The Ha Ha Ha Hansens

Well

2012-02-05T23:52:00.001-07:00

Tonight was a sad night. I kept hoping Tom would give us a miracle drive. Also kept wishing Jane had worn her Patriot colors.

Dinosaur Paintings

2012-01-28T14:42:00.003-07:00

Colby paints a dinosaur at preschool every day. They are doing a unit on them and he comes home with lots of new facts- like they are "astinked". It is so strange the day your child comes home from somewhere like preschool (for me it was the 2 year olds' Sunday School Nursery at church) and you realize they are learning things out there in the world that you didn't teach them.

Picnic Weather

2012-01-10T14:40:00.001-07:00

Colby listed off some things he'd like to do today- "grocery shopping, visit Macy (a friend), and have a picnic at the park ". Well, we can and need to shop. But it's too cold for a picnic. We asked him what he thought the temperature was today. "prolly 50 debrees". Ha ha. Debrees.

Abby's School Party

2012-01-08T22:06:00.004-07:00

Abby's school knows how to party. They party all the time. They had a cute Christmas party with a Polar Express theme (involving tickets, pjs, sleigh bells, hot chocolate, and a classroom set up like a train car) . I dropped off some milk for their hot chocolate and I wish I had taken a picture of how the teacher had set up and decorated the room.

When I got to the school the kids were in an all school assembly- singing. Not songs about reindeer and jolly ol' Santa.

Singing on Polar Express Day

Only in Utah. (oh and abby walks by the camera at about 1 min. 19 sec in pink snowflake pjs)

A Little Snow

2012-01-07T18:25:00.001-07:00

We haven't had any real snow here in Provo yet. So the kids were excited by the inch or so on the ground this morning. They donned their snowpants, boots and other necessities and went out together. It was the perfect snowball snow and they got their dad to sit up against the inside of the living room window and used his face as a target.

We'd like more snow!

Christmas

2012-01-03T19:45:00.001-07:00

Christmas was wonderful here at home. A simple celebration consisting mainly of seasonal traditions is what I love; a real tree, LOTS of music, a trip to see The Nutcracker, the lighting of downtown, gingerbread and sugar cookies, Christmas Eve Chinese take out from PF Changs, new pjs, and all the goodies from Santa.
Thanks to our friends and family for all the goodies we received from you too !!! PS- I LOVE getting holiday cards from you all!

Let's Try This Again

2012-01-02T19:47:00.002-07:00

Now that I have an iPhone maybe blogging and posting pictures of the kids for family and friends will be easier. I will try to do better at keeping you up to date on what we up to. The pictures will just be from the camera on the phone so they won't be super fantastic. Sorry.
This year should be a good one. Abby is still liking first grade and learning Chinese. Colby has started in a preschool and no longer screams when I drop him off. Both kids are very social and always want kids over to play- which we usually allow because it keeps them out of our hair. Abby starts I've skating lessons next week and Colby will do a basketball clinic starting feb 1st. Cuyler has a new IBM assignment that will take him to the fancy dancy White Plains NY. From the looks of it on google maps the town is made up of 12 golf courses. Long flight from Provo though. Hopefully 3 of the 4 weeks will be done from his computer here at home. We finally ordered a desk for him from crate and barrel that we both agreed on. So he won't have to work off the dining room table. News from me- hmmm nothing really. Just trying to squelch my daily desire to shop at target and bed bath and beyond. Ha!

Happy 2012!

Weekend Fun

2011-03-23T21:50:00.007-06:00

I really need to track down a new battery charger for my camera. I lost it in August. Which means I haven't taken a single photo in over 7 months? Loser. Failure. Lazy. (So, since I have no recent photos to share, the following pictures have been borrowed from friends or found on Google images. No photo credits here. )

The last couple of Saturdays we have gotten out and explored a bit. On the 12th we followed a little hand drawn map from my therapist- Judi McI.- to a very very very cool bald eagles' nest just 20 or so minutes from our house. The map wasn't exact so we had some fun exploring the surrounding woods by foot and by Rover. The kids had tons of fun using the binoculars to look for the eagles. They also loved sitting on my lap 'driving' on some of the back roads. (I think if you asked them what the highlight of the trip for them was- that would be it. I have fond memories of doing that very same thing on my dad's lap when I was their age.) Here are some amazing shots from Judi's camera:

We also had fun last Saturday at MapleFest at the Red Oak Nature Center in Batavia. They had demonstrations on how real maple syrup is made. Abby got to carry the sap collection bucket from the nature classroom out to the tree. She loved that. Colby and Abby both had a turn "tapping", not BANGING the hammer against the tap. So now we know 1) that ants love to party in the sap buckets, 2) sap from the tree tastes like water- we've tried it! 3) you can tap the same trees for generations, 4) how to build your fire for even heat distribution in your evaporator, & 5) the best grade that a Maple Syrup can be given is actually an "F" - not an A! (F for Fancy). Giving the kids a little NH culture way out here in Chicago. :)

More Funny Drawings

2011-03-10T20:35:00.005-07:00

Here are some more funny drawings (I think so, anyway!) from the kids.

1. "Dear Mom, I decided to move away" - written by Abby when she was annoyed with me on Tuesday. (And some friends names in cursive - which she wants to learn because a girl in her class can write her name in cursive- so Abby, of course, has to be able to also!)

2. A self portrait at the dining room table drawing. Note the chandelier~(not spider)! I liked this because the face looks really cartoon-y.

3. C-O-L-B-Y (looks like C-O-L-8-F but this is how he is writing his name write now). And a little bit less anatomically correct than the last drawing, but more details in the hands and faces!

Interesting Developments in Colby's Drawings

2011-03-01T21:56:00.004-07:00

Colby's Latest Drawing

2010-12-10T14:58:00.001-07:00

(Sorry- it is a little hard to see. It is in pencil.)

Abby the Entreprenuer- Water Stand

2010-10-03T20:47:00.005-06:00

"WOTR" (i initially thought she had spelled it "WOTA"- yay for a Maine/Boston accent!!- but,, alas, upon closer inspection the last letter was indeed 'R')

And this sign on the desk was her way of writing "25 cents".

She actually did sell all but one of the bottles. However- she did not end up charging the $52 as written on the sign.

Abby's Artwork

2010-09-17T11:23:00.004-06:00

We recently (finally) bought a wireless scanner/color copier/photo printer/fax thingamajig. We love it! I can scan something to any of the 3 computers in the house. It is magic.

Here are some fairly recent pictures that Abby has drawn.

Garfield

Our Family with our bikes in a bike rack.

I think she is playing baseball in this one. I love the flowers.

Fall Schedules

2010-09-06T15:14:00.003-06:00

Life is a bit different with a kid in school! This is what we Hansens are up to:

8:45a M-F Abby catches the bus (right outside the front door!)
3:50p M-F Abby arrives back home.

Tues 9:15-10a Colby & I go to a "mom & tot" sports class at the community center.
Weds 10:30-11:00 Colby has a swim class at DuPage Swimming Center.
Thurs4:30-5:30 Abby has a tumbling/gymnastics class at the community center. Colby & I go to the attached library while she is in class.

We used to do a church playgroup on Weds mornings- but won't be doing that while Colby is in swimming lessons.

Cuyler spends every other week in Toronto for work.

As for me- I think I need to figure out something fun for me to do too! Yoga? Biking? I'm looking for some suggestions for "me" time. Not scrapbooking. Maybe baking?

