day at Grandma Leesa’s and that is the day Tanner was introduced to Beatles Rockband. He had a blast! I was able to do the Thanksgiving craft-somewhat uninterrupted too! Wow! The craft is a tradition on Brandon’s side of the family. All in all, a fun day filled with food, family, games, crafts and fun. The next day, Black Friday, we headed back up for the annual dollar store grandkids’ shopping excursion and lunch at Hungry Bear. This is something the kids look forward to every year. They have such a good time!

December was filled with parties, people and presents, that’s for sure! It was very busy. At times, a little too busy. I guess that is the way the holidays can be sometimes, but I think it’s worth it for the kids to make good memories and for all of us to see family and enjoy each other’s company.

Megan performed at the Festival of Trees, and did a fantastic job in her purple dress dancing to Let it Snow by Martina McBride. We also enjoyed two nights of parties at Grandma Leesa’s:


For the Washburn/Jensen family party, every family chooses a song to sing for everyone, or have everyone sing, and we chose God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. Our kids had been singing the Garth Brooks version so much on one of our cd’s, we knew we had to choose that one. It was a fun memory!

The next night, it was the annual Kirkbride Christmas Party. Each family takes a turn planning a performance of some kind. The grandchildren in our family put on a nativity, where Zach stole the show as a wiseman with his very reverent “pose”. Our other two boys were also wisemen and Megan was an adorable white angel. Then Brandon and his brothers came out and surprised everyone with a rendition of Suzy Snowflake, which his Dad and brother, Tyler had done years ago! It was even complete with snowflake skirts and nylons! They are good sports, that’s for sure!

In early December, we found out that baby #5 is a girl! Megan has been especially excited about the fact that she is getting a sister and we all eagerly await the new addition to our family.

It was a happy, memorable year for our family and we look forward to another one in 2010!

Marvelous Meg

Not to take away from our Christmas e-card below, but you'll have to humor me. I am a bit partial to putting my daughter in a beautiful Christmas dress(or outfits for that matter) and taking pictures. I can never resist a cute pea coat either! Does this mean I get to dress up TWO girls so they can matchy matchy? And I thought I was bad when Tanner and Zach were smaller...this may just be worse...sort of like playing dolls. ;) (By the way, I do love the boys but we couldn't find one of their matching sweaters so there was only two out of three, and they looked really cute but were off playing and busy when we took these)

Merry Christmas!

We are so grateful for this time of year, to celebrate the birth of our Savior and also celebrate relationships with our friends and family. Thanks for continually tuning in...here in our corner of the blog world.

Merry Christmas and a happy 2010! We love you!

Love,
Brandon, Jen, Tanner, Megan, Zach and Gavin
P.S. Here is our year in summary:

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Rushing the Field!

 

What a game and what a touchdown! It was a great moment for the boys when they went down on the field after the game. Tanner was on cloud 9!

Good Ole Hungry Bear

 

Every year on the day after Thanksgiving...yes, on Black Friday, all the grandkids on Brandon's side go shopping at the dollar store for each other and then go out to eat at The Hungry Bear. It is a pizza restaurant in Layton. It is a very fun tradition and our kids really look forward to it every year. They buy gifts for all the kids on their list and then get to go eat pizza courtesy of Grandma and Grandpa! Afterward, we go back to Grandma's to wrap all the presents. With four kids, let's just say I was wrapping for a while. I think I became permanently attached to the floor! Although Tanner did wrap some of his own which was kind of cute. It was a good Thanksgiving this year, complete with good food, family, the Thanksgiving craft, cousins, and Beatles Rockband...Tanner's new obsession!

Fun in the Leaves part II

 

Kelly's Wedding

 

Brandon's brother Kelly got married on November 14 in the Bountiful Temple. It was a crazy day for us! We were gone from the house by 8 am. We had a babysitter all day for the kids...her name is Lisa and she is one of the Laurels in my ward. She was great and I knew the kids were in good hands! Gavin really liked her. My mom picked up Megan at noon and took her to her dance performance at Thanksgiving Point's Gingerbread Festival. They brought home gingerbread men for all the kids to decorate. Looks like they enjoyed it.

 

We came home at almost 3. Then I had to bathe Megan and get all the kids ready to go up to the reception in West Point. We had to be there by 5! Megan's hair didn't dry in time, but I did manage to snag Angie to do her hair for a few pictures. Phew! I was panicked. Stress and pregnancy do not mix well!!! I think by the end of the reception, cleaning up, an Arby's run and the trip home it was probably 11 or so. Probably especially exhausting with the circumstances I am under! All in all a lovely day...beautiful wedding, luncheon and reception.