​It was 62 degrees the last few days and it has felt a lot like spring.  Hallie Blake and Clara cleaned the whole house while dad and I were at the temple and visiting grandma and grandpa.  It was amazing.  Then we went on a bike ride up the canyon and back, played a few rounds of pickleball and went to Cafe Rio for dinner.  it was a fun afternoon.  Dad has been sick so we rode the moped behind everyone or next to us, which was good because I got a flat tire and could hitch a ride with him. 

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​Hallie spoke in Stake Conference (And so did Sunnie) and it really was an excellent talk and she spoke so slowly and clearly like she wasn't nervous.  She is really like an adult in so many ways.  hallie send your talk to R & A so they can read it!

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​ it was an awesome week.  Lots of temple which is a really good thing ;)

Last Sunday, Jordan was baptized and Blake went to support at the baptism.  I heard someone passed them in the hall at the baptism and asked his friend "did you have something to do with this" and Jordan answered immediately, "no this was MY decision.  I wanted to be baptized."  He is pretty excited to take the step of baptism.  He is in the Greenfield ward now. 

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​Clara has a friend Abe at school (on the right) that set an appointment at the Taylorsville temple and asked several kids in the class to go with him (his parents drove) and I thought it was so cool.  Three of the girls hadn't ever been before and got to church every once in awhile.  This was a catalyst because they really wanted to go with everyone so they had their parents set up the appointment with the bishop and get moving.  And they all asked to do it again next month so I set an appointment and we can take a turn.  So cool!

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​We drove for Temple Thursday and it was Thomas' first time baptizing (he was just made a Priest) and they looked at Hallie and decided maybe that wasn't a great idea to have Thomas baptize her and asked another YM in the font to do it and have her go first.  Abby was just soooo excited for Thomas she was bouncing up and down in the font and gave him a big hug afterward.  It was so cute.   Thomas did actually baptize Hallie this last Thursday and Blake said she was in a squat the whole time.  I love that cousins can be cousins.  And I feel grateful every week that they get up so early to go.  (PS-I was thinking of the Hansens this week that really set the tone for temple every week so many years ago and feeling grateful for that.  I was sent a video of a ward singing a beautiful worship song(not what you'd usually hear in sacrament meeting) And I loved it soooo much.  I have shared it with sevearl people.  Come to find out this week that Ray Hansen is the bishop of that ward.  Its the SLC 2nd YSA.  I told Hallie she should attend once she graduates ;) be one of 6 Palagis in the ward! ;)
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​we went to pick Lucas up from Gillespies (he and Lincoln have gotten super close to each other.)  they play together every day pretty much walking to the park after school and play frisbee or football or soccer.  and most Fridays Lincoln, Jane (come home with us from school), Charlie, Jacob and Lucas all kind of hangout all afternoon with each other and roam the neighborhood. Lucky kids!​
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​Blake working the front desk at DBAT, he has gone to several catching clinics at DBAT but this past week started with private pitching lessons with Carson the AGM.  He loved it and learned that there is actually a DIFFERENT 4 seam fastball than the one he's been throwing all these years (dad and he came home so embarrassed from the lesson) and blake said "I literally have a chart in my room with all the different pitches on it".You should ask him to tell you the story Robbie. 

 Dad and I had our 2nd annual planning session in the bishops office.  We bring our laptops and thoughts/ideas and do the same thing we do with you kids at PPI's--social, spiritual, intellectual/finances and physical.  and we whiteboard and put up all the things we need to talk about, write thoughts for each of you kids (one of yours was job opportunities for the fall and our trip to Dallas to pick you up from your mission). We talked about our renovation and made more concrete plans for April 1st to start, trued up your mission account, planned out all trips/reunions for 2026 (even once your back--I think we will try to go to Kanab as afamily before Hallie leaves), reviewed our morning and night routines, and what changes to make for a better Sabbath day, etc etc.  When we started we pulled up our pictures of the whiteboard from last year and it was amazing how tlaking through everything and starting the planning made 85% of it happen last year.  Planning is really just the best.  Last year we called all the kids over to look at it when we were done and showed them thoughts we had about each other them (lessons, sports, job possibilities, financial plan for mission/college) and yesterday Blake asked if they could come over again.  ;)

Hallie is really loving her free school schedule--no B day classes and not many A day. She is looking for a job right now.   SHe has been babysitting pretty regularly (enough she hasn't gotten a job up to this point). One family she babysits for is Claire Murphy's little girl Bea.  She is the cutest.  The other day in church in the middle of the sacrament we hear "HALLIE!  HALLIE!" so loudly from across the chapel.  And so did everyone else.  she loves her.

