Halloween 2010

Happy Halloween!!

Our three little munchkins.

Before our wards trunk-or-treat I got some pictures of the kids in their costumes.

They were being so cute together

Our little witch

Fierce-some Wolverine; look who's been pumping weights!

GI-Joe

Briggs and Brooklyn doing somersaults; so cute!

Briggs doing, "put your nose in there" and then he squeezes it. He gets that from daddy! Ethan just getting his claws in there!

What the?!?!?!

Oh, so cute! Can't get enough of this little girl!

Some of our halloween decorations; which were sparse this year, but still fun!

Me and the kids before the ward trunk-or-treat.

Brooklyn caught right on and was first there to say "trick-or-treat" and move onto the next vehicle. It was really fun.

Ethan got to see his school teacher there too and he was excited about that!

Briggs has little admirers where ever we go, tonight was no different; I think he's going to be our little heartbreaker with the little girls!

Cory with the kids

All finished with heavy bags weighing them down.

The nice thing about trick-or-treating earlier in the evening, or even a day earlier like they do when Halloween falls on Sunday in Idaho, is that we can give most of their candy away to kids who come to our door tonight and tomorrow night ;-) Of course after removing our favorite candy from the bunch. Cory calls that his "parent tax;" and Briggs just laughs. I don't think he realizes how high that that tax is with parents who love their sweets!

The kids getting pictures with the pretty princesses; the boys didn't hesitate a bit when asked to get in the picture! Brooklyn loved it and the cute dragon is our friends son Braedon.

When we got home we met up with our friends and took the kids up the street so they could go actual trick-or-treating; the kids were so cute running from door to door. Brooklyn was hilarious as she would hold onto the brim of her hat and while running would say, "hurry hurry hurry!" So glad we got that on video! Ethan took all the shortcuts through people's yards, even scaling small fences; it was pretty funny! It was fun to watch the kids and their excitement; that is my favorite part!

Until next year...

funny boy

Sometimes...well, a lot of times, my kids say the funniest things; especially Ethan. Tonight was no different.

Ethan came in all excited and said to me, "I get to go home teaching with dad tonight; that means I must be a daddy now!" He was so cute and so serious with his big ol' smile that I just had to laugh and give him hugs and kisses!

And...

Earlier today for one of Ethan's chores I had him wipe the bathroom counters and sinks off. It had been a while since I'd seen him so I went to check on him and he was using his sopping wet rag to wipe the mirrors with water and he was doing a meticulous job; which of course looked awful (though I wouldn't tell him that). I told him he didn't need to do the mirrors right now and that we could do them later and he was so sweet and said, "I just wanted to do them so they looked nice too." What a sweet little boy!

...I sure love my kiddos and I love being a mother!

Something was a brewin'

...and it wasn't warm soup in my kitchen!

Last night we got home from Cory's parents house and it was dark and pouring rain. Not 10 minutes after we got home the lights started flickering and then we heard a tremendous wind and rain storm outside that seemed to get really severe for about 5 minutes. After it died down a bit Cory went out to check our fence and saw this...

Totally busted...

After the discovery of the fence Cory made the comment, "I wonder if our shed made it okay?"

We had to wait until morning to see, so when I opened my blinds I was pleased to see that sure enough, the house that Cory built was still standing ;-), but something was missing. It took me a minute then I realized that our trampoline was gone. Vanished! WHAT? Where did it go?

At first I thought someone took advantage of the storm and came and swiped it (look at me, always assuming the worst ;-) then upon closer evaluation I noticed that they left several poles. I quickly ruled out a theft and started looking for our trampoline when I spotted it about 300 yards away, in the neighbors horse pasture! It must have been some unbelievable storm to wisk our trampoline completely over two 6-foot fences and land where they did.

(click on picture to see a bigger view of where our trampoline was and where it ended up)

Going to retrieve our mangled mess of a trampoline in the blowing 33 degree weather. The springs were scattered all the way from the neighbors fence to the trampoline!

Loaded up and headed back home. Thankfully, aside from a few damaged springs it looks to be in good condition.

Question, do we take a chance and set it up again for the nice balmy 60-degree weather we're supposed to be getting in a week?!?!? Or do we pack it away for the winter?!?!?!

Cory and Briggs looking for any missing pieces in the church lot

This was the damage done to our neighbors wall; the neighbors with the horse pasture. Like I said, it must have been some serious wind!

