The Hansen Household

It's a NEW year!

2012-01-19T23:01:00.002-07:00

It is really funny how I get lost in time! It's like Christmas kind of just came and went. Our holidays were WAY to busy for us to fully enjoy them...I think. With checkouts here on the property, our lives were so consumed with "turning over" apartments before and after Christmas. One top of all the work we had to do, all of the kids took their turns being sick and then again and again in round two and three. Andrew and I were no exception either. We both took our turns as well, just after Christmas. The crazy thing is, we rung in the new year...then it seems like everyone was all of a sudden...healthy. WHY does it happen like that? We had Hannah throwing up 2 weeks before Christmas, David throwing up at our Hansen Family Christmas party, Hannah throwing up just 3 days before Christmas, Hayley throwing up on Christmas, Hannah throwing up Christmas night. Andrew was sick the entire week before Christmas with a sore throat, major chest congestion, and no voice. He went to the doctor and they gave him a steroid to bring back his voice and an antibiotic to kill the bacteria. The medications did not kick the illness though. He woke up on Christmas Day with what we believe was Pink Eye that we assume he got from Hannah. We were never officially told that Hannah had pink eye, but when she woke up with a gooey eye, I took her to the doctor because I didn't want it to turn into anything that close to Christmas. Her eye cleared up in just 24 hours, but then Andrew's eye began looking the same way. After Christmas, I was struck with the same flu bug that all the kids had been fighting for weeks. I never could throw up, but I couldn't get out of bed....so I called in sick to work and slept the entire day. After new years, Andrew decided that 2 weeks to have a sore throat and congestion that bad was too long. He went back to the doctor for the second time. They prescribed him a Z-Pack and that was that! Doesn't reading that just make you exhausted?! It does me. Now throw in check outs and the holidays...and that was our December. In the next few posts, I will provide more details into our December and a few of the fun these we did, including our - newest and greatest to date - purchase. Until then, I just figured you'd like to know, we are still alive and NO, I haven't forgotten that I promised to be a "born again blogger!" There will be more blog posts in the near future!!!!

Thank You Walgreens!

2011-12-10T00:20:00.004-07:00

I know that everyone enjoys getting a good deal! Well, I typically am not one to shop around for the best deals in town. I don't get a paper and rarely do I ever have the ads. When I have to shop, I just hope that I come across a good deal. I think I fell upon the best deal so far this holiday season and it was at WALGREENS! I don't normally shop there, but for whatever reason felt I needed to go there to buy my office some wrapping paper. They had strategically placed the wrapping paper at the end of the toy isle. I fell into their trap and looked at and with all the toys in the isle...on my way to get the wrapping paper. This is where I found the good deals: buy 2 toys get one free and $4 off coupon for all $9.99 toys. If I buy 2 get 1 free I pay around $4.50 a piece for three toys. If I buy a $9.99 toy and use my coupon for $4 off - limit 3, then I pay $6 each. Walgreens carrys toys for all ages and they even carry some name brand toys: fisher price, disney, leap frog, etc. In the end, I went a little overboard. No child needs to open a million presents on Christmas morning. Just like NO mother should have to wrap a million presents either! This isn't even all I have either. This is just the stuff from Walgreens. I have already been to Costco and Walmart too. I have a closet full of presents that I am hiding from the Hahahah and David! It's all for the deal though. ALL for the DEAL!!!!!!

Let the potty training begin!

2011-12-07T22:24:00.003-07:00

Hannah recently started potty training herself. She really enjoys going potty in the big girls potty. You might remember that Hannah has to do everything David does. Well, this means that if David uses the potty, so does she. We have tried just putting her in panites all day, but she tends to have more accidents when we do that. So, for right now, we leave her in her diaper and she tells us when she has to "go". She runs to the potty, tells us to go out, does her business, then brings us a brand new diaper to put on for her. The funny thing is, her diaper she had on is always dry still. She just wants a new one everytime. She will even throw a good fit, just to have a brand new diaper. She wastes WAY more diapers than she actually wears. I keep telling her though, when these diapers are gone, they are GONE! We will not buy any more diapers!

Another joy of potty training Hannah is that she has been getting out of bed mulitple times when we put her to bed thinking she has to pee! She always goes, but like my parents say, at this time of their lives they can almost pee on demand! For the last 2 nights, she has gotten out of bed maybe 10 times. This is so foreign to me because Hannah has ALWAYS gone to be soooo good! Ever since the day she was born, I have just had to put her in her bed and she'd fall fast asleep within 10 minutes. In fact, Hayley is following right in her footsteps. I am just praying that Hannah doesn't think this is going to be a nightly routiene. I have NOT missed this up, down, up, down behavior since David started going straight to bed for me, like such a good boy. HE was the one to give me a run for my money!!!! Now is NOT the time to begin all the "game" playing with potty training!!!!

Lastly, it seems like it doesn't matter how many times I take her potty before leaving the house, she ALWAYS has to "go" in the most inconvenient places or right when we leave the house. I plan extra time now whenever we go into a store. I know that if we were taking a trip to the grocery story that would normally take us 20 minutes, now takes us 40 minutes.

I am not going to lie, I am really excited to only have one child in diapers in the near future. Paying $80 every 3 weeks just isn't cutting it! Also, David didn't potty train until he was 3. Hannah just turned 2....I really am counting my blessings. Boy, do I NOT miss all the joys of potty training!

Where has the year gone?

2011-12-04T23:29:00.000-07:00

Ok! I don't even know where to begin. I look at the blog and realize that I haven't blogged since May of this year!?! I don't even know where the time has gone. I guess having a baby in the middle of the year has just done me in...when it comes to blogging. Now, I have a discount code from Blog2print to print my 2011 blog book, but it's no where near being ready. I guess it is time to kick it in to gear. I think I am going to start blogging regularly now, and then just blog Hayley's birth, the summer, and the fall as time permits. Hopefully by the end of the year I will be caught up!

So, lets start with today! We are still here in small town Rexburg, Idaho. Andrew is getting really antsy to find a job. We have just recently began looking and applying a few places. We still do not have a preference of where we want to go. As the opportunities slowly come in, we have full faith in the Lord that when the right thing comes along, Andrew will be prepared. We also know that Heavenly Father has a hand in all things pertaining to our family, work, and lives and know that he will watch over us as Andrew begins to prepare for this new stage in our lives! In the mean time, he is enjoying his calling in the Young Men's program as the Priest Quorum Adviser. He goes to mutual every Tuesday and stays to play basketball with them afterwards. He also goes to the Young Men's church basketball games on Thursdays as their coach. He is a very dedicated Young Men's leader. This is a perfect calling for Andrew. He loves hanging out with the "boys".

David is now 4 and is in preschool Monday through Thursday in the afternoon. He loves every minute of it. David has transformed into such a wonderful little boy. He reminds me constantly that he is not a baby anymore like Hannah and Hayley. He his my big helper too. I can ask him to get me a Hannah diaper or a Hayley diaper and he's always more than willing to run for me. David idolizes his daddy. He wants to be just like him in every way. David loves to play with cars. The kids has a million cars and counting. When it was David's Superstar Day at school, we bought a Hot Wheels car for all 18 kids in his class. He wanted all of his friends to have a car. I wasn't thinking straight I guess because we have enough cars that we could have given away 18 of them from the toy box and it wouldn't have even made a dent in his collection. He enjoys playing the Deer Hunting game that Aunt Deanna bought him last year for Christmas, golfing, bowling, and playing baseball on the Wii with his daddy, and riding his bike in the clubhouse. He is still our active little guy with amazing hand eye coordination. The kid can bat and shoot a basketball like there is no tomorrow. I really believe HE is going to be my moneymaker!!!! I don't know what I would do without my David. He brings so much joy to our lives. It just makes me cry all the time when I am reminded how fast he is growing. I can't believe I have a 4 year old already.

Hannah is 2 now! She is a little girl with a big attitude. Her attitude does not threaten us, it is really more humorous than anything. Her speech is OK, but still difficult for most to understand. If you are not around her all day every day, it is more difficult to understand her. She still says a lot of "Uh uh uh". Her favorite word is "NO!" She doesn't really scream very well, and this I am so grateful for. For whatever reason, she doesn't have a high pitch squeal or scream. Don't get me wrong, she is a really loud little girl, but most of the time she is just hollering at "Dayda" (David). She is sure bossy when it comes to telling David what to do or how to be. She is going to be JUST LIKE HER MAMA - mothering her brother! She absolutely adores her siblings. She does everything David does and watches Hayley's every move. Hayley will never have her own space, I'm afraid. Wherever Hayley is, there Hannah is also. We love Hannah more than words will ever be able to tell. She is such a sensitive, loving girl. I know this is bad to say already, but it is REALLY hard to tell this little girl no. So, I am going to admit it right now, she might just be a LITTLE bit spoiled when she grows up.

Hayley is nearly 5 months old and our happiest baby yet! She is just ALL smiles, all the time. She only fusses when she is starving hungry or getting tired. Other than that, she is along for the ride. She is SO easy! I am just so blessed to have her as my 3rd baby. Unlike any of my other children, Hayley HAS to be in bed by 8PM or she tells the WHOLE WORLD how bad it really is to be up past 8PM. She is no where near sleeping through the night. She still wakes up every 3 hours to eat, but I really don't mind. Waking up with her so much through the night just give me that much more alone time with my baby girl. Hayley is ALL Hansen. She looks just like her daddy. There is NO mistaking who this baby's daddy is! She couldn't look more like her daddy. Of all my babies, she has the least amount of hair. She was born with fire red hair which is now coming in the exact same color as David and Andrew's hair. We have compared David's baby pictures to Hayley's, and Hayley looks SO much like David did as a baby. We were reminded the other day that David even had a little red tint to his hair as it changed from dark brown to blond. So, I don't actually think she is going to stay my little red head! We love this baby with all our hearts. We couldn't ask for a better baby at this time of our lives.

There you have it. Another Hansen Family update. We are all doing well as you see. We just had our first ever family portraits taken the other day at JCPennys. We will post pictures soon! As for the blogging, stay tuned..because I am just about to become a blogging maniac!!!!!! Happy Holidays to you all!

Snowing in the Spring

2011-05-21T23:42:00.000-06:00

This Spring has just been so crazy. We can't really even say that we had a Spring. We had snow all the way into April this year. Our poor kids have just wanted to go outside for so long, but it's pretty dang hard to get them outside when the temperature is only in the 40's all the way into the END of May.

They just want to go outside and play SOOOO bad! This Winter seems to be the longest Winter ever!

Happy Easter 2011

2011-05-15T23:44:00.007-06:00

Grandma and Grandpa Noble sent us an Easter package early this year. We got it just over a week early. In the package, the kids found bunnies for each of them, candy for them, and candy for mommy and daddy! David was so excited to receive a package in the mail. He was even more excited to have a soft bunny from Grandma. I found him cuddling with his new bunny from Grandma while watching Disney Junior later that day. It was one of the most precious things I have ever seen!

Because Grandma and Grandpa Noble sent the package early, David just couldn't wait for Easter. It was difficult for this 3 year old mind to comprehend waiting for Easter bunny. The only option was to make a paper chain to help him count down to Easter.

You can see he was only going to have to wait almost 5 days, but those five days were going to be a nightmare if he kept asking me when the Easter Bunny was coming or even better yet, if the Easter Bunny had come already.

Then we hung the chain in a visible place so that David could tear off a link every day until Easter.

It is a family tradition to color Easter eggs the week before Easter. So after dinner and bath time, we dressed the kids up in daddy's paint shirts and let them color eggs.

"Who wants an Egg?" Hannah: I DOOOOOO!

Mommy takes all the pictures and daddy helps the kid color eggs!

Hannah is sure becoming our Miss Independent! She could hardly stand my assistance.

We would only let her put in her eggs and take them out. Then we would take the dye off her highchair tray. That always made her really mad.

"Hey! It's GREEN! My favorite COLOR!"

David was so proud of all his eggs. He just couldn't resist taking them out too early. We had a lot of pale eggs! That is ok...the end result isn't really all that important. Just creating the memories of coloring eggs is all I really care about.

As you see, that green egg was just too tempting! It didn't last very long, that is for sure.

David loves boiled eggs!

Andrew is such a good sport. He heat wrapped all the eggs for David so that he could have basketball and football eggs. The plain eggs just aren't as fun I guess!

After all the help that little hands offer, we ended up with 13 eggs of the original 24 that we started with!

We didn't do too bad after all! Happy Easter everyone!

Making Cookies

2011-05-15T23:42:00.006-06:00

If Mommy is in the kitchen, so are the kids. It is really one of the funniest things. For whatever reason, I just can't get used to the idea of always having their help when I bake a dessert or cook dinner. I love to have the company, but I don't always love the "work" they create for me! As much fun as it is to MAKE the mess, I have quickly discovered that it is NOT as much fun to clean up the mess! When there isn't a mess, it just takes me twice as long to do whatever I am doing. At this stage in the pregnancy, the longer I am on my feet the more my back hurts, my feet swell and hurt,my fingers swell and my body just overall aches everywhere. Regardless of how painful it is, I still wouldn't trade these opportunities for anything. I am totally against kicking them out of the kitchen when all they want to do is experiment, learn, grow, pretend, play, try, and simply experience life in the kitchen with mommy!

Mmmmm! Pudding!
When all else fails, turn on the water. Cheap entertainment for hours!

Making cookies with mommy...every baby is a taste tester!

