Spring Break 2011

It's been a long time since we last posted since I was unable to link any pictures up because our camera wouldn't upload pictures - our new camera arrived right before spring break so I have lots of pictures to now download!

Anyways, we just returned from our trip to Orlando and I am seriously thinking about looking for jobs down there.  There's just something about the beautiful landscaping, sunny weather and all the Disney activities!  It's always difficult leaving Florida - I always seem to leave there with tears in my eyes.  And now Jackson feels the same way!  He was very upset that we had to leave and is already talking about going down again.

We didn't do any of the Disney parks but I can't wait to take the kids there someday!  I had a lot of different ideas of things we could do down there (1/2 days so at least Brendan would get a good nap) but we discovered the boys were just thrilled to be swimming in the pool so we stayed put at our condo most of the week.  There was one day of rain that we ventured out for a bit of shopping but didn't last too long with the boys.

The best part was seeing the excitement in the boys eyes when they would see things.  Jackson was beside himself when we went to Downtown Disney and visited the Lego store (he got his 1st set of Legos and loves them!) and Brendan absolutely loved the pool.  He would climb in and out of the kiddie pool and just stand there watching all the kids. The boys did a tremendous job traveling and behaving down there.  Of course we had our moments, like when Brendan threw a fit during our last night out for dinner but all in all they did a great job. 

The worst part of the trip reminded me how precious each day is.  My Uncle Bern and part of his family traveled down there as well and while we were there he went in to the hospital because something just wasn't right.  We had all figured that he'd be diagnosed with a minor stroke or something of that sort but it was discovered that he has a brain tumor.  News like that makes every problem that we face right now seem so unimportant.  Now we just pray for good news for him.

Why I love winter.... and why I don't love winter

I love winter for many reasons - the beauty of snow falling while you can stay inside and be warm (hence the pictures from our backyard), the Christmas season, snow days, hot chocolate, sledding, snuggling under blankets, smelling chili as it simmers on the stove, etc. 

But the one thing that I detest most about winter is the illness that seems to come along with it!  We've been doing pretty well with illness BUT last week, let's just say we made good friends with our friendly pharmacist. I came down with strep throat (a given that I would get sick as I usually get sick at some point around conferences and we had conferences last week).  Unfortunately this also meant that my shoulder surgery (for some bone spurs) had to be delayed because they didn't want to risk the chance of infection.  Then to top things off, when I was home with strep I noticed Jackson had started to wheeze when he was coughing.  Being the paranoid mom that I am (especially since his asthma reaction in the fall) I called the doctor and got him in.  Thankfully they did a nebulizer treatment in the office and it worked whereas last time it didn't and he had to visit the ER.  This time we went home with some steroids and instructions to call if it didn't improve.  Well.... it didn't improve so now we have a nebulizer at our house for him.  At least we won't have to visit the office just for treatments now... and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we don't use it too much!  So the Hansen's have survived round one of illness and now after a weekend of resting and sanitizing the house we're so much happier here.  But a snow day would make things even happier!

Sleepover Fun

We had our first New Year's sleepover this year!  When I was younger, I our family used to alternate spending New Years at 3 different houses.  That way our parents didn't have to find babysitters, nobody had to be out on the road and us kids could stay up late and play!  It was something we looked forward to with anticipation for weeks.  This year we started that tradition with the DeVissers, my sister and our good friend Holly.  It was wonderful because we were able to get the kids down at a reasonable time and then we had adult time.  I can't wait for this tradition to continue - the 3 boys will definitely be trouble:) 

The next night, my nephews came over night while my brother and his wife went to a Lions game.  It was so fun to watch the boys all play together and we really didn't have any arguments with them.  At night, the 3 oldest slept in Jackson's room.  At one point I heard laughing so I go in there and find my dear son throwing down all his stuffed animals (he sleeps with TONS of them) down from his bed and the other 2 boys laughing hysterically.  My favorite moment was waking up the next morning after hearing them making noise and finding the three of them standing at Jackson's bedroom door just waiting to come down to play.  I am so glad that they're so close in age and have become such good buddies.  What a blessing these cousins are!!!