Abby's first day of Kindergarten

2010-08-25T21:07:00.006-06:00

We had lots of fun getting Abby ready for school this year. Starting off a month ago with her very first eye exam with Dr. Gail May. She came out of that appointment wanting to for sure be an eye doctor when she grows up. The staff there was really good with kids. Next came her kindergarten doctors exam on Sunday with a brand new doc we've never met. Turns out Dr. Sunder at Naperville Pediatrics was great and the office staff was sweet. But 4 shots and a finger poke blood draw made for a teary child. She was very proud of herself after all was said and done. She wore those 5 bandaids like badges of honor.

We met with abby's teacher for an hour on Tuesday. Mrs. Paula Loret De Mola is her name. when the teacher was sone speaking to the kids and parents she asked if anyone had any questions. Abby immediately raised her hand and said, "Ummmmmm. Ummmmmm. Ummm. I am going to go to college." That was great said Mrs. L who then asked if ABby could tie her shoes yet. Abby said no. Teacher said- Well I'll help you learn that and a few other things and then you can go off to college, get married, and all that." It was funny.

Here are some pictures of the night before school hot fudge sunday party and getting on the bus. Colby had to participate so he had on a backpack and waited for the bus with her. Later in the day he asked me if I missed Abby. I said "Yah. I do" thinking it was observant of him to ask that. I asked him if he missed abby too. "No. I happy" and his smile showed it.

Chicago Pictures

2010-07-06T19:44:00.002-06:00

We had a fun visit to the city last weekend! Here is a quick slideshow of some of the pictures.

Proof

2010-06-24T18:40:00.007-06:00

Pictures from the move:

Newest Illinois Residents

2010-06-12T11:13:00.003-06:00

We are officially here. We will be unloading the moving van today.

It is raining a ton today! If you know me you know how I feel about that!

Trip Update

2010-06-11T01:00:00.002-06:00

Tonight our caravan has stopped in Omaha, Nebraska. We are back on schedule after a trip to the ER with Colby 2 hours before we were supposed to pullout of Provo with the moving van and head to meet up with Cuyler who is already there.

He, of course, needed stitches near his eye. He was a fighter so we put him under for the stitching. that was kinda od scary for me- but he came out fine.

More info and maybe pictures later.

I MISS EVERYONE IN UTAH! ! This has been so hard to leave you all.

Moab

2010-05-16T23:08:00.009-06:00

We took a trip to Moab recently. It was so great. We rented a little 'log cabin' from a place just outside Arches National Park. http://moabvalleyrv.com/ The kids LOVED the whole adventure & slept most of the 3.5 hour drive down (and back). Abby got really car sick 5 minutes from our final destination. She has a reputation for doing this.

We squeezed a lot into a short trip; a car tour of the whole park, hiking, picnic lunch & dinner, swimming at our "resort", offroading, driving through hail & 37 degree weather (it had been 77 the day before), meeting new friends from all over the world on the trail, sandcastle building, hot tubbing, carrying tired kids, and TONS of beautiful rock arches & scenery. Oh, and lots of red sand in the car and even in our teeth.

To Arches National Park in southern Utah: We will miss you!

We are moving to CHICAGO!

2010-04-17T22:57:00.004-06:00

The Hansens are moving to Chicago! Cuyler got a GREAT job with IBM (in the Sears Tower) and will be starting in May. We will miss Utah , but are sooooo excited about a new adventure. We haven't told the kids yet- so don't mention it to them at this point.

GOT IT!

2010-03-18T21:09:00.002-06:00

So I got my wish for rain. It rained a bit tonight. Mere sprinkles, but better than nothing!

St Patricks Day Wish

2010-03-16T16:43:00.007-06:00

I am hoping that since I am Irish I will be granted a wish tomorrow from a magic leprechaun.

Money?
New job (for Cuyler)?
Clean House?

I think I would wish to be in shape (a.k.a - thin).

My second wish is that April Showers come in March. I'd love some rain.

Done Hibernating

2010-03-08T20:24:00.003-07:00

I think I went into hibernation this winter. Is it really already mid-March? Yikes. Sorry!

Surprise pre-Christmas Visit

2009-12-06T12:14:00.002-07:00

On Monday we booked 3 plane tickets for the kids & I to fly to NH on Tuesday. Talk about spontaneous. I called and told my mom she was getting an early Christmas present- US! We have had a really fun trip- doing all the Christmas stuff early:

decorated gingerbread men
have been reading Christmas books every night before bed
watched Miracle on 34th Street
built a snowman (it snowed for us on Saturday)
put the white Christmas lights on the house
making hot cocoa

We hit the local theater production "White Christmas", which was very entertaining. At the end they shot out fake snow over the audience and Abby loved it- she jumped out into the aisle and started spinning around in it. She stuck out her tongue to catch the "flakes" (which were tiny bubbles so we had to whisper- no no- its soap!). Colby did not like it at all. He got really mad and pulled his jacket hood over his head to protect himself. We were laughing so hard at their total opposite reactions. You really had to be there.

Anyway- it has been a great little break from the routine and a surprise to be able to see my family at Christmas. Here are some pics of the kids decorating cookies.

Kids on Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T17:40:00.002-07:00

I'm not crazy!

2009-11-19T13:16:00.003-07:00

So I'm not crazy! (see previous post) Check out the link below. This is what I saw that freaked me out:

ksl.com - Meteor lights up early morning sky, alarms Utahns

Legs and hands were shaking when I saw it. I guess it wasn't an alien invasion.

Holy Crap

2009-11-18T00:56:00.007-07:00

It is 1 am and I cannot fall asleep.

I have major insomnia. All the time. Diagnosed. On medication (Ambien). Need it every night.

I took the last pill in the bottle last night. I called and refilled it but forgot to pick it up today. This is where the story gets creepy.

Tonight I have no meds and can't fall asleep. So I watch a recorded episode of House. Sometime if I watch a show that's DVRed I can fall asleep because I know I can finish it tomorrow and don't have to stay up to see the end. You know what I mean? So by that time its 11:30 and I am still not tired. We have a pretty large window in the livingroom that I can see out of when I am watching TV. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WHOLE SKY LIGHTS UP AND I CAN SEE EVERYTHING OUTSIDE- MOUNTAINS, SKY, NEIGHBORHOOD. Like a major lightning flash. But it wasn't. No clouds. So I am freaked out and go to get Cuyler and see what he thinks. (He is, of course, extremely helpful.) I am thinking "UFO? meteor? 2nd Coming?, etc. I stared out at the sky for like 15 minutes straight with no sign of danger. (I did see a car drive by really slow and stop down the street where there is no stop sign. I think he saw the flash too and was out investigating.) After an hour+ in my room with Cuyler on guard with me (ZzzzzZzzZzzz) I decided it was safe and I still can't sleep- even more so than normal obviously- so I just went back out to the couch to finish that episode of House.

I rewind the show to the point during which I ran out of the room and this is what was playing. No kidding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oboklt7rW0o

Kinda creepy, right?

Catching Up

2009-11-08T20:18:00.002-07:00

Princess Abby

Hallowween was fun. Colby had a stong aversion to wearing the spiderman custume, so we just went with pants and a red shirt. Sometime he would wear his red rubber boots so that was sort of like a costume, right?? Also we tried these glasses as an impression of Norman. Did he pull it off?

