Hawaiian Paradise

Happy 8th Birthday Brigham!

Happy birthday to one of the coolest, sweetest kids we know. Brigham is a great cousin to Cam and Coop. We miss being there for your big day, but we'll see you soon. We hope you have a great one!

Time to relax...

It seems like the holidays this year were more crazy than usual. My shopping was done early, but I still felt like I had something to be in charge of every week. Now, it's time to sit back and relax in tropical Hawaii! Shea, Cam, Coop, and I leave on Friday. Lucky little Lucy gets to stay here with her Nana and Papa. I may be a mean mother, but it wouldn't be a vacation if we took her with us. I would be doing the same thing I do now, only in the sand instead of the snow. I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with my boys and my hottie hubby. We haven't been anywhere together since April 2004. We've taken several whole family trips since then...but it's not the same. We'll be in Hawaii with my parents, brothers, and sisters-in-law. Camden and Cooper are the only grandkids going, so maybe Shea and I can get a date in during the week.
This morning I had a primary "meet your teacher" breakfast. It was very low-key, but we had a great turn-out, and it was fun! I'm so glad it's over though. We're ready for all the class changes this Sunday, so I feel better about not being there. Teachers have new manuals, sharing time is coordinated, key callings have been filled...primary is a lot of work at the first of the year! I had no idea, but I now have a new appreciation for all the work of past presidencies.
Camden and Cooper finally got to have a sleepover at Boston's house last night. We had been so busy with the holidays and they had been in Hawaii for two weeks. The boys were so happy to spend time with their cousins and Aunt Shannon. They even came home with fresh haircuts! You can't beat that. Thank you, Shashi!
Also, we finally got our couch for the basement, so we can actually watch movies while sitting on it and not the floor. Yea!



Last, but certainly not least...happy birthday yesterday to my darling sister-in-law, Ashley! I love you and admire your commitment to your family and your exercise regimen. You are a great aunt to my kids, and I love spending time with you. Hope you don't get sick of me in the next week!
And, drumroll please (Rachel).....pictures of the basement! I'm such a picture slacker.

Happy Birthday, Candace!

Happy birthday on Sunday to my sweet, wonderful sister-in-law! I can't believe you're not 14 still. You have so many great and admirable qualities. You are talented, beautiful, hard-working, supportive, dependable, and kind. I hope you have a fabulous day!

Happy Birthday...

Philip on the 22nd



and Reese on the 24th

We love you two and your family so much! You are a wonderful uncle and cousin. We hope you have a very happy day!

A Christmas thought...

In an email I received I read this message. "I wanted to share a quote from an unknown author I read in the paper the other day. 'If, as Herod, we fill our lives with things, and again with things; if we consider ourselves so unimportant that we must fill every moment of our lives with action, when will we have the time to make the long, slow journey across the desert as did the Magi? Or sit and watch the stars as did the shepherds? Or brood over the coming Child as did Mary? For each one of us, there is a desert to travel. A star to discover. And a being within ourselves to bring to life.'"

Happy Birthday, Cory!

We hope you have a wonderful, restful day--after your all-night flight from Hawaii! You are one of the most caring, giving, non-judgemental people we know. Thanks for your example and for being an amazing brother, in-law, and uncle to our family!

Some pictures

Happy 3rd Birthday, Hayes and Olivia!

Happy birthday yesterday, sweet babies! We hope you are having a great Hawaiian getaway.
These babies are our family's miracles. They were born at 26 weeks, weighed a little more than a pound, and spent more than three months in the hospital. After such a rough start no one knew how they'd grow. They are PERFECT! They are just like other three year olds--except a little smaller. They are so sweet and fun to be around. Having two babies is terrific!
(I am on the wrong computer to have more pictues of Hayes!)

Early December

We finally have our tree up and decorated and the village set up. I still have to lay the "snow" for the village, but that's not a fun job. Shea and I are going on a hunt to find a better alternative to batting. I'll let you know what I find.
We had to wait to get our tree and to decorate because the painters came on Tuesday to paint the crown moulding we had hung in our family room. They crawled on top of the fireplace and everything. I was glad I hadn't decorated yet when I saw the work they had to do.
In basement news...the carpet is in! It looks so good; we love it. Yeah, I know. You want pictures. I'll work on it. The cleaning crew came yesterday and we should be finished today. We're waiting on three light fixtures and a chip in the tub to be repaired. It really has been a good experience. I only got frustrated a few times when nothing happened for a week or so. Also, they came to me last week and said they were having trouble finding the light fixture I picked for Shea's office. Hmmmm...they could have told me that when I picked them out in October, and I could have chosen something else. Now, I just want them to do a little work and find it.
We have had a good week. We've been healthy, which is such a blessing. I am thankful for happy kids! We made gingerbread houses last Saturday at my parents' and then again on Monday with all the small Hansen cousins. (I'm ready to throw away the houses with all the coconut snow though!) Tuesday was the day the painters came. Wednesday I took the kids to Hayes and Olivia's 3rd birthday party at Kangaroo Zoo. It was so fun! My kids love that place. Lucy dragged me up the big slide about 20 times, and she was happy the rest of the time just playing on the smaller slide and running after the kids.
Yesterday while the boys were at school, Lucy and I went to Salt Lake with Grandma. We didn't find much, but it was a fun outing. Meanwhile, the boys had Polar Express day at KE. They wore their p.j.s and had hot chocolate while their teacher read them the book. Of course they didn't want to wear their cute, wintry pajamas. They wanted to wear their hand-me-down holey t shirts from the fire my dad flew on years ago. The shirts used to belong to Matt and Marc. They paired them with their "grandpa" flannel jammie pants, and we're happy to be in public. Crazy boys.
Tonight we have a Utah Flash basketball game, thanks to Cory. The boys also have a soccer game. Anyway...
Pictures to follow.

Which Disney Princess Are You?
	You are Cinderella. You are hard-working and never complain, however, your trust is sometimes misplaced and people sometimes take advantage of you. Still, you are beautiful inside and out, and one day you will realize it and find true love.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

Me too, Jerianne. At least I'm not Pocahontas.

HaPpY BiRthDaY BrOOkiE

Happy birthday (yesterday) to one of the sweetest, most loving nieces in the world. This little girl is so happy, creative, fun, helpful, kind, generous, and wonderful! We hope you had a great day, Sugar Cookie!