Blake got to ski this week finally. He is using your boots and skis, which he said work great! Thanks for letting him "borrow" them.  He keeps finding your skull candy headphones too and I have to rehide them.  

Clara went to her first YW activity (vision boards) and YW lesson today (And I got to teach--it was about the youth theme this year "Walk With Me". She just fits herself right in wherever she is.  I think she was a little nervous about the activity but it went great.  We are all going to the temple this week together for her first time in the Laie temple.  Lucas will have to hang out with a sweet lady in teh foyer or something;). 

Lucas got a buzz cut for Hawaii (mostly he doesn't love combing his hair). And now he looks like he is 10.  It's a little melancholy for me that he is in Primary alone.  Its gone so fast. Aubrie was in Primary when we moved here. Yesterday after family scripture study I was talking to everyone (he had been sent to his room) about how important it it so remember that lucas is there brother and to treat him that way.  He just has too many parents and lots of people teasing him all the time.  He is such a good kid and so logical and practical and determined and he feels like he has to fight for everything.  It worries me for how he will be when he is a 17 year old (super resentful). (we were watching all of the Gillespie kids for 2 days here at our hosue this week and it reminded me how life was for all the rest of you to have all these siblings to have nerf wars and play hid n seek and always want to go on the tramp and play basketball and it was SO fun for Lucas when they were here.  He loved it!  I know being the youngest just means you dont have that as long, but it makes me sad for him to have everyone be so much older and treating him like the little guy that always needs correction.  I love that kid mucho!

Dad and I drove down to Lehi and met Medaris' for dinner (Remember them from NH).  itd been several years.  They are the best.  WE talked for hours and closed the restaurant down! ;)

Robbie-you probably won't see this email until Wednesday and I (we) hope its an awesome day going to the temple with Devon and his wife for the first time (or has she gone before?)!!  That is going to be such a memorable day. 

Dad's been working all week this past week (such a bummer!) and the sibs and I have hung out during the day (everyone has been sleepign in longer than normal and then dad is home at night--lots of reading, some shopping, making fun food, Clara had a NYE party (older kids went to a multi stake dance and then friends houses), lots of football games, took down the Christmas tree and decor, runs/gym, thrifting, movies, etc.  It has been low key and wonderful in my opinion.  I have loved it and I am sad for it to end.  

Clara got kidnapped from Primary today (along with Domimic and Brooklyn) and brought into Youth sunday school.  Very memorable. She is so happy to be in Young Womens.  Its crazy she will be.  I went over to the church for her temple recommend interview with dad and her maturity sure showed in her answers to the reccomend quesions.  When dad asked her if she has a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, she said "yes, I think I still have a lot of growth to make my testimony stronger, but I do believe that he is my Savior and I will learn more and more".  She is just so amazing to talk to. It's hard for me to remember that she isn't even quite 12 yet.  She observes everything, remembers anything she's ever heard or seen and can relate to people at any age.   I can't wait to all go to the temple together. 

OUr Primary has gotten so small its just hard to not feel sad about it. I think they are down to having one class a lot of the time.  There are only maybe 6 kids.  It always looks so empty when I walk by.  But the teachers, leaders and music people are so dedicated regardless.  We have a special ward. 

Dad was in meetings from 8:00 AM-4:00PM STRAIGHT today.  Begining of the year is always alot with ordinations, youth semi-annual interviews and lots of other things. 

Stake choir starts tonight.  Every time I think "maybe I won't go this time", I go and I am so grateful.  I really think singing is a powerful way for me personally to feel the Spirit. 

One fun thing--I reached out to Jourdan (Elliotts mom) to come and do breathwork and sound bath with our combined YW wards and she was so positive about coming and said she was so grateful for the chance to do this and asked if she could bring Flora and Juni too!  She said she would be to keep it focused on Jesus Christ and help the girls learn tools to connect their minds and body and be able to let a lot of negative emotions go.  I am really looking forward to it.

Skiing has been no bueno.  There has been SO little snow here.  and its been so warm any that falls melts pretty quickly.  Im sure they are still making snow at all the resorts.  Unfortunate. Blake is using your boots and skis this season.  I think they are too big all around but he wants to. 

