Make a Smilebox greeting

We are still here

I feel like I fell off the blogging planet, but we are here and all doing well. The main reason I haven't been on the computer is that Bryan's two brothers, who live in our basement, have been on the computer most of the time.
Bryan has been super busy at work saving the planet one patent at a time. He loves being at his new office, though dislikes the commute time. His business is going extremely well and he likes his coworkers. He enjoys spending time with the young men at church. He is still the best car-ride-giver, all time prince, and our most favorite guy in the whole world.
Maegan has been busy growing a new baby. We are going to find out the baby's gender on Bryan's birthday on Jan. 13th. I taught the last few lessons for Joyschool preschool and got to teach the story of Jesus' birth to the kids. I helped coordinate the nativity program the kids put on at our house. Last month I stopped running and took up my new hobby of napping. I love it, but totally miss the talking/counseling sessions with my girlfriends.
Emily and Ashley are very busy creating and playing in their own world. Most days they live in polly-pocket world, followed by Barbieland, Mary & Joseph-ville, pet-shop place, mom & sweetsy-pie, restuarant chef, cat & mouse, mom & baby dolls, teacher & student, etc. Sometimes they come meet with reality and we eat or go shopping, then they go back to fantasy with books, kid TV shows, playdough.
The girls are the best of friends most all of the time. Emily's specialty is being imaginative. She loves you to read her a book and loves asking questions. Ashley is opinionated and insistent. She loves princesses, pink, purses, and girly everything. Here they are with their new haircuts.
We are headed to AZ to spend Christmas with Maegan's family. We had Thanksgiving with the Hanks and enjoyed having 4 out of the 6 siblings together.

Baby News

I went to the doctor last week and found out I am farther along than I thought! I am now 12 weeks along (I thought 9) and Bryan and I got to hear the heartbeat at the appointment. It was in that minute that the baby became real to me and the information I knew in my brain went into my heart and I loved my baby through that sound. We have a due date of June 3rd. Emily was very disappointed that she won't be getting a baby for her birthday present at the end of July. But I am feeling good that I will have the baby before the summer heat. We will find out the baby gender at 20 weeks which will be around the 15th of January.
Today we went on a tour of Mrs. Cavenaugh's Chocolate Factory. I ate 4 chocolates and bought 3 other bags of candy. I loved every bite and got excited for Christmas treats. For anyone asking- milk, not dark. :)
Thanksgiving plans for next week are to have Bryan's parents, his sister & her husband, possibly his 2 brothers and our friend Kadia from Iowa. Should be good times. In our church primary class we've been talking about being thankful- seriously we are so blessed!

Halloween

We made our second annual trek to the Barnyard Boo in Lehi. Emily went on 4 pony rides and we made bead bracelets, frosted cookies, got balloons made and watched a spooky movie. We all had a good time. Here's our spider ring collection. Emily picked out the white bride spider for me and the black groom spider for dad.


We carved our pumpkins on Monday night. The girls each carved one of their own design and Bryan carved his monster pumpkin into a surprised face. Emily got brave and reached her hand into the pulp-seed goosh. Ashley didn't want anything to do with gooey guts and was mad they were in her pumpkin.

For Halloween night Ashley dressed as a princess with a crown, a pink hat, one glove, a magic wand, pink dress and tights. Emily was a black cat with whiskers, a tail and ears that could light up. Dad was a pirate and I was an M&M. We went out trick-or-treating for an hour and let the kids eat 15 candies and then we were done with candy. The girls got out dress-up clothes 2 weeks ago and have made this their new game every day. So I am guessing it will seem like Halloween every day in my house for a while.

Exciting News

We are expecting baby #3! We just found out and are excited to share our happiness with everyone. We told Emily and Ashley first. We thought Emily would freak out with excitement but instead got serious and said, "okay, I have an idea for a plan." Ashley said she's going to share her crib with the baby since she's in her toddler ("toller") bed now. She's also going to share her high chair and help change diapers. Emily is very interested in the baby process and asks- "What is the baby doing in there?, Is the baby putting on its Pjs?, Is the baby hungry for dinner too?" and she loves to pat my tummy and say, "go to sleep baby".Emily thinks the baby is a girl and we should name her Alice. Ashley thinks it's a boy and we should name it Shakena; to which Emily replies Shekeno for a boy. We think the due date is July 2009, but we will be confirming that at a doctor's visit next month. We plan to find out the gender if possible.
I am feeling more nauceous than with my previous two. I found myself taking 2 naps today at 9am and 3pm- awesome! (I did get up early and go running, but still makes me laugh). My other complaint is I think everything is so stinky! Here are the girls as we told them the news.