With or without permission!

Art time at the Hansen's...

2011-05-15T23:41:00.003-06:00

There is ONE thing we are good at...or should I say...there is one thing we have mastered. That is: making a mess! It doesn't matter what we are doing, we can always make a good mess. I just live with the philosophy that "we'll clean it up later!" I am all for my children learning by discovery and exploration and most often times that comes with a hefty consequence afterward - clean up. Maybe that is why the bath tub has become one of my best friends. Either way, I truly believe that my children will grow up with fond memories of a wonderful childhood and really, in the end, that is all that matters to me!

BUBBLES!

2011-05-15T23:38:00.003-06:00

We have already established that my children cherish bath time! However, bath time with BUBBLES...it just doesn't get any better than that!

Hannah's FIRST Piggy Tails!

2011-05-15T23:37:00.004-06:00

Hannah's hair is finally long enough to do a "little" something with. We don't experiment all that much with it, but we did try piggy tails...finally. She was so funny when we did pig tails. She was just a crazy girl all morning long. It was as if she thought she had to play "the part" with the pig tails. Getting a picture of her was nearly impossible too. I could hardly get her to sit still.

These two are the best of friends!

I can't even count how many times I said "say cheese" and every time I got the "cheesy" cheese face! At least you get to see what the girl is truly like. She is ALWAYS a NUT! She is always entertaining. She is ALWAYS sassy! I am not sure, but I might even admit that she takes after HER MOMMY!

David's FIRST Bike!

2011-05-15T23:36:00.002-06:00

In February, just before our trip to Bear Lake, Grandma and Grandpa Noble were in town and shopping for a birthday present for cousin Cache. They wanted to get Cache a bicycle. We had never put David on a bike before, but he got on one for the first time in the bike isle at Walmart. He hopped right on and took off - going around and around the isles. Cache's favorite color is Orange, so Grandma and Grandpa wanted an orange bike for Cache. David took a liking to the orange bike and insisted that we give the bike to him. Regardless of how many times we attempted to tell David that the bike was for Cache, he just didn't seem to get it. So, we took David to the car and grandma and grandpa purchased the bike secretly. We hid the bike in a closet until it was time to pack for our trip to Bear Lake. When Andrew loaded the vehicles, Grandpa put the bike in a black plastic bag - where it would stay until Cache opened it at his belated Bear Lake birthday party. When Cache opened his bike, David seemed just as surprised to see them give the bike to Cache as Cache was to see an Orange bike. It was difficult to keep David back away from the bike that he thought was going to be his. So, once again, the bike went into hiding until Cache went home. David just couldn't comprehend where this ORANGE BIKE kept disappearing to!!! It was quite funny. Once the bike was gone, it was "out of sight, out of mind"...until we got home anyway. When we were unloading, David asked where "that bike" is. Apparently, Grandma and Grandpa thought that David needed a bike too, because when they left our home, they left David an envelope with a present in it. The contents of that envelope helped David to buy his FIRST bike! Coincidentally, he choose that SAME orange bike so that he could have the SAME bike as Cache! Two peas in a pod already!

When we brought it home, David hopped right on it again, just as he did in the store and off he rode around and around in our clubhouse.

He would go one way and then the other. He learned how to maneuver the bike easily by just riding in the clubhouse to start out with.

There was only one jealous person to worry about now: Hannah. She has always thought she should be able to do whatever David does. In this case, she thought David should give her a turn on his new bike too. We tried to give her a four wheeler to ride, but she wouldn't ride it. Instead she stayed right on David's tail the entire time!

David loves his new bike. He rides it all the time. We currently store it in a storage closet and he can get it out and ride it in the clubhouse or Andrew is so kind to take him out for bike rides around the property several times a week. He gets in an accident every once in a while. The best one yet, he wasn't watching where he was going and ran head on into a parked scooter. I am sure there will be many more accidents as he continues to learn to ride the bike. Now, we just need to get him a helmet! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for the generous gift! David will be forever grateful too!

Bathtime!

2011-05-15T23:35:00.004-06:00

You wonder where we are? Well let me show you what an evening in the Hansen Home looks like this:

5:30 pm - get home from work

5:30 - 6:15 play

6:15 - 7:15 fix dinner

7:15 - 7:45 or 8:00 eat dinner

8:00-8:30 bath time

8:30 - 10:00pm get kids in bed

10:15 - 11:15 mommy/daddy time

11:30-12:30 family phone call

12:30 am - to bed and asleep!

As packed as that schedule appears, I must admit that we still have room for flexibility. There are often times when we have to adjust one or more areas of the schedule to fit in trips to the store, visits to the park, or simply to have a night out. However, there is one thing that remains the same: bath time - our chance to clean up and wind down after another busy day!

Being Silly

2011-05-15T23:34:00.004-06:00

We just love these guys! They are some of our "favorite things"! You'll just have to see for yourself exactly why I say that!

The best thing about it all is that...the fun never ends! The silliness never ceases to amaze me!

Happy Valentine's Day 2011

2011-05-15T23:33:00.005-06:00

Valentine's Day isn't normally that big of a holiday in our home. It's fun to buy a little candy, get a few flowers, and say "I Love You" over and over all day long...but, that is about it. Our expectations have never been all that high! In fact, we didn't even make Valentine's Day a big deal until the DAY before Valentine's Day this year. It was only after David's primary teachers gave him a Valentine's card that I decided we'd better tell David that Valentine's Day was tomorrow! So, we went home from church and baked our annual Valentine heart sugar cookies. I decorated one for each member of our family, one for Grandma and Grandpa, and then a plate full for our loved ones far away.

Andrew knows the best florist ever! In fact...she is the best florist on earth! She happens to be his Grandma Lela. Grandma Lela is so kind to make flower arrangements for Andrew for a REALLY good price AND they are always the most beautiful flower arrangements. This year, I received TWO arrangements, one from Andrew and one from my children...all 3 of them. It was such a cute idea.

There is NOTHING like having the help of a 3 year old and a 15 month old to make cookies.

We always make a mess, but it's never too much for mommy to clean up!

We always end up with a few less cookies than what we originally baked too. What can I say? I have two cookie monsters on my hand!

Especially Hannah! She can devour a cookie in NO time! David will lick all the frosting off and then leave the cookie. Hannah eats the entire cookie and frosting and makes no beans about it.

After we were finished decorating cookies, we took a picture of our cookies for all our loved ones and sent them a text wishing them all a Happy Valentine's Day. Then over time, we ate their cookies for them.

When David and Hannah woke up, they found a small Valentine's surprise in the living room.

It's a good thing we didn't spend a lot of money on gifts and candy for the kids because in the end, all they wanted to do all day was play with their balloons.

A balloon, no matter what the occasion is, is always a child's best friend.

Our FIRST Pet!

2011-05-15T23:32:00.005-06:00

February 2011 - We got our first pet and his name is Fishy! Thanks to Adalynn, David was given a fish tank and gift card to pick out a fish for Christmas. So, we took David to Walmart and let him pick out his own fish and all the equipment to go in the take with his fish. I would have to admit that David picked the most beautiful fish in the store! It's a BLUE male Beta fish and this fish has a lot of personality. Even though he is just a fish, I think he knows he is part of our family. When we leave town, he goes into depression and refuses to eat. We always find a fishsitter, but when we return the tank is full of uneaten food. We always "leave the light on" for Fishy while we are gone. David and Hannah sure do love Fishy and we think Fishy sure loves them, even if they do tend to startle him often!

These 2 are ALWAYS into SOMETHING...

2011-05-15T23:31:00.006-06:00

AND A LOT OF THE TIME IT'S....MISCHIEF!

Some days I just want to pull my hair out. I don't know if I would have any hair left if they weren't a couple of the cutest things on the planet! All other days I just get down on my knees and CRY because they bring us so much LOVE, JOY, LAUGHTER, HAPPINESS, FUN, ENTERTAINMENT, AND MEMORIES! I am going to be honest! There are times when it hasn't been so easy and I have questioned, "Why me?" Well, I found my answer in April 2011 General Conference, Lynn G. Robbins of the Seventy said, " Rather than wonder what you might have done wrong in the premortal life to be so deserving, you might consider the more challenging child a blessing and opportunity to become more godlike yourself. With which child will your patience, longsuffering, and other Christlike virtues most likely be tested, developed, and refined? Could it be possible that you need this child as much as this child needs you?"

That is exactly it! I NEED my "difficult" child! He teaches me over and over Christlike attributes in ways that no one else could teach me and I KNOW that my David is one of my greatest blessings and he WILL make me a better or more godlike person. I have always known that I wouldn't have it any other way. I wouldn't ever trade him for an EASIER child! So, now I always say, "Why NOT me?" It is true that my children and my husband [THEY] keep me going. They keep me on my toes, keep me down to earth, and keep my world spinning. They COMPLETE me...even when...

...they destroy the pantry, to have a "picnic"...
...beat up Daddy....
...unload all the shoes from the shoe basket and leave them all over the house...
...run around in their underwear...

...take my camera or other expensive electronics, without me even knowing...

...put food in their hair or throw food on the floor...

...play at bedtime...

...eat toys instead of food...

...take toys or binkies from one another...

...play with my phone, costing us extra fees and Internet downloading charges...

...hide from us or play peek-a-boo, even if it is just behind their own eyes...

...but at the end of the day, you see this...

and you remember that Heavenly Father "never said it would be easy, but it will be worth it." After all that is said and done, we are ready for baby #3 to join our family. Nothing is too hard for us...WE CAN DO HARD THINGS!

Reorganizing Toys

2011-04-16T23:43:00.000-06:00

I don't claim to be the most organized person ever, but I feel like we have just taken ONE huge step in the right direction. For nearly 3 years now, my living room have been overcome by toys of all shapes and sizes. This week, I just felt like it is time to DE JUNK in the living room. No, I didn't throw away anything. We simply organized all the kids toys on a medal organizer that we purchased at Target. We took the white wicker basket book shelf in the kids' bedroom to the dumpster and made room for the organizer. It fits perfect. The kids seem to think that it is a better bunk bed that it is an organizer. Who needs a bunk bed when you have an organizer like this? Not my kids!

Getting Ready for Easter!

2011-04-15T23:43:00.000-06:00

I haven't really taken Easter seriously for the last few years. We go to church on Easter and come home we a renewed sense of gratitude for the Savior's sacrifice for us! It has always been one of the more difficult holidays for David to comprehend. So, this year we decided to prep him for the Easter holiday. We wanted to teach the meaning of Easter and celebrate it with him.

First, we ordered Easter books from Scholastic Books. We are reading Easter books each night and before every nap. The only downside to that, we now have a very anxious boy on our hands. He can't wait for Easter to come. Every night before bed he asks when the Easter Bunny is coming. We have even taken the Christmas song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and turned it into our own version of "Easter Bunny is Coming to Town." I sing to him that he better not cry and he better not shout because the Easter Bunny is coming to town. The only solution to the problem, that I could think of, is to help him make a count down chain to Easter one week in advance. This chain would allow him to tear off one link every morning and he would be able to SEE how close Easter was and when the Easter Bunny would be coming...and it's working!

We also received a very special package in the mail from Grandma and Grandpa Noble. They were so kind to send an Easter package for David and Hannah. Each of them were given a lot of candy and a soft bunny. I have to admit, I was extremely grateful for the chocolate covered marshmallows. Those happen to be my favorite!

And now...this is David's favorite. Can you tell?

That bunny isn't going anywhere. What a great surprise. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for the special Easter package!

Saturday at Bear Lake

2011-04-08T21:55:00.000-06:00

We have made it! Bear Lake 2011! The trip to Bear Lake was unlike any other in the past 5 or 6 years. We traveled through a big snow storm that dumped nearly 18-24 inches of snow in Bear Lake. We drove our car this year so that my sister could come home early for school after spending the weekend with us. The last 30 miles of our trip there, we followed a snow plow. We were so grateful that we came upon one because we he turned off at the Idaho/Utah border, our car was plowing snow for the last 10 miles. There was so much more snow there this year during our week than any other year we have been there. Andrew had to clear a walk way to the door with a laundry basket, just so we could all get in and begin unloading!

Our Saturday in Bear Lake has always been a "we can do whatever" day, meaning that we used to go skiing and snowboarding at Beaver Mountain on Saturdays until others decided snowmobiling for a half day would be more fun. This year we chose to take the snowmobiles out for a test run as well as give Deanna and the kids a chance to play and ride with us. While everyone took turns on the snowmobiles, Grandma, David, Hannah, and myself all played on the snow bank. We didn't even think about taking a sled for David this year, so we made our own sled out of a black plastic bag. He didn't even know the difference. Hannah on the other hand, was NOT a fan of sledding down the hill. We were only out there for a few hours, but came back with only 2 working sleds of the 3 we took out. While Deanna was riding, the trailing arm that my dad had just had fixed, broke again on the purple sled. She felt so bad, feeling like it was her fault. If we weren't on the trail and only riding 10 MPH, side by side, I would have thought she did something to it, but clearly it must have just been a bad part or a poor repair job.

David sledding backwards down the hill!
Covered in snow and a bit cold...now he was ready to go!

Hannah was happy just to sit and watch.

Sledding just wasn't as much fun for her as it was for David.

Andrew always takes David for a ride. This year, he had to cut his ride short because David fell asleep and became a big bobble head sitting in front of Andrew.

When 4 people ride out together and only 3 snowmobiles go out, one MAN gets left out.

