Bits and Pieces of December

I start the month right by sharing lunch with some wonderful friends in Carol's home, something we don't get to do as often as we should.

Me (holding Natalie's beautiful baby), Debby, Jenn, Vick, Carol & Kirsten

(photo taken by Natalie)

Our Kris-Approved Christmas tree 
Before

After!

Jensen, Frausto, Harmon & Co. Christmas Party  

Great company and yummy food at Julio's!

A little bit of snow early in the day December 23rd makes it feel like Christmas is really coming!  We have laughed over the years about how everything in El Paso shuts down when there is a dusting of snow. This time it isn't so funny.....

Sonja and I are excited about being able to see the Moscow Ballet perform The Nutcracker at the Plaza Theater tonight. Sadly, the performance is cancelled because of the 
(not inclement) weather.

Christmas Eve Magic!

Sonja makes sure the luminarias are set up properly

Kris helps Sonja put her ornaments on the tree

The missionaries join us for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner of tamales, rice and beans. Some people aren't willing participants when it comes to wearing the hats found in our English crackers. I wonder if Santa notices things like that.....

The tamales - representing the humble birth of our Savior, wrapped in swaddling clothes. Made by Juliet and Francine. Perfection.

Mmmmmmm, yum ~ Tres Leches Cake! 

I love the recipe Ayrel gave me - this is the first year I've made it myself, and loved how easy it was and that I didn't have to spend $27 at the Mexican bakery for it!  Elder Robison is the lucky winner of the Almond Gift - a Hickory Farm gift box. He doesn't seem to mind that one bit.

The Elders also seemed happy to share the tradition of opening one present with us on Christmas Eve. Boy, were they surprised when they received pajamas!!!

And the winner of the best pair of pajamas is:

TA DA!

Moi! 

Aren't they a hoot??! Thank you, Sonja!

Luminarias - lighting the way for the Christ Child

Christmas Morning

We are finally able to entice Kris downstairs by 8am to see what Santa has delivered ~

 

He's a pretty jolly fellow

And seems very pleased with his gifts from Santa

As well as all the other good gifts he receives!

Fancy footwear for the morning festivities:

Chia is dressed for the occasion, but sleeps through it all

Danish Puff - Before

Danish Puff - After

Well, really, "after" is just crumbs. And happy tummys.

After a low-key and relaxing morning we leave for our 11:30 Sacrament meeting. The music is divine, led by guest conductor Curtis Treadway. The talks are meaningful and interesting, and help us remember why we celebrate Christmas. The chance to mingle a while after with good friends is a treat. 

We are visited by Leah and her two kids with their Christmas presents - 2 adorable puppies, who run and tumble all over our house. Now it really feels like Christmas, with children and puppies underfoot!

We eat a simple dinner of ham, mashed potatoes and salad.

Scott & Mary Louise stop by on their way home from where they had Christmas dinner.

We get to talk to all of our children and mom during the day.

It's another perfect Christmas.

December 26

We arrive at the Hallmark store at exactly 9:30. There are a few people ahead of us, and I think they have caught on to our technique, but we still manage to find some great ornaments. The store owner recognizes us. Gee, I wonder why!

Star Trek ~ Kris' choice (well, it is chosen for him since he didn't want to come with us, but he is pretty happy about it!)

25 Days of Christmas ~ Sonja's choice

The Peanuts Gang ~ Keven & Laurie's choice


We come home and celebrate with bacon and eggs, cooked up by Keven! 
We go see the new Mission Impossible movie! 
We meet up with friends for what we hope will become a new tradition:

 A desert bonfire under a starry sky!

 Compliments of Jared & Chris Whipple

 Kenzie & Nadine get ready to roast hot dogs

 Enjoying good eats with the Whipples, Pratts & Boushkas

Cheeky Natalia cuddles with Great Grandma Vera

 Vera's famous posole - mmmmmmmm, good!

 Kris gathers firewood to add to the flames

We leave with our stomachs full of warm food, our backs warmed by the dying fire, and best of all, our hearts full of the warmth of the love of good friends.

Welcome To The Windy City

Yesterday we were amazed to see a weather report documenting outrageous winds from southern California through Nevada, Utah and Colorado. We had already heard about 80- and 90-mile per hour winds in Utah. Tanja said shingles were flying off of their roof as she left for work; Sara and Page posted awesome pictures of their neighbor's huge tree that had fallen precisely, landing on all four of their cars.

