I finished it!

This is a quilt I made for my niece for Christmas in 2006. It was way to small for her bed, so I added some on all sides. I've had it since the summer and haven't done hardly anything to it. It was on my list of unfinished projects to finish this year. Only 11 more to go!

my favorite

This is one of my favorite videos



ps - My lovely mom is staying with the kids for a week (while we go to Hawaii). She's even coming here to do it. I'm pretty sure I can never repay her (for staying a week or for all the other lovely mother things she does/has done for me.) Thanks mom.

I CAN'T STAND IT!

the crying. the blubbering. the sniffles. Dan's watching the biggest loser in the other room (which I refuse to watch) and those men cannot stop crying! I'm sure it's emotional losing all that weight, being away from your family, getting yelled at by Jillian, having your man-boobs on TV, but come on! And then people watch it. sad.

just a few of the reasons we're going away

We finally got some tickets today. For Hawaii. We're going to Maui. Neither of us has ever been there. We want to relax together (which is why we picked Hawaii, rather than Paris or Rome.) Today I wish we were leaving tomorrow, but we have to wait another 2 months or so. Here's why I'm so excited!

1. I won't get spit up on for one whole week.

2. Sleep.

3. We'll get to do anything we want at any time of day.

4. I won't have to referee any fights.

5. When we have "alone time" we won't have to block out someone at the door screaming/crying/whining, "I want Daddy! I want Daddy!"

6. No poopy diapers.

falling slowly

I didn't watch the Oscars last night (except the very end) but I hear that Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova won for Falling Slowly in the movie Once. I loved the movie and the song (it was playing on my valentines mix over on the side there). And the speeches were very cute.

remember?

I bought Karate Kid the other day at Walmart for $5. I'm pretty sure it's been at least 10 years since I've seen it. But I can still quote several lines. Do any of these sound familiar?


Daniel Laruso's gonna fight? DANIEL LARUSO'S GONNA FIGHT!

Get him a body bag, yeah! heh heh heh.

Lucille let's go, here they come!

I hate this bike, I hate it!

Daniel: when are you going to fix the faucet?
Mr. Miagi: afta . . .
Daniel: after what?
Mr. Miagi: afta, afta!


please add your own personal faves.

ps - I keep waiting for the kids to start rubbing their hands together like Mr. Miagi when he fixed Daniel's shoulder and knee, but they haven't done it yet. They did pick up on the crane kick right away and want to do karate all the time now.

tagged

So Lacey tagged me a little while ago and so did Kristin. Here goes.

Rules:
1. Answer the questions
2. Tag 3 others and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.

Questions:

10 years ago . . .

Dan and I had just gotten engaged (the day after Valentine's Day). I had just graduated from BYU and was working at the tiny flower shop and Subway. Mostly planning my wedding.

5 things on my list of things to do today . . .

1. finish up a pair of pj pants (didn't fit, bad pattern).
2. big grocery shopping
3. plan a menu
4. cook steak for dinner
5. go to an applique class (yay!)

snacks I enjoy . . .

vegetables with ranch, crackers and cheese, hummus and pita from Aristo's, Nestle Crunch ice cream bars, I'm sure the list could go on.

3 bad habits . . .

1. letting the house get sooooooo messy because I'm busy doing more important things (projects) and then getting stressed out that the house is messy!
2. waiting 'til the last minute
3. being late a lot

5 places I've lived . . .

Dallas, TX
Phoenix, AZ
Spokane, WA
Pleasant Hill, CA
Provo, UT

5 jobs I've had . . .

file clerk at my dad's office
waitress at China Chef Cao
novice florist (at the mini florist shop - really only big enough for 2 people)
landscaper at Manito Park
piano teacher

5 things you don't know about me . . .

I don't like pancakes (unless they're banana pancakes or Swedish pancakes)
I brushed past Steve Young once in the Gap
I like to watch Beads, Baubles, and Jewels (even though Dan teases me mercilessly for it)
I LOVE Conan O'Brien (do not like Jay Leno one bit)
My favorite treat ever is chocolate covered marshmallows

What if I suddenly had a million dollars . . .

I'd pay off the house, add some to retirement, let Dan take off a few years to go to Law School, travel around a bit, hire a maid, and take all the art classes I've been dying to take.

