Summer just flew by!

I haven't posted in forever-but that's pretty normal for me.  So much has happened in the past few months!  Jay's wedding was incredible!  I loved going to Portland, Oregon.  I met some siblings there early and we hung out together for a few days-it was so so so much fun!  Emily, James and I coordinated our plane tickets to land within a couple of hours of each other, then we rented a car and shared a hotel room.  I have never gone a trip like that before and it was such a blast!  I want to do it again only next time with Jon as well.  Portland was breathtaking and I just couldn't get over how beautiful and green it was!  We hiked Multnomah falls, went to canon beach, ran around the river in the city, and lots more!  It was just a delightful and fun trip!  Jay's wedding was beautiful!  I just started crying when I saw him come into the sealing room of the temple.  Finally my awesome little bro was getting married to an awesome woman!  It was just a beautiful day!  Emily and I were on the same flight on the way home so that was really fun too!  It was hard to come back to my desert home!
School was over (I had left on the second to last day of school) and our first summer in Arizona began!  We planned to go to Utah for the month of July so we just had to get through June for starters.  We actually had quite a fun month!  Every Wednesday we went to a neighbors pool to swim for a couple of hours and a few times we went to lunch with friends afterwards.  The library had a fun summer reading program and so we went to the library and did quite a bit of reading and each of the kids earned a free new book.  We went the Mesquite Aquatic swim center every Friday as soon as Jon got home from work.  We would grab a pizza on our way down and eat in the car then enjoy the swim park for a couple of hours until it closed.  It really was a fun June!
July came and our plans to go to Utah for the 4th got changed because of Jon's work.  So we stayed in Arizona and we actually had our coldest 4th of July ever!!  There was a huge rainstorm and it wasn't super cold, but it wasn't hot either!  We went down to Tuscon and had a really nice day with Jon's sister, Kathy and her family and my brother, James and his family.  We played games, ate good food, and enjoyed good company!  We had an adventure driving out to Jon's other sister's home to swim in her pool.  The rain had flooded out many of the roads and we even slid in one of the washes as we tried to drive through it!  It was pretty crazy! 
I left with the kids for Utah 2 days later to make it in time for Jay's wedding open house at my parents.  It was beautiful!  Becca (my sister) had decorated it amazingly and my parents had worked hard to make their already beautiful yard even more beautiful!  It was really fun to be apart of it all and to be with so much of my family!
We spent the month of July in Utah and enjoyed the beautiful weather, the green grass, the beautiful mountains, grandmas swimming pool, irrigation, and good company!   Jon flew out to join us for the last week of July and beginning of August-in time for our neice, Mariel, to get married.  It was a beautiful wedding in the Draper Temple and then they had a very nice luncheon and reception up Provo canyon.  It was so nice to see Jon's siblings and family and be a part of Mariel's beautiful day.
We returned home to Arizona 2 days before school started (we start early here).  It was craziness getting ready and back into a routine, but it was good to be home!  

Love Fridays!