....and he wonders why his back, shoulders, head, and feet ache at the end of the day! IF only he would only trail ride like me, he might not be in so much pain at the end of the day!

This was Hannah's second year in Bear Lake, but her FIRST time EVER on a snowmobile and she loved it.

Hannah really is a Daddy's girl!

Even her first time in snow clothes wasn't a big a deal at all.

Probably because she thinks that whatever is good enough for David, is good enough for her. She does a lot of stuff JUST because David does it.

This year was also the first year that Grandma came up for the Saturday play day. David had so much fun playing with Grandma in the snow. He knows that she will take such good care of him to ensure that he stays safe and warm...which is probably mommy's job, but mommy was sitting with Hannah in the car while she took a short, but much needed, nap!

As long as David is a part of the action, he is happy.

Ready, Set, GO!

Monday at Bear Lake

2011-04-07T22:31:00.005-06:00

Monday was the first official snowmobiling day in Bear Lake. This year was a lot different than past years. We normally have 6-8 snowmobiles with us on the trip. On Monday, this year we only had THREE! Andrew, Matt, and my dad didn't stay out all day on Monday. Matt was having a hard time breathing and Dad's body was simply done for the day. When they walked in the door around 3pm, Dad made the comment that a half day sledding is nearly perfect! Even though they came home early, the timing was perfect because Curt, Jen, and the boys were on their way to Bear Lake! When they arrived, we at dinner and had a late birthday party for Cache's 4th birthday. When looking at the pictures from the party, you wouldn't be able to tell whose birthday it was! Cache and David are simply two peas in a pod!

Andrew Dad

Andrew, Matt's rented snowmobile, and Dad

Matt and Dad

Matt getting stuck

Andrew getting ready to help dig Matt out!

Hannah loves her Uncle Matt!

She doesn't see him often, but you can tell she knows who he is...and she LOVES him!

It isn't a party without a messy face!

Cache's new bike!

Cache trying to figure out how to open a present from grandma and grandpa Noble.

Whose birthday party was it anyway?

David helping Cache blow out candles.

Grandma getting ready to light the candles for Cache!

David helping...or so he thought!

Snowmobiling Tuesday in Bear Lake!

2011-03-24T22:20:00.004-06:00

On Tuesday, only Andrew, Matt, and Curt went snowmobiling. They didn't leave the condo until about 10 AM because everyone was just a little slow on Tuesday. Hannah vomited in her bed Monday night. She let out a short scream and cry just after I put her to bed. I didn't think much of it because we just figured David was teasing her in the room or something. Plus, her cry didn't continue, so we didn't even think we needed to check on her. We played our nightly card games and didn't even head for bed until after midnight. As I walked down the hall, I could smell the vomit. I didn't even need to open the bedroom door to know that it was one of my children. I hollered for Andrew and my mom to come help. Andrew and Mom cleaned up the mess in Hannah's bed while I took her to the bath and washed her hair and face over and over and over again. Hannah did NOT like the midnight bath. That was NOT her idea of fun. We set up a makeshift bed in the pack'n play and put her back to bed. Thankfully, that was all for the rest of the night. We actually were able to go to bed and get a good nights rest. On Tuesday morning however, David woke up with really rosy cheeks and a small fever. We knew it was going to be a long day. Before he left, Andrew took all the vomit covered blankets and clothes to the resort laundry facility to wash them so Hannah could have her soft blankets to snuggle again. While the guys went snowmobiling, my parents stayed at the condo with my sister-in-law Jen and myself, to play with all the kids. Even though David wasn't feeling well, he tried so hard to keep up with cousin Cache all day. Every time Cache had a snack, David wanted to TRY a snack too, but just couldn't. David even took a nap on Tuesday - with Cache and Casen there - that is evidence he wasn't feeling well. The boys ran and ran and ran, played blocks, marching band, and cars all day long. My sister-in-law Jen was also sick this year, so she took a much needed rest on Tuesday. My mom played with the kids all day while my dad took a long nap on the couch. Every time Grandpa snored, the boys would laugh! I even got a 15 minute nap before the guys got home from snowmobiling around 5:00pm. The rest of the night was all downhill from there. David became more sick the later it got. He began to run a higher fever and was extremely lethargic. Knowing what was going to be taking place in the near future, I hesitated to put him to bed. The last thing I wanted was to worry about vomit all over a sleeping bag! Grandma was so kind to just sit with him and rock him until, well, he couldn't hold it in anymore. Needless to say, we ended up cleaning up vomit in the living room, on grandma, on Toys, and on David. I gave him a bath and put him straight to bed. Tuesday night was a long night. We got up two more times during the night with David. The saddest thing about it all though, David has always been a FIGHTER...since the day he was born. Therefore, this kid KNOWS how to fight the flu, and he sure puts up a good fight. He fights so hard that he gets to the point where the can hold "it all" back. As his parents, it is really hard to watch. Unfortunately, when he fights it, he feels "that bad" even longer then he would if he would just "let it out!" It was a real good thing that we were headed home the next day! Wednesday couldn't have come sooner. It was TIME to go home. We have never experienced the stomach flu on vacation before, but we have come to the conclusion that there is NO place like home if you have sick kids!

Curt and Matt Andrew

Curt jumping the snowmobile

Matt jumping the snowmobile

Matt falling off the snowmobile

Matt

Andrew in paradise!

Curt snowmobiling

Andrew jumping the snowmobile

Snowmobiling at Mesa Falls

2011-03-24T21:55:00.005-06:00

The past couple years, Andrew hasn't been able to do a ton of snowmobiling in the winter due to school or work. However, this year was a much different story. He was able to go nearly every other week. It did help that he had a riding buddy close by too. Andrew rode with one of our employees, Rick most of the time and his cousin Boe, some of the time. It has been a long winter with lots of snow, which made for a great snowmobiling season. The following pictures are all from one specific trip to Mesa Falls. It is a beautiful area, especially covered in snow! There aren't very many beautiful things about Southern Idaho, but Mesa Falls and views of the Teton mountains are a different story.

Beginning a NEW YEAR!

2011-03-16T23:06:00.006-06:00

These two kids are JUST silly! This is what January 2011 looks like in the Hansen Household!

Bath time is always entertaining!
We finish our dinner and take a bath every night. The minute we strip them of their clothes, they become a bunch of clowns!

Hannah and David just feed off of each other. If she laughs, he thinks she approves!

You would think I asked for funny faces...but I didn't.

I was actually begging them to "look at mommy!" This is what I ended up with! Say "CHEESE", Hannah!!!! She literally says "CHEESE!"

PLEASE! Just look at mommy and say "CHEESE"!

Ahhhh! I give up!

These two enjoy a WILD ride! Even in a baby doll stroller.

Good thing Hannah is our only baby doll for now!

David has been potty trained for quite a while!

In January 2011, we upgraded to 4T underwear! This kid just doesn't stop growing. Notice his mid drift shirt!?!

"Ok, everyone pretend you love each other for this picture!" Nice try anyway!

Whenever you throw Grandma and Grandpa into the mix, there is NOTHING but smiles! No need to pretend here!

"David, get out of the way!"

OH MY! Need I say more?

NOW, THIS is going to be a FUN year with these goof balls!

Ringing in the New Year - 2011

2011-03-16T22:53:00.002-06:00

Can you believe I don't have ANY pictures of our New Year's celebration? I can, after I think of all the chaos getting home from Northern Idaho. We had a wonderful trip North for Christmas, but coming home was so stressful, that I felt like I just hit a brick wall at full speed. We returned home in time to ring in the new year, but there were a lot of work to be done here at home before we welcomed back the students for the winter semester on January 3rd.

While we were gone for Christmas, they delivered 648 dressers - one for every resident on the property. With a team of only 6-8 people, they somehow unloaded all the dressers and only had enough time to haul them to the apartments. When we came back, we had to finish unpacking dressers, move them into bedrooms, and dispose of all the packaging that was left on the property while we were out of town. We did all this on New Years Day. The sad thing about it all - we had asked that they pick another time to deliver the dressers - Christmas time was a BAD time for us, since we were going to be out of town. I guess, when they don't listen, we are BOUND to get dumped on.

While I was suffering from all the stress, I got a phone call from mom saying she was going to be riding down with my sister who was also coming back to school. That meant, I was going to have my mom here to save the day...once again. She was so kind to watch my kids for the entire week. My dad didn't come to pick her up until the end of the week. When he got here, they decided they would drive to Salt Lake City to visit my brother and his family. We invited ourselves and packed our bags too! Even though we had only been home for a week, we already NEEDED to get away.

After it all, we sat back and asked, "Where on EARTH did NEW YEARS GO?" We have no idea, but we kissed each other and ON WE WENT!!!!!!

Happy Valentine's, Mother's Day, and Anniversary TO ME!

2011-03-15T23:39:00.000-06:00

I am not one to be boastful or to announce a new purchase by any means. However, I am one known to scream from the mountain tops that I have the best husband in the world, and NOT just because he bought me an addition to my ring. Andrew decided that for every child I bare, I will get a new band to add to my original wedding ring!

Ok! Maybe not. In all reality, he simply purchased the anniversary band as a Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and an early Anniversary gift. I about died when I saw it....initially thinking of all the things I could have done or bought with the amount he spent on the ring. He simply says that I "am worth it". With baby number three on the way, this was a very special gift. My husband never ceases to amaze me. Rather than go on and on publicly about he completes me, I'll just keep it short and sweet and say I love him more than anything, more than words can say. He is my everything. I am so grateful for everything he does for me and our family. There is NO man like THIS man on the face of the earth! He is my definition of PERFECT!

Coming Home!

2011-03-08T23:02:00.002-07:00

Holy Moly! That was the craziest trip home we have ever had! We ended up staying in Sandpoint one more day because to the Winter Storm. It was so bad, the power kept going in and out all day. We decided just to stay there and wait out the storm. We thought the roads would be better the day after the storm. However, they were probably just as bad. It took us nearly 4.5 hours to travel from Sandpoint to Missoula, Montana - a trip that normally takes 3 hours. The roads from Missoula to the I-15 junction were nearly clear and dry. We THOUGHT we were cruising home until we got to the junction to head south on I-15. The signs were flashing "I-15 Closed at Dillon". When we pulled into the gas station just before Butte and saw hundreds of semis that appeared to be prepared to camp for the night, we just KNEW this was not going to be a good thing. We went inside to confirm the closer and to get something to eat from Subway while we figured out what to do next. Just as we were finding out that the roads were closed into Idaho, our phone began to ring off the hook as our family began to worry about us and our whereabouts. We decided the best thing to do was to just get a hotel room there in Butte and again wait out the storm...or in this case...the clean up after the storm!

Our stay in the Motel 6 in Rocker, Montana was not that bad. David and Hannah were so excited to be somewhere new. They were bouncing off the walls and jumping from bed to bed as Andrew unloaded the truck. The SAD thing about it all is that the truck bed was completely LOADED down with all our Christmas gifts and my sister's college stuff. Andrew brought every bag in one at a time with the help of a laundry basket on wheels from the Motel. By the time he got everything unloaded, it was midnight and time to crawl in bed. Even worse, we pulled down the sheets and the beds were full of dog hair and human hair from the previous guests. Andrew went down to the main desk and asked for new sheets and the desk clerk just asked us to change rooms. That meant moving all our bags, the plastic bags full of Christmas gifts, and all of Deanna's college stuff AGAIN! Good thing we were only moving to the room next door. Believe me, I checked the sheets before we moved anything. That room was clean and I had no complaints other than the inconvenience.

The next morning, we woke up to beautifully clear and sunny skies. We called #511 to check the road conditions and as of 10AM the interstate was still closed. We just decided to hit the road and hoped that the closer we got to Dillon, Montana the closer they would be to opening the road again! Our prayers had been answered! Just five minutes outside of Dillon, we called the road hot line again and they were opening the road right then. We were so glad to already be on the road because the line of vehicles coming out of Dillon was forever long. We only had to stop at the barricade for 15 minutes while the police organized vehicles into a single file line to go through. The roads really weren't that bad until we crossed the Montana/Idaho boarder. The Idaho side was just a sheet of ICE! It seems as if we were just driving on glass. Traffic was only moving 35 MPH and a large Ford truck still managed to roll. The icy road only lasted for 20 miles. After that, the roads were fine all the way into Rexburg. We were so exhausted from such a long trek home. We just wanted to crawl in bed. Unfortunately, it was New Year's Eve and the Hansen's were expecting us for another party! We unpacked and repacked and hit the road AGAIN!!!!! We are just so grateful we made it home safely. That is all that matters! After all this....IT'S TIME TO RING IN A NEW YEAR!!!! We welcome 2011 with OPEN ARMS! Whatever this new year has in store for us, we are ready! Happy New Year to all!

Merry Christmas 2010

2011-03-08T00:53:00.006-07:00

Merry Christmas from Sandpoint, Idaho! We have finally made it! It has been such a busy few days. Not only did our kids come down with the flu the day before we were supposed to leave, but we also had to finish all of our check-out and check-in duties before we were able to leave town. We are so grateful that our coworkers from Logan, Utah were able to come to Rexburg for a few days to help us out. We are nearly ready for check-ins when we get back. Just have a few things left to do. The roads to Sandpoint where not that bad. The only bad roads were in Idaho. The kids did great as well. My poor Hannah fought her sleep the entire way and didn't even give up until nearly 6PM. That is a LONG day in the car with a tired baby. David was so excited to get to Grandma's house that he was just a little angel all the way. One of David's favorite things about going to Grandma Noble's are the trains everywhere. This time, we followed a train all the way into Grandma's for the last hour. We rolled down the windows and let David and Hannah hear the train blow it's horn over and over for an hour. It was cold in the car, but we had two happy campers and that is all that matters!

