Christmas Weekend in Star Valley

Last post of the day. I can't believe I have had peace and quiet for this long in one day. On Christmas day we went up to Star Valley to visit with Ethan's parents and his Brother Nathaniel and his wife Julie and their two kids who were also up there. It was so fun being with his family. They live in one of the prettiest places I have ever seen. It is so peaceful and quiet up there. So we got there and Renae and Melvin needed to open their gifts from us. We had gone in on a gift for Renae so they waited for us to get there for her to open it. We got her a digital camera (Julie's idea) you are all welcome Clingers out there. Now maybe there might be some decent pictures of people because she can see what they look like before she prints them. (we love you Renae, just not always your photography.) That was fun having her play with it all weekend.
We went sledding on the hill across from their house with the kiddos. Melvin and Renae kept an eye on Enza so we could both go out with the boys. That is the first time that we have both been able to go out and do something up there with the kids. (I am usually pregnant, or have a new little baby and there are too many kids around to just leave.) It was so fun.
Later that day we went for a drive to go to the Elk observatories, but there wasn't enough snow so they were all too far away to see. It was such a nice drive though, and it gave our kids a chance to get a nap. Yeah! We took a bunch of pics of the canyon on the way up the canyon towards Jackson Hole. It was overall relaxing and nice to spend time with Ethan's family, because it doesn't happen often enough.

Enza's first set of pigtails! Thanks to Julie who did them for me, because I have been too nervous to do them myself. I didn't want to hurt her. They were so adorable. And yes, I did try them when I got home and yes I did hurt her by pulling her hair. So I had reason to fear.

Ethan and I on the side of the road above the Snake River. It was pretty and as usual our pictures didn't do it justice.

Ethan and I in front of his parent's house.

Our little family out sledding. (which if I may interject Cruze hated the whole time)

Renae snuggling Enza after she fell asleep while we were sledding.

Gauge on his sled lovin it, he is so laid back and fun. He goes along with whatever.

Cruze lovin it too, while we were on the flat part. He is so funny!

Cruze, Spencer, Jaicee, and Gauge on Grandma's lounger in the TV room.

Last but not least Melvin holding Enza so we could eat some warm dinner. Thanks Melvin!

Christmas Morning

Okay so as I was trying to find pictures to put on my blog of Christmas morning I am realizing that my husband got most of it on the video camera. SO I am going to post what little I do have and note that we had a great day and am so thankful for this time of year.

Santa brought my boys a Doug & Melissa train set. My boys loved it, and so did Ethan & I. We had so much fun setting it up. Hee-Hee

Here is one of the bean bags (without one of my kids in it)that I made for my kids for Christmas. I make my kids something every year for Christmas. I think it is fun, and meaningful. It was a lot of fun, and they actually are quite comfy. They do take up a ton of the space in my living room though, but other than Enza rolling everywhere and needing some space, it's no big deal.

Gauge in his bean bag with his new pillow pet (Mr. Moose). Yes I got suckered itno buying a pillow pet off of Qubo, because my boys saw them and loved them. So I gave in, because I thought they were adorable. Gauge also got a dump truck, a new ball (always a hit with him) a firetruck garage, a big remote control car, books, a light bright(I think I may have had more fun than he did) and clothes.

Cruze with his monkey pillow pet and his bean bag. It was so nice to have my kids love what I made this year. Cruze also got an art easel, clothes, a big remote control car, Curious George jack in the box & books.

And last but not least Enza in her bean bag with her pillow pet the Ladybug. She got some clothes, books, and a couple musical toys.
As a family we also got some more books, and a few family games, and a new Curious George movie. Ethan and I got snow boots, pants, coats, my mom made each of us girls a quilt. They are awesome. She picked a pattern and some fabric that she thought would go with each of us, and then made it for us. That was so special to me, because she usually gets us things that are store bought (and also appreciated), but I am sentimental so this really meant a lot to me.

Hansen Family Party!

Every year we have a Hansen Family Christmas Party on my dad's side of the family. It has been something that we have done ever since I can remember. It has always been so much fun, but over the years with our family growing so much we have not all fit at my Grandma's house. We are practically sitting laps, and not to mention that when you get up it is musical chairs, because everyone is looking for somewhere to sit. So after years of people suggesting that we have it somewhere else, this year my parents planned it at their church. Thank you for that! It was so nice to have a place where the kids could run around and play and not have to worry too much about them getting into anything. We had dinner, read stories, played bingo, and of course Santa Claus came and gave the kids presents (gifts that of course we have bought our own children and Santa gets all the credit again.) j/k It was fun!

Poor Cruze was so distraught, because his and Gauge's presents were the very last in the bag and he was getting more and more upset with each kid that went up there. He hung in there and was very excited that Santa brought him a motorcycle , but also that Santa knew his name. It was cute and interesting to me that over everything else that is what mattered to him, is that Santa knew who he was. It was so cute.(I couldn't help but think of how we all will feel when we realize that the Lord really does know each of us by our name.)

Gauge on the other hand could have done without Santa, he was scared to death. He was trying to sneak up there when his name was called and get his gift and get out of there. But of course everyone knows that you have to sit on Santa's lap to get a present from him. SO at the very beginning of being on his lap all was so-so, then all of the sudden he got really upset. As soon as he was off of the lap then he was just fine.

Enza, well she could have cared less. To her it was just someone else to hold her. Funny how Santa affects different kids and ages differently. It really is crazy, we tell our kids over and over again don't talk to strangers. Then we shove them on Santa's (stranger) lap while we smile and take pictures. What a great message to send to our kids. Don't talk to strangers unless they are dressed up and look happy. Oh well, at least we are always around when Santa is, so hopefully that will sink in too. Merry Christmas!

Other Cute Pics!

My boys snuggling with Grandma Hansen

Precious Enza

Hanging with Cousins Abigale & Preslie

Trimming the Tree!

My adorable boys by the tree!

I asked my boys to put an ornament by their face so I could get a picture, and these are the ones I got instead. Interesting, but still cute!

This year we were supposed to go to WY last weekend, and then there was a change of plans. We were waiting to get our tree because the permit costs $5 and it is fun to find a tree and cut it down yourself. So instead of spending $50 for a so-so tree for two weeks of enjoyment we decided to get a smaller tree so that we would still have one. We let the kids decorate to their hearts content (with the plastic ornaments of course) Then we just put it on the table so you can actually see it out of our window. (It looks pretty redneck, but hey my husband is from WY. j/k)

First Time in the Snow!

Yeah my kids were so excited to play in the snow. I am always so excited to play in the snow too. There are few things that I love more than playing outside in all of the different seasons. I do love that you can make things out of the snow. When I was little my Grandpa Strand used to make snow animals in his front yard. When I say animals I mean huge, taller than we were. There was an elephant one year that was literally life-size. I remember taking pictures up on top of it. One day when all of my kids are old enough I will blog about the super cool elephant, or monkey that I made out of snow. For now we will just stick to snowmen.

Gingerbread Builders

My mom bought all of us girls gingerbread house kits this year. We had fun, and the kids thought it was great! I am not sure how much of the candy ended up on the house, and if it did I think most of it was sucked on first. When I went in to make sure my kids were all tucked in and covered for the night, I found that they each had their little candy bowl full of candy by their beds. It was pretty sweet!