You Either Got It...Or You Don't!

Bennett and I enjoyed some boogie time in the kitchen today! You just can't make up this kind of natural talent. Although I'd like to think that I passed along some of my love for dancing to my little monkey boy. But I believe this just comes from within him...all on his own. Do you think he could get on "So You Think You Can Dance"? You decide if he's "got it" or not.

(Maybe he will get to be on the show with Jessie and Matt whose talent was recently displayed on their blog here and here. It will be tough competition. I'm biased, of course, but my money is on Mr. B. That finger over the eye move is as good as gold!)

Where in the World...?

Lowden was a finalist in the school Geographic Bee tonight! He was very excited to be one of the 11 finalists that made it to the final round out of 91 students who took the pre-test. The competition includes students in 4th through 8th grade. Grandpa and Grandma Hansen came to cheer him on. This video above was taken before the bee when he was getting mentally ready.

He had a tricky first question. But scored on the second one he was given...."The Snake River borders Idaho and what other state?" He had that look of understanding in his eyes as he answered "Oregon" proudly. I think that made his night. We were all very proud!


His last question was about "what city in Wisconsin has the highest population?" He guessed Madison, which is the capitol. But, the answer was Milwaukee. But he ended strong...in the top six. The top two winners were seventh graders. The third place winner was a sixth grader. Being that Lowden is only in the fourth grade, we were very proud of him for placing where he did!

He enjoyed a lot of the PTO provided cookies!

And went home with a globe medal and a big smile on his face! Way to go Lowden!

A Little Reflection

I took Parker into the doctor today since his ear has been hurting him for the last three nights. As we were waiting for the doctor, I had some time to reflect on the last five months since Parker's accident. I'm so happy to see him whole again! Although when the doctor came in, it was determined he has a double ear infection. But, he is doing really good otherwise! He's as feisty as ever which, if you know Parker, that's totally normal! The doctor asked him to do some multiplication for the prescription she was writing and he knew the answer right away. I did some worrying in the hospital on how he might be affected long term and so far there has been no major side effects. This is such a blessing and we are all very grateful to Heavenly Father for watching over him!

Me and My Friend

The fourth child always seems to be the most resourceful! Bennett came to me today and said..."This is my friend Sponge Bob. He's so nice!"

We also caught him putting mouse in his hair all by himself today. "I spike it like Parker!"

And, he is pretty sweet....as I was delaying getting out of bed this morning. He said "A hug will get you better!"

Try To Get Past Us!

Uncle Tyler and Aunt Mele came by last night to say goodbye before heading back to Hawaii. Lauren and Bennett weren't about to let them leave so easily. Be warned that if you come to our house...there may be some obstacles to leaving it. We had a great time with them and we are sad to see them leave!

Our Favorite Day

Today Greg and I celebrated our favorite day! The day we were married in the Portland Oregon temple years ago. And this is one of my most favorite pictures from that day.

Lauren said to Greg and I (knowing it was our anniversary), "You need to go to a pond together and talk." Dad said that we couldn't because there was no one to watch the kids. Lauren said, "We can be climbing the trees and you can be by the pond to talk." Ah...so sweet and SO romantic sounding with the kids climbing trees nearby (although somewhat fitting since sometimes they act like monkeys)! I think Lauren's been watching a lot of princess movies where the prince and princess talk by a pond.

Well, after she said that. I found this picture from our wedding day by the reflection "pond" at the temple. And yes...it has a little kissing action. In fact, most of our pictures from that day have pictures of us kissing. We were and are so very much in love!

Lauren is commenting as I type this... "Oh gross gross gross. Love. Marriage. Kissing."Today as we left for church, I was reminded of what we have accomplished together...
And in honor of our anniversary, I am going to add the song we danced to at our wedding reception (Greg picked it). Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton. Love you Greg!

My Dad

My dad had a birthday recently and I've realized he hasn't been featured in a bunch of posts on my blog yet. So I thought it fitting to do a little tribute to him today. In the picture above, it was my fourth birthday. I always felt safe with my dad. He always watched out for me and made sure I was being careful. Sometimes he made me do crazy things like the time he made me take a picture with the duck he has just shot on a hunting trip...

Yes I am four years old and I am holding a dead duck!

And, we always had to have shooting lessons when we went camping at Blue Lakes. I was 7 or 8 years old in this picture. (This is what happens when you are an only child and there is no other boys in the house.) He even convinced me to take a hunter's safety course as a teenager. I don't remember how he got me to do that since I was the only girl there that day. But, I did it for my dad because I knew it meant a lot to him.

Although trips to Blue Lakes with my mom and dad where truly some of my fondest memories growing up. Fishing, hiking, and campfires. I loved it all. Playing chess with my dad was a huge memory too. He smoked me for years at the game but I got better as I got older and, on occasion, did some smoking of my own. We would also go on some very bumpy off-road rides so he could try out the 4-wheeling capabilities of his trucks.

My dad was always the "yes" parent. Until my mom figured out that I was going to him all the time to see if I could do things...and put the kabosh on that. (Smart move mom! But at the time...I was highly discouraged that my technique was figured out.)


When my dad went to the store, he would always come back with a hostess cherry pie for me and whatever change was in his pocket. It always made me happy.
I remember both my parents always being very supportive. Encouraging me to try the things I wanted to do. I always felt that!


My dad (and my mom) have given me a love for my family history. In high school, my dad encouraged me to do a report on six generations of our family in San Joaquin County. I really enjoyed it but I think my dad enjoyed it more at the time. I learned a lot from that report. And I was inspired to learn more. I've had a love of it ever since. Last year, my dad and I went to Ireland to search out family ties there and it was a great experience! And we made some new discoveries that we were very excited about. This year I hope to submit all our documentation for the Mayflower Society since we had quite a few ancestors who came over on the Mayflower. Some of the more famous are John Howland, Francis Cooke, Dr. Samuel Fuller, and Peter Browne. John Howland's claim to fame being he was the one who was swept overboard at one point of the trip but managed to get back on. I will get it done this year dad...it's one of my resolutions!


For awhile...my dad even had me convinced that I might want to join the air force. I'm glad I talked myself out of that one. But, I always admired my dad's strength and wanted that quality for myself. So, for awhile I considered it...

He always gives me the best birthday cards. Very heartfelt with a wonderful message. It always meant a lot to me. And, I appreciate when he calls on Sundays just to check in and tell me he loves me! I love you too dad!


Now, look who wants to be like him. Bennett gave himself a little mustache yesterday with help from a black Crayola marker...