We love you mucho!  We have been praying that you will feel enthusiasm and be kept safe! 

End of 2025

Well, Elder Jensen has officially been gone all of 2025.  Its crazy! 

It has been such a nice, relaxing, fun week this past week all being home and lots of time to hang out together.  I personally have loved it so much.  It is my favorite thing in life when we are all together and its peaceful and fun! We of course miss you so much! Blake is reminding me more and more of you every day. 

Christmas Eve was so good.  We acted out the nativity after a really nice dinner with Jensens in town and Lito and LIta and a neighbor family that is renting Sara Jean's house, that have 2 little kids and one on the way.  They are not members of the church but they just jumped into the whole evening so well. I was glad the Pratts invited them! 

There was a lot of downtime spent making homemade gifts.  I feel like Aubrie, Hallie and Clara have done a lot of knitting. Lucas and Blake went to a "fly tying" experience that I was able to set up at Fish Tech ( a local fishing shop) and they got a personal mini class with one of the owners to learn to tie a few flies.  It was cool, and Lucas has Beckham for Christmas, which will be a happy gift!

We all have FOMO that all of the Jensens are together having fun in AZ;) Dad and I are on the adult Jensen group chat and hearing all the fun! ;)  

I am so grateful for the Haynies and the Jensens.  It is such a privilege to be related to such GREAT people who are such a huge support and so much fun.  It is already sad to have WEs and Amanda gone to TX.  It hasn't quite hit me that we will only see them once a year now. 

We have been watching a few movies (Elf and Home Alone), bike rides, lots of basketball at the church, Hallie and Blake had friends over for smores and a fire, doing nails, lots of playing games, marble run, LOTS of reading, and Lucas has been having fun with his RC car. He needs someone to play with him all the time. Aubrie made an appointment for the 3 of us to go to the temple on the 26th and do attend an endowment session.  It was wonderful!

Ryan Netelbeek spoke in our ward today post return from Mongolia on his mission.  What a unique mission he served in -43 temps in the winter, no wearing of name tags--its largely a do service mission and he said I have eaten any part of any animal you can think of.  It was so cool to hear his conviction of the gospel and neat to hear his story about not being active or thinking about anythign re: the gospel until he was 20.  He is so committed to being a disciple.  I hope he does all the things to stay the course and stay true to what he believes.  He is the only member in his family and that is really hard to be the sole strength in that way. 

It was a great meeting! We had a testimony meeting for our 2nd hour with all the youth and it was awkward for a lot of them to share.  But so good to practice that outloud.  I was so glad we did it. 

I just received my "inklings" conference packet a few months late.  Last year was my first year to have a packet where I am studying with all the resources the previous General conference.  I liked doing it so much last time.  And although I am behind, I can't wait to get started on Oct conferences.  Starting with President Oaks' talk about "Family-Centered Gospel of Jesus Christ," which was my most remembered talk from Conference.  

About 2 months ago I listened to a Follow Him podcast and had a real moment with an idea of CONNECTION OVER COMPETITION.  It is one of my biggest daily struggles.  I have repeated that phrase in my mind or out loud SO many times in these past 2 months.  To remember that to be admired is so easy to want but true connection is different.  Putting efforts into being admired (cleaning the house to impress, or wearing/buying/acquiring certain clothes or things to impress, parctipating in certain things to impress--is NOT a way to truly connect with people). Admiration is not connnection.  And connection is what truly fills us up.  and what Christ was so perfect at.  Connection.  It has been slowly helping me to make different choices and I hope I continue to get better at it.  My other thought about this coming year is to find ways to improve my ability to "Be Present" (not thinking or analyzing the past or worrying/planning for the future but to just be in the now).   It is not easy for me. But I am excited to practice it. 

 

Blake wanted me to send his highlight of the one time he actually scored on me.  I can send you the better videos later. ;). The Lakers have responded to his email he sent with videos so he's locked. ​​Blake really wanted me to play basketball one night with him (it was such a fun night we got to all color under the Christmas tree and read Christmas stories--highlight of the week for me for sure) and wouldn't take no for an answer.  We played for about 15-20 minutes, then Hallie joined and then dad came upstairs and joined and then Lucas and Clara got out of bed and we all played basketball until 10:30 at night.  It actually was so. much. fun. and boys won. 

