Sibling Picture Christmas 2017

Jeremy, Jimmy, Wendy, Cody, Anne, Cody, Joey

Christmas Eve 2017

We celebrated Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa Hansen's house with all the aunts and uncles and cousins. Even Popcorn Grandma was there. We had lots of fun and lots of good food!

Clara and Dad make the same face while having their picture taken. Aunt Wendy gave Clara some story books and a Storm Pooper shirt.

Clara and Mom in our party attire. Her pajamas were hard to find the day before Christmas Eve. With the headband you'd never know they were the boy pj's. 

Grandpa Hansen put together a nice progr'm (pronounced without the A to be like Grandpa Choo Choo and Uncle Jimmy). The kids did their special parts while he read a story and we learned how there would be no Christmas without Easter.

The kids wrote their own play called Jack's Ear. It was wonderful! They wrote a script and put together their costumes.

Even Henrik couldn't resist and played along. 

All the grandkids (except Liza) came ready to party with Grandma.

Last year we had a picture together and Cody made us do it again this year. Jimmy was very touchy this year and gave all the sisters a hug and a kiss.

I'm grateful that my mom works hard to help us keep our traditions going. It's really nice to be able to be together and have fun. We're lucky and blessed to all be friends.

Uncle Jimmy

Uncle Jimmy was the first of my siblings that I told I was pregnant. He was driving home from work and returned my call while I was at work. I could believe how happy he was on the phone! I think he almost drove off the rode. He was so incredibly happy. Because the news of a baby was still so new to me, it was still very unbelievable and scary. I didn't know how or even want to be to excited because I was really scared it wasn't true or wouldn't end well. But when I heard Jimmy on the phone, I was happy! He told me to not be scared and just be so glad for every day I had. He really was the reason I was able to give up the fear for gratitude. Even though the next weeks and first few months would be risky, I was glad every day that I even got the chance to be expecting. Even if that was all I would ever get.

Over the next several months, Jimmy was still so happy and excited for us. It was contagious and helped my mom, too.

Then when Clara finally arrived, if it's possible, he was even happier. Uncle Jimmy loves to get a daily picture or Marco Polo from Clara. He often beats me to it and sends his own good morning message first. We love when he comes to visit and hold her.

I'll always be grateful for how Jimmy helped me choose to be happy and enjoy the experience I was having and the gift of the little baby we got.

These pictures are all selfies Uncle Jimmy took when he stopped after work to see Clara.

Plain City Hansen's

I had to steal and add this picture Amber's sister took because it is so great to see those boys smile. I'm really happy we moved to Plain City and are neighbors (a few miles apart). It's not quite like the across the street cousins I grew up with but it's still pretty awesome.

Marlie - 14
James - 11
Jack - 9

Hospital Pictures and Visitors

Noah and Clara the morning after she was born.

Abbi and Clara the morning after she was born.

Our first family picture.

Grandma Hansen

Grandpa Hansen

Grandma Tracy

Aunt Amber

Uncle Jimmy

Aunt Anne Kay

Aunt Wendy

Brandon and Tammy Bills

Uncle Cody

Aunt Tiffani

The cow suit I was so excited for Clara to wear.

Cousin Alleson

Uncle Jeremy

Aunt Lilia

Middle of the night selfie.

Waiting for Dad to come take us home.

First time in the car seat.

Bear Lake 2017

Girls day out for Raspberry Days, shopping, and shakes!

Elizabeth, Abbi, and Marlie got tattoos to surprise their dads!

Mom and I tried to do the hardest puzzle ever. We put it away and worked on it after we got home.

Cousins decorated their buckets for their Secret Cousin prizes.

Henrik loves to play play dough.

These three were always together doing mystery wildness.

These three went on a long walk down to get their own shakes.

Aunt Tiffani showed the kids how to make slime.

Wendy and I didn't play nearly enough Skip-Bo.

It turns out that our children are dare devils on the boat. They told Uncle Jimmy to go faster and faster. He even let them both have a turn to drive the boat!

We finally rented a water trampoline after thinking and watching them for years. It turns out that it is terribly difficult to climb on and takes up most of your rental time.

Abbi and Marlie pooped out. 

Grandpa fell asleep with Henrik's "babies."

The kids made me do another mystery dinner. I did it once a few years ago and now I have to do it every year. This one was very ill-planned but I did like how they had to put their choices on a paper sack that I could just fill up with what they ordered.