Life is Just a Piece of Cake!!

There are some people in this world who just appear to have it made. I am well-acquainted with such an individual. To these people, success is no stranger, companionship is a given and fun naturally follows. There are seemingly no struggles, no tears and few hardships. To watch the growth and progress is pure joy. Yet, to know of the tears, the inevitable sadness, the frequent challenges and the unspoken struggles is almost unbearable to behold. Never let is be said that life is a piece of cake for anyone. To some of us, we just have less options, fewer talents, simpler desires and limited capabilities. To those who enjoy unlimited abilities, myriad talents, striking sociality and extensive aspirations, sometimes the world where you reside is just not big enough for the giant that you are! Remember. . . chin up!! Things always get better!!

Teagan is Eleven!!

Teagan turned 11 this weekend. He is all about the sports jerseys, skinny jeans, and snowboarding jacket... which is just what he got for his birthday. I love seeing him at school because he is quite the man. He is the epitome of a fifth grader - has the girls after him while being quietly aloof and subtly cool.

Teagan is a unique blend of a somewhat shy and yet friendly personality. He is easily embarrassed and never wants to stand out. While wanting to blend in, he manages to make quite an impact in his very own funny and impressive way.

Teagan spent his early years growing up in a car seat while driving siblings from one game or practice to another. By the time he was old enough to play recreational sports himself, we were sure he had attended so many events as a spectator that he would never want to be a participant. We were happily wrong! He has been a natural at everything he has tried. He instinctively knows all the rules, understands where the play is and thrives on the competition.

Teagan is a compassionate team player who wants everyone to do well. He is driven and motivated, but more than anything else, he just wants to have fun.

Teagan is a well rounded boy. He loves to be outside fishing or hunting. He enjoys sporting events either participating or watching He is a successful student who is good at

most scholastic endeavors. The best thing about Teagan is that he is tender-hearted and sincerely loves people. He is easily attached to others and genuinely misses them when they are not around. He has a sweet and gentle spirit that is easily influenced by quiet promptings. He has developed a strong love and testimony for Jesus Christ and knows how important it is to seek after the things of the spirit. He has had many fine examples in his life which

he watches quietly and intently.

Watching Teagan grow up brings our family more smiles and joy than we ever anticipated. There is definitely something special about being the youngest...he keeps the rest of us young and smiling. Happy Birthday Teagan. We love you.

Chandler is in BUSINESS!!

Entourage Photo Booth makes its big debut today at the Bridal Extravaganza at La Caille. What a great job Chan and Ty have done getting ready for their first bridal show!!

The booth looks great - they have made it so it can easily be customized to match any color or theme (The polka dots are just for this show). The owners are charming!

The marketing is spectacular. Here's hoping you book your first weddings today!! We are proud of your efforts - you deserve much success!

Whew!! What a Holiday!!

The holiday season is behind us and with it the whirl of excitement and fury of preparation is past. I had so looked forward to 2009 - the year when we would all be back together again - and I must admit that the togetherness was definitely the best part of the holiday.

I maintained from the beginning that everyone had already received exactly what he/she wanted without any presents at all. Chandler got to go snowboarding after two years. Haley got to talk to Elder Benjamin Woolf after a long six month dry spell. Easton, well, I am pretty sure Easton has kissed a girl this year. And if he hasn't, it isn't because he didn't have plenty of opportunities! Kali got to enjoy December with few painful soccer workouts. And Teagan got word that the cutest girl in the fifth grade likes him!!

Will we ever outgrow matching pajamas on Christmas Eve?

The girls love their pj's (especially when they pick their own)

Only Haley still gets to cuddle with Teagan

Regardless, we did all of the usual things. We baked cookies, had friends over, spent time with family and exchanged gifts. I got to go to the Mannheim Steam Roller Christmas concert with Kari. The Tabernacle Choir Christmas performance was the usual high point, and the absence of school and homework pressures were an added bonus. Yet, this year was even more special.

Dessert Night at the Hansen's

We cruised to Mexico with my family (Sharps, Perrys and Tuckers) the day after Christmas which was a blast!! We enjoyed good food, relaxation, and great company. The sun shone most of the time; however, it is never hot enough for me!

Setting Sail on the Elation

Hansen's Cruising!!

Easton had fun slicking his hair back for formal night

I wonder how many pounds you can gain eating big meals every night??

We played on the beach and rented jet skis. We toured the beautiful coastline of Cabo and shopped the flea markets for killer deals.

Great deals are found on rainy days!

