Lil' Cowgirl....

Just a few random pictures of Carter that Heidi took, we were just playin around and being silly...but actually got a few fun ones! Maybe it was all inspired by the cute little pink cowbaby boots made of soft fake suede...MUST love 1 $ deals at DI!!!

Always my bright happy baby...minus when she's sick or teething!
Sit'n like a pro! I forsee a rodeo queen!

Ridin' fast like the wind!

Just a happy little pleasant thing!

Christmas 2009

Well, Christmas snuck up on us, and as many of you know even the best made plans often fail. It was thrilling to find out that John got a position doing area sales for Cleary Buildings...however bittersweet to find out he would only get to be home for about three days for the holidays.

Carter and I had been missing him terribly, since he'd been gone already for three weeks job hunting...without a moments hesitation I bought a plane ticket so we could spend some more time with our Jonathan!!! Unfortunately that left the Oregon clan in what i'm sad to say was a cloud of dust...like I said even the best made plans.........the upcoming festivities were all the chatter in both our families, but all my heart and mind could focus on was being with John. One canceled flight, and an additional delayed flight brought me to the brink of tears...the anxiety and excitement of finally having our little trio together left me furiously biting my lip, holding it all back as I walked through the Boise airport.....When Carter and I reached those big glass doors, Jonny was waiting for us with an equally anxious grin, I hurriedly got her out of the stroller just in time for that glorious....wonderful....family embrace that opened the flood gates of emotion. I love the holidays, the festivites galore, BUT of ALL the traditions Christmas brings, spending time with family is the MOST important and cherished in my heart....they always say there's no place like home for the holidays...for me that's true, but home isn't where we live, or where we grew up, it's not with our parent's or siblings, home for our little family is that sweet enveloping love that's cemented by John+Joy+Carter=Forever. Cousin Love: Riley, Carter and McKenzie on Christmas Eve

Too her credit...Carter was VERY tired!!!

Santa ended up being an OK fella after a few minutes...but jut OK!

All of the young'uns

Thank goodness for good friends... "Santa and Mrs. Claus" have been visitng Grandma and Grandpa Seal's house on Christmas Eve long before John was even born!

Carter, loving the box more than the toy!

A little bewildered at all the comotion so early in the morn, but happy for her new rolling monkey ball toy from Nana Powell!

Carter and her loot, she made out VERY well....hmmmm, i'm thinkin she must be well loved!

Famous Family Quotes -O- The Year

1) "Joy...I'd say we're in a bit of a snafu!" -Dad (While strining Christmas lights)

2) "Well, I could wrap up in my towel, and talk really high like a little girl, and then they would never know that I was a boy!" -Parker (While explaining how he would get away with changing in the women's dressing room at the public pool)

3) "Do I need to call the Police?" -Abrianna (While repremanding her mother)

4) "Look at this face." -Abrianna (After having been told she could have a treat only if she was a nice girl...this was said in a demanding tone while pushing her cheeks up in a cheesey grin)

5) "Well, Macy and I are going to get married in the temple, and we're going to pray very hard for a baby...and that's how you get a baby." -Parker

6) "Just don't re-invent yourself with a fake accent!" -Joy

7) "Do I need to kung fu you?" -Parker

8) "I need a girlfriend"... Why?... "Because I love them and they're just beautiful!" -Parker (On his first day of kindergarten)

9) "Mommmommmomommma" -Carter (We'll call it her first word...not that i'm biased or anything!)

10) "Nana's the witch!" - Abrianna

Random Pictures....

Well, John has been gone for 2 weeks now searching for jobs in Idaho...Carter and I have been missing him terribly and anxiously await his return for Christmas, and then our getting to move to Idaho with him!!! Unfortunately our little miss has gotten sick again...so there have been many sleepless nights for me...thankfully I have an angel for a sister who is always willing to take a turn with Miss Fuss, and even got up at 3 am to take a turn in the recliner with Carter...after having more the flu, we're now hitting another big teething stage, the bottom two are in and now we're working on what looks like 4 uppers all at the same time....YIKES!!!

Thankfully amidst the misery there've been a few distractions...playing with cousins is usually the highlight of the week, during those dismal days of incessant moaning and crying, baby einsteins and FULL length Disney movies tend to relieve a little of the chaos!
Brook and I lowered Carter's crib mattress, and she's discovered that standing up and holding on to things makes you a big girl!!! She can't get up on her feet by herself, but when we help her and let go, boy oh boy, she thinks she's hot stuff!

A little bewildered after having just woken up from a nap!

Couldn't resist making a gingerbread house...this never has been a tradition of the family's, but I love to bake, and I love to decorate...after one bad batch of dough, I got it right, got them baked, and got them put together...one for me, and one for my sister's family...now most people would take the time and delight in decorating them with the children, however I was desperate for some much needed me time after having a sick clingy baby all week...so I stayed up late...I felt a little selfish doing it without my neice and nephew, but alas, I felt renewed and really enjoyed the project!

The finished product...a view from the back! The Hansen gingerbreaed house complete with a gumdrop garden-o-love in the backyard!