Sunday, September 23, 2012

I was not kidding

For all of you reading this that have heard me say this over and over (and then over again) I apologize for the forever repeat... But I just have to say this one more time, I promise each and everyone of you that I have the PICKIEST eater known to man! (or stay-at-home-mommies)  I am NOT kidding you.... nope, no jokes here...  trust me...  not one single lie coming from this mommy's mouth...

You think I am kidding right??  Well, these pictures were taken after 20 minutes of food being thrown in my face, carrots spit all over my clean shirt, and the yogurt (that you will soon see) splashed in my eyes....  Oh yes, I will not lie... 
I GAVE UP!  
(yes, I just said those words... I GAVE UP!)  

And as you will soon see, Jameson was A-OK with mommy giving in the white flag..

Jameson - 1
Mommy - 0
(yogurt maybe a -1 (that's negative one, by the way)






Oh the joys of parenthood :-)

Mommy loves you Mr. J!
(but you surly stress me out during breakfast, lunch and dinner time)

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Check That One Off The List!

Oh yes, yet another milestone to check off the "learning list" for Mr. Jameson

STAIRS!

Oh yes, this little boy is one heck-of-a climber!  He LOVES going up the stairs.  If you mention anything that even sounds like 'up stairs', he runs to the steps and gets so excited!



Our little (big) boy is growing up way too fast!

(sorry the videos are sideways!)

Monday, September 17, 2012

Showering Baby Schwein

You've heard it once, you've heard it twice, and you have heard it a hundred times over from me... Yes, we were on the go AGAIN the last few days!

Why this time you ask?  Well, one of my closest high school girlfriends IS EXPECTING!  And you know what that means??  Party time!  Yes, it was Mrs. Kayla Schwein's baby shower Saturday afternoon.  Oh how I LOVE seeing all the baby goodies new mommies get :-)  (melts my heart!)

But Naturally the travel schedule was more then just a Saturday shower for this crazy-busy family.

First of all, I have to give my quick shout-out....  A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to my amazing father!  He, once again, came to our rescue and helped us out in a big way.  Luke was out of town most of last week for the Target Nation Sales Meeting.  With that said, he was going to have to drive all the way back to Sioux Falls Thursday night/Friday morning just to turn around and drive with J and I to Ona.  Needless to say, my dad said he wanted to come visit us, so he made the trek out here Tuesday afternoon and J and I hitched a ride back to Ona with him Wednesday evening!  That way Luke just had to drive the two hours from the Twin Cities to Ona rather than 4 hours from the TC to Sioux falls and another 5 hours from SF to Ona.  (sorry, that was a mouth full, but I couldn't go on until I said my thank yous!)

Anyways, we arrived back in Ona Wednesday evening and we started our visit at the Holthaus'!  It's always so much fun getting to spend time with them!  (miss you Melissa, Kaylin and McKenzie!  Oh yes, and Jeff too - haha)  Not to mention, J was having the time of his life with their puppies!  I think little Winnie was worn out by the time we left!  The giggles that came out of Jameson's mouth were never ending and heart-melting!  (yes, yes, I know, I know... We need to get another dog, but this mommy is NOT ready to bring back that responsibility just yet)

I am pretty sure every single time we are home, we say we are going to make a trip to the Children's museum...  And every single time we say that, something comes up and we end up missing out.  So, this trip, I told my dad we were FOR SURE going to make it to the museum!  No if, ands or buts about it.  Well, dad and I loaded up J, drove downtown La Crosse, unload J... and what do you know... IT WAS CLOSED!!  Oh yes, the one week it was closed to build a new exhibit!  Don't get me wrong, I am so happy they are updating/remodeling, but really... that week?  Ugh!  (I guess we will try again next time!)  Oh well, what can ya do... So instead, we decided to take advantage of the nice weather and let J run around Kids Coulee for a while!  I have to be honest, I wanted to go to the museum, but Mr. Jameson was in heaven running around outside.  I guess it was a blessing in disguise that it was closed.

Loving Life!



Swinging with Gpa!

