A Culinary Masterpiece!!
Liam loves to help me in the kitchen! We try to have him cook a few times a month so he can feel like he's contributing to the family and he always does a great job. He makes homemade pizza, homemade Mac and Cheese w/ ham, and now he's making homemade turkey meatballs with mushroom gravy. They were awesome!

He loves to work with his hands whether it's cooking or creating art or building his Lego creations he always keeps his hands busy.

We always look forward to a meal from this master chef who will one day not need me to feed him anymore and that makes me really sad. Oh well at least when he's all grown up and living on his own I know he won't starve.

There's nothing like a little girl time! Kelsey is a true middle child and being one myself I know how hard it can be to find your place in the family. Middle children are unique. They tend to like to be the center of attention but can be quite shy when put on the spot. We are boisterous and excitable and if your a girl your VERY girly! As is Kelsey and hopefully Brinley too. Brinley and Kelsey both have matching earrings and most of the time matching toes.

I have been know to spend way to much time painting my own toes and nails and now I get to do it for my little princesses. Kelsey has had a bit of challenge adjusting to a new baby around the house, It's been just her and I for so long now during the day that sharing mommy can be hard so we try to have some time each day to focus some attention on just her and this was one of those times. I love having girls to pamper, I remember my mom and I doing it when I was young and I love those memories with her I just hope I can give the girls as many wonderful memories as my mom gave me.

Awesome Great-Grandma! The kids decided that great-grandma deserved a status far greater then just great-grandma. So she is now affectionately known as AWESOME great-grandma. I think this title is well deserved as she is the foundation of this family and loved by all who know her. The kids love there visits with her as do mom and dad. She is always so full of love and affection for her great-grand kids that who wouldn't want to spend time with her. We cherish every moment we can with her and I am so glad to be able to give her the one gift she never complains about getting. More Grand babies.

Mommy Brain!!!

I just noticed that I have now posted twice about the baby blessing so please excuse my mommy brain and just enjoy the photo's and my lack of observance.

A Blessed Event!
The first weekend in July we blessed our sweet baby girl Brinley Evelyn Hanson. It was a wonderful day full of wonderful friends and family. Since we have no family here in the city we never know who will show these type of events and this time we were overjoyed by the turnout.In attendance we had the Brown family, the Dosko family, Grandpa and Grandma Hanson, the Klaussen family, the Mckinnon family and the Knaus family. It was soooo wonderful to have the people we love so close to us on such a special day. Brinley's gown was the very same gown I wore 32 yrs ago when I was christened and she was an angel in it. My dear friend Becky Ackroyd took some wonderful shots of her after the event so we could remember our baby B in her fancy gown.

Unfortunately this was the only picture I took all day. We had everyone back to the house for a BBQ after and I was a little preoccupied. Our family has grown so much in so many different ways but I will always be glad for these spiritual occasions that remind us who we are and what's most important.

Now we have a baptism to plan for next so stay tuned for those pictures soon to come in a few months.

The Baby Blues!

For anyone out there who has ever had kids you know exactly what I'm about to talk about.

I have three beautiful kids who I adore to pieces but since the birth of my last baby (Brinely) I have had a few rough days. Mostly the last month has been a bit of a challenge. Is it the baby causing me this grief NO! She is a wonderful baby. She rarely fusses, eats great (no nursing this time), sleeps like a dream and makes me smile all the time. The other two are busy and make me crazy but I really don't think there the issue either. No this time I really understand what chemical imbalance is really all about.

I am moody and wheepy and cranky most days. I have no problen speaking my mind and get really pissy when people question what I'm feeling. I don't get mad very often but when I do get away from me and let me have my space. I've always been that way it's a family thing. So why this time, why now am I having this problem. I had post-pardum with my first baby but it was mostly sleep induced. I had no problems with my second and now with #3 I want to crawl into a hole. I don't feel like I need drugs or therapy I just need to work through it but some days I really just want the world to go away. For example today I was fine, lot's of work to keep me pre-occupied and then the evening was over but yesterday I was quite content to stay home and ignore everyone. What the heck!!!!

I know this will pass and I will be back to myself soon but I feel bad for my kids who get the brunt of it on the bad days. Thank goodness for school days. If you have any idea's I would love to hear them and perhaps as we women do, we can figure it out together. Thanks

Brinley's Baby Blessing!

We blessed Brinley the beginning of July and had the most wonderful turn out of family and friends. The Browns, the Dosco's, the Mckinnons, the Knaus's, the Klaussens, and of course Grandma and Grandpa Hanson were there also. It was so nice to have so many loved ones in attendance as we live so far away from our family. We didn't get many pictures on the actual day so I had my friend Becky come to the house to take photo's of Brinley in her gown.

