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My New Love

Wednesday, November 18, 2009
A few weeks ago I found my dream table. I found it online and then the best thing happened: that same table happened to be in the catalog that Jamie's brother-in-law gets furniture at wholesale. SCORE! It was an incredible deal and I jumped at the chance to get it. I ordered it and just had to wait for it to get in.

I got the good news at the end of last week, it had arrived. I got it to my house on Saturday and all I had to do was put it together. I got to work immediately.
I got it all together and it was magnificent! It was love, true love.
I feel like it was the final piece to make things come together in my house. I guess I can throw all those dinner parties I have been waiting to have.

Murder at the Deadwood Saloon

Sunday, November 15, 2009
Friday night was probably one of the funnest nights I have had in a long time. My dear, cute friend Stacie decided to throw a Murder Mystery Dinner. I have always heard how fun they are, but had never participated in one, so when the invite arrived, I was ecstatic!

The setting: Poker Tournament in the west
Time Frame: 1850's
Location: Deadwood Saloon
Character: Minnie Money, East Coast debutant visiting the west with her wealthy parents. Loving the west, the rugged western men, and being a bit of "floozy."

We arrived at the Saloon and it was like walking back in time. The clubhouse that the dinner was held at was really transformed into a saloon. With the cute western swinging doors, old western signs, and wallpaper to transform the room to look like the inside of a saloon. It was great.

The characters all arrived as well, dressed to the nines in 1850's western apparel. I loved it. I was really impressed with the authenticity of the costumes. My personal costume was a huge debacle. I ordered a way cute dress and when I opened the package, this ugly wedding cake costume came out. To say I was disappointed would be a bit of an understatement. But, I went with it and just made the best of it. I was joined by my three amigos: Taffy, Richard, and Ashlee.
The party was in full force and getting into character was so fun. It was so we weird to talk to people as someone else and just make things up as you go. I have never been in that kind of situation before and it was pretty entertaining.I was a bit jealous of these two, they got to be saloon girls together and they looked hot! They are so stinking cute and I just loved their costumes. How fun to dress up like that?
The whole evening was totally enjoyable and I just loved it. I would highly recommend anyone and everyone to participate in one at some point.

Thanks to Stacie and gang for putting this all together, I'm sure it was so much work, but it was well worth it (at least in my opinion).

Jake + Candice = Love

Jake and Candice tied the knot this week and it was a beautiful occasion.

We started the day off with a family breakfast that morning. The food was great, the anticipation was high, and the company couldn't have been better.

The day progressed as us singles had baby duty, the rest of the family went to the temple to enjoy the union of these two.

We made the trek up to the temple with the kiddies and watched as the happy couple emerged as Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Jensen.
Photo ops were abundant and I loved it.
I think the highlight of my day was getting to spend the entire day with my best friends. My sisters are my closest friends and getting to just hang out and celebrate all day was fabulous.
One of my projects for the wedding was to do the name cards for the wedding dinner. They had to be color coded by what each person ordered and then I alphabetized them to be easy to find. I was actually rather impressed with how they turned out. I guess all the work was worth it.
It was a spectacular day and I hope it was everything they wished for. I am so happy for these two (and am a little jealous that they are sitting in Hawaii for the next two weeks).

The Final Days

Tuesday, November 10, 2009
In the final days before the wedding (Jake's of course) the final preparations and celebrations were in motion.

Monday I spent the evening at my parents house finishing up the name tags for the wedding dinner. Jenny was fascinated with her ability to make herself look pregnant, as my mom and I tried to divert our attention away from her and finish up the tags (you know I love you still Jenny).
Tonight, the night before, Brooke and I ventured to the grocery store. I don't know how this really relates to the wedding, but we did get treats for our evening with the happy couple to be. But most of all, I just wanted to share with you the comedian I travel with. I am constantly cracking up.
The highlight of the night before was getting to be with the couple themselves. They were nice enough to venture to my little home at the end of the runway and spend the evening with us. We had a little celebratory toast for the big day tomorrow.
Tomorrow is such a big and exciting day! I am so happy that Candice has decided to join our crazy family and makes Jake so happy.

Congrats you two!!!

Christmas in November: I'm Lovin' It

Sunday, November 8, 2009
So, I have gradually been building up my Christmas tree decorations and they have been staring at me, begging to be put up. I finally broke down today and decided to pull out the Christmas tree (which was so kindly donated to me).

I have never put a fake tree together in my life, it took me a minute to figure out, but Brooke was nice enough to help me. She dogged out on the project as soon as it was time to put lights on, apparently she hates that.
I got the lights all on and was pretty impressed with my work. I was falling in love already.
It was time to get the decorations out and put on the tree. I was so excited about everything that I had, and I ended up with so many options. It was so fun to put together my very own tree. One of the many joy's of having my own house. Not even the simplest of tasks get past Brooke's crazy antics. I became a tree and she nestled herself into our tree. Things like this are why I LOVE living with this girl.
The finished product:
I am literally in love with my tree. It came together so well and I love the decorations I ended up with. The pictures don't do it justice, so you will all have to make a point to stop by my house and see it for yourself. You are all officially invited!

