On your mark get set PARTY!!

 This year to celebrate Joseph's birthday we had a little party with a few of his friends. He wanted to have a Hot Wheels theme so I found some fun games to do with cars and thanks to Party City some really fun decorations. Joseph had originally requested a Mustang car cake and I was intimidated at the thought of having to put that together but he changed his mind to just having a red one with roads that crossed and cars on top and I was happy to oblige. When the boys arrived they played on the trampoline before we started our games. The first game we did was pin the car on the race track and all the boys made it on the track at about the same point, I guess they were all the same height. Then we moved on to a racing game I had found online using match box cars with those party blowers. The boys had so much fun blowing them across the kitchen and they looked so cute wiggling on their bellies. Our last activity was the Pinata which I was hoping it would take them a little while to break but they had it open in minutes and boy did they move fast to grab that candy once it was everywhere.

The Birthday Boy and Brad with the cake.

Highlights from the party. I know some of them are hard to see.

All ready to party!

Utah Trip



Missy, Me and Sheena enjoying Sheena's last night as a single lady. It was so nice catching up and being together.

Joseph with Great Grandpa Hansen

Joseph, Kaden and Jared. Joseph and Kaden spent all weekend together playing and they were so upset when we tried to split them up.

The beautiful bride

Eric and Sheena

Uncle Steve and Ryan enjoying a few laughs.

Sheens and Me. I love this girl soo much!!

A beautiful family.

A few weeks ago we headed over to Utah for Eric and Sheena's wedding but while we were in town we had time to  see some family, have some new family pictures taken and had the most amazing experience at the Salt Lake Temple. Our first night in town we went to the Salt Lake Temple to take out Bill's endowment's, have my parents sealed and me sealed to them. It was mine and Ben's first time in the Salt Lake Temple and it was so beautiful, amazing and peaceful. I am so glad that we picked that Temple to do Bill's work because we were able to be with family and share in such a wonderful experience. Over the next few days we ate yummy food, watched a ton of great movies, shopped and enjoyed being with one another.

Take me out to the Ballgame

A few weeks ago Ben was given some tickets to the Rockies game and so on a perfect Saturday afternoon we all headed down to Coors Field for Joseph's first baseball game. We had awesome seats right on the third baseline only a few rows back, the sun on our backs and a breeze blowing through our hair. Joseph loved every minute of the game even though I don't think he watched much of the game because he was to busy enjoying his snacks. It was a perfect family outting but I did get a little teary over the fact that

Ben and Joseph waiting for the game to start. If you look hard in the background where the red and blue sign is, Ben and his company installed those huge glass doors.

Millions of Peaches and Pears

 Well maybe not a million. I have never ever canned in my life and this year I thought that I would give it a try. I was so nervous and intimidated about the whole process but it went much easier then I expected. I found as I was doing it that it was really more of a tedious process then a hard one, especially all the peeling and cutting. Since it went so well this year and I really enjoyed doing it and Ben loves having all the fruit I will definitely be doing it again next year. Besides being yummy it also adds great decoration to my kitchen.



Hessing and Moses Visit

All dressed and ready for a night on the town.

 On Labor Day weekend we were lucky to have Zach, Dixie, Mel, Sterling, Jenny, Chance, Chandler and Lexi come for a visit. We had a great time seeing the sights, playing racing games, working on a cute craft, going to Les Miserables, playing golf, going to the zoo and being with one another. The first day Zach and Dixie were here we went to Chick-fil-a for lunch so that Zach could see why we all rave about it and he wasn't disappointed. Later that day we all went up to Red Rocks, but it was so windy we didn't stay long.


Taking a snack break at the zoo.

Looking at animals is exhausting.

                                                                

Lexi hitching a ride.

 On Friday Zach, Dixie, Mel, Ben and myself went on a sight seeing tour of Denver. We drove by Ben and Dixie's old house, the Molly Brown house and lots of other cool buildings downtown. While we were downtown we stopped and had lunch at Ben's favorite hot dog stand and it was delicious.

Elephants are WAY cool!

Queen and King of the rock.

Happy Hessing's

 Later Friday after all of us girl's were done getting ready we went back downtown to see Les Miserables. It was so much fun going in a big group and the show was incredible. It was my first time seeing it and now I understand why everyone loves it so much. The story is powerful and moving and the music brings tears to your eyes. I am so glad that I was able to share this experience with such a wonderful group of people.

Some of the Moses clan.

Ready to hike.

Trying not to blow away at Red Rocks.

My happy Meli friend.



The gang at The Cheesecake Factory stuffing ourselves with yummy food before going to the show.

We miss you guys all ready and can't wait for you to come again.

KiNdErGaRtEn

On Tuesday Joseph started Kindergarten and let's just say there was lots of Boohooing from his mom. I was excited for him to begin this new adventure but I missed him terribly and was so excited when it was time to pick him up. He had a wonderful time and couldn't wait to tell me all about his day and the fun things they had done. His favorite was that they got to take pictures of themselves on the computer and play around with them. His teacher is Ms. Klee and she is full of energy, happy and perfect  for kindergartners. 

Ms. Klee

Joseph and I in front of his school.

All ready to go!

Steel Creek Campground

While in Idaho we had our annual family camping trip and it was great. The weather was perfect and the company divine. There had been reports of bears on the next mountain over so we had to be extra careful but we had the perfect bear repellent. A very large, cute group of noisy happy children that kept us safe. :)My water man.

Mel and I were able to spend some time together this summer and I LOVED every minute of it.

Boys being boys!

A very very happy Maddie!!

Sweet Shelby with her watermelon. I know she looks sad but she really was quite happy, the smile is beneath all the dirt.

Hangin round the fire.

Bring on the S'mores!!

We can't wait until next year!!