Abby was planning all month to be a princess. How ever on Hallowwen day as we were getting ready she decided she really just wanted to be a pirate with a hat, an eye patch, a parrot and a wooden leg. After strong persuation ("yes you can use mom's REAL makeup), we walked out the front door as a princess. Trick or treating was a blast for them and Colby does not let anyone friend or foe or parentcome anywhere close to the tight grip hr has ont his treat bag.

So thats that.

SOOOO Awesome

2009-11-04T09:48:00.001-07:00

We've Been "BOO"ed!

2009-10-07T15:26:00.003-06:00

Someone "BOO"ed us on Monday night. The kids loved it. So we are passing along the fun tonight.

(Brownies in a cupcake tin.)

October is so much fun!!!

Colby is 2!

2009-09-28T22:19:00.003-06:00

Colby turned 2 on Friday. He looks excited about it, doesn't he??!!

Lucky Charms

2009-09-19T18:22:00.004-06:00

Do you have anything you consider your 'lucky charm'?

I'm not really sure I do. If I did it would be something teeny tiny I could hide in the palm of my hand. Like a dime from 1974 or something.

Busy Week?

2009-09-08T14:33:00.009-06:00

A few days ago a friend asked me what we had done last week and for the life of me I couldn't recall a single thing. My memory is really getting poor. We actually did do a lot of stuff. But I only know that because I can look back through my day planner and camera pictures!

Trip to the dentist for both kids.

Hosted a church playgroup & went to a neighborhood playgroup.

Had Addie over a couple times!

Back to School Nite @ Brilliant Beginnings.

Preschool Open House- new toy!

Colby has fun at the Open House too.

Haircut- finally.

Big Trucks

2009-09-01T13:37:00.007-06:00

Colby loves cars and trucks. Cuyler brought us all up to the open pit copper mine near Salt Lake last week so Colby could see some really big trucks. Colbs was indeed wide-eyed very excited. We watched some of the hugest dump trucks hauling loads of rocks and he was saying "big trucks" over and over.

Here is some info we learned while we were at the visitor center there:

Kennecott Utah Copper Mine has produced more copper than any mine in history- about 18.1 million tons.

The mine is 2 3/4 miles across at the top and 3/4 of a mile deep. You could stack 2 Sears Towers on top of each other and still not reach the top of the mine.
The mine is so big it can be seen by astronauts in space.

The largest electric shovel can scoop up 98 tons of material in a single bite.(~50 cars)

To make all the pennies, nickels, dimes & quarters in 1999, the US Mint used about 36,000 tons of copper. That amount of refined copper would take 41 days to produce at Kennecott Utah Copper.

In front of a dump truck tire.

There are three dump trucks in a row here drving up the hill and then you can see a fourth one down a bit further. Behind that fourth one is a white truck right at the corner. That white truck is a normal sized vehicle. These dump trucks were MONSTERS!

A 'tired' Colby. Ha ha.

There was a museum too with tons of model trucks.

It was a fun trip!

Sweet!

2009-08-27T19:24:00.002-06:00

Abby has a new favorite song!

Flu has us down and out

2009-08-24T23:51:00.002-06:00

Colby got hit with a bad stomach flu on Friday. Abby got it on Saturday. I got it on Sunday. Cuyler was out of town when it hit me so I was on my own here fighting the battles. Luckily my spell was overnight so I didn't have to deal with the kids while being DEATHLY ILL. The flu is the worst. Time goes by so slowly.

Cuyler was on an interview in TX and it did hit him at about 3 am the night before his interview. He went through with it. Brave guy.

Hopefully we will be in the clear from here on out. It was absolute misery.

BYU Education Week

2009-08-21T20:52:00.004-06:00

This week I paid $31 to BYU in order to attend their annual "Education Week". It was amazing. It was sooooo hard to decide which classes/lectures/workshops to attend. They had thousands of choices. Well, these are the some of the classes I picked:

MALE & FEMALE CREATED HE THEM: Understanding, Honoring & Bridging Gender Differences (Communication)

PARENTING WITH LOVE & LAUGHTER: The Power of Praise

THE CHARACTERISTICS & ATTRIBUTES OF GOD: Jospeh Smith's Lectures on Faith, #3&4

YOU HAVE A MISSION TO PERFORM ON EARTH- DISCOVER IT!: Discovering Your Unique Gifts, Talents & Capabilities

SEASONED TO PERFECTION: Keeping the Sabbath Day "Wholly"

PARENTING 101: Teaching Responsibility

BECOMING AN ELECT LADY: A Woman as a Mother

THE ULTIMATE CAREER- THE ART OF HOMEMAKING TODAY: It's Time for a Tune Up- Finding Joy, Peace & Strength (this one was my favorite)

and i went to a few others.

There were tons of other subjects to take classes in- Book of Mormon, mental/emotional health, budgeting, music, provident living, geneology, pioneers, scriptures, job hunting, etc. But I went to the ones that really seem to apply to me in my life right now. It was really fun to be a student again.

A HUGE THANK YOU to Cuyler who was able to watch the kids all week while I was on campus.

Maine: The Way Life Should Be

2009-08-09T21:10:00.007-06:00

There is a big sign when you cross the border from N.H. into Maine:

It is soooooooo true.

Cuyler, Abby, Colby & I made a quick trip up the Maine Coast this weekend to visit some relatives. They live in such a beautiful spot- right next to Acadia National Park. The weather was gorgeous and we did a ton of stuff in the short time we were there. One of the best things was when a neighbor called and said she had a ton of wild blueberries that were perfect for the pickin'. So we grabbed some baskets and tupperware and walked on over. The kids loved it. There were so many blueberries. Colby probably ate at least a pint straight from the bushes and from our baskets.

Abby snacking.

Cousin Brian shows Abby the techniques he

learned while he picked blueberries for a summer

job growing up.

Look at them all- totally wild - it was a HUGE field.

Colby snacks.

We also made the trek up Cadillac Mountain. What a view from up there!

Building site of our future home?

Colby stops running for a few seconds.

Move to NH?

2009-08-05T12:08:00.002-06:00

Cuyler is looking for a new job. We are hoping to relocate somewhere where the climate is a bit wetter than Utah's. I really love the rain. So we have been enjoying the weather here at my parents.

Until today. It is so humid. Mosquitos are everywhere. Get me outta here!

Still on vacation

2009-08-04T13:11:00.002-06:00

We are still out of town. Today is day #31 or 32, I think. Our week at the Cape is sadly over, but we are having fun in NH at my parents' house. Here are some pictures from the past couple of weeks.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

JANE MAYNARD IS MY SISTER-IN-LAW!

2009-07-22T16:17:00.003-06:00

I have the greatest sister-in-law. She is super talented. This week she is co-hosting a HUGE mommy blog conference in Chicago. I can't wait to hear all about it!

Check out the bloggers and their sites:

http://www.socialluxelounge.com/hostesses/

Tons of fun ones.

Visit to Portland

2009-07-16T01:51:00.005-06:00

Since we are out here on vacation in the Northwest- we took a day and drove down to Portland (sans children) and dropped in on my little brother Jake. His house is really nice. Cute, clean, interesteing, welcoming, sweet neighbors, impressive vegetable garden, etc. It was fun to see where he lives his life. We grabbed some terrific sandwiches from East Side Deli and took them over the river to the Rose Garden. We toured around that and found a few of our favorite smelling roses. Some were actually gross. But some were heavenly. Ate our picnic lunch and headed south of Portland to lay our eyes on the beautiul Portland LDS Temple. Then returned home to visit on the comfy couches on his big front poarch. Jake took off to work at 4 and Mary chauferred us to the local Trader Joe's. *hallelujah*

East Side Deli- delicious!