Thankfully aside from a broken fence, our damage was minimal!

Farm Scene Investigation

Last night we went to the local BSA Farm Scene Investigation Corn maze with Cory's parents. It was windy, a bit chilly, and really dusty but it was a great time and a fun concept to give meaning to walking through endless rows of corn (which I'd do anyway because I think corn mazes are fun!)

Ethan and Brooklyn loved piling up all the dry dirt into piles when we'd stop and jumping into them. I tried at first to keep them out of the dirt, but who am I to think I can keep two littles out of the dirt. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately for my blog ;-) my camera battery died after a few pictures so this is all I have to show for our fun evening!

I loved the dark sky threatening rain and all the great colors!

Like the sky behind Briggs up there on the right! Gorgeous!

Grandpa Hansen with Brooklyn!

The kids LOVED the little train. Brooklyn came back and said, "train bumpy...I hab fun on train!" Too cute!

Pleased as punch to be riding the train! Love that million-dollar smile!

And their off..

When the kids got back from the train we had fun playing in the maze while we waited for Cory to go get a few more stamps on our cards. I even played tag with my boys and was jumping over hay bails with my pregnant belly; I surprised myself! Thankfully no one had a video camera ;-)

It was a fun evening! Thanks Carl and Judy for a fun time!

Officially in business...

Well, I bet some of you are wondering how things are going with our business; the one that we've been wanting to start for the past 3 years and the business we felt passionate enough to uproot our family from Ohio, which we loved, quit our secure government job, and move clear across the country to Idaho. Mobile Ramps* is our company name and these past few months have been busy with laying all the ground work that goes into setting up a such a business, creating our brand/logo, the legal jargon, talking with manufacturers etc. etc....

Well, I'm excited to say that we are officially in business! This week Cory placed his first aluminum ramp for Lori, a woman who takes care of a wheel-chair bound lady full-time. They've had many close calls trying to get up the stairs into their house so they were thrilled with the results and to have a ramp for easy accessibility without the structural damage to their home and exterior. It was a perfect fit!

The ramps can be rented, leased, or purchased and can be used for something as short-term as a surgery, wedding, special events, or long-term for wheel-chair bound persons and it is usually an easy 1-day set up. It is an awesome product and great service so we are thrilled to be doing this! We're also willing to travel for our friends in Montana, Utah, northern Idaho so please spread the word for us!

*(click on the Mobile Ramps above to check out our website; it is still a work in progress but you get the idea)

casualty...

...see here our first casualty (I'm sure of many to come) from our outdoor trampoline. Yesterday afternoon she was outside jumping by herself and Briggs was playing "Boo" with her (like he was going to come and get her) and she got a little excited and turned to run and fell off the trampoline hitting the chain link fence as she fell. Briggs was right there to help her and brought her into me. The poor little girl had dirt pieces in her teeth and big tears rolling down her cheek; I'm just glad it was only a few minor scratches. I hate when my kids get hurt!

Now when she passes by a mirror and sees her nose she says, "owwie...fall down on trampoline." Sweet girl, it will heal but I'm sure she'll remember that one for a while.

Do you have sports on the brain???

Today I was talking with Briggs' primary teacher from church who asked us if our family is into sports. I had to smile because that is kind of an understatement around these parts between a husband that was literally counting down the days until football started (and reminding me every day along the way) and between my boys who play football EVERY single day after school for hours, I told her "YES...yes we are!"

She proceeded to tell me that Briggs came up to her on Sunday and asked "so...what is Gage (her 6-year old son) into these days?" (Of course sounding way older than his 6-years). She responded with a few things Gage likes and Briggs--truly with sports on the brain, who probably didn't hear her because he didn't hear any "buzz" words, responded with "so is he into baseball, football, soccer, basketball?" and when she said "we'll not really" she said he was quite surprised! I had to laugh because that is so our little Briggs!

Speaking of loving sports when Briggs was asked to do something for his up-coming primary talent show he told them he'd do something with football. So he and Ethan are going to work up something real spectacular I'm sure! I'll be sure to catch it on video!