Since we have been here in Sandpoint, we have just been relaxing. We did got out to dinner for Andrew's birthday and mom made him a special chocolate cake. She had never made it before, but it was definitely delicious. It was one of those cakes that you just don't make very often because it's...delectable. Andrew and I were given a new vacuum for our birthdays! We couldn't believe it. We have needed a new vacuum for a long time. Our old "hand-me-down" vacuum just hasn't been doing the job! We both laughed when we opened the vacuum because he thought I told them what to buy us, but I was sure he told them what to buy me. Come to find out, no one said anything to them, they just KNEW! That is what I LOVE about such wonderful parents. They ALWAYS know just what we need, when we need it, and we NEVER have to say anything!

Christmas with family so far away from home has been so wonderful. We really do feel like we go "over the river and through the woods to grandma's house" when we travel North. We just feel so isolated and at peace. This time specifically, we just don't have a thing to worry about back at home. We have coworkers that will take care of everything while we are gone. For the time being, we are just having fun with family that we don't get to see as often as we'd like!

On Christmas Eve, we were out running around doing a few last minute things. Andrew still needed to pick up a few Christmas gifts and I needed to get some diapers. Shopping on Christmas Eve is kind of fun. It's fun to be out in all the hustle and bustle as everyone else runs around looking for last minute gifts as well. My parents picked up Brandi and Adalynn and we met up with Jeremy and Morgan in Hayden. When we got back to the cabin, we hurried to prepare our Christmas Eve snacks so that we could all begin to enjoy the night before Christmas together. The kids put out cupcakes, cookies, and carrots out for Santa and his reindeer. David and Hannah both went to sleep so good. David has just been so anxious for Santa to come this year. It has been really fun to witness his excitement. He is old enough now to know what is going on and he doesn't miss a thing. Ever since he wrote a letter to Santa asking him for a Lightning McQueen monster truck and a Lightning McQueen chair he has asked if Santa was coming. David must have been good this year because BOY OH BOY did Santa COME!

We woke up Christmas morning to wonderful gifts from Santa. He brought David his Lightning McQueen monster truck and Lightning McQueen chair. Santa must not have wanted Hannah to feel too left out either because she found a pink pok-a-dot chair her as well. The stockings were filled with lots of candy, fruit, breakfast, and toys. Santa brought Andrew a portable air compressor and I got beautiful boots and the most comfortable bathrobe.

David and Hannah were so surprised to see their presents from Santa. Too bad he can't come every night!!!!

David may not have been interested in sharing his chair, but he couldn't wait to find someone to play with his new Lightning monster trucks with him. Uncle Adam was so kind to humor him for a while.

The Lightning monster trucks went with him everywhere. He didn't ever let them out of his sight.

When it came time to open presents, David and Hannah both wanted to play. They had a hard time sitting there to open present after present again and again. David just wanted to play and Hannah just wanted to go back to bed!

We are so grateful for all of the gifts we were given from all of our family members! We are so blessed!

We are just so blessed to have such generous and loving family members, near and far! Thank you all for thinking of us. Your love means so much to us!

My most favorite Christmas memories as a child always began with having a little sister.

She was so much younger than all of us, so Christmas morning was always exciting. Little did I know, it's just as exciting when you are 26 years old and your "little sister" wears footie pajamas on Christmas morning.

David and Hannah enjoyed playing with their cousins and their new toys the whole day. Both Adalynn and Hannah were given babies for Christmas from Grandma and Grandpa Noble. Adalynn just thought that Hannah was her little baby for life!

And she wasn't going to let this little baby go!

The most funny thing about it all, Hannah didn't mind a bit! Every time Hannah tried to get up, Adalynn would get all upset. Hannah just didn't know what to think!

Of all the toys the kids were given for Christmas, it seemed like Grandpa's toys were much more exciting. Grandpa's airport was a huge hit and guaranteed will always be one of the most popular toys at Grandma Noble's house. Good thing they are all learning to SHARE at such a young age!

Our niece Adalynn was such a HAM this trip! We endlessly laughed as she takes off her clothes, introduces us to her nipples, and combed that carpet looking for hairs to play with in her mouth. We just couldn't get enough of her silliness! We can hardly wait to see her again! I have joked with her parents that I am going to buy her a long haired wig so that she will never run out of long hairs from her Aunt Stephanie! We finished our Christmas Day with a wonderful Christmas dinner and a trip to visit my Grandparents and give them both a few gifts. It is such a good thing we all went in to visit them because we found out when we got there that they weren't given a single gift from anyone else in their family. They had felt "forgotten" on Christmas day. It was really sad. Since they were moved from their home of 60 years in the fall, that "forgotten" feeling is something that is no stranger to them now. We are just so grateful to have spent some quality time with them this Christmas.

Now, it's time to head home! There is a winter storm warning in the area, so we are sure what is going to happen. We have to get home soon though, I need one more day in the office before check-ins on the 3rd of January! Hopefully the storm won't be too bad!

Happy Birthday!

2011-02-10T22:47:00.004-07:00

Andrew and I didn't have a birthday party this year because of all the craziness in December. We were so grateful that Andrew's parents picked up a delicious Costco cake for my birthday in their new addition and my mom slaved away in the kitchen all day making a new chocolate cake for Andrew's 30th birthday in Sandpoint, Idaho. Even though we didn't have a big party, we still felt the love of all our family members on our birthdays! We wish we would have been more organized to plan a party. Maybe next year!

Triton Christmas Party 2010

2011-02-10T22:31:00.003-07:00

Every year our company pays for us to travel to the company Christmas party in Salt Lake City, Utah. They have for the past 3 years put us up in a hotel as well. This year, the party was at Snowbird Ski Resort. The resort was beautiful all covered in snow!

We had a great turn out of employees too. Our maintenance man, John, is new to the company this year and this was his first experience at the Triton Investments Christmas party. My assistants Rick and Derrick rode down together and stayed together in the resort hotel.
We all had a great laugh when we checked them in! The wall between the bathroom and the bedroom was only a window to the shower. The two boys were really going to enjoy this! You can even watch a person doing business on the toilet if you really wanted to!

We had a great time! Every time we make an appearance to a work related party, we always prove that you don't have to drink alcohol to have a good time! We create our own lasting memories!

After the Christmas party, Andrew and I visited my brother Curt and his wife Jen in their new home in South Jordan. We were only able to spend the afternoon with them, but we are excited to finally be able to spend some time with them now that they live relatively close to us. There are many more great times to be "had" in Utah! Now, our company parties won't be the only highlight of our trips to Salt Lake!

Wedding Bells: December 3, 2010

2011-02-10T22:08:00.006-07:00

On December 3, 2010 Andrew's little brother (TY) married his high school sweetheart in the Idaho Falls, Idaho LDS temple. The following pictures were taken of our family members at the temple, the luncheon, or the reception. There is only one family member missing and that is Ty's twin brother, Todd. Todd is currently serving an honorable mission in Argentina and is not scheduled to be home until 2012. Ty and his new wife are happy! It was a happy day for them!

The newly married: Ty and Ashley Hansen

The world's biggest goofball!

2011-02-10T21:32:00.005-07:00

Now, this girl is funny! She has the world's cheesiest grin, the world's craziest hair sometimes, and over all the spunkiest personality. The worst thing about it...she KNOWS she's funny!

Most of all, she CAN look like the world's most innocent. Watch out for this one! Either way, we think she is the world's biggest goofball...and we love her more then the world will ever know!

Our little Spider Man!

2011-02-09T22:45:00.003-07:00

David is our Little Spider Man through and through!

Who would have thought that Tuesday night at the Idaho Falls Red Robin is kids night? This means all kids get a free sundae, face painting, and the opportunity to meet RED the Robin. David couldn't just pick a little "something" to paint on his cheek. He just HAD to have his entire face painted....RED and BLACK! For the first time ever having his face painted, he did pretty good. That is, until it began to itch. Telling a three year old to not touch their face is like telling a 99 year old man to run a mile!

The rest of these pictures are just pictures we have take of David on our phones.

Daddy took David to the "snowmobile/motorcycle store" for a man date! A man date to that store consists of sitting on all the machines in sight! I'll let him SIT on them all he wants. I just haven't been able to convince Andrew that sitting on them is just as much fun as riding on them. Andrew (and David) have been in Blackfoot a lot lately finishing the addition on his parent's home. Grandma Hansen put a paint shirt on David and let him help paint. He acted like he knew what he was supposed to do the entire time! When really, he has never held a paint roller in his life. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Hansen's home addition, this child knows more about a construction site than any child his age. Kind of scary if you ask me!

The Big Announcement...

2011-02-09T22:32:00.002-07:00

I have been really tired lately. I haven't felt totally up to par either. I have had a hard time coming up with ideas for dinner. Cooking dinner has been even harder. When I wake up in the morning, I feel as if I have just pulled an "all-nighter"!!! I was getting ready to assume sickness until...

this revealed it all!!!!
It is what it is! Baby number three is on the way! We are so excited. David and Hannah have become such great friends, that adding a third to the bunch just seems like the right thing to do. The timing isn't going to get any better either, so why not now!?! We will be expecting this little one to make it's grand debut on or around July 14th, 2011!

Getting Ready for Christmas 2010

2011-02-09T22:12:00.002-07:00

We are planning on spending Christmas in Northern Idaho this year, so we have to decorate early. I don't know what I would do without all the help that is so graciously offered in our home...

Especially David! He is such a great helper. David was so excited to decorate the house for Christmas this year. He was nearly bouncing off the walls!
It seemed like too much to ask for them to "back away" while mommy separated the branches!

It didn't last for long. David and Hannah are two are two peas in a pod...right in the middle of it all. I would have taken pictures of the grand finale, but unfortunately...you are seeing it right here. The tree didn't get decorated this year with anything except colored lights and a blinking star. Almost the instant after the tree was up and in place, my sweet children began throwing balls and toys, running into my tree, hiding under and around it, and spanking the branches for the sole purpose of watching them bounce up and down. For this reason, we just left the decorations off this year. Fortunately, they are young enough that they didn't even know the difference.

Not only are we getting ready for Christmas, but it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas too!

Who do I look like?

2011-02-09T22:09:00.003-07:00

Who do I look like?

That is right...Like daddy, like baby!

Family Photos 2010

2011-02-09T21:59:00.002-07:00

We took our family photos for our Christmas cards on my grandparents property. They have recently been moved into a newer home by my aunt, but their property off Highway 95 will always hold a special place in our hearts. So much so, that we figured we'd better record the history in our 2010 family photos.

Happy 1st Birthday Hannah!

2010-11-20T21:58:00.005-07:00

It was a birthday party fit for a PRINCESS! On Thursday, November 4th we celebrated Hannah's first birthday in our clubhouse here in Rexburg. This was our first "All Pink" party! We even had all pink food: pink mashed potatoes, pink ham, pink jello salad, pink grape salad, pink lemonade...and well, a green salad.

Grandma Mickelson even made PINK ROLLS! You are safe to assume that our feces were PINK the next day! hahaha!Even though we had just been in Sandpoint for a few days, Grandma and Grandpa Noble and Aunt Deanna turned right around with us and came to Rexburg for Hannah's 1st Birthday. What a treat it was to have them in our home for the weekend! We always have so much fun with grandma and grandpa Noble!
Anytime I host a party, the last few minutes of crunch time are always stressful for me. If I didn't have the best husband in the world, I would fall apart. Andrew has sure come a long way in the last 5 years. He now enjoys hosting parties with me! He is always so much help!

Grandma and Grandpa Hansen came from Blackfoot and brought all Andrew's family along too. They wouldn't have missed Hannah's birthday party for anything. We are so grateful they were able to make it even after a long days work. They are always so supportive!

We love hosting parties in our clubhouse because there is fun for everyone! When I am running late, all our guests just play and I don't have to worry about a thing. Our clubhouse makes entertaining easy! Plus, the games never get old!

Once the party got started, I did attempt to feed Hannah. She wasn't quite sure what to do with all the people there. She was a bit nervous, so she didn't eat much either. I was just trying to get something with substance in her tummy before all the sugar and cake!

We wanted to get a picture of all our family and friends that were able to attend Hannah's 1st birthday party. However, I was feeding Hannah and didn't make it around to everyone.

We did get a picture of Andrew's brother Ty, his fiance-Ashley, Andrew's brother Chris, and Andrew's brother Todd's girlfriend - Rachelle....

Andrew's Aunt Sheryl, Cousin Denim, and brother Brock.

Our children have some of the best great grandparents alive! We were so glad that Grandma Lela, Grandpa Ben, and Grandma Mickelson were also able to attend. David and Hannah are so lucky to be loved by so many!

Our friends, the Murdock's, were able to come for most of the party, but because I started late, they had to go before the party was over. David and their daughter Emma are really good friends from Nursery. Every time Emma comes to play in our clubhouse, they hug each other and David says, "I Love You Emma!" They are so cute!

Hannah had plenty of friends to play with, but she wasn't interested in playing with anyone. She was happy to just crawl around the floor and watch everyone! She really didn't know what to do.

