Battle of the Sexes

Nobody will ever win the Battle of the Sexes. There's just too much fraternizing with the enemy. ~Henry Kissinger

This was Tom and I's FOURTH time doing Battle of the Sexes with the youth.

And it will never, never, ever get old....

What are the depressions in a golf ball called?

This girl has the most adorable DIMPLES ever!!

I love the youth. It's obvious with the amount of time I spend with them.

They are an INSPIRATION to me.

Go Women!!

PS: Tom cheats every time. We know how to play a good game. Shhhhh.

First Day of School

Learn as much as you can while you are young, since life becomes too busy later.
~Dana Stewart Scott

Hip Hip Hooray!

Preston is the "big man on campus" at preschool this year.

Preston and his best friend Dallin are the 2 older boys in the class.

Hopefully he is a good example.

He is very bossy like his mother.

He loves school like his mother.

And he has been learning lots of jokes so he can be funny like his father.

Knock Knock.
Who's there?
Cows.
Cows who?

Cows go moo not who.

(Wesley's favorite joke)

Surprise!

There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved. It is God's finger on man's shoulder. ~Charles Morgan

"Come see my surprise mom"
(Awoken from my sleep at the too early time of 8:00am I opened up one eye, looked at Preston and thought "Oh Crap")

"What is it?"

"It's a surprise come see"

"Give me until the big hand it on the 3"

Tom says, "You have to go see it"

thought: oh crap, big time

I rolled out of bed and followed him downstairs where a miracle before my eyes:

Preston had cleaned the entire playroom BY HIMSELF

Big Big Big Suprise

"I can do it all by myself mom. Do you know why I'm so excited? Because I love you"

Preston is discovering many things he can do now.

It's a new day in this household: CHORES!

Because I love him too.

Life Unbalanced

I never felt like I was neglecting my family. I always said I can love you with all my heart but not with all my time, I've always felt life was a both-end thing rather than either or."
Emma Lou Thayne

Thank you Emma for answering a prayer. And thanks to one of my top favorite bloggers: cjane enjoy it for posting about it.

Life is unbalanced. Which means change is underway. But what the change is I don't know. Haven't received any answers yet.

As a mother I feel guilty when when I can't give our children my undivided attention in a day.

Today I'm thankful my children have each other.

Two is so easier than One.

Seriously!

Sunday Evening Cookie Cooking

One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating. ~Luciano Pavarotti and William Wright, Pavarotti, My Own Story

Oooohhh! I love to eat.

Since being off "the diet" I have enjoyed a plethora (one of my mom's favorite words) of baking days. How fun it is to bake - but it's even better when you have people to share it with so you don't end up eating the dessert all by yourself!

On today's baking agenda:

Linda's Soft (Soft!) Ginger Cookies

The babies made their own mess with their Popsicles:

Something else I gained from this evening (besides weight from the cookies) was a gift from my dearest "clean" friend:

A non-stick mat to put on my kitchen table to roll out cookie dough on.

Did you ever think how gross it is to add kitchen table germs to your cookies?

I didn't - that's why I have dear friends who care about my health.

Teaching Children About Death

After all, to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure. ~J.K. Rowling

On the Dr. Phil show some parents were worried about getting pets for their children because they didn't want their children to be sad when the pet died.

Dr. Phil told them that children who have pets die are better able to cope when people in their life die.

Preston learned about death this week when our little Lady hamster got sick. Our dear neighbor came over and held her - because I was so whimpy to do it. (In a car ride a couple of days later Preston told his friend that Noelle is so brave because she came and held Lady when she died). It really was traumatic - the poor thing was moaning.

We put her in a box and Preston said, "Let's draw a picture of Lady on the top so Heavenly Father knows it is a hamster"


We buried her in the Warrens garden next to their 2 hamsters. They are probably running around together in heaven.

Preston has asked a couple of times when Lady is going to come back.

Children are so very wise.

Issaquah Salmon Hatchery

Most of us, swimming against the tides of trouble the world knows nothing about, need only a bit of praise or encouragement - and we will make the goal. ~Jerome Fleishman

Salmon are an inspiration to me. At the end of their life (those that survive) in a tired, beat down state they must swim upstream only to lay their eggs and die.

They are obedient and they know their purpose.

I've lived only 30 years and I'm still trying to be obedient and still figuring out my purpose.

Can I endure this life as well as the salmon?

It's a test you know.

I hope. And try to have faith and not fear for what is to come.

And I always have prayer.

Nature has so much to teach us.

These were my thoughts at the hatchery.

Preston learned that ducks like to eat dead fish. Are ducks carnivores?

We Did The Puyallup

When a cow laughs, does milk come out her nose?

We went because Preston wanted to see some Bulls - but sadly they went home.

Grandma got her Carmel Apple

Heidi got her Elephant Ear

Preston got 2 slurpees

Tom got Del Taco

We witness several "Carnies"

wished we had some pictures of those animals (ooo - that is so mean!)

We Did The Puyallup!

Note for next year: Go before all the animals get tired and want to go home.

My Alpacas

Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers. ~Garth Brooks

While the crew went into the petting zoo I walked around and came upon some Alpacas. I stopped and was quickly reminded of something that happened 9 years ago. My mind began to reflect in the stinky barn.

I once hated these creatures - with a passion. Deep hate. Loath hate.

I rode horses at BYU for 3 years. My senior year, BYU decided to send all the horses up to Ricks College and use the land for Alpacas instead.

I prayed. We all prayed to save the Equestrian Program. I am sure I even fasted.

The answer came - the horses were leaving.

I cried. Said some things I shouldn't have (that Tom still reminds me of). And cried some more.

