Christmas 2009

Christmas season this year came and went so quickly! On December 4 (Javin's birthday!), Casey & I went to his work Christmas party up at the Zermatt Resort in Midway. We decided to stay overnight there, and the next morning I woke up feeling kinda sick. Well, that kinda sick turned into really sick, and that nasty cold lasted for 6 weeks! I was suppose to be in charge of the Allen Christmas program again this year, but could not get feeling great, so my awesome sister Kenice ended up planning and executing the entire program and did a wonderful job! Thanks Neenie!

We did not do all the usual Christmas activities this year either, because I couldn't get feeling well, but Casey was able to take Ryllie (she got to take my ticket and I was super bummed) to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert. He said the concert was wonderful.

On Christmas Eve, we enjoyed our family tradition of dinner and gifts at Cuckoo's house. Of course, she spoiled us all, and my kids love their animal pillows and jammies and webkinz! Thanks Cuckoo! We went to the Festival of Lights afterwards, as we have done most years since we have been married. We all love going, and the drive home usually puts at least 2 out of the 4 kids to sleep. :)

Christmas morning is always so much fun with the kids being at such fun ages and they are so excited to see what Santa brought them. Ryllie's favorite Santa gifts were a scooter, zum buddy, and new hairdryer and curling iron. Maddux's favorite Santa gifts were a MP3 player, Barbie DVD's, and lipgloss. Cy's favorite Santa gifts were a scooter, a buzz light year, and Cars fishing game. Hadlie's favorite Santa gifts were a Baby Alive doll, fur real pet, and candy from her stocking. The family's favorite gift was the Wii!

Around 11am we head over to Mike & Lori's. They always make us a wonderful breakfast and give us such nice gifts. They gave us some very nice Calphalon pots, a new crock pot, and new silverware, AND a gift card to Spencer's steakhouse. I know, spoiled right? Thanks for the wonderful gifts Mike & Lori!

Brady & Allison & Jordyn Hansen (Casey's brother)

Tylor, Julie, Jarrett, & Morgan Beveridge (Casey's brother)

Marshall, Noelle, & Summer Lundberg (Casey's sister)

I know people who don't like this time of year because they feel it has become too materialized. Perhaps it has, but I still love this time of year because people tend to reach out a little more, take a little more time to remember those they care about, spend more time with their families, and do kind things for others. You see more humanity and love and it gives the world more hope. And of course this hope comes this time of year because of Jesus Christ.

Team Jacob

Are we really that obsessed with Edward or Jacob, or is it just a secret ploy to have a much needed girls night out? For me it is the latter, and I had a blast hanging out with my fun neighbors, although I still vote to not sit next to Daniella at the next one. :) She is an Edward fan. Or maybe it was just the leopard print pants that were making me dizzy. I'm joking, I love Daniella! What a fun night! We need to rent a bus next time so we can all drive together!

Reflections

Both Ryllie and Maddux entered the Reflections contest at school this year. Ryllie took a beautiful picture that earned her a ribbon, and Maddux composed a piano song that earned her a trophy and an advancement to the State Reflections. I am so proud of both my daughters for going the extra mile and participating in the Reflections program. Way to go!

Happy Birthday Cuckoo!

Thanks for letting us enjoy your birthday with you! We loved going to see the Disney "Christmas Carol" movie with you! You are a wonderful grandma to our kids, and we appreciate all you do to help our family! We love you!

Halloween 2009

Cy enjoying his loot!

Jayden, Nate, and Chase next door getting ready to go trick or treating!

The Hansen kids, and the Fillmore kids heading out for a fun night of trick or treating. Ryllie and Maddux lasted 3 hours this year! They were all about it, and it was so much fun!

Cute dressed up cousins!

Ryllie's baptism

I know Ryllie will remember this special day forever. Ryllie was baptized on Halloween along with her friend Hailey C. We had some family there which made the day even more special. The baptism was wonderful and Ryllie said that she felt like Heavenly Father and Jesus were standing right next to her. The next day she bore her testimony for the first time, and I was overcome with emotion. I have always known that Ryllie would have a tremendous influence for good, and that she is a wonderful daughter, but when she stood to share her testimony, I was so incredibly proud and felt so blessed to have her as my sweet daughter. Ryllie, I love you, and I want you to know how much I love the gospel and how much I love our Savior, Jesus Christ. I hope you will always remember the way you felt at your baptism, and I hope you will always seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost. Love, mom

Family Night! Halloween Pumpkins!

