Thursday, April 23, 2015

Running and Growing

Abbi needed new shoes for running.  We knew her shoes were snug but we didn't know she had skipped a whole size!  She picked out some purple-ish running shoes and some running clothes for all the time she has been spending on the track.  In a few weeks, she'll start running with a track team!


Thursday, April 16, 2015

Henrik - 4 Months



Sunday, April 12, 2015

Cake Fail


Like · Comment · 

Friday, April 10, 2015

Sibling Day

Sibling Day.....I was the ox taking the picture. heart emoticon heart emoticon
Like · Comment · 

Sunday, April 05, 2015

Holy Week

To prepare for Holy Week, I studied a book given to me by my co-workers when I left the Centerville D.I.  I hadn't ever read it all the way through and am glad that I finally took the time to do it.  I learned many new things about the events of the Savior's life during his final week.  It also tied a lot of events and passages together to show the symbolism of the Savior's death and ressurection.  After reading this book, I wanted to share it with the kids in a way that would help them know what Easter really is and how much their Heavenly Father and Savior love them.

From Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday, we talked about what the Savior was doing on that day of his life.  Then together, we made a note or drawing to remember what we learned.  Above the fireplace I had taped up a few dozen pictures of the Savior during his ministry and through his ressurection.  Each night, we would each choose a favorite for the day and say why we chose it.  Then, we would hang it in another place where we could see our favorite pictures all week.

This experience of studying about the Savior helped me feel of his love and my significance to him.  And even better was sharing this with Abbi and Noah.  We had many tender moments where we were able to feel the Spirit together teaching and testifying of our Savior's love for us.  On Friday night, Noah was able to feel and learn from the Spirit.  I've never felt happier or more blessed than when we felt the Spirit together in our home.


Palm Sunday
Abbi drew a Palm leaf, the donkey Jesus rode, and Noah cut out a Palm leaf.
Abbi drew the numbers representing the newly called 12 apostles and a Fig leaf from the story of the cursed Fig tree.
We read some of the parables Jesus used to teach and then made a list of how we can share our blessings and be ready to meet the Savior.
Abbi and Noah drew the evil spirit depicted from a piece of art we saw in our book.  Abbi also drew a pot of oil and spices used to annoint the Savior.  Noah drew oil lamps.
Noah drew the Paschal Lamb to represent the Passover.  Abbi drew the Olive tree and surrounding garden.
With Jake, we learned about the crucifiction.  The best part of the week was watching the kids understand that the Savior would have lived and died just for them.  We ate unleavened (pita) bread for dinner.
Noah drew the rock that guarded the tomb.  Abbi drew the guard.
Easter Sunday, we remembered that Jesus lived again and that is the most important part of Holy Week.  Because He Lives, we can live now and forever, knowing our Heavenly Father.
Best Easter Week ever!

Saturday, April 04, 2015

Hansen Easter Party

Tiffani, Henrik, James, Abbi, Elizabeth, Jack, Noah, Marlie
Henrik's first hunt.
Proof that you shouldn't give candy to children.
Anne and Henrik.
Kickball game with Uncle Jake.


Chickens

We got a few chickens to keep in the yard so we could have fresh eggs.  Jake planned out a rotation so we would have some hens for eggs and some hens for eating.  I've never had anything like a chicken around before so this has been a little interesting.  I do like them, but it's still weird.

We go 7 black chickens that Jake had studied out to be good for the weather, good in the yard, and good with kids.  We lost one of them a couple nights in.  It was probably too cold for her.  They stayed in the garage for a little while until we moved them into the barn.  They still have their light to keep warm and still live in a box.  It's been fun watching them grow.

A few days before Easter, Jake's friend sold us 10 meat chickens.  They were about five weeks old so we plan to keep them for about five more weeks before we eat them.  They accidentally sent us home with 11 chickens.  Jake turned the little shed into a coop for them.  We've even added a little door where they can come out into a little pen onto the grass.  They grow so fast and barely walk around anymore because they can't hold up their meaty-selves.

On Easter Saturday there was a bit of an incident.  The kids are obsessed with the chickens and like to go in and out of the coop all the time.  Abbi went in to see them and Daisy quickly got through the door with her.  In less than 30-seconds, Daisy got one of the chickens but ran away when Abbi screamed.  It was injured and Jake acted before remembering his audience.  He was in the coop really fast and snapped the chicken's neck.  Then he stepped out of the coop and smacked Daisy with the chicken carcass a few times to teach her a lesson.  Noah and Abbi were stunned, standing in the yard, and I was stunned, standing in the back door.  The chicken's head flew off while Jake smacked Daisy.  Then, the country boy just walked away, taking the carcass to the dumpster.  Drama ensued, Daisy was bathed in the yard, and Easter went on as planned.