Preparing for Disneyland.......

Closing down the park.....at 8 o'clock........ok and we only got there at 5 but Anneli and I were still the cool moms who closed down the park. You remind my kids of that someday.

And don't act shocked that my boy is gallivantin in nothing but his boxers and flip flops. Wouldn't be the Hansen clan if the boys were actually fully clothed by the end of the night. (Just be glad I brought extra undies. Otherwise.....yikes, that might be a scary thing to see, even if he is only a 2 yr old.) And yes, this does document Deeter's first trip to D-land.

I'm not a camper. And adventure to me sounds like going to a new beach with a new brand of sunscreen. But...I do make exceptions and I am taught a thing or two about other adventures and cool parts of this world. So we headed up to the Sequoias after an invite was extended. But don't worry, I only make some exceptions...shop was set up at a lodge, not in a tent! It really was such a fun place to explore and discover. We hiked down to General Sherman, THE biggest tree ever. Or maybe oldest. I don't remember that detail all of a sudden. Maybe it's both. But here he is...muy grande.

We also did a little hike down to a cave. Pretty cool. And not to mention the refreshing 50 degree natural AC down there when it was like a hundred degrees outside. I need to find a way to tap into that source...

Yosh and I were chatting as we saw the "Beware of Bears" signs how we just never have had that opportunity. Despite jaunts to Yellowstone or other bear infested places, no luck. I kid you not, within 5 minutes we saw this....

Guess we won't be having that convo anymore. Anyways great place, great fun!

Busted

While swimming this weekend, Dallin told me he had to go potty. The bathroom was a little distance from the pool area, and I was feeling lazy. As we walked towards the hot tub, I told him he could just go in there. We walked over and I sat in the Ja-cozy as Porter calls it, and Dallin stood on the step. There were probably about 10 peope already in there. After about a minute, I asked him if he'd already gone. His LOUD reply: "Dad, I want to go in the toilet, not in here!" I think I might have gone a little red....

How gay can straight boys get?

At least this gay. Seriously, who sits themselves like this? Only this group of boys!

And because these guys love each other so much, the rest of us got to join in the fun in the sun in St Jorge.

As Yosh and I were driving somewhere one night, Dallin and Sophie rode together in one car and John and Porter in the other car. Yosh commented that it was about Dallin and Sophie's age (plus a year) that him and DJ met each other....so crazy!

It really was such good times. I love the sun, good food, good chats, lots of laughing, and a little bit of tennis. The perfect vacation! Can't wait for it to happen again!


You know I should give Yosh a little shout out for my bday this year. I can be somewhat critical of our "special days." You know, anniversaries, Valentines Day, Christmas, birthdays, etc. I try to explain to him that I just want to feel special. (I could cite specific examples of what has happened on these days but you'd probably just pee your pants laughing so hard and I can't provide that kind of comedic relief right now!) My career choice doesn't ever give me grand reviews or raises or much appreciation. And that's ok, that's what I signed up for. BUT the aforementioned days, it doesn't hurt to make me feel special, like I'm more than a girl who feeds, cleans, taxis, wipes bums, etc. It's the typical male/female conversation. He thinks I'm saying I want a big present, I'm honestly saying I just want to be made feel special for more than a minute. I think this year he got the point, and this was the result....




He took me to Newport Beach for the weekend! He picked out a hotel on his own, lined up a baby-sitter (thanks Nanc!), had dinner reservations, had chocolate covered strawberries waiting for us... He put thought into it and I loved it! He said the idea was I got him for the whole weekend- no work, no ESPN, no kids, no nothing to divert his attention and I loved it! It was lovely... love my baby!

This past Sunday Deeter was blessed and it was his special day. I really love blessing days. You know I'm super excited obviously the day the baby is born, but the day they get blessed, I have really built an individual relationship with that baby and it is a celebration of them. I don't know if that makes sense, but because of that I just love that day! Anyway Sunday was Deeter's day and it was neat just to think of him and what an impact he has already had on our family and to think of what is to come with him. He's a special little man. My parents, Yosh's mom, and Lucas and Camilla and Amelia all traveled in from out of town to celebrate with us. Everyone was tons of help in preparing for the festivities and making it an awesome day. We also had all our good friends show up to support the little man on his day also. That being said it made the day absolutely perfect to me!