I'm tagging Jan, Will, and Casey

how do you spell . . .

yay - as in hooray, yay!

yeah - as in yes

is yah a word? if so, what does it mean?

yea - does it mean anything besides yes?

ya - i suppose this means you.

please feel free to weigh in on this, especially if you specialize in English.

charlie sings

One day in December we tried to teach the kids Angels We Have Heard on High for Family Home Evening. They looked at us the whole time with blank stares. Apparently they all learned it anyway, because they all sing it now. I guess they were listening.

music poll

I'm confused. Many of you must have changed your votes, because last night there were 22 votes, with a steady 2:1 (yes:no) the whole time. But tonight it's 1:1 with 24 votes. Oh well. The reason I put up this poll was because I was getting sick of hearing the music every time I opened the blog. I think what I'll do (to appease everyone) is take off the mix that's playing now, work on a new one, and when I post it - only keep it up for a few days. I'm also not in love with the player I'm using, so I'm going to look around for something else too. Thanks for all the input.

add it to my resume

Last night I went in front of the City Council in protest of a power line issue. That's right - I am now a community activist.

There are these already large power lines that run along one side of our house. The power company wants to make them even larger and taller and also wants them to hang over our yard by about 12 feet. They offered to pay us a measely $2000 for the easement where the power lines would hang over (where we couldn't plant any trees, add on to our house, etc. etc.) We, along with other neighbors, would like them to bury the power lines. (For lots of reasons - one of the lesser ones being that we could have normal looking trees instead of the ones trimmed to allow the power lines to go through the middle of them.) The City Council seems to be looking into alternatives, but they'd have to pay $22 million (according to the power company) to bury the lines. There are other important reasons why I oppose this upgrade, but I feel like I've already talked your ear off. If you want to read the Deseret Morning News story about it, go here.



ps - luckily we have this guy on our side. (I tried to look for another picture because, since winning the election, he has stopped shaving, and sports a full-on beard.)

grateful again

1. Charlie singing Angels We Have Heard on High (the gloria part, which goes on and on.)

2. Sam writing a thank you note (his own idea, with no prompting from me) to our California neighbor, Matthew, who always sends him birthday and Christmas gifts, but who Sam hasn't seen since he was one.

3. Dan's job. Even though it takes him away from us a lot, his job really takes care of us too.

4. Comments (on my blog).

5. My kids being good eaters. They'll try almost anything and love Indian food, Thai food, and cauliflower and broccoli.

6. A sewing machine. What would I do without a sewing machine?

7. Disposable diapers. I feel pretty guilty about putting SO many diapers in the landfill, but apparently not guilty enough to use cloth diapers.

8. Blogging. Even though I spend a lot of time on it, I love the connections with a lot of you that I had lost touch with. Also - it's a great journal for me (since I am not an excellent journal-writer.)

9. This Old House (the show - I'm kind of mad at my own old house right at the moment.)

10. Spring is coming!

update on the poll, new game, and a giveaway.

So the poll I posted a few days ago only has 2 days left. If you haven't voted on whether or not you like music on my blog, please do so before time runs out. (I was just thinking of you - my faithful readers, as I want your experiences at my blog to be good ones.) I'm going to leave up the current music until the poll is over, just so you know.

The boys invented a new game today, which they are playing right now. It's called "bowling". It takes place in the bathtub, where all the Book of Mormon character figurines (because they have good sturdy platforms) are set up near the drain. At the other end of the tub, someone lets loose a car, which slides from the top edge, down the curve, and into the figurines at the drain. They have just decided an apple will work better as a bowling ball. Brilliant.

I've been thinking of doing a giveaway lately. It would be something handmade, but I'm not sure of the rest of the details, as they involve another person's things.

ps - thanks for all the comments on my last post. I think it's a record. I don't think I knew that there were over ten people reading my blog.

I'm the Luckiest (or Ode to Dan)

In case you didn't know how great Dan is, here are some of my favorite things about him:

He cleans the bathroom AND the kitchen (my most hated jobs).

He wrestles with the boys.

He calls to see how I'm doing. If I'm going crazy, he talks to me until I'm calmed down. Then he checks up on me for the rest of the day just to make sure I'm staying sane. (has already happened twice today.)

He misses me when he's out of town.

He works hard to be a good provider and I never have to worry about any of the providing.

He tells the boys great stories at night (or reads to them.)

He is laid back. (Sometimes this drives me crazy, but really it's the best thing for me.)

He knows when to quit working and take a break (this can drive me crazy too, but it keeps Dan from getting crazy. We don't need more than one crazy person here.)

He's forgives easily and quickly.

He's always learning something new.

He's the only person who understands me (there are many who come close, but he's the best at it.)

He is very intelligent.

He loves to work out and always makes time for it. (I don't understand it myself, but I do admire this strange quality.)