Just another side story since I've got football on the brain. Last week the boys were out playing football and Briggs runs into the house with a big smile on his face and said, "You won't believe it but Ethan caught two one-handed catches of the football. I was so proud of him!! It was really unbelievable (his word not mine ;-). I wish I could do a one-handed catch like him!!" Ethan was right behind him with a smile as big as Texas and he again recounted his achievement and then he told me that Briggs said he'd give him two of his trophy's for making such good catches! Which Briggs was true to his word. I think Ethan was the happiest little Brother there ever way; and Briggs was equally as proud! I was really cute!

There are a lot of days when the boys play that it ends up in tears or crying, or someone storming off because the other wasn't playing by the rules (usually that's Ethan making his own rules) but it is moments like that that always make me smile. Just the other day Briggs came in and said, Ethan and I are the best brothers ever just like Joseph and Hyrum. They really can be sweet!

We sure LOVE LOVE LOVE our little boys!

Another sweet non-football note: Today while I watched Briggs get on the bus he sat down and did his daily wave-at-me-from-the-window-until-I'm-out-of-sight routine but then he smiled so big and began blowing me kisses; I loved it! As I walked back home I wished I could just bottle up that sweet little moment and never forget it; and hopefully I won't since I'm writing it down but I know that these days won't always be here when they are so sweet and innocent so for now I'm soaking it up.

I truly love being a mother and I feel so blessed!!

Road trip...

Where we saw a lot of these...

And even more of this...

Had amazing views like these...

on our road trip to Arizona...

DAY 1

This past Wednesday we left for a trip to Arizona. We left just about noon, after the kids got out of school, and drove until about 10:30 that night when we stopped for the night in Lake Powell. It worked great because most of the kids napped after lunch and then they were all asleep by about 7:30.

DAY 2

When we woke up we woke up to this amazing view just down from our hotel. Because it was pitch black when we rolled into town be missed a lot of the great landscape so we were glad we got to see it on the way back and to enjoy it that morning...

Talk about an incredible sight!

It looks like Ethan is right on the edge but he isn't; looks are deceiving here

blurry picture but I thought I'd show me with my 3 1/2 kids; besides the one behind the camera hardly ever gets to be seen :-)

Now they really were close to the edge here. Cory had them lay on their tummies and scoot to look closer.

They LOVED it! I don't know if I should be worried that they weren't scared or to be proud that they didn't cower!

Before getting to Mesa we had some time to kill so while stopped at a rest area we saw a sign for Montezuma Castle and it looked interesting. We stopped for about an hour to look at the amazing home and civilization these ancient people made and it really was remarkable.

The castle from a distance; definitely worth checking out

A replica of how the people were able to access their cave-dwelling home.

The boys thought the naked indians were soooo funny; that's a boy for you!

While there we asked a lady to take our picture; it seems we hardly get pictures of all of us and everyone is actually smiling...well, Briggs is almost.

I love this picture of Cory talking to Briggs; they sure love their daddy!

Thursday afternoon around 3 we rolled into Mesa to spend the evening with Cory's sister Penni and their family before they headed off for their own family vacation to California early the next morning.

It was a bit chaotic for them but they were gracious hosts and the kids had fun playing dart guns with Zoe! They have this wonderful loft area above their living room that was the perfect place for staking out two teams to shoot at each other. We tried to pick all the darts up but they might still be finding darts for weeks!

Briggs in action

Every time Ethan would put his gun on the ground to crank it the darts would stick to his vest and so when he'd stand up he would have no darts in his gun; it was pretty funny and we got a good laugh out of it!

Playing outside with cousin Kristine

The kids LOVED Zoe. She was a good sport and played well with them!

The kids saying goodbye in their own way before they took off for California; Ethan thought it was great to hold on from behind and be dragged...silly boy!

The kids eating muffins for breakfast!

Getting ready to take off...

Briggs with cousin Nichole

DAY 3

After Todd and Penni took off we went swimming at Todd's sisters country club pool. It was Soooo nice! The kids loved it, the weather was perfect, there weren't that many people there and it was the perfect activity since our children love to go swimming!

Click to enlarge

After getting ready for the day we headed off to eat at Tia Rosa's Mexican restaurant and ate some yummy fajitas! Headed back to Todd and Penni's house and put the kids down for naps. that evening we headed about an hour north to visit our good friends from Ohio (who now live in Arizona) and stayed the night with them. Sheri made a wonderful pasta dinner for us (so thoughtful since Cory was getting ready for his triathlon early the next morning) and we enjoyed catching up with them and seeing their new addition to the family!

