Welcome REX EVAN DAVIS!!

 Baby Rex was born August 27, 2010 and welcomed home by his big sis Lindsay!

Thanks for coming to visit us buddy! We loved giving you smooches and hugs.

Nerdy, Turdy, Dirty ... Thirty!

My birthday month is close to over now. All the big celebrations have come to a close and, boy, was it fun! The day of my 30th, a group of my sweet co-workers took me out to BWW for some yummy wings (unfortunately, beer wasn't on the menu for the work-lunch!) That evening my mom, sis, and bro-in-law came down for a wonderful dinner at Thunder Bay. We enjoyed wine, pasta dinners, bread-galore, and delicious ice cream treats.

When we got home we played with Kermit outside and Alayna had a love for the silly frog!

Meg had a different take on it!

I was spoiled with gifts, gifts, cake, and more gifts!

And who more appropriate to help me ring in 30, than my own little cowboy!

Then the real party came! On Saturday, two of our fav sitters came over to watch five kids between 2 and 4. They had their hands full, to say the least! We had a perfect size group of all my favorite people in the world downtown for dinner and wine.

And afterwards we probably interrupted the high school hang-out and went skipping through the Bridge to NoWhere! It was fun to act 16 again!!

Thanks to all my best friends and family for a birthday to remember! The bon fire rounded out the night nicely, and I'll never forget all the fun I had! I appreciate all of you who've been a major part of my life sometime in the past 30 years. Cheers!

Hard to believe...

This is the last year before Kindergarten! Cade started JFK Guardian Angel Preschool today and did such a great job! He picked out his first-day-of-school outfit (which I'm shocked didn't consist of basketball shorts or cowboy boots), grabbed his Batman bag, and never looked back!

Great job buddy! I'm so proud of you!

Winding up Summer 2010

Is it really fair to say that we are done with summer? Where did the time go? This week, Caden will be starting his last year of preschool with his big-boy back pack and crap-load of school supplies! He's very excited, and I'm happy for him too. But, before all that happens, we wouldn't be be the Hansen's if we didn't pack the weekend with a minute-by-minute itinerary of fun!

Friday, we traveled with my parents to Adventureland in Des Moines. This is the 3rd year in a row that we've gone, and it's always so fun because Jarin and I went as kids, and the memories still come back each year! Caden and Alayna were ride fanatics, even in the rain!

They went on anything and everything that spun in circles, and were actually sad when they weren't quite height-approved for the big roller coasters! The rain sure didn't stop us like everyone else in the park... we picnic'd outside (tailgate style) and the kids loved the HUGE frog nearby in the swamp....

And then we headed right back in for more fun! It was so empty at that point, that we rode the front car on the Tornado three times in a row because no one was in line! What a great day!

On Saturday, we took the kids to the state fair and soaked up more rides, unhealthy food, lots of heat, a couple cold beers, good entertainment, and Caden realized that he wanted to be a cowboy!

The kids got their turn at face (and arm) paint. Cade, of course, needed the Hawkeye "tattoo" and Alayna a pretty unicorn!

And then we visited our friends, the Moses, who show animals (and win often)!! Mandy was sweet enough to get the kids right up by the baby, and they learned where their milk comes from.

I guess I've learned the kids' love for animals! Too bad we don't live on a farm, because I think that I have two munchkins that would love the animals, the work, and the attire! Cade swears he is a cowboy now!

 

Sunday Thing 1, Thing 2, and myself went to the pool. I was a little concerned taking the two of them without another adult for supervision. Come to find out, I have no idea why I'd be concerned! Those two stinkers jumped, swam, AND went down water-slides without my help! The day started with me taking Alayna down the slide and then progressed to me walking the kids to the stairs while they waited their turn for the slide. And finally, the day ended with my two-year old telling mommy to stay in the pool.

Yowza! Wonder what she'll be like when I take her for the first day of school!

Welcome CJ!

If it's not one life-changing event, it's another. Jenni, who was golfing with me just a couple short weeks ago, had her baby!! Her and her husband, Chad, were blessed with a beautifully, healthy little boy, CJ Ryan, on August 11th. He was 9 lbs, 10 oz, and (bless her heart) she pushed him out after a lengthy labor!

I had the opportunity to visit him on Friday, and I swear, he might be the size that Caden was at about 2 months of age. (Literally, he was double the birth weight of my little Bubba.) He sure is precious though, and I'm so looking forward to my next chance to snuggle him.

CONGRATULATIONS JENNI & CHAD! We love you!

I Will, I Have, I Do

The wedding vows were exchanged! Blake is officially part of our family! And I am very lucky to obtain another brother! Everything was perfect, beautiful, and memorable. Only three things that I regret...

1. not taking more time to visit with many friends and family who attended
2. not being smart enough to charge my camera battery in advance
3. not ensuring that my daughter had skivvies on before heading to the church

Yep, I said it! We arrived at the church in time for the rehearsal just to find my 2-year-old-potty-trained-daughter flaunting her bare butt through the gathering space! It was a warm, heartfelt welcome from her, let me tell you! I was utterly embarrassed, but couldn't do much about it except blame my dad who helped her go potty before leaving. Thankfully, Jarin rushed to Hy-Vee and bought a package of pull-ups to cover up that tush during the practice ceremony. Good thing, since she had her feet over her head most of the time we were there!

This just began the kid's humorous maneuvers, which helped carry us all through the beautiful ceremony. Mom and dad walked Meg down the aisle, which was only appropriate since they both played such an integral role in her growing up. She stayed so strong and gorgeous that it was obvious that the happiest day of her life was underway.

As I mentioned, my camera battery only lasted for about one hour into the reception, so group pictures were not captured by me. But one that I wanted to share, which is my ultimate favorite...

The newlyweds scooted off for Jamaica early Monday morning, and I hope that they take this week to have the opportunity to relax, talk, relax, eat, reminisce, and maybe even make a baby!!

Love you Meg! You were a beautiful bride, and I was honored to be standing beside you.