Go Away Sicky Bugs!

Today marks day 6 of the nasties at the Hansen's. It all started after Alayna's birthday last weekend when 15 of us caught a GI Tract virus that took the best of us. Poor Cade got it the worst though, and just when I thought he was better on Wednesday, Thursday night he got round 2 on the basketball court. He hasn't quite recovered from that one yet and is disappointed to be missing his 2nd game today.

Sure breaks a mom's heart though when those big eyes look at you and say, "mommy, I told those sicky bugs to go away and they aren't listening." I know buddy, it'll be better soon...

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Hello watercolors!!!

The kids just got introduced to watercolor painting, and while Alayna is a little freaked every time she gets paint on her hand, this is quite the entertaining activity for both kids!

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Happy Birthday Alayna Louise!

It's been three years since our little princess was born, and oh, how she has changed our life! She has sure taken the role as family drama queen, the motherly figure, and the leader of the pact. Sometimes Jarin and I just laugh at the way she directs people around...hmmm, wonder where she gets that from?

But then there are her cuddles, kisses, and hugs. She must be the most loving little 3 year old out there. Alayna, thank you for providing us the love and laughter that you do on a daily basis. You keep your parents on our toes and your big brother in check! You go girl! The world is in front of you... don't let anything stop you. Much love from your family on your big 3rd birthday!

The Wonders of the Holiday Season

Could the holidays have been more enjoyable? It must be the age at which my children are right now that make me adore the traditions, magic, and excitement that comes with Christmas. The first of the month, we set out to the tree farm, hunting for the perfect tree... what an adventure! There was so much snow this year... Caden thought it was perfect for snowball fights, while Alayna could barely trudge through the white fluffy stuff!

The kids picked out the perfect one and helped daddy saw it down, then haul it off to be shook and wrapped on top of the family minivan... can't get much more Grizzwald than that! 

 

Inside the nursery is a beautiful sleigh that the kids get their photo taken each year. I had to compare the last couple years for you. It's amazing how fast they grow.

2008

 

2009



2010

From our very first Christmas together at my parents, the kids looked forward to waking in the morning to a room full of gifts, cinnamon rolls, and smiles. But that was only the beginning! We also had time at the big Skala Christmas and Santa even visited and then Jarin's family came to our house for another memorable go-around on Christmas weekend.

We spent the last couple weeks taking time off work, playing lots of games, searching for pickles in the Christmas tree, hiding in tents, wrestling in the snow, making the best cookies and spending quality time as a family.

 

It's all been time that we will never forget and never replace. It's awesome to build the memories that we have. We are truly blessed and can only begin to express our sincere gratitude to our family for setting these expectations of believing in the season!

Caden ... the ALL-STAR

This year has been a busy one for Caden... he was in swimming (which he hated), attempted soccer (which was fun for him, and funny for mom), but now he's on to the exciting sport of basketball! He is all into it too... from the get-up to the shoes, each week he's been decked and ready to practice. To daycare he wears the shorts and t-shirt under the sweatpants and sweatshirt (because, of course, that is what basketball players do.) His favorite Aunt Meggie also got him new kicks for Christmas which he won't wear outside! Santa brought him a new basketball, so now he has two that he carries with him. And his Nana and Grandpa spoiled him with tickets to the Harlem Globetrotters, which I hear he showed off for the players a little! Needless to say, he's quite the stud on the court!

 

 

Jarin has been helping coach the team, so we haven't gotten to attend many practices (apparently little sisters are just in the way!) But the first game is coming up quickly, and we invite you all to come watch him in action. All games are played at the Friendly House in Davenport.

Jan 8th at 10:45

Jan 15th at 10:45

Jan 22nd at 10:45

Jan 29th at 12:45

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Feb 26th at 10:45

Merry Christmas gone bad...

So, mom and I thought it'd be a great idea to give the boys tickets to the Vikings-Bears Monday night football game for Christmas. We surprised them with the tickets at the last Iowa Football game this fall and everyone was stoked!

Little did we know that the metrodome was going to collapse and leave us in an outdoor college stadium that didn't sell beer in the middle of December!

We got some good tips though... stand on cardboard and catch snowflakes on your tongue... hey, why not?!?!

  
Here's a peak of the deflated (non-existant) metrodome!

