Valentine's recap

Too bad it all ended with this.....my sweet little Carter girl with a 104 degree temp.....at least we got some fun in before it really hit........

Who can resist getting together with friends to decorate cookies on Valentine's day??? Not us!!! We met up at the church for our usual "play group" with other moms and kids in our ward.....

Eli, Jacob, Emma (Carter's best friend) and Oakley

Lucy, Carter, Ellie and Lea

Of course you get all sorts of goofy faces when you're taking pictures of a kid with an extreme sugar high!

Our photo shoot of course would not be complete without the "Kissy Face" or "Blue Steel" If you please!!!

We decided to try and stat the tradition that my sister and her family holds, by dressing up all spanking pretty for a valentine's dinner at home! Truly John will be Carter's first "date", we want her to know how boys should treat her, and we wanted her to feel special....it's the first round of holidays and birthday where she's actually understanding what it's all about so it's fun to play it up....besides....NOT like we were going to have some grand romantic valentine's as a couple....besides...I pretty much HATE valentine's day....just because you shouldn't need a holiday and marketing ploys to motivate you to show how much you love some one.

All dressed up make up and all, ready for our dinner date at home with Daddy and Owen

At this point I think she was starting to feel pretty icky...something we hadn't quite picked up on....so we got a lot of grumpy stares in pictures.

The table set and ready to go....too bad I ran out of energy and instead of making our delicious dinner...Applebees provided us with a delicious meal...good thing kids eat for 99 cents on Tuesdays because Carter wouldn't TOUCH her "corn hog gog" that she was previously SOOOO excited to eat...

Oh yes...and the chocolate glazed homemade cheesecake was absolutely delish!!!

We decided to end the night watching "Tangled" an all ages appropriate love story for the whole family to enjoy....that is, until we realized Carter was burning up with a fever, grumpy as all get out....fussiness rivaling that of her almost one year old brother who refused to take an afternoon nap that day, so he was SUPER tired and crabby too.....wasn't quite the fabulous evening I had in mind...but it worked....gotta expect the unexpected when you have kids in the mix...at least there wasn't vomit thrown in it all too!!!

Big Bold and Beautiful

Usually I reserve our family blog to post updates on the kids and family...basically it's my ultramodern.....OK, just flat out lazy way of journaling...but it works right??!!! But this post is more of a mind blllaaaaahhh-gggggg....more for me than anyone else (lets face it a post without pictures is lame and boring, so if you actually make it to the end of this thing without falling asleep-my hat goes off to you!)

Lately I've really enjoyed getting to know a lot of different girls in our ward...THANK heaven for church, it's like an instant social network that I'm SOOOO grateful for!!! What a great support system we have...so many shoulder's to cry on, and sister's to lean on....we're all in the same boat (relatively) with husbands in school, little babies running a muck...etc...

Through MANY conversations with MANY different women, I'm quite frankly saddened by the lack of confidence and feelings of inadequacy that are expressed...most often this comes up when we're "girl talking" about food, our bodies and motherhood.....

Well let me just say.... I'm BIG BOLD and BEAUTIFUL!!! That's right....I said it....I wish more girls could say it in honesty and with confidence instead of as a humorous ploy to deflect those feelings of inadequacy that lurk about.......(something I've certainly done before)....anyways, here are a few things that I've repetitively come across that have been bothersome.....

*Why do women grieve over their "lost figure" after having children....certainly it's a worthwhile goal to shed a few pounds...BUT LADIES.....most of you had teenage stick bodies before (don't forget I'm surrounded by mostly young newlyweds/moms), and now that you've had tremendous hormonal and physical changes you have the curvaceous body of a WOMAN!!! Yes, most of us wish we could fit into those jeans from when we were dating our husbands...but what's wrong with being what you are and who you are right now??? You still are BEAUTIFUL, you still can be FASHIONABLE, you still can ROCK your husbands world...I know my husband enjoys having a thinner wife because we've talked about it openly and honestly....BUT I also know that he's still in love with me and still attracted to me...yup my body is a work in progress and always will be....BUT guess what I'm BIG BOLD and BEAUTIFUL!!!

