Legally HATCH !

I fell in love with Kayla the first time I met her when she was just 4 years old!

Brandon brought Laura and Kayla to the house in El Paso to meet us when Brandon and Laura were dating.

Kayla was such a beautiful little girl that she stole my heart immediately!  Brandon told us that the very night that he met Michaela, she took his face in her hands and asked him..."Are you gonna be my daddy?"  So, I guess that Brandon stole Kayla's heart too!  She must have been inspiried because that is exactly what happened!   Brandon did become Kayla's daddy when Brandon and Laura were married!  A lot of time has passed since then.... more then 8 years!  A few years ago, Big and Lita went with Kayla to school on "grandparents" day.  I remember the shock I received when on her desk was written in big letters, Michaela Jensen.   It hadn't dawned on me until then that she didn't use the Hatch surname.  We have waited a long time for Kayla to legally become a "Hatch" but it finally became official on November 22, 2010.

We all met at the Tucson Juvenile Court House for the big occasion!   This is Brandon and Kayla outside the door to the courtroom that day!

Brandon, Laura and family were seated in front of the room, before Judge that morning.   The Judged asked a few questions of Brandon, Laura and Kayla.   She asked if Laura wanted Brandon to adopt Kayla.  Then she asked Brandon if he wanted to adopt Kayla.  Then last, she asked Kayla if she wanted to be adopted by Brandon.   After they all said "yes"  the judge banged her gavel and pronounced the adoption final.  It was all very short and sweet!

Most of the Jensen family and Big Bear and Lita looked on while the proceedure took place!   Big Bear was waiting to welcome Kayla officially into the Hatch family with a bouquet of flowers.

The Judge teased Kayla by telling her.... "It was so nice to meet you, Michaela!   I hope I never see you again!"   Since she is a Family Court Judge we all got the hidden message behind her statement and we all giggled!   This is a picture of the family with the Judge in the background.

Dad, mom and Kayla outside the courtroom.

As always, the Jensen's were there to support Kayla in this big event!

The Hatch family wasn't able to attend but they showed their support with phone calls, flowers, cards and a special banner make by Aunt Angie, Livy and Tessa.

Michaela changed the spelling of her name.   She is now known as Makayla Alyssa Jensen Hatch.

I wanted to make sure Kayla knew how much we love her and how much it means to us to have her legally be a Hatch.  I made her a jean quilt and we bought her this beautiful jewelry box engrraved with

MAKAYLA,

Legally HATCH

Nov. 22, 2010

IT WAS AN EXTRA SPECIAL DAY FOR ME!

KAYLA WILL BE A PART OF OUR HAPPY HATCH FAMILY THROUGH ALL ETERNITY!