Just a week before Hannah's birthday, we found out from a friend in our ward that Albertson's in Rexburg offers a free 8 inch cake for a babies first birthday if you order a birthday cake from them. It was perfect! That meant that Hannah would have her very own cake to do whatever she wanted to.

Unfortunately, she didn't do much! She just dipped her finger in over and over again eating the frosting off very dainty like.

She did eat most of the frosting...

...but, she still didn't make much of a mess. She just needed a simple hand washing and then she was good to go!

Hannah was showered with gifts galore. Our guests were so kind! However, from now on when we have a party like this, we are going to ask for NO GIFTS so that our guests know that their company is the best gift there is. We don't want people to not come just because they don't have a gift or even the money to buy a gift...because that is NOT what it is about for us.

It is all about family, love, and friendships!

Thanks to everyone for coming to Hannah's 1st "All PINK" party! It wouldn't have been all that fun without you!

WE LOVE YOU HANNAH BEAR! Happy 1st Birthday Baby Girl!

Sandpoint, Idaho in the Fall

2010-11-14T23:57:00.005-07:00

I have already posted pictures of all our adventures during a recent trip to Sandpoint. The following pictures are just the scenic pictures we took. The pictures don't even do the colors justice. There is no need for further explanation...

An Autumn in Northern Idaho

2010-11-13T22:13:00.008-07:00

We went to Sandpoint on Halloween day - a Sunday. Andrew's mother and brother came to our house the night before so that we'd be ready to hit the road first thing on October 31st. While we were packing, David asked to be put in a tote so he could go too! Andrew's brother helped him in and then carried him around the house. David just loved that!
Our trip was a long trip. It normally takes us 8 hours to get to Sandpoint from Rexburg. This time, it took us 10 hours because it was David's first trip being potty trained. He had to stop 3 times in the first 2 hours. After that, he pretty much got the hang of "holding it" until we stopped again. We also stopped for lunch for an hour in Missoula, MT so that David could run around for a while.

Andrew's dad sent a surprise travel box for our trip. We were all given strict instructions not to open the box until we were at least 150 miles from Rexburg. When Andrew's mom opened the box, we found a handwritten note for each of us from him and lots of goodies, snacks, and sugar to help with the trip!

Grandpa Hansen also sent cheese puffs for Hannah and she LOVED them!

David was so thrilled to get mail from Grandpa Hansen while we were in the car!

Getting the kids back in their car seats after every time we stopped, was like pulling teeth. Especially the second half of the trip!

It was on the second half of the trip that they finally gave up fighting their sleep and fell asleep for their first nap at 5:30pm with only 3 hours to go in the car! Even Hannah refused to sleep in the car until then.

When we arrived, David was so happy to see his Aunt Deanna! He can't resist jumping on her all the time because...well, it is just so much fun to jump on her!

However, we can't record all the memories of our trip without documenting Aunt Deanna's new hair style and make up! We gave her a pretty hard time while we were there. Good thing she has skin as thick as buffalo hide....she can take it. I just HAD to make it be known that her new "do" was not as "cool' as she thought! That is my job!

David knew exactly where we were. Memories came flooding back from the summer at Grandma Noble's. He thought it was still summer time. He wanted to play in the sand so bad.

The first thing he asked Grandma Noble when we arrived was, " Where is the boat?" I guess it was pretty odd for him to be at Grandma's without the boats, his cousins, and the SUN! Keeping him out of the water was even difficult.

On Tuesday, before the Celtic Thunder Concert, we went for a four wheeler ride around the bay and up the mountain. Andrew and his brother Ty rode on one machine and my sister and I rode on the other.

We tried to get David to go, but he didn't want to. I think he thought that if we left, he wouldn't get to come back to Grandma Noble's. He wanted to stay with Grandma and Grandpa. He is such a Grandma's BOY!

Believe it or not, after all the times we have been to my parents house and on four wheeler rides, we have never been to the top of the mountain overlooking the lake. It was SO beautiful. Especially with all the fall colors around the lake!

Andrew's brother Ty has chosen to get married on December 3rd. This was probably his last trip as a single man! He was sure happy up there and so were we!!!

My sister and I have always been real close. As I have grown, I have become more cautious in everything I do. Even taking a ride now makes me nervous. I was originally going to drive us, but I figured I better show a little faith in her and have her drive. Thanks goodness she did a fine job, I came back alive after all!

When we got back from our ride, Hannah was still sleeping. We had to get ready for the concert, so I woke her up so I could get her all fed and ready before the babysitter arrived. She wasn't quite ready to wake up though. I love it when she is so sleepy that she sits and cuddles with us. She is such a cuddle-bug when she is sleepy!

Just as we were getting ready to leave the house for the concert, we spotted hundreds and hundreds of ducks in the bay. I have never seen so many ducks in my life. It was such a cool thing to see. My parents have such a blessing to live where they live. Andrew's mom kept saying, " I could live here easily!" the entire time we were there. They loved the beautiful and scenic Northern Idaho!

Because David wanted to play in the sand so bad, Grandma Noble let David bring up a few sand toys to the house to play with. Hannah learned to climb up in Grandpa Noble's dump truck and David learned to dump her out! She was never that happy when she got dumped...but we told her that getting dumped in life is never fun, so she'd better get used to it!!!! It's probably not going to be the last time she gets dumped!

Finally, we took the opportunity to take some family photos for our Christmas card this year in one of the most beautiful places on earth! You will see those in a future post.

When we couldn't get David to smile anymore for a picture, we'd hand him to Ty for a break. He didn't have any problems smiling with TY though!

Ty knows just how to make him smile!

On our way out of town, we stopped at my grandparent's property that they lived on for over 60 years. They recently relocated to my aunt's vacation home there in Sandpoint. It was really sad to go back to their property and them not be there. For as long as I can remember, they would come out to greet us when we pulled in the driveway. No one was there to greet us this time, except the deer. They were cute, but could not replace being greeted by my grandparents for the last 26 years.

Even more sad...to see two lonely lawn chairs sitting in the lawn in the same place they sat for years...in front of the homemade tree swing that every grandchild and great grandchild has swung on for the sake of a simple picture. Unfortunately, my grandparents weren't there to see Hannah sit on the swing for her very first time. I guess it's OK though, because her time on the swing was incredibly short lived!

When we were finished taking pictures on my grandparent's property, we hit the road again, homeward bound. This time, following my parents and my sister all the way back to Rexburg for Hannah's first birthday party! We were so grateful to spend a few days in Sandpoint, Idaho this fall. They have always said how beautiful the fall is in Northern Idaho,but, after being there in the fall, we have decided that no matter what season it is, Northern Idaho is one of the most beautiful places on earth!

Celtic Thunder

2010-11-13T21:40:00.004-07:00

One day a few weeks ago, I was talking to my mom on the phone late at night. While we were on the phone, she saw a commercial on TV for a Celtic Thunder concert in Spokane, Washington on November 2nd. I looked at my calender and realized that it was only 2 weeks away. When I hung up the phone, Andrew and I just knew we wanted to get tickets for both of our parents as an early Christmas surprise. We immediately called and ordered 6 tickets. We didn't know if I would be able to get work off or exactly what our plans would be, but we did know that everything you work out in the end. We surprised both our mother's with the tickets and the Celtic Thunder Christmas CD. Andrew's father was unable to make it, so Andrew's brother Ty came with us. We also ended up buying one more ticket for my sister because we couldn't imagine leaving her at home while we were all having fun at the concert. Originally, she was going to be our babysitter, but she found a friend of hers that was so graciously willing to not only watch them, but also stay the night so that we didn't have to hurry home after the concert.

The concert was as great as we expected. When these five men sing together, you simply get chills up your spine. We could listen to the harmony for hours! Unfortunately, cameras and videos were not allowed during the performance so I didn't any pictures of the men as we saw them. I did snap a picture of the opening set before the show started. I didn't get in trouble for that. After the concert was over, we went outside and waited for them to come out. We heard that they may come out and greet fans, take pictures, and sign autographs. There was only a small crowd out there waiting. Come to find out, they only send out one of the five group members. In Spokane, they sent Keith out!

He signed many autographs. Andrew's mom got her t-shirt signed that she bought after the concert. My dad was holding the shirt above the crowd trying to get Keith's attention so that Barb could take home a signed t-shirt. Dad was probably 3 or 4 rows back from Keith and I realized he was he only male in the bunch trying to push through, so I hollered, "Old Man with the shirt! Old man with a shirt!" Some kind ladies then turned around and grabbed the shirt and passed it forward. Keith signed the shirt and sent it back through the crowd! I knew no one could turn down an old man wanting a shirt signed!!!!

Finally, you wouldn't believe it gets even better! Not only did we get the shirt signed, we also got a picture with Keith!

What a fun night! We wouldn't have traded anything!

After we met Keith, we were all starving hungry because we didn't have time before the concert to stop and get a bite to eat. We went to Denny's and then back to my parents house. Our babysitter was so good that my children were all fed, changed, and fast asleep in bed! What a great time! We wish every day that we can go back and do it all over again and again. It's so fun to surprise others with a gift, but in the end, it's so fun to spend quality time with family...and this time we were able to spend time with BOTH sides of our family at the same time! WE LOVE YOU GUYS!

Happy Halloween!

2010-11-10T23:08:00.004-07:00

We had a very special Halloween in Sandpoint, Idaho this year. David and Hannah had the opportunity to trick-or-treat at Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Noble's with both Grandma Noble AND Grandma Hansen present! David and Hannah just LOVE all their grandparents.

David was so happy to help Great Grandpa Noble hand out candy to the trick-or-treaters in their neighborhood. There were actually quite a few too. Good thing David was there to help!

Before we headed for Grandma Noble's cabin on the lake, we stopped in to see Aunt Deanna at work to let her know we were in town. The kids were SO tired after such a long day in the car.

We were so grateful to have such a special Halloween. I am sure David and Hannah will never remember it, but I have the pictures to prove it!

78th Ward Halloween Party 2010

2010-11-10T22:59:00.002-07:00

This year we went out to the Bishop's shop for our ward Halloween party. We filled up on pumpkin desserts, carved pumpkins, took pictures, and had a Halloween costume contest. This was the first year Andrew and I have dressed up together for Halloween since we got married 5 years ago. It was sure fun to feel like a kid again!

We were two big pumpkins...k.i.s.s.i.n.g in a tree!

David was our little tiger! He loved having his face painted. He didn't want to take it off.

Hannah on the other hand, didn't enjoy having anything on her head. She wasn't a happy little puppy after all!

David loved playing with his friends from nursery all dressed up. They were SOOO adorable!

Carving Pumpkins

2010-11-09T23:34:00.005-07:00

This was David's second year carving pumpkins! We stuck with a simple smiley face. We thought David would really be into carving pumpkins, but in the end, he didn't really want to have anything to do with it. He just wanted to hold the sharp carving tools! I cleaned out the pumpkin and Andrew and David carved. The entire time, David wanted to just paint the pumpkin. So, when we were all done, I let him paint it. He painted the side of the pumpkin brown. I was at least expecting a few different colors. Nevertheless, our pumpkin turned out pretty good.

Fractured Foot

2010-10-24T23:58:00.002-06:00

It has now been ONE week since Andrew fractured the ball of his foot while riding dirt bikes with his cousins. He claims he was climbing a slight incline and his back tire slid off to the side for whatever reason and his foot clipped the tree on his right side, shoving his foot through his Doc Martins. He figured he probably broke his big toe, but a trip to Community Care revealed a fracture on the ball of his foot, just before his big toe.

When he first got home and he couldn't even walk, he used a kitchen table chair as a crutch to get around.
Clearly it was difficult for the kids to understand that "daddy has an owie!" Normally with daddy lays down anywhere, that is a wide open invitation for a wrestling match. We knew right away this was going to be hard for them to understand.

This is the shoe. Mistake #1, he wasn't wearing his riding boots.

Notice HIS right foot is yellowish? That is all bruising, we think. You can also see it is swollen a little.

So, for one week now, Andrew has sat on the couch with his feet up. He has been taking pain pills and an anti-inflammatory. On Wednesday, Andrew's brother Chris brought up a walking boot for Andrew to barrow so that he can get around easier. The doctor suggested he get one, but Andrew opted out because he figured that if he needed one, he could just borrow his brother's boot. Since Wednesday, he has been up and around a little. We have been putting ice packs on his foot all week as well. This pas week has seriously been the hardest week I have had in a long time. It is so amazing how much we take for granted...and having that extra pair of hands is something I clearly take for granted. Now that Andrew is down and literally cannot do ANYTHING, I get so overwhelmed. It's like I make dinner, get everything on the table, we eat, and then they all leave the table, I clear the table, I do the dishes, I clean up the kitchen, etc. When I do that for breakfast, lunch, and dinner...I think to myself, " WHY DO I EVEN COOK?!" I just make more work for myself! Then I have to get everyone ready for the day and ready for bed all by myself. It's not hard, just frustrating! Lastly, because everyone has been cooped up in the house all week, everyone is a little cranky! That is NEVER fun. We have been praying for a speedy recovery, because really, this isn't fun for anyone!

Vinyl Projects

2010-10-24T23:42:00.003-06:00

The last couple weeks I went on a vinyl project spree in the office and clubhouse. I received the "OK" to add a little pizazz to the laundry room and while I was at it, I spiffed up the office for the fall season. I LOVE my Silhouette! It's a cutter that connects to my computer so that I can cut just about anything! We had our biannual inspection October 14th and my bosses loved the laundry room makeover and the fall decor! I have really enjoyed the decor in the office because it is almost Halloween and I have YET to dig out my fall decor to decorate my own house. Looks like it's not going to get done this year. It has just been too CRAZY!

