President LeBaron's Funeral

It was hard to hold back the tears when I learned that my dear mission president, Milo LeBaron, had passed away.  He was an amazing mission "dad", leader and friend.  He is the most loving man I have ever known.  I had the unique opportunity to serve closely to President and Sister LeBaron at the end of my mission when I was called as AP.  I personally have seen their love for the Lord, His church and for the missionaries.  I learned a lot from Pres. LeBaron that I hope I will never forget.

I am really grateful that I was able to travel to Mesa for his funeral.  It was neat to learn some things about him that I hadn't previously known and it was very good to see Sister LeBaron.  It has been at least two years since I have seen them, and over seven years since I was a missionary!  I loved catching up with some of the amazing sisters I served with (and met some that I didn't have the pleasure of serving with).  But most of all, this past weekend renewed me spiritually.  So many mission memories have been brought to my remembrance.  I was reminded of the missionary fire that I had while on Temple Square and the love that was felt and shared there.  President LeBaron will always have a special place in my heart and memory.  143!

Temple Square sisters with Sister LeBaron

We got to sing during the funeral along with other missionaries that have served with the LeBarons (He was mission president three times, along with being the Mesa Visitor Center directors twice.)  It was an emotional, yet neat experience to sing to President and his family, "Called to Serve" and his favorite hymn, "Love One Another".  

Jerilyn Hartley and I

My baby!- Marlene (Hernandez), Alanna (Head) and the Jensens....we would play ball with Elder Jensen sometimes

Darci (Lucas) and I

Katie (Anderson) and Marlene

An AP 5 generation picture....Sisters Abe, McCallister, Hernandez, Head, Otto.

(One had to be photoshopped in though)

Thanks to all of you for making my mission (and this weekend) special. And wherever we are, remember that we are always "Called to Serve" and to "Love One Another"! 

Sunny Arizona

I took a last minute road trip to Arizona last week.  I really wanted to attend my mission president's funeral, as well as visit Grandpa and Grandma Jensen.  I am really glad that it all worked out.  It was very special to attend President LeBaron's funeral, catch up with so many sisters who served on Temple Square with me and to spend some time with Gma and Gpa.  Oh, and it was fantastic to feel the sunshine!  Kylie and Ellie loved being able to go outside and play (and swim!)

Picking fruit!  Arizona has the best oranges and grapefruit....mmmmmm

Of course we got a golf cart ride with Grandpa....we just had to remember to take the keys or else Ellie would have driven away.  

Making Valentine's Day cookies with Gma J

Eating lunch on the patio with Gpa

Kylie took this picture...she wanted to make sure Mommy Bear was included in our scrapbook.

Kylie took this picture too....she said, "Daddy hasn't seen this kind of palm tree before, so I need to take a picture of it".

We went swimming everyday we were there!  (Kylie would have spent hours in the pool if we had let her and she was super sad that we couldn't go swimming right when we arrived in Mesa since it was night time.)

The girls loved swimming with Gma and Gpa!  This was the first time that Ellie had worn the bubble/floaty and she did great.  She was able to get around the pool and even liked just floating on her back.  

Ellie and Mommy going on a ride with Gpa

Gpa in his convertible.

On the ride home (granted that it was 2 hours past Ellie's naptime, but this was only 15 minutes after we had gotten in the car)

What a fun four days!

Kylie is 4!

Kylie had a great birthday weekend (back a month ago).  The night before her actual birthday, we had family over for dinner and birthday celebrations.  As always, it was a blast.  Here are some pictures to prove it...

We had a Hawaiian theme....Hawaiian haystacks for dinner with smoothie drinks (complete with little umbrellas) and a Lilikoi cake, which was delicious!  And Kylie wanted to decorate her own cake :)

Kylie, Channing, and Cody eating dinner on a beach towel

Playing monkey toss

Josh and Nicole made this wall hanging for Kylie.  (Yes that is Lori hiding in the background)

Kylie showing off her sunglasses from Devin and Lori.  

Singing happy birthday.  (Can you tell who sang the loudest? Hehe)

Our lovable, birthday girl!

On Kylie's birthday, we went to BYU's women's gymnastics meet.  Kylie of course loved watching the routines, but also danced and did her "tricks" up and down the aisles.  Later that night Kylie chose to have a "picnic" in our living room while watching a movie as a family.  She sure had a fantastic day!

Kylie dancing at the gymnastic meet.  And then when we got home, she was leaping and twirling all around and even doing somersaults off the couch.  

Happy birthday Kylie!  We sure do love you!

The Jensen Reunion

We had a Jensen family reunion the end of December, which was the first time in probably 10 years that every single member of the extended family was present.  It was a blast.  It was great to spend time all together.  We attended the temple together, played out on the ice, had a talent show, swam and played at the YMCA, watched the Packer game, played games and just hung out and talked.  I have been meaning to get some pictures up from the reunion, but just haven't had the time lately.  I know that Grandpa and Grandma have been anxious to see our big group shot.  So, here it is!  Along with a few other family shots from our outing to the Mitchell Park Domes in Milwaukee.  

Aren't we a good looking group?

The original 8

The Buths

The Jensens

The Grovers

The Jensens

The Jensens

The Abe girls (Devin and Lori had to leave early, so we didn't get a family picture)

We also got a couple of quick shots for Channing and Cody since they just got engaged!

And finally, Grandma and Grandpa J...the ones that started it all!

Hooray for the Jensen Family Reunion 2012!

Breakfast at Chelsa's

So I, Chris, am trying to learn video.  This is my very first, so don't judge too harshly.  Anyway, I had to do an "everyday occurrence" kind of video.  Chelsa was kind enough to help.