Eight is Great!

Okay, I am back tracking a little.  Jayden celebrated his 8th birthday this year and chose to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in June 2011.  We were fortunate to have Kelsey fly from Idaho to be with us and so many of the Hancocks were able to come.  It was a beautiful service and a happy day all around.  Jayden commented that he too felt happy all day, especially at the baptism.  Hard to believe all my kids are baptized now and growing up way too fast!

School Begins

August always comes too quickly and so does the begining of school.  For teachers, the first day of school starts even sooner, this year August 4 was our return to the school date and the students returned bright-eyed and ever bushy-tailed on Aug 8.  I am starting the year out with 6 students and so far, we have kept just 6.  The kids are just as sweet as always and it is fun to have the same students year after year.  Its fun to be in my 3rd year now and to look back at my first year and realize the growth I have seen in myself.

My children are in the full swing of things in school and its hard to believe the first quarter is already done.  The high schoolers are busy with classes, including "A" Hour, which starts at 6:20.  We do have release time for Seminary, but most kids have to take "A" Hour to make up for the credits.  Breanna and Jayden are busy as well and they feel like they have "A" Hour since they have to go to school early with me by 7:20.  Its a long day for us all, but we are happy and keeping busy.

Here is Jayden at 6 pm  on the first day of school.  He was talking, talking, talking, . . then silent. . this is what we found next.  And slept soundly for the next 12 hours.  I felt the same way, but was not as lucky to get there so soon!

Family Picture Time

With Kelsey leaving for college and perfect weather outside, (not to mention the 6 year old family portrait hanging in our family room and the kids nagging to get a new one done) we decided to seize the moment and get a new family picture done.  We grabbed one of Kelsey's friends and asked her to do the picture taking.  I'd say they turned out pretty nice.  Hopefully it will not be another 6 years before we get another one done. :)

Disneyland 2010

 Screaming on the California Screamer.  Jayden is right next to me but only the tip of his head shows.  He was most excited to be tall enough to ride this with us.  We went on it several times. 

 Everyone wants to ride with Dad.  He goes FAST! (notice I am not riding with him)

 Carissa and Aubrey relax after Calfornia Screamer.  They are relieved we are NOT going on Tower of Terror. (next time, girls!)

 Breanna found a $20 bill! She tried to fine an owner but after no luck, bought a treat for us all.  She is one lucky girl--she has a knack for finding money on the ground.  Later that week she found $100 bill at a theater (found the owner--her relieved dad!)

Aubrey and Kelsey rest while wondering if they should have waited to eat their churros until after Space Mountain while Jayden maps out our next ride. 

Earlier in the year we signed up with a program called "Give a Day, Get a Day".  The idea was to do service in our community and Disneyland would give back to families by giving a 1 day 1 park ticket.  We were most excited because we were all at an age where we could participate and really enjoy the rides.  Our service project was to collect school supplies and make boxes to give to teachers across Arizona.  We had fun rounding up the supplies and we were excited to get our trip planned.  We were also glad that Kelsey got to go with us since she would soon be leaving for BYU-Idaho.  We spent one day at Disneyland and another day at California Adventure park.  The crowds were not too bad and the weather was perfect. 

Spring Break is Sweet!

With the kids and I home for Spring Break (its 90 degrees today) I have been trying to do things with each child that they would like to do.  Yesterday I played a mean game of checkers with Jayden and had his 2 cousins over to play.  Last night Aubrey and I stayed up way too late watching Cake Boss on cable.  We were either tired and delirious or inspired because today we hit the kitchen to make our own fondant cake.  After watching You Tube videos we started making powdered sugar fly. 

 Frosting the cake. . .careful!  No crumbs!

 Kneading the fondant.  Its like playing with Marshmallow Play-doh!

 Rolling it out nice and smooth

 Carefully draping it on the cake

 Trimming the extra

 Jayden had to get in the action

 That means Breanna too

 Making the bow just right

Just right!!  Its almost too cute to eat!  But we did :)  I'd say it was pretty good for a first time.  Now, on to the double decker cakes!!!

Welcome Hancock Herd

Well I heard from my relatives that it has been  a long long time since I have updated my blog.  Sweet Lauren told me "Julie, I check your blog every Sunday, and its been the same FOR MONTHS!"  True, true.  I think everyone is starting to wonder if we just left Kelsey in Europe.  Good news, we got her home and have been plenty busy since (hence the absence in the blog world).  So I shall try to catch up -no, sum up what has been going on in the Hancock home since July. 

In October we were happy to host Kevin's brother Scott and his family for a few days.  We loved having them around and have missed them since they moved back to Idaho.  The kids especially loved having cousins right their age too.  

Jayden and Ryan were inseparable the whole 5 days.  They were identical most days.  They had each lost the same teeth and Jayden even asked to get his hair buzzed so he could be Ryan's twin.  Jayden loved having a "brother-cousin" around.  He was so sad when they left.

Carissa, Aubrey and Lindsey were the gleesome-threesome.  We hardly heard from them except an occasional giggle as they passed through the kitchen for more food.

 Speaking of food, what would a family gathering be without Kevin's Company Cuisine??  Scott said he traveled 1000 miles just to have one of Kevin's famous Hawaiian Burgers, so we couldn't disappoint them.  As always they were a hit.  We also made Kevin's Better-Than-Krispy-Kreme donuts.  That was almost enough to convince them to stay a few more days.

 Almost.  With the food gone and school calling, they packed up and headed home.  We enjoyed the time immensely and hope for another reunion soon! 

Around the World in 20 Days

How do you sum up a trip like this?  There are too many stories and adventures to even begin.  Kelsey will have to make her own trip blog :) .  Here are some of the highlights of her trip.  Or at least my favorite pictures.  She has more pictures of her trip on her Facebook page.  She returned from her trip July 3, a very tired, happy, American.  In all her travels she recognized her love and gratitude for her country.  She was even more happy to return just in time for July 4.  Kelsey reports that she never knew she would be thankful for fewer smoking citizens, our censorship and laws of decency  and free public bathrooms.  All in all she had a wonderful trip with memories that will last a lifetime.  Now time to earn money for college. . .and the adventures continue. . .