My assistant Rick helped by painting an accent wall at the end of the laundry room.

Then I cut a vinyl block, " Thank You for abiding by the Jordan Ridge laundry room rules and helping us keep the laundry room clean!"

I cut another quote for the long wall that says, " I think you should live each day as if it were your last. That is why I don't have any clean clothes, because really, who wants to do laundry on the last day of their life?" I cut all the colored bubbles out by tracing a circular garbage can with a razor blade. We used Andrew's laser level to ensure that everything was perfectly straight down the entire wall! However, I couldn't have done it without help. Thanks to Rick and Andrew for helping me put it all up. It took a little bit of time, but it's totally worth it. Now our laundry room has just a little bit of color!

Early Halloween

2010-10-22T00:30:00.004-06:00

With Halloween just around the corner, we still can't decide what to dress Hannah up as. We were given this Minnie Mouse costume, which is now a little too small on her.

We still have the puppy costume that David wore when he was one, but Hannah didn't seem to like it too much. In fact, she HATED it! My next option is a giraffe costume from Old Navy, but can girls be giraffes? Hmmm. I didn't think this would be that hard! I love when they can talk and pick out their costumes on their own...like DAVID did!

We have a cute costume for David...and he LOVES it! He is going to be a tiger!
A good tiger...he does make!

He even had to show us his tiger tricks the first time he wore his costume at home!

But, once balls started flying, we put this tiger to sleep!
He isn't a very TAME tiger, but he is a CUTE tiger - no matter what!

Laser Lights

2010-10-22T00:17:00.003-06:00

Who would have thought that a laser level could be so fun?! We were given this laser level as a gift and we love it! We had to use it for a project I just did in the Laundry Room and I couldn't have done my project without it. Thank you again to the loved one that so generously gifted us this laser level! Our kids love it too!

Potty Trained!

2010-10-21T23:49:00.002-06:00

What a GLORIOUS day it is to be able to finally report that David is NOW POTTY TRAINED! He even wakes up in the middle of the night if he has to go to the bathroom. We are SO proud of him. After putting him straight in underwear, he was potty trained in two days. He hasn't wet the bed yet, either. So, what did we do? Well, we just put his underwear on. The first day we had three or four accidents. He wouldn't tell us when he had to go, we just had to put him on the toilet almost every hour to make sure he didn't wet his pants. He didn't always go in the toilet, because he would pee his pants right after I took him off. It was a frustrating first day. Day two was a lot better. We put him on the toilet every couple hours and he went most of the time. He didn't pee his pants at all on Day 2. Finally we told him that same day that if he TOLD us when he had to go potty, we'd take him to ice cream. That was it. That was the magic word. ICE CREAM! This kid loves soft served ice cream. That night he told us at the dinner table that he had to go pee. So, we RAN to the toilet and we made it! Perfect timing too. It was time for dessert. After that, he told us every time he had to go potty. He went to Blackfoot with Andrew and even went to Grandma Hansen's preschool in underwear. He hasn't had an accident since Day 2! Whew! What a blessing it is to only have ONE child in diapers now! We are just so thankful that potty training was so easy for us. I don't know how many more "hard things" we can handle these days!

WAY TO GO DAVID! WE LOVE YOU, BIG BOY! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!

A Fun Saturday at Home!

2010-10-15T23:37:00.003-06:00

It seems like our lives are so busy these days, we never really get to stay home and play as a family. However, a couple Saturdays ago, we did! And boy was it fun!

We took a few pictures...
...threw a few fits, because we don't always get our way...

...laughed a little...

...tortured each other, just a little bit...

...and acted OUT OF CONTROL a LOT!
We are definitely a blessed family!

Being Self Reliant!

2010-10-15T23:09:00.004-06:00

I am sure feeling pretty dang proud of myself this Fall! I have learned a little something about self reliance and I am running with it! First, we have started ordering fruits and vegetables from Bountiful Baskets. We pay only $15 each time and get a huge basket containing of half fruit and half vegetables. This produce lasts me nearly two weeks. If there is something that Andrew and I have never eaten before or not even care to try, we just cook it, blend it up/cut it up and feed it to Hannah. She loves food...so Bountiful Baskets has been so great for her.

Sometimes, we get way more produce than we need. So, I blanch it and freeze it. If you look in my freezer, all you see is the fruits of my self reliant labor!!!
We got 4 hearts of celery in two weeks through Bountiful Baskets. We only ate 2...so I froze the other two hearts. We'll just make a beef stew and throw it in. Also, you see the majority is made up of homemade baby food. That has saved us a lot of money. I also made 12 pints of raspberry freezer jam! That will probably last us a year if not more. I am the only one the eats jam most of the time.
Lastly, Andrew and I bought 80 lbs of peaches for .50 a pound through Bountiful Baskets. We canned every single peach and of course with the help of DAVID!

Andrew and I peeled and cut peaches for hours. Then we put them in bottles and poured syrup over the peaches. We canned our peaches in a light/medium syrup. We have already eaten 2 quarts and they are YUMMY!

Then we placed all the bottles in my mother-in-laws canner that she let us barrow and we boil them for 45 minutes!

I think that a canner is now going to be on my wish list in the coming year. I would have really liked to can the same amount of pears as well.

So what did we learn? Well, we learned that canning is actually more fun than a lot of people say. Andrew and I really enjoyed it. We enjoyed spending the quality time together. Plus, we believe that being semi-self reliant is extremely important, so why not start now!!!!

Helping Mommy!

2010-10-15T23:01:00.004-06:00

Everyone knows that Hannah is ALWAYS following me around! But, seriously? I can't open the fridge without her help OR do dishes with her in the room anymore! She is growing up way too fast for me!!!

"Hmmm, I think I will have some MAYO!"

Good thing they are clean...because she thinks she is so funny!

I LOVE that I don't have to ask for help around my house...it is just ALWAYS there!

The New Kitchen!

2010-10-08T22:44:00.005-06:00

Andrew just got home from Blackfoot tonight. This week he only went for 2 days to finish putting the kitchen back together. Timberline Cabinets installed all the cabinets last week and then the counter top the beginning of this week. Now that they were done, Andrew could get in and put everything back together. The only thing missing now is the microwave above the stove. Other than that, notice the new lighting, ceiling fan (which is still subject to change), new tile floor, new paint, new counters and cupboards, new sink, and overall just a much more "open" kitchen.

Before the cabinets
The new tile floor

The new "box ceiling" lighting

New oak cabinets

The wood planking has been ripped out and that area will soon be carpeted.

Whose footprints are those on that BRAND NEW COUNTER?

GET OFF THE COUNTERS....YOU MONKEY!
And the finished project....minus the microwave.

Next, Andrew will install a cabinet and sink in the preschool area, tile the entry way at the back door, and finish baseboards and trim in the new family room area. Carpet should be installed in the next few weeks. Then all he has left to do is the master bedroom/bathroom and the laundry room. All of which will be finished over a longer period of time because they are in no hurry to finish those two areas. The goal is to have all the common areas finished by Thanksgiving, if not in the next couple weeks.

Happy 3rd Birthday David!

2010-10-07T22:34:00.004-06:00

On September 2nd, David turned three! I can't hardly believe I have a three year old now. He is such a big boy! We have come a long way with him over the last month or so. David is now eating better and sleeping better. He has always struggled with feeding himself. If this child has his way, he would never eat a thing. I have always had to force feed him. Now, he will feed himself half of the time. David eats a pancake for breakfast nearly every morning. His favorite treat right now is Oreos or and ice cream cones. He drinks milk like it is NOBODIES business. He goes to bed really well at bedtime, only coming out one time to give me his milk cup. David still takes one, two hour nap each day. I rock him to sleep everyday at nap time. This is precious mommy and David time. We eat lunch, ready stories, and rock-a-bye for nearly 30 minutes. Once he is asleep, I carry him to his bed. David is now wearing 4T clothes. He LOVES movies and books. He loves making Hannah laugh and sometimes cry. He tries so hard to be such a good big brother. We are still working on sharing and potty training! Today was his first day wearing underwear all day long! David goes to preschool at Grandma Hansen's preschool when he is in Blackfoot with Daddy. He loves going to nursery and playing with all his friends. He also LOVES his cousins. David is our fun, loving, funny baby boy! We LOVE you David! We are so proud of you!

David's TOY STORY birthday party was held in Grandma Hansen's new preschool. It was the first family gathering in the newly finished room! We are so grateful that most of Andrew's family could be there. We are also grateful for the generous gifts that everyone gives. There is no need to shower this boy with gifts, your love and company is enough for him. Of course we had to have party hats and noise makers. We ordered an 8 foot long Subway party sub and had salads on the side. It was a very fun birthday party. We count our blessings everyday for such a wonderful baby boy and wonder family members. We love you all!

The New Preschool

2010-10-07T21:59:00.003-06:00

Well, here it is! The finished Love 2 Learn preschool. Andrew was able to finish his mom's preschool just in time for her to move in and start school on September 7th. This is now David's favorite room in the house. He especially LOVES the Peter Pan and Tinkerbell bathroom! We'll have pictures soon of the finished kitchen and family room.

Now, that is ONE happy preschool teacher!

Fair Time 2010

2010-10-07T21:38:00.004-06:00

We always look forward to the beginning of September because the Eastern Idaho State Fair comes to Blackfoot. This year we were able to attend the fair parade with Grandma Lela, Grandpa Bed, and Aunt Sheryl on the opening day of the parade. Sheryl was so nice to help David collect all the candy that was thrown from floats. The more comfortable David got at the parade, the more dangerous it became. At first, David wouldn't leave his chair. By the end, he was running out in the road to pick up candy and almost got run over. Sure gave Andrew and I a scare. We had to sternly remind him that if he doesn't stay in his chair, he would be sitting on our laps.

We also took our annual trip to the fair with most of Andrew's family. Grandma Lela, Grandpa Ben, and Grandma and Grandpa Hansen were all there to watch David ride rides with Melody. Just like his mommy, David LOVES carnival rides. one day he will be MY ride buddy!! In the meantime, David and Melody had so much fun riding rides together for a couple hours. They could have rode rides all day long it we would have let them. David also enjoyed seeing all the animals that were still there. Grandma Lela and Sheryl even took him through a petting zoo. Getting him out of there was a trick. He did throw a little bit of a fit, because he loved it so much. After we walked through all the barns, Grandma Hansen took David and Hannah home while Andrew and I stayed for the Demolition Derby. We had a lot of fun eating tons of greasy fair food and enjoying time alone without the kids...even if it was only a demolition derby! Plus, the kids would rather go to Grandma's than stay with us! They were SO tired by the end of the day. A day at the fair is ALWAYS a long hard day on the kids!

LAUGH ALL YOU WANT!!!!

2010-09-27T01:49:00.003-06:00

There is a story behind the craziness you are about to see! Andrew's brother Todd is on the mission in Argentina right now. He enjoys David Archuleta music just like I do. I figured that I would make a "SPECIAL" video for HIM! I am ONLY posting it to my blog because when I email him this next week I am going to ask him if he can get permission from his mission president to go to our blog to see a video from "his family". If so, they we'll continue to post videos to Todd on our blog! In the meantime, hope you enjoy the music and dancing just as much as I do!

Our BIG Helpers!

2010-09-09T22:29:00.002-06:00

Whenever I need to be in the kitchen, both of my children think they do too. I am not going to lie; I DO love the company once in a while. David loves to be at the sink making "recipe water" as he called it. Hannah fusses on the floor because she gets so jealous that David is up high and she can't get up there. She just pulls on my legs until I pay her that attention she SO desires. hahaha! Heaven forbid, one child get more of mom's attention than the other!

The following photo says it all...
Then you realize, she's hollering more than she is crying, with half a smile nevertheless!!! This is a typical evening in the kitchen...thanks to our BIG helpers!

Cookies and Milk

2010-09-09T22:23:00.002-06:00

Our new favorite...cookies and milk! Even Hannah loves Golden Oreos! Can't you tell?!
The other morning, David woke up and went straight to the pantry. I was in the bathroom getting ready for work when I heard the pantry door open. I went out to the living room and asked David what he was doing. He said, "I just need two cookies..." as he came out of the pantry with the entire box of Oreos. What can I say...I have TWO cookie MONSTERS!!!!

10 Months Old

2010-09-08T21:44:00.002-06:00

Our sweet little Hannah Bear is now 10 months old. She still isn't crawling, but she does get around pretty well by army crawling. She is just beginning to pull herself up to the coffee table and the couch. She is pretty much the biggest chicken still. She fusses when she stands up because she doesn't know how to get down or take a step. She tries to say "bye bye" which sounds like "buh, buh!" She says dada really well and is just getting "mama" down. We think sometimes she calls for David too. She love her big brother. She just follows him everywhere he goes. She laughs at him all the time, which makes David feel like he is the most funny thing in the world! Hannah loves to feed herself. We always put something on her tray for her to feed herself while we still feed her baby food. She recently started zucchini and summer squash. She still eats sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and peas. We mix these with a jar of baby food and rice cereal. She loves strawberries, peaches, nectarines, bananas, applesauce, raspberries, and blueberries. We mix the fruit and oatmeal for her breakfast and snack. Hannah loves bread, crackers, cookies, and whole milk. She is only nursing twice a day, in the morning and at night. She doesn't have a check up until she turns one, but a month ago she was 17 1/2 lbs. She will be ready to sit in a forward facing car seat in a couple months. We simply can't believe she is almost one year old. Where did the year go?