Soon after, the wind started howling. It woke me up numerous times during the night, which meant I was sleepy all through my 6 am inservice class and had to just power through at the gym. When I arrived home I was grateful to see that we just had some minor branches scattered around the yard and ALL the leaves are off the trees (big hurray, we will only have to rake once!!!). However, Keven called me and asked me to bring my camera to take some pictures at the office.

This is what the lovely wind did to our office:

The southwest corner of the building is where a group of high school kids waits for the bus. Thank goodness this happened in the wee hours of the morning!



It Was A Dark and Stormy Night

OK, it was just a dark and quiet morning yesterday when I crept out of the house, placed my rented bike into the back of the truck, and drove over Transmountain to Biggs Air Force Base. I have always enjoyed solitude in the early hours of a day. The Franklin Mountains loomed darkly in front of me as I headed over the pass, and it was still pitch black as I pulled into the parking lot on the sunrise side of the mountain. I had determined a month ago that I wanted to participate in a duathlon sponsored by Ft. Bliss, just to see how I would do. A 15-mile bike ride sandwiched between two 5K runs didn’t seem very intimidating. I had donned my most comfortable running clothes and my perfectly-worn running shoes. I felt relaxed and ready to run, ready to meet some new people.
As I parked I got a pretty good look at the competition. (I place a lot of faith in first impressions.) This was a lean bunch. A very well-outfitted bunch. It became obvious to me that this was an experienced bunch. Friendly, yes. Serious, oh my, yes.
I signed in. I walked around a bit. I took my bike to the transition area. I noticed that everyone looked like they were connected with the military. Lots of GI Joe types. Lots of impressive muscles and tattoos. I reminded myself that I was doing this just to see how well I would do, not to beat anybody else, or even keep up with anybody else. I stayed pretty calm in spite of what I was observing.

We lined up at the start. I found myself next to a friendly, petite blonde named Dee. She asked me what my 5K time was. Ummmm, I’ve never run a 5K….but my 8K time was just less than 58 minutes, and that was down and then back up McKelligan Canyon. Of course I didn’t tell her that, but I did tell her this was my first duathalon and she wished me a sincere good luck. The starter gun was fired. Nothing happened. It was fired again. Nothing happened. Everyone laughed. Third time’s a charm, and off we went. The Elites were gone in a flash. The rest of us, only a handful, knew better than to try and keep up. I wanted to take the first 5K easy and reserve energy for the end, so I wasn’t too disappointed when I came in at about 30 minutes.

