Bobcats, Trains, and Christmas Parties

In reverse order (because bloggers photo uploading makes no sense), here are pics from our Saturday.
We started with a bobcat sighting in our neighborhood on the way to our ward Christmas party - where Toby excitedly sat on Santa's lap, Heather made crafts, and TJ made friends that he brought back to our house to play legos, lasertag, and ride bikes.
We then visited the owner of Tia Rosa's Restaurant and his backyard FULL of model trains - Toby was in heaven, as you can see.
Right next door was my parents' chapel where they were putting on their ward party, so we crashed it (we were the first ones there) - thanks, Grandma and Grandpa!

Donuts!?! Nope - bagels

Cousins & Chores

Decorating Elves

TJ big bro

Toby Time

Toby BEGGED for the train to be set up and I told him I would if he pooped in the potty - it worked! He is hooked (to the concept of pooping so that it isn't in your pants) now!

Last Saturday Toby and I realized we were wearing the same outfit - so we got some coordinating pics taken. Heather's outfit wasn't coordinating (with ours nor with itself) but she snuck into the pics anyways.

She's Here (or we're there)!

Susan and I have had an amazing experience over the last 9 months. We were prompted and decided to follow the prompting to seek to grow our family despite past medical challenges. In preparation, we went through (and will still go through) bureaucratic paperwork, interviews, and even fingerprinting. We've moved in preparation for this new spirit to join our family, taken leaps of faith in many instances, and now a leap across the country (at least all the way across Texas) to be with our little girl. We drove through the dark swamplands of Southern Louisiana last night with only the sliver of a crescent moon outlined by two bright stars/planets and handwritten directions to go past the Lowes, mutiple Walgreens, and the cabaret/gas station to find her! It is a HUGE BLESSING to be able to know our Heavenly Father and our Elder brother, Jesus Christ, listen to our prayers and provide a way for us all to help each other.

Heather's Octopus

Quick Rocky Point Trip

We had an awesome, quick time in Mexico - Heather caught an octopus and got braids, Vale went down the COLD waterslide, TJ searched hi and lo for pizza, and Toby helped me fly the kite - all while Susan caught up on some reading while sitting on the beach! Thanks to the Hales for letting us enjoy their condo!

For more pics go here: http://picasaweb.google.com/jensenej/081129#

Some Thanksgiving Day Pics

Here we are getting ready to "attack"! I got a comfy seat at the couch for Thanksgiving dinner - it actually worked out pretty well for post eating recovery!

I hope my fam enjoys the candid shots - sorry I missed some people. Susan and I are looking forward to a hopefully quick trip to Louisiana to pick up our new baby daughter . . . lots and lots to be thankful for and lots going on! Hope everyone had a great day! Click on the link below for the online album:

http://picasaweb.google.com/jensenej/BlogCiresplace?authkey=i8yPdAPLreg