The Great Susa turns 6!

My baby turned six! What happened? Morgan had a High School Musical Birthday themed party with the family. She wanted a taco bar and chocolate cake, and of course a pinata. The pinata always proves to be the hit of the party. But then, who doesn't get excited about flying candy?

Grif helping Morgan open her presents with Tessie intently watching in her Michael Jackson jacket.

Morgan's new set of wheels from Mom & Dad

Morgan's chocolate cake that she decorated herself

Cute Morgan & Tess
Tess was showing her retro 80's look in her Michael Jackson jacket

The Jensen side with Aunt Gloria, Danielle, Tyce, Grandma, Grif, & Grandpa

Camping in Holden, Utah May 2009

Morgan & Lauren, Best Friends Forever

Morgan, our little Drama Queen

"Scooter" our pet Horny Toad.

Lauren & Morgan eating their body weight in chips!

Grandpa & Grandma Jensen let us use their
old trailer.

We went camping in Holden, Utah, which is near Fillmore. Grif's cousin, Fawn, owns hundreds of acres, so we had ample places to ride and camp. The weather was perfect and we had a wonderful time. The only drawback was that we ran out of water in the trailer (the kids haven't learned the concept of conservation), and the boys didn't get their turkey on the hunt.

A little late, Easter 2009

Lauren, Alec, Morgan, Rhett & Luke coloring Easter Eggs = Mass Chaos!

Morgan, Luke & Rhett waiting for the eggs to get done

Rhett & Fablehaven Author, Brandon Mull

Author Brandon Mull, Zac Barnard, Rhett Jensen & Connor McNeill

Rhett has delved into reading the Fablehaven series this year. He's read all four books and can't wait for number #5 to come out this fall. He was able to have his book signed and his picture taken with Brandon Mull during his visit to our Elementary School.

Presenting . . . Shae McCauley Holfeltz

She was born Monday, May 11th weighing in at just 6 pounds 14 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long. She is a beautiful baby, and I'm not just saying that because I'm her favorite aunt.

We've resorted to calling Tessie "BRUTUS." Let's just say she's a little rough!

Another Goodbye to my Uncle Blaine

The Miller Family at the Salem Cemetery

My uncle, Blaine G. Carlson, passed away on April 6, 2009. He was only 75-years-old. He had suffered greatly in the past few years with diabetes, a heart condition, along with going to dialysis 3 times per week in this last year. I'm glad he is no longer suffering, but nevertheless we will miss him. I didn't get to know my Uncle Blaine until I was a teenager. He moved back to Salem, Utah to help take care of my Grandma when I was in high school. He had previously lived in Long Beach, California. I can't tell you how happy Blaine made my Grandma. After my Grandpa Carlson died, she was lonely and Blaine was just what she needed.

Blaine was about the most kind and gentle man you could know. He was also the most giving. He grew up mainly in Aztec, New Mexico where my Grandparents owned a ranch. They worked very, very hard and the boys had a large responsibility at a young age. He was a twin to Duane, who will miss him greatly. I really think there is a special bond between twins. It was always evident between these two brothers.

As we buried Blaine next to my grandparents in the Salem cemetery, I was so grateful for the tying binds of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its legacy of family.

The Greatest Friend and Neighbor

Shige Shimada 1920-2009

My dear friend and neighbor, Shige Shimada passed away last month. I will miss him greatly. I have known him my entire life. He was my next door neighbor for over 17 years. There are very few men in the world as good as Shige. Shige and his wife June (Misuko) were like my second grandparents.

My brother, sister and I would spend countless hours over at their house roller skating and just hanging out. Shige had a big detached garage in the back of his property, complete with a Country Time Lemonade pop machine. I have many good memories of sitting in the shade with Shige and June and drinking lemonade. Each year, Shane, Courtney, & Spencer Shimada, three of Shige and June's grandkids would come and stay with them for the summer. We formed great friendships with them and had terrific summer adventures.

I've never met two people that could work like Shige and June. I can still see Shige out observing his rows and rows of produce in the garden to ensure not a single weed flourished. This is NOT an exaggeration. The Shimada's were known for weedless fields and gardens.

I learned so many things about the Japanese culture that I will be forever grateful for. Each year we would attend the OBON Festival at their Buddhist Temple in Ogden, and we looked forward to it each year. When I was in elementary school, I did a report on Japan and June and Shige gave me wonderful items to display for my project.

I can never look at an eggplant and not think of Shige. I can never think of Shige and not smile. His personality was infectious.

Shige had been suffering from Alzheimer's Disease for the past 10 years. He and June moved to Salt Lake City a few years after we moved from the neighborhood to be closer to their youngest son.

Greg, my mom and I were able to attend Shige's funeral. As I went up to June and gave her a big hug, tears filled my eyes. It seemed so sad to me that Shige was no longer here on this earth to be beside his beloved wife, Misuko.

I'll miss you Shige.