The gown she wore was the very same one I wore when I was christened as a baby 32 years ago. It meant alot to me to have in my gown and makes up that much closer. She was perfect for the blessing and her dad did a great job blessing her.


She wasn't to thrilled to be having her picture taken this paticular day but she warmed up to it after awhile.

She has the funniest expressions this girl it makes me laugh every time.

Brinley dress was bigger and longer then her 4 year old sister's dress was. Kelsey really wanted to wear her sisters but I managed to talk her out of it.

Brinley I hope you know how much your family adores you and I can't wait to see you grow up to be the beautiful woman I know Heavenly Father sent to us. I love you!!

Welcoming our New Baby Girl!!!

I am proud to introduce the newest addition to the Hanson Clan!
Brinley Evelyn Hanson
Weighing in at 9lbs 9.5 oz
22.5 inches long
Born on May 20th 2:30 ish in the afternoon

This is her very proud big sister Kelsey who loves to shout her baby sister's name at the top of her lungs at least 100 times a day and would touch her all day long if she could!

Patrick is a very proud Dad once again. He once told me that if we win the lottery we would have a dozen kids. I think after watching this one arrive (not pretty) He will just savor the moments he has with Brinley. He was a great coach again and I wouldn't trade him for anything. We have a tradition with each baby born I get a HUGE greasy burger that night for dinner and this time was no different. He got me a meal from a joint called FATBURGER!. The name say's it all. I couldn't even finish it. It was sooo worth giving birth for!

Here she is moments after being born. I won't go into all the gory details just know she came fast and furious and with a vengence, just like her big sister did. She was beautiful from the moment she came screaming out and only gets more gorgeous each and every day.

I love this little girl soooo much and can't belive she's all mine to love and adore. I know I'm a little late with this post and will have more pictures soon, just bear with me. 3 is definalty an adjustment especially when I only took 2 weeks off work and now I'm back at it. Thanks goodness the other two are well trained.

In case anyone missed the last year of my life, I was busy making a baby. It was definatly an eventful pregnancy one I am in no hurry to repeat anytime soon. Being pregnant is not one of my favorite things to do but the reward in the end is really all worth it.

I experianced some challenges along the way, nothing to serious but I really had to slow down and if you know me at all that's not something I do very well. In the end I learned alot about my limits and also learned to say no. Yeah me thats come in handy even after having a baby. My dear friend Becky took these pictures of me near the end of my pregnancy and I have to say I looked the best this time around. I was very round and had some very cute hand me downs to wear. Maternity clothes have come a long way since my first go at this.

Do I miss this belly of mine... No, but I have to say in hind sight I was really cute and my baby is also. At least it's been documented.

Trying something new!!

So what do you think? I'm probably the most non-technical person on the planet but I got brave and tried a new website and now my blog has a new look. Tell me what you think so I can get a second, third and fourth opinion. I make no promises but I'm hoping that this will inspire me to keep up a little better on my blogging.

Wish me luck and enjoy the new picture!

A New Freedom!!

I'm not sure if anyone even checks this blog anymore but for those who do, I am attempting to return once more. I have been given a new freedom that is quite liberating to say the least. I now have my very own computer!!!!! YAH!!!!

My dear hubby has finally gotten his own computer to play his games and not have to be slowed down by any of my own stuff in his machine. We share the office still which I must say is nice as we are still together but doing very seperate activites. I can now enjoy the freedom of hoping on line when ever I darn well feel like it. I can watch him conqer the world while I catch up on facebook and read my friends blog posts. It's the only time I really feel connected with the world. So bear with me as I try to make my blog a priority again but with the ver soon arrival of baby number three I make no promises.

Wish me luck!

I STILL EXIST!!

Welcome to the official time of year where I cease to exist to most people around me. My family thinks I hate them, my friends think I'm ignoring them, and the rest of the world thinks I am a snob. Please be assured that none of the above is true it's just Christmas. This the time of year when I hole up in the basement and unless you come and see me for one beauty reason or another then I don't have time for you. I'm sorry if that's harsh but unfortunatly unless you pay me to spend an hour with you ($40.00 an hour) I am swamped. I love my job and it's not normally this demanding on me but hey tis the season to work around here. Not only am I doing hair all day, I also have Arbonne flying off the shelves so I am trying to appease those customers as well. On top of all this I am 16wks pregnant and just starting to get back on my feet. Heaven help me or at least swallow me whole.

I always think well you can't blog without pictures but if you wait for that we may all die a ripe old age so I am going to let the whole piture thing go and try to just let you know my thoughts. There not very profound but there mine and those who truly love me will still be interested somewhat.

So wish us luck this holiday season and I will try to keep you posted.

