It is time!

It's the most wonderful time of the year..... No not a holiday carol but the song of my heart with the start of BYU football, Fantasy Football, Autumn fishing. I love it! per Lance

Yesterday we were able to go to the first game of BYU football for the year. We decided to take Kiersten where we thought that it would be a scoring game that it would keep her into it. We took our same seats that we have had for the last 4 years, now on the 5th year of season tickets, in the always beautiful LaVell Edwards Stadium (choirs of angels singing remotely).

It was warm (98 degrees) for the first half until the overcast moved upon us and well that means treats for the little one. She has been all excited this last week over the ability to get cotton candy and the football game. Here is the Cutie complete with sunscreen in the hair and all.

It was another notch on the belt for the winning streak, now at 11 games, but it gave me enough reasoning to be a little concerned for next weeks' match-up with the Huskies of Washington. The defense seemed to rejuvenate itself after loosing so many starters but the 5 fumbles, 4 of which were turnovers, didn't help my concern at all in the 3rd quarter. Thoughts of Appalachian State beating Michigan last year in their openers whisper concerns a little to my mind. But Max Hall's 486 yards passing and the monster that is Dennis Pita pulling in 213 yards gave me thoughts of grandeur for the year.

I was even able to get some Ready to Apply vinyl from work and the truck was even in order for the game.

All in all it was good times had by all as Rachel and I love to have that 'out' and enjoy what limited time we can at the mercy of our sitters, in this cause our awesome friends Jim & Tami in our time of dire (regular sitter bailed on us).

Sunday Talks

Yesterday we were given the opportunity of speaking in sacrament meeting. We got to speak on keeping covenants. I had had my talk prepared for 4 days, and just tried to read through it every day so I would not be quite so nervous. Lance got his talk done around 11:00 Saturday night (and of course it was tons better than mine). We had also prepared a talk for Mikey & Kiersten. Mikey would say the talk and Kiersten would hold up the pictures. When we told them, they were both excited and up for the challenge. So then the big day comes. Luckily, we had the lady in the ward with the longest prayer ability give the opening prayer. There were two youth speakers and I gave my 10 1/2 minute talk in about 8 minutes, and then it was the kids' turn, except Lance was out in the hallway with Luke (he was very naughty) and I couldn't see the kids. I turned around and looked and the 1st and 2nd counselors and they just smiled back at me. Just as I was about to faint, Lance walked in the door and the kids popped up from the bench (they had been coloring). So the kids and Lance came up and Mikey started giving the talk and Kiersten was holding up the pictures. She was doing so good until about half way through she leans over (and in her not so "quiet" voice) asks if she could switch places with Mikey. I told her no. Meanwhile Luke had escaped from my arms and now was going back and forth between Lance and I- pretending to be bashful from the counselors. By now my heart was racing and my face was getting flushed and I was even more ready to be done. Then Kiersten leans over again and (in her not so "quiet" voice) asks if next time we do this if Mikey can hold the pictures while she gives the talk. I wanted to cry- next time...next time...there had not be another NEXT time for a LONG TIME. I look over and now Luke is trying to stand on the stool to also talk in the microphone. Luckily, his daddy is now giving him a BIG hug, keeping him in place. Finally after what felt like an hour, the kids' talk was done and it was Lance's turn. I got to hear a little bit of his masterpiece and then out in the hall Luke and I did go. I had heard it the night before and it was great, so I know with his fun personality he did a great job. Anyway, it is over. In the hallway after church, the same counselor that had asked us to do the talks said that we did a good job, and I said "thanks, now you can forget about us for awhile" with a big smile. He laughed. I did not. Oh well, at least our turn is over for awhile. :0)

1st Day of 1st Grade

In the words of Nemo (which has been played more than a few times thanks to Luke), "First day of school, first day of school!" Mikey has been so excited for this day. Lance and I were both afraid we would have to drag him out of bed and it would take forever to get him ready, but he was more than eager to hop out of bed and start getting ready in record time. Here he is. All ready to go and 20 minutes before it is time to go to the bus stop.
His friend (and neighbor) that is going to be his "walking' buddy.

Here they go! Best of luck today little buddy! We love you!

That's what I get for asking....

Today at lunch we were sitting around the table, and Kiersten looks at me and says, "I know what Dora's job is." Lance and I look at each other, and asked her, "Okay, what is her job?" Kiersten smiles and says, "She's an explorer." Lance and I look at each other again, and just smile. She starts humming Dora's song, and I look at her and ask (in the tune of Dora), "So would my song be Rachel the Medical Assistant?" She pauses for a minute, looks back at me and says, "No, the wicked witch of the west!" I glanced over at Lance and he was laughing so hard I thought he was going to burst!

That's my girl.

3 about me

3 Joys:

My kids. I love seeing their successes, the way they are growing, and I love kissing their "oweys" all better. I am so grateful that things worked out so that I can spend more time at home during the day with them. I can not think about all the time I missed with Mikey and a younger Kiersten...I have to just enjoy all the time I have at home with them now.