*Why do I hear comments like... "I really like taking my kids on outings to I can take them to McDonald's for lunch and justify eating a Big Mac" (Ok, so I've made similar comments jokingly on occasion) BUT seriously comments like these are an epidemic around here......WHY do we have to use our children as an excuse to enjoy a Big Mac once in a while? (my personal preference is the double cheeseburger...but to each their own!) WHY can't we just enjoy a little indulgence without feeling like we've "blown" it....Yup it's true, if you haven't heard by now...NEWSFLASH fast food is horrible for you, BUT i'm guessing you already new that because of your guilt complex over eating at McDonald's......SO if you're smart enough to know that, than I'm pretty sure you're smart enough to not eat it every day, multiple times a day......SO AGAIN I say....what is SO wrong with purposefully leaving your house intent on eating a Big Mac just for your own satisfaction....LEAVE the excuses of children and outings behind and march your BOLD self out the door....NO ONE is watching you with binoculars criticizing your lunch choice, astonished that you didn't choose the veggie sub on whole wheat without mayo at Subway!!!

*Why do women play the game of "I'm so perfect I_________" fill in the blank.....

-Exercise everyday (but secretly only hit 3 or 4 days and beat myself up over it)

-Only eat 1100 calories a day (But I'm starved and miss the joy of moderate indulgences)

-Give and do everything for my husband and family (but feel guilty for "doing" for myself)

...etc...etc...etc.....

Why do we put SO much pressure on ourselves to be the "perfect" that no one expects us to be....why can't we say....

Hi I'm Joy Hansen, I weigh more than my husband and I am a women's size 18.....I eat fast food about once a week, and really enjoy pastry sweets. I try to cook healthy and balanced meals but some nights we eat pizza or pancakes and drink chocolate milk....Once in a while I get motivated to exercise-that usually only lasts for a about a week....Sunday's are about the only day of the week that I actually get ready make-up hair and all, most days i'll be in my comfy clothes un-showered with stinky breath until about noon, I could do with less hips and more boobs but I look in the mirror and see a beautiful woman-a bold mommy that's got it going on!!! I am a smart educated woman with opinions that matter, I'm not afraid to be selfish once in a while because I deserve it, I am strong, I am a doer and I believe in myself, and I'm proud of myself....I'm proud of ALL that I am, of who I am...I don't feel guilty for not being more humble in my confidence, I don't think I'm better than another, I'm just thankful that I've learned to embrace being BIG BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL!!!

Photo-Palooza

Probably the longest blog post ever...but worth putting some words with pictures to preserve a few memories and moments!!! I've neglected the blog because it's just so much faster to put pictures on FB....but then I don't get to journal all of the little stuff that goes along, and the holiday's and traveling have eaten up my brain.... so this quiet evening while laying in bed watching the office in the background, I'm quite content to do a little journaling for the Hansen Family!

My little Owen man, he's really starting to really show his personality....a tender sweetie at the core, but a rascally, demanding, babbling little tyke every minute of every day!

Anyone else see the mischief in those eyes?!!!!

After MONTHS of NO SNOW, we finally are getting hit hard!!! I'm a person that LOVES well defined seasons, and I hate being hot so when it snows I'm in heaven!!! Carter really loves to see the snow, and play in it too! Tonight after dinner, Owen went to bed early and on a somewhat UN-conventional whim decided to go play in the snow in the dark!

Carter really enjoyed making "balls" to create our Hansen Snow family....somehow mom and dad ended up with extra balls on top!

This is my creative take on a unicorn style Loch Ness Monster....didn't have a clue what I was creating until it just kind of took shape!

This was the best way EVER to kill that horrible time between dinner and bedtime for the kids, usually we dawdle in the bath, but when you have this much snow...the bath can wait until morning!

Carter really liked the snow couch that I built

This picture was taken the night before....it had snowed ALL day, we got 10-12 inched, and by evening it had warmed up and turned into a rainy mist...hence, a nice crunchy layer of ice on our beautiful powder....I thought the flood lights in the parking lot made the snow look super slick...as it was!!!

The snow beckoned us outside, so as our sweet babies slumbered upstairs, we went outside to take a few pictures, and shovel the side walk....John was such a stud and shoveled out our car for the second time that day...knowing that if we needed to go anywhere the next day we would be completely snowed/iced in our parking spot!

A nice deep crunchy foot print....and a nice quiet moment together....we are LOVING being in Moscow together as a family, we're having such fun with our kids, learning and growing together as a family, and also as a couple!!!