Paradise

Friday, November 6, 2009
You may all find this hard to believe, but I spent the last 4 days in St. George with my wonderful mother and did not take a single picture! Seriously!?! Yes, I Jill Jensen, did not take a single picture. I am usually a firm believer that you can't post without a picture, but I have nothing to show you.

The reason for the lack of pictures may be due to the rigorous schedule we kept. It went a little something like this:
  • wake up
  • eat
  • sit by the pool/read
  • eat
  • shop
  • eat
  • sit by the pool/read
  • eat
  • sit in the hot tub
  • read in bed
  • sleep
It went on like that for 4 amazing days (I guess we broke it up a bit when we ventured to Vegas on Tuesday, but again we ate, shopped, ate with Jake and sat at his new house). I think this little get-a-way is a perfect display of what a true vacation should be.

I was lucky enough, yet again, to get a little one-on-one time with my mom. I have said it a thousand times before, but I couldn't ask for a better travel companion. It is so wonderful to get to spend that kind of time with her and just be able to relax together. I think we sat in silence more than we talked, but I love that we just have 'comfort silence' as I like to call it. We don't have to say a word and still just like to enjoy things together.

All in all, it was a sensational escape.

Happy Halloween!

Sunday, November 1, 2009
October 30th became the new Halloween around here. With the real Halloween falling on Saturday, Friday became the day to celebrate.

Brooke and I woke to get ready for our day together and left the house, not as Jill and Brooke, but as Peter Pan and the Mad Hatter.
My whole department at work went with the "Alice in Wonderland" theme and I think it turned our pretty well. It was fun that so many people got dressed up.
Here are just a few of the characters:
I was actually surprised how well my costume came together. As of Wednesday, I was not planning on dressing up at all. But after a co-worker forced me to the DI on our lunch and I found the perfect hat and coat, my costume was a go. It just needed some additional touches that I finished up that night.
The all time best part of Halloween at work is that everyone brings their kids into work. They are all so cute dressed up. Since there are several Jensen's working at the credit union, it becomes a Jensen Event. All the grand kids come and even Grandma and Grandpa. It's always the highlight!

Tip Off Time

Thursday, October 29, 2009
I am not a huge basketball fan, but when Ashlee said she was hosting a little Jazz get together for the season opener, I couldn't resist. Who would want to pass up on a night of treats, good company, and maybe a little sports? I was there with bells on and was even luckier to have Brooke come along with me.
I am so lucky to have such good friends and get to spend the evening with them, even if it does include basketball.

Fall Decor

Wednesday, October 28, 2009
There are many things I love about having my own house, one of my most recent favorite things is being able to decorate. My house lacks home decor in general, but I decided to spruce things up and bring some seasonal cheer into my house. I have loved having the rich, warm orange color, the smell of pumpkin spice lingering in the air, and the reminder of the season.

My house is slowly coming together, but I think my home decor may take a back seat to the upcoming Christmas season. My seasonal decor may get a major boost.

Quite Eventful

Saturday, October 24, 2009
My week has been a bit eventful. It has been filled with family time and I love that.

It all started Wednesday with Candice's bridal shower at Jamie's house. It turned out great with festive decor, scrumptious food, and fantastic company. It's always fun when we all get together, and this was no exception.
Friday night was a night out with Brooke. Richard was hosting a pumpkin carving party and we decided to join in the fun. It was so fun to catch up with Richard and use all my creative energy to whip up my pumpkin (yes, that is my very original jack-o-lantern). Today was packed full of events all on it's own. It started with baby duty for the singles while the married's went to the temple with Candice. I was assigned the Jensen Hoard and got to take care of these cute little munchkins all morning. We took advantage of the fall weather and headed out for a fall photo shoot to kill some time.
These kids are just adorable and it makes me sad that I don't live with them any more. how can you not just fall in love with their cute faces?
We goofed around a bit and these kids LOVE getting their picture taken.
After meeting up with the family for a luncheon we headed to the Utah game. Since Jake was in town and had bought tickets, we were lucky enough to all go together. It was fun to be there and be reminded of the good old days when the siblings would all go to games together. The game kept us on our feet right up until the win in overtime. Talk about excitement.
My night is ending with a dinner in with Brooke and Shannon and watching the BYU vs. TCU game (cheering for TCU of course). Only us Jensen girls try to fit in this much football in one day and feel so passionate about it. Go Utes!

I guess that about sums it up.