Christmas Break

I love Christmas break!  Not only do I get some extra time with my boys at home but we also get to celebrate the holidays with friends and family.  Having this time with the boys makes me love being a mom even more.  I look at them in awe and thank the Lord for granting me such blessings!

Jackson is definitely becoming so much more imaginative.  We spent hours in the toy room as he "fixed it up" or played with trains or made up games with his brother.  He was so happy to be able to stay home in his pajamas and there were a few days that we actually did stay in pajamas all day!

Brendan idolizes his big brother.  If Jackson is doing something, Brendan will be following right along with him.  It is so much fun watching him imitate his brother and try to get his brothers attention.  He will often take his brothers toys just to get his brother to realize that he's there and then they'll start wrestling with each other.  They are definitely boys!

Tomorrow we start the routines again.  As much as I love my job, it's difficult to leave my boys and head back again:(  

Christmas Morning

This has to be my favorite Christmas ever!  Jackson was excited about everything that had to do with Christmas and Brendan just kind of went with the flow.  I do think that next year will be even more fun because then Brendan will be that much older and understand all the things that we do. 

When Jackson went to bed on Christmas Eve, he told Luke to turn all his lights (even his nightlight) off because then he'll fall asleep faster and Santa will come).  How precious!  He was the first one up the next morning but I think that he forgot it was Christmas because he came into our room and wanted to watch cartoons.  However, when I asked him if he'd rather open presents, he ran to the kitchen to see if Santa ate the cookies and drank the chocolate milk and then made a mad dash to the stockings.  During this time, I went up to get Brendan and by the time I got downstairs with him and Luke had gotten up, Jackson had already opened his presents in his stocking! 

We were able to hang around the house most of the day which was great because Jackson really enjoyed playing with his new presents and both boys took great naps too.  What wonderful memories we had and it was great to start implementing traditions with the boys. 

Christmas Eve

We did our traditional Christmas Eve party at my parents again this year.  It was a bit different because my mom just had back surgery 2 weeks ago so she still is feeling a bit sore and isn't up to the usual entertaining that she typically does for Christmas Eve.  We ended up getting pizza (which actually worked best because it was quick and the kids could unwrap their gifts sooner) and appetizers. 

Jackson got his scooter that he has been asking Santa for so he was pretty excited.  Cohen got one too so the boys were doing laps around the kitchen with them. 

Highlight of the evening was when Eric opened his present from Luke.  We exchange names and Luke had Eric's name.  Eric had black shoes on his list of what he would want and so Luke decided to go to Goodwill and find an ugly pair of black shoes and then tell Eric that they were really expensive originally but that he got a great deal on a used pair.  Well, he did find an awful pair ... pointed toes and tassels.  When Eric opened them he kept saying they were just great and he was believing Luke's story.  Becky on the other hand was not impressed with shoes and couldn't believe that Luke would buy such ugly shoes.  I couldn't stop laughing because Eric was saying he couldn't wait to wear the shoes.  Finally, we gave him his real gift but it was quite the gift and we all had a good laugh about it.  

It was a great evening and the best part was that the kids play together incredibly well so the adults can just sit around and talk. 

Hansen Christmas Party

We had an unexpected gift at our Christmas party with the Hansens .... another tooth for Brendan.  Our morning was quite busy as Jackson had Christmas program practice and then Luke and I stayed in town checking out mini vans (yes we are seriously looking at one!) so Brendan didn't get much of a morning nap.  As we went through the day, he hardly napped, was super fussy and didn't want to eat (shocking for him!).  This morning, we discovered that new tooth had appeared.  Should've known! 

Despite the crabby kid, we had a great time with the family.   The kids had a blast playing together and Jackson was super tired by about 5pm and was crying (and wheezing a bit) so we packed up and headed home.  Before we even left their driveway Jackson was sound asleep and he slept until 6:30am this morning!  Brendan enjoyed getting home and playing with the new toys and Mom and Dad.  What a difference a year makes  - it sure if fun with two little guys who love to play!