I am so so glad it is Friday!!  I love Fridays--I love knowing we have a break from all the weekday craziness, even though the weekends are crazy, it's a different kind of crazy. We vacuumed out the van this morning--it was nasty!  I didn't think people would appreciate the pizzas I am picking up this afternoon  for the school "Dad's Club Campout" being in a dirty van, so that's what pushed cleaning it out to a high priority!
So I have a super huge nice bathtub and I LOVE baths.  So I decided to take a bath after my run-it sounded so nice.  Amelia made a huge mess of herself at breakfast. . . so we bathed together, rinsing off our grime first of course.  It was relaxing and so nice and warm.  Until Amelia tooted.  I quickly got out and got her out.  I wrapped us up in new clean towels and started to put on her diaper when I saw she had a buster brown (that means a smear of . . . poop) on her towel.  So I sat her on the toilet to see if something was going to come out.  Nope.  I wiped her and put her diaper on when Jonathan pointed out that two little brown things were sitting in the bottom of the tub.  Yikes!!  So I showered off, put the towels in the dirty clothes, cleaned the poop out of the tub, and so on.  A bit of an adventure for sure! 
After doing some chores and cleaning out the van, we packed a lunch and hopped on our bikes for a little bike ride to a park to have a picnic.  Amelia LOVES the seat I got her on my bike.  The seat sits on the bar in front of me--weeride kangaroo or something like that (got it on craigslist).  It seems a little flimsy, but I really like having her right there with me so that I can hear her, see her, and whatnot.  She points at things, talks to me and just thoroughly loves the ride!  We played at the park a bit and then headed home.  Jonathan did quite well.  We went about 1 mile to the park, so 2 miles total.  He got a little tired a few times, but pressed on.
We have lots going this afternoon and evening (school pizza dinner/movie/activities-even camping out on the school grounds over night if you want and having a breakfast in the morning).  We are just going for the evening activities.  I really like our school and this area.  It really is such a great place to live.  Well I better get on to other things I need to get done!

St George Trip: June 2010

Okay, so I just found this post that I never posted.  I never finished writing it!  Sheesh!!  I did have a baby at the end of the summer that year, so probably what part of the problem was along with being SO busy that summer!   Anyway, I thought I might as well post what I had written:

So many fun memories--where to start I don't know and I don't have the time for detail--I think I will just make a list to help me remember and add detail another time.

St. George--one of the highlights of our summer!  

Our first family vacation with just our family that we have taken since Aubrey was a baby.  We left Sunday morning, stopped in Filmore (Jon's families' stomping grounds--they built their first house down there and his dad was the county doctor).  We went to a Sacrament meeting and then visited an old family friend.  Then we headed out to Cove Fort, ate lunch, went on a tour (the missionaries were very excited to do a tour and it was a little too long for 3 little kids, but it was fun and there was some really neat stuff).  I do enjoy old-fashioned things! 
Then off to St. George!!  We checked in, went to dinner and then got in the pool!  The kids LOVED the pool!  I was really surprised how much they enjoyed it and weren't afraid of it in the least!  They had to wear arm floaties of course since they don't know how to swim.  Aubrey and Jonathan would jump in at the deepest parts over and over again.  All three of them would "swim" all around the pool and just had a blast!  The next day we did some touring--Brigham Young Home, DUP, hiked Snow Canyon (the kids are a little too brave and were freaking out their pregnant mother hiking those cliffs!!).  Then we went to the Dinosaur museum--which isn't that exciting, but our kids loved it and enjoyed the little intro-movie thing.  before leaving for St. George I looked up parks and whatnot on-line.  They have a great city website and they have a ton of great parks and several with splash pads.  So we had a picnic ready and we went to a splash park.  We ate and then played.  It was an awesome park!  The kids loved playing in the water, then on the toys, then back to the water.  Jonathan loved the water the most and loved stepping on where the water would be shooting out.  Aubrey was very good with him and helped push him on swings--it was really cute.  We went back to the motel, changed out of the wet clothes and then it was off to the St. George D.I.--they have great summer clothes down there and our main reason for going is pretty funny--the motel room had a really nice huge flat screen tv--but we couldn't hook our DVD player or Nintendo into it--you could only watch cable on it, which we don't waste our time with--commercials and lack of choice on what to watch.  So we decided we would see if DI had a cheap TV to buy and watch what we wanted to and play nintendo (2 things we had really wanted to do as a family in the evenings).  And yes, DI had a pretty decent TV for pretty darn cheap!  Everyone picked out a toy and I got some cute maternity clothes.  Then we went out for dinner and back to the Motel for swimming.  Then popped popcorn and started a movie--The Music Man--which the kids really enjoyed but got too tired to watch the whole thing!

