PROM - part 2

It's Prom night. Kacee was so excited to go. It's sad she's not in the same group as her best friend. But they will meet up at the dance.

She got asked to go to a "Mormon Prom" that some of the Denver Stakes are putting on next weekend also. She's even more excited for that one.

Her Young Women's Pres. came over and did her hair. And it turned out amazing...

Here she is ready to go...

PROM - part 1

Kacee got asked to prom. The boy that asked her sent her on an Easter Egg hunt. He sent the first egg to mutual with one of her girl friends and it had a letter in it. When we got home she had to find the others. Then she had to put the letters together and figure out what it all said and who asked her. It said, "Prom with John?"

So, to respond she sent her answer in the flour. Her girl friend delivered a fake flower with misc letters written on the pedals. About 5 min later they ding door ditched 3 bags of flour that had her answer in them. And he had to dig in the flour to find kacee's answer.

It's so fun to see how creative they can be with asking and responding for the dances.

Oh my...it has been so long and lots has been going on. Thanksgiving was at our house - family and friends joined us. So much fun and a full house. Christmas came and went with family. Kacee turned 16. Her cousin Kortni flew in from Mesa to surprise her, we had a surprise bday party for her. Then on Monday night she was surprised with a date. She had a great weekend. And we were sad to say goodbye to Kortni. Eric turned 14 and decided not to go to his first stake dance so he could be with his cousins. Eric, Sara and family came to visit over New Years from Gilbert,Az. We loved having them and realized just how much we miss Kurt's family. My sister Stephanie and her husband LeVell had a baby boy in January. Baby Henry is the sweetest thing ever. He just melts my heart and I can never get enough of him. Kacee had a great swim season. She was glad when it was over and misses it now. We moved into a different house over the kids spring break. Glad that's over. And I know this isn't the last move for our family. Ugh..... Kacee was given the opportunity to go to Hawaii over spring break with her best friend and their family. What a trip of a life time for her. She had a great time and came home with the idea that our whole family needs to go. She must think that money grows on trees for us. :) Katie is 10 yrs old and is in the school play. "Alice in Wonderland" Can't wait to see it. She still likes to run the show in our house. Emmalee just turned 12yrs old. She has been so excited to leave primary. And I have been so sad at the thought of her leaving me. It has been so fun to be in primary with Emmy & Katie. But, I have to let her grow up. So, Emmy went to Young Women's for the first time today. I cried when she walked out the Primary doors with all the Beehives. Kacee was asked to Prom this week. The boy sent her on an Easter Egg Hunt after mutual Wednesday night. So to answer him... she sent him a message. She gave him some flowers and told him "the answer was in the flour." She had a friend take the flowers to the door with the note. Then about 5 min later they ding door ditched 3 bags of baking flour that had her answer in them. Pour boy had to dig in all the flour bags for the letters to unscramble. He told her he was covered in flour when he was all done. hahaha...Good thing we are friends with the family. I was released from being Primary Pres today. I thought I'd be excited about this....I really am going to miss those cuted kids. And, Kurt was called to be the 2nd Couns./Scout Master in Young Men's. He is going to be great and he loves those boys. He's already had most of them as 11yr old scouts. Well, that should be a fast catch up on our family for now.

Kacee went to Homecoming!!!

Kacee is in student council and needed to be at Homecoming....so a few of her friends that aren't 16 yet got together and went. They got ready here at our house and ate dinner together then went to the dance. I'm not sure if I'm ready for the dating to start in about 1 1/2 months...

Here they are getting ready...

Here are the girls all ready and really can't wait till they are 16 and can add the boys to pictures....

They looked beautiful and had a great time.....

BYU FOOTBALL CAME TO TOWN.....

We were so excited to get tickets for the Air Force v BYU game. The kids had never been to a BYU game and were all dressed in their BYU shirts and ready to go to cheer on their favorite team.

It was a beautiful day even if BYU lost the game. The half time show honored all the men and women that have and are serving our country. I'm so thankful for them and the work they do so unselfishly. After the game our friends came over for dinner and fun.

SURPRISE TRIP!!!

Kurt & I have always wanted to go to Mt.Rushmore so when you only live 7hrs away why not go. Right?

We told the kids after church to pack an overnight bag and we were off. As we were driving into Denver we called Auntie Heather and picked her up.

Mt. Rushmore is an amazing place. Everyone should take their families there. Pictures just don't do it justice...

Towards the end of the pathway you come up on a bldg that had the tools and stuff that the workers used. There was a park worker in there that talked about why the work stopped and how the mountain was suppose to look had they been able to finish it.

It was a great trip. We all are still talking about it and can't wait to go back. There is so much up in that area to do.

We are soooo excited!!