Turns out - the Alpacas were a blessing. Yes - a blessing.

I got to train one-on-one with my BYU trainer at a farm in Springville. I learned to train green horses. Jumped so high. Learned how to castrate a horse, breed a horse, and birth a horse.

Blessings in disguise.

I looked at these Alpacas at the Fair - reminded me that the best may yet to come.

Snow In September?

"Where does the white go when the snow melts?"

In the vacuum.

Thanks to Target's new bookshelves - we got to experience "snow" everywhere in the house in the middle of September.

It's a good thing we had a fan to blow all the "lovely"snow around. It even stuck to the walls. It truely was an unbelievable site.

And it was just as fun to clean up.

And this snow never melts.

Oh what a Winter Wonderland!

(ps: Not to brag... but I think I will... I'm such a nice mother)

(pss: it's been over a month since this "snow day" and we are still cleaning up snow)

There's A First Time For Everything

"The finest clothing made is a person's skin, but, of course, society demands something more than this. " ~Mark Twain

There was a purse is the hotel lobby gift shop that caught my eye. Is it cute? I don't know... a little too flashy for me.... but I need to move on from the diaper bag..........I wish Heidi was here so I could ask her....... well, I'll just be spontaneous and get it.

I brought my purse home to the family:

"That is so not you - It's so cute" (Heidi)

"Whose purse is that? It's not your style" (Mom)

Then a couple of days later at Target Preston wrinkled up his nose, pointed and said:

"Whose purse is THAT?"

"It's mine"

"I don't like it - I like the blue one"

Then not even 10 minutes later something happened that never before has happened in my 30 years of life. A fashionable type woman walked by and said,

"what an adorable purse"

Those 4 words made me speechless.

Is she talking to me? I looked down at the purse and then up:

"Thank you SO VERY MUCH"

and I skipped down to the vitamin aisle.

Me. Purse compliment.

I came home and told Tom I was cool now.

One notch up from the Harry Potter nerd ladder he said.

Yes it is - a big step for me.

I still have to ask Tom which shoe looks better on Sunday.

And that is my purse story.

Isn't it cute?

Santa Barbara: Lots of Work, Lots of Play

"99% of all content on the Internet is written by 1% of the population" ~CJU Conference
(this is a tidbet of what I learned at the conference I attended)

You may not remember (most of the time my family forgets too) that I work.

My work sent me to a conference - and I packed up Tom and took him with me.

I worked in the day and Tom did..... I don't know - ask him.

Here I am enjoying the beautiful Pacific Ocean and Tom with his look.....

we were so happy to be free from our diet for a couple of days - Tom had the most delicious omlet at this adorable Beach Side Cafe.

Went to the Santa Barbara Farmers Market - so beautiful. I wish I was a good photographer to capture the beautiful fruits & vegetables of southern CA - can you even imagine?? You can't. At least I took a picture of the artichokes in honor of Jan - the Queen of Artichokes.

Went Bike Riding on the Beach Walk (Tom takes the worst pictures)

There's always a trip story when you travel with Tom that he tells everyone once you get back.
Story: We were downtown Santa Barbara when I asked Tom, "How do all these homeless people afford to live here?" haa haa haa - said Tom. I still want to know.

Tom has 2 speeds when he drives and I learned this applies to his biking as well:

1. Fast

2. Slow.....

no in between. Ever.

Thanks to Carlen, Heidi, Branden, Grandma Hollie and Grandma Jan for making this trip possible.

I would not be such a happy person if it wasn't for my "village."

THANK YOU!

Brave Wesley Conquers

Take risks: if you win, you will be happy; if you lose, you will be wise. ~Author Unknown

Little Dare Devil, what should I do?
I look away for a moment
and then you always pursue.

We're organizing our garage!!

Someone needs to keep an eye on this guy.

Did you know he's almost two?

Brother's Keeper

"Thank God every morning when you get up, that you have something to do that day which must be done, whether you like it or not." ~ Charles Kingsley

Motherhood brings all different kinds of tears.

Sweet Tears came today

After a corn dog lunch, Preston took Wesley upstairs for 2 books, gave him the binky & "mimi", turned on his fan, hoisted him into the crib, and said "Nap time"

Can my 4 year old babysit? Probably

Preschoolers are so much like teenagers. One minute they are shockingly independant and the next minute they need help putting their shoes on.

It's Official - The Hansen Hideaway

"Hansen Hideaway" Est. 2007

It's official - Carlen made the sign.

Branden made THE BESTEST EVER steaks on the outside grill.

The Happy Birthday Boy

Branden is happy because they got to watch hours and hours of non-interrupted Football in the RV.

Batman showed up for a surprise visit at the cabin - however he could not save Preston from slamming his finger in the metal RV door. Even Batman cried.

It's a joke in our family that Heidi takes the worst pictures. It's hilarious - really hilarious. Every Christmas card picture for the past zillion years - Heidi looked ridiculous. She said the other day "you put the worst picture of me on your blog" and I said - "which one" haa haa haa

So sorry Heidi - but I just had to put this picture....... It was probably morning.

Ironically - Heidi is so beautiful in person. Someone needs to teach her how to take good pictures. We love you Heidi!!

I Love To See The Temple

"It is at the Temple that all things are bound together." ~ Hugh Nibley

A day we've been dreaming of finally happened. Tanner was so quiet and peaceful in the temple. What a wise little boy. Then when we got outside he was full of smiles.


and the rest of us were too.

Heidi and Branden's bishop. Preston was begging to go inside the temple. He kept asking me why Tanner could go in but he couldn't. Loaded question for a 4 year old.

This picture makes me reflect on what cute little missionaries they will be.

And they lived happily ever after..... every one.