Onto the bike and back on the road again, ahead of two of the people who had stayed just ahead of me during the run. Oh, road bikes are smooth! I sailed! I didn’t brake around the corners! I shifted (almost) perfectly every time I needed to! I was grinning and pedaling hard and flying! Within the first 3 miles the two people I had left behind passed me, but that was OK because I wasn’t racing them (and I knew there were at least 6 people still behind me!). I came to the first water station – nah, didn’t need it. I continued, enjoying the early morning sky and the view of the mountains from the desert floor. Mile 9 I missed a turn, but quickly got back on track. Mile 12 I missed another one but just as quickly recovered. I had been reciting scripture mastery loudly and wasn’t paying attention. Mile 13 a man passed me. He looked like he was just cruising. He had magnificent calf muscles. Mile 15 and the transition area is a mile away. So maybe it’s a 16-mile bike route? Or maybe it’s marked for the beginning of the 15th mile? That was the mile I thought it would be a good idea to invest in some bike shorts if there’s a next time around. I arrive at the transition area right behind Mr. Calves. My time is 1:31:? (I only glanced at the clock – I wanted to transition as quickly as possible.) Off with the helmet. Didn’t have to change shoes – I’m not experienced enough to need bike shoes, right?  
Oh my, walking is weird. Mr. Calves says he didn’t expect to get such bad cramps in his calves. He’s limping and having a hard time getting into a run. After a little bit of stretching I start running. This is the part where I will use all my reserves and make up some time. Maybe I’ll catch up with Dee. But my legs are not cooperating. I take some Gatorade as I pass the start/finish line. All the Elites are standing around, relaxed and just waiting for the rest of us to get done so they can get their awards and get on with their day. I ease onto the 5K path. After the first mile I realize I am not going to regain enough of my legs to power through like I want. But I’m still running, and I’m still ahead of everyone I’ve been ahead of all along. I make the turn to come back, and this is when I get to see just who is behind me. Besides Mr. Calves I count 3 women and 4 men, and I know that I’m older than all of them (ha!). The last half mile I am feeling pretty lousy but I make it to the finish line. I think the time is 2:20:whatever. Someone asks me how old I am. I say 48. Oh, wait – I’m 58. I’m handed a laminated card. I look at it and it says, “50-59 – 2nd Place”. I think that’s pretty funny, and I’m also pretty sure that Dee is the one who earned the 1st Place card. The lady who hands it to me looks at me closely and asks me if I’m OK. I tell her sure, just bring me my cane and I’ll be fine (j/k). Then she makes me go give the card to someone at a table, and then I can get my banana and orange. I’m surprised that I feel as spent as I do – similar to when I ran the ½ with Ayrel last year – but the fruit helps immensely and immediately. I walk by a young runner sitting with his father and sister. They congratulate me. I see Mr. Calves crossing the finish and I congratulate him. They start giving out the awards. I look back to see one of the earlier finishers run up to a finishing runner, link her arm, and with encouraging words help her run the last 20 yards full out. Very touching, and yes, of course I cry. They have just announced the 30-39 female winners, and the lady who went out to help her friend had taken 2nd. They get to my age group, and just as I had thought, Dee takes 1st. (She says she had barely turned 50….) After all the awards and pictures she introduces me to GI Joe her husband. She tells me he is Mr. Triathlon/Biathlon/Duathlon/Marathon Man. I say I never would have guessed. She also invites me to participate in the triathlon that they will have in December. I just might do that….think I need to get a swimming coach first. And some bike shorts.
I walk back to get my bike and talk with a strong young man who had been one of the last to finish. I ask if he has ever done a duathlon. He says he hadn’t even planned on doing this one until the day before when his Sergeant Major had asked him if he was going to participate. He realized that the only appropriate answer was, “Yes, Sir!”

Definitely, this was a great way to spend a Saturday morning. My legs were tired for the rest of the day, and even a little bit today, but that’s all. I made at least one new friend. I felt comfortable in a completely different environment for me (I'm pretty sure that there was only one other participant who wasn't active duty or family of active duty military). I was surrounded by people who were capable, confident and caring. I did not encounter egos or exclusion. These are the people who are defending my country and my freedoms, and I have an increased appreciation for those who are willingly putting their lives on the line to do so, and for the sacrifices they and their families are making. Hurray for the USA! May God bless every soldier and every loved one of every soldier. 

We're #1!

Family Portrait - May 2006

In an effort to stir the pot and generate some intense sibling rivalry, I am posting my First List of Firsts, with the assurance that I will be given plenty of grief as well as a long list of all the things I have not remembered - so I can post my Second List of Firsts, and so on.