Rose Garden in Rose City

We had a beautiful day. Could even see Mt. Hood in the distance.

The Portland Temple is pretty. This is where my friends Allison & Jason got sealed so many years ago...

On the way out of town we had to hit the TJs and get some supplies to take back to Provo- some Tikki Masala Simmer sauce, cocoa covered almonds, etc. etc.

Anyway- Jake & Mary are doing so well. So happy. It was such a treat to see them.

Hi from Seattle

2009-07-09T18:29:00.005-06:00

We have been in Seattle since last Saturday. We are up visiting Cuyler's family. I hope we are missing some hot Utah weather. It is really beautiful here.

SPARK

2009-06-18T09:56:00.004-06:00

Cuyler & I went out on a dinner date on Tuesday night. We ended up at SPARK, which is a newer restaurant in downtown Provo. It was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. The food was beyond heavenly. I am not sure who their chef is or where they got him/her, but I can't wait to go back and eat there again. Wow.

Atmosphere was cool, service was superb, food was unbeatable.

I had been having the worst day ever. I was so crabby, tired, sore, depressed, short tempered, mad at someone, & frustated with something. But my experience at SPARK turned everything around. That food has a magical healing power.

SPARK

WORTH EVERY PENNY

Pioneer Trek

2009-06-11T22:28:00.009-06:00

Cuyler and I just got back from a 3-day trip to Wyoming. We went with 200 teenagers to the Martin's Cove area to reenact a pioneer trek, complete with 15 mile days, handcarts, pioneer costumes, tents and campfires, no electronics (besides a camera), wading through rivers, rattlesnakes, blisters, cow patties in the middle of the trail to dodge, & an occasional downpour. It was a lot of fun. We were the "Ma" & "Pa" to a small group of 8 kids we called our "family". We got some really good fun strong kids in our group.
I was blessed to gain a really strong testimony of pioneers- their sacrifices unto even death never made much sense to me. I knew they were following the prophet, but I was never really sure, had I been asked to sell everything I owned and walk from Illinois or Iowa all the way to Salt Lake City, if I would have gone. But after this trip I learned why these families were risking so much to go West. They wanted the blessings of the Temple. Mormons believe that families can participate in a sacred temple ordinance which will bind that family together for eternity, not just while living on earth. Having a husband & two kids I know why these moms and dads brought their families to Salt Lake City- to be sealed together as an eternal family. Just like they did, I would do anything for my family. Even walk through 18 inches of snow pulling a handcart and receiving tiny rations of food from October to December. I would do it. Now I know. The landscape was breathtaking and there was an amazing sense of history there. A strong spirit. Really strong.

Let's head west!

Somber Pioneers

Family Handcart- H for Hansens

Ma & Pa Hansen

Just after crossing the Sweetwater River

Going Home

Career Goals

2009-06-06T10:29:00.004-06:00

Last night Abby and I were chillin' on my bed. I was feeling somewhat emotional about her growing up so fast and being so smart and capable. I asked her what she wants to be when she grows up. She said, "A gorilla".

We started laughing.

Love this kid.

Preschool Graduation

2009-05-21T14:55:00.002-06:00

Abby went to the best preschool in the country this past school year. The teacher had the CUTEST graduation program last night. Very official & so dang adorable. I think I was crying before the ceremony even began.

Anyway, I totally feel like summer vacation is here now. We even ran around in the sprinklers today.

MIA

2009-05-04T21:24:00.003-06:00

I haven't posted anything on this blog in over a month. I can't believe that. The reason may be that in order to get on the internet I have to stand in my closet where my desktop is crammed right now. The laptop fell on the floor a little while back and was unrepairable. We were able to get all the information/files off of it which I am grateful for. But I am waiting for a time when I feel particularly rich before I buy another expensive electronic device to which my children are inexplicably attracted to like magnets. So who knows when that will happen.
In the mean time, I am enjoying my spare time doing things other than surfing the net. I have been outside more, reading more magazines & even some books, visiting more friends & neighbors, catching up on 'DVR'ed House reruns and falling in love with The Mentalist. It has been great weather - cool temps - some rain - and so I have nothing to complain about there. I am on medication that makes me pretty tired, so I will plan on having a pretty relaxed summer sitting on the back patio watching the kids and their friends play in our new treehouse/swingset thing. I will probably be sitting in the ghetto camping chairs again this year. An outdoor dining table & chairs is still a little bit low on the list of "to do" around here. I think we will work on some landscaping first so that we actually have something nice to look at while we lounge.

Moms Should Not Nap

2009-03-30T10:18:00.003-06:00

Proof that moms should not doze off while the kids are awake:

The Latest

2009-03-21T17:30:00.002-06:00

We have recently decided that we need to totally fence in our backyard because Colby has been coming "this close" to running to the end of the block before I can catch him. Yes- I am running full speed. We started the project today and, like every home improvement ever attempted, it is off to a much slower start than we had planned. Luckily we have great neighbors who lend us tools, advice, & sympathy (but not much in the labor department). :)

We don't have a dog- but isn't this a funny idea for a fence? A dog porthole/window:

Girl Scout Cookies

2009-03-03T15:52:00.005-07:00

No one knocked on our door this year selling Girl Scout Cookies. Or last year. Or the year before. It's like you have to know someone on the "inside" to get them anymore.

Big Belly

2009-02-16T16:39:00.003-07:00

This is a post about Colby- not me. I know what you were thinking. Although I have seen slimmer days...

Take a look at this sucker. What a huge tummy! It always looks like this. He probably hadn't even had supper when I took these. Nor was he constipated! It is just full of stuff- who knows what.

How come it's so cute on little kids?

Valentines' Day

2009-02-05T21:38:00.004-07:00

Today I casually asked Cuyler what did he think we should do this year for Valentines' Day. He replied, "Oh, crap." He is either hiding a big surprise and trying to throw me off- OR we have officially become old fuddy-duds. Because frankly, I, too, would rather go out to eat with him and a few of our friends than do something creepily romantic.

But we are still in love! Promise!

Sara's Visit

2009-01-24T17:16:00.010-07:00

Cousin Sara came to visit a couple of weeks ago. We had a blast as you will see from these pictures...

Newest Utah Jazz fan.

Front row seats at Jazz vs. Warriors, thanks to Cuyler's work.

In town for Colby's mullet removal party.

Watching cliff-divers at Mayan Adventure restaurant.

At Build-a-Bear as Abby attends her very first Friend B-day Party.

Oh yah. Daddy's French.

Twin Russian Aviator Hats (shopkas)

Abby's First Skating Lesson

The Crazy Trio

Chocoholics

Sara's Temple Goatee

Too tired to think.

Skating Lessons

Where are you now?

High Five Lessons

The Engagement

2009-01-15T22:22:00.004-07:00

CONGRATS LITTLE SIS!

engagement photos of the future Mrs. Norman Nelson

Hannah is engaged! I am thrilled!

It was a romantic New Years formal propsal on a beach in the Bahamas.

Hannah & I were talking about how she remembers thinking that I was soooo old when I got engaged. She is the same age I was - 27. Funny. I wish that I lived closer and that I could help her plan her wedding and do some of the stressful legwork involved.

It will be a great wedding but an even better marriage. We love this girl and her new guy.

