2009

As we draw nearer to 2010, we have been reflecting on our year. It has been a fabulous year for us as a family, we have been healthy, happy and blessed with our daughter. We could have not asked for a better year as far as our family goes. We bought our first property and even traveled a little. But as we look back on the year there are some worldly challenging things, the economy that has been so rough, people losing their jobs and uncertainty and wars in other areas. The world also lost some good people this year, the soldiers killed on their own base. Michael Jackson, Patrick Swayze, Farrah Facet, Ed McMann, and Brittney Murphy are some of the celebs lost this year too. As we look to the new year we hope and pray that our blessings continue and that your family is blessed in 2010. Happy New Year!

Our Christmas

Ever since Bri and I were married, we kind of have had the same types of Christmas. We go to his Mom and Steve's house for Christmas Eve. Have Christmas morning together and then my Mom and Garry have everyone over in the afternoon. This year was no exception, other then we had all the grandparents (except Nana who had to work), over to watch the kids open their Christmas presents. Bri's folks stayed a little longer and played the Wii with us. It was so nice to be able to see everyone on Christmas. We were all spoiled this year and very blessed. Colin and Audra got so many toys there is no way I could list them all and not leave something out. But I wanted to include pictures more then anything so we have them.

A New Toy

Yesterday, Brian and I bought our Christmas present to each other. We got the Wii and the Wii Fit Plus. Last night we were trying it out and having fun. Colin wanted to join in the fun too, so since with the Wii fit you use your body to make the characters move, we decided to let Coly try. He had so much fun with the Penguin Slide. He was moving all over the board and he scored better then both Bri and I.

Holiday Festivities

This past weekend was my family Christmas party in Castle Dale, my sister Shannon has a very lovely home there that can fit everyone and we get to get out of town. We arrived Friday after work and had dinner and the kids played. Once everyone got their children down, it was time for the adults to play. We played hand and foot and laughed so hard. It was so much fun!

Saturday, we had breakfast and then the kids played. We got ready for Christmas that night by fixing dinner, wrapping presents, and finishing up odds and ends. Merrial took Brian and Dustin out to see the "Little Grand Canyon." Merrial left them for a bit, and did not show up when he was suppose to. We found out that he got his brand new truck stuck and was stranded. Luckily they have a farm and the equipment to pull him out. During this time too, my sweet little boy tried an experiment in his cousin's fish tank. Colin stuff the fish tank full with toys, Lindsey's glasses, contact case, pencils, socks and other fun things. Once, everyone was back we played some more hand and foot. We then had Christmas dinner it was so yummy! Then it was present time. Our folks spoiled us with lots of nice things and the kids got an easel, pj's, and lots of little toys.

Sunday, we packed up and came home. We were all exhausted. Brian, Audra and I took 2 naps, which is very unusual for us adults. Coly only had one, but he didn't fight to go to sleep last night.

Thanks again everyone for the fun weekend and gifts!

He's Home!

Six months ago, we bid farewell to Chris while he served in Afghanistan. Well, today he landed in Los Angeles. He was due home on 12.25.09, plus or minus 15 days. We are so excited he made it home in time for Christmas. He will arrive in Salt Lake City on 12.21.09. Thanks for your hard work Chris! We are SO glad you are home.

Oh the joys of potty training

Yesterday, was a rough day for Colin in the potty training world. I took him shopping and running around in the morning, I forgot that he had underwear on and not pull-ups, so we had a little accident. We got home, I cleaned him up, asked if he needed to use the potty, he told me no. I put new clean underwear on, he came into the kitchen with me and started peeing. OOH!!! I was so mad. So, I had to mop the floor and wash the rug.
Last night, I was in the bathroom and left Bri in charge of the kids. Coly comes through the door (We have an open door policy). He says to me "wash." I look at his hands and they are covered in poop! "YUCK! Bri, were are you Colin has poop everywhere." So, Bri cleans up the pull-ups and then comes and helps Coly clean his hands. I come and get Audra, she is so hungry. I am changing her and I can smell is poop. I look down and there is poop on her clothes and on her hand. I know GROSS! We got her all cleaned up and Coly got in the shower. Finally, they all smelled good again.
My day was a poopy one to say the least.

Elmo, Train and a Balloon

Saturday, Grandma Debby and Grandpa Steve took Coly, Audi and I to see "When Elmo Grows Up." Colin and Audra both had a good time, Coly would be so disappointed when Elmo would go away, but was super excited that Cookie Monster was there too. It was cute with a lot of singing and dancing.

