Deal or no deal?

Our ward put on a date night where you had to come dressed up as a couple which was a lot of fun! There was dinner and dancing and we had a great time hanging out with the family! (I think half of the ward membership consists of our family alone!) Grandma and Grandpa Hutchings looked cute in their Cubs uniforms and Ricky made a great Howie!

DEAN HAD TOO MUCH FUN

What a Fun Time!!!

A few times a week, after Alena gets out of school, we will take the kids to play at Jamma and Papa's park. They really love going over there! They will play for hours outside on the swings, the slide, and riding bikes. Today Dean played so hard that he came in the house, put his head down on the computer chair, and began spinning slowly in circles. Within just a minute or so, he was sound asleep. We took a picture and I moved him for fear of him taking a dive onto the kitchen floor.

Those days were definitely fun, when you could play outside all day and come inside and crash because of utter exhaution.

Happy Hart Day!

Happy Hart Day Family! Here is a picture of little cupid playing with Papa! We wanted to let everyone know that our neighbor Rhonda is finally back home! She is in good cheer and we are so happy for her improvement. We love you!

Alena Says...

This morning as we were getting ready for school, Alena said: "Sometimes I don't hear very well because my ears are plugged in doing something else. Like, swinging on a swing, or taking a bath.." Now we know why we have to repeat things to her so often!!

WHO'S THAT LADY....

What the.... hahaha! Well I thought you all might want to see. Just needed a change. Maybe boys will ask me out now! hahahah! I love you all. Leave your comments here... Tell me the truth! hahaha

Baby it's COLD outside!

Mormon Battalion Celebration

Christine and I loaded up the kids and headed down to Old Town to commemorate the Mormon Battalion (I am proud to say my great-great....grandfather who was a pioneer joined and marched in Company E with his wife at his side who served as a laundress for all the men) and what a fun day it was! Alena made a pioneer doll named Sara and we all watched and learned a variety of activities the Pioneers did such as laundry, crafts, quilting and my favorite-making and eating those yummy 'woofums!' I am so thankful to be living in this day and age...all the little things we take for granted!

ANOTHER DAY IN JENALEE'S CLOSET

So the other day I was just rummaging around in Jenalee's closet and low and behold I found this... Its like a mask for a monster... or maybe a blindfold for a giant... Does anyone have any guesses of what this might be? I think I have just made a great and life changing discovery.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JARED

Today is Uncle Jared's Happy Birthday! Let's all say what we love about him . . . .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Have a great day! WE LOVE YOU!

Go ahead and PICK your nose!

These cups make me want to have a party!

I say we use these at Don Pedro!

Even Jack Black loves them!

2007 was a very good year!

What a great family!
We love you all!

"You belong in the Zoo!"

It was Hayden's First Trip to the Zoo and boy did he have a good time! He saw Polar Bears, Lions, Elephants and even rode the aerial bucket ride and had a blast! Our camera battery ended up going dead but here are some shots from our fun day. Love you all and Go Chargers!

Caught red handed

After eating funeral potatoes for
Christmas eve, Jared, Marla and Cristian decided to make a quick stop at 7-11 for a bite to eat before round 2 of potatoes and ham.


There has got to be some new dinner recipe we can use for Christmas 2009. Ricky (marty stewart) please start thinking now and use your cooking ability to prepare a new menu for our next Christmas together. I mean, I like funeral potatoes, and Mom you did a great job making them, but we're a creative family, there has to be something more!

MY COUSINS

I had so much fun playing with my cousins at Christmas time!

Alena is a big girl on her bike.

Dean is a good climber.
Hayden is much bigger than I remembered him and smiles a lot.
I loved swinging on the swings

and watching "Chars" at Jamma and Papa's house

and eating at the big kid table

I'll miss you guys and look forward to the time when we can all play together again.

quick question

What did you all think of the girl Jared brought home for Christmas? I really like her. She's pretty and good with the kids. Lets cross our fingers and hope she works out.

Christmastime at Disneyland!

We had the wonderful opportunity to go to the "Happiest Place on Earth" together yesterday. We had a lot of fun and wanted to share some pictures with you all!

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We all took turns going on rides and watching the little ones! Here is Grandma with Hayden! He actually went on 6 rides with us and LOVED it!



We went on Space Mountain and sat in the very front! We couldn't believe how brave Alena was riding all the "big-kid" rides!




Besides the mullet, we have no clue how Ricky spotted the lunch lady from this past season of Survivor at Disneyland with her family! But nonetheless, we got a picture with someone "famous" at California Adventure. She was very happy she was noticed and very nice.