It was then time to head home for lunch and nap time!  Once J was up from his nap (and Nana was home) we all went for a nice long walk in J's new toy!  (Thank you Nana and Gpa)

Dinner time was very entertaining thanks to Nana and Gpa's dessert selection


I was awaken by a lovely surprise late Thursday evening/Friday morning.  Luke drove home from the Twin Cities EARLY!  I was so excited to see him and have all day Friday as a family.  And boy did we have family time.  We visited my Grandma for a while and then made a trip out to meet the newest member of the Marson family, Cruze Daring Marson!  A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E!  I can't believe how little he was.  And boy does he look like his brother and sisters :-)  (I am so sad to report that I did not get one picture of Mr. Cruze!)  Thank you Meghan and family for letting us swing on by.  We wish we lived closer so play-dates could be way more often.  Love to you all and we can't wait to see you all (all 6 of you!) the next time we are in town.

Friday evening was yet more family time!  Luke's parents were meeting us out for dinner.  We were so excited to see them and get some much needed time together.  Pizza Amore was our destination of choice.  Low and behold, once we arrived at the restaurant, we figured out (quickly) they were not too kid friendly... So, we ordered our pizzas and headed down to Riverside park for a beautiful evening picnic.  Again, kind of a blessing in disguise.  J was running around the park and enjoying every minute of it!  (not to mention interrupting a few wedding rehearsals along the way!)

Such a big boy riding on Daddy's shoulders


Family Picture!
*Love*

Saturday was SHOWER day!  Yay!  So excited to celebrate Kayla and Matt's bundle of joy!!  Jane Kerbaugh and Amanda Sims hosted a lovely party.

Kayla and Amanda
Both Mommies-to-be!

The beautiful Hostesses
Jane and Amanda

Ona girls showering our mommy-to-be
Friends FOREVER!

 Amanda and Maria
So Pretty!

Kayla seeing the cake for the first time!
Great job Amanda!


Such a gorgeous mommy-to-be!

Time for Presents!

I think someone is going to be a little spoiled :-)
Look at all that BLUE!


My mom reading a special book to Kayla
If you haven't already, make sure to read
"Ma, There's Nothing to Do Here" by Barbara Park
if you are expecting - it's adorable..


The shower was absolutely wonderful! 
Kayla - thank you for letting me be apart of your special day! 
Kayla and Matt - you two are going to make wonderful parents!  Baby Schwein is so blessed to be joining such a loving and caring family.  It's very clear you two have all the love in the world for your little guy already!  We can't wait for baby Schwein to arrive!  Not to mention Jameson is excited to show him "the ropes" as he grows!  We send all our love to you both and your bundle of joy.  Love you.

It was then time to pack up the car and head on home!  We wanted to get home Saturday evening so we could have all day Sunday to relax as a family... And relax is exactly what we did!

Such a GREAT visit home!!   xoxox


Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Checking In


So, it's almost the middle of September and I only have 2 blogs posts!  That's so not like me...  As you have read in the past, I pretty much put anything and everything in a blog.  So, why so behind you ask?  

I have to be perfectly honest, we have been SUPER busy between weddings, showers, birthdays... life...  I haven't had much time... Not to mention, a VERY busy 13 month old that is keeping me on my toes 24/7.  On the few days we have at home (because we seem to be gone pretty much every weekend) my days consist of playing with some sort of toddler toys, cleaning, laundry, feeding, trying to get a work out in... and then... repeat!  Then, it's time to pack another suit case, fill the car with gas and head on out the door... again... repeat!  

I am by no means complaining, but I just wanted to let everyone know we are doing just great on this end.  Yes, super busy, but having lots and lots of fun!  The Hansen family travels will come to a quick halt the middle of October!  (Yay for a full week of sleeping in our own beds!)

I hope every one is enjoying the last few days of summer!  I will keep the blogs coming as much as I can between now and October!  Just know we are taking tons and tons of pictures and I can't wait to share them all with you! 

Lots of Love!   

