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!

Full Tummy's and Thankful Hearts

What a fabulous thanksgiving we had this year; food, family and fun is just a combo you can't beat!!! We started off the day early cleaning and finishing some food prep, then had time to play with the kids while we waited for everyone to arrive....a hodge podge of appetizers was on the menu for lunch...mmm...mini quiche, shrimp skewers, orange chicken, chip and dips...mmmm....makes my mouth water!!!

While the dinner feast was cooking, Papa took some time to snuggle two of his fair maidens!

Sitting down for a tasty meal...I'm sure glad the women in our family know how to cook!
After dinner, to help our food settle, we all gathered in the living room, as Papa read a children's thanksgiving story...of course, with the fireplace hearth begging for attention, how could we not have a talent show/sing along put on by the children?! They took the "stage" in a flurry, and we heard everything from Twinkle Little Star, to High School Musical, and even a little baby babble song by our own Carter Grace!...She was catching on that to get attention and clapping you had to make a lot of noise...so she joined the show....very cute...and SOOOO fun to watch her learn such things and find her place in the family!
Brook and I had so much fun making fancy arrangements and setting the china with bright red apples as personal votives to sit by each plate, it really was a beautiful sight...which is masked in the picture by VERY hungry folks, as the turkey took a little longer to cook than anyone suspected!!!

The whole lot of us! Minus me, and Carter who's tucked in her high chair in the back right corner...and Autumn who's being held by her father, and Parker who was too hungry to have his picture taken, and Aunt Kimmy who was at another family gathering......we're always in a quest for that perfect family picture of everyone gathered around a beautifully set table wearing matching sweaters, with big smiles and perfectly styled hair....but alas, it's not to be!...Family gatherings are rather unpredictable things you see, but we're happy with what we get...everyone together in one place, for a moment in time...for this I am truly grateful....besides we still have Christmas to get that perfect photo right?!?!

The fourth and final Disneyland post!

Taking a moment to swoon on the Jolly Trolley in Toon Town

Sleeping Beauty's Castle lit up with icicles and snow just before the big holiday parade
John, lovin it at California Adventure

Getting dizzy on the tea cups

The sisters waiting for the Thunder Mountain roller coaster to take off, one of our favorites!

Well, I have to say this was probably one of the grandest Hansen Family Adventures to date! We hang glided over California, rode the rapids down Grizzly River Run, flew to Never Never land, entered The Twilight Zone at the Hollywood Tower Hotel, roller coasted on the appropriately named California Screamin, got shot into the air on the Mali-boomer, mixed and mingled with royalty, joined Buzz in defeating Zurg, attended Jedi Knight training, and adventured with Indiana Jones........we had an amazing time in the California sun, and soaked up all of the sights and fun to be had....we feel so blessed, and grateful to my sister and brother in law for taking their Nanny, and Manny along!

Disneyland Part 4:

At the Pirates Lair...aka...Tom Sawyer's Island for all of you Disneyland old schoolers!

My California sunshine baby! She actually left her sunglasses on for quite a while...until her 3 year old diva cousin decided she needed to wear them!
Meeting the local royals...Carter got to meet Cinderella, Belle, Jasmine, Arial and Tiana, the newest member of the Disney Princesses...she was never quite sure what to think of them...she was usually more interested in their wigs and gowns than smiling at Mommy for a picture!

And what would a trip to Disneyland be without a ride on Dumbo!