• First stitches – Soren, age 4 or 5. He and Sven were watching me do laundry on a Saturday night. They were sitting on the steps that led to our laundry room and somehow his finger was caught in the hinge side of the door when his brother moved the door. Major bleeding and hollering and a trip to the ER, where he was strapped onto a papoose board. He was very, very brave. Much more so than his mother.
• First one to run away from home – Sven, age 6 or 7. The note he left still makes me cry.
• First one to be a cheerleader AND teach a cheerleading workshop – Ayrel (Go, Cowboys!) I think she was in 3rd grade...
• First one to travel abroad – Sonja, who went to England & Scotland with her high school orchestra. I would have loved to have been a chaperon for that trip, but she was probably glad mom wasn't tagging along.
• First one to fly an airplane – Soren. One of my favorite memories is of a flight he took us on in Wisconsin in a 4-seater. As we came in to land there was a lot of wind and we saw the small plane ahead of us bounce all over the runway. I held my breath and gripped my seat, and our landing was like falling into cotton balls. Smooth, oh, so smooth. When I complimented him he said, “Well, I was doing my best to make a good impression!” He sure did.
• First one to jump out of an airplane – Tanja. I am. So. Very. Jealous.
• First one to make us grandparents – Brei (first grandson and first granddaughter!)
• First one to have a daughter as a first-born – Ayrel. The genes on the Jensen/Tangren side are pretty dominant. The last time this happened was in 1919 when Grandma Hallie was born.
• First one to graduate from college – technically, Sven. 2001 was a crazy and wonderful year - Soren, Sven & Sonja received their college diplomas while Ayrel earned her high school diploma that spring. Sven's graduation was first, from BYU, on a Friday. Soren's was the next day, from Embry Riddle in Prescott, AZ. Sonja's was the following Saturday, from U of U in SLC. Lots of driving to make it all happen, but it was sure worth it. And we got to stay home to attend Ayrel's!
• First one to score a goal for the other team – Brei. She played soccer one season. We learned the only reason she wanted to play was because of the sodas at the end of the games. She was awfully cute watching dandelions grow, though.
• First one to bring us a pet to take care of – Sonja. She has always been a trendsetter.
• First one to develop a liking for crawfish – Tanja. She was sooooo grossed out by the idea at the beginning of her mission, but by the end she could suck off their heads just like a native. She probably even developed a taste for squirrel but just doesn't want us to know.
• First one to administer a hearing test to the prime minister of a foreign country – Ayrel. She stepped up to the plate when a co-worker was too intimidated, and was complimented by her boss on her VIP (very impressive poise) in taking care of a VIP.
• First one to have sheep living in her back yard and fighter jets flying overhead – Tanja. I could be jealous, at least about the sheep.
• First one to almost burn down the Boy Scout camp and the neighbor’s dog house – Soren. He had accomplices both times, though….
• First one to meet Ted Coppell and Sean Connery, who was wearing a kilt, no less – Sonja. Her semester working as an intern for Nightline made for some cool adventures in the nation's capitol, and opened the door for more great adventures working for NBC at the SLC Olympics.
• First one to run a 1/2 marathon – Brei. I wish I had taken her challenge seriously and joined her for the Top of Utah run!
• First one to bag a deer - Soren. Congratulations! Will you be attaching the antlers to the grill of your truck?
• First one to give us the special experience of receiving a middle-of-the-night phone call from an ER doctor telling us, "Your child is going to be OK, but...." – Sven, who had a snowmobiling accident and ended up in the hospital in Star Valley, WY.  Sonja, who usually doesn't like to do something one of her siblings has already done, decided that this was cool enough to imitate. She ended up in a hospital in Paris, ID and had to be transported to LDS hospital. Love those phone calls. Not. Two too many, even today.

A Day With Miss A

Happily, Ben was invited to come to El Paso for residency interviews with UMC*. For those of you who have lived away from El Paso for a while, Thomason has grown into a very well-respected teaching hospital associated with the 4-year medical school here. Unhappily Ayrel could not come with him because of her school/work. Happily he brought Avery with him (for the grandparent's, of course!)

I picked them up at the airport yesterday and was able to spend a little bit of time with them before I needed to head to work.

Ben fielding a call and Avery recovering from her travels

Today I was able to be the GIC** all day long! We had a lovely day, and because a certain Tia made me pinkie swear and make a blood oath, I am posting all the pictures ASAP.  Avery even agreed to narrate.

I really was happy to see Uncle Kris!

He wanted to hold me immediately!

It's just that.....well.....

I needed a diaper change and something to eat!

Everything's much better now....

I'm back to kicking up my heels!

I really do adore Uncle Kris....

But a girl must get her beauty rest.

Lucky me - I got to meet a real V.I.P.!

And make friends with some wild animals!

They didn't scare me much

Well, maybe just a little bit when they growled....

 

But I just growled back and they settled down.

And then Grandpa came home from work!

We watched the NY Yankees & the Detroit Tigers game.

I loved it, and made sure Grandpa knew not to change the channel. 

(I only fussed if he did).

Stumpy came and sat by me, and I patted his head. He liked that.

Grandma and I went on a nice walk around the neighborhood. She showed me where my mom's friends used to live. And I really liked watching the birds flying in and out of some tall trees. And the branches swaying in the breeze.

Uh oh.....Kris caught me when I needed another diaper change and a bottle.

Ah, peaceful slumber. I'm an expert at naps!

And so dang cute when I wake up!

It's a cycle I like to repeat.

Sweet Dreams!

The End.

Tomorrow I am pretty sure there will be a visit to the other Grandma's house. I'll find a good excuse reason, I'm sure!

Another certain Tia is looking for evidence that I actually really did take Avery to get her ears pierced.  I am texting her as soon as I finalize this post so she can realize how very gullible she is!

*University Medical Center
**Grandma-In-Charge