Christmas Letter

For the twelfth annual Hansen family Christmas letter, we’ve decided to do something different. This year’s installment will be a quiz. See how much you know (or can guess) about what happened with us this year.

1. Johnny started into a new school this year and loves it! He can’t wait to go to A.) Kindergarten, B.) High School, C.) Middle School, or D.) The same school as Kimmie

Answer? A. He loves pre-school and is learning a lot. Although he can’t wait to start at Mountain Shadows Elementary next school year.

2. Kimmie started a new medication this year that is helping a little with her seizures. It is from A.) Australia, B.) France, C.) the Target Pharmacy or D.) Canada

Answer? B. In February we started a new medication from France. She has had some trouble with it but for the most part her seizure control is getting better and her behavior has improved a lot.

3. In a surprise move, A.) Johnny took a liking to potatoes, B.) Kris decided she was really into public speaking, C.) Johnny and Kimmie decided they loved each other so much they started sharing a room, or D.) Tipper Grandma’s cat is living with us now.

Answer? Trick question. None of these things happened. Don’t expect them to happen next year either. Although D happened for about one month, until she kept waking Kris up at night.

4. Which member of the family changed the most in weight in the last year A.) Erik B.) Kris,
C.) Kimmie, or D.) Johnny

Answer? A. Erik lost the most this year with 30 pounds after being diagnosed with diabetes. Kris lost 25 pounds. Kimmie gained 5! Johnny gained 5!

5. Which of the following themes was discarded for this year’s letter? A.) Writing a typical form letter, B.) Using last year’s letter because not much new has happened. C.) No Christmas letter this year.

Answer? All. But we couldn’t just skip our Christmas letter. We even delude ourselves into thinking people like reading this stuff as much as we enjoy writing it. Sadly for everyone else, we came up with this quiz idea though. Sorry! Any suggestions for next year? How did you do? Get them all right? Did you need a lifeline? 50-50? Ask the audience? Why not just phone a friend? In fact, call us! We hope to hear from you soon!

Erik, Kris, Kimmie & Johnny

Christmas Quiz

I received this Christmas quiz from a friend this morning. I thought it might be fun to post my answers.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping Paper
2. Real tree or artificial with lights already strung? I prefer real but we have artificial (what is this already strung thing)
3. When do you put up the tree? right after Thanksgiving
4. When do you take the tree down? New Years
5. Do you like eggnog? NO, but my kids and husband love it
6.Favorite gift received as a child? This is really hard. The most memorable was the year I wanted a TV and my mom gave me hers. I loved my Cabbage Patch Dolls.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes
8. Hardest person to buy for? My Father in Law
9. Easiest person to buy for? my kids
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? that is a hard one.
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Santa Claus with Tim Allen or White Christmas
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? do I ever stop?
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? bread wreaths
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear
17. Favorite Christmas song? Silent Night
18. Travel for Christmas or stay at home? At home in the early morning and my Mom's later in the morning
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? It depends on which family part we are at. We open Hansens on Christmas eve and the rest Christmas Morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Christmas in store before Holloween. My families not getting along about where we will be for Christmas Eve.
23. What I love most about Christmas? My childrens faces
24. Favorite Christmas Cookie? Butter cookies from Lara
25. Favorite decoration? My whole Christmas Tree with all the ornaments because each one has a story.

HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY SEASON!!!!!
* A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

Festival of Trees/horses

This must be the time of year for field trips. Kimmie's school went to the festival of trees. This is Kimmie's school class. They are really cute! I just love them.

Johnny's school also went on a field trip to a place that teaches horse back riding. Johnny was more afraid of horses than I thought he would be having takin Kimmie to horse back riding lessons with me every week for the years of his life. He was cute mixing the horse cookies and fine feeding them but he wasn't sure about this petting them thing. He went ahead and did it for mom to have a photo but wouldn't stand there long enough to look at me.

Fall Ball

Erik and I went to the fall ball in our Stake about a month ago. Yes! We had a real date and he even spent time dancing with me! Bethany took this photo of us after we got home. I especially like the no shoes look. Thank you Bethany for the photo and watching my kids so that we could go.