Going "Home". I love going back to BE county to see our families. I love being around those I love and feeling accepted and loved for just being me. I look forward to each time we get to visit. I almost go as crazy as the kids waiting for the time we get to go and see everyone, and no matter how many times we make that trip, the trip there seems to take forever because I am so excited.

Date Nights: They are getting fewer and farther between, but I love each chance that I get to reconnect with my hubby and relax from the stress of home & work life. I especially love it when he turns off the phone- so it really is just me and him.

3 Fears:

Death- not the dying process itself, but losing someone I love and having that hole- the large gap- that is left by the one you love and then having to "go on" without them. I am sure you all can relate and know what I mean. When I hear of young children dying, I can not help but tear up, because the very thought of living without one of my kids is unbearable.

Snakes: the very thought is getting my heart rate up. I hate them. I hate the very thought of them. When we lived in Spanish Fork and I had to see one every time I went in the back yard during spring, summer, and fall, I just wanted to cry. There was more than once, when I was weeding the garden and saw one and thought I was having a heart attack. I HATE SNAKES.

Horrible diseases/ Health problems: I do not want them. I do not want my family to get them. I do not want my friends to get them. I have seen too many people suffer with illnesses or problems that I fear myself or anyone I know getting them- especially when there is nothing I can do to help or make it better.

3 Goals:

As always- to lose weight. I am starting to be better at working out and trying to eat better, but if there is something that really tempts me, I am still a sucker and will indulge.

Be a better Mom. This in of itself could take up pages on what I could do better, but for now, just know that is a goal for me.

To be in a house of our own. I love the house we are in and the neighborhood, but I so want to be in a place of our own.

3 Obsessions:

Diet Coke. Lately, especially, it is the ONLY thing that sounds good to drink. Provo may be a great place to live, but the water is not my favorite, and I refuse to pay good money for water.

Scrap booking. Everything I see or do, I am thinking of ways to do the pages in my head and how fun I could make it. Lance has been trying to feed the need by letting me do it one evening a month, and I love it! I defiantly look forward to that night.

Family. There is so much going on and I hate the thought of missing anything. I love being around my little family, and I love all the cute things my kids do and say. I even love (some) of the naughty things that only kids get away with. I cannot imagine life without my family.

3 Random Facts:

I hate most fruits. I only like a few like strawberries, apples, pineapple, watermelon, pears...and not too many more.

My favorite movie is Pride and Prejudice. The one with Keira Knightly. I watch it when I am upset, sad, happy, and is one of my favorites during my scrapbook nights.

I am also a Grey's Anatomy addict. The funny thing is since we got our DVR, I can't watch it live. I can not stand the commercials. So I have to either start 15 minutes late watching it or wait until the kids go to bed to watch it, so I don't have to watch the commercials or be interrupted. Yes. I know that is pathetic.


3 Tags: Natalie, Katie, Tami

***Thanks Darcy- that was fun!!!***

Night Out with Brian Regan

So Last night was a night that we had been looking forward to for over a month. We had gotten tickets to Brian Regan (the comedian for those who don't know) and it was well worth the wait! It was nice to be away from the kids for a minute and hang out together. It was great because knowing that we were going to something funny made us in an extra giggly mood.
Our friends Tami and Jim that went with us, were also in a goofy mood.

The program was awesome. It was held in the outdoor Waterfall amphitheatre at Thanksgiving Point. And what a venue! It was awesome to sit out under the stars and be having a good time. They started out with a Hawaiian guy named Kermit and he was hilarious. Then came the head liner- Brian Regan- the goofball himself.

He mixed in a lot of new material with some of the well-known stuff. He at one point was so giggly, he lost his place and had to re cooperate. Lance was laughing so hard he got a headache and my sides are still sore from laughing. Then for the encore, he took requests for favorites- the mood was so giggly that he even had to keep pausing because he was laughing at his own jokes. Brian has been one of our favorite comedians for awhile now. We were so lucky to be able to go and enjoy the show together.

Luke was Tagged, Too!

he was tagged by Kiersten

Luke Owen Hansen

Name/ Meaning behind it: He was named Luke because his dad was and will forever be a Star Wars fan and had always wanted a son named after Luke Skywalker- luckily, I have always liked the name. Owen was Lance's Dad's middle name.

Age: 22 months
Birth date: October 3

Nicknames: Rukers, Champ, Lukey
Favorite activity(ies): watching Finding Nemo, playing outside, mowing the lawn.

Favorite food(s): Noodles, Cheetos, apples, and anything with chocolate, Popsicles, pizza, cereal, mashed potatoes and gravy.
Least favorite food(s): anything new
Favorite music: whatever sounds like Finding Nemo

Favorite toy(s): lawnmower (the real thing as well as the toy), tractors, swing, whatever the older kids are playing with.

Favorite book(s): Finding Nemo search book and Nemo's colors.
Favorite items of clothing: SHOES.