With the 7 hour drive up to Minnesota in the trecherous blizzard, we didn't get there in time to party before the kickoff, but we made sure we had plenty of time afterwards for some nightlife. Ended up being a night to remember!

Brainwashed!

He seriously thinks the Vikings are cool! In JCP the other night, he tried on at least 4 different jerseys and would then run out to the aisle and pose for anyone walking by! Hysterical! Now his question of the week us 'mom, do you want me to play football for the Hawkeyes, Vikings, or Bears?'

The Artwork Says It All

Each day Cade brings home a great piece of artwork from preschool... either penmanship practice, a coloring page, matching sheet, stickers and glitter, paint projects or free drawings. Well, a couple weeks back, they started discussing families and his teacher asked each of the kids to draw a picture of their family. Now, I have to say, that when Caden started preschool in August this year he didn't even draw faces -- not on people or suns, or pumpkins ... he barely had drawn a picture of a person before! So, I was thrilled when he came home with the following artwork:

Then Jarin and I started talking to him about his family and asked who all was represented in the photo. He started on the right, and named mommy, Caden, and Alayna, and the outer circle was our home. Puzzled, Jarin and I said, "Where's Daddy?" He proceeded to flip it over...

Cade looks at us with two big eyes, and as calm as can be says, "Daddy is outside grilling."

Another Wave of Technology!

Jarin and I upgraded our cell phones recently, which has meant that I spend more time on my phone and less time in front of a computer updating the blog with anything of much substance! Unfortunately, I've missed out posting so many fun things that have been happening, but it's made me realize how much I enjoy sharing all that we have to keep us busy. I think blogging provides me an opportunity to relive the funny spontaneity in our every day lives that I sometimes file in the back of my memory when I lay down at night.

First of all, Jarin's mother retired at the beginning of October! After years of working diligently as a bankruptcy clerk she decided it was time to enjoy the mornings in her pjs... and boy, does she deserve it! Clyde had a huge surprise party for her in which many family and friends traveled to enjoy her celebration. I think she was completely caught off guard, just as planned!

Since then I've tried talking her into coming down and doing house cleaning for me but between joining Sisters, raking the yard, and making all the repair calls for things they've put off for years, she claims that she has kept busy! A couple weeks ago however, she did come down and join Cade on his preschool field trip to the pumpkin patch and then picked up Alayna early from daycare and enjoyed walks, lunch, and flying kites. Now that is exactly what retirement is all about!

Oh, what else have we been up to? Hawkeye football definitely keeps us busy every weekend, which means there is a lot of packing and unpacking each week. But we definitley define our family with the football season, so I'd never give it up! On the way to Iowa City a couple weeks ago, Cade was in tears because he'd only been able to go to one football game this year. I had to explain that some kids (and adults) never get to go to any, so he was pretty lucky! Here's our Hawk fans:

Halloween has also come and gone now... Jarin and I dressed up for once this year! I swore I wouldn't post a photo of us anywhere, but it was fun, so I guess I will share!

 The kids were adorable (I'm just a little biased!) Cade was the rough and tough Harley man, and Miss Alayna was my "Aly" Cat. They trick-or-treated 3 different times, and I'm sure we'll be stocked with candy through Easter!

Funny story... at one of the houses, the lady handed Cade a thing of Smarties. He picked it back out of his trick-or-treat bucket, threw it back in her basket, and said, "I don't want that!" Then he took off, never asking for anything different! Jarin and I were mortified, and tried to teach him how rude that was, but of course, all we could do was bust up laughing!!

Happy fall to all of you and your families. I'll promise to post more in between all the Christmas shopping I have to do -- only 50 more shopping days!!

I'm officially a soccer mom!

Cade is still loving soccer! He runs so hard in practice each week and then tells me, "that is hard work mom!" He's getting pretty good at kicking the ball too, using the inside of his foot, and is really picking up the rules of the game. Well, until game day comes, and then he's timid to take over the ball. It's probably because of the numerous times I tell him to share with his sister, let her have a turn, be a nice big brother, etc, etc!

Sunday was a good day for him though because he got to be GOALIE!! There was no one in his way, and he was in charge!!He blocked many shots, then would rush back to the line to throw it back in. One time he bounced the ball off an opponents head!