I am really working hard on getting the photos that have happened recently up so that everyone can see them. I will keep trying so keep checking.

Snow Dayz

The snow has been falling and falling and falling.

The kids are having a good time in the snow. They are now waiting for the perfect "Grandma Snow Day." They need a day that isn't too cold for Kimmie but has enough snow for the sled and snowmen. My mom comes and gets the kids and they spend time playing in the snow. I don't know who looks forward to it more the kids or Grandma.

My craft show was snowed out. Although I am thinking of signing up for one that will be at Wheeler Farms on the 14th. I am thrilled for all the support I have had from everyone. If you have any ideas for anything really fun for the show I am thinking I should do it. I will post more if you would like to attend.

Update

Sorry it has taken me a few days to update. I have been running trying to get all the projects done for my boss. The boss at the company I actually get paid for working is retiring. We had a big thing for him this week. I have had a horrible time trying to get all of the things done for the party. I am thrilled that it finally is over! I even did my very first from beginning to end power point. I have done slides for power points but never done one totally on my own. I am really proud of myself for how it turned out. The most important is that the boss loved it.

CRAFT UPDATE: I have also been working on getting things done for a gift boutique I am doing with a friend this weekend. So everyone come. It is Saturday, December 1st from 11 am - 2 pm (although due to other committments I will only be there until 1:30Erik will be finishing for me). 5504 W. Ticklegrass Rd. I will be selling cards and neighbor gifts!

Thank you everyone for your support. You have been amazing.

Cheesecakes

If you are interested in having Erik do Cheesecakes for your Christmas parties let me know. The photos are of Erik's signature Chocolate Cheesecake and a plain cheesecake with strawberry topping. He also makes a Strawberry that is pink colored with strawberries in the filing. He will make any flavor you desire. He is still working on new flavors. Including candy cane! I will let you know how that one turns out.

Prices... 10" $35.00
9" $30.00
8" $25.00




I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!





Love Ya!

Halloween Flashback

Sorry this took a couple extra days to get up. It has been crazy at our house. But that is besides the point I love Halloween. Although I think I love it more as a mother than I think I did as a kid. Here is my favorite picture from Halloween (mainly because the kids were both looking and not doing anything weird). Kimmie was suppose to be Tinkerbell. But she didn't end up looking a lot like Tinkerbell so she was the Princess of the Fairies. She makes me laugh. Johnny was Lightening as you can see. Although because we had a few parties he decided that he was done with Lightening about two days before Halloween and wanted to be a PowerRanger. You number one don't get two costumes (although Lightening was from last year) in one year. Number two he is so small for his age that they do not make PowerRanger costumes in his size unless you special order them. Number three was I crazy thinking I could find a costume for a five year old a few days before Halloween? I didn't look hard but I thought if I could find one for $5 - 10 that maybe I would consider buying one. Now I know that you think I have lost it and I probably have.



Love Ya!



P.S. Life Update- Bethany reminded me that on my first post I didn't put my life and that I broke my toe just a few days after Erik's seizures.

Neighbor Gifties

Okay here is the first of the neighbor gifties that I promised. If you are interested in any of them please let me know. I am working on a couple others. If there are things that you want and don't have time to do them please let me know I would be happy to try them out for you and then you can order them.

Prices... (Boy I hate this) I would do them all for everyone for free if I could.

Reindeer Whoppers- $1.75 per box

Snowmen Marshmellows- $1.00 per bag

M & M jars- $3.50 per one

Oats/glitter- $0.75 per bag

Not pictured yet... Saviors beach christmas ornaments $1.50 each (if you need me to ship this please order them in groups of 12) Or if you want 12 I will sell them for $14.00 for the group.

Also not pictured yet (but I know that many of you have seen these)... Crush bottle candy- This can be filled with your favorite Christmas candy. Prices are variable on the candy you choose. They will range from $3 up depending on the candy used.

Call me about price discounts if you want multiples.

I am still working on the christmas cards. I will be selling them for $1.25 each. I have had requests for Birthday cards and I will start making those samples after Christmas. If you are interested in multiple card packs (Christmas or Birthday). I will be selling multiple card packs with cards that have the sample cards in them along with a few others that I have made. So that all of your cards aren't the same. These will run for $9.00 for 10 of them. I am working on those and should have all of them posted soon.