He is a hard worker and is always getting things done.

He almost never complains.

He never yells.

He grills the best chicken and zucchini around.

He loves me and makes me happy.

He's a handsome devil (maybe not a devil so much, just the handsome part).

He plays the guitar and is musically inclined in general. (Also appreciates many music styles.)

He is loyal (which gives me great comfort as his wife.)

And of course, his sense of humor. I think I enjoy reading the Christmas letters as much (or more) as the rest of you.

mail!

I got my giveaway winnings from Molly in the mail 2 days ago (I've been busy.) I was so excited. I loved the package and the wrapping. Here are the cards from Silhouette Blue. I got 4 each with lovely red envelopes. They're so beautiful and I love them! Thanks Molly!

ps - sorry for the bad pictures - I couldn't find them online.

6 months?

I can't believe that little Luke is already 6 months old! He's still a baby, but not that new lumpy kind that sounds like a cat when he cries. He already has 2 bottom teeth (the first one came in 3 weeks ago, the second one finally popped out today), he can sit on my hip, he's starting to grab everything, and I'm hoping he'll start holding his own bottle soon.

He's still a nice guy: he sleeps through the night, only cries when he doesn't get to be around us (cute), and smiles the minute he see me.

the only good thing about potty training (besides the final result.)

Charlie is certain that this is how you put them on. (Because he can see the picture when it's in the front.)

early

For those of you who know Will and Nicole - they had their new baby girl yesterday! She was 10 days early. Go to their blog (from my sidebar) to see pics.

The Best Rated G Movie I've Ever Seen

Even if you don't love U2, you'll like their new IMAX movie U2 3D. People have said it's almost as good as a real concert. It's true. Some parts are even better than a real concert.

You know how when you go to a concert and you get the same view the whole time? Usually for me, that's behind some guy who's 6'3", so the whole time I'm trying to see between his and his girlfriend's shoulders just to see half the stage. (When we went to see Pinback, I didn't even realize there was a 5th guy until the last song.) So in this movie you see all the views you wish you were seeing at the real concert. Mostly close-ups, so you get a great look at everyone. (In the first few seconds Bono looks right at you and with the 3D it seems like he's right next to your face!)

The only thing bad about the movie version was that several times I felt like getting up and dancing, or at least belting it out on With or Without You. It's just not kosher in a theater, especially if you're in the front row (of the balcony - pretty great seats).

I've also got to hand it to Bono. Sometimes it's annoying when celebrities use their station to cram their opinions down our throats. But how can you be mad when Bono's preaching "love your neighbor as yourself"? I think I could try just a little harder on that front.

Anyway - I'm sure you could read much better movie reviews elsewhere, but if you have a chance, I recommend going to see it.

Syrup Video Spawns More Messes

Philadelphia, PA. After watching Charlie's syrup video Porter and Maya Elmer made some serious plans. They've been cooped up in their house for most of the winter, excluding a few park visits. They wanted to have some fun, and so they set forth to top Charlie's video. Experts agree that they have done just that!

I WON!

Molly just started doing these great giveaways. She's always finding the cutest stuff. Great paper things, great baby things, great design things. Well - I won one of her giveaways. Not quite sure what I'll get in the mail yet, but I'm sure it will be great because it's from this company. Here is the link to Molly's blog so that you can start entering her great giveaways! Good luck. And thanks Molly.

ps - here is the link for the giveaway I entered.

a new toy

Well, not a toy exactly. I wanted to get something for the sideboard/buffet piece of furniture we have in the dining room. It seems to be one of many collecting places for junk at our house. In the fall we had 3 lovely white pumpkins on it to prevent people from dumping their junk. It seemed to work, but pumpkins don't last forever. So I've been searching for a perfect something.

Every time I go into this home consignment shop nearby, I kind of want a typewriter. So I got one (even though Dan didn't think it was really a great idea.) A bonus - the boys love to play on it. Pretty much everyone does.

one of the reasons my house is never clean

the toothfairy came last night!

(Sam's first lost tooth.)

Frohe Weihnachten (or Merry Christmas 2007)

You’re probably trying to figure out the German angle right about now. The answer: there is no angle. Do we speak German? No. German ancestry? Not really. We simply wanted to begin a tradition of different Christmas themes from year to year.