Tagged

8 things I did yesterday:
Ran 3 miles
Took a nap
Did laundry
Ate
Took another nap
Talked to my mom
Cooked dinner
Attended a wedding reception

8 things I look forward to:
Book Club
Taking naps
Sunshine spots on the carpet
Holidays
Dates with husband
The day I am organized
Desserts
Zion

8 Favorite Restaurants:
Cafe Rio (sweet pork burrito, pinto beans, mild, not smothered)
Olive Garden (all you can eat salad)
Little Caesars (Hawaiian for $7)
China Platter ( sweet & sour chkn)
Royal India (a yummy adventure)
Costco (convenient, cheap, kids love it)
Great Harvest (huge slices for $.50)
Wendy's (not my favorite but I sure eat here the most)

8 things on my wish list:
warm wheat muffins
a miracle for Spencer (selfish and unselfish reasons)
hire a maid
decorating skills
nobody gets the flu this year
girl's hair to not be a daily ordeal
help people
desire to serve more

Octob-where?

Where did October go? I am pretty sure I've been living it, it's just gone by so fast.
After our trip to AZ, my mom came back to Utah with us and stayed for a few days. We loved every minute of having her here. We had a very early snow and on Sunday the 12th we built our first Frosty of the season.

The girls and I started swimming lessons again (Emily level 2, Ash and I in a mommy & me). When Emily got chicken pox we missed our summer session so they rescheduled us. After getting into the water, I know why no one else signs up for fall- it's freezing! Emily is like a fish and loves every minute of class and for the first time Ashley is kind of liking it. So we will keep going until mid November.

Joyschool is in full swing and going great. Their Halloween parade with songs was cute. From left to right- Cami, Nathan, Sarah, Brooke, and Emily (holding a broom). We did a field trip to the pumpkin patch and we all picked out pumpkins- very fun.

I've been keeping up with running 3 times a week and although I hate running, early mornings, and the cold- the regular friends therapy and the exercise payoffs keep me going. Both Bryan and I have chosen not to run the half marathon.

My 28th birthday was on the 22nd. Happy Birthday to Maegan! It was a nice day with a lunch date with my sweetie and lots of nice phone calls, cards, and some fun presents. The girls picked out their presents for me: a care bear washcloth, a 1" plastic birthday cake, and party hats. They also helped make me a cake and loved helping with candles. Bryan built me an arts & crafts table for the basement. He worked really hard and the result is so beautiful. Bryan is totally a carpenter. My b-day party in Provo was at aunt Stephanie's house and my girls absolutely adore their bird.

Arizona Adventure

My sister, brother and six other people drove up from AZ to watch Conference in downtown Salt Lake City. I took advantage of the multiple co-pilots and drove back with them to Arizona. I thought it we would spread out the trip over 2 days, but my girls did so well in the car that we made the 14 hour trip in one day.
While we were here Emily went to school with Grammy in second grade. She loved it! She got her own desk, talked about our bodies and learned how to spell whoooooooo (who). She raised her hand and asked questions, got to eat snack, go out for recess, line up, draw on the white board and play with math blocks. Ashley also loved going to school and sitting in her desk.
We also went to the Arizona Desert Museum and saw some really cool stuff. The girls loved riding around the little strollers, looking at all the animals, climbing through rock and cave tunnels, and getting shoulder rides from their uncles Wes and Garrett. My favorites were the otter, beaver and butterflies.
We will see how we do with the drive home on Thurs/Friday. Luckily we'll have Grammy along and so it should be good times.

In other news- Bryan's sister Stephanie Lee had a healthy baby girl on Tuesday October 7th and named her Melody Kate. The Hanks grandchildren now total 7 girls and 2 boys .