We are so excited for my brother Brian & snl Laci. The biggest Congrats to them and their cute family. The newest addition came to join their family yesterday. I get a little wet in the eyes just thinking about it. I'm dying to see him and wishing we lived so much closer. I'm so thankful for eternal families. It truely is a miracle when a new life is brought into this crazy world.
We love you - Brian & Laci!!! Congrats and hope everyone is adjusting well. Give that new little guy the biggest kisses and hugs for all of us.

COUNT DOWN.....

10 days and counting till we leave for Mesa. We can't wait to go camping with family at the property and be back in our trailor. Then down to Mesa for some fast paced visits with friends and family. Lots of swimming, haircuts with our favorite hair dresser, and lots of visits to our favorite MEXICAN FOOD places. Can't wait for some good Mexican food. Oh how I miss good chips and Salsa.
Can't wait to see you all in Hot AZ.

Things never change...

So, it's Sunday night and Kacee decided that we should watch Julie and Julia with her. Especially since I haven't seen it yet. And, I've really wanted to see it.
The part that never changes....is that Kacee has climbed up inbetween Kurt and I in bed to watch the movie. It's just like when she was little. I miss those days sometimes.

Happy Mother's Day

For Mother's Day we decided to fly Kurt's mom in to visit us. She has missed the kids and wanted to see where we moved to. We were so excited to have her come. The kids took her hiking and to Garden of the Gods. She also got to be here for the Dance Festival that the youth in our stake put on. They did a great job. And Grandma loved watching Kacee & Eric dance in it.

We loved having Grandma Jensen visit and really miss her and PaPa Bear.

Time flies...

I can't believe it's been almost a year since I posted last. I really need to do alot of updating on our families events. Lots has happened. So, I guess it's time to start updating our blog again. Updates are coming soon......

Long time...

Holy cow, I didn't realize how long it had been since I had posted anything. I couldn't even remember our blog address. That is so sad. Had to go to Kacee's blog to get to ours.
Lots has happened in our family's life. A move, a broken arm, and saying good bye to such dear sweet friends. We said good bye to Arizona last Thursday and said HELLO to beautiful Colorado on Friday. We are living in Colorado Springs now and just love it. We are very cold, they had a early winter storm come in. But it is suppose to warm up for the weekend. Hurray!!!

Summer fun...

We have all had a fun summer so far. Lots going on. The kids have been busy. So the next couple updates are going to catch everything up. I haven't been the best at keeping updated.

Craziness, I tell you!!!

I'm going CRAZY!!!!!!
The last couple of days have been nuts for us. Having to keep the house spotlessly clean, kids wanting friends over everyday, a teenage daughter who thinks we should shop everyday, is really taking its toll on me.. The kids hate me getting after them for every little thing. And I hate it to. It is to hot to go outside and play. And, being on edge every time the phone rings thinking it is a realtor is no fun. The house has only been on the market for 5 days and I'm done.
Sorry to complain, just need to vent.
We were getting ready for a little camping trip and then had our plans change. So, now the car needs a little TLC that wasn't in the plans. The kids are excited and can feel all my stress. I'm praying hard that our situation as far as finding a job and putting our lives back in order changes soon. I'm not sure if our lives will ever be totally in order.
We can't wait to see our new little cousin/niece. And, some of our other cousins. We are going to stay with our good friends and we can't wait. Big fireworks are in the plan along with some much needed cooler weather. HURRAY!!!!!

It is official

So, it is official our house is up for sale!! Yes, you are seeing things right. It hasn't even been a year. Kurt found out about 3 weeks ago that his facility that he manages is going to be closed. So we are job hunting again. I can't believe it. We found out about it just 3 day before we left for our cruise that we had been planning for our 16th anniversary. (I'll post about that soon.) So I sat on my bed and cried for about an hour. I couldn't believe this was happening to us again in just less than 2ys. Then decided to tell the kids. They were in shock and then asking if we could move to Utah or back over to Mesa to our old neighborhood. So, how do you respond to that? My answer was we'll see. I'm not sure where we are going to go. But of course I want to say YES!!! So in the meantime the kids will start school over here, unless Kurt gets a job before school starts. And I'm going to still work at the school as an aide. I'm excited for that.

But, if anyone knows of any job openings let us know. haha. We'll keep everyone updated to what is happening with our family and where we are going. Say lots of prayers that it will all come together soon. I know that the Lord is in charge and that it will all come together in his time and good things are waiting for our family. I think we just all get impatient at times and want things to happen now. And the Lord doesn't work that way. Hope all is good for our friends and family. We love you all and pray for you all everyday.

Oh, a camping they will go!!!