Thank you everyone for your support. I know that I didn't want my blog to be filled with money things so I will write more later. I got the cutest photos of Kimmie and Johnny for Halloween that I will post later today.

Love Ya,

Me

Bad Morning

I just have to complain for a minute. I started out the day really bad. I was so excited, I got up on time took a shower so that I could be on time for work (for once in my life). I started to take Erik to work and I got pulled over. I moved in the left turn lane before I was suppose to and crossed a double yellow line. I can't even be mad at anyone but myself because I did it. My perfect 15 year record of no tickets was ruined. It was so stupid. I don't know why I got pulled over and the little car next to me that was driving not being able to see out of the windows due to all the frost didn't get a ticket too. I guess at 6:45am the cops didn't have anything better to do. I really hate that though.

Then to top it all off right after we walked in the door of the house after my fun cop. Johnny threw up all over. So not only do I have a new ticket but I have a son that is sick. Right before Kimmie's bus pulled up and right as I dialed my babysitter to tell her that Johnny was sick. Johnny asks me when he is going to have his seizure. It really broke my heart. I didn't even think that would be going through his head. Why I didn't think of that I don't know. He is such a sweet boy.

Thank you for letting my complain for a minute.

Life Update

Part of the reason why I started this blog is to let my family and friends know what is happening in my life.

So if you haven't heard our recent news we have had Kimmie do a stay in Primary Children's in the ICU. She is doing better and we have had to make a medication switch again. The medication we bring in from France increased it's price 325%. So seeing as we can't afford the increase we are making some changes to the base medications that we can get here. So that in time we can take down the need for the Stiripentol (the med from France). We are now a week into the changes and all seems to be doing okay. Although I don't want to say that for fear that something will change that. She is doing well and went back on track yesterday! The good thing about her trip to the hospital. She has been eating like a horse the last couple weeks and has gained five pounds! She had her first pair of pants ever that were too tight around her waist yesterday!

Johnny is doing well. He is finally potty trained! NO MORE DIAPERS FOR OUR HOUSE!!! He has grown so much in the last few weeks. I can't believe the clothes we bought him for his birthday in October are getting too short for him already. He is such a good brother. While Kimmie was in the hospital he sent his new blanket from Grandma to keep Kimmie company. He acts more like the big brother than the little brother. He is getting excited to go to the "big school" but really wants to take his pre-school teacher with him. He just loves pre-school and would be there every day if I would let him. Now that Kimmie has gone back on track he is really bored and reminded me yesterday just how boring I am.

Erik has been diagnosed with diabetes and had three seizures about a week ago. He hasn't had multiples like that in a LONG time. He is getting better but was off of work all of last week. He returned to work for a really long day yesterday. But he did really well. I was irritated that they had him come back for inventory last night and then had to open this morning but he seems to be doing okay. He called a little while ago and seemed tired but good. He is going for another dutch oven competition this weekend. I am not really excited about it. Although it is the last competition before the world competition in February. The other fun thing is that if you have qualified for world's than you can't compete this weekend. So he is set on winning and going to world's in February.

As for me with everyone else I don't know that I have time for anything else. I am working on Christmas cards and presents. I will be making a lot of my gifts this year for the adults. So I decided to start early. The other thing I am doing is... I will be putting up Christmas cards and gifts for people to purchase for their families and neighbors on my blog. I get sooo many comments on my Christmas cards every year that I decided this is a way to help earn the money for the increase in medication costs. I think that is all that is happening in our neck of the woods. So check back around Thanksgiving if you are interested in purchasing your homemade Christmas card or neighbor gifts. I am hopefully to have samples of items up by then.

I would love to hear from everyone. I would also like to check out your blogs if you are so inclined to send me your blogging address. I still don't know much about this but I am starting to like this.

Love Ya,
Me

New to this

I am totally new to this. So here is my first blog! I hope everyone enjoys this. People tell me it is a great way to keep everyone updated. I have a hard time remembering who I told what to in my crazy life.