Autumn Time

September 21st was the first day of autumn and we have been celebrating. The girls understand autumn and they love it! Emily collects fall colored leaves and so we made a leaf wreath and have it hanging on our front door. For Joyschool we are learning about the Joy of the Earth and we went on a field trip to a state park on Thursday. The kids collected a bag full of treasures and it was a good time.

We moved Ashley into the room with Emily and into her new toddler bed. She was waking up frequently crying in her crib and so we thought we'd try it out. There were a couple nights when the girls would wake each other up and play from 3-5 a.m., but once that got under control it's been great. And no more Ashley crying in the night and she doesn't get out of bed either- yippee! I was hugging Ashley and saying she was my sweet baby. "No mom, I am a toddler!" she informed me.


Bryan and I have decided on a half marathon race. Saturday January 17th in St. George, Utah we will be there running 13.2 miles. Anyone interested, please come and join us. This week is our first week of training.

I tried canning peaches by myself for the first time. Thanks to Grandma Judy for the equipment, aunt Amy for the peaches, and my friend Julie for watching my kids and helping cut peaches. I think all 7 jars turned out. I haven't actually tried them yet but they all sealed and they look beautiful! I also did peach freezer jam this year. 'Millions of peaches, peaches for me.'



The last news for our family just happened this afternoon- Ashley peed on the potty! We tried potty training in May- didn't work. Before today she wanted to wear panties but has refused to sit on the toilet. Today she woke up an hour early and was crying to put on panties. This morning we had 4 accidents within a couple hours and I was ready to give up, but she kept wanting to try. And then it worked! She got candy, stickers, hugs, cheers, etc and was feeling pretty good. Unfortunately we are headed on a road trip on Sunday to AZ and so maybe it's not the best timing, but the girl was obviously ready to do it. Yeah Ashley!

September Stuff

We went to the zoo last Saturday for my cousin Tiffany's birthday. We watched a bird show, rode the merry-go-round, and looked at lots of animals. The new carousel and the train ride were by far their favorites. And so I wonder again why I go to the zoo when all they seem to want is the rides and I could just go to the fun center in Wal-mart or a park.

We are loving having Bryan work at home! The kids come and bother him at least once a day to give rocket rides in the laundry basket, open a sealed jar, push on the swings, take them on a bike ride, or sit on the whoopee cushion and he does. He only complains about the noise every so often. He took Ashley on a lunch date today and Emily will get her turn tomorrow.

I am still running twice a week for 3 miles. The hope is that the calories I burn will somehow compensate for the treats I find myself eating. Bryan found a cure for his sore knee (IT band) and he has started running again. We are looking for a race to run and we'll invite all when we find it.

Bryan is playing flag football with the church. The girls really look forward to his weekly games. Last time they dressed-up some cheerleader outfits with pom-poms and were ready to go cheer for dad only to find out his game was too late for them to go.

Football & Preschool

Emily got to go to her first college football game last Saturday with her daddy. They drove down to Provo with Bryan's friend Jono and his 4 year old Cami to watch the BYU Cougars. We prepped Emily beforehand by teaching her about the fight song with the band, telling her about wearing blue at which she promptly changed her clothes to be all blue and got her a backpack full of snacks, a tambourine and coloring books. The cougars got 41 points and so she had lots of chances to sing and cheer. For the first half of the game she would stand and proudly beat her tambourine along with the marching band to the fight song. Then she got to see Cosmo on the field and fell in love. Dad- a REAL cougar! She really wanted to go down to meet him and she gave him the credit for the 'roar' she kept hearing. She also got to eat a slurpee and a hot dog. She had the best time ever!


Emily's first day of Joyschool Preschool was on Tuesday September 2nd. www.valuesparenting.com is where we get the curriculum and the list of the values that we teach. The first joy is about the body followed by joy of the earth. Each mom teaches two days in a week and then it switches to a new house. There are 5 kids: three 4 year old girls and a 3 year old girl and boy.
Ashley was pretty happy while Emily was gone because she got all of mom's attention. I tried to make it really fun for her so she and I played playdough together and she helped me fold socks in the laundry. My favorite Ashleyisms lately: "Cordi-boy" for Corduroy the bear, "magazines" for magnets, and when I ask her a question about where is something elicits "I just don't know!"

