As if the above weren't enough, additional family highlights include visits from 3/4 of Ben's siblings, a trip to horse-country Kentucky to attend the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Horse Event, a visit from Ben's parents to enjoy graduation festivities and attend the Iroquois Steeplechase (who knew we were so into horse racing?), a just-in-time visit from Rebecca's parents to help with the move to Texas, a Rygg family reunion in San Diego, and a Jensen Christmas in Oregon, complete with all of Ben's siblings and Julia's first Jensen cousin. Phew! On a very related note, y'all are welcome to come visit us in Dallas during 2016 - we're looking forward to staying put for a bit and would love the company!
Ben is gainfully employed at Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Working under an excellent boss in the Workforce Planning Division, he's learned more than he cares to know about the art and science of layoffs. (It's generally referred to with clever euphemisms like 'labor transformation.') Trenchant quips aside, the human capital concerns of a Fortune 50 company are diverse and complex, and the opportunities will soon provide Ben with enough variety to keep him interested - quite possibly for the long haul. Outside of work, Ben found joy and fulfillment through learning some basic woodworking (courtesy of a family friend here in Texas) and enjoying the local pool with Julia. Ben misses Nashville's famous hot chicken (Hattie B's!) and is eagerly looking to fill the void with good Texan BBQ. Recommendations appreciated.
Rebecca started 2015 with lots of change by ending her maternity leave and returning to work at GAO, which, for the first half of the year, involved bi-monthly travel (DC, Dallas, and Seattle). While the busy schedule somewhat cramped her homebody style, she appreciated that the DC and Seattle trips enabled her to visit with family. As cooler weather approached in November, her love for crocheting ramped up again and yielded baby hats, baby mittens, and a stuffed animal / blankie for Julia.
Julia spent 2015 (6 months old to 18 months old) doing the things you'd expect from a little person her age. Crawling, learning to walk, getting teeth (current count: 7.5, not counting an undetermined number of molars that are beginning to peek through), learning words (not yet "no," but we're expecting it any day), holding entirely unintelligible conversations with anyone (especially herself), and getting into ALL OF THE THINGS. As we get to know her better, we learn that she's a friendly soul who watches people and things carefully. Others who spend time with her note that she loves to be helpful by getting shoes and diapers and toys and whatever else is requested (and often preempts the actual request). We're especially enjoying aspects of her current stage, particularly that she's giving longer hugs and generally showing more affection.
We feel super lucky to have the family and friends that we do, and we wish we could regale you with these updates in person (and hear all about how you're doing, too). We think of you often and look forward to our next visit. Wishing you health and happiness in 2016!
Love from the Jensens,
Ben, Becca, and Julia
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The daily selfie for the traveling mama |
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| The one time in 2016 we got all fancied up - McCall wedding, Nashville |
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| See? We do fun stuff as a family...at family reunions |
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| Posted without comment |
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| December in Oregon; Julia at Ben's high school |