The kids went out into the ocean as far as they dared (way beyond the Cruise ship) on the jet skis where they tipped over, lost the key to the jet ski, and were temporarily stranded. Of course, no one could see them way out there but, no worries! They rigged the machine with a hair pin and hair elastic and were back on shore within the hour.

This threesome is a recipe for disaster...lucky for the hairpin and elastic!

Teagan got a "Jumpman" tattoo - it just didn't handle the water too well.

Hang on for dear life...Easton is driving!

Our return on New Year's Eve was perfect as we were home just in time to attend and participate in Savvy's baptism on January 1. What a sweet and special day! The entire Hansen family was in attendance which always makes for a wonderful event. I loved having Chandler there and know that it brought back sweet memories for him.

We had our annual Gift From the Heart evening on January 2. While I love to complain about the time and effort that goes into preparing for the night, I have to admit that it is always a memorable event. In spite of the considerable thought that goes into the gift giving, it is not the gifts that makes the night so fun. It is the goofing around, the laughing, chatting and playing. (Cyd, I think the addition of a dance competition would be awesome!)

Now comes the most challenging part of the year. Now I face the challenge of trying to do better in 2010. Why does it seem that I am always revisiting the same goals every year. . . better scripture study, more frequent Family Home Evening, better eating habits, more consistent exercise, and the list goes on. In addition to the old favorites, there are also new goals . . . develop greater faith that all will be well, exercise hope in the future, take pride in the successes of my children and appreciate their challenges and weaknesses, pray more fervently, love my time spent in the temple, and the list goes on.

As challenging as the start of the new year seems, I suppose it is more of an opportunity than anything. I will forever be grateful for more time . . . because it is going to take me an eternity to get things right!!

If the PJ's fit...

It's dance time again! Last night was Jordan High School's Christmas Dance. Clad in footie pajamas, Easton and his group of friends embarked on another night of fun. A cozy fire, a cup of hot cocoa, and the roar of teenage music set the stage for the evening.

'Breakfast for dinner' was served prior to the dance at Jordan, and then it was off to Noah's for fun with friends. The evening capped off at Nick Buchan's retreat before returning home tired and content. The only casualties of the evening were three broken zippers on those footie pj's. Do you think that maybe a boys size XL isn't quite big enough for 17 year-old boys?!!

Why Do I live in Utah??

We just spent Thanksgiving in San Diego, and I am just sitting here wondering. . .Why in the world have I spend my entire life living in Utah?! I hate the cold, am a below-average skier, and am not a huge outdoors-woman. My only real Utah qualification is that I am a 'Mormon,' and I am pretty sure I could be one of 'those' anywhere!!

San Diego is warm and beautiful, and it has a beach!! What could be better? Seriously, though, I am not foolish enough to believe that it is the weather alone that makes me love San Diego. The company there is unmatched anywhere!! Cyd, Damon and the girls are wonderful hosts that make you never want to go home. I love visiting Cyd! She is happy, positive, fun and easy going. She makes you feel like there is nothing she would rather do than spend time with you. It is a gift that I wish I could acquire. The Dixon's will be moving to Italy this summer, and they will be greatly missed!! We will miss the visits, the late-night chats, the shopping sprees, the trips to the ocean, and breakfast, lunch and dinner at the beach.

While I am not a fan of the latest technology, I suppose I could step into the twenty-first century for a change. I may even have to read my email more than once a week!!

The Halls are 'Decked'

The holiday season is upon us, and I am thrilled to have all seven Hansen's in the same state! I love almost everything about the season. I love the warmth, the decorations, the music, the friends, the cooking, the smells and the togetherness. I even like the snow if I am looking out the window at it from a cozy, warm room. I will always hate the cold, and I can't say that I love the shopping. Every year at this time I am reminded how much I miss my old buying job at Nordstrom. . . Not because I miss the wild, crazed shoppers or the 70 hour work weeks. But I have to admit that getting paid to spend someone else's money has got to be the epitome of a dream job!

I love having everyone home without the pressure of homework. I love seeing friends and family. I love fixing food that I only fix once a year. I love making sugar cookies on Christmas Eve, putting up the Christmas tree covered with hundreds of homemade ornaments, reading Christmas books each night, and watching the old favorite Christmas specials on TV. There's nothing better than the Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert every year, and I absolutely love listening to the Christmas playlist on my ipod!!

What do I want for Christmas?? Just a home filled with family, fun, friends and laughter. I love it when Alan's sisters come to town and we have little kids around. I hope they want American Girl dolls again this year, because I love them as much as the little girls do!