My Race

I was up early and pumped about our run. The big hill was one I had done before and was a little scared of but I made it almost all the way to the top without stopping. I think I placed 38th overall in a 5K this last Saturday!
There may have been 70 people running the race. It was a fund-raiser race for 3 boys for their college. My friend Jenny found out about it and she was excited and nervous to run her first race so I ran it with her. We ran 3.1 miles in 35 minutes and had a great time. I loved the yummy fruit and pancake breakfast afterwards and the two hours without kids crying or fighting.

Quarantined

We have been quarantined this week due to the chickenpox. After the Dr appt on Wednesday we've tried to be careful and only taken Emily to a few places (okay 4). I've gone out by myself a couple of times without her as well. And yet today I am starting to feel trapped in my house. This is a wake-up call to me of how accustomed I am to taking my kids places. Or maybe now I feel a loss of the option to leave whenever. Whatever the reason, I am appreciating I live in a time where I have transportation easily accessible, the money to own and maintain my transportation, and usually have the health and strength to go out of my house. Count my many blessings....

After thoroughly inspecting all 20 of her non-itchy spots, I am saying Emily is now safe to go in public again. The Dr said when they all have scabbed over she is no longer contagious and that is what it looks like. So far no signs of spots on Ashley but we will continue to watch her this week. I am thinking that if/when she does, I will do potty training at the same time since we'll be home already.

This week I have found myself playing so much more with my kids. I have been in Barbie and Polly Pocket worlds all week. One day they also were Tarzan (Em) and Jane (Ash). I got to be mommy monkey and dad was the lion that chased them. This was the day they repeatedly jumped off couches. Today Emily announced she is officially getting married to our neighbor Jonathan tomorrow (age 4, lives next door, the only boy in her preschool last year). I kindly reminded her that we don't play with friends on Sunday and so she said they could move it to Monday. The wedding party will be in our front yard. Emily said both families could come, but then changed her mind and said it was only for her and Jonathan. Ashley loves the idea and has also picked her fiancee, Jonathan's little brother David (age 2). So maybe we'll have a double wedding. Emily has also loved playing school this week and has learned how to write most of her last name and some of her numbers. Bryan got Emily's 2 wheeler bike today fixed with a new seat and training wheels and they had a blast today biking around the block. So all-in-all we've had a great week!

Summer Fun

Here's a short outline of some events that took place this summer for the Hanks household that have heretofore not been mentioned in other posts.

My baby turned 4! Emily had her 4th birthday out in California. We had a quick birthday bowl of breakfast and opening of one present before we left for church. Emily kept insisting that she wasn't 4 yet. So we had lunch and she and Bryan made and decorated her own birthday cake. It was after we sang to her and started cutting the cake that she proudly announced, "Now I am 4."
She got a Webkins elephant stuffed animal and promptly named her Emily after herself. She also got lots of new (modest) Barbies.
She taught herself to whistle a couple weeks after that and will be happy to let you hear it.






My cousin Hannah is 12 years old and has come over many times to play/ babysit/ hang out. We live 30 minutes away from the Foster family and thoroughly enjoy having them close. We usually get together for birthdays, dance shows, etc. Here is a tea party in the basement photo.






Here's me with a group of girlfriends out on the town one night. We were at the book release of Breaking Dawn, the 4th book in the Twilight series. After hearing reviews, I decided not to read the last book (ask me if you want the details why). But I totally love these ladies! They are my friends, neighbors, co-workers (homemakers), fellow church members, running partners, book club members- I love them all!




The brother's Hanks. This one photo capturing many, many hours of long talks with Spencer and Cameron Hanks. These two men are awesome. They live in Provo and are full-time busy with figuring out life and the path to happiness. They have had many ups and downs but mostly just amazing discoveries about faith in God and His love, peace, acceptance, miracles, and mercy. These guys always seem to give me a lot to think about. We are here in Pizza Docs on Pioneer Day where we hung out for 2 hours. These 3 guys are really good for each other.


