white christmas

It's been snowing here for the past couple of days. It's COLD outside, but never too COLD to play

(well, except for mom, it's way too cold for her to play.)

Happy Birthday Ricky!

Brother, Son, Uncle, Husband and Father

We all love you and hope you have a wonderful 29th birthday!

thanksgiving fun

We had such a great time together in Utah. Here's a few pictures from the trip:

We went to Salt Lake and walked around the temple, made a few wishes (Cristian was obsessed with throwing money in the fountains) and saw the Joseph Smith movie.

After the movie, we went and got something to eat and then headed back to Temple Square to see the lights.

One of the highlights of the trip, we'd all agree, was visiting with Aunt Mary. She was as cute as ever. She made us laugh and cry and reminded us all of great Grandma. Her birthday is coming up on the 23rd. Try to send her a card for both her birthday or Christmas. I know she'd really love hearing from you all.

We had a great trip. It went way to fast. THANK YOU TO THE MOREAUS! You took such great care of us. Thank you for EVERYTHING you did to make us feel loved. WE LOVE YOU!

Pictures!

We would love to see pictures from your recent vacation to Utah! We are so glad you all had a great time together and can't wait to see!

MEET BUDDY

Meet Jared's new puppy Buddy....He is a minature poodle. He is a ball of fur and energy!

As you can see Bella didn't want anything to do with him!

Bella was thinking, "It's Bear all over again....just get me away from him!"

She was happy to see him go!!

NOVEMBER 17th....SAY WHAT???

The weather here has been so nice that Larry, Alena and Dean decided to go swimming. Who would have thought, swimming in November!! They said the water was a little cool....well really cold! Dean didn't last very long, but Larry and Alena swam for a little while. The swimming season might just be over!

HALLOWEEN FUN

Adriana the cutest little Jack-o-lantern....Her first Halloween

Alena a purrfect little black cat...

Cute Tigger......Jump Dean, Jump!!

What great looking make-up....they almost look like real cats!!

Dean and his fierce tiger face...roar!!

Hayden loves the Old McDonald tractor!!

One happy little skunk!!

What a little stinker... Hayden looking for the toys.

I think if Bella could talk she would ask "Why are you doing this to me??"

Bella loves Halloween....just as much as jamma...she had to wear her maid costume...She greeted all the tricker or treaters....ruff ruff

There you have it Cristian.....Our costumes. We love your monkey costume and wish we could have been together to go trick or treating. We love you and miss you a lot.

Cousins . . .

Where are your pictures in your Halloween costumes? I want to see what everyone was for Halloween. I miss you guys! I love you!
Love,
Cristian

In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children.

guessing game

We find out what we're having today.

so the question is . . . PINK or BLUE?!
Make your guess!

fall

You can't live in 'Da ho and not have a picture of your child in the corn.

HAPPY FALL!

{well happy fall for us, Mar and the Moreaus, since the only seasons you have in San Diego are summer, spring and fire season}

One Hundred Hartpence Post's

I was checking my blog posts and saw that you guys have reached the monumental 100th post! So, in honor of this momentous occasion, I thought it would be fun to list 100 things that I love about the Hartpence family! (in no particular order, just the random thoughts from my brain)