We enjoyed the Aladdin Show, lot's of rides and Grandma even rode the "Tower of Terror!" ( I didn't think she was ever going to speak to me again!!! But we were so proud of her.) We stayed there until 11:00 p.m. (when the park closed) and had a great time. The fireworks and the snow in the park was the icing on the cake.

It is Almost That Time!!!

Only a few more days until we will be together again. We need to be sure to sit down and watch Kevin Defend his house against Marv and Harry or as we know them "The Wet Bandits." Here is a little preview to wet your whistle. I know it is not the greatest video, but it is the best I could do at 11:20pm.

We are doing very good here in Santee. We took our pictures for our Christmas cards today at Mom and Dads. Alena and Dean were really cute. Don't they look like they are having fun?

Can't wait to see everyone together again. It should be a fun Christmas!!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Since everyone has different schedules over the holidays I thought it would be fun if we could coordinate dates and plan activities so we can make the most of our time together.

Each couple (Jared & Marla can team up, or plan something individually) chooses a date and plans an activity that we all can participate in together. It doesn't have to be something big or cost any money. For example, we could all go down to the Temple and see the Nativity and lights, or go down to Seaport village and have ice cream or hot chocolate, etc. You get the point. Let's decide now so we can plan around everyones' work schedule.

We'll be in town from around the 22nd to the 2nd (the 23rd we're at Grandma Hutchings)... first come, first serve on the dates and activities!

We can't wait to see everyone!

Birthday Wishes

You've had a birthday shout hooray!
We want to sing to you today!
One year older and wiser too!
Happy Birthday to you!

Happy, Happy Birthday Ricky dear
Happy days will come to you all year!
If we had one wish than it would be!
A happy happy birthday to you from we:)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICK!

We know that the experience you both(Tricky)
went through must have been super traumatic, but you
guys are seriously awesome! I wish I had you for neighbors!
Thanks for setting a great example of taking care
and looking out for our neighbors!

We LOVE you!

Let it Snow!

Oh how I love the snow and I know that many of you are jealous of the beautiful winter season I am experiencing here in Utah. I have the joy of putting on layers and layers of clothes, always scared that I might slip and fall (which happened the other day at work. I was covered in snow. Haha), actually have to drive slower than the speed limit to avoid sliding on ice, and so, so many other wonderful things.
So it snowed last weekend and it is supposed to snow and I mean snow this weekend. Oh how I am so excited. haha. I think you all need to come and visit so we can play in the snow and you can get a little enjoyment of what I live in and love hahahahaha!

I love you all! Peace out Suckas!

What to expect from Cristian at Christmas . . .

steal all of Papa's hats

















help clean up the house

















throw a screaming tantrum

















play a game of peek-a-boo

















share his slobbery kisses with you















Cristian can't wait to see you in less than a month!

Hayden's First Turkey Day!

Hi Family!

We hope that everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving. It was Hayden's first Turkey Day and he had a great time! His Uncle Trent flew in from Nor Cal for this joyous event. Even though he didn't get to eat any Turkey, he had a fun time with everyone. He went to the Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit today with Ricky and the Lemperle's. (I had to work-hey it was the busiest shopping day of the year!) He didn't cry the entire day! He is excited to meet Marla for the first time and play with Cristian in a couple of weeks! Yeah! Maybe all the kids can visit Santa together? I know he will be at Santee Lakes Dec. 16th or 17th if we want to skip the lines at the malls! We are so grateful to have each and every single one of you in our lives. We love you!

Los Amigos

What Mom & Dad really do when they "cruise" down to Mexico...



(This is the last one, I swear)

Disco Anniversary

Today Nick and I celebrate our 3 year anniversary. This past weekend Nick took me out on the town for a little dinner and dancing. Little did we know, someone captured us on video while tearing up the dance floor. Watch out dancing with the stars!



Ok, so we really just went out to dinner at PF Changs and went and saw Dan in Real life. We had a fun time even if there was no disco party. Maybe next year. . . .

CHRISTMAS EVE IDEA

It's been awhile since the Hartpence's have performed at Grandma's for Christmas Eve. I was thinking this would be the perfect addition to this years celebration.

TWO BANANA KIDS

BANANA FREAKS! Who knew that in Santee California live TWO little monkeys by the name of Alena and Dean who are CRAZY about bananas!?! Their father, knowing of their love of bananas, considerately brought home TWO bunches and TWO days later, the bananas are GONE!! Who would ever imagine that faces such as these TWO could shovel in so much fruit! I think Dean ate a whole bunch by himself!! (No wonder daddy changed TWO poopy diapers, today--HA!)