Climbing the Red Rocks

 The Dinosaur Museum

The Splash Park--Aubrey is pushing Jonathan on the swing

The kids being silly

Tuesday--we got ready and got on the road headed to Grafton and Zions National Park.  We went to Grafton on the way there (a small ghost town up a canyon just before you get to Zion's that my anscestors helped settle).   It was fun to see that it is being fixed up and restored.  There were little lizards all over and we almost caught one!
We continued on to Zions--ate lunch, attended a "kids" workshop/class" that was really boring--but Aubrey enjoyed it.  They did have several "Stuffed Animals" that the kids really enjoyed seeing--the highlight for Mariah being a bald eagle--her favorite animal.  Then we got on a shuttle and started a hike.  The kids did an awesome job and I loved how they thoroughly enjoyed nature and the beauty around us.  They even saw a frog, hundreds of tadpoles, lizards, and a mouse!  And they even held the mouse--it was quite cute and they were amazingly brave.  Mariah was especially sad to leave the mouse.  She wanted to go get some food for it and take it home.   Then we went to a museum and headed back to St. George.  We went out for dinner, went swimming, and then back to our room and finished watching "The Music Man".  It was such a fun day!

Valentines Day

I started the day off with a 4 mile run--holding a 8:30 minute mile average--which I was pleased with--I am hoping to be able to start holding 8 minute miles for my average.  My first mile is generally my slowest, unless I am doing more than 6 miles, I sometimes start to slow off and on through longer runs.  Anyway, I got home just in time to make pink heart shaped pancakes for breakfast.  The kids loved them and it was really fun to do.  Then it was off to school and back home for strength training since I didn't meet my partner as usual and I need to do it as I am really wanting to get better and stronger at running.  It was intense, hard, and ultimately awesome. 
After getting cleaned up and ready, I decided to go to Jon's work and get lunch together-which I have never done actually.  We went to Subway and I got to see Jon's office, which is really nice.  He's on the 7th floor of the building and he has a nice window view of palm trees, homes, and desert.  Then it was off to do the coupon shopping I had procrastinated and now it was the last day of the sale, but we did awesome and got some great things. 
We got home just in time to meet the girls coming home from school.  They enjoyed opening up their school valentines and some that had come in the mail (they got more in the mail the following day, so that was really nice-and we still haven't sent ours--on my to-do list, I know, so behind.  I am just so good at being behind on things, it really is a talent and I think I haven't hidden that talent and it has really grown-ha ha!). 
Jon got me roses and my favorite treat, "Chocolate Extreme Blizzard" from  DQ, only substituting the brownie chunks with oreos--yum yum yummy!!  What a sweetheart! 
Our Relief Society hosted an 80's prom.  Jon and I really didn't have any 80's clothes-more like 90's, and we meant to go to Savers and find something, but we didn't, so we just wore something close.  Jon wore his high school tuxedo and I wore a dress I had made for graduation that wasn't in style then--more of my own style, but could be looked at as 80's since it was pastel colors, puffy sleeves (not 80's puffy, but some puff to them for sure), and a belt made out of the same fabric.  But it really was fun to get dressed up (even if it wasn't what I would ideally like to have worn) and go on a dance date. 
As we got in the car it made us both feel like we were "dating" again in High school--going to a dance.  They did an amazing job at the church.  They had tables set up on one end with a buffet table to get dinner, a photo booth (which we got some really cute pictures of ourselves), arcade like games set up on tv's, a chocolate fountain table with all kinds of things to dip, and then of course, a DJ and music.  It was really fun and so many people looked so awesome!   Then we came home, got comfy, popped popcorn, cuddled, & watched a Remington Steele (currently our favorite tv show episodes).  It was a really really nice Valentines!

BUSY days!

