Hansen Family Reunion

This last weekend we were able to have a Hansen Family Reunion. Everyone except my brother-in-law Dan was able to attend.(We MISSED you Dan!) It was good to get together and spend time with everyone. Here are a few highlights.....

Swimming in Grandma and Grandpa's pool was number one on all the kids list....they jumped in first thing!

After dinner and swimming was over it was on to the "Circle Game". Those of you who are Murdock's will recognize the blindfolds, searching for surprises, etc. Those of you who are not Murdock's will have to ask us about it.....it is FUN! Check out Abbey's loot!

We had an outdoor movie, which was fun until it rained.....

We slept out in the backyard at my parents house, we were supposed to "sleep under the stars", but due to the rain, we slept in tents instead. The kids thought this was the BEST!

We also played "Tennis Racket Baseball" which was a blast! It was fun to get out and just play with everyone.

We had a pre-reunion "Girl Day" on Thursday. SO MUCH FUN! All of the girls went shopping and out to lunch. Thanks Ashley for the babysitting! I had to throw in the picture of Ruth and Julie wearing the same shirts.......

What my parents have been telling me my whole life.....is TRUE! My brothers and sisters are my friends (SURPRISE!). I am so lucky to have such great siblings, I would be lost without them. Thanks for all you do for me and my family, I love you all!

The Burning Suit

We had a momentous occasion at the end of April. Bartley was finally able to get a new suit.=) The kids and I have been looking forward to this for YEARS now. Yeah Bartley!

While he was getting fitted for his new suit, he asked me what we were going to do with his old suit now that he had a new one. I told him "burn it." (I have HATED it for years) He laughed, but I am not sure he truly believed me.

The Monday after he picked up his suit, we went to Grandma JaNae's and used her fire pit, to BURN the suit! Bartley saw how serious I was when I doused the suit in lighter fluid. =)

Here are a few pic's of the BIG occasion....
The last moments in the suit.....
The "smoking" jacket....
The actual burning of the suit.

The kids and I applauded when the flames totally engulfed the suit. Bartley seemed a little sad, but only a little. He has worn the suit for so long, he has lots of memories....Maggey and Abbey were blessed, Grandma and Grandpa B's funerals, called to the Bishopbric, ordained a High Priest. Lot's of weddings, nieces, nephews, sister in law's, brother in law's.....a lot.(I think he has had it for over 9 years....)It was good to say goodbye, we did sing a few bars of "Taps". Thanks to Ross and JaNae for the use of their fire pit for our little memorial service.

The kids have mentioned that this was one of the best Family Home Evening Activities we have ever had.=)

Pictures of the new suit....soon to follow.

Abbey 's Birthday and Baptism

We celebrated Abbey's 8th Birthday on May 17. Abbey opened presents 1st thing in the morning. She got a new outfit, some legos (girl kind, purple and pink, just like she asked) and a few other things. As is tradition in the Nicholes family, she will get to go out to dinner with JUST mom and dad and then go and pick out her very own scriptures. It's Great to be 8!

Looking back at the last 8 years.....we can't imagine what it would be like around here with out Abbey. Her smiles, her laughter, her determination, have brought us joy and happiness beyond measure. We love you Abbey!

Abbey has been preparing since Maggey was baptized in December 2007. Last fall she called Grandma Mary to ask if she would make a baptism dress for her. She was sooooo excited to wear her special dress.
I am sorry to report that my camera ran out of batteries....so we don't have a picture of just Abbey and her beautiful dress. Grandma worked really hard, and Abbey has been so thrilled, we can't get her to wear anything else to church.:)

June 6, 2009 was a special day for our family. Abbey was Baptized and Confirmed by her dad, and Nathan was ordained a Deacon, by his dad. Lots of tears from MOM!



It was awesome to see the priesthood in action. What a blessing to have a worthy priesthood holder who can bless the lives of our children. Words just seem too small to express that joy.

Thanks to all our friends and family members who supported Nathan and Abbey.

Abbey and the Bike Wreck

On Monday night, Abbey decided to go for a bike ride. She rode from our driveway, to the next door neighbors driveway. According to her, her seat turned and she was thrown over the handle bars and onto her chin. OUCH! When she came into the house, I could tell by her cries that she was hurt, not just a bandaid and I am better hurt, but the real kind of hurt. Anyhow, her chin swelled up so fast it was about 4 times the size in less than 20 min. We ended up taking her to our good friends house (he's our pediatrician). He checked her out for about 20min or so, and thought she would be ok. After lots and lots of Ibuprofen, and what seems like millions of ice packs, here's the proof that she was in PAIN! She is not in as much pain now, and seems to be back to normal, including riding her bike, AFTER Dad tightened the seat, and tested it several times himself.

Prom 2009

Lindsey is at the PROM right now as I am typing this. She looked and felt like a princess, complete with Tiara! It is hard to believe that the little girl who lived at our house, slept in our bed most nights with her "special" blankie, watched Cinderella at least 4 times a day, and rocked her baby to sleep while I rocked Ashley, is already 16, beautiful and DATING!!!

Special THANK YOU! to my mother for sewing the FABULOUS jacket for Lindsey, (so she could remain modest, and feel comfortable) and to our friend Mariann for the hair and makeup, and toes!

Ain't she sweet!

HOORAY!

We are excited to announce the following;

ASHLEY-Made it into the HIGHEST choir at the Jr. High! Yahooo!

NATHAN-Made it into Concert Band(8th grade band!)Way to go Nate!

BUSY BUSY BUSY!

Things around here have been sooooo busy! Nothing really out of the ordinary, but just busy.

Just a few highlights from the last few weeks;

Lindsey-went to the Valentines Dance with Taylor Smith. She has "officially" committed to be in the Marching Band this coming year, and is thinking seriously about being a section leader.

Ashley- was asked to be a TA for Choir next year. It 's a real compliment, her teacher approached her, not the other way around. Yahoo, Ash!

Nathan- Placed at the school Science Fair, and is now on to the District Science Fair. WOW!

Maggey-Cut 8 inches of hair off, her hair is now to her shoulders. It's really cute. She looks different, older somehow. :( We are getting ready to donate her hair to Locks of Love.

Abbey- Also cut her hair off, about 10 inches. Her hair is now above her shoulders, and looks cute. We will be donating her hair as well.

Jen- Bartley and I celebrated our 19th anniversary in February. We went to Aspen Grove overnight with a group of our friends. 4 couples in all, 3 of whom all had their anniversary in February as well. We had a BLAST. We stayed up late and played games, visited, and had LOTS of junk food. We acted like a bunch of teenagers!:)

Bartley- Has started working most nights for Taxhawk. Which is great, except for we all seem to need the computer at the same time he needs to be working......hence the lack of updates.