Fright Night!

The Boo Crew

Avery-Greek Goddess

Paige-Kitty

Macy-Tinkerbell

Brinley-Witch

If you feel like your having a de ja vu moment, you're not. I bribed my children with a whole $5/kid, to select a costume from the dress-up box verses buying one at the store. I honestly thought they wouldn't go for it, but they thought it was the best plan ever. This was my easiest Halloween ever! (Now that Paige has some cash, she can stop wiggling all of her teeth praying for one to fall out.)

Britt's Big Day!

The bride and groom (Brittany and Andy)

Brittany and her #1 aunt

Amazing cake made by my sister-in-law, Judy

Here's Brinley with cousin Austin wrapped around her little finger

Here's Brinley dragging Uncle Dale around with her little fingers

Here's Jamie and Collin (thanks to a George Bush cut out and a color copier), so funny

Here's Laura, Brin, Dale, Elder Jensen, and Amanda

and one last pic of Brinley (in case you were wondering, she was my only child there)

I know it's hard to believe that someone as young and hip as I am could possibly have a niece get married, but it's true. My little Brittany Jensen is now Brittany Pinkston...crazy! It seems like only yesterday she was lathered up with Vaseline (thanks to Amanda) and drinking bathwater. Brittany and Andy were married in beautiful Logan on a beautiful fall day.

Apples of My Eye

gourmet caramel apples...kid style

Brin's lickin' the chocolate bowl clean...what a helper

It may feel like Christmas outside (30 degrees is our high today...brrrr), but we decided to do something Halloween-ie inside. We ususally get so junk fooded out that we don't ever make caramel apples, so we decided to make them earlier in the month. The kidos smashed as many goodies on top as they could get to stick and then added a few more for good luck. Yum...better than Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory's (almost).

Brin's Grins

Little Brinley turned 1 this summer, so I decided save some cash (and anxiety) and take her out on a homemade photoshot with mom. I wish I could say that she loved every minute of it and was more than cooperative, but she wasn't. My big goal was to get one adorable picture of her in the flowers, but instead she is wailing. I was disappointed at first, but now the crying picture is my favorite. Mom doesn't always know best.

Here are the updates on Brinley...

*She has just started to really say words. She says mama, dad, bow (ball), hi, bye, hot, teeth, tickle, quack, oh oh (woof woof), up up up, and dinky dinky dink (lyrics to her favorite song), and kind of an amen at the end of our family prayer.

*She also blows on her hot food, says shhhh when it's time to be quiet, blows kisses with with the back side of her hand, loves to click her tongue and spit, and pretends to read books out loud.

*She gets most excited when her sisters leave for school. It's become quite a ritual to wave bye bye and scream as they head up the street.

*She's got some moves. She is a expert at twirling, stomping, and bobbing to the beat.

*She's our human garbage disposal...she will eat anything.

*She is also very regular, if you know what I mean.

Zoo Crew

Big Giraffe, Little Brin

"Egg"cellent smiles

Our View From the Zoo

My "Little" Girls

Well, it's our bi-yearly (does this mean every two years, cause that's what I'm aiming for) trip to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Matt was rooting for the pet store or the fish tanks at Walmart, but with a little coercion, we talked him into spending the big bucks to see undomestic animals. The girls loved the Budgie Buddies (these little Australian birds that are adorable and eat off of a stick that you purchase from the zoo keepers...Grandma J nightmare). We also saw an adorable baby chimpanzee and baby wallaby that was pet-able (but of course I didn't because I think I have an obscure petting animal phobia). My favorite part of the day had to be the giraffes, but for all the wrong reasons. There was a male giraffe that kept trying to mate with a female giraffe. Avery thought this was hilarious. "Look at that crazy giraffe, I think that he wants a piggy back ride." She kept going on and on and on and was really, really loud. All of these little grandmas thought that it was the funniest thing. I think that it is time to have a little talk about the bird and the bees (elbow, elbow). Unfortunately, our day wasn't perfect. I don't know how many times we had to say "it's not snack time/lunch time" or "we're here to see the animals, not to _____." I know it's not healthy to spoil them and give into every carousel ride and giant, overpriced snow cone, but I don't want them to think I'm a stick in the mud. Anyway to ease my guilty feelings, I bought them a giant Smartie at the grocery store and bingo, I'm the coolest again.

Thirty Somthing

We celebrated Matt's big day this month, and boy, it was a good time had by all. Matt received tons of bike stuff to go along with his brand new road bike (compliments of his business Visa points). We gave him an airpump, on odometer, legwarmers, and a purse ("It's European!" ... for all the Seinfeld buffs.) We then blindfolded him and took him to a restaurant called Fatburger. Now, we are classy people and don't typically eat at joints with the word "fat" in the title, but we made the exception today. (I don't know how it all started, but we've joked about going there for over a year. I figured it was finally time.) We then went home, ate chocolate trifle, and watched Twilight, which surprisingly entertained the birthday boy. Feliz Cumpleanos!

blindfolded on our way to a secret destination

the birthday boy with his Fatburger

This is my all time favorite picture of Matt (if you can't tell which one he is, he's wearing the navy leisure outfit, has square glasses, is giving a big thumbs up, and is sporting a foam hat entitled "Matt"). Whistle, Whistle!!!

Paige's Post

here is our concessions stand

Paige on her big day (nice horsie socks)

Macy and Paige tearin' up the hill

I initially thought that blogging was my easy answer to keeping everyone updated on our happenings, but no ... I'm playing catchup once again. Paige's birthday was a month and a half ago and I'm finally getting to it. Anyway...Paige turned the big 6 this year. We had a Matinee Movie Party showing Barbie's "Thumbelina"! All the party goers received their own little purse with $, faux cell phone, and lip gloss when they arrived. Macy and her best friend, Anna, manned the ticket booth, Paige was the ticket taker, and Avery and her best friend, Aubree, ran the concession stand. It was so much fun and surprisingly quiet. The girls actually sat and watched the movie while eating a mass of goodies. I honestly went upstairs and folded laundry while the big girls took charge. It was heaven! After the party, we took the girls to Tabogan Hill (creative name for our sledding hill) and sledded the afternoon away.

About Paige...

*She is the family "Food Policeman". (I guess this is a common trait in the Hansen family (cough)...Adam).

*She is also always on "Fairness Alert"

*She loves loves loves Kindergarten.

*Like Macy, she also wants to change her name to Gabriella Montez when she turns 18. Sharpay and Kelsie are a close 2nd and 3rd. (from High School Musical)

*Paige is the "Countdown Queen". She is constantly keeping track of the days to our next family member's b-day, the days until she gets to bring home Chester (the class sock monkey), the days until she gets to be the special helper, etc. She gets upset when someone in the class messes up her rotation.

*She calls Skittles, Skeeters. How Cute!

*Everyone loves to play with Paige. Boys in her class and Macy's friends naturally gravitate towards her.

*She desperately wants to visit China and Alabama.

*Mrs. Ray, her K teacher, says she cries more at school that any other kid she's had in years. In fact, the other day Mrs. Ray asked Paige if she had a stuffy nose and the tears started flowing.
*Competitive whether it's soccer, Old Maid, or simply running up the stairs.