Happy

2009-01-05T14:15:00.003-07:00

On a happiness scale of 1 to 10, today I am at about an 8.5. Cousin SB (from Maine) is in town for a visit and she always brightens up my life. Abs loves her to pieces. When Abby's happy- I'm happy.

Other great things about today have been:

we are getting some beautiful fluffy snow

got to drive my car
paid off my late fees at the library
church was good yesterday and i am still "feelin' it"
kids are both snoozing

Colbs is probably the reason I am not rating today a 9.5 out of 10. He has fallen down 3 times in the last 24 hours and his lip is really swollen/bloody and I feel bad for the little guy. He is not typically clumsy, but is just starting to run and I don't think his little feet can keep up with the momentum that running gives that huge noggin of his.

The last .5 that would make today a perfect 10 has got to be the dishes in the sink.

But it is only 2:30 in the afternoon. Things could go either up or down from here. I am guessing they will go up since I am heading in to take a nap myself.

UPS

2008-12-30T09:34:00.002-07:00

I am really mad at UPS right now. Last Monday I mailed two packages to the Northwest (one to Seattle and one to Portland). I paid for 2nd-Day Air- which was an arm and a leg. The packages were supposed to arrive on the 24th. Every day I get an email from UPS saying the weather conditions in those areas have prohibited delivery of my packages:

12/29/2008 8:18:00 PM EMERGENCY CONDITIONS BEYOND UPS' CONTROL
12/29/2008 8:18:00 PM LOCATION SCAN PACIFIC, WA US
12/29/2008 9:35:00 AM OUT FOR DELIVERY PACIFIC, WA US
12/29/2008 2:00:00 AM ARRIVAL SCAN PACIFIC, WA US
12/29/2008 1:12:00 AM DEPARTURE SCAN SEATTLE, WA US
12/29/2008 12:10:00 AM ARRIVAL SCAN SEATTLE, WA US
12/28/2008 7:00:00 PM DEPARTURE SCAN HERMISTON, OR US
12/26/2008 3:30:00 PM ARRIVAL SCAN HERMISTON, OR US
12/26/2008 3:28:00 AM DEPARTURE SCAN SALT LAKE CITY, UT US
12/24/2008 7:00:00 AM ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS REDMOND, WA US
12/23/2008 2:04:00 AM LOCATION SCAN SALT LAKE CITY, UT US
12/23/2008 1:44:00 AM UNLOAD SCAN SALT LAKE CITY, UT US
12/23/2008 12:48:00 AM ARRIVAL SCAN SALT LAKE CITY, UT US
12/22/2008 10:54:00 PM DEPARTURE SCAN OREM, UT US
12/22/2008 9:21:00 PM ORIGIN SCAN OREM, UT US
12/22/2008 6:50:00 PM PICKUP SCAN OREM, UT US
12/22/2008 9:17:00 PM BILLING INFORMATION RECEIVED US

The Google weather report for the area says "34 degrees. mostly cloudy". Doesnt sound like a blizzard to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The US post office and Fed Ex would have deilvered by now I am sure! Next Christmas UPS will definitely not get my $400. I will buy the plane tickets and hand deliver the gifts. Or walk. I am sure I could get there faster on foot!

"I want my $2.00!" -Better Off Dead, the movie

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas...

2008-12-22T11:43:00.005-07:00

...which I am pretty sure we will have! It has snowed here quite a bit in the last week. It is coming down pretty good right now.

I love my new "snowmobile" (the Land Rover). If I wanted to, I could drive up to Snowbird and back in a blizzard and ice storm in 15 minutes flat. (might be a slight overstatement of the facts)

So don't worry about us in this Winter Wonderland they call Utah!

THANKS NATE & JANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quaker Oats Man

2008-12-15T13:57:00.004-07:00

Colby barely eats anything- so when he likes something we just let him get into it!

myFace

2008-12-11T17:14:00.003-07:00

Well, Cuyler talked me into signing up for a Facebook account. I was very skeptical initially because I know so much weird stuff goes on on MySpace and I kinda thought they were basically the same thing. But Facebook is very cool. It is yet another thing to keep updating (along with the blog & two myFamily.com sites). So I am on the computer and neglecting my children even more than before. :)

Anyway- I occasionally call it "myFace" by accident. I guess that fact will be funny to some and confusing to others.

Christmas Pictures

2008-12-04T05:13:00.001-07:00

Kissing the Face of God

Last year someone gave us a Christmas card with this picture on it. Colby was 2 months old- still just brand new- and I thought the Baby looked a lot like my little guy. (Especially if you flip it upside down- weird.) It quickly became my new favorite depiction of Mary and Baby Jesus.

The artist, Moran Weistling says:
"It is an image that we have seen depicted many times, but never simply as a mother and her child with real tenderness. I started to contemplate the awesome privilege that Mary was given, being able to hold God in her arms, but also keeping in mind that He was still her baby. This cute little child whom she bore was also God in the flesh. And yet, she cuddled and kissed Him, just as all mothers do with their babies."

Anyway- it is beautiful.

Christmas Music

2008-12-03T10:42:00.006-07:00

My favorite Christmas carol for the last few years has been an arrangement on piano by Liz Story of Once in Royal David's City.

Seven years ago or so, my little brother Jacob gave me the Windham Hill Christmas CD called "The Carols of Christmas II" that my favorite version is on. I am always excited to pull this particular CD out at Christmas time.

The Christmas of 2004 I was expecting Abby and realized that I was feeling perhaps a tiny portion of what the pregnant Mother Mary must have been feeling close to the time she was to give birth to her Child. That Christmas, and each Christmas since, carols about the bond between this Mother and her Child have been even more meaningful.

Once in royal David's city,
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby
In a manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.

Here is my favorite version: (if the Rhapsody site asks you to join- click no- you should be able to listen to it for free with no problems.)

http://www.rhapsody.com/player?type=track&id=tra.1689107&remote=false&page=&pageregion=&guid=&from=&hasrhapx=false&__pcode=

Christmas Cookies

2008-12-02T16:55:00.004-07:00

Cuyler is super ramped-up for Christmas this year. He got the decorations out of the shed this past Saturday, which may be a record for us. We will probably wait a couple of weeks to get the tree because Colby is an octopus and a monkey right now.

Cuyler made some sugar cookie dough from scratch on Sunday and we baked them up and whipped up some frosting last night. Abby had a lot of fun and Colby looked like an artist with all the green and red on his hands & in his hair.

Abby recently wrote her first letter to Santa. Her "wish list" is drawn instead of written, but she did write "DEAR SANTA" and she signed it at the bottom. She was concerned that when we mail it the mailman will not know exactly who it is for. I think it will make it to the North Pole somehow.

Finishing Up "Thankful For"s

2008-11-29T21:03:00.003-07:00

I guess I took a few days off of my "Thankful For" list. But I have been more aware of appreciating the good things about life. So to catch up-

Thursday: I am thankful for those cozy days when it rains. Rain lifts my spirits for some reason.

Friday: I am thankful for the women that I have learned life lessons from: Lisa Crockett, Lonnie Blackwell, my mom & grandmoms & great-grandmoms, sisters, sisters-in-law, Linda Olore, Adrienne, Alison, Lynn Morgan, Christa, Rachel, Ms. Tutak, Liz Kennan, & Abby.

Saturday: I am thankful that Cuyler took care of the kids and the house while I took a nice Saturday morning nap from 9:30 to 11:00 today.

Week of "Thankful for"s...

2008-11-26T20:27:00.002-07:00

Wednesday-

I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for our safety, our warm home, & our health.