So much fun and so much we have been doing!  Though by Saturday night I felt all funned out!  Ha ha!  Monday we went and bought baseballs, mits, and a bat.  We have Primary baseball here-so cool!  I never heard of that before!  We walked/rode bikes to a park 1.25 miles away (trying to get my kids really active, so we find new and different parks all of the time--there are tons!).  We practiced hitting the ball and played at the park.  It was a really fun park too-we will have to go to it again!  Another day we went on an adventure walk toward a canal that has HUGE fish in it.  Also there is a backyard with several unique animals (including a giant tortoise).  There are also small seashells along the edge of the canal--way fun and we went 2 miles out (4 miles total--awesome job kids!).  We practiced baseball at another park on Friday and several friends were there, so we got to play with them and I got to visit with their moms.  Saturday we went to Aubrey's game.  It was really fun to watch her play and I was really glad we had practiced through the week.  She actually did pretty good!  She did hit the ball usually within the first couple of throws (in Primary baseball you don't strike out from not hitting the ball.  They keep throwing it until you hit it).  Then we walked to and around the Riparian Reserve (about 4 miles total).  We saw several neat birds, including my first Red Cardinal!  There was a "gang" of geese on the path that about attacked you for food--really quite funny.  Mariah really got scared of them and hid under a blanket in the stroller.  That stroller was the best purchase ever by the way!  I use it EVERY day.  I actually only use the van a couple times a week, if even that.  The garage door opener is connected to my stroller, not in my car.  Pretty funny!  But the truth is we live too close to the school to drive there.  If we try to drive (which we have done twice) there is such a long line of cars to try to cut into that we take way longer than just walking the quarter mile there.  Anyway, I was just thinking about how much we have been going to places--walked places actually-I hate car time and we are loving the weather (yes, I know that will change when the summer comes).  It is really different for me to go so many places and parks; it is just not something I have done a lot of as a mom.  Before we moved here, we had a huge yard, a swingset, a good road to ride bikes up and down, and of course, grandmas house and yard, which are amazing and lots of fun.  We also had the best outside time during the summer when we have tons of family things going on.  So we have great weather in the winter here and are just soaking it in.  But, the kids can't do much at our house (when it comes to being outside).  We did get a trampoline for Christmas-and they love that and it's awesome.  But I want it to stay awesome and not be the only thing they get to do every day.  Good stuff!

A New Year in a New Place

So I just read some of my favorite peoples blogs and it made me think a little more about the new year and what I want to accomplish.  Really my main things that I want to do are things that I am already aspiring to do without the New Year being my inspiration.  But it's here, and you know the saying, "Thoughts, Words, Deeds".  So it's been in my thoughts, I can write it down, and hopefully it will help solidify the deed. 
My first and foremost goal I have really been working on already.  That is spending more time with my most loved ones--my family.  Spending more time with Jon, my dear husband and each of my children.  I really want to feel that I am not only spending time taking care of them and their needs and running the house-keeping it clean, fixing meals, shopping, taking them to school and whatnot, but actually spending more time enjoying them.  I do different things to make them a part of what I have to do (helping with dinner, etc.), but I want to do more fun, random things with them.  I want to go on regular dates with Jon.  We are terrible at that.  I hate having to get a babysitter, but we just need to do it and go out. 
My next goal is to have more meaningful scripture study and to do it daily, no matter what.  I read for 30 minutes no matter what while in High School and College.  I want to start doing that again, no matter what.
I want to start playing the piano again.  I want to practice daily and get pretty good at playing. 
Then the next thing I am also working on is getting in really good shape.  I am working on that pretty well already, but currently, I am adding a challenge to that-helping my kids to be in really good shape as well.  I don't want them to become couch potatoes, computer addicts, or exclusive book worms.  Though there are good things on the computer, and though I do want them to love books a read a lot, I want them to enjoy the outdoors, to love hiking, to feel good enough physically to run around and be active.  So these are the things I am aspiring to accomplish--though really none of them are things that are done--they are continuous, not a year-end and it's over kind of a thing.  Maybe I will make some kind of a year-end goal thing.  I generally don't do that, mostly because I just don't think that much about it.
More than anything I just want to enjoy my family, enjoy life, and do our best at walking this road together as a family.  This past year threw a huge curve ball at us that I am still soaking in and that I NEVER expected or planned on.  We moved from our much loved home in Riverton to a state I always said I would never live in-Arizona.  So here we are.  I am sad to be away from the beautiful mountains, from dear family, from our cute little home, our beautiful huge yard, our fruit trees and garden, and some dear friends.  I miss all those things very much.  I know my kids do as well.  I feel it is my responsibility to help make the most of life and spear-head enjoying our new environment here in Arizona.  So though we do miss Utah and many things about it, we have been enjoying it here and actually I am loving this weather right now!  I think I am getting a tan with all the time we have spent outdoors!  I will not love it in the summer, but I didn't love the cold in the winter in Utah either.  I miss the snow--to have the snow for a couple of months would be perfect, while skipping the other 3 months of freezing cold that surrounds the bits of snow here and there.  I love the fall as well.  I LOVE the mountains.  I love green and I love waterfalls and rivers.  I do miss those things being just 30 minutes away, and in sight at all times.  Fortunately we are in a very nice part of Arizona and there is a lake (yes, man-made, but it's still very nice) just 1 mile from our home.  Also in this particular area the communities grow grass and trees and it's really quite nice.  We are next to some farm-land as well and there are some amazing birds along a trail just 10 minutes from our home.  My yard happens to be all rocks.  That will change when we get a home of our own, or maybe we will rent a different house next year.  The people I have met are super nice as well and our ward is wonderful.  It's not perfect here, but it wasn't perfect in Riverton either.  No place is perfect, but as long as you are with those you love, you cling to the gospel and move forward in life, happiness can be found.  So here we are and what's funny is my goals are pretty much the same as usual--though our environment has changed, we are pretty much the same old Hansen's as we always were--just with a bit more sun.

