Christmas 2012

 Hansen Christmas at our house. Braden was so happy to get his OWN, Brand NEW bike!  No more hammy downs for this boy!  Lots of fun had by all!  Haircuts for the Christmas program at church, all 3 boys looked so handsome in their ties!  New basketballs, a train/lego table for Braden, transformer helmet for Blake, money for Kaleb (saving up for his own iPod touch!)

 27th Annual Dreier Christmas party at Marcy's, complete with a visit from Santa!  Caroling at the villa, a special treat for Grandma Dreier.

 Christmas day at our house.  The boys put out carrots the night before for Rudolph!  Only traces of pieces left in the morning!  Santa brought Kaleb exactly what was on his list: new shoes and roller blades!  Braden got his wishes too...new overalls and a John Deere tractor.  Blake received his legos and the lego game, Creationary.  Santa of course left the surprise gift they had to go hunt  for together (he left a note in the tree!), a remote monster truck!

 Young Christmas was extra special with Uncle Derek being here!  Lots of toys from him from the Philippines...legos, a race car game, and an ice cream maker!  "Hansen" football shirts from Grandma and Grandpa and some food for Braden's kitchen!

 A special visit from our Florida friends, the Tibbetts!  Braden and McKinley Joy were instant friends!  They enjoyed showing each other their electrical devices...iPads, iPhones, iPods!

 Kaleb didn't take his rollerblades off except to sleep, for days!  It was too cold to go outside so he roller bladed all over the house!  Daddy playing legos on the new lego table with his boys!

 Braden (AND Daddy!) playing with the new monster truck!  It could even go through the snow, and liked to chase Braden around!  He just giggled and giggled!

Blake enjoying our traditional apfel kuchen Christmas dinner!

Blake's School Christmas Program 2012

Blake's Christmas Program at school, he loves to sing and it showed!

Blake's Kindergarten Birthday 2012

Blake turning 6!  Woke up to the first snow of the season!  After eventually making it to school (we got stuck on the way!) A special day with snowman cookies made by Grandma Judy at school, and then the entire school went to "Monsters, Inc." movie all afternoon!  His class sang Happy Birthday to him!

Hot Chocolate Hand Out 2012

Kaleb and Blake were both chosen (only 4 from each class!) to hand out hot chocolate for the elementary school to the community.  They both did such a good job and I was so proud of them, not only how well behaved they were handing it out but simply for being chosen out of the whole school.  Blake made sure to say "Have a Merry Christmas!" to each customer!

Blake's Christmas Present To Us 2012

Kaleb's Santa Letters 2012

A funny letter about Santa getting stuck and Kaleb's return letter from Santa.  In Kaleb's letter to Santa he said he wanted roller SKATES not roller BLADES but Santa said back that he wanted rollerblades...Kaleb said "Santa read my mind!  He knew I changed my mind and now wants roller blades" Wow, good job Santa!  He also informed we that we have been leaving out the wrong food for the reindeer (oatmeal), we need to leave carrots now!

Hansen Boys' Mancave 2012

They are into building "Mancaves" with pillows, cushions, blankets, etc, where no girls are allowed. They fell asleep in it this weekend and this is how I found them the next morning.

Kaleb's School Christmas Program 2012

Kaleb's 3rd Grade Christmas program at school.  He did so well, especially standing between his 2 buddies!  He looked so grown up and even had to put daddy's cologne on!

Santa Visit 2012

Annual visit to talk to Santa at the donut shop!  Braden told him he wanted a new bike!  I think this is the first year where I haven't had a child scared, not wanting to sit on Santa's lap! They are growing up!

Blake's Santa Letter and List 2012

Can you tell my boys love technology, just like their momma!?  Had to ask Blake about #10 though...princess?  "Oh, I accidentally copied that word down from the board Mrs. Jaso had written it up there, I REALLY do NOT want a princess, those are for girls!!"  I love the "You are a kind man"...what a kiss up :)

Blake's Thoughts 2012

Sunday the 2nd was birthday Sunday at church and so we took treats for Blake...he pretended all day it was his pretend birthday and he was 6!  18 more days he kept saying!  I took Blake grocery shopping last night (I try and rotate 1 boy at at time...1 boy is great, 2 or more is BAD for grocery shopping).  In the car on the way he says "Mom, did you know that broken promises can never be glued back together?".  Impressive thoughts Blake, my little 5 year old for 18 more days!

Luminary Walk Arborteum 2012

What a BEAUTIFUL evening for the annual luminary walk at the arboretum.  Kaleb was spending the night at a friends, but Grandma Judy took Blake, Braden, and I.  The pictures are kind of blurry because it was SO dark, but calm, and again, beautiful!  They had a live nativity scene this year with a llama and a donkey!  Grandma roasted marshmallows for smores with the boys (Blake's FAVORITE part he had remembered from last year, along with his favorite cookies afterwards....brown cookies with a hershey's kiss! Reminds me of my Grandma Dreier making them for Christmas!)  The lights were gorgeous as they reflected off of the water.  Braden wanted us to stop at every bench (there are A LOT!) and take a picture.  At first being annoyed, then realizing, Why are we always in a hurry?  It wasn't cold, it wasn't late, yes Braden, thank you for reminding us to take the time to pause and enjoy the beautiful things in life.  Sad it takes a 3 year old to remind us of the importance of that!  I laughed as they boys asked what the beautiful, hand-carved signs around the path said as our reply was "Stay on the path", "Be quiet".  The highlight of the evening was as we were walking on the path of lights, surrounded by a heard of people enjoying the peaceful scene, Braden didn't have his belt so he yells out "My pants are going to fall down, then people will call me the UNDERWEAR BOY". Wow. Merry Christmas Arbortetum People!

Kaleb's First Basketball Game 2012

Kaleb had his FIRST basketball game Saturday, December 1.  They have been practicing several times a week for several weeks now, and it showed!  They did a great job of knowing what to do, even running a few plays and a special defense.  Kaleb was fouled at the buzzer of first quarter so shot free throws standing at the line by himself (the hardest thing to do!)  He sunk one and we were so proud!  They won against Sedgwick, go Swathers!