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Sorrentino-Magnuson Wedding

Beautiful, Perfect, Love

Three words to describe the wedding of one of my dearest friends, Maria to her best friend Mark!

The entire wedding weekend was great!  The location was beautiful, the weather was perfect and the couple was beaming with love.

As an Italian tradition, Maria had always dreamed of getting married on Sunday.  So, that is exactly what she did!  Although the actual wedding wasn't until Sunday, we had Friday and Saturday to prep and celebrate!

A few of us ventured out to Norskedalen (about 25 minutes from La Crosse - the wedding/reception location) Friday afternoon to take a look at where the celebration would take place.

Maria and her dad practicing the walk down
the long hill

The "Gang"

I have to say, after seeing where the wedding and reception were going to take place, I just knew this was going to be the most perfect wedding for Maria!
BEAUTIFUL SETTING!

Saturday began all the celebrations!
We started the day off with a delicious bridal brunch at Maggie's in Onalaska.
Everything was AMAZING!  Maria was surrounded by all the women she holds dear to her heart and we had the best time!
(not to mention the food was delicious, the drinks were refreshing and the laughs were never ending!)


Megan, Trina and Jenna

The beautiful bride with all her bridesmaids!

Lauren, Maria and Jenna
Blushing Bride + 2 Magnificent Maids!

After brunch, it was time to get pampered!
Off to Sitara for mani's and pedi's!
(oh and lets not forget mimosas and wine - they were a very important part of the day!)

Shannon, Me and Lauren enjoying our
delicious cocktail!

The stunning bride relaxing!

Enjoying the moment :-)

And before we knew it, it was time for rehearsal!
We rehearsed down at Riverside park (there was a Saturday wedding at Norskedalen)
and enjoyed an outstanding dinner at Crunch!

The entire evening was picture perfect!

Luke and I snapping a quick pic in Riverside Park

Quick pic with the Bride to Be

Lauren and her wonderful boy-toy Brian

Nate and Luke enjoying the evening

A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E
Ellie opening her gift from Maria and Mark
(she was the flower girl)

Oh yes, those are sparkly TOMS!
"I love shoes"
That's what Ellie said when she opened the box!

Like I said, the entire day was perfect!  It was hard to believe we still had a wedding to celebrate after such an amazing day!

But, there was still the "Main Event" to come!

Early Sunday morning and we were all ready to stand by our dear, dear friend while she married the man of her dreams!

Although it was wedding day, of course us ladies had lots of prepping to do!!!
A wedding day wouldn't be complete without hair and make up :-)

Maria opening her wedding present from Mark


The Bride with her maids all dolled up!
Here we go!

Limo ride to Norskedalen!

We have arrived!
Just before the dress went on


Shannon being silly!

It was water works watching Maria get into her
(seriously) perfect fitting dress!
She looked absolutely stunning!



One last picture before the
I-DO

Here she comes!
Not a dry eye anywhere to be found

PERFECT!
Such a proud father


It may have been hot, but no one would have noticed... All eyes were on Mark and Maria!  The ceremony, performed by Mark's uncle, was more than breathtaking!  All the stories, readings and moments made Mark and Maria shine!  Their love for each other was not hard to describe because they wear their love for each other on their sleeves.

Let the party begin!
All the planning, hard work, and stress paid off!!

The reception location




Yard Game area



One heck-of-a-party was had by all!

The Hansens and Schweins

Love!

Ma and Pa Marson

Friends forever!

"Oh Ricky your so fine, your so fine you blow my
mind, hey Ricky!"


No words...  Just FUN!


With the handsome groom

Such a beautiful bride

Great times, great moves, lots of sweat!

One last "spin" before the night ended

Honestly, I know I have said it a thousand times, but the entire wedding celebration was OUTSTANDING and BREATHTAKING!
Maria and Mark, you two have a love for one another that will last a life time.  I can't thank you enough for allowing me to be apart of your special day.  I was honored to stand next to you two as you pledged your love for one another.  I wish you both a life time of happiness!
PS - you host one hell of a party!

Thanks again for EVERYTHING!