ALL TOGETHER FOR THANKSGIVING

How fun (how chaotic!) to have all the kids and all the grandkids hangin' around Thanksgiving Week.   Peter and Jill and Aly have moved back in with us,  Becky and Audrey and Ethan spent three nights (coming from their  home in North Las Vegas) and Nathan, Colleen and girls made it down and back safely between huge snow storms that hit Twin Falls.   We cooked, and ate, played games and ate, refereed children and ate and had wonderful conversations stimulated by the word quizzes on a board game that requests you to choose what you would do under different circumstances.   (Example:  "What would you buy if you suddenly had $1,000?)  Hmmm.  You get great insight into your kids' personalities that way!  Here are some photo highlights.

The annual Bingo game had a kid version this year. Each family hits the Dollar stores to buy up tons of affordable presents ( or they give away obnoxious toys they don't want in their houses anymore, NATHAN)!   then you play lots of rounds of Bingo and get lots of crazy gifts.  When all the gifts are gone you set a timer for however long the timer-setter person chooses and play some more..only now everyone who wins gets to steal someone else's prize.  This year the most coveted item was a new role of rope!!  Go figure!!

Began taking pictures for our family cookbook.  This is Nathan's wife Colleen who wins the award not only for best pie (Pear - our favorite), but for prettiest cook and best Rachael Ray look-a-like!

Nathan made Muddy Buddies!  (Which were gone in a day!)

Peter and Jill's specialty are "Papa's Pancakes" (a Jensen family tried and true recipe) made with chocolate chips, bananas, blueberries, etc.  (NO!  Not all in the same pancake!)

As usual Ethan's job was to be cute and be underfoot!

I have one rule when all the company comes:  STAY OUT OF MY COOKING SPACE!!!  This is how the men in my life respect that!

Other activities of the week:  a little park time, some racquetball time, an occasional nap, lots of teasing and lots of joking and fooling around.   Also in there Bishop Austin spent a whole day helping to prepare and deliver 32 (!!) food baskets for members of  the Montebello Ward.  Lots of unemployment right now among our Spanish speaking members.

Peter and Aly

"I have an idea!  Let's twirl 'em till they're dizzy!" (Grandpa)

"I have an even better idea!  Let's see what happens when you put rubber bands on their faces!" (Nathan)

"I have an even better idea!  Let's make cookies!"  (Becky)

You all have too much energy!  Get out of here and go play racquetball! 

(By the way, the little lady in front - Sister Walker from our ward - can beat the tar out of the tall guys) 

Pretty Princesses.  Amaya and Noelle both had birthdays when Grandma and Grandpa couldn't be with them (October & August respectively) so we celebrated while they were here.

Tara also had her birthday in August (1 year)

Followed by Alyssa who just turned two this month (but is the same height and size as nearly three-year old Audrey!)

Bringing up the birthday season is Ethan who turned one - also in November

Audrey will turn three in Mid-December .  We'll update her event later.  Here she is dusting for Grandma to earn her nickel.  (All the girls helped with chores)