Five Years Ago...

2010-09-07T22:42:00.003-06:00

On August 6th, Andrew and I celebrated our 5th Wedding Anniversary. We celebrated our Anniversary in Sandpoint, Idaho this year, surrounded by lots of family. What a great opportunity. Andrew and I do take time to celebrate ourselves, however our families are the most important thing in our lives. We are so grateful to be able to celebrate the eternal bond we created five years ago. The past five years have been the best in my life. I am so grateful to have been married to my best friend! So where are we now, five years later? We are still in Southern Idaho. We are both college graduates with degrees from BYU-Idaho. We are both currently working in property management. We have two wonderful children - one boy and one girl - and plenty of toys. We enjoy spending time with family, riding, snowmobiling, and simply playing with our children. We continue to grow in love more and more every day! We wouldn't change a thing in the past 5 years, but look forward to many many more wonderful years together!

Thanks Cache!

2010-09-02T20:54:00.002-06:00

Cache, Jen, Curt, and Casen,

Thank you for the birthday present you sent me in the mail. I got it just in time for my birthday. I love my Thomas the train! Wish you all could come to my birthday party. I miss you guys. Mommy says to tell you hello!

Love,

David

Noble Family Photos 2010

2010-09-02T20:50:00.003-06:00

THIS is Vacation!

2010-08-30T23:25:00.012-06:00

Our family reunion in Sandpoint is something we look forward to every year! It seems like all we do is take pictures, because when we get home I have close to 1200 pictures to go through! NOW, you try doing that and narrowing it down to the ones I should blog about. If I could, I would put them all on the blog. Unfortunately, I have just chosen some of the most precious pictures of my own children!

In a few words, THIS is what our vacation looks like...

...posing for pictures...

...soft and gentle kisses from the best grandpa in the whole world!
...wild rides with best friends!

..."I didn't do it"...

...relaxing in the sun and sucking our toes...

...eating lots of food and drinking lots of water in the lake...

...swimming in the rain and the warm sunshine...

...stealing toys from others......challenging the big and the small to a wrestling match in the bouncy house...

...playing in the sand...

...surfing in the rocks and waveless waters of the lake...

...fighting over the steering wheel on family boat rides...

...aunt deanna - the best babysitter in the world...

...driving airplanes and going NOWHERE......train rides and quiet time...

...spinning in circles until we are sick...

...SILVERWOOD on a HOT day...

...skiing on the grass...

...sleeping...

...and finally, winning over the best grandma in the world!

Doesn't that sound like fun?! Anyone want to go on vacation with us again?!? I dare you!

Brotherly Sisterly Love

2010-07-26T22:55:00.002-06:00

David knows just how to make her laugh! She loves her big brother!

Goof Balls!

2010-07-26T22:38:00.004-06:00

As it heats up outside, our apartment turns into an inferno. Just yesterday it was 85 degrees inside my apartment. When it's that hot at home, we try and take the kids downstairs to play in the clubhouse.

This last week while they were playing in the clubhouse, Hannah figured out that in order to play with David, you have to be in the move. So, now she is army crawling everywhere. She will crawl around the house trying to find me when she is tired or hungry. It's so fun to see her be able to get around. She was so frustrated when she couldn't go anywhere.

We sure have two fun children that bring so much joy and love into our lives.

Everyone always said, "You won't be able to keep him out of her bed..." and I always thought, "ya right!" Oh! How I was wrong. He loves to get in Hannah's bed with her and jump around. She loves for him to get in and bounce her all around.

Peek-a-boo Hannah! She is so fun these days. She will pull down the bumper to see what we are doing!
Andrew's parents recently went on a pioneer trek. David and Hannah tried being pioneers for a few minutes on the handcarts they borrowed. My children couldn't last more than 30 seconds as pioneer children!

But, it was worth the picture!

A Birthday Party!

2010-07-21T22:18:00.005-06:00

We celebrated Rick's birthday with him last weekend because his birthday fell on a Sunday this year. Rick has been one of my assistants in the office for the last two years. Andrew and I always have a birthday party for each of our employees. Most of the time we do lunch and cake/ice cream in the office on their birthday. Unfortunately, Rick's birthday fell on a day that no one works in the office, so he just got a birthday party with Stephanie, Andrew, David and Hannah!!!!!

Of course, there is no better place to celebrate a birthday than at Red Robin!

We have never been go-kart racing before, so we decided to try the race track in Idaho Falls. Andrew was not able to race because he rolled his 3-wheeler on top of himself twice Friday night and was injured. We tried to get David to race too, but he chickened out. Everyone always thinks David is older than he is, but folks, he really is only a two year old! Even go-karts that go 30 MPH scare my two year old. He old sat in the kart long enough for me to get a picture!

Then Rick and I hit the tracks! It was supposed to be a 20 lap race, but I only went around 11 times. The other karts passed me by 9 times I guess, because the race was over before I knew it.

Ever since I had babies, I am pretty much a chicken myself. I took every corner wide and made sure to have my foot on the break at all times, just in case I needed to come to a complete stop!
No, I was not in the lead ever. I am pretty sure they were all coming up behind me to lap me once again.

David was absolutely heartbroken when we left. This is what it looks like when you pull a two year old out of an arcade!

Yes! He thought it was the end of the world. Little did he know, life goes on!

Summer Time!

2010-07-21T21:52:00.004-06:00

Summer is OFFICIALLY here! It has finally warmed up in Southern Idaho. It sure took a long time, but it is WARM! So warm, that our house is always 81 degrees. I guess there are some disadvantages to living in the attic after all!
Hannah is now 8 1/2 months old. She recently began army crawling around the house to get where she needs to get. She gets frustrated real easy though because she doesn't move as fast as she'd probably like.

David has become my COOKIE MONSTER. This kid wants cookies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. One morning he came about of his room and went straight to the pantry. I asked him what he needed and he said, " uh, you know where the cookies?". I just laughed because Andrew and I hid them the night before because he kept helping himself to the cookies and we were having a hard time controlling David's cookie consumption.

There was a fire in the Valley recently, making from some great photos of the smoke-filled sky.

The sun at 7:30pm! The sky was almost BLACK over our heads.

Looks like a storm coming, but it was just smoke from the INL fire that spread and burned nearly 109,000 acres.

The ceiling of smoke just above us, and a clear blue day everywhere else!

David is such a Daddy boy! Bedtime is always a challenge because he NEVER wants to go to bed. This particular night, Andrew was saying goodnight to him...and trying to get him to calm down for bed. Can't you tell?

Once again, it's time for Spring semester checkouts. We are not M.I.A, we are just BUSY BUSY BUSY trying to get everything done so we can leave for vacation in 7 days!!!!!

Pictures 2010

2010-07-13T01:03:00.005-06:00

We had the kids' pictures taken at JCPenny tonight. It was a LONG photo session! I didn't know it was going to be so much work to get Hannah to smile. She is normally smiling all the time, but I guess with David behind her and a "not so funny" lady in front of her, she had no interest in smiling for the camera. The only reason she is smiling in her individual pictures was because DAVID made her laugh. All he has to do is look at her and she laughs! David was sure a trooper. He had to hang in there for a LONG time while we tried and tried and tried to get Hannah to smile. We hope you enjoy them all. We are having some printed and will be distributing them out soon!

She doesn't crawl yet, but clearly in this photo she was going to find a way to get outta there!

All David had to say was "BOOOO Hannah" and she was all smiles! Thank You David!

And of course we can't have a photo shoot without a boy toy!

8 Months Old

2010-07-08T22:56:00.003-06:00

A BIT ABOUT HANNAH!

Hannah is now 8 months old. She hasn't began crawling yet, but will roll around the floor to get where she needs to go. She is very dramatic. She has started throwing a fit when we take something from her or if she can't reach something that she really wants. Hannah doesn't talk much, but is pretty good with her G's and is now beginning her D's. She laughs mostly at her daddy. David is incredibly entertaining for Hannah. She could sit and watch him move around the room all day. Hannah has two teeth on the bottom. She loves sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, strawberries, bananas, blueberries, Ritz crackers, breast milk, and water. She cringes when she drinks juice or has to eat peas. Hannah is often describe by others as mellow, calm, contempt, pretty, and a good baby. She is now sleeping all through the night most of the time. Occasionally something will wake her up in the early morning hours. She is in bed by 9pm and wakes up around 10am. Hannah still takes 2 naps a day. She loves to jump in her jumperoo or be outside.

We LOVE our Hannah Bear!

Ponytail

2010-07-08T22:47:00.003-06:00

Hannah has always had a lot of hair on top! She lost all of her hair on the side and back of her head, but the top just kept growing and growing and growing! Now, it's long enough that we have to do something with it to get it out of her face! She now sports a pretty cute pony tail.

Most of the time we'll decorate her ponytail with a bow or small flower!
She can even pull off a pretty cute side ponytail!Just like most other little girls, she throws a little fit when it's time to do her hair. Once the ponytail and bow is in, she does really well at leaving them in. Occasionally, she'll reach up and pull her pony tail. She is such a funny girl. We love our Hannah Bear!

Happy Independence Day!

2010-07-08T22:18:00.004-06:00

On our way home from Utah, we stopped at Grandma Lela and Grandpa Ben's for little Fourth of July family celebration.
I tried so hard to get some good family pictures this year. It is getting more and more difficult to take good pictures of David and Hannah together. That doesn't mean I will ever stop trying! If this is all I get...well, I guess I'll take it!

It is tradition now that we all match on the Fourth of July. This year we went with a light blue and white t-shirt!

Hannah is such a happy little girl. She loves her daddy so much. She just thinks he is so funny! That are best friends already! I know this Daddy will be so protective of his baby girl as she grows up.

Hannah is now sporting the baby pony tail, sometimes on top, and sometimes on the side.

David loves to play with his cousins. Melody and David could ride the trikes up and down Grandma Lela's hill all day if we let them. They always have so much fun together. Melody now calls David "MY Daybid"! It is SO cute!

Hannah is such a trooper. She was up until midnight enjoying all the Fourth of July festivities and didn't make any beans about it. Both Hannah and David slept in until 10am the next morning!

While we were all at Grandma Lela's, Andrew's mom wanted to take a picture of the entire family to send to Todd in Argentina. I didn't get a good family picture on my camera, but I did take a precious picture of David and Hannah with Grandma and Grandpa Hansen. My children are so blessed to have so many AWESOME grandparents!

David is such a sweetheart most of the time! However, he does have a GREAT mean face when he wants to look mean. He practices his mean face quite frequently. In this particular case, he was telling me not to take a picture of him! hahahaha! As if he had a choice!

Merry Christmas to ME!

2010-07-06T23:05:00.002-06:00

I guess my Christmas from last year is now over. What a great Christmas present! Andrew gave me a gift certificate to go to a Carrie Underwood concert this year. The concert wasn't until July 3rd, so I got to enjoy the anticipation of my present for 6 months! We went to Provo, Utah's Stadium of Fire - a Fourth of July Celebration featuring Carrie Underwood. Not only did we get to go to a Carrie Underwood concert, we also got to enjoy an AMAZING fireworks show.

I have never been in one place with so many people. The stadium held an estimated 50,000 people. We had descent seats too. We were about half way up, in the center, on isle seats!
Carrie Underwood sang the National Anthem to start the show.

Then there was a fly over from Hills Air Force Base in Utah.

The Stadium of Fire committee celebrated the 100th year of boy scouts by having the largest eagle court of honor in the world this year a the Stadium of Fire. They asked all eagle scouts to join the eagle's nest by standing with the centerfold of the program open to the eagle badge during the court of honor.

All the new eagle scouts were on stage with their parents to receive their eagle award and pins. There were scouts from all over the west. It was a great experience to Andrew to be part of...as an Eagle himself.

There were a few opening performances featuring Utah's local talent: Jennie Oaks Baker - a violinist, The Osmonds: Second Generation, and The Five Browns - pianists.

Then Carrie Underwood took the stage for the next hour and a half before a spectacular fireworks display.

We just love that Carrie sounds the same on the radio, on record, and in concert. She is always so good.

She sang all of her hit songs from all her records. Because we are such BIG Carrie Underwood fans, we were able to sing along with her! It helped too that we practiced in the car on the way to Utah. Ok, well maybe I just practiced!

Fireworks lit the sky at the end of the show. It seemed like the never ending fireworks display. Those are the BEST!

Andrew and I have never seen such a big fireworks display!!! What a FUN Christmas present. I don't know how Andrew will be able to top it next year!

Happy Birthday Aunt Deanna!

2010-07-06T22:08:00.007-06:00

My sister came to visit on the 16th of June. Originally she was coming to go to the David Archuleta concert with us. However, we ended up making it the beginning of many birthday celebrations for her.
I stood in line at Deseret Book for two hours to meet David Archuleta. I decided that there isn't a better birthday gift for Deanna this year than David's birthday greetings and autographed book!
We celebrated Deanna's birthday and Father's Day at the same time. Deanna was given her book and concert tickets and Andrew was given a new BBQ grill. Our "hand-me-down" grill bit the dust this year. Poor thing! We donated it to Deseret Industries just in case someone wants to try and fix it. It was a good grill for the last 4 years we've had it.

