The Tooth Fairy's Hard of Hearing

(I am usually pretty tech savvy but I have not figured out an easy way to rotate this video yet. So consider it a good stretching exercise for your neck! In fact, anytime you need to stretch you can just come here and press play...and away you go. :-) In the meantime, if anyone knows a way to rotate it without buying Quicktime Pro, please let me know.)

We have a tradition in our family of having the kids yell out the front door when they have a tooth for the tooth fairy. But as you're probably aware, the tooth fairy is getting on in years and may be somewhat hard of hearing, so sometimes she does not appear when summoned on account of not hearing the call. Or maybe she just forgets ;). So when the kids look under their pillows and discover (to their great dismay) that the tooth is STILL THERE, we have them yell out the front door even louder! Ah, to make sure the tooth fairy can hear them this time. "Tooth fairy, I have a tooth for you!" goes echoing down the road three times. And if the tooth is still there in the morning, well, they just have to keep yelling louder....

(Wonder what the neighbors must think!)

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!