November 2010 Meg's Birthday & Family Visits

Meg's 9th Birthday!

It was all about "Tangled" this year!

Meg wanted a chocolate chip cheesecake instead of a birthday cake. I was all over that! You mean I don't have to frost & decorate the cake?!!! SWEEEET!

Grandma Cynthia & Grandpa went to IHOP with us to celebrate Meg's entrance to the world!

There was this guy there walking around making balloons for the kids! They loved it!

Mitchell's Bow and Arrow Balloon

Mitchell eating what he usually eats when we go out. Yes, you saw correctly. It's mac and cheese! (aka yellow death) We probably paid $7.00 for what we could've made at home for 50 cents! You gotta love the distinctive palate of a 6 year old!

The Hansen's Visit!

Amber, Uel and kids spent Thanksgiving this year in Vernal with Uel's family, but they stopped here for a day on their way down. We sure love them and always have a ball with them.

The girls had fun doing LexiLou's hair.

BYU Football 2010

BYU Football Game!!

McKenna and Claire decided to sit this one out.

But Meg and Mitch came along and had a great time.

Although we teased Mitch about watching mostly this...

He was actually mostly doing this.....

He sure loves electronics!

Our nephew's Ryan and Adam Baker came too! They're sitting on the other side of Mitch.

October Stuff 2010

The Olsen's good friends of ours from Highlands Ranch, CO came out to Utah and were able to swing by one night. It was so good to reconnect with them and their fun family. We picked up right where we left off, and never skipped a beat. It was like we still lived around the corner and just saw them last week. It was great!

Back row (Trevor, Mitchell, Camille, Meghan, Hannah, Lexi, McKenna, & Claire

Melissa, Hans, Ben and Sheri. We had just gotten home from a BYU Football game in Provo, hence the Y shirts.

Our dear friends, the Bramwell's have an amazing back yard with a creek, a hammock, a firepit, and all kinds of cool stuff. Here are some shots of the kids just chillin'.

Like brother, like sister.

Tarzan Mitch! Ahhh ahhh ahhhh! (How does one write the Tarzan yell?!)

Fall Break 2010

For Fall Break we didn't go out of town this year. We just took the kids to Temple Square for a day, & we ended up having such a great time! It was a beautiful, crisp autumn day. There was a hint of coldness in the air, yet the sun was shining.

This was taken in front of the big waterfall off of the Conference Center.

By a fountain in front of the Church Office building.

Meggie, Mitch, Kenna, and Claire Bear! Sure love these kiddos!

In front of the Christus at the North Visitor's Center.

The kids loved this fountain. Claire kept trying to jump in! We had to restrain her!

This is a cool shot in front of the Temple.

Mitch and McKenna doing a a little Geneology at the Family History Center.

Meggie with a little spring in her step.

In the church office building the kids were excited to see the directory that listed where the 1st Presidency and the 12 apostles had their offices. So...we snapped a picture of it.

We took a tour of the Church Office Building and were able to go out on the roof (it's enclosed in glass) where we got these great shots of the State Capitol building.

August adventures 2010

We took the kids on a hike up part of Mt. Timpanogos to Scout Falls.

This picture was taken right before the hike.

During the hike, taking a rest on the trail.

The triumphant victors! What an accomplishment!

Hans' sister, Julie and family live in Guatemala, but they were here in Utah for a month visiting. This was a little celebration we had with them for Dallin's birthday at Grandma and Grandpa's rental house before they headed back home.

Summer Fun! 2010

Claire enjoying our water slide in the back yard. She had recently turned 2 when these were taken.

I love the look of pure joy on her face-- priceless!

The kids after swim lessons.

Isn't summertime grand?

To swim, or not to swim that is the question.

Deep thoughts, by Meghan Hendershot...

We get terrible wind storms here in the summer. This was a particularly bad one, and it practically took down our Aspen tree. Hans and I tried to save it during the storm. We tried holding it up. I was determined not to give in. I had my feet braced against the big rock and was pushing the trunk up with all of my might while the wind blew on. A neighbor saw what was happening and came over to offer some advice. His advice was, "Melissa, you're crazy, get in the house until the storm's over!" Hans had been telling me the same thing, but I didn't want to give up. I was almost in tears. But finally reason took over and I caved. We went inside to wait it out. This was the result the next morning.

We did save the tree though! Now it's upright and staked better. I should put a before and after picture. That would give you a better idea of the difference. That'll be a future blog project.

On to more important things....

One morning I found Claire in our master bathroom on her potty chair doing a little light reading.

For spiritual enlightenment, "The Ensign" and...

She's got to stay on top of what's going on in the business world, so

"Entrepreneur" was her final choice. :)