The helicopters

What gift could you buy for your husband and father and keep them entertained for hours on end and cost about $20?

Air Hogs helicopters! They have been flying them constantly since they opened the packages!

The quilt

This year Shane made me a quilt for Christmas. Who would have thought?? I was sewing a costume a few weeks ago and Shane starting asking me all sorts of questions about the sewing machine. Anyway I guess it all started a few years ago, Leif was really into Buzz Lightyear and he wanted a Buzz bedroom and I couldn't find a Buzz comforter anywhere. So I found some Buzz Lightyear fabric and covered his other comforter with it. Well the fabric was flannel and it is a very comfy blanket. Shane always would comment on the blanket. So for his birthday 2 years ago I made him a blanket out of flannel and covered his old comforter with it. Well, he is never without it. He takes it when we travel and it follows him all over the house... couch, bed, kids bedroom etc. He just loves the blanket and says it was the best gift he ever got. I think it is too funny that a grown man can be so happy with something so simple. Anyway we agreed nothing extravangant for Christmas this year so here is my gift and what a wonderful it is. Shane thinks it is the best gift he ever gave and I just love it. I know he worked very hard on it. What a surprise to have my husband make me a blanket for my Christmas gift.

ABE Diplomate!!!

I am so excited and proud of Shane. I was going to wait until May after the Grossman Luncheon, but I thought I would post some of the congrats coming in for Shane earning his diplomate status with the American Board of Endodontics. It took years of dedication and perseverance, to have near perfect cases completed and submitted, written exams completed and passed and then to go before the board in November and get questions fired at him from the most highly educated and knowledgeable Endodontists in the country and to take it all in stride while enduring moving, births of babies, 2 jobs, starting a private practice, always by my side during my surgery and recuperation, and all the garbage the Air Force threw at him. He is 1 of only 1378 Board certified Endodonists. It was a goal that he wanted to complete years from now, but worked so diligently that he completed it this year. In May at the annual American Association of Endodontics Meeting he will be presented with his pin for Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics. I will post pictures after the luncheon.

Christmas 2008

Christmas 2008 was a great time, the kids had so much fun. The morning started out with Leif waking first and seeing that Santa had visited and then we went to open Dallin's door and he woke immediately. Max was still sleeping, being up until 11:00 the night before he was still groggy when Shane picked him up, but soon was fully awake upon seeing the things that Santa left for him.

Santa left Max a Ducati motorcycle raceway!

Santa left Leif a Milennium Falcon!

Santa left Dallin a workbench!

Burglar

Call the authorities there has been a robbery at the Gingerbread house!!!!!

Gingerbread House

Always a fun time decorating the gingerbread house. This year Leif and Max did most all of it themselves. They did a great job and had tons of fun too!

Christmas cuties!

Dallin is wearing the famous white soldier outfit for the last time today to church. It lasted through three boys and stayed white. There was quite a controversy when I bought the outfit that it was too feminine, but I am glad I bought it 5 years ago, as I never get to buy dresses unless they are gifts for other people's little girls!! Sorry boys, forgive mommy for dressing you like this when you are babies! They are only babies once! And I am sticking to it.

Christmas Play

Leif and Mrs. Pangle

Little toy soldier

Magestic Mountain View

This year we spent the week of Thanksgiving in a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia. The cabin was located in Mineral Bluff, Georgia. What a beautiful location. This was a super vacation we had tons of fun, one our best vacations yet. The weather was great and we spent a lot of time outdoors, a favorite for all of us Hansons. We enjoyed the trails to hike and the roads to drive. Most of all it was nice to just unwind and relax. Shane has been working nonstop, and I busy with the kids it was a much needed break from the daily routine. We had quite a busy and eventful year and next year is going to be busier and most likely more eventful, with impending moves, separation from the Air Force, building our business, getting ready for licensure exams and finally being able to be free to make own decisions. We are looking forward to a healthy and happy (and busy) 2009.

Brothers

"Best Friends Mom, that's what we are!" says Leif. "yeah best friends," says Max.

I really love this picture the way that Dallin is looking a his older brothers. He is always watching them like a hawk.

Max and a bear in the cave!

The sweater

I love this sweater. Grandma Rose made it before Leif was born and all 3 of the boys got to wear this sweater. Since we live in Florida Dallin doesn't get to wear it very often and after this winter he will be the last of my kids to get to wear it. I wore sweaters that Grandma Rose made for me when I was a baby and little girl and now my children get to wear the handmade sweaters. I know they were made with love and I am happy to think of her and all that she did for others during this special time of the year.

Adventures

Strongest dad in the world!

Happy Thanksgiving 2008!