Jena's BIG 20th BIRTHDAY!

It was a good thing that Jena wanted to go swimming with us for her birthday and that only worked on Monday night because Saturday, her actual birthday was packed and mostly with things others planned.

It started early with a trip down to Provo to share donuts with Ben to celebrate a part of her day with him (we got there around 10:15 but he was still very sedated and fell asleep during the visit. But he did manage to eat a donut before that happened.)

We then headed to BYU to attend a family concert with Emily Ehlen and her mom.  It was preformed by the symphony and was called "Musical Zoo."  They played music which had been based on animals like "Flight of the Bumble Bee" and "The Swan".  They also taught a bit about the pieces and the different instruments.  It was very enjoyable.  And it is always great to be back on the campus at BYU.  It is so beautiful in the fall and always brings back so many memories.

Jena with Emily Ehlen

Of course I had to take some pictures AND of course, it has changed.  Finally Felt Hall is gone, replaced by the new red brink dorms which have transformed the whole Heritage Hall area.  Last time I looked there were three remaining dorms right next to campus still there but now even the road between the campus and the dorms is gone.  Changes everywhere---

This was Felt Hall about three years ago.  I lived here during my freshman and sophomore years at BYU.  We started off in Felt #38 which is on the top back part of the building and then moved to #39 on the top front.  It would be the apartment on the right size which you really can't see in this picture.

Here is what is there now:

The grey building under construction sits where Felt and Fox Hall were when I was a student.  I guess my freshman roommates and I won't be able to come and visit the dorm like people did our freshmen year.  I believe they had been the first occupants of Felt Hall. Memories!!!!

 Fall at BYU is always so beautiful---

 This used to be a main road through campus but now it is being replaced by gardens and walkways.  It makes sense with the large number of dorms to the east and north, but it removes another roadway which is great for those walking to campus but driving must be increasingly tough.

This part of the road must have been replaced a couple of years ago as the grounds look fairly established and include a little pond and stream.  I am sure removing the road has made the whole area safer.

One last picture of the "Y" on the mountain.  It was a rainy morning and big white clouds were sitting low on the mountain.  I am sure they left rain as up in our area the peaks were snow covered yesterday too as we were heading back north.

We dropped Gary off at his truck and Jena and I headed up to Ogden.  Jessica had invited Jena to go painting with her and Elessia (Happy birthday to Elessia, too.  They share a birthday day.).  Only proble was that downtown Ogden was celebrating the Harvest Moon Festival and the parking lots and the streets were packed.  Not the best day to be in downtown Ogden.  I got Liam and spent the afternoon playing with him while they all painted ceramics.

Jena then brought Jena back at 5 so that we could eat a bit of dinner and get to the Women's Broadcast at 6.  It was great and one of my friends (Katie Graham) designed and posted this visual from Pres. Uchtdorf's talk:

Isn't that awesome?  She said I could share and print it.

We enjoyed cake afterwards with our Stake although very few people from our ward were there.  I guess now that it is on TV it is easier to stay home.

Finally we get home to stay and Jena gets to opening her presents around 10  (I wanted to clean the house and wrap her gifts which took a bit of time.)

And that is how Jena celebrated her 20th birthday...and the final installment is on Monday night. (Don't feel bad for Gary as he and I are heading down to Provo on Friday night for a BYU game and fun as part of his birthday present!)

LOVE-LOVE- LOVE these two people and everyone else in my family.  We are so lucky!