It's Girls Camp time. They left last Monday. And, Kacee and Brittany were so excited to be going, even though they weren't going to LoMia. (at least, that is what they wanted their mom's to think.) I know Kacee was. It was a little different this year for Kacee. I was suppose to go with our ward, but I decided about a week before everyone was to be going that I needed to stay home and get things ready for our house to go up for sale. I've been lucky to go with Kacee the last 2 yrs., and attend girls camp for 6yrs in a row. Saying things were a little different for our house is an understatement.
So, Sis.Eich was the lucky one to take my place. I'm so glad she got to go. She is our 1st coun. in yw. She never went to girls camp as a yw, so this brought all sorts of fun excitement for her and the girls. I'm sure some of the girls were wanting to show her all the things she missed as a youth. Like how to get your pants stuck on a fence as you are climbing back over it from going in the woods. haha!!
As a ward we decided to sew the famous backpacks that we have made in our old ward for girls camp. They really turned out cute. This picture doesn't do them justice. I was sewing 23 backpacks and Bishops gift from the girls till 2am on Sunday night before they all left. But, hey that is what we do. If I hadn't been sewing, I would have been packing till that late. Some things never change. The ward theme was LION KING.
Each girls and leader in YWs and Cabin moms decorated a square. Then I sewed material around them and put it together. It really turned out cute. I would love to someday learn how to get them all to square up. They were a little off. Hope our Bishop loved it.

Our Family Update....

Well, the school year has ended. Summer has started and I'm already pulling my hair out some days. The phrase, "can I have _______ come over to play?" everyday, multiple times gets old. But, I love having the kids home.
Kacee graduated from 8th grade and is now an official Freshman in high school. YIKES!!! I'm feeling old. Kurt and I finally took our dream vacation for our 16 Anniversary - a cruise to the Bahamas. Still wish I was on that boat. It was os amazing. And, Kacee and Eric are off to girls camp and scout camp.
Kacee will be going to EFY and then is hoping to get to Utah in July to visit Uncle Brian, Auntie Laci and the girls. But really it boils down to Kacee just misses her cousin Cami so much. If we could live next door it wouldn't be close enough. What a blessing to have such great Uncles and Aunts that set good examples and love my kids for who they are.
But the hardest news for our family thus far - just before we left on our cruise Kurt was told his facility that he manages is going to be closed. The company that he works for was bought out in January and the new company doesn't want to keep the small facilities open. So as of the middle of July he will be out of work again. Two times in two years is so much fun. Not really. So, we are putting our house up for sale, and aren't sure where the Lord is going to take us next. But, we have faith it will all work out.
We are torn. We want to go back to Mesa to be closer to all of Kurt's family and our friends. But, we also want to go to Utah to be closer to Christine's family. Not to mention having four seasons, one of which has much cooler summers, sounds good too. Time will tell. Say lots of prayers for us.

Kacee graduated

Yes, Kacee graduated from Junior High. This whole graduating ceremony thing from junior high is baffling to me. I never had a graduation ceremony when leaving 8th grade. We just left and were excited to be going to high school.

So, Kurt and I are feeling a little older today. But, very proud. Kacee received an award that all the teachers voted on who should receive it. One girl and one boy received this award. Along with the award was a gift card to Staples. She's not sure what they were thinking when they came up with that part of it. She would have rather of had cash. I told her not to complain, she can use it to buy supplies for the next school year and save me some money.

We are so proud of her. She is a great student. She just amazes us everyday at what she excels in.

Way to go Kacee. We love you!!! xoxoxoxox

Eric's Court of Honor

It was Eric's first court of Honor in the ward. He was excited and nervous. He was helping with the flag ceremony and getting awards. He received his First Aide merit badge, Tenderfoot, and 2nd class. He had to get instruction from his scout leader so he didn't poke me. (I don't think they forget how to pin their mom's. They get lots of practice at it in cub scouts.) He was so cute about it and did a great job. And, he didn't poke me. I'm so proud of you Eric. You are doing such a great job in scouts. Keep up the good work.

Kacee, Eric and Verrado Track!

These were long, hot afternoons.
We just loved watching Eric running against the big 7th and 8th graders. This was his first season. He always tried his hardest and that is what counts. He always would say, " I did my best".
Kacee couldn't decided if she wanted to do track again this year. She really was missing her friend and track buddy from last year - Lexi. I had to remind her that she lived on the other side of town. She finally decided to run and I was so excited. I just love to watch track. I had a great PE teacher in 7th grade that got me interested in running hurdles and ran them every spring till my Junior year.
Kacee had a great season. She ran the hurdles, 100m, long jump, and triple jump. She did so good. She made the semi finals, and alternate for the finals in long jump. This was the first year their school had a track team and the girls team took 1st at the finals. We were so proud of them.
Eric's good friend Colby Clifford ran also. So the other perk to the season was to be able to spend the time watching the kids run with such good friends and company. We all had many laughs and drinks from sonic. What could be better?!