We're in a great married student ward, and have made some fast friends, as well as re-connected with some old ones (the Mormon world is a small one!) We've worked hard to put ourselves "out there" so that we could quickly find our "place" here and have reaped great rewards!!!

Yesterday my new friend Suzie came over with her three kids for the day....Her Emma is the same age as Carter, it's so fun to watch them play as princesses and fairies....they were using special crayons to color on the window in the toy room....the ended up both sporting forehead stamps and interesting colored "lipstick"!

A few days before Christmas we were able to adventure up to Sandpoint, ID to visit some friends and stay the night with them at their family's house....we really enjoyed playing games and visiting...and of course doing a little exploring!!! We're definitely going to return to explore Lake Pend Orielle, and the other surrounding areas and lakes!

Carter really enjoyed visiting the Al Paca herd in the barn, and what did we happen upon.....it's sheep....it's a polar bear....NOPE it's just a gigantic dog!!!

What a sad photo to introduce our Christmas!!! This was Christmas morning, right before we headed out the door to church...Owen was SOOOOO TIRED and just done!!!

Carter was feeling very princess-like in her dress (which still fit her from last summer-it was made for her to wear at my sister's wedding!) She could hardly stop twirling long enough for me to take a picture!

A little cheesy I know, but I brought our camera to church so we could get at least ONE family picture on Christmas....two parents+two kids= someone is always left out of the picture!!!

I was so PROUD of myself...I LOVE to play the piano, I learned a lot of my skill (note reading, timing and such) through school choir, and have taught myself the rest....My sister's play beautifully and I've always felt like I couldn't measure up, that I was stuck in their shadows.....BUT I decided when we moved here that I have a talent, and I need to share it

Well, here came Christmas, and our little ward was basically disappearing over the Christmas break, BUT we were in charge of a special musical number for our combined sacrament meeting with the other wards....so I decided to put myself out there, and volunteered...after a lot of practice and nervous sweating.....I NAILED IT!!! I played a beautiful arrangement of silent night, along with a violin and a singer...something I've NEVER done....I get HUGE performance anxiety....or stage fright if you will, causing my fingers to make horrible blunders, my eyes then get lost in the music and once that happens....it's over....BUT the Lord truly blessed me to successfully share my talent!!! I feel so blessed, and improved, and MUCH more confident to do it again!

Owen on Christmas morning with his new elephant pillow pet, ball and boat...oh yes, and all with the binky in hand....it's never to far from his reach!

Carter on Christmas morning with her new Lady Bug pillow pet that Santa brought, and her new doll house and car.....she LOVES it all, and will play pretend with the dolls and furniture for HOURS!!!! What a good girl, I love to listen and watch her play, she's so creative and gets SOO deep into her own imaginative play!

Christmas Eve...all hopped up on cookies and milk, excited for Santa to come bring "peasants" and

"tandy" in our "sockings"!!!!

Quiet Christmas Moments

The best thing to do after taking a nice warm bath.....just sit by the Christmas tree and watch it glow!!!!

There's a little elf that lives in our house that seems to think two certain green ball ornaments are in need of each other's company; no matter how many times Mommy puts them back in place they seem to find each other again!!! Do you see the offending ornaments???

Pretty sure Owen just wanted to eat everything off of the tree....the few bits he could get his hands on seemed to taste alright to the lad! Although he did make quite a face after sampling the texture of a fake tree limb

"I will EAT you, you fake red berries you.....just a little closer...almost got it now......"

We're having so much fun getting ready for Christmas, it's the first year that things are really starting to click for Carter...she's was very excited to hear that Santa would be coming to put candy and prizes in our stockings...and even more presents for under the tree!!! After dipping into the already wrapped presents, she's got a pretty good idea of how fun it will be to open the rest on Christmas morning!!!

Princess Lint Licker

Can, I just say what a quirky little girl I have?!!! She loves to be girly and dress like a princess twirling and sashaying around the room....today's choice of alternate identity was Cinderella, although if you tried calling her that she emphatically reminded us that she was just Carter!

But then there are times when princesses seem foreign, and she runs and jumps on the couch and says "I'm Superman!" and does gross things....LIKE...........

Snuggle Daddy's stinky feet.....or WORSE yet.......