 

​​In other basketball news.  Lucas had his first ever basketball game and he knew the basics but it felt like he took part of the game to figure out what the heck was going on.  he will get locked in next game.  Dad was going to work with him this week. He did have some shots on goal and despite playing a grade up he was still the tallest kid out there on both teams ;) It is so fun that he and Lincoln are playing on the same team this season.  And they will get to go to the Jazz game with the free tickets. 

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​​We all went to see Nate Bargatze (you remember the really fun clean comedian we all love) at a show at the Delta Center (he sold out 4 shows in 2 days here in SLC) and HE.WAS.FUNNY! WE all really enjoyed it.  Then we drove over to the German Christmas market up at THis is the PLace monument and walked around for a few hours.  It was such a cool vibe, and the performers were legit good!  and we had brats (like real German brats) And crafted apple beer and butterscotch beer.  And pretzels and cheese.  Anyway, it was a very fun night and it was actually decent weather.  Its been pretty warm through December so far.  Unusual.  (It reminds me of NH.  Then Christmas would hit and We would have snowmaggedon.

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​Also: Bricky opened his mission portal, Tara and Dan blessed Gigi today and have THEE cutest kids!  WE all went on a long walk tonight before kids went to bed, Dad has been cranking on DBAT stuff.  Blake officially has a job working once a week at DBAT which is cool.  Blake made 13. loaves of bread to try to earn money for his ski pass he has to pay off before he can use it.  Hallie and Paige talk on the phone pretty much every night.  Hallie went to Markos house and taught the whole fam to play NErtz and they all loved it.  Dad hung up our Christmas lights.  Janae and Brandon and fam stayed at our house last night just for one night and its always so fun to hang out with them! Nutcracker officially starts for Clara this week and she is so pumped to be in the older group of dancers this year.  (not on Pointe but still with all the oldest dancers).  She also is working for Ms. Mimi 2 days (her old ballet instructor) again this year as "Clara" for the Nutcracker at her old studio.  She loves it. Dad and I had a date night to go to Festival of the Trees (Sister Nieevard always gives us tickets) and Thai food Friday night. Dad spoke in Toronto for work. Hallie and I went to the RS Christmas dinner (I was so glad she wanted to go!).  

Thats a wrap (ping). 

Thanksgiving dinner at the church in the RS room.  I was so glad we did it there.  It was much more comfortable.  WE proposed that everyone (After eating for a while) tell one of their favorite memories of the person on their right and then the thing they are most thankful about the person on their left.  It probably took an hour to get through everyone, but it was SO enjoyable to hear what everyone shared (all these stories that were unknown to most of us).  I loved watching everyone's faces who were getting talked about, too. It was a good time.  After dinner and also on Friday night, we played a lot of volleyball in the gym.  With so many older cousins, it was fun!  We did boys v girls one night best out of 3 and it got heated. (jack, beck, bircky, jack, blake, lucas, henny, tyler) and (dad, Aubrie, EJ, Hallie, Clara, Anna and me)

For the first time ever Thanksgiving night at 7:45 we went to see the second Wicked all of us.  And no one loved it very much and we spent an hour dissecting everything about the movie and crying laughing afterward in the kitchen (WEs was in prime form).  Elliott always comes by whenever Wes is around. He just loves him. 

We ALL did baptisms or an endowment session at the temple on Friday morning.  Walking in (Lucas, Clara and Henny sat in the waiting room) we were talking about that in one month, Clara and Henny will join the temple-going ranks.  They both squealed.  What a privilege to be able to go into the Lord's house.  WE went to Taylorsville. 

Saturday we all watched the BYU v UCF game (either at our house or at the stadium), and BYU squeaked out a win...kind of...then everyone went home and Dad, Clara Aub and I decided to go to a Christmas concert at the Tabernacle.  It was EXCELLENT.  8 local performing groups did different carols or hymns.  One of them was Marshall MacDonald (you know the composer who did the hymns you always play).  I loved his arrangement in particular. 

Dad is cooked.  Today he was at the church from 7:30-2:30 (and ran with us to go see G&G Haynie speak at their ward and left before it was over to go back for tithing declaration--I think he was there for their talks, and that was it) and had a full afternoon of interviews.  After long weeks and then long weekends, he almost every Sunday falls asleep on the couch when he sits down. 

Cafe Rio one of the nights.#fanfave

Turkey Bowl was epic this year.  Enough people came for 2 games. 

Lots of watching football (Texas x Texas AM) and BYU and LSU v Oregon?

