Year in Review

You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man

Amidst our gingerbread house making festivites, the gingerbread man managed to escape again. And, why did we not catch him, you may ask....well, he was just too darn slick in that brand-new iceberg speedo. And we all know that those things have the ability to make any man uncatchable. (Or should I say, less desirable to be caught?)

And the award goes to....

My neighborhood has gotten rather lazy in their Christmas light displays the past few years. Each year, less and less people put up Christmas lights. So, I think our house takes the cake this year. C'mon, neighbors, get with it! It's so much more fun to drive home to an array of colorfully lighted homes than down a cold, dark, boring street. Doesn't this look so much more inviting?

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

‘Tis the season! And I love everything about it. And this year, I’m even excited about the cold. After spending the past two Christmases in 100-degree weather, I’ve decided that snow and cold really do make Christmas so much more cozy. There’s nothing like coming in from looking at Christmas lights and sitting down in front of the fire by your Christmas tree with a nice big cup of hot chocolate.

And starting tomorrow, December 1st, I plan to enjoy every minute of December. Anyone for ice skating, a gingerbread house culinary creation, or making a snowman?

I'm thankful for...

On this Thanksgiving Day, I’d like to take a moment to express my gratitude. In a recent conversation with a friend, as I was expressing my discontent with my life at the moment, he said he was so happy and grateful for all the little things in his life. He said that life could be so much worse, and it’s really true. I realized I do have so many blessings and I need to focus more on what I have rather than what I wish I had. So, on that note…

I’m grateful for…..

Friends
The opportunity to live in a free country
The opportunity to reach whatever goals I set my mind to
Medical technology
Having English as my native language
Being able to speak Spanish
The Book of Mormon
A living prophet
My health
Being a member of the true church of Jesus Christ
My church calling
Technology—the fact that we can keep in touch with friends all over the world.
My job
My Savior, Jesus Christ
A warm home
Central heating
The opportunity I had to serve a mission
The sun coming up over the mountains every morning
The pale pink and blue sky as the sun sets behind the snow-capped mountains each evening as I step out of my office and drive home from work.
A creative mind
Education, and the opportunity to learn and gain knowledge
The ocean
A temple just down the street

And…last but not least….my family.

I’m glad to be home this Thanksgiving Day. It’s the first time in 3 years I’ve been able to celebrate this holiday with my family. Even though they think I hate them, that’s far from the truth. I love them a lot and I hope that someday soon, we’ll be able to accept each other’s differences and show our love.

Teri ties the knot

Well, Teri is one of the last of my college roommates to get married. I think there's only 3 of us (out of like 25!) who are still single. Maybe if I start planning my wedding, it'll happen sooner. Teri's been planning hers for years! But, let me just say that Teri's wedding was one of the best I've ever been to. She sure knows how to throw a party! It wasn't one of those boring stand-in-a-line, sign-a-book, get-a-piece-of-cake-and-go-home wedding receptions. It was an out-and-out par-tay. When Teri came out onto the dance floor in her bright red sneakers and started to boogie, I think her new groom thought for half a second, "What have I done?" But that's Teri for you. And I wouldn't have her any other way...and I'm sure he wouldn't either. Thanks Teri for reminding me of what I want to be--confident, elegant, unique, ambititous, creative, and FUN!

It's a Great Day to be a Miner!

My annual murder mystery party was yet another success, if I do say so myself. This Bingham High School class reunion had a few twists, one being that one of the fellow classmates was murdered at the South Jordan Country Fest. The excellent sleuthing of these talented Bingham alumni caught the killer by the end of the reunion. She may look innocent, but she's deadly! Can you figure it out? In attendance: Enna Flash, Missy Priss, Donald Trumpet, George Dubbleyu, Kandie Kicker, Tex Roper, Glen Rich, Karl Maloney, Molly Powers, Canta Treese....and me (Principal Jensen)!

And we caught her....the killer!

It's a geek, it's a nerd....no wait! It's Superman!

Did anyone say "queen"? Remember, I hold two titles.

Kandie's kickin'!

Just in from Cairo

Don't you just love Halloween?

Roper's at it again.

Happy Halloween!

Let's get this party started!

Dan Grow the tennis pro. Did he borrow this outfit from the east side?

Allison's crew

Trick or treat?

Christy, Nathan and Zach. Have I mentioned I love Halloween?

I'm Lime Green!

My Power Color Is Lime Green, What's Yours?

At Your Highest: You are adventurous, witty, and a visionary. At Your Lowest: You feel misunderstood, like you don't fit in. In Love: You have a tough exterior, but can be very dedicated. How You're Attractive: Your self-awareness and confidence lights up a room. Your Eternal Question: "What else do I need in my life?"

What's Your Power Color?

Fixin' For Fall

Caron and I hiking up behind Brighton.

Well, it's back to work for me...I finally got a job. I'm the new Web editor for

Creating Keepsakes Magazine. Check out all my great work at http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/.
Even though cold weather is yucky, I must admit that fall is the perfect time for football, apples, mountains, and of course...the state fair. Gotta love it!

All My Wildest Dreams

The state fair....it's where all your wildest dreams come true!

And they did!

Anne ropes a big one!

The 2005 state fair rodeo queens.

Tetherball....YES!

Gotta keep up the navajo taco tradition...for a quarter a bite.

Butter Cow....now haven't all YOUR wildest dreams come true?

bellota

Summer Lovin'....had me a blast!

Amidst the job hunting, I have managed to have a great summer. From rodeos, to the cabin, to family reuinons, to Cancun, to biking and hiking, to boating....it's been a blast.






Gearing up for the 24th of July rodeo.






climbing the pyramids at
Chitzen-Itza ruins near Cancun, MX



4th of July four-wheeling at the cabin.

Don't cry for me Argentina

I returned home from Argentina in April 2005. Thought you might enjoy a few pictures!

Florentino Perretti's baptism. Rivadavia, Mendoza.

Tunnel exploring in Puente del Inca, Mendoza.

Lujan art museum....gotta love that Book of Mormon!

Guaymallen ward fashion show. Hermana Shepherd, Nieva, Capps, Acevedo.

Buenos Aires Temple. Tello family sealing.

Making smores with Rivadavia friends.