Christmas 2007: German Post Modern Intellectualism (yes, Leigh went along with this!) Or at least our conception of it. If you would like to play along at home please acquire the following:
· Black turtle neck
· Appropriate eye wear
· Monkey (absolutely critical!)
· Plenty of hair gel
· Eccentric German name

Look bored and disaffected and quote Kafka as much as possible, while claiming you’re from some random German city like Baden-Baden. Combine this look and attitude with all your regular Christmas traditions for a new spin on an old theme. Any takers? Really? Just us? Okay then.

With that out of the way, let’s walk through the line up:

Luke (4 months):

Quotable: No quotes, just noises…loud grunting-like noises, usually at 2:00 in the morning. Since Mom and Dad now require ear plugs to sleep at night, the house is wide open to looting and all forms of unmitigated destruction by local hooligans (i.e. University of Utah students and alumni.)


Number four child AND number four boy (one needs a spare, just in case.) A bit lazy compared to the other boys, as all he does is lie around all day and hit the bottle.

Charlie (3):

Quotable: Sam, holding a bottle asks Charlie, “Charlie, can you feed Luke?” Charlie continuing to play and not paying attention, “No…I don’t have boobs.” Boobs indeed!

Charlie likes to tell people to “shut up.” It’s his nuclear option to put an end to any uncomfortable or displeasing conversation.

You: “How’s it going Charlie?” Charlie: “Shut up.”

You: “Nice shirt Charlie.” Charlie: “Shut up.”

You: “How about those Jazz Charlie?” Charlie: “Shut up.”

You: “Any thoughts on the Iowa primaries Charlie?” Charlie: “Yes, clearly with Romney’s superb campaign organization he’ll be able to effectively turn out his base despite the cold weather and negative polling by his challengers, this should sufficiently cap the aggressiveness of Huckabee’s late surge. Combine this with an Obama victory, and New Hampshire should prove an interesting race…and SHUT UP!”

Sam (5):

Quotable: “Can I have money to buy tattoos?”

Sam currently has the stickiest fingers in the west. For him all property is community property. He can often be found going through work bags, purses, pockets or any receptacle that may house cash and coin. When caught in the act the response is always the same, “I was just looking at your money.” Yeah…right. We’ve threatened jail time, but this may not be much of a deterrent considering the number of successfully escaped convicts in Utah this year.

Jack (7):

Quotable: “Hey, Mom, when I was playing, and there was this guy, and he had all the weapons, and he could beat up the other guys, and he could do kicks, and the other people were scared, and I wanted the cowboy guy to fight the Indian guy…ad infinitum”

Based on his interests, Jack’s all boy. These include, blow guns, swords, bows and arrows, knives, ninjas, cowboys, etc. He enjoys leading the other boys in battle royale downstairs, which from upstairs sounds like wild boars being let loose in a ring full of pit bulls. The battle participants will often run upstairs in tears to complain of the injustice that befell them during the melee, only to return to the fray shortly thereafter to reclaim their honor. Leigh’s careful to call the game before neighbors call on local police to calm things down.

Leigh:

Quotable: “Would you stop buying crap!” (in relation to Dan’s quotable below)

As you can tell this letter highlights the oddities and eccentricities of the H. brood. This is because Leigh has ventured full speed into the blogosphere going 45 mph in the fast lane with her left turn signal on…no wait that would be the Rolling Stones tour bus (#2 on the most overrated bands of all time.) If you want to know what’s really going in our house forget the tabloids and go directly the source at http://leighleighlumpkin.blogspot.com/ Leigh will keep you fully informed, educated and sometimes dismayed through her reporting.

Besides blogging, Leigh continues down the path of exploring her artistic side while still containing “the furies.” Jewelry, quilts, hats, smoking jackets (don’t’ ask) and “birthin babies” (is that an art?), she does it all.

Dan:

Quotable: “Hey Leigh I think I need fill in the blank.” Suitable responses include: Olympic gymnastic rings, DVDs on how to properly perform a clean and jerk and/or snatch, more spandex (for mountain biking…I swear!), bigger or smaller jeans depending on where he is in the binging and purging cycle throughout the year (binging at the moment), books (lots of books) and a snake with a derby and a sweater vest.

Apparently, due to the Schwarzeneggeresque levels of testosterone coursing through Dan’s veins, only boys can spring forth from the Hansen loins. This testosterone is put to good use through his athletic pursuits (i.e. mountain biking, lifting, etc.) that curiously enough do not always lead to a leaner frame. Science would suggest it has something due to with his large caloric intake, but Dan doesn’t put much stock in this so called ”nutritional science.” If loving Ben and Jerry’s is wrong, I don’t want to be right!

We hope the fat man in the red suit brought you much holiday cheer this season and be sure to clean up after your monkey!