What makes me happy: mowing the lawn, playing at Grandma & Papa's and Grandma Hansens, watching that (stupid) fish movie, playing outside with the big kids, blowing bubbles, climbing on toys, pretty much whatever- he is a happy kid.
What makes me sad: coming inside, having to take a time out to get his diaper changed, putting the lawnmower away.

Kiersten was Tagged!

by Michael Hansen and Lucy Porter

Kiersten Lynn Hansen

Name/meaning behind it: Kristen was one of Lance's long time great-great grandma's-so we changed it a little to make the ONLY girl name we could agree on. Lynn- is after Lance's mom Carolynn and was given as the middle name of all his sisters, so we continued the tradition.

Age: 4

Birth date: May 2nd
Nicknames: Lou Lou, Princess, Pumpkin, Little Love
Favorite activity(ies): Play with friends and cousins, play with dolls, trade Pokemon cards with the boys, watch princess, Strawberry shortcake & girly movies.

Favorite food(s): Cereal, Mac & cheese, pineapple pizza, red and green apples (cut-up only).
Least favorite food(s): green peppers, tomatoes, cantaloupe.

Favorite music: anything sung by a princess-Barbie-or Strawberry Shortcake, and the Enchanted soundtrack.

Favorite toy(s): dolls, Barbies, princess, pet shop animals, Strawberry shortcake, dress up items.

Favorite book(s): Strawberry Shortcake.
Favorite items of clothing: Dress up clothes.

What makes me happy: playing with friends.

What makes me sad: "when friends get hurt" and when she gets shots.

She tags: Luke Hansen, Kallie Marchant, Abbie Fuhriman.

Mikey has been Tagged!

by Zoey Porter.

Michael Leslie Hansen

Name/meaning behind it: He is named after both his Grandpas- Michael Fuhriman and Leslie Hansen.

Age: 6
Birth date: October 5th
Nicknames: Mikey, buddy, stud
Favorite activity(ies): trading Pokemon cards, playing with cousins and friends, playing Wii, riding his bike.

Favorite food(s): pineapple pizza, cheddar broccoli soup, baked potatoes with cheese and ham.
Least favorite food(s): mushrooms, red apples (who knew), cantaloupe, squash.
Favorite music: anything his Dad listens to.

Favorite toy(s): anything Pokemon or Wii.
Favorite book(s): Fred's Farm.
Favorite items of clothing: Pokemon shirt that he wears at least once a week (or whenever it gets out of the wash).
What makes me happy: having fun with family and friends.
What makes me sad: when he gets hurt and "when the garden doesn't grow"....that's what he said!

He wants to tag: Brian Marchant, Bratie Fuhriman, Kiersten Hansen

Farm Party

This past weekend we were fortunate enough to be able to go up to Pocatello Valley to the Fuhriman Family's Farm. My Grandpa Fuhriman's sister Gayla was turning 80, and so for her birthday, she wanted a family reunion at the farm where she too spent many summers out at the farm, so that is what her kids' planned for her. It was suppose to be 101 degrees that day, so at first we were quite nervous. But it was wonderful. As you can see in the picture below, it was gorgeous blue skies and there was just enough of a breeze to keep us comfortable. As soon as the kids could see the tractors, they knew we were in the right spot!
The party was fun. It was catered by one of my dad's cousins and it was delicious! There was so much food and lots of family and fun! They also put on a program that had her sisters, nephews, and kids' share special memories of Aunt Gayla & their memories being out at the farm. One of my Dad's favorite memories is when his grandma Mamie ran over a rattle snake in the road. It wasn't good enough that it was ran over so she backed up- ran over it again, and then got out and beat it to pieces with a tire iron. Maybe that's where I got my love of snakes....Hmmm.

Watching my kids play, it reminded me of some fun summer memories playing at Grandma & Grandpa Fuhriman's farm house. We loved to go there and drink home made root beer, make cookies with Grandma, work on crocheting, play in the sheds, pick Grandma's hollyhock flowers and turn them into fairies, make believe, and "help" Dad.

Kiersten playing on the same swing set that my brothers, sisters, and I use to play on. (In this picture the small white house in the upper left corner, was the house we (my family) use to stay at during at our summers out at the farm, and where a lot of fun times were had.)

My Grandpa Fuhriman (right) and his sisters and their husbands.

My family's farm house. No one has used it in years, but the memories are still alive in each of our minds. Angela and I were reminiscing about the parades that we would decorate for and walk down to Grandma Fuhriman's house- because besides Mom, Grandma and the owls in the old sheds were our only spectators, because my dad, grandpa and uncles were all out in the fields. We also laughed about the time my Mom and Dad had bought us a plastic swimming pool to bring out to the farm and before the week was out, deer had stomped it into a million pieces. So much fun to be had as a child- those were the days.

One of my kids favorite parts of the party were the hay rides. My uncle had arranged for a family friend and their Clydesdale horses to pull the kids on a ride that we took rides on. They absolutely loved it. They also loved looking at the tractors, spending time with cousins and especially with Grandma and Grandpa out at the farm that they hear so much about. It is funny, I have took them out to the farm, every year but last year, since they were born and each time it is like their first. They loved going and are already asking when they can come again!