Sheri, Adam, Risa, and Ruby

I love how Ethan looks like he's totally part of their family. He really wanted to be in the picture; it was pretty cute!

When we got there Risa had made all these signs that were to help point us to our room. It was really cute! Brooklyn is holding one of them!

DAY 4

Early the next morning (around 4:30 a.m.) Brooklyn and I took Cory to set up for his triathlon that would begin at 7. We lucked out that Sheri and Adam lived only 15 minutes away; it worked out perfectly. When I got home around 6 I found out that Briggs, Ethan and Risa woke up by 5:30. Silly kids.

We ate a quick breakfast and then the kids and I went over to support Cory.

The swimming portion

Brooklyn watching from the rocky shore

I tried taking her down in the stroller and quickly abandoned that less-than-smart-idea and we walked the rest of the way down.

The biking portion. The kids watching the bikers who rode 24 miles in a very hilly terrain; a much harder course than the Rexburg triathlon. This was a good race for us to watch because even though it was a long time to wait, at least on the biking and running portion they did laps so we got to cheer for Cory when he'd come by us. That helped pass the time.

Starting off for his 6 mile run; giving the boys hi-5's!

The boys also passed the time by playing their video games and playing in the dirt in the only shade around. The morning started out windy and chilly but by this time we were baking in the sun. Brooklyn fell asleep by 9:30--obviously beat from her early morning rise (her choice, not mine)

Ethan being silly
The boys waited for Cory on the last corner stretch to run with him through the finish.

click to enlarge

We are so proud of Cory who not only improved his time but did it on a MUCH harder course!

I think it's safe to say he's addicted to the triathlon rush!

He's already looking forward to several more next year!

The boys were so proud!

Packing up and hydrating

As we were leaving I asked Cory what the number on the back of his calf represented. He told me it was his age (sometimes I'm a little slow ;-) and I told him I would have loved to have known that to help pass the time as I'm always surprised at the scope of people that participate in triathlons. It really is inspiring.

Note to self: next time bring a chair or two

Following the Triathlon we headed home, Cory got showered and we went with Adam and Risa to eat at In-and-out. YUMMY YUMMY cheeseburgers. I was happy to see that Utah has several now; we'll definitely be making the stop when we're down there next time.

In the afternoon the kids had fun playing together and watching Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs while the adults played Hearts. We will definitely be renting that movie sometime because the part we watched was pretty entertaining!

the kids playing on the banana chair with Risa; remember the 80's

Sheri with her baby.

Taken a few minutes before we left. She reminds me so much of her sister Risa.

Risa holding Ruby

Brooklyn and Briggs both actually wanted me to take their pictures; Brooklyn a surprise...no. Briggs..yes.

Saturday evening we headed down the road to stay with Cory's cousin Riley and her wonderful family! They were the perfect hosts and we had such a good time chatting with them, enjoying wonderful food, and watching football. Cory felt right at home...actually I did too! Their kids are such good kids. The boys played football literally for hours in the living room and their boys Caleb (10) and Landon (8) were so good to the boys. I could tell they really boosted Ethan's confidence in football; he is getting pretty good and he is quick and scrappy too. I hope our boys will be as good of friends to each other and as good to other kids as these two boys are. Jon and Riley have a great family and it was an honor to get to know them and their kids better.

Ethan, Caleb, Landon and Briggs. Sweaty from playing hard!

Brooklyn loved Brittany; she just loves girly girls anyway. Brittany let her put her money in her piggy bank, wear her necklaces, she put make-up and lip gloss on her and let her play with her brushes; she was in heaven!

Brooklyn is also now aware that if she kisses daddy with lip-gloss on it will come off. She was very particular in letting him know that kisses were off limits! It was pretty entertaining! Brooklyn loves to be the center of attention and it was no different at Jon and Riley's house

DAY 5

Sunday morning we had a yummy french toast breakfast, let the kids play for a while and took off around 11:30 for Utah. The drive was absolutely beautiful! We'll definitely be making another trip!

DAY 6

Monday we went swimming and around noon took off for home. It was a fun trip! The kids did remarkably well that we didn't even break out the dvd players once! Now that's saying something ;-)

We had a great time and a big thanks again to all our friends and family! We love you and are grateful for you!