Tuesday's "Thankful for"

2008-11-25T13:02:00.004-07:00

I have a terrific therapist who helps me "figure myself out". I met with her this morning and I am refuelled with confidence in myself & acceptance of who I am (and who I'm not) for the 2 weeks until our next session. :)

I am thankful for Dr. Harding and her gifts of listening & helping. I am thankful for health insurance that covers the costs!

Week of "Thankful for"s...

2008-11-24T15:28:00.006-07:00

Monday:

I'm thankful for...

...Cuyler being home! He was on a crazy crazy trip for work last week. He hit 5 countries in 5 days. Day 1 was a two-hour flight to San Fran, followed immediately by a fifteen-hour flight to Hong Kong. Then Day 2-Bangkok, Thailand; Day 3- Shanghai, China; Day 4-Taipei, Taiwan; Day 5-Toyko, Japan. Then home. Poor guy.

Anyway- we missed him and we are glad he is home! He works very hard so that I can stay home with the kids and I am grateful for that.

Cereal

2008-11-17T16:15:00.004-07:00

Top 3 best cereals ever:

3- Corn Pops
2- Quaker Natural Granola
1- Sugar Smacks (recently renamed Honey Smacks for obvious reasons)

Funny Talk

2008-11-05T19:50:00.002-07:00

This morning while Abby was watching TV a commercial for some mail-order toy came on. She watched it (I was in the room too- laying on the couch with the stomach flu) and at the end it said, "Must be 18 to order. Call with your credit card now" or something like that. She turned around to me from her chair and said, "You have a credit card, right?" So she was all set to order whatever it was because, yes, Abby, I have a credit card.

Tonight we were going over some of the papers she brought home from school. One of them was a workbook page of a bunch of pictures all starting with the letter "g", which they studied last week. I would point to a picture and she'd tell me what it was. It was kind of hard for her. Anyway, I pointed to the picture of a "girl"-

Abby: "Barbie".
Mom: "No, Abs, 'Barbie' does not start with 'g'. That's a "girl".
Abs: "Ohhhhhhhhhh."

Darn those McDonald's Happy Meals!

Halloween Pics

2008-11-02T17:07:00.005-07:00

We had a pretty busy but fun Halloween. Abby's preschool party was on Weds. She put on her costume but on the car ride to school she told me she didn't want to wear it and started to cry when she was getting out of the car. I tried everything to get her to wear it but she was too shy I think. She saw everyone else in costume and was's scared or anything- just nervous about wearing it at school. I even told her I'd go home and bring back her princess dress-ups if she wanted that instead, but she didn't want any costume at all. Bummer. Luckily she had shorts and a t-shirt underneath. Her teacher said Abby had a really good time and participated in all the fun games, etc going on at school. So I was happy to hear that.

Luckily things really did get better from there. Here are some pics:

The golfer on his golf cart (the golf cart was not part of the costume- he just wouldn't get off of it for the pictures)

Trick or treating downtown with friends Brandon & Katelyn.

A downtown day spa painted fingernails as their "treat". Abs chose black for the right hand and orange for the left.

Cuyler's work always has a HUGE party. Here we are with some family and friends (I was a boxer. Maybe you can see my black eye.)

Abby in front of the refrigerator showing her drinks for the class party. We disguises juiceboxes as pumpkins and with stickers.

Abby made this hat in preschool. It has really bouncy legs.

Fairy Godmother

2008-10-25T11:54:00.003-06:00

Abby just watched Cinderella for the first time a few weeks ago. We have read the story a ton but just never see the Disney movie. Here is Abby doing her version of one of the songs.

Funny Poem

2008-10-23T15:51:00.005-06:00

Written from the perspective of a father-

Our Son

by Edgar A. Guest

He's supposed to be our son, our hope and our pride,

In him all the dreams of our future abide,

But whenever some act to his credit occurs

I never am mentioned, the glory is hers,

And whenever he's bad or has strayed from the line,

Then always she speaks of the rascal as mine.

When trouble has come she will soberly say:

"Do you know what your son has been up to today?

Your son spilled the ink on the living-room floor!

Your son broke the glass in the dining-room door!

I am telling you now something has to be done,

It is high time you started correcting your son!"

But when to the neighbors she boasts of his worth,

It is: "My son's the best little boy on the earth!"

Accuse him of mischief, she'll just floor you flat

With: "My son, I'm certain, would never do that!

Of course there are times when he's willfully bad

But then it's that temper he gets from his dad!"

Gary Coleman Siting

2008-10-17T09:42:00.004-06:00

Cuyler and I were shopping for pumpkins and a few other items at a local grocery store around noon on Wednesday. As we were pushing the cart from the check-out towards the door we saw Gary Coleman leaving the self check line with one shopping bag. It was definitely him. Cuyler & I gave each other the look you give someone when you see a famous person and don't really know what to do. We saw him get into his car- small black Saturn sportscar, which was parked in a space designated as "handicapped".

I had heard a rumor a few years ago that he lived in Utah now. I guess it's true. He was in an LDS film called "Church Ball" and must have fallen in love with Utah culture while he was here. Ha ha ha.

Anyway, we really truly saw him. I can add that to my long list of celebrity sitings- which is:

1) Rod Stuart

We have a Walker

2008-10-12T18:24:00.008-06:00

I think all those "in the know" have heard from me about Colby's walking skills. He is a little boy now. I never even posted any videos of him learning to crawl a couple of months ago. Well, now he is an expert walker (almost). Enjoy some clips:

Oh- and he dances too:

Toilet Trouble

2008-10-10T13:46:00.003-06:00

We have had some toilet trouble lately. One of the main problems is Colby's interest in it. (Our friend Mike will really be grossed out by this!) If we leave the bathroom door open by accident Colby heads towards the toilet like a fly to cow poop. (No pun intended...)

This picture may leave you wondering, "Does this obsession run in the family?" Yes. Abby (and Mckenna) once emptied a huge bag of Cheetos into this very same toilet. I will see if I can track that picture down. I know, I know- All kids go through this phase.

Birthday Boy

2008-09-27T15:19:00.008-06:00

Colby had a great birthday celebration. He turned 1 on Thursday. We took a drive up to Sundance and into the aspens up above it and came home for some cake & presents.

Here are some of the events of the last few days:

Fun present from Cousin Jason

Excited at 12 month check up w/ Dr. Adams
(90th% for weight & 95th% for height)

Standing Tall!

On Top of Ol' Smokey

Birthday Smile

Family Fun on B-day #1

Cute!

Cuter!

Happy Birthday to me!

Don't look so excited, Colby!

Donut Dude

2008-09-14T17:49:00.002-06:00

A few weeks ago I had a vivid dream about Colby. He was sitting on our kitchen floor looking up at me. I was babbling and doing "baby talk" with him. All of a sudden he said "donut" very slowly and divided out into the two different syllables. "Do-nut" he said again. In the dream I yelled down the hall, "Colby just said his very first word! It was doughnut!"

That's all I remember. And if you know our family at all you will see the irony and the prophetic nature of this dream- or shall I say vision.

Movie Mania

2008-09-14T17:06:00.002-06:00

The last post about Abby having memorized much of the Jack Black the movie "Nacho Libre" made me realize how much she loves watching DVDs. She can open the case, put the disc in the player, turn the television from TV to DVD mode and push play when the opening menu pulls up. Post a comment with your guess of the number of movies and whoever is the closest will get a prize!

