Happy New Year 2011

Another year...so many changes.

I set one really huge personal goal for myself and I DID IT - I achieved it this year - it felt REALLY REALLY good!  I found 'my word' which is 'intention'...more precisely 'living with intention.'  I fell in love with another little boy - I love so many boys I am starting to produce testosterone.  

I am plum full of love - I am so happy I have so much to give and so many people in my life to give to.

This year...I will continue my journey from last year and build upon it.  I will live with intention.  I will try harder to enjoy the moments that seem insignificant at the time.  

I will sit down with my Carson tomorrow and have him write out a goal for this year and create a vision board (I'll post a picture of it later).

I will potty train Cam and toss out Cam and Crew's binky's (shoot - did I really just commit to that?)

I will be a better tennis player.

I will find a passion for myself unrelated to my husband and kids.
On that note...good night 2010!

Santa, puppies, jumpy houses, family, kids, oh my...we LOVE Christmas

 Molson got a NEW puppy friend (hopefully to help with his separation anxiety) - so far I think Bauer drives Molson crazy

 Little Bauer Sox - he is so cute and only 7 weeks

 Snowman making

 Christmas morning - look at all those presents

 Look at Crew - almost walking.  As I am blogging this Crew decided to walk yesterday December 29th, 2010.  He literally just decided he was going to walk and he hasn't stopped.

 Boys

 self timer and it sort of didn't work

 Scott, Lisa and Sienna came for the holidays

Cam, Carson, Sienna and Crew

2010 Pay it Forward Cousin's Party

White Elephant Gift exchange - McCall opened a Power Lift Bra - it was funny.

Tyler's gifts kept getting stolen so he opened quite a few

these slippers were made by one of my Aunts (we think Camille) - they are maxi pads with BLING

Cory and Tyler trying to figure out this little guy that is sitting on a toilet but actually doubles as a tape dispenser and pen holder

Seth flipping off our cousins that skipped out on the party - hahahaha

Lacey and Tyson - they are so cute

McCall, Shannon and Susanne

Tyler was pretending to be a photographer so these are some random pictures

Shannon, Jenny and I hosted the Cousin's party this year...we had a great night with yummy food, funny gifts, hilarious game and just lots of laughter.  The week prior to the party the cousins randomly and secretly 'elfed' each other...in the spirit of performing a random act of kindness.

Molson Buggies...

Our little Molson Buggies had surgery yesterday and is recovering...He ate a plastic ball which lodged in his intestine AGAIN.  Hopefully, it will not get infected!  I had put him in the garage until we took him to the vet and when I came home from the gym Carson had put his gingerbread man that he had made at school (which had a cut-out of Carson's head) next to him, 'so that Molson wouldn't forget what he looked like.'  Carson is SO worried about Molson getting better and making sure he doesn't die.  It is amazing to see out how much he cares for him...I love that he is learning compassion and respect for other living things.  There are so many things (including a dead animal every once in a while) that Molson brings to our lives every day. 
We love you Molson...now get your stinky butt home.

Crew is 1...how did that happen?

 I made him a Birthday hat - he hated it!

 His present...a ride on truck!

 I made him a cake...he hated it even more than the hat!

Birthday Cake - so cute but Crew was scared of him

Crew Crew Crew....I LOVE you!  You are the sweetest, most lovable cuddle bug.  I could hold you all day long.  You will lay your head on my shoulder and just stay that way for long periods of time.  You give sloppy kisses.  You LOVE your brothers.  You are SWEET.  You are KIND.  You are getting just a little bit spoiled...and I love it!  You are ALMOST ready to walk.  You have taken a few steps.  You make me want more babies but you will always be my baby.  You are smart.  You are just a little bit devious and a lot CUTE.  If daddy would let me - you would sleep right next to me ALL night long.  You make me stay in bed just a little longer than I should because you will cuddle right up to me when daddy brings you in.  You have a little piece of my heart twisted around your pinky finger and I am afraid it will ALWAYS be that way.  I Love You Chicken Butt!

Grandma & Grandpa Hansen

 We went and said Hi for Thanksgiving Day and those two were in full force...they are in their 80's still making turkeys and putting on a family feast - they are CRAZY!

 We got Brogan this year for Thanksgiving and he is hoping Grandpa flings a chicken bone his way

 Cheer made these darling favors for everyone

John's Parents Visit

Christmas Decorations...

 THE tree - there is an elf in there

 Garland (thanks Costco)

 I love these big ornaments

 So this is my wishing tree - the photo doesn't do it justice...it turned out great!  I tried to buy branches and couldn't find them and then when we cut our tree I actually just cut a few white birch branches and hung tiny ornaments on them.  Camden said, 'oh pretteeeeee!'

 wreath - needs something...I still have to figure out the front walkway

Our stockings - the last one (all red) is Molson's (our dog) that is why it is ALL red.  I actually have the pottery barn kids stocking holders (which weigh about 5 lbs each) but Camden pulled on it and it landed on his head!  Concussion (I'm not kidding - it was awful).  So I went out and bought these at Bed, Bath and Beyond - they are so so cute - SOFT and little snowmen and about 1/3 of the cost!

THE CARSON FAMILY TRADITION...

So, growing up we NEVER had a fake tree - ALWAYS real and at least one.  My mom would even 'spray paint' the needles different colors according to the theme that year.  One year (ask my Aunt Cheer) she did a Pink and Black tree (they thought she had lost her mind) but it actually caught on and people would ask where she got her trees.  My dad would have to run all over Jackson looking and buying every strand of lights in that years color.  (believe me...it is hard to find pink christmas lights - or it was back then).  Sometimes he would even buy the all colored lights and and then go through and replace the bulbs to have an entire strand of one color.  They were a good team once...Thanks for that memory...it is a good one. 

So...anyway, when I met my Boston Boy (who had only bought or used a fake tree) we started 6 years ago going out and getting our own.  In Jackson it is easy!  In Utah it is tough.  Seriously, who knew?  Last year I was having a baby and so I had to break down and I had one delivered (fresh cut from Oregon - it was dead upon arrival).  I had researched it and found that you have to go up to Heber as they only give out 2000 permits.  1000 on Friday and 1000 on Saturday.  PEOPLE SPEND THE NIGHT!  I'm not kidding!  So, I asked Shannon if she would do it with me and she said sure and since her friend Dafnie had done it in the past we all met Friday morning at 5am and then waited in a line until they opened at 8am.  UGH!  (haven't they heard of the internet???)

 Going on a Tree Hunt...I'm not scared (I should have been, however)

 AHHHHHH - there she is in all her Glory.  Taylor's came with us and it was so funny, Shannon found THE tree and she was running for it yelling 'Come to MaMa.'  Cory didn't like it so the search went on and on and on.  Shannon and I could have found a cut a tree in minutes.  What is it with these guys (grass is always greener syndrome).

 Watch out - I have a Saw

Go John Go - TIMBER!

I forgot to post a few pictures...

 Those are milk chocolate skeletons and in chocolate GRAVES

 'tubby time' at our house

 Crew laughing and Carson giving him loves...so so cute!