FHE Van Orden Style

My younger sister, Hollie and family and our family get together every month for dinner and FHE. We switch each month and if its at your home then you provide the meal except for dessert. We have been getting together for over 10 years. I love this tradition. I made taco salad and Hollie brought the makings for smores. We used the fire pit in the back and while roasting the marshmallows, Sierra told us of her trip to Thailand. It was a beautiful evening with no regrets.

Hollie brought a variety of chocolate to eat. I was still on my challenge so no dessert for me. Man somedays this challenge is tough.

Gage enjoyed himself on our swing set

and of course Ada followed suit

Piano/Voice Recital

Malia takes piano and voice lessons from a lady in our neighborhood. We have gone to her for years. We love her style and technique. She only does one recital each year, which is good and bad. Malia is her top performer and has been asked to be the final performer for many years. Malia did an excellent job as always. During this performance Teesh played while Sue and Malia sang. It was so great!

Malia played Dark Horse for her piano piece. Do you know that girl played for over 7 minutes without any mistakes, unbelievable.

Stop it Malia. Stop it right now! 

You are growing up way too fast and I am not happy about it. Grandma Hansen surprised us by showing up, thanks for supporting our family and their successes.

Kneader's French Toast

Corby loves loves loves breakfast food. 
So for Father's Day, I found it only fitting to feed him breakfast in bed with one of his many breakfast favorites. My sister in law has talked about Kneaders French Toast so this year my surprise to Corby would be that. I figured I would buy this special bread and come home to make french toast the traditional way, good thing I ask questions because there was a little more to the process. It was this gourmet ordeal. It had to be made the evening before and chill in fridge over night. It had to cook for 55 mins. I set my alarm and made sure I was up to have his food piping hot when he wanted to eat. Here's the masterpiece!!!!

Maybelle loves Corby about as much as Corby loves french toast, what a pair! I love that Maybelle is in the shot, eying the grub.

well the verdict is in.........Corby said the breakfast was a great surprise but that he likes his french toast the traditional way better, cool with me, less work. I did not taste this as per the challenge I am doing.

Bria was beside herself wanting to give dad his cards and gifts. Her cards and drawings are priceless

gift time!!!!!!

Happy Father's Day Corby.

Thank you for all your service for our family. Thank you for working hard and providing us with so many wants and all our needs. We love you!!!

Ada the big 5

We did things a bit different this year for Miss Ada Rae.  We did the spanking machine a week prior to her special day because she insisted and all willing spankers were able and available. If you could have heard the squeals and laughter coming from Ada, so cute.

The spanking machine ended with Kyler flinging Ada around his shoulders. These two cousins have always been close. For the longest time, you would only find Ada on Kyler's shoulders. I love cousin bonding!!!

Gelsey also celebrates her birthday in June, so she went through the spanking machine as well.

As I stated in a previous post Ada wanted to sleep in for her birthday but unfortunately that wasn't able to be brought to furition with Sierra flying to Thailand on the same morning. Sorry Ada Rae, we will make it up to you. She wanted the tradition of hanging streamers from her bedroom door. Go BYU!

Happy Birthday Miss Ada Rae, can't believe you are already 5. Getting so big and we couldn't love you more.

We headed to the airport, said our goodbyes to Sierra, then dropped Teesh off at work and came home to begin the celebrating. I asked Ada if she would like to select her gifts or be surprised. She opted for choosing them. Teesh wanted to be a part of it so we waited until 2PM and Dad got off work and we headed out for an evening of dinner and shopping and whatever else birthday girl requested. I love this little spunky girl. She always keeps you on your toes. She is a spitfire of love and ambition. She knows what she wants and will go after her dreams. I have always felt like Ada has a special mission to fulfill on this earth as we almost didn't get to enjoy her. She unites our family. She keeps us smiling. She is a best friend to Bria, so loyal and loving.

We went shopping for a baby doll with a play pen. Birthday girl insisted she needed a "Calvin" similar to big sister Teesh. We recently learned that if bring in a birth certificate to prove its your bday, Denny's provides you with their Grand Slam Breakfast. With other coupons we obtained our family ate for less than $20, including tip. Rock Star!!!

Landon was fussy all through dinner. Ada had to stand and rock him constantly. She is a devoted mother. Landon is a lucky baby to have Ada to call his own. Don't you love the barrette in Ada's hair? She loves to do her own hair and it is always a pleasant surprise how it turns out.

Ada wanted blue cupcakes for her celebrating with  rainbow ice cream. Teesh was a sweetie and made the cupcakes for us and decorated them as well.

Classic shot with star blankie making an appearance. Bria was flipping it around and Teesh caught it in the shot.

Ada struggled to blow out the candles so I am helping from a distance, if you care at all I did not help! ha ha

 my photos are a bit out of order but hey, let's keep this situation real. We had our school uniform sale on Ada's birthday and then we headed to Mc Donalds for some delish food and playtime. It was awesome, for an hour we had the play land to ourselves, yay for birthday wishes.

 We are on the birthday list at Toys R Us and if you go in they provide you with lots of stuff like a balloon, a cool crown, a bag of candy and Geoffery the Giraffe calls on the phone and sings to you.

 Ada got some new wheels for the occasion and look a seat for Landon to follow behind. It was so cute to see her cruising the store. Ada really has very little fear, which is good and bad.

 The final gift was matching car seats for the sisters. Every baby must be safe and be provided with entertainment and these lovelies do both. Best part, Ada can do the straps up herself, bonus!!!

  

because Sierra would not be around to celebrate, she had her own little photo shoot in our back yard. Sierra and her mini.

I can't believe you are 5, little one. I so remember finding out I was pregnant with you and then almost losing you and I can't believe it was 5 short years ago. Here's to new and exciting things like kindergarten and tumbling.

The Send Off and Return

The day Sierra has planning for as arrived. She had to be at the airport at 5:30AM to prepare for her 8:37 departure. I asked if she would like the whole family there to send her off. It was an early morning but everyone got up and we made it on time to the airport.

It was hilarious to see this tent set up in the airport lobby. Malia asked if that was ok for people to do that. I guess sweetie!

Because Sierra was flying Internationally and with so many peeps there was a designated spot for just her group, Special!

Hello birthday girl and her beautiful sister Malia. Thanks for sacrificing your sleep to support Sierra, I have a wonderful family.

I came ready to hit the gym and Teesh to head to work.

Headed to the gate at security.

Bria was a little nervous about this "moving floor"

See ya in two weeks sweetie. I hope you have the best experience ever and that you are safe.

Fast forward two weeks and here we are again, Salt Lake City Airport:

this time we are coming to the airport in the evening rather than early morning. Beautiful Sunset!

When we arrived, we found that Sierra's flight was delayed from 9:10 to 9:30 not too bad, but come on, we are excited to see the girl.

Here she comes!

Like her new dress she got? Her friend Joselyn is in the red Adidas shirt behind her.

Bria and Ada worked hard on the posters to welcome home Sierra. I love the portrait in Bria's hands. I love these three hoodlums.

Sierra made several friends during the trip. Here's the group. I will post names when I know names.

Someone took a lot of flights there and back

Corby, Myself, Teesh, Rod, Bria and Ada were all at the airport to greet Sierra. Malia was at EFY. After getting the luggage we headed home. We were all exhausted and ready to hit the hay

I am so glad she made it home safely. She said she loved every minute of this experience and even though it was hard work she would go back. I can't wait to hear about her adventures and see her pictures.