And to document the day, a few pics....

The many faces of Pistol! This is as good as it's going to get!

Say it ain't so

but our bubba boy is now one month old! Isn't he handsome? I sure think so!!!

I'll tell you something you might want to add to your "wish list"- that would be a baby like Deeter. He seriously has been an angel so far. Rarely cries, is very consolable when he does cry, loves to sleep (the other night he didn't get up til 6 am...are you kidding me?!! The better news is I didn't either!)...I mean he is just an angel boy! This has made the transition a lot more manageable. Thank you, Deeter Bug!


Love, love, love, the fourth of July. And lucky for us our festivities lasted all weekend long. We started it off my bbqing, swimming and playing tennis at the Anderson's on Friday. I should post like a million pics. Brooke had possession of the camera and I swear magic happens when she's in control. Girls, I'll have to email you the evidence. (But don't hold your breath, you know I'm terrible about things like this.)

Fourth of July itself was equally enjoyable. I am now sold on our little town! We did not get in the car once all day but went to many activities. The day started with a little 1/2 mile kids run. Couple of funny things. First of all when we were walking up we see Heidi and Spencer dressed up like Uncle Sam and some hoochie. Who knows who she was supposed to be. Seriously all Yosh and I could do is roll our eyes. Cannot we not have better celebrities, please? They are so last year. There was also a 10k and rumor has it that they ran for like 50 yards, got their picture take, and then ditched out. Really, how lame can we get?

But on to our lovely run. So Dallin B started ahead with one of his little friends. I decided I better catch up to him cuz I could tell the pace was getting out of his comfort range. When I did catch him, he was all exasperated telling me how tired he was. I, of course, told him to just walk. He then looked at me desperately and said, "Mom, why are we running?!" Good question, son. Seinfeld is just as baffled as you are at the concept of running! Maybe next year he'll understand better what a race is!

Porter took the more logical transport- the stroller. Deeter was even smarter and Baby Bjorned it with Yosh.


There was an awesome parade in the afternoon. It was introduced by 4 parachuters coming down right onto Sunset at approximately 120 mph. I don't think I'm exaggerating. They were hauling and I swear they did NOT slow down for landing. To me it appeared like a suicide attempt- except for the fact that they're trained proffesionals. The parade was complete with Miss America and Rudy. And no, your eyes do not decieve you... Old Navy got our $25.

For the first time since we've been inCalifornia, we made it to a fireworks show for the 4th. Pathetic, I know. We walked down to the high school with one minute to spare before show time and fell on front row seats. Couldn't have been more perfect! Until next year, my favorite holiday.....i will miss you.

So Deeter isn't the only cute boy we have roamin around this house! Our Pistol is quite the character. And if you're lucky- only if you're lucky- you get to see his fiery personality. He's both extremes. He's the one that can drive me the most crazy but also has the equal abililty to provide the most tender moments and the funniest moments
.

Classic pics, I know. But even though they are cliche, they are all very honest pictures. I mean, what parent doesn't find themselves just staring at their new baby and holding him like he's the most precious thing in their lives? It happens to the best of us, and I just want to eat these moments up. They pass all too quickly. I've felt real lucky this time round to take more time to sit, stare, hold and cuddle and a lot less time stressin. Is my house messier? Yes. Have I cooked a meal since the baby was born? Like one, maybe two. And I'm not starting next week either, Yosh, so don't get your hopes up!

This picture is not posed. All three boys needed to be cuddling. So far, we have a good dynamic going on with these little guys. (Now if only I could get my hormone levels stabilized and not be as crazy as I can sometimes get, then the whole family dynamic would be great!)

This is our Deeter bug today. Now many a people-definitely including myself- have made fun of Yosh for getting me nap-in-a-sac for Mother's Day last year. But I'll tell you one person not laughing... Deeter. Infatuated with the nap-in-a-sac. Some babies prefer the swing, others the bouncy chair, this guy- nap-in-a-sac. Gets him every time!

(FYI...nap-in-a-sac is this super soft pillow/blanket combo. Like a babies blanket and pillow for adults...love it!)