XOXO

2008-09-12T10:08:00.003-06:00

So this morning Abby is walking around getting some stuff together for her imaginary tea party. I hear her saying "Kees Kees. Hug Hug. Kees Kees. Hug Hug. Big Kees. Leetle Kees. Leetle Hug.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CYPXFD7CcM

I guess she has watched Nacho Libre a few too many times!

Lesson Learned

2008-08-30T08:39:00.012-06:00

Colby (at age 6 months) & Mom

Abby (at age 18 months) & Mom

This week a piece of sand scratched my eye. I had to go see the eye doctor and everything. So I had to take out my contacts and use my glasses for a couple of days. I haven't worn my glasses for about 3 years because the contacts I wear are "Night & Day" contacts, which means I wear them for one entire month (even when I am sleeping) and then I switch into a new pair as soon as I take out the old pair. I am blind as a bat so the night/day thing is extremely convenient especially with a nursing baby. I could actually see where I was going etc. when going to feed the baby in the middle of the night.

So because my contacts have to be so strong to help me see so far away they always make anything 3 inches or closer a little bit blurry. Not much, but a little bit. So I can't read a book
held really close to my nose. It is something I've gotten used to and totally forgot about ages ago. No big deal...until Monday night- the first evening having to wear my glasses due to the "injury".

Colby is my 11 month old. He is adorable: pudgy cheeks, button nose, dark eyelashes, 8 little white teeth taking up the front portion of his contagious smile, ears that poke out slightly more than normal, smiley eyes. You get the picture (or if you don't, see my previous entry). He was (of course) grabbing at my glasses, as all babies would. So I took my glasses off and was giving him raspberries on his neck. I could see his face. What? Without the contacts, the blurring that I had become accustomed to was gone. I'd never realized that I was missing seeing my little guy's unique details that were 50% Cuyler and 50% me. His fine strands of golden brown hair. The minute red capilarries under the skin on his cheeks. Those teeneytiny vertical lip lines. The radial patterns of black beaming out from his pupils through his beautiful big brown eyes. This was my baby.

Like a vain idiot, I went back to wearing my contacts after the 48 hours of lens-free eyeballs recommended by my eye doctor. But every once-in-a-while I will remember to take them out so I can truly "see" who my kids are.

It's Been A While

2008-08-27T21:29:00.003-06:00

Here are some new pictures for the grandmas out there!

Crazy Hair

2008-08-17T20:49:00.006-06:00

If Colby had a Navajo name it would be something that means "Crazy Hair". Juli- Can you help us with that?

What?!

2008-08-17T20:19:00.004-06:00

I don't think Abby gets this habit from my side of the family.

We're Back

2008-08-06T15:57:00.003-06:00

We had a relaxing and fun week at the beach with my side of the family. We are getting back into the swing of things here in hot and sunny Provo. Highlights of the next few weeks include:

1) Cuyler's family's reunion (which we are somewhat in charge of)

2) Getting Abby ready to start preschool at Brilliant Beginnings

3) Colby turning 11 months on Aug 25 (can't believe he is almost 1!!!)

4) Losing the 10 lbs I gained on vacation and then the 15 lbs to make pre-baby weight

5) Saying good-bye to lazy summer days and getting on the ball with all the organizing and projects to do around the house

Thanks to everyone who made last week at the Cape a BLAST.

Everybody Loves Elmo!

2008-07-22T12:20:00.001-06:00

Abby really wants these (click on "these" to see pictures) shoes. We went on a mission to the mall last week to try to find them (with no luck). We made another attempt the next day by making some phone calls to some stores. As a last resort, we thought, we called the New Balance store in SLC. Certainly the company's local store would have them, and even if it meant a 50 minute drive up there I was going to take the kids and go up there. Turned out they didn't even have them in yet. So why has New Balance been advertising them on Nickelodeon for 3 weeks now?! Anyway, we ended up ordering them online. They are expensive but CUTE! And whatAbby wants, Abby gets! Just kidding...kind of...

I will post a picture of her in them once they arrive.

STOP SHOUTING!!!

2008-07-18T22:57:00.001-06:00

With the new Google "Blog List" of favorite links, sometimes it shows the blog's latest post. Since I like to put my post titles in ALL CAPS, it looks like I am yelling at everyone. So after this post I will change, yes- change, my post titles to be in lower case. I haven't decided whether to go all lowercase or to capitalize the first letter of each word. Let me know what you think on my poll.

PAY YOUR TITHING & BE HONEST

2008-07-17T14:49:00.009-06:00

This is a long post. Bear with me or skip it if you want to! My apologies!

July could have been an expensive month for the Hansens. Well, I guess you'd consider 3 plane tickets to Boston and a 10 day summer car rental pretty darn expensive- BUT it could have been MUCH WORSE. We have had trouble with just about everything electronic that we own.

First, Colby sucked the life out of my cell phone. Literally. He put it in his mouth when I wasn't paying attention and slobbered all over the connector part. Its more than just a cellphone- it's my dayplanner, texter, sudoku player, task list, voice memo recorder, address book, holds some cute snapshot and video clips of my kids, and my lifeline to call Cuyler when I blow out two tires (yes- two different times within two weeks- what?!?!?!) on I-15 traveling 75 miles per hour, 30+ minutes from home with both kids in the backseat of my little VW Golf! (Both tires were replaced for free by the tire place we'd bought them from.) So when I took the cell to Sprint I assumed I would have to pay for a new phone on my own since it would probably be considered "water damage". I told them truthfully what had happened. When they checked for signs of water damage inside they said there was no "official" sign of it, so they were considering it a defective phone and replaced it for free! Sweet!

Okay. The camera. I love my camera. We were fortunate to be given some money to buy a nice one when our previous one was killed by my 3 year old in February. I have guarded it with my life and there are severe consequences for anyone who messes with it (hubby included!). Anyway, I was up in Bountiful, Utah checking out a place for a family reunion a few weeks back. I took some pictures up there to show to Cuyler to see if he liked the area. That night I couldn't find the camera. I checked EVERYWHERE. I thought maybe I'd left it at a playground we stopped at on the way home from Bountiful or maybe it had slipped under one of the seats in the car and since it was dark I couldn't see it. I prayed to find it. I prayed sincerely. So the next morning I did some investigating online to find out what school playground we'd stopped at. I was in a grassy soccer field while we were there so I figured the sprinklers would have destoyed it- but I still wanted to know where I'd left it and it was in a case, which might have protected it some- but I doubted it. There were two schools right near each other and so I called each one
and each person that answered had me describe where I had been, what the playground and surrounding buildings looked like, etc. - and they each told me I needed to call the other school because it didn't sound like their school! WHAT?! I was annoyed to say the least. Neither person was helpful at all! So I called the park we'd been to. Left a message. The park host called me back and asked me what kind of camera I'd lost. I figured she was going to take my information in case it was found or turned it. After I'd described it she said, "Yup- we have it! Someone turned it in yesterday!" I started jumping up & down!!! I packed up the kids and we made the 2-hour roundtrip to get it. I couldn't believe it. So I guess I must have dropped it while loading up the kids & stroller or maybe I'd put it on the car roof while I was buckling up the kids. Who knows. I had it back and no longer had a sick-to-my-stomach feeling and I was not as "grouchy" (to put it nicely/mildly).