David loves Birthday parties. He actually thought that this was a birthday party for him!

Our kids just love their Aunt Deanna. It is always so fun to have her visit! David couldn't stop following her around the entire time she was here. There is absolutely NO privacy for her when she comes.

David and Hannah are playing better together every day. Hannah is my trooper! She has always love to be along for the ride. She never minds being packed around. She never minds David pushing her around either. He thinks it's pretty cool that she rolls all over the floor to get whatever she thinks she needs to get. David even thinks he has to "help" her roll to her destination!

One day recently, I was using the restroom and I left Hannah in her swing and David in the living room watching a movie. Normally this would be OK. However, this time I could hear David playing with Hannah's swing. I hollered down the hallway asking David what he was doing. When he came running back to he bathroom he said, " Mom! I take Hannah out of her swing." I didn't believe him. I calmly came to the living room and found Hannah just as happy as can be on the floor under her swing. Needless to say, I gave David a talk about NOT picking up Hannah and definitely NOT carrying her when mommy is not around! David has ALWAYS thought he is mommy's big helper! In this case, " Thanks! BUT, NO! NO DAVID!"

David Archuleta comes to Rexburg!

2010-06-22T22:51:00.004-06:00

David Archuleta came to Rexburg for BYU-Idaho's Spirit Week concert June 19th. While he was here in Rexburg, Deseret Book also hosted a book signing for David Archuleta's new book "Chords of Strength". Hannah and I went to the book signing with my childhood friend, Mandy. We waited in line for 2 1/2 hours, only to stand in front of David Archuleta for approximately 30 seconds. While we were in line, we met the coolest 13 year old girls ever! We were all BFF's during the entire experience. There is nothing like being 13 again!!!!

Hannah was such a trooper. It was a little chilly out and really windy. Hannah was just happy to be along for the ride. I am SURE she knew she was about to meet THE David Archuleta!

We each were given a sticky note to put our names on the signature page in the book. We were told to have our book open and ready for David to sign. The Deseret Book worker would slide the book in front of him, he would sign it, and only look up to hand the book back. It was quick, but worth the wait!

The concert was just what we expected it to be, and MORE! David Archuleta really does sound better live than he does on record. He is extremely humble, young, energetic, and entertaining. I would go to his concert over and over again if I could!

Unfortunately, it has been six or seven months since David's last concert. It was evident that he was out of shape! The poor kid was sweating gallons the entire time. We all felt so bad for him.

All weekend, I was determined to catch up with David and get a picture taken with him. Unfortunately, I failed to do so, but we did meet his mom. The best thing about it all was that I realized I really am a chicken. I literally am all talk! My friend, Jessica and my sister were so courageous to approach David's mom and ask her if we could get a picture with her. David Archuleta's little sister took our picture! So, when you fail to meet David, just meet his mom. She is just as great!

Thanks Mandy, Deanna, Josh, and Jessica for being apart of our David Archuleta experience! We had LOTS of fun! I'd say let's do it again soon, but David Archuleta probably won't go on tour until the end of the year!!!

Night time in the Hansen Home!

2010-06-22T22:44:00.004-06:00

Our nightly routine goes like this: eat dinner, wrestle with daddy, get pj's on, read with daddy, hug and kiss daddy goodnight, say prayers, and mommy puts the kids to bed. Once in a while they get a bath at night, depending how dirty they are! For that last 3 weeks, we've been able to accomplish all of this before 9:30pm! Yes! You heard that right. David and Hannah have been in bed and asleep before 10pm for the last 3 weeks!!!!!

Yellowstone National Park

2010-06-21T21:59:00.005-06:00

Yellowstone National Park has a few free days each year, one in the spring, one in the summer, and one in the fall. This year we wanted to take David because we knew he would love all the animals. Andrew and I have been blessed to live so close to Yellowstone. We have been there many many times and now know exactly where to go to find all the animals! Every time we go, we can find the wolves, the bears, the buffalo and more! This was another successful trip to Yellowstone.

Two buffalo stand "on guard" as a black bear enters their territory.

A beautiful black bear, just out for an evening stroll.

David tells everyone around that the wolves are chasing the bear! They were actually circling the poor bear who had come too close to the wolves den. One of the coolest things we've seen in Yellowstone to date!

This is my favorite!!! Buffalo!!!!

Every time we pulled off the road and got out of the car, we would just put David in the back of the truck. He loved to watch for animals.

He also loved taking pictures of the Animals too. hahahah! We did learn one lesson: David needs his own camera when we go next. He loves to take pictures and then look at the picture he took.

This is how the Hansen's do Yellowstone!

David meets the bears at the Gray Wolf and Grizzly Bear Discovery Center.

The Discovery Center had a museum too. David really enjoyed the museum. Of course, he pushed every button, made every sound, and lit up every display!
The wolves in the Discovery center were so cool. The even heard them howl for like 4 minutes. That was also one of the coolest things ever.

If only you were there...

2010-06-20T14:53:00.002-06:00

It is Father's Day! I just have to tell you how full my heart today. I am married to the best husband and father there is on earth. Andrew and I are living a unique lifestyle right now, as I work and he primarily takes care of our children. He has such a loving, giving, sensitive heart that just thinking about him and the way he treats our children and myself brings tears to my eyes. David and Hannah adore their daddy. Without Andrew, we are not whole. We are so grateful for the peace, love, and serenity he brings into our lives and our family. We hope you know how much we love you Andrew! You ARE my life! Happy Father's Day.

Also, how could I not pay tribute to my own father. How grateful I am for my daddy! He is such a huge source of strength for me. He has always been there for me. Whether you like to hear it or not, I AM my daddy's baby girl and always will be. It is evident in all things. He (and my mom) always run to our rescue! I can't help but thank them a million times over for all they do for us! I sit and think all the time, "Why am I the way I am?" Simply said, because I was born to Frank and Trina Noble. That says it all. Everything that I am, is because they "made me", they taught me, they punished me, they loved me, they nurtured me, they provided for me, they cared about me. Now, I am grown and married and a mother of two. They continue to do all of those things AND MORE not only for me now, but my family too! We love you Dad! You are the best father in the world! Happy Father's Day to you!

At the same time, I realize that Andrew wouldn't be who he is, if it weren't for his own father and mother. So, to Andrew's Dad - We love you too! I am so grateful to you for raising such a FINE YOUNG MAN...the one I am married to! You have taught him to be faithful, prepared, strong, and respectful. I reap the blessings every day as a result of your teachings. I couldn't ask for a better, more loving husband. I know he has watched you throughout his life and follows in your footsteps a lot of the time. He still, to this day finds great strength in your encouragement, advise, and support. We appreciate all you have done for us as well! Happy Father's Day to you!

Lastly, Andrew and I were able to attend our second David Archuleta concert last night with my sister and a couple friends. What a great way to celebrate fathers day and my sisters birthday. It was so fun to hear David's old songs, a couple new songs, and to see a softer side of David. Only at a BYU-Idaho concert could David Archuleta bare his testimony on stage! We were blessed to see exactly how sensitive he is. He knows he has a God who has blessed him with EVERYTHING that he is and EVERYTHING that he has. He understands that Heavenly Father has blessed him with the talent of singing and music to bless the lives of so many. Understanding these things, he feels and knows that he owes Heavenly Father EVERYTHING. After a great concert, he left us with this testimony, a few tears, and a BEAUTIFUL rendition of "Be Still my Soul." A hymn that has always been close to my heart since my David was born. David Archuleta said that this hymn has helped him out so many times - in the middle of all the chaos in his life - he turns to this hymn for comfort and peace. I can't think of a better way to celebrate Father's Day than with the spirit in our lives and a firm testimony in our hearts. All I can say is...if only you were there...

Memorial Day 2010

2010-06-11T23:44:00.002-06:00

This year we had to opportunity to go to Sandpoint to my parent's house for Memorial Day. We didn't do a lot while we were there because it poured rain the entire time we were there. Except for the day we were leaving of course! Andrew do a few little projects while we were there again. I am just so grateful I married such a handyman! I love that he can help out our families in so many ways. He can fix anything or build anything. Most of all, I love that he loves to do it. I also love that he knows what he wants to do in his life. Let me just say, I LOVE IT! While we were up North for the weekend, we took some pictures of David and Hannah with Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Noble. David and Hannah love all their grandmas and grandpas!

Hannah loved sitting with her Uncle Jeremy. I think she loved how cuddly he is. Hannah is such a cuddle bug. She would sit on his lap and just let him feed her. She is such an easy going baby! I can't believe it's already been seven months since she was born!

Never Use These...

2010-05-24T00:22:00.003-06:00

Oven Ready Noodles...

DO NOT WORK! They are gross and they do not work. I couldn't figure out how they could even be oven ready. Well, I figured it out! All they do is soak up your sauce and any other juices in your lasagna to cook themselves in the oven - leaving your lasagna AS DRY AS THE DESERT! The box says to cook the lasagna for an hour and ten minutes, which is NOT any faster than using regular noodles that you boil first. Our Lasagna was so dry I could hold it high in the air with my hands. YUCK!

Snow in May!

2010-05-24T00:20:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Rexburg!

Where snow flys in May!

A toddler will be a toddler...

2010-05-24T00:11:00.002-06:00

David never ceases to amaze us!

He is our little baseball player. He loves to play ball. I am so thankful I have such high ceilings. I don't know what I would do with this boy if I didn't. Balls are always flying across the room at my house. Maybe someday he'll make me lots of money as a MLB player.
Or maybe he'll climb mountains for a living. It all starts in the pantry I guess!

He just refuses to ask for help because he says " I can do it all by myself..." All I have to say is, a toddler will be a toddler. That is for sure!

Andrew's mom just finished this bib for Hannah. SO CUTE! Thanks Barb!

David loves my boss Margaret. She was in town recently and brought David a Curious George coloring book. He sat on the stairs for an hour or so just coloring. He has never heard of Curious George, but how fitting it is for David!

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-23T23:30:00.003-06:00

My sweet husband bought me a necklace this year for mothers day from my babies. I couldn't be more blessed! I love my children. I love being a mother. I hold them in my arms and tears run down my face with a heart full of gratitude for such a wonderful family. Of course we have our good days and our bad days, but I would NOT trade anything!

Hannah is Mommy's baby girl!
David got his first mini black eye in nursery on Mothers Day. He was running across the room and for whatever reason, tripped and hit the corner of his eye on the corner of the table. They said he only cried for minute. It must not have been that long, because they never came to get us. My poor baby had a nice goose egg on the side of his eye for about a week.

We had a Sunday afternoon family get together at Grandma Lela's for mothers day. David always loves to play with his cousin Melody. He has learned to be quite the pest to her. He is constantly taking her toys and running from her just so she chases after him. The two of them are ALWAYS running. Mothers Day was the first time Grandma Lela set the two toddlers up at their own table. It was so cute.

My husband is the best! I don't know if I should say he made Hannah's baby food for me for mothers day or my husband did me a service by making her food so I didn't have too! He cooked carrots, squash, peas, and sweet potatoes, then pureed them and froze it! What a great husband.

Most of all, Happy Mother's Day to my mom! I wouldn't be the woman or mother I am now if it weren't for her. She has raised me well. I feel like I can conquer the world with all the skills I learned from my own mother. I know Andrew feels the same way about his Mom. I hope our mothers know how much we love them! Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Six Months

2010-05-23T22:54:00.003-06:00

Hannah turned 6 months old on May 4th. She weighed 14.5 lbs and was 27 inches long at her six month check up!She is now wearing the smaller 6-9 month clothes. There is still no sign on teeth any time soon. She does chew on everything, but we don't see other teething symptoms like slobber, runny nose, temperature, or extreme fussiness. She rolls all over the floor, but does not sit up on her own yet. She ADORES her brother David and is just now beginning to laugh more at us. She thinks David is pretty dang funny! Hannah is now eating solids and sitting in a high chair. She is one little happy girl most of the time. She takes two naps a day. Right now, we can't get her to go to bed before midnight, but will sleep until noon. She does wake up at 8am to nurse, and goes right back to sleep.

Hannah is our Hannah Bear from Heaven. We love her so much. The last six months have been so fun! We love you Hannah!

Eating

2010-05-23T22:39:00.004-06:00

It's something we are all good at doing here!

Hannah began eating solid foods at five months. She has been one happy camper ever since. This girl LOVES her food. We began with carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes all cooked and pureed to perfection here at home! We never even dreamed of making our own baby food for David. It has been a lot of fun. We feel like we need to be more self sufficient these days!! Or something...

Cupcakes have been popular in the Hansen home over the last 5 months. Since I started nursing Hannah, this mama has been addicted to sugar. I am paying the price for it too! Hence the reason you don't see any pictures of me anywhere anymore! A toddler's idea of a facial! Need I say more?

Workin' on the House!

2010-05-16T23:44:00.004-06:00

We recently spent a Saturday out at Andrew's parents house "back filling". It has now been a year since the original hole was dug. Andrew borrowed a tractor from a family friend to haul dirt from the pile in the field to the back of the house. Even David got to help...

Andrew even let David drive the tractor and push all the buttons.

When he was done driving, David grabbed a shovel and got to work.

He started out with an Adult size shovel...

until grandma found a shovel just his size. He wasn't able to haul as much dirt, but was able to keep up with the rest of the crew.

The yard is all torn up for one more summer, but at least it's all put back together. Now they begin sheet rocking the inside! It's all up hill from here!