Mackenzie got a "34"!!!

Mackenzie achieved a score of 34 on the ACT in late September. This now qualifies her for applying for the ultimate goal of being a Thomas S. Monson BYU scholarship recipient: http://saas.byu.edu/depts/scholarships/Hinckley/index.aspx.

At the moment, since we're singing her praises, Kenzie also graduated from high school a year early with a 4.25 GPA and multiple "5"s on 4 AP tests in various subjects, including BC Calculus. Yeah, she's a smarty pants!

She now is taking a "transition" year and is homeschooling her sister Tate, nannying part-time, and tutoring several students in Math and test prep. With the money she earns, she is planning a new adventure to Malawi ( http://www.worldcampforkids.org/thehighschoolprogram.htm ) where she will be teaching teenagers HIV/AIDS awareness, English, and principles of basic hygiene . . . She will be putting up a website soon to tell you more about it and ask for donations to fund her trip . .

Congratulations Kenz-O!!! We love you and are so proud of you!!!!

Anders' first Priesthood Conference. . . .

The day that his Dad-Scott had been waiting for finally arrived. Anders, having previously turned twelve and received the Aaronic Priesthood, was ready and willing to attend the evening Priesthood Session of General Conference transmitted via satellite from Salt Lake City to the Ashburn Stake Center. It was a great night to always be remembered!

Winds, and Waves, and Portuguese Man-of-War's, Oh My!!

The Donald C. Hansen OBX reunion has come and gone. Some highlights were some great games (3-13, Settlers), classic hottubbing, trips to the Teet, discovering first-hand what a Portuguese Man-of-War is, Lola blessing, family picture taking mayhem, and some classic fun-in-the-sun on the last two days . . .


Hopefully this won't be last time but the beginning of a new tradition!

Luci loses her first tooth (and there's a pretty big one coming in behind it!)

Stin's big teeth and my small head came together in Luci with her new tooth. It will be interesting to see what orthodontic adventures this combo leads to!

She's been working at this tooth - wiggling and jiggling for quite some time now (about 3 weeks). This morning, August 30, it finally popped out and we'll have to wait and see what the Tooth Fairy decides provide in exchange for this pearly white bicuspid.

Scott turns 35!

I don't feel 35. OK, yes I do; I have 5 kids, a pretty serious job, and as I'm preparing to run a half marathon, I'm FEELING IT!! For breakfast my wife made me a delicious, nutritious shake consisting of: Organic: Kale, carrots, celery, yellow bell pepper, beets, banana, blueberries, squash, and bean sprouts, along with some ice and Kefir. Yum diddlyumptious. Oh, and a Soy/Bran/Chocolate cupcake. Hurray! (I guess she wants me to live a long, healthy, and colon cancer free life!) Thanks baby!! Last night we had a great party with the Getz, the Grants, and the Qureshis. First we went to Don Corleone Pizza in Sterling, VA, and then over to the Perils of the Lost Jungle mini golf in Reston. It was AWWWSUM!!

Tate turns 14!!

Hard to believe that our little Tatiana has turned 14. She's a lady. Wow! Tate had a big fiesta with some friends and family on Wednesday, the 20th, and on the morning of her birthday, the 23rd, she got a special pancake breakfast. The picture illustrates her enthusiasm at being treated so exquisitely on her special day!

Sherry and the Eyres come to visit from NYC!!!

Last weekend we were lucky enough to host Sherry Lynn Ellsworth and the Eyre Clan from Manhattan (including the new baby, Lyla Joy Eyre). Yeah, we felt like serious copy cats when Lola was born just a few short weeks later and we named her Lola Jane Hansen!! oops. But there doesn't seem to be too much animosity and the two little ladies got along just fine. I can just seem them hanging some time in the future -- "Hi, I'm Lyla Joy . . . and I'm Lola Jane!" ha ha ha. It was great having Sherry back again after a long hiatus and the Eyres are the coolest most laid back peeps on earth! Love you guys!

Lyla and Lola

Lyla and Lola finally met this weekend and this is just the beginning many, many adventures to come! We love you LJ x 2!