Thomas Time

We had some fun Thomas time while we were visiting Utah. We slept over at Uncle Grant and Aunt Lindsee's one night and the kids and adults all had a wonderful time. Talmage and Dylan had fun dressing up, playing legos, and taunting the girls. The girls had fun playing dress-up, teasing the boys, and dancing. Audrey loves her big cousin Emma and Emma is so cute with her. Emma showed Audrey her autograph book from Disneyland and Audrey loved it. We love our Thomas cousins and were glad for the time we spent with them.

Beautiful Girls

Cute Boys

Audrey and Emma dancing together.

Lights at Temple Square

While in Utah we took a little visit to see the lights on Temple Square. We had fun going with my parents and with my brother Mark and his family. After the lights we went to Lamb's Restaurant and had hot chocolate and rice pudding. Lamb's is one on the oldest restaurants in Salt Lake City and is really fun to go to if you are Salt Lake. Gordon worked at Lamb's when we first got married and we fell in love with their rice pudding. So, we have made going to Lamb's part of our Temple Square lights experience.

My brother Mark's family with Grandma and Grandpa

Grandpa and Audrey

Talmage is holding Adalyn's hand to keep it warm; he is so sweet. Adalyn wouldn't wear her mittens or boots; thank goodness we had a stroller to strap her in.

Having fun at Lamb's

Sitting at the bar at Lamb's

The kids were starting to glaze over from having a long fun day.

Mommy and Adalyn

Adalyn loved the rice pudding and didn't want to share.

Playing in the Snow

My kids were so excited to go to Utah so that they could play in the snow and Mother Nature delivered. The first day we were there they put on their snow clothes and headed out into the snow. Talmage and Audrey had so much fun playing in the snow with their cousins and also being pulled behind my brother Layne's snowmobiles. We don't know how much snow we will see in Vancouver, so it was nice to be able to play in the snow while in Utah.

Audrey ready to play in the snow.

Talmage ready for his first playtime in the snow. We had to borrow Grandpa's jacket because his zipper on his coat was broken.

Talmage needs some new snowpants and boots; he is wearing his girl cousin boots.

Talmage and his buddies Samuel and Spencer

The kids and Gordon

Me driving the snowmobile.

After I drove for a little bit the kids requested Gordon; I guess I'm not as crazy.

Abbie, Audrey, Talmage, and Lindsay

Isaac, Audrey, Emily, Spencer and Talmage

Making Apple Pie

Ever since I can remember my family would make apples pies the day after Thanksgiving; I was really excited to share this tradition with my kids this year. (We have had two years off since my parents have been on their mission.)

So, here is the back story to the apple pies. When my Dad was on his mission in Niighta, Japan in the 60's he and his companion helped the Relief Society sisters make apple pies for a Bizarre; they helped because their apartment was part of the church and they shared their kitchen with the ward members. After the Bizarre they made some more pies to give to people in their mission. Then 10-15 years later when my parents had settled in Sandy, Utah and my Dad was Elders Quorum President and needed a Christmas project for the Elders to do the apple pies came to mind.

From their our family got involved and ever year the day after Thanksgiving we would make anywhere from 75-135 pies. We make our own pie filling and buy the pie crust from a local bakery. However, we still have to roll out all of the pie crust. The accomplished pie makers make tops for the pies and the novices make the bottom because they are not seen. Also, we freeze the

pies and then let the recipient bake it. I have memories of sitting on the tailgate of our extended cab truck delivering pies during December. It is a lot of work to make the pies, but even more work to deliver them; my parents love delivering the pies and visiting with people. What I also loved about making pies growing up was that it was the first official day of playing Christmas music. Some of my favorites are Canadian Brass Christmas, Voice Male Christmas, Kurt Bestor Christmas, and Mannheim Steamroller.

So, here are a few pictures from this year. The little kids helped peel the apples with adult supervision and the older grandchildren made bottoms, filled pies, cut off the excess, and crimped the pies. It was really fun to be with everyone. Thanks Mom and Dad for keeping this tradition alive.

