Elder Higginson serving at the MTC

Jens went into the MTC on August 17, 2017.  That was a bittersweet day.  We all went over to the grounds just east of the MTC, just below the temple.  We took some pictures and hugged him goodbye.  Then drove across the street and dropped him off.

He was assigned Elder Clark as his companion.  These two got along great!  They have a lot in common and became instant friends!  Thankfully I have a few friends who work at the MTC who would send me pictures when they would see him.  Richard Fifita, who does the grounds, saw him one day and took some pictures and a video and sent them to me.  Holly Biefuss, who pins the badges on the missionaries when they arrive, took a picture of him and sent it to me too.

When Jens first went into the MTC, he already had one friend there, Elder Nate Kiesel (far right).  Then his best friend Cooper Smith (center) came in two weeks later.

Jens had lots of friends come inn while he was there:

Left to Right:  Cooper Smith - Jens - ? from Mapleton - Nate Kiesel - Braden Christensen

Jens and Ryan Stones

Elder Ryan Stones - Elder Kade Christensen - Jens

Stones - Jens - Coop

Jensy's Setting Apart as a Missionary

August 16, 2016

Jens got set apart as a missionary today.  It was a really great meeting.  President Clare gave him a really spiritual blessing.  My three favorite things that were said were:

1- He was blessed to be gifted with the correct words to say when asked.  His mouth would be filled with the perfect words at the perfect time.

2- He would be in dangerous areas, but as long as he was obedient, there would be angels with him, who have already been assigned to be by his side to protect him.

3- They don't build great ships to just sit in the harbor.  We as parents have built a great and beautiful ship.  He has a lot to live up to.

Those in attendance were: Dad, Mom, Sidney, Cade & Molly - Grandma Gloria - Grandpa & Grandma Higginson - Dan, Suzi & Katelyn - Sam & Whitney - Joel & Julie - Scott & Jessica.

Afterwards, we all went home and LOADS of friends and family came by to say bye to him.

River Rafting in the Provo River

August 6, 2016

For several years Jeff and I have tossed out the idea that we needed to raft the Provo River and we FINALLY did it!  It was really fun.  The weather wasn't too hot, and thankfully it was a nice, calm ride downstream. 

Sid's New Beetle Bug!

We bought Sidney a 2004 Volkswagen Beetle Bug and she is one HAPPY girl!

She loves it!

She has fondly named her Kim!

Football Season

Cade is playing 7th grade tackle football.  Dr. Hulse DDS has his son on the same team as Cade again this year, and again he donated the nicest uniforms!  Last year they were nice but this year...... HOLY SMOKES!  They are awesome!  Like, the high school is jealous of their jerseys!  Cade is #63 - he's USUALLY (but not always) the only one in a navy blue helmet.

This football season has been fun of course and I love watching Sidney cheer - but I do have to say that its different not watching Jens play football also.

Sidney's Junior Year Homecoming

Brook asked Sid to Homecoming in a really cute way.  He dressed up like Russell from Disney's Up movie.  Then filled her room with balloons, just like in Up.

"Will you fly UP to Homecoming with me?"

I took their pictures at the Provo Courthouse

Girls Left to Right:

Jacie Wilkinson - Brynn Eyre - ? Parish - Hannah  Lindsay - Autumn Hardin - Miley Houghton - Shelby Ault - Natalia Oveson

Boys Left to Right, bottom row first:

Jayden Barnum - Brook Vaitohi - Villi Wolfgramm

Top Row:

Quade Bunker - Alex Baker - Jackson O'Hara - Jacob Rolfe - Jordan Jiminez - Scotty Bennett