My Hunny's Hobby!

My Husband decided last summer he wanted to buy an RC monster truck. So being the good wife I am gave him the green light to purchase one. It is pretty cool but I must say it breaks alot but I have come to understand that if it doesn't break when your racing it then your not racing it hard enough.

So Patrick decided that he wanted to make a new body for it. So this last week has been quite amusing for me as I have watched him agonize over cutting out the stickers and figuring out where to put them so there just right. Then painting it and taping it and painting it somemore. I have blue spots on my front and back lawns from where he was spraying the paint. It was really cool to watch it go from a clear piece of plastic to looking like a really cool truck.

I think he did a great job and I am really proud of his hidden crafter that came out. I know you girls are thinking HHMMM a potential scrapbooker he could be, but I won't push my luck.

Ladies don't let your men see this because it will cost you a whole lot more than just your averege remote controlled car. This one runs on real nitro and is mucho loud.

Boys will be boys and I can't say no.

A River Runs Through It! (Cochrane that is)

Earlier this week Jen took my kids for a whole day and over night and half of the next day so my hunny and I could hang out together. When I went to pick them up from Jen's place we decided to head to the Bow River that runs through Cochrane and into the city. We hung out and had a picnic and let the kids and the dog run free through the water. What an awesome plan. Nothing tired kids and dogs out more that sun, water and ham sandwiches.

We had lots of fun and managed to even get a few pictures. Usually I rely on Jen to take the photos but this time I remembered my camera.

David is my little sweethart. I can't call Jen of the phone without David taking the phone and telling me how much he loves me.
Someone should really feed that kid!
A very wet pooch .
This picture is proof of a milestone for Kelsey. She is a very texture sensitive little girl. She has never liked the feel of grass on her feet, let alone rocks and sand and dirt. This is her walking around with one shoe off because she discovered Crocs make really great sand and water shovels. Her shoes then both came off and she wandered around the rest of the time barefoot. You go girl!

I love to see my kids in water it usually means very tired kids later.
Lauralyn was her usual cutey patottie that day and a little over heated.
Bailey in mid-shake. She's like a walking spray park. Anytime we though "Gee it's really warm out huh?" she would immediatly head over to the blanket we were on and proceed to dry off.
This is the girly way to throw rocks in the water. It's similar to the "Bend and Snap".
There's nothing better than a summer day with friends, I just hope we have a few more before the summer wears out. Thanks Jen for another great Hanson/Mckinnon memory!

Upper Kananaskis Lake!

People alwys ask us if we miss the mountains we left behind in B.C. To be honest no we don't. We never really spent all that much time in them and now we have a whole new set to explore. Kananaskis is only 90 mins from our door to the lake and the drive in is amazing.

We aren't huge hikers but we love a good trail to explore and the kids get better and better every time we go about walking the paths and not complaining about being bored. There learning to enjoy the beauty around them and searching for the perfect rock to throw in the water and make the best splash.

This was Bailey's first time really being able to swim and she did amazing! We were so proud of her just diving in with no fear. Everyone told us she would be a natural swimmer but we were still a little hesitant but they were right and she loved it.
Yeah that's right, me and my hunny snuggling in for a quick picture taken by our boy. How do you like my post stampede cowboy hat compliments of walmart $3.00.
On the way back Kelsey ended up on top of daddy's shoulders. She hiked for almost 2 hours so she deserved a rest.
Cute little outdoorsy girl!!
Patrick and the kids enjoying the view.

My mountain family!
Bailey loves to be outside and here she had a good run and even made a few friends to play with.
This was one of the views. The lake is a beautiful aqua color and really freakin' cold. Glacier lakes are the chilliest and prettiest lakes around here.
Me and my boy!

It was a great day and everyone went home tired and happy. Can't wait for the next adventure and maybe next time we will stay longer and camp next time.

Generations of Love!!!

A couple of weeks ago my sweet hubby took both kids to Edmonton to see the grandparents and great grandma. Greatgrandma's older sister Aunty Mary was out visiting from Prince Albert Sask. and we don't get to see her very often. I was unable to go as I had a full weekend of hair and pedi's to attend to but my family went and had a great time anyway.

These are my girls Aunty Mary, Kelsey and Great-Grandma.
I never had the privledge of having sisters but if I had I only hope we would have loved each other as much as these two do.
Aunty Mary hasn't really had the chance to get our kids all that well, but she sure loves them none the less and treats them like her own. Our kids love her like there own as well.
I just love this picture because it's a classic Kelsey moment. She hates to not be right in the action.
Liam is getting to be a great reader and he loves to read to other people and show off his talents.

He makes us very proud.

I sure hope we can see our dear Aunty Mary again really soon and next time I won't miss it.