MERRY CHRISTMAS: Part 5

(Don't worry- I do know how to count! The kids opened just a couple presents from "Santa" Christmas morning, but b/c my camera battery was dead, I had to use my mom's camera. When I get those pictures, I'll post about MERRY CHRISTMAS: Part 4.)

We spent Christmas Day at Morian's mom's house with her and 2 of his sisters. His third sister, Cecilia, is in Ecuador on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but we got to talk to her via Skype, which was fun!

Trying to get 3 young kids to smile for the camera at the same time can be difficult!

 Devin, Kaden, and Mackenzie

MERRY CHRISTMAS: Part 3

We were up at my parents' house on the 23rd and 24th of December. (We used the free baby-sitting service of my mom so Morian and I could go out on a date!)

On Christmas Eve Day, we went over to brother, Ethan's house so Devin and Mackenzie could play with their cousins, Jasper and Freya. (Jasper is 8 months older than Kenzie and Freya is 11 months younger than Kenzie.)

MERRY CHRISTMAS: Part 2

Also on December 22, we got together with members of my extended family. It was our annual Christmas/Grandpa Jensen Birthday celebration. We gather at my Aunt Carolyn's house for dinner and white elephant gift exchange. Since there are quite a few great-grandchildren now that are getting older, we decided to have them do a gift exchange as well. Each kid gave one present to the kid just younger than them, with the youngest giving to the oldest.

Grey Singley gave to Devin (7 months apart)

 Avengers camera!

MERRY CHRISTMAS: Part 1

Our Christmas festivities started on the 22nd this year. A lady in our ward called to say that a friend of hers wanted to do "Sub for Santa" for us, so we had some presents to open early (since we weren't going to be home on Christmas).

Devin and Mackenzie in front of the Christmas tree (that actually has presents under it!)

 Opening presents

The Masquerade Ball

Mackenzie loves watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. There is an episode called "Minnie's Mouse-querade Ball." So one day, Kenzie said, "Mom let's go to the masquerade ball. I'll do your hair." She then proceeded to put every single bow that we own in my hair!

 I don't know how I could look any better!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

December 11 was our ward's Christmas party. We had a yummy turkey dinner, listened to some Christmas songs sung my the ward choir and the Primary children, and got to see Santa and a reindeer!

As you can see, Devin was super excited to meet the Reindeer (who he insisted was Rudolph, even without the red nose) and get a candy cane!

 Kenzie, on the other hand, was a bit more nervous and insisted I hold her!

 And didn't want to actually touch him!

A Girl and Her Momma

One day, I actually did Mackenzie's hair! So I wanted to take her picture and she was just super cute!

Christmas Around the World

As a BYU folk dancer, my sister, Sirie, participates in the program, Christmas Around the World. We had a big family group go together to the Dec. 7 matinee show. Devin was pretty captivated by it and Kenzie slept most of the time on my lap (she wasn't feeling too well). We were able to see Sirie when she was sitting on the side and she saw us too so she knew exactly where we were sitting so she knew where to look for us while she was dancing.

cousin Gaby and Sirie (see me photo bombing my own picture/camera?! I thought it was my mom's camera, but this is even better, right?!)

 Mackenzie, Kirsta, Devin, and Sirie

 Sirie's whole costume (one of them, anyway!)

It was a good performance and I'm glad I could go! Especially since the weather wasn't the best. My parents rode the frontrunner train down so they wouldn't have to drive in it, so I had to take them to the train station afterward.

Living Legends

Also on Dec. 6, Mountainland Headstart had a private mini performance by BYU's Living Legends dancers. They have dances that represent Native America, Polynesia, and Latin American.

Devin's favorite dance and costume were the Native American dance where the guys wear the big feather things all down their backs (far left in the picture). He even went up to one of the dancers afterwards and said, "I liked your costume and your dance." It was really sweet!

They even divided up the boys and girls to teach them a dance. Kenzie and the girls learned a Hula dance. I didn't get a video of it because the only way she would dance is if I was helping her. 

Devin learned a Polynesian dance also.

Playing in the Snow

We got our first real snow fall of the season on December 3 (which is when I finally bought a winter coat for Devin! Don't judge!).  I bought snow pants and boots for the kids a couple days later. Then on Friday the 6th, they wanted to actually go outside and play in the snow!

So I bundled them all up and sent them out!

Getting Ready for Christmas

I want to try and make it a tradition to set up the Christmas tree and get out the Christmas decorations on December 1. This year the kids got to start by opening a couple presents from my parents (we knew they were decorations/ornaments).

 Putting the first ornaments on the tree

Helping Grandpa Paint

Almost every day after we take Devin to school, Mackenzie says, "I want to go see Grandpa Thibault." So we drive by his house to see if he is there. (My grandma passed away last year and he finally decided he didn't want to live alone anymore, so he moved in with his son and his wife. He is renting out his house to Sister missionaries, but he still goes by- when the weather is nice- to do work around the house and yard.)

One day when we got there, he was getting ready to paint the front door frame.

 He asked Kenzie if she wanted to help.

Happy Halloween!

My sister, Kayley, and her son, Glenn, came down on Oct. 31 to go Trick-or-Treating with us. And she brought supplies to make little treats. Apples, peanut butter, and mini marshmallows made into smiles!

Happy Birthday Mackenzie! Part 2

On October 26, we celebrated Kenzie's birthday again, this time with members of my family- my parents, my grandpa, sisters, brother-in-law, and nephew.

 Present time!

Church puzzles

 The boys were excited to see what Kenzie got!

MBASA Halloween Party

 MBASA Halloween Party- October 24, 2013

The party consisted of dinner (chili, macaroni and cheese, and cornbread), games, and Trick-or-Treating.

I had to get pictures of the kids in their costumes before heading out.

Mackenzie was a ballerina.

Happy Birthday Mackenzie! Part 1

On October 20, we had a little birthday celebration for Mackenzie with Morian's mom, sisters, and nephew.

Sunday Afternoon Walk

Near the end of October, we were still having nice weather and the kids wanted to go out for a walk along the Provo River. 

All ready to go!

BYU Homecoming Parade

BYU Homecoming Parade

October 12, 2013

Since Sirie is on the BYU Folk Dance Team and they dance in the parade, we decided to go and watch. We sat on the bleachers at the bottom of the ramp, where they also happened to be serving blue pancakes (which of course we ate!).

Kirsta, Devin, Mackenzie, Morian

 Glenn and Kayley

Jaker's Pumpkin Patch

On October 7, MBASA put together a family outing to Jaker's Pumpkin Patch. 

The first thing the kids did when we got there was play in the corn pit. 

 There were also a couple slides that ended in another, smaller corn pit that the kids just loved!