Black Friday shopping altogether.  You can imagine that chaos.  Dad and Grandpa went home to put up Christmas lights. Some of us only lasted a few stores, and then some even went so far as to go to the mall. It was SO busy at Fashion Place.  

Lucas has been coloring up a storm to send you some drawings.  Aubrie cut bangs.  Marko (I think reluctantly) got the full cousin experience one of the nights everyone was here.  Hallie was a little nervous about bringing him. Eventually he jumped into playing Nertz and actually liked the game.  Elliott, Jack, Bricky, Beck, Tyler, EJ, Aubrie, etc can all be a little intimidating. Ask Blake about Claire. And Clara's favorite time of year is coming up....Nutcracker.  Performances start next weekend. 

I made the family go on a cleaning rampage yesterday afternoon, and all the house surfaces were vacuumed or mopped or dusted.  Everyone loves these moments together so much ;)

Love you Robbie!  Can't wait to talk to you and hear about your week.

Remind me what Christmas renditions you want so I can mail them tomorrow. 

Mama

 Grandma and Grandpa Jensen are home from their mission!  They spent a week in Hawaii on their way home and all the Jensens gathered by Thursday night to welcome them home at the airport.  WE have had a reunion this weekened since then.  All the pics I attached are from this weekend.  WE can share more about it with you over the phone.  I am so excited to hear more about your new area and how the work is going and just generally how the adjustment is going. 

Lucas and Clara had short days and then thurs and Fri off from school. It made it a pretty fun week and I didnt have work which was even better. 

The really warm, sunny days this week have been amazing! JUST PERFECT WEATHER!

Today I shared my testimony (Aubrie did as well) and I just wanted to share it with you too. I was listening to all the really genuine strength from all those that shared today and all these other faces of neighbors/ward members kept popping into my mind and ways they have influenced or strengthened me, or I have learned from them or they have helped us or supported us in some way. And I felt such a profound gratitude to live in this neighborhood when we have and I love everyone so much. 

I am such a different person from the 11 years of living by these amazing people that have so much life experience, and that truly love our family too.  

There have been some super consuming weeks lately and it makes me feel pretty tense and just on my guard all the time.  I never feel relaxed.  This morning I noticed as a read my scriptures that my brain and my body just settled down, I was very aware of that.  Just another beautiful reason to love the scriptures.  How do we ever miss a day?!?  I have had so many answers and moments of clarity and motivation to move forward with something WHILE reading that I am not sure why I would ever miss a day reading;).  

I just wanted to feel filled up in sacrament meeting today and it was just a replenishing experience.  Similarly, in Sunday school, I loved our lesson about Liberty Jail and some of the experiences that were shared by those in the room of how "prison" can actually be a "temple experience" with the gospel and the Spirit. This quote is from a talk Elder Holland gave at BYU called "Lessons from Liberty Jail":

But tonight’s message is that when you have to, you can have sacred, revelatory, profoundly instructive experience with the Lord in any situation you are in. Indeed, let me say that even a little stronger: You can have sacred, revelatory, profoundly instructive experience with the Lord in the most miserable experiences of your life—in the worst settings, while enduring the most painful injustices, when facing the most insurmountable odds and opposition you have ever faced.

Now let’s talk about those propositions for a moment. Every one of us, in one way or another, great or small, dramatic or incidental, is going to spend a little time in Liberty Jail—spiritually speaking. We will face things we do not want to face for reasons that may not have been our fault. Indeed, we may face difficult circumstances for reasons that were absolutely right and proper, reasons that came because we were trying to keep the commandments of the Lord. We may face persecution; we may endure heartache and separation from loved ones; we may be hungry and cold and forlorn. Yes, before our lives are over we may all be given a little taste of what the prophets faced often in their lives. But the lessons of the winter of 1838–39 teach us that every experience can become a redemptive experience if we remain bonded to our Father in Heaven through that difficulty. These difficult lessons teach us that man’s extremity is God’s opportunity, and if we will be humble and faithful, if we will be believing and not curse God for our problems, He can turn the unfair and inhumane and debilitating prisons of our lives into temples—or at least into a circumstance that can bring comfort and revelation, divine companionship and peace.

I sure love you Robbie!  I just can't tell you how much joy you bring to dad and I because you are genuine and you have a good heart and you are trying.  

Love, Mama 

cousin group to go to Monster Mash (and then they wouldn't let Paige and Syd in! Lame)

Jack and baby Scotty (jay and Kaylas)

some shameless marketing of DBAT for Halloween