And lastly the computer. We had the "blue screen of death" come up on the screen one night and from the error message we deduced that it would be impossible to fix. We looked the error message up online and all the forums had comments saying we were out of luck. Maybe a PC sore could recover the data for an enourmous price tag $700 for files, $1500 for files and photos. (Boy do those places know what you want and charge a buttload for it!) But even that was questionable. Cuyler took it to work to see if the IT department might have some tricks or advice. But one of his coworker said he would look at it. And he was able to get it running!! We immediately saved EVERYTHING onto an external harddrive and vow to keep up with doing that. "You are only as good as your last backup" said Cuyler's brother Christian. How true!

So I estimate we avoided almost $3000 worth of replacements this past month. ($2000 new laptop, $300 new camera and memory card, $150 new tires, $300 cell phone). Everything fortunately fell into place. So my advice to anyone & and everyone is to pay your tithing and be honest with people (I could have said my phone "just stopped working")! We feel like we were blessed for following those principles of the gospel.

WONDERFUL WEEKEND

2008-07-03T23:08:00.007-06:00

happy 4th of july!

That is Abby on her decked-out trike in last weekend's children's parade.

Thanks for the festive t-shirts Linda!

LIQUID GOLD

2008-07-01T16:59:00.003-06:00

I know everyone complains about the price of gas. So I won't. You hear about it enough. So I will just state the facts: It has finally gone over the $4 mark here in Provo (as of a couple of weeks ago). I am glad my car gets a ton of MPG. I usually just tool around Provo so, luckily, the price of gas doesn't bother me too much.

However, I would love to have a bigger vehicle so I could fit more people in it (like when company comes to town- sorry about the tight squeeze everybody!). What kind of car would I get, you say? Good question! I think I would want a Chrysler Pacifica.

Or the new Subaru Forester (I don't like the old style but I am warming up to the 2009 model)?

Anyway- I want something that would be good in the snow (so I could use it when/if I move back to Maine) and could fit 7 or 8 people is what is on my list. HINT HINT CUYLER! :)

MEDICATION MADNESS

2008-06-26T16:01:00.006-06:00

Poor little Colby. He is on a ton of medications right now. These are his "issues":

Teething (orajel & tylenol)
Thrush (antibiotic & Nystatin to rub in his cheeks)
Scratched cornea (prescription eye drops- no patch as of yet but he may get one tomorrow)
Mild ear infection (same antibiotic as for the thrush)

He also takes a prescription vitamin/flouride combo, so I threw that in the picture too.

Hopefully he will be back to just the vitamins soon!

ONE SMART COOKIE

2008-06-26T15:46:00.004-06:00

This morning when I went into the livingroom after being in the kitchen for a while this is what I found.

Abby had grabbed her stuffed letters and she spelled out some words. I knew she could spell them verbally but had never seen her do it visually. So the top one is supposed to be MOM and the last one is supposed to be ABBY. But I think they are close enough for a little girl who turned 3 only 2 months ago.

I have a smart little girl, don't I?!

BEAUTIFUL BLOSSOMS

2008-06-24T15:40:00.005-06:00

This guy did a guest post on Jane's food blog. Check out the pictures on his June 21 post. They are so pretty I had to post the link. I love the photo of the cupcakes.

http://sweetpaul.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/06/bucket-of-flowe.html

BEST MOVIE EVER

2008-06-24T15:24:00.002-06:00

Gotta see it!

OH, WHAT A NIGHT

2008-06-24T14:42:00.003-06:00

Cuyler and I recently got together with some of his co-workers and had a really fun night "out on the town". We headed up north since there is no real excitement down here in Provo. First we hit the new SLC Cheesecake Factory (75 minute wait time but worth it!). I had their Orange Chicken which was SO GOOD! And Cuyler's cheesecake selection was to die for: Godiva Chocolate. They charge about an extra dollar more than their regular cheesecakes- and once you taste it you will know why. WOWSERS.

But the highlight of the evening wasn't the meal or the dessert. It was the IMAX movie that followed. YOU HAVE TO HAVE TO HAVE TO HAVE TO HAVE TO see U23D (in an IMAX theater). It was CRAAAAAAAAAAAZY. Even if you are only mildly a fan of U2- it was so awesome. I can't even explain it. It is basically a 3D movie of a concert- but that is like saying Tiger Woods is a mediocre golfer. The 3D makes you feel like you are seriously at the concert. Check it out for sure. It is something you will never forget AND it will inspire you. You will see what I mean...

I'M IN HEAVEN

2008-06-16T14:52:00.007-06:00

I hate housework. I am lazy. But I like things clean. So I am always worked up about the state of disarray that my house is in. I don't know if a messy house makes me crazy or if a clean house makes me sane. Do you know what I mean?

Well, if you hate doing laundy- YOU WON'T ANYMORE!!! I have found the cure for dreading the appointment with your washing machine.

TIDE pure essentials White Lilac Scent. It is absolute heaven in a bottle. It smells so yummy I love doing the laundry now. It is totally worth the extra money- even if you just treat yourself to it once. Anyone reading this has to PROMISE me that you will try it next time you buy detergent. I am serious!

Lilacs have always been my favorite flower because of the beautiful fragrance. It can't be beat.

BIG MAC ATTACK

2008-06-14T15:33:00.004-06:00

Mckenna and her dad Jason visited us for a few days last week. Anyone who knows me knows why this was a BIG DEAL and something I have looked forward to for over a year now! I had to fight back the tears when I first saw her again. Anyway, the girls had a blast together and remember each other for sure. They were calling each other "best friend". It was so cute. We had so much fun that we are trying to convince Jason to move back to Utah...

Here are a few CUTE shots of the girls:

GIRLS' NIGHT OUT

2008-06-09T11:57:00.002-06:00

Last Friday night, Abby and I took off for a little girls night out on the town. We tried a new frozen yogurt spot near BYU called yoasis. I took her there because I saw some of the girls from The Hills go to a trendy frozen yogurt spot on an episode and I thought maybe Provo was cool enough to have the same chain come to town. Apparantly not! It was still a good time, although I did not get the Beverly Hills socialite experience I was hoping for. Upon further investigation, Pinkberry is the hip froyo spot I had seen on the tv show.

BACKYARD MERRIMENT

2008-06-06T10:46:00.003-06:00

I love having a backyard. There are several things we need to do to make it more "enjoyable". I'd love a patio dining table & chairs, a firepit for s'mores, a swingset and kiddie pool, a fence, a garage/storage shed, a potting bench, a garden and a HOT TUB! Right now we have 3 big black walnut trees that provide us with a ton of shade and privacy, a fairly large concrete slab on which we put our mismatched collections of oudoor furniture and our little grill, and a small shed. I can't believe how much time and money little projects around the house and yard actually take! Well, maybe we can get some things crossed off the wish list next year...

Here are a couple pictures of the kids enjoying the backyard. Colby loves our fanstastically white trash swing "setup" (what you can't see in this picture is the chain we have strung up between the two trees to hang the swing on) and here is Abby hanging out on her new picnic table.

BUSY LIFE

2008-05-28T19:03:00.002-06:00

Things have been pretty crazy around here. Cuyler went to Hong Kong for a week. The two kids and I took a trip with some friends to St. George while he was out of town. I took the kids to a "Day Out with Thomas the Train" event at the Heber Creeper Train and to a birthday party on Saturday. I had to give a talk in church last week so was busy getting that squared away. Then my sister-in-law and her two kids came from San Francisco for a visit. Abby has a cough, Colby has a cold, and I have both plus allergies. Wow. Hopefully things will calm down soon. Once they do maybe I can locate my camera and post some pictures.