While counting Daddy's toes, eat every piece of sock lint from in between his toes that she could find.......She tried to be discreet, but obviously didn't clue in that Daddy's was not only watching but could feel her digging around for lost linty snacks!!! TOO GROSS....but TOO FUNNY!!! At least when she and Owen were bathing together the other night, she yelled and screamed about him pooping in the bath while he just tried to play with it....that sounds a little more gender appropriate!!!

With a tummy full of lint, Carter was ready for a snuggly photo opp with Dad and Owen(funny though, right before this picture Owen tried shoving her away...he wasn't about to share his Dad time with Big Sis!)

My Favorite Things.....

I love "The Sound of Music", my favorite part is during the thunder storm when Julie Andrews sings "My Favorite Things"....well she puts forth a pretty good list of "favorite things" but I would like to add 3 of my personal favorites that I've been sure grateful for lately (in no particular order!

#1: Christmas time! My favorite holiday, not because of the parties, gifts and food (although good food is one of my all time favorites!!!) but because I love the soft glow of pure white twinkling lights in my home, a beautifully decorated tree always brings a gentle bubbling energy, and a calming peace...I seem to be able to get SO much more done, and am able to spend beautiful priceless moments snuggling my babies, reading books by the glow of the tree!!!

#2 and #3 of my favorite things....my two bubbly beautiful children!!!!

I love this girls cheeser grin, her sweet little voice and mispronounced words (my favorite as of late being "pig-a-bonky" for piggy bank!) She's a stubborn little goofball full of sass and spirit, a princess in the heart, and frog loving superman(as she calls herself) in her play!!! Not a day goes by that I don't wonder at her intelligence and charm, she makes me smile, she makes me laugh and when everything is just going wrong, she makes it all right!!!Oh my little Owen boy, what a sweet and gentle little man!!! I love the elfin twinkle in his eyes and his bubbly soft "Mama's" and coo's, I love to nuzzle his bug fuzzy head....that just sends me to the moon!!! He has such a gentle spirit, and is happy to the core, he's such a handsome bugger I just love him more and more!!!As an 8 month old he sure has a silly streak in him too!!! I would have more pictures of Carter, but she really dislikes having to sit for a picture, so I really don't favor Owen over Carter, he's just a better photographic sport!!! Oh yes, and he now has both bottom teeth pearly and sharp!!!

"Fall"ing into fun!

This past Saturday we headed up to Spokane for a little shopping trip and family time! Our first stop of course was Cabela's....While we were driving there in the car, Carter informed us that she was going to see two snakes and that there were going to be deer, elk and Care Bears! Hahaha! It was a good thing that there was actually two snakes, I don't know if we could have faced her dissapointment otherwise (yes she still loves them that much!) Some of my cousins met up with us there, and then we all went to my aunt and uncles for pizza and visiting! We hadn't all seen eachother and been together in 4 years, so it was fun to chat, and meet eachother's kids and let them play!
After we had our lunch, the kids decided that going outside to play in the leaves would be a great activity, so everyone got bundled up and headed out! Conveniently there were a bunch of strapping young lads around to help Uncle Randy get his leaves raked up ta-boot!

They rakes such a big pile of leaves! When the little kiddies jumped in they all but dissapeared!

We tried getting the little cousins to pose for a picture, but 3 two year olds and baby just aren't a good mix for success in that department!

Cousin Katelyn....just too darn cute! She reminds me a lot of Carter, very reserved and cautious around people....Cousin Carson on the other hand is a busy boy, ready to make friends and play!

My cousin Travis was SO nice, and took Carter on MANY pool rides around the yard, and helped her ride the tricycle too....I felt like such a lazy parent, BUT had SOOO much fun just watching her get comfortable with family that were virtual stranger to her just hours before!

Of course, by the time we had to leave Carter was ready to stay! She really likes to look at books with Uncle Randy, and really loves Aunt Dianne too (although she was more shy this visit because so many other new people were there too!)

After playing in the leaves, we headed to the mall for a few purchases, had dinner at Panda Express (Our FAVE!) and on a last minute decision decided to go visit my grandma and another aunt, I'm SO glad we did becuase it made their day! We left with full tummys, and overflowing hearts! What a WONDERFUL day we had filled with family, and new memories! On the way home I couldn't resist blasting christmas music...we sang along, and drove full speed ahead, we got home at 9:30 and fell fast a sleep....what a great day, and a fabulous reminder of how important it is to be family!