The kids look forward to this Family Home Evening every year, because dad gets out the drill and goes to town on these pumpkins. It really is a sight to see. :)

Ryllie and Cy's birthday party!

For Ryllie and Cy's birthday party, we decided to rent out the "sticky shoe" dollar movie theatre. When we got there, the janitors had not come so the theatres were disgustingly dirty. After some effort from the poor highschool students that work the concessions, we got the theatres picked up a little (and yes, they gave me a refund). After the little fiasco at the beginning of the party, the rest went great! The kids loved it, and I think I will do it again. No mess at home, the kids have fun, and it was actually pretty affordable to rent! The picture of Cy isn't great, but it was the only one I took there, oh well!

Chili Cookoff 2009

Thanks to everyone who came to the Chili Cookoff! We had a blast, and the different chilis and soups were AWESOME! And Happy Birthday to my Super CY! I love you son!

Ryllie gets her ears pierced

Ryllie is turning 8 next week, so she had the choice of whether or not she wants to get her ears pierced. No surprise that she wanted them pierced and was ancy and anxious and asking me to take her over and over. When we got to the mall she was a little scared and almost backed out, but she somehow decided to be brave and has some really cute earrings to show it! Love you Ryllie!

Deer Hunt 2009

We always have fun with the Hansen crew (and Corey) when we go down to Torrey for the so called "deer hunt". This year was especially fun because Kenice and her family were able to come down for a night. We enjoyed the gorgeous weather (we have lucked out for about 3 years in a row!) and I enjoyed time to read. I finished the Hunger Games, and Catching Fire, really good reads by the way! Casey, Adam, and Alec actually hunted this year! So the rest of us hung out at the lake, and let the kids fish, and then Kenice & I took kids on a drive through part of Capitol Reef National Park. Corey cooked us up delicious meals again, and we look forward to his cooking every year. And the kids enjoyed having lots of cousins to play with!

Chili Cookoff!

Friends and family! You are all invited to the Chili Cookoff (formally known as the deck from heck party) this Friday, the 23rd at 5:30pm. Dinner from 5:30 to 6:30, games and hayride from 6:30 to 8pm. Let me know if you can come!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday daddy! You are the best at giving crushes, spanks, pinches, squeezes, and whiskers! I love you!

Pumpkin Patch in Payson!

Thanks to Uncle Tylor and Aunt Julie (and Aunt Julie's dad) for letting us come out to their pumpkin patch for family night and pick pumpkins out of their garden. The kids had a blast picking out their own perfect pumpkin! And thanks to Aunt Mitsy for making us amazing oriental salads and letting us come visit. Hey Tyrel, the drive was totally worth it! :) What a fun Family Home Evening!

Let's go to the Zoo!

Thanks Grandpa Mike and Grandma Lori for taking us to the zoo. The baby elephant and baby giraffe were so adorable! We had such a fun time!

My Disneyland Trip- by Ryllie

This picture is when we went to Circus Circus. I love going to win toys with dad!

I got to bring pumpkin pie, my rally monkey to the Angels game. Daddy took us to the game for fun, and we got to eat hotdogs and drink sodas.

I was scared to go on the Tower of Terror, and after I went on it I realized this was my new favorite ride! After making a scene, I ended up riding it about 10 more times!

It was fun to have my cousins there and having someone to hang out with the whole time we were there.

I liked the all you can eat hotdogs, nachos, and sodas at the Dodgers game.






Here is me and Hailey riding the Maliboomer, it is just like the Rocket at Lagoon.


I had fun having Maddux with me, and she was the one who kept me company every night in the hotel!

My Disneyland Trip- by Maddux

We went to Angel's studio (I mean stadium). We went to Amy's house and played with her kids and swam in her pool and it was in California. At Disneyland I went on the Tower Hotel. It was fun! I remember I went on the Buzz Lightyear ride and mostly I had fun. I went on the Nemo ride with just dad, and he said it was a secret and not to tell mom, cause she had been wanting to go on it, and he kept saying he didn't want to wait in line, then just me and him went and snuck on it! In Hollywood we stopped for food and we were all playing "Big Eyes", and this picture is me and Ryllie doing "big eyes". At the Dodgers game I liked dancing after the game was over. My trip to Disneyland was fun!