PJs and Family

We held our annual Hansen Christmas Party at my mom's house in Ogden. We ate some pizza, traveled down to Christma Village to see all the decorated little houses and lights. Then it was back to grandma and grandpas for Hot cocoa and doughnuts. The grandkids opened their pajamas and books. What a crazy group!
Then it was hugs for our sweet grandma who always makes this such a special night. We sure do love her!
We were excited to have Becca back from Pennsylvania for all the festivities...boy have we missed her!

First Dance Recital

Kylie and Tessa just preformed in their first dance recitals.
Tessa did a ballet dance to "Silver Bells" in her cute silver skirt.
Kylie did a cheer with her class to "All I Want For Christmas is You."
They both did such a great job that Dad brought them a rose. We love our little dancers!

Thinker, Thinker, Thinker

My Tessa is a thinker, thinker, thinker. She listens to what you say, mulls it over, and then comes back days later (long after you’ve forgotten the conversation) and will ask you questions….really good questions. She’s asked me many questions that frankly are hard for me to answer and today wasn’t any different.

I have been trying to remind the girls the REAL reason for Christmas. I try to talk about how Jesus was born and he died for us so we can live with him and family forever. Well when I ask them girls WHY we celebrate Christmas, they yell “It’s Jesus’Birthday!”

So today Tessa asked if Jesus was going to have a “friend birthday” or “just have family over.”

I almost told her “we don’t have birthdays in heaven,” but thought better of it…’cause hey! why wouldn’t we have birthdays in heaven. I told her probably both.

Then she did another things she does. She asked a question and then quickly answered it herself.

“Are we invited?”

“Oh yeah we are ‘cause we’re Jesus friends.”

“Oh wait we probably can’t go until we die.”

She is definitely her Dad’s girl!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Sometimes as a mom I get a little grumpy (shocking I know). Sometimes I hate to pack up all the clothes, and food, and winter clothes for a trip to the cabin. But I do...and I am never disappointed with the family bonding time had at Bear Lake.
This time there was just enough snow and the sun came out for just enough time for some sledding behind the snow mobile.
It was such a fun day that I hopefully will remember the next time I want to complain.

Thanksgiving and 2nd Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving! I am one of those people who gives proper respect and waits until after this blessed holiday to listen to christmas music and put up decorations.
Thursday we celebrated with my mom's family up in Ogden. It was a smaller gathering this year (only like 30-40 people :)) but the food was delicious, the company even better, and the kids ran off and played the whole time.
On Saturday we celebrated...what I have termed 2nd Thanksgiving. If you haven't tried 2nd Thanksgiving I highly recommend it. Celebrated on the Saturday after 1st Thanksgiving...it gives you just enough time to empy your stomachs before hitting you with another dose of family, food, and fun. This time we celebrated with my dad's side of the family and it was just as enjoyable day.
After 2nd Thanksgiving we headed down to the Ogden Christmas Parade. The girls loved sitting with their grandparents and seeing all the floats and lights...it was a great way to kick off the Christmas Season!

HaLlOwEeN!

UEA

UEA stands for...a Nice October Break!
We started our vacation Thursday by heading to Lava Hot Springs in Idaho. I was relaxing in some very warm water when I remembered I had left the camera in the car and I just couldn't convince myself to go get it. But here is a picture of the hot springs.


We stayed the night in Idaho Falls and the next morning headed north to Bear World!



We saw mountain goats, elk, deer,lots of bears,


and wolves!
We purused the gift shop,
saw how we compared to a grizzly bear,






and headed to the petting zoo!


This goat knew exactly where to go for some treats...if only he had a quarter!


We even rode a few rides!


We ate lunch in Rexburg and went to the Teton Flood Museum. It was cool seeing the film about the flood. It wasn't so cool when the film finished and my 4 year old blurted out "That was funny!"
Then we found this cute straw maze complete with farm animals!








It only took us 45 minute to finish...and we didn't call 911 even once!


It was a great weekend vacation!