Move to AZ

So I haven't blogged in FOREVER!  But I wanted to quickly make a post.  We are LOVING it here in Gilbert.  I love the school, I love the ward, and I love the people I am getting to know.  I miss my dear friends and family in Utah, very much, and so do my kids.  But all I can really say is that we have been greatly blessed.  We are in such a nice location and around such good people it really is wonderful.  I was nervous to leave Utah, and to leave green grass.  I am sure when the summer comes along I will really really miss Utah, but for now, I am not missing the freezing cold weather and there is green grass all around me (they say it's a Gilbert thing, so I guess this is where we will stay as long as we are here)!  
Anyway, the reason I wanted to blog was to say how much I have been enjoying my family lately.  I think the move has really brought things closer to heart.  I also just feel more like a real mom, not sure what is different exactly.  I have just been enjoying it more.  I don't like getting up ever, but it all starts with getting up early, then on to fix breakfast (sometimes even pancakes!!), fix my kids lunch, walk them to school, help them with schoolwork, make cookies with them, cook dinner with them, go shopping with them, go to the park, watch and listen to them playing, listen to their days, pray for them, fix them dinner, a snack, and kiss them goodnight.  It's a long, exhausting job, motherhood.  But I love those kids so much and I want to do so much more with them.  
I am loving watching Amelia as she gets into that adorable innocent stage of walking, talking, learning, and growing.  I love listening to Jonathan playing legos and singing his own theme music (quite loudly too--hilarious, and yes, I did get it on film!), I love when Mariah smiles at me and gives me a big hug, I love when Aubrey laughs her real laugh and her sweet smile.  I love being their mother and I am grateful for their sweet spirits.  Moving here has been really hard for them.  Mariah started crying as we walked into her new class on the first day of school.  Aubrey was the star of her old class and though she is making lots of new friends, it is really hard for her to not be the leader.  Jonathan gets lonely while his sisters are gone and I am busy unpacking, shopping, and whatnot.  Amelia has finally been weaned and is not happy about it.  But they are such good kids and they are trying so hard and really doing a great job.  They are making new friends and our ward is awesome.  My kids are such good friends as siblings and generally play really well and work really well together.  I really love it and I want our family to be close.  I love doing things as a family-it's a great gift indeed to have a wonderful family!