We have a TEENAGER and she SHINES!

For Morgan's 13th Birthday we made her most favorite thing for Sunday dinner. 

Coconut Shrimp

That night we decorated the kitchen which is a family tradition for the kids birthdays.  I loved what her daddy had to say...

She opened this one present in the morning.  Morgan has developed a real gift with singing and she wanted this soooo bad!  Her young women's leader gave her the binder full of music.

Her friends decorated her locker at school.

Mom took her to lunch.

Church leaders decorated her garage.

So happy for all the gifts...

Well in this photo- she was really shocked thinking that her Great Grandma Hansen went to Victoria Secret to buy some "Pink" perfume but little did she know it was from Big Lots.  So FUNNY!!!

She got some pine nuts and look at that face.  Need I say more?

Money always puts a smile on this girls face.  She LOVES to SHOP!

Dinner out and her first PG-13 movie with mom and dad.  

Great way to celebrate!!!

We love this Teenager and are so thankful that we can be her parents.  

She truly SHINES!

Talk about catching up...

Ok so I am so far behind on my blog.  Talk about catching up.  Yes- this is from Halloween Day.

We went over and saw Great Grandma and Grandpa Hansen and what a "treat" that was:)

Then we raced home and met the West family for a trunk-or-treat!

Morgan and her friends were Minions from Despicable Me

When the night was over and after Preston me and Syd had been scared from a man with a chain saw we were DONE!!!  I am not a fan of this Holiday and especially because usually my husband is out of town on business so I was ready to get it over with.  Check out this box filled with candy.  Two weeks later and I am still finding the candy wrappers!!!  Did you hear me???  I don't like Halloween!

A FEW FUNNY MOMENTS AT OUR HOUSE...

Look at these two girls.  They were pulling faces right before church. 

 You would hope it might help them so that they can sit still and be reverent:)

Sofie is pregnant and she really plays the momma part so well.  She even went to the "hostital" to have her baby.  The legs of this dolly were clear down in her thighs.  So FUN to watch this girl play...

Preston came in the kitchen a few nights ago and said "Hey mom- I am Kayler"!

He looks just like him.

Love those cousins:)

Where is daddy when we need him?

So this usually is daddies tradition with the kids, but he happens to be in Vegas.  Every year he is out of town for Halloween due to his work. He usually carves pumpkins with the kids before he goes.  This year it didn't happen and oh how I miss him.  I really get grossed out from the smell and the texture of a pumpkin and my kids are not any better.  Morgan said "this is worse than doing the dishes". She refuses to touch any food when she does dishes and she gags if she does.  Preston had to be begged to do it just for a photo.  Sofie refused. Syd was at a friend party but she would have helped me out.  

(at least I think she would)

Bryn was a trooper even though she thought it was "DISGUSTING"!

Look at that face!!!

Now look at that.  What do you think?

Daddy where are you???

We need you!

My friend- My SISTER...

My friend Alissa is more than a friend she is my 

"BIG SISTER"!

I am so thankful that we met when we did.  We needed one another and Father in Heaven knew it.  I know that we knew each other up in that old Heaven and we had a party.  Speaking of parties, today she turned 50 and we celebrated with a little lunch and a shop. I made this little bucket that said, "50 sucks!  It had 50 suckers and a few other surprises:)  

Doesn't she look great for 50???

She hates any attention on herself and she has a very hard time when others do anything for her.  She is always giving to her family, her friends, at work (she is a nurse), and would give anything to someone in need.  Even when we talk she only wants to hear about me and what is going on.  

I am so thankful for her example.  I sure do Love my Big Sis!

Happy Birthday!!!

FHE with the Adams Family...

We met the Adams for FHE (Family Home Evening) which we do as a family every Monday.  This week we met up with them so we could go find Elder Bass from Oklahoma, and decorate his door for Halloween.  We first went to eat and Preston gave Brigham a gift for his baptism that we couldn't be too.  Poor Preston was not feeling good and had a slight fever.  This is why his arms look amputated.

Boys will be Boys... 

oh Sofie is hiding in there:)

Morgan and Sydney just love these two...

Poor Dave had to put up with all the Estrogen. 

We pulled into the driveway of this home and were peeking in the windows to see if this is where 

Elder Bass was living?  These kids were so excited to act like spy's with their flashlights from their kids meals:)  So cute!!!

We were a little nervous because we thought the owners of the house might get upset that we were there...

The kids saw this and then we were sure we might get caught.

When we went downstairs we peeked in this window and my girls almost started to cry when they saw Elder Bass's blanket that they made him hanging from his bed. So cute!!!  We were so HAPPY!

UH OH... Leave it to David to check the door to see if it was open.  Sure enough he broke in and he went about the house to see if he could find any missionaries home:)  I followed with the camera.  My heart was so full.  I just wanted Max to jump out of his closet.  He is so close and yet so far away:(

Look at this kitchen. A few dirty dishes.  His momma won't be surprised:)  

Eggs left out so they can get some food poisoning.

This is where he sleeps at night...

His closet...

What?  Awesome!  A pool table?  Really?

Max loves to play games and I bet he is loving this:)

Thank you Alisa for thinking about this idea and including us.  I am so thankful for Alisa and her example of service.  She is such a dear friend!  By the way she has lost so much weight and looks absolutely AMAZING!!!  Keep it up girl!

Loved these Halloween Pumpkins:)

This seriously made me tear up!  Look at my boy.  Gosh we miss him and yet he is right here.  It is a really weird feeling to know he was so close.  We tried to stay as long as we could.

We even scheduled dinner appointments on their calendar. 

We thought that was pretty funny:)

OH KNOW!!!

We got caught! 

The owner of the home found us.  He was the sweetest man ever.  He is 79 years old. Him and his wife have lived in this home over 50 years and it was amazing.  They have 7 children and they come over once a month with their families for dinner.  Their yard is set up for grand kids.  

The finished product.  So cute Alisa.  

The kids had so much fun they didn't want to leave.

Preston asked if he could come over for a play day:)

Can't wait for the day we bump into Elder Bass!!!

So much FUN being spy's tonight...

Just a side note:  It is so neat to see how our lives cross paths with others. 14 years ago I passed this home every day on my way to and from work.  Little would I know that I would meet the Bass family, the Adams family, in Oklahoma of all places and be decorating the door to that house.  It really does just make me so thankful for these moments and these friendships.  I ask myself?  

What will come my way over the next 14???

Then after saying goodbye to the Adams Family we went over to decorate my friend Alissa's yard for her big 50th tomorrow!!! 

Look what Bubba found.  Him and Sofie said forget decorating, 

we are gonna cruise the neighborhood.

They were in heaven!

The kids were trying to hold up their hands to make 50 but it was a little difficult for some of them:)

Look who caught us!!!  

Brookie and her Hot little Boyfriend:)

We were dying at how tall Morgan is compared to Brooke.  It is crazy when you remember them both as little girls.  Time goes so fast. (My friend is 50)!!!

Look who we found in the bed:)

PAPA BEAR!!!

Love this family so much!