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.