Happy Halloween 2012!

Happy Halloween

From the Hansen Family!

Mr. Jameson aka - Mr. Cow

He's all set for Trick or Treaters

Not happy to be sitting down

He just wanted to RUN

Cow on the run

FINALLY carving our pumpkin!

Yes, yes...  Better late than never :-)  

We finally got around to carving our BIG pumpkin!  

I have to say, between Luke being super-duper busy at work and Jameson and I feeling under the weather, it just doesn't seem possible that it's already Halloween!  I feel like we should have two more weeks to enjoy the season!

Mapping out "the plan"

Luke was REALLY into making everything

symmetrical!

Sitting in the "big boy chair" watching daddy

"The Plan"

J was pretty much spent at this point.

It was now mommy and daddy's project

Diggin' In

He was so done!

Finished Product

 He liked it! :-)

I LOVE Halloween!

Jameson... The Artist??

So, we had our very first dose of "bad" weather last Wednesday and Thursday.  Not to mention we had a sick little man for the majority of the week, so by Thursday afternoon, Jameson was so tired of being cooped-up!  We had to get a little creative in the Hansen Household for some new entertainment.

Bring on Facebook and Pinterest for IDEAS!

Solution: 

PAINTING IN THE BATH TUB!

Now, I have to put a little disclaimer/FYI out there.  Although Jameson is ALL boy, he does NOT like to get his hands dirty... so it was a slow start to the "project" because he did not like the idea of his hands being dirty AND he could not lick the paint off.

Here is a little glimpse of our messy/colorful/laughable fun!!

BEFORE

Hmmm...

not too sure what to think

See what I mean.. 

Not liking the idea of his hands being dirty... 

I was trying to show him how to draw on the paper, but he

was more interested in painting the tub..

Finally getting into it :-)

 This is really ok Mommy?

SO MUCH FUN!

It's crazy how a little paint can be so entertaining now-a-days!  This will definitely be a reoccurring activity as the winter months creeps up on us.

You know your a parent when...

Your wine rack is no longer used for delicious, refreshing, (sometimes) romantic VINO!  

That's right, no more wine...  the toys have moved in and taken over mommy and daddy's "fun place" 

Yes, we vacated the wine once Mr. Man became mobile and let me tell you, it was within minutes that he decided the wine rack was HIS!

Oh the simple joys of parenthood!  

I do miss the wine, but I would take toys over wine any day with Mr. J!

2012 Pumpkin Festival

I LOVE FALL!  It's by far my favorite time of year!  The weather is perfect, the food is always delicious, comfy sweatshirts, windows open at night, spiced EVERYTHING, and to top it off... PUMPKINS (and Halloween! - which I LOVE!)

With all of our traveling over the last few months, I really hadn't spent anytime making our home feel like fall... And let me tell you, both Luke and I LOVE the spirit of fall in the house.  So the best way to bring fall to the house???  Pumpkin Festival!  

Oh yes, I was just itching to get some pumpkins on our front door step and plan a carving party :-)  I was so excited we were going to be in town for the last big festival at Country Apple Orchard.  

If you remember correctly, Luke and I took Jameson to the Apple Festival last year...  Let's just say it was a whole new experience this year!

2011 Apple Festival

VS.

2012 Pumpkin Festival

From the moment we arrived, all Jameson wanted to do was RUN RUN RUN!  I think I was thinking we would enjoy the animals, go on the little tractor ride, jump in the small bounce house... You know, enjoy what the orchard had to offer before we picked pumpkins.  NOPE, not so much!  Jameson had a different idea!  But he had the time of his life and it was so heartwarming to watch :-)

I promise you, J did not stop running the entire time!

We then found the GIANT hay stack for kids to climb on and let's just say... We were all over that!  Mr. Man was having a "hay-day"  (sorry, I just had to say it!)  Throwing hay, laying in hay, eating hay... you name it and he was doing it.  GREAT TIMES!  GREAT ENTERTAINMENT!

Luke had to head to work in the afternoon, so we had to end our play time and head over the the patch and pick out our perfect pumpkins!  Again, such a different experience from last year!  It was so much fun to watch Jameson run around all the pumpkins, explore, touch and eventually pick out the perfect little pumpkin all for himself!

Hmmm which one should I pick?

THIS ONE!

Not only do I love fall, but I love making these unforgettable memories with my amazing family!  I can't even put into words how much I loved watching Jameson explore the pumpkin patch all for himself!

HAPPY FALL!