After, we went back to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Coly saw a model train of grandpa's and wanted to play with it. Grandma got out a larger train. It took 3 adults and Colin to put this train track together because he was in such a hurry to get it done. Unfortunately, the train didn't work. He would say "Grandpa, fix." He even got down to "help." During the this time, Colin's Elmo balloon from everyone and got caught in the ceiling fan. So, we had to get a ladder to get the balloon down because it was a $10 balloon. Can you believe that? But Bri was patient and got the balloon untangled and freed from Grandma's and Grandpa's fan. Colin crashed so hard that night, he had a great day.

Little Red Car

This little red car has caused Brian and I so much grief. How, you wonder. Let me tell you. This little red car was given to Colin, by Grandma Debby. It is a foam car, nothing to special just a companies marketing technique. Well, this car is Coly's second security blanket. He gets sooo mad if he can't find his car when he wants it. He cries at night if he doesn't have it to go to bed with and will not stay in bed until he has his car. He has even lost the car in the middle of the night sleeping and come into our room crying saying "car, car." Who knew a little red car, could cause so much grief.

An Evening with Santa

Yesterday, was a great day. My mom had all 3 of us girls over to paint our nativities that we ordered from Super Saturday that did not get done. It was so much fun to laugh and talk with my mom and sisters. We had Christmas music on, a fire in the fireplace and it was snowing, it felt like Christmas time. I love it.

Last night, was Brian's family Christmas party and it was delightful. We had dinner, then we had a White Elephant gift exchange. It was so funny to watch the dynamics. Brian got a Santa Potato Head for the kids, and I got nice hair products. YAY! Just as we finished up with the White Elephant, Santa and Mrs. Claus came to the house. The kids loved it. Santa brought each child a small gift. Coly got a Thomas tractor and Audi got a fuzzy pink cell phone. After, all the kids had gifts, Mrs. Claus read "The Night Before Christmas." Then Mr. and Mrs. Claus passes out Jingle bells and sang Christmas songs with everyone. I absolutely LOVED it. It was almost like the Christmas parties you see on movies. The kids loved it too. Mr. and Mrs. Claus had to go, so then we played games and had dessert. Thanks to Rupe and Diane for hosting a FABULOUS Christmas party.

Mrs. Claus reading

Santa and Mrs. Claus leading the singing

Santa Picture Day

Thursday, I took all 3 kids up to Kaysville, to my FAVORITE photographers, Little Angels Photography. It was picture day with Santa. So, here are the darling photos.

A Big Day

Today, was a big day in both kids worlds. Audra, has not been able to start solid foods due to Colin's allergies. The doctor wanted to test her before we start, which I am grateful for, because I don't want to have the scare like we did with Coly. So, today we saw Dr. Broadbent and she tested Audi for Eggs, Dairy, and Soy. They all came back negative, YAY!! However, sometimes when the child is so young she gets false negatives, so we will have to go back when Audi reaches her 1st birthday. So, after the appointment Audi got her very first solid food, which was sweet potatoes (the allergist doesn't like starting allergy families on cereal because people have reactions to it) and she loved them. So, finally I will be able to let daddy feed the baby, YAY!!!

Tonight, we decided to watch a potty training video. Coly has Elmo Potty Time, but this has not been helpful to get him to go potty. Brian's aunt Diane, gave us a Pull-ups training video and we watched that one. Coly said "potty." So, I asked if he wanted to sit on the potty and he said yes. Then he actually did go potty and 2 more times. YAY!!! We are super excited. He is also now wearing big boy underwear.

So, it was a very big day in the Hansen house today.

Much to be grateful for

Last night we went to the grocery store, Brian made a comment that has stuck and I want to share. He said "I can't believe how many people are shopping with a scowl on their faces. Smile people you can afford to buy food."
Even though things get tight, we can afford to buy food, keep a roof over our heads and have a healthy family. So we do have much to be grateful for. It is very important that we remember that this time of year, but really all year long.

The making of a new tradition, maybe

On Sunday, I asked Bri if we could take the kids down to Temple Square on Monday night. He thought that was a good idea. On Monday, we rode Trax down to Temple Square and walked around. It was so cute, as soon as we entered the gate and Coly saw the light he started running "yights, yights." He was so excited. He wanted to go here and he wanted to go there. Then he saw the Temple and pointed "castle" I tried to correct him, but there was no telling him that it was a Temple, because in his mind it was a "castle." As we walked to the plaza and he saw the water he got even more excited, if that is possible. He wanted to play in the water. After we made our rounds, we caught Trax and then had dinner at Cafe Silvestre. It was such a good night, that I told Bri we need to make this a tradition, he said "maybe?" It was truly a great way to start the Christmas season.

This nativity set, is one that Brian worked on when he worked at Modern Display. I just had to have a picture, of Brian's famous work.