My niece Ashley peeling apples.

Nieces and Nephews - Emily, Abbie, Isaac, and Jeffrey

The Crew

Talmage eating apple peels.

You have to be careful to not eat too many or you'll get the runs.

Talmage peeling apples with Uncle Mark.

Thanksgiving In Utah

We recently got back from a wonderful trip to Utah. As we drove into the Salt Lake Valley we were welcomed back to our amazing mountains. I was so worried that the clouds were going to be covering the mountains but it was clear. The mountains were beautiful covered with fresh snow and the tops were pink from the sunset; I couldn't have asked for more.

Also as we drove into the valley and commented to the kids that we were in Utah Audrey said "Utah, This is the Place!" She was so excited to be in Utah again and Gordon and I just started to laugh because Audrey had no idea she was quoting Brigham Young's famous words.

Thanksgiving dinner was wonderful and crazy. My parents had 56 people for dinner and we all sat together downstairs. It was fun to be with my immediate family, my extended Jensen family, and with my Aunt and Uncle McCallister and their son Steve.

The Adult Table

Uncle Jeff and some crazy kids

Young Adult/Teenager table

Jason and Mel with the older grandchildren

I found this group of boys sneaking rolls before dinner.

They had so much fun together.

Audrey and Samuel frosting turkey sugar cookies.

They were so cute working together.

Fun Weekend with Grammy and Papa

Last weekend Grammy and Papa Thomas came to visit us and we were so excited. We had a wonderful time with them. Highlights were going to Chucky Cheese and to the Riverfront Parkway. We also enjoyed a movie night of Toy Story 3, being tickled, toe popping (apparently having your toes popped is part of being a Thomas), and just being together.

Audrey in a carriage.

Adalyn of the Merry-go-Round

Talmage with Grammy and Papa

Adalyn loving her prizes.

Talmage showing his prize

For this part of their visit we went to the Riverfront Parkway and walked the land bridge to see the Fort. The kids had a great time throwing rocks and things in the water. Gordon and his parents had fun skipping rocks. We hit a patch of dry sunny weather and it was beautiful.

Gordon with his parents

Group picture

Audrey and Mommy

Grammy and Papa with the Kids at the Riverfront.

Grammy and Audrey

Grammy helping Adalyn walk on the wall.

Grammy reading stories

We love our Grammy and Papa and are excited to see them again for New Years!

Audrey's 1st Day of Preschool

Audrey has been waiting for a year to go to preschool. When Talmage was in preschool last year she asked all the time when she could go to preschool so yesterday was a RED LETTER DAY for Audrey as she started preschool.

Audrey is going to a local high school for preschool with some of her friends from our ward. She was so excited when she woke up to get ready to go; the rest of the family was equally as excited for her. When Talmage came out of his room in the morning he said to Audrey, "Who's going to preschool today?" Then after he got home from school he asked Audrey all about what she did; it was really sweet.

Well, Audrey had a wonderful time and can't wait to go back; she asked me this morning if she had preschool again today. She loved painting and all of the different activities. By the time I was done filling out paper work she was done with playing play dough and on to painting. I can't believe she is in preschool already.

Harvest Hoe Down

Talmage's school had a Harvest Hoe Down last Friday and we had a really fun time going to it. I'm really enjoying being apart of the school community and going to all the different activities that the school does. My favorite part of these activities is seeing Talmage get so excited and seeing him interact with his friends.

Well, since it was a Hoe Down we got the kids all dress-up in their cowboy clothes. Talmage insisted on wearing his chaps that are way too small; he wore them for Halloween when he was four and now he is six. Audrey looked so cute in her cowgirl skirt and Adalyn had on her cute pink cowgirl boots but wasn't interested in her bandanna.

We had a blast dancing the night away. The kids favorite song was "Cha, Cha, Slide;" this was new to me but really fun. We also danced the "Electric Slide," "Bunny Hop," and "Hokey Pokey." Adalyn had a great time moving to the beat and trying to eat other peoples food. Fun times!

I love this picture because you can tell how much fun Talmage is having.