1. I have always admired the love that you all have for one another!
2. I love that we have so many fun memories as a family.
3. Setting up all the little people and playing for hours together.
4. He-man, Skeletor, Shira, castle gray skull= good times!
5. Dressing up silly and pixing all hours of the night!
6. I love that there is a Big Larry, and a Little one too, and a fourth! What a cool tradition!
7. Big Larry has always been such a good example of a hard worker. I mean just check out what he does on his day off!
8. I love that Rachel thinks she gets her tears from the Hutchings side, when we all know that she gets it from both!
9. I love that the Hartpence men know how to cry!
10. I love that I have no memories without Larry II in them! He has always been a part of my life!
11. Diane, you are such a great example of how to be a mother!
12. I love that Diane is so much like her mother!
13. I love that I am your sister!
14. I love that when your kids where little you dressed them all alike!
15. I love that when it comes to your kids, you would do anything for them!
16. I love that even though your life is crazy busy, you still make time to go over and do your mother's hair every sunday! Thanks!
17. I love that you serve so diligently as stake R.S. president.
18. We all love Jamma!
19. I love that Larry the III and I were Safety Kids together! You were the best Freddy ever!
20. I love that LIII and I are so close in age!
21. I love that even though I am older, LIII is way more mature and way wiser than I will ever be!
22. I love that Christine is so stinkin talented!
23. I love that we are having kids at the same time!
24. I love that Alena is so smart, and so gorgeous, and so friendly!
25. I love that Dean is so handsome, smart, and so into Cars!
26. I love that Adriana is such a smiley, cute baby!
27. I love that Ricky wears a backpack that "suits him" so well!
28. I love that when we stayed at Tricky's house Ricky was worried that he didn't get to set out any towels!
29. I love that Ricky is Mr. thoughtful, and listens to what his wife wants. What a great quality!
30. I have always loved that even though Ricky was teased growing up (bucky beaver) that he completely rose above that and became Mr. Cool!
31. I love that Ricky and Troy look like Ken and Barbie!
32. I love that Troy is so crafty!
33. I love that Hayden is so amazingly smiley all the time!
34. I love that Rachel and I have so many memories together, going to Wal Mart at midnight and buying Barbies to play with all night long.
35. I love that we talk like sisters.
36. I love that Rachel flew down like four times over the summer, because she loves and misses her family so much!
37. I love that Nick is so cool, and lets us crash at his house when we come up to Idaho, and that we can have such fun chats.
38. I love that Cristian has so much personality, and that he is so adorable!
39. I love that after our visit West keeps saying "Cristian says Uh-Oh Daddoo"!
40. I love that Jared has always had the sweetest heart!
41. I love that when Jared was little, he would sit with kids at lunch who were all alone.
42. I love that Jared always gives me hugs, and makes me feel so loved!
43. I love that Marla is so funny!
44. I love that Marla would pretend to be shy to get out of speaking in sacrament! She is so clever!
45. I love that Marla wrote me letters every week on my mission, and she always included a tigger sticker, cuz she knew that I loved tigger! I looked forward to her letters!
46. I love that Marla and Rachel are best friends.
47. I love that Ricky goes over and puts up Grandma and Grandpa's Christmas lights every year!
48. I love that you have all come and visited me in Utah! Thanks! I get family sick often, so I love to have visitors!
49. I love that we used to swim all day long every day! Thanks for coming over and keeping me company!
50. I love that Ricky used to jump off the roof and land in the water, and his shorts would come floating up, and Larry would take his shorts away!
51. I love you all came and visited me on my mission.
52. I love that when Ricky found me on Temple Square I was giving a tour and he ran up to me and jumped on me giving me one of those huge wrap around bear hugs at the Christus statue, in front of like 45 people.
53. I love that we grew up in the same ward.
54. I love that Larry II would drive over one hour on his day off to help Paula put up shelves in her garage.
55. I love that you all used to come over to Grandma's house and do yardwork.
56. I love that you guys would work so hard!
57. I love that your dad taught you guys how to work!
58. I love that your mom makes the best beef stroganoff!
59. I love that you all get together for Sunday dinner
60. I love that you guys used to raise dogs
61. I love that you used to have ducks as pets!
62. I love that you have always had pets!
63. I love that Diane could talk her way out of a ticket at 2 in the morning
64. I love that she worries so much!
65. I love that you all love to go camping!
66. Not because you like to pretend you're homeless, but you all just love to be together!
67. I love that I used to be so afraid of the paddle!
68. I love that you guys had Atari, you were so lucky!
69. I love that Larry and Diane have always been such great examples of how to really love each other.
70. I love that we used to play hide and go seek in Grandma's house!
71. I love that we were able to spend so much time together growing up!
72. I love that we used to have sleep-overs!
73. I love that we used to sleep on the patio at Grandma's
74. I love that we did air-bands when we were little. (Duran Duran the Reflex)
75. I love that I have a memory of doing this airband in the patio, and watching ourselves in the sliding glass door!
76. I love that we played shirt tag for hours!
77. I love that we would play water volleyball for hours
78. I love that we would play volleyball at the stake center for hours
79. I love that you guys always had a 280Z
80. I love that Larry can do all is own home improvement
81. I love that Diane has learned how to do fractions
82. I love that we all graduated from WHHS
83. I love that Diane tried to teach me how to crochet!
84. I love that Larry and Christine sing together!
85. I love that Ricky and Troy dressed alike for over two years!
86. I love that Rachel and Nick speak, eat, and look Italian!
87. I love that you guys used to have one of those battery operated four wheel drive trucks.
88. I love that you all look out for each other!
89. I love that none of you look alike!
90. I love that you can all sing
91. I love that Larry and Diane went caroling with us
92. I love that you guys would go to the bay and water ski!
93. I love that I got to go with you to Havasu!
94. I loved that the girls shared a tent, and we had so much fun! (Let's go fly our tent)
95. I love that Larry III was the only one who would play Boggle with me!
96. I love that you guys would do anything for one another!
97. Even though we all make mistakes, I love that we can forgive each other and always LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!
98. I love that you guys really set the tone for all the cousins, meaning you guys made sure that you were all close!
99. I love that I am your sister, Aunt, Great Aunt and friend!
100. I love each and every one of you! Thanks for letting me be a small part of your lives! You guys are the coolest!

daddy's new backpack

we thought it would be fun to get a backpack for hayden to ride along in and it will be great for crowded events and hiking. i think it compliments the both of them! hayden totally loves it!

RUFF RUFF!!

Bella just wanted to say hi to everyone.....especially to all her little friends that don't live here. Cristian....Belwa misses you...RUFF RUFF!! She misses you too Marla:(

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday Christine....hope you have a great day. We love you!!

NEWEST MEMBER OF THE SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

CONGRATULATIONS!! On September 30th Brian graduated from the Police Academy. We are so happy for him and wish him well in his new career. The streets of San Diego will be a little safer....Be careful and be safe... We love you!!

big boy

After 2 years, Cristian got his first haircut yesterday! Yes, it was a little tramatic for both of us, but it's only hair, he's a boy, and it will always grow back. Tell us you love it (or I'll cry)

COMO! WHAT? SICK! NASTY!

LOOK WHAT DAD DID ON HIS VACATION!!

Most people go away or relax......Dad spent his week re-digging his pond. We were having trouble with the raccoons walking in and eating his fish....so he had to dig it deeper.

It was a lot of work....he first had to remove thousands of rocks, green pond water and old liner.

He dug it two and a half feet deeper...had to re-line it, put all the rocks back and also build a cover so the birds wouldn't swoop down and get the larger fish. (His brother Mike is giving him some koi)

The finished project....

A nice safe home for his fishies!!

A HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISH TO ALENA AND NICK!!

Alena is turning 6 today..... What a special day! Happy Birthday Alena!

Nick is turning ....well he is just getting older and wiser

Two special people are having a birthday today!! A very happy birthday to Alena and Nick. Hope you have a good day. We love you!!

HEY, IT'S RACHEL'S BIRTHDAY !!!

Happy Birthday Rachel....Hope you have a great day. Your family loves you very much and send this wish your way. LOVE YOU!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CRISTIAN

Today is Cristian's second birthday....It's hard to believe!!
Happy Happy Birthday to you Cristian. Hope you have a fun day. We love you!!