Interactions.

One of my favorite things to witness as a mother is the interaction between my children. 

It fulfills me and it intrigues me. 

It often brings me to reflect on our capacity to love each other as human beings, and how is it that we show that love to one another. 

Brielle is very motherly with Brooke...and Brooke often responds to her with excitement.  

It's the cutest thing to witness.

We obviously can't get enough of those cheeks. 

We have to constantly be reminding Braden to be soft and gentle.  

I have to be gentle myself with how I tell Braden because he gets his feelings hurt and doesn't quite understand why he has to restrain in his affection to his sister...I don't want him to think that he's not allowed to show his love...he tries really hard to be gentle with her.

But even though there is a lot of smothering going on...Brooke takes it positively most of the time...

She loves sitting in her Bumboo and LOVES to be part of Brielle and Braden's play.  

She loves watching them and can be entertained for a long time.  

It has been almost 5 months since our little Brookie was born and 

we really couldn't imagine our life without her.  

She has the sweetest, most gentle little spirit. 

I think each cheek weighs about a pound and a half. 

ha ha!:)

A 5-month post of this little girl is coming soon.  

Happy New Year 2012.

A few days after Christmas we headed to Cleveland to spend New Year's with Scott's brother Ryan and his family. 

Scott also had an interview at Case Western, so it worked out perfectly. 

We had an amazing and relaxing time.

Kara needed to shovel and took the kids out with her to 'help' her.  

They all had their little shovels.  

Then Kara, got out the sled. 

They had a blast. 

Kara is a fun aunt...and she's buff to be able to pull all those kids in the sled. 

They were having a few 'technical' difficulties on one corner.  But that made it all that much more fun!

Brookie and Millie were just relaxing in their Bumboo's inside.  

This little boy is mischievous...but he is as cute as they come.  

Seriously.  

Look at that angelic little face.

I wanted to squeeze him the whole time we were there.

He's so much fun to be around.

One day, we headed to Chick-fil-a. 

Emily is our little petite girl.  

She's so cute and has the most amazing blue eyes. 

Brooke was happy one second and the next thing we knew she had fallen asleep. 

The older kiddos had fun in the play area.

Later that night, the wii was the best entertainment.  

It was hilarious to watch them. 

Even Scott joined in. 

ha ha!:) 

We were all laughing our heads off. 

He's got some good moves. 

The next day, we headed to Kirtland.  

It was chilly and we had already visited a few years ago...but I wanted Brielle and Braden to experience it too.  They had been too little the first time we visited. 

We did the tour. 

They were good for the most part.  

I wanted them to feel what I had felt the first time I went there. 

It was so powerful for me, such a testimony builder.

I hope they remember...we may have to come back when they are older.

These little cousins, had NON STOP fun for 4 days.  

Kirtland was beautiful and I'm so glad we went.

On the way home, Scott was making me laugh hysterically when he would pronounce this sign.  

So funny!

Ryan and Kara prepared a feast for us on New Year's Eve, Melting Pot style.

It was delicious.

That spinach artichoke cheese fondue was to die for!

We had such a fun night together.

We cooked our meat in this yummy broth.  We had chicken, beef, shrimp and lobster. 

Our bellies were definitely satisfied after such a feast!:) 

A couple of hours before 2011 ended Nathanial lost a tooth! 

We welcomed 2012 in Cleveland, grateful to be able to be with family. 

Thanks Ryan and Kara! 

You guys are wonderful hosts. 

We had an amazing time!

Christmas 2011│The Report.

I'm happy to report that we had another successful Christmas at the Jensen household.  

It was a low-key Christmas.  

No traveling this year.  

We enjoyed unusual warm weather for this time of year and 

we were grateful to celebrate the birth of our Savior. 

On Christmas Eve afternoon, I introduced the Sound of Music to my children.  

They watch almost the whole thing and were singing along.  

I love that movie.

On Christmas Eve, we read from Luke 2. 

"And it came to pass that in those days..."

I was the narrator. 

Brielle was Mary.

Braden was Joseph.

Kem was the donkey.

Brooke was Jesus.

Scott was one of the Wise Men.  

Knock, knock...there was no room in the inn.  

I always get emotional thinking about poor Mary with child and Joseph trying to find a place for his wife to give birth. 

But, Jesus was born anyway.  

What a wonderful and simple story.  

and it is true...it really happened. 

I try so hard to not forget and remind our family that, that is the REAL reason for Christmas.  

Brielle and Braden got to open one present on Christmas Eve. 

We had hot chocolate and panetón! 

I have to keep alive our Peruvian tradition.  

I ate way too much panetón this holiday season.  

I ate 3...or 4? 

It seems like Christmas morning was over all too quickly.  

We were beyond blessed. 

Santa was good to us.

Brielle got her much awaited Justin Bieber doll.

I gave in. 

(Blame Scott)

Brielle and Braden 'helped' Brooke with her presents...but Brooke thought Irish Spring soap was just the perfect toy for her!:)

We skyped with Scott's family in Idaho.  They watched us all open presents.  

It was fun that we were able to share our Christmas morning with them.

Then we had a yummy breakfast.  

The French toast was delicious.

After Church, they got out the 'big' present, a set of legos, and they built and built and built.

Our dear friends, the Lacey's had a bunch of us over for Christmas dinner.  It was delicious and enjoyed the company.  No pictures...:( 

When we got back from dinner, Scott and Braden were up until 11pm. finishing the lego set.

Braden is amazing at following instructions and is so good with his hands and finding all the little pieces. 

Scott LOVED spending that 'boy time' with him.

As Brielle put it, "this was the BEST Christmas EVER!" 

(Hopefully, she feels that way about every Christmas!)

I'm glad we were able to make it magical for them!:)

Christmas Parties.

I always enjoy attending the kids' Christmas parties at school.  I enjoy watching Braden be his own little self.  I, especially, LOVE watching his cute face light up when he sees me walk in his classroom.

They sang a few songs for the parents and then we all had a snack.

...and of course Braden was loving life.  He over indulged himself with tons of cookies and sweets! 

This little boy has been having selective hearing lately.  To the point that Scott and I have questioned whether he needs his hearing tested.  I actually took him to the pediatrician this morning to have it checked, he passed! thank goodness!  He does have an ear infection in both of his ears though...but he's definitely not going deaf.

I should have known...because if you tell him 'Braden, do you want ice cream?' from another room, he will come and say YESSSSS!!!!! 

He doesn't have 'selective hearing' when it comes to sweets.

The preschool has a Christmas songs sing-along every year.  This year Braden's class had to accompany the piano along with the jingles.  It was fun to watch him!

Braden has been lucky to make good little friends in his class.  He's good at making friends.  

Then came Brielle's Holiday Party.  I'm so happy that I was able to go! I have been feeling so disconnected from Brielle's school.  The baby makes it hard to volunteer at the school, so I haven't been able to be there as much as I'd like to. 

It was fun to watch my cute Brielle in her classroom.  

She's a big girl. 

Sometimes I have to pinch myself to realize that she has grown this much. 

They had a little dancing party...dancing to holiday music...of course at her school since it's a public school it's a 'holiday party' instead of a Christmas party. 

I loved being there for my Brielle...and it made me happy that she was happy that I was there.  It means so much to them at this age that you are there for them...I'm grateful that I can be there.