Bryan started/joined a new law firm. The firm AdvantEdge was created a year ago by 3 guys. Bryan and his good friend Jono left their firm at Holland & Hart and joined up with these guys to form a new partnership called ALG. There are 5 partners now with 4 technical writers. Business is booming for these young entrepreneurs. This is Bryan and Jono's first day at their new job. They are doing some awesome things. Check them out at http://www.alg-ip.com/

Bryan served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in San Antonio, Texas from 1997-99. During the last 3 months of his time there, he and his companion Steve Easthope came to know the Empey family- Mike and Theresa and their son Michael. Mike had been baptized a member of the church but had not been in 35+ years. He felt inspired to go to church and turn his life around for his son who was then 11 years old. Bryan and Steve taught the gospel to Mike and Michael. Mike overcame some challenging obstacles and was able to baptize his son before Bryan left the mission. Theresa decided to join the church 4 1/2 years later. We lived in Austin at the time and were able to be there for her special day. They came to SLC to reunite with the missionaries who started some major changes in their lives for the better. We had a wonderful weekend with lots talking, sight-seeing, memories, music, pictures and tears. Mike is phenomenal musician. Check out his song at
http://www.myspace.com/michaelellisempey

Chicken Pox!

Emily got her second dose of the chickenpox vaccine two weeks ago and ended up getting the chickenpox from the live vaccine! We are now quarantined for 10-14 days at which point Ashley will probably just be starting to be contagious. I know now what I will be doing for the last month of summer. Luckily both Bryan and I had them as kids and so we are not at risk for anything.
She had a low grade fever at church on Sunday which I attributed to her cold she got. So we could have gotten the 3o kids sick but we won't know for 2 weeks. Because she had the vaccine, her 16 spots are not itchy.


Here's our interpretation of the Olympic events at our house. Here you will see a debute of the new event, Women's Gymnastics Floor Routine for Two. Both girls are creating their own music to their movements. It definitely fits in the modern dance category.

Emily's Song

Three nights ago I was putting Emily to bed and she started singing a song. Upon request of friends who love her spontaneity, I wrote it down. Her inspiration comes from a Book of Mormon scripture story about a Christian convert King Lamoni and his encounter with his unhappy father.
The tune is a free-lance rhythm going up and down short scales.

"You do not fight with your father
You do not fight with your father
You do not fight with your father
You just be nice to your father
And just have hakuna-matata. (She stops singing to laugh at her own joke)
Whatever you think you know is true
You do not fight with your brother or sister
Never hit or push at night
Wake up in the morning and stretch.

You never you ever fight
Don't think of strangers
Just think of us
Just think of peaceful
Ever Jesus is coming
Watch out!

Return
You know what happened to our Father
You know it's true
You never know what is really true.
You know love and animals
Hasheen

Heavenly Father loves us
He really does
Happy
You'll be happy if you wake up
If you wake up grouchy you'll feel sad
Follow your Father
And even your mom and dad."

She asked that I sing it back to her afterwards, and she was very pleased with it.
A few days before that she and I were talking about Jesus. She asked when Jesus was coming back to earth and I told her I wasn't really sure. She said, "I think he's coming in... February."

Wesley's Wedding

Wesley and Kristen Bedford, married July19, 2008 in the San Diego Temple. This is my only picture of the lovely couple together from the weekend taken at the dinner the night before they were married. I hope someone sends me some wedding pictures soon! They are now living in Phoenix area- Wes will graduate from the Tempe police academy in August and Kristen just started working at a children's museum.

Emily got to be the flower girl during the ring ceremony. She did a great job looking cute and walking where she needed to. Thankfully she didn't fall into the small lake during the ceremony, although she was making me nervous. She loved being a helper to the bride with the dress' train and getting them napkins after cutting the cake. Her favorite part of the whole event was getting to dance with her daddy for a long time. I ordered a second dress for Ashley so she could feel beautiful too and they were both adorable. I rented their dresses online which was way cheaper and they had tons of color choices- www.gagas.com.

California Fun!!

I think we just had the best family vacation! We went to southern California for a week, mostly for my brother Wes' wedding. I think what made this trip so different is that Bryan didn't have to work while traveling. We left Monday afternoon, traveled 5 hours and stayed in Las Vegas. We went swimming that night and then on to CA the next day. We got to have dinner and hang out with my longest known friend Kristy Pilawski and her husband Jason in Long Beach. They loved watching our girls do their thing and we loved hearing about their adventures in aeronautic engineering.