We Made It

Whew! WE MADE IT!  That's right... Wedding season 2012 has come to an end for the Hansen Family!  I have to say, we had the TIME OF OUR LIVES over the last 16 weeks, but all three of us are looking forward to:

1. Sleeping in our own beds for an entire week

2. Not packing every Thursday evening

3. No more LONG car rides (for a month or so)

4. Not hearing 4+ hours of Elmo from the back seat 

(I am pretty sure Luke and I can sing the entire DVD from memory!)

5. No more endless loads of laundry Sunday evening

6. Home cooked meals all week long!

Although it feels GREAT to be home... It sure was fun traveling, visiting family and friends we haven't seen for a long time and most importantly, making unforgettable memories!  

From the bottom of our hearts, we have to say THANK YOU to all our friends and family for inviting us to be apart of your BIG day!  We feel so honored to have spent so much time with people we love and keep close to our hearts.  We wish everyone life long love and joy!  

Always,

The Hansens

Edlhuber/Presler Wedding Weekend

Michigan is one beautiful state this time of year (colors galore!).  And, to top off the beauty, add a wonderful wedding and one great looking couple and the sight is breathtaking!

That's right, the Hansen's had one last wedding to attend this year.  My college roommate, Monica (or as most of my friends know her as Moni) was marrying the man of her dreams.. Evan!

What a great way to end our wedding season!  Fun, friends and lots and lots of LOVE!  

I left for Grand Rapids on Thursday so I could get a little extra time with Monica and help her with a few last minute details. (Luke joined me Friday evening)  Thursday evening was spent enjoying a delicious dinner, great conversation and one last VERY important errand... Picking Up THE DRESS!  Then it was time to work on some last minute "crafts" before we called it a night.

Oh and how could I forget... A couple snugs with 

Miss PENNY!

LET THE PARTY BEGIN!  

That's right, Friday morning began celebration weekend :-)  Guests were arriving and most importantly, it was time for some pampering and quality time with our bride-to-be!

Meredith, Nicki and Meggan

Edlhuber Sisters!

4 blushing Bridesmaids + 1 Stunning Bride =

 One heck-of-a great wedding party!

Now this is the life!

Nice and relaxed!

I have to say, our nails looked dynamite and we were all ready for the BIG EVENT!  

The weather may have turned a bit rainy and cold as the day continued on, but that wasn't going to stop this wedding party from having a great time!  Rehearsal went down without a hitch and we were ready for some delicious food and cocktails!  

Moni and Evan

All rehearsed, relaxed and ready for their BIG DAY!

Bring on Saturday!  It was time... Time for Moni's wedding day!  I just have to take a quick time out and say, Moni - when I woke up Saturday morning I was a giddy girl!  I was so excited to stand next to you as you married your best friend.  You were so excited leading up to this day and it just made the entire weekend heart warming! 

A wedding day wouldn't be complete without all the "pretty pep-work" for the ladies!  That's right, hair... make up... champagne...  the whole nine-yards!  

THE DRESS!!

Our Morning Entertainment.. Ryan!

"Rylan" and I before we were all "dazzled up"

Our beautiful flowers!

Love the colors

"Going to chapel and we're, going to get married..."

And, we're off... 

It was time to head on out so our dear friend could GET MARRIED!

Getting close... The shoes are on!

 One last look!

So, so beautiful

And.. We... Are.. READY!

Moni didn't stop smiling ALL day!

Quick pic with my love :-)

 We clean up nicely!

Moni and Evan are Married!

The ceremony was so beautiful and perfect for Mr. and Mrs. Presler!  

But, it was time to P.A.R.T.Y!

We headed out for some wedding party photos and then headed to the wonderful reception!  It may have been chili, but I have to say, the weather was "picture perfect" for breath taking photos!  

Reception Shenanigans

Hooligans! 

 j/k!  

GREAT friends and GREAT times!

HOT

Too much fun!

Justin Bieber... Is that you?

 Oh yes, we are dancing to Beyonce!

Take two...

(do you love my tennis shoes and suit jacket?)

As if the evening couldn't get any better, Moni and Evan had a PHOTO BOOTH at their reception!  WAY TOO MUCH FUN!  (here are a couple samples of the fun we had!)

Seriously, a memorable weekend!

Moni and Evan - you two make the perfect couple!  The love you have for each other is seen from miles away!  You two are always smiling at each other and you light up every room you enter.  I was honored to be apart of your special day and wish you a life time of love and happiness!  

Never take those smiles off your face :-)

Enjoy HAWAII!

As always, when mommy and daddy are away, little J will play!  And play he did!  A HUGE thank you goes out to my parents for spending the weekend with our little man.  He had so much fun and made us pay for your absence all day Monday!