Wednesday morning we slept in and then cruised over to the beach. We saw lots of dolphins swimming and sand crabs while we made our sand castle. Ashley got over her dirty hands issues fairly quickly and the only downer was my sunburned back (currently in the itchy, peely phase).
Thursday we went to Knotts Berry Farm- Maegan, Bryan, Emily, Ashley, Grammy Holly and Garrett. We spent probably 8 hours there and had a great day. We took turns staying with the girls and the other adults went on rides too. Garrett made us all go on some crazy rides for which we were all grateful we didn't lose any lunch. Emily said her favorites were the balloon and airplane rides and Ashley loved the merry-go-round horses. In this picture they are on the balloon ride with Grammy; while mom, dad and Gar were on the Supreme Scream- 252 foot drop straight down.

Pioneer Trek

So we made it! We went on our stake's pioneer trek on June 30- July 3rd. We were part of the support staff and ended up being bus chaperones, Bryan was in charge of microphone set up, I conducted the group singing and we were actors one day. We had a great time. We slept on the ground, walked a total of 24.5 miles and endured hot and cold temperatures. Because were in the staff area we did get a tent and all kinds of good food whereas the other trekkers did not. The first day we walked 13 miles, including a women's pull and we finally stopped around midnight. The last full day we had some solo time where we had two hours to ourselves and got to reflect on life and important things. I think that was the best part for Bryan and I. The kids' testimony meeting was held that night and it was so wonderful to hear all the kidsfeelings and to know that they are such good kids with awesome potential. It was a great trip. Thanks to my mother-in-law watched the girls for us. I took away an amazing appreciation for the pioneers who did not have anything but their faith. I also love modern technology- liquid soap! shampoo! A/C!

Summer Games

Swimming in our new inflatable pool in the backyard. The girls were in heaven

Chalk Art Festival

We went to the Gateway's sidewalk chalk art festival sponsered by Utah Foster Care. In this photo Emily is attempting to hook her two straws together. It didn't work so well, but what's impressive is that she just thought of that on her own.

This drawing is one of 50+ entries- all of them really good! Some artists spend 8+ hours on their square.


The kids got their hair spray painted green and blue. I thought it was funny, but they didn't seem to care too much.

The girls definitely did not love the water feature at the Gateway. It's the kind where there are little holes on the ground where water shoots upward at unexpected times. Emily lasted 3 minutes, Ashley 3 seconds.


Happy Father's Day Bryan! The kids sang to him in sacrament, he got lots of treats and yummy breakfast and dinner. He also got tickets to John Mayer concert in July. Best presents were no diaper changes all day and a long afternoon nap. With those perks I think I'm ready for another Mother's Day.
Here they are opening a new book from the girls, "Daddy's Toolbox." There are tool shaped pieces that you can take out and use. Each page has something that is 'broken' you get to fix. Genius idea for a cute yet manly book!

Fun Farm Day

Old Austinites met up and went to Utah's Wheeler Farm. The weather was good and the kids had a great time. We all enjoyed feeding the numerous ducks and geese, taking a hay ride and eating lots of snacks. We went out to lunch afterwards and loved catching up with friends. From left to right: Maegan, Emily 3, Ashley 2; Ocean 3, Jaime, Eden 15mons; Caleb 3, Julie, Taylor 11 months. The 3 year olds were all born in the same hospital within 4 months of each other.

Joyschool Graduation

Carolyn's house Wednesday, May 28th. "They Wanted Me" is another cheesy Joyschool song but the message is a good one. I think Emily is singing as she twirls and she has a grand finish.

Carlie Got Married

My little sister Carlie got married to her high school sweetheart Kade Rapier on Saturday May 24th. They got married in the Mesa Arizona Temple and they were so in love! That was the first time Bryan and I had been back to there, the same place we got married 6 years ago. We were definitely enjoying the feelings of love all weekend.

We drove down on Thursday and stayed with my cousin Celeste. Friday we went to the temple with Carlie for her first time and afterwards attended a family dinner.

Saturday morning it rained just enough to cool things off and they had perfect weather for the day.
The reception was in Tucson at a country club and was a nice evening. The Rapier family put on a play telling the love story of Carlie and Kade at the reception which made for an entertaining night.


Monday we safely drove home 14 hours and took my mom Holly back home to Utah with us. She gets to stay with us for two weeks and play!