Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Big Announcement. We are......

Buying a house!

Brad and I are about 2 weeks away from officially being home owners. These are pictures of the house that we are under contract for. It is out in Nibley, UT which is a small community a little south of Logan, which means a little closer to work for me. Further from work for Brad, but I think the big deep garage, and the primo finished basement has soothed that disappointment for him. I have a ton of other pictures for my reference and to show my family when we go down to visit them next week but I don't want to bore all you. As far as landscaping goes, under the snow there is grass and a sprinkler system, and we have 3 small trees in the yard. Wish us luck with the rest of the process, signing the paperwork, and moving.



Tuesday, February 9, 2010

New Camera & trip to Grand Junction

The weekend before our snowboarding adventure I went down to Grand Junction to visit my friend Candy and her new baby. It was a fun trip and it also gave me a chance to use my new camera. Candy kept apologizing that the weekend wasn't as exciting as it could have been but it was everything I wanted. Relaxing, fun, and I got to hang with Candy and her two beautiful girls.
On my way down to Grand Junction I stopped in for a little visit with Erica and got a couple of pictures of her and her youngest munchkin. Aren't they beautiful.

And of course since it was Brad's idea to get me this camera I had to torture him and take pictures of him as well. Can't you see the excitement?





Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Snowboarding Madman

Hail the Conquering Hero!
Brad and I went up to Beaver Mountain today to do a little snowboarding. This was the first time I had been on the slopes in about 2 1/2 years. Which is a crying shame, especially since I got a new board last fall before I went back to school in Colorado. Brad, after a little convincing, agreed to at least try snowboarding.
It took some convincing to get him out of bed, dressed, and out the door; however, he was a good sport about my enthusiasm. We signed Brad up for a first timers deal that provided his lesson, rental, and lift ticket for $50. The best part was that not only did he survive the lesson with a smile on his face, but we did 2 runs together before going home. He learned the fun of falling in powder and going "poof", and even admitted he wouldn't mind going snowboarding again. Even better my old snowboard is the right size for Brad so once we get him some boots and bindings he is all set.
Unfortunately we forgot the camera at home, but needless to say it was a great day, awesome snow conditions, not crowded, and Brad looked adorable in his new snow gear and hunter orange beenie.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Big Time Blog Slacker

Okay, so I am the worst blogger ever. Between working (what feels like all the time) and a computer that is terminally slow I am not the diligent in keeping our blog up to date. With the holidays over and a 3 day weekend in front of me I am taking the opportunity to craft an update.



Fortunately we did take pictures to document most of our adventures. In case I haven't informed everyone I have been working for Target since August. Let me tell you, until you have worked retail between Thanksgiving and Christmas you have not truly experienced the craziness of holiday shopping. Needless to say with me working retail and Brad in Law Enforcement our holiday observance was a little less then traditional, but we still had fun.



I hope you all had a Merry Christmas, and enjoyed the holiday season however you celebrated.



First up in the photo montage are from my birthday.




Mom thought that living in the frigid north I might enjoy and outdoor thermometer.

The newest addition to the Hansen Family Library Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol", good book fairly anticlimatic ending.


Brad got me some new shoes for work, while practical they also have cute little flowers on the side, it helps to add just a little bit of whimsy when you are on your feet all day.

In November Brad and I took his sister down to the MTC to prepare for her mission to Sacramento California.One of my favorite parts about Christmas is making Christmas cookies for family and friends. I usually just make sugar cookies, but this year i decided to throw in a little family tradition. Angel thumbprint cookies from Brad's family and Biscochos from my family.


Brad got a kick out of how my culinary efforts covered the kitchen in treats. Of course in our little kitchen it isn't hard to cover every flat surface with cookies. The funnest part of the whole enterprise was delivering them to family and friends and getting the chance to chat and catch up.








This year in stead of buying our tree from a tree lot Brad and I got a permit and went up to Idaho and picked our own tree out of the forest. I was even the one who cut it down, the chainsaw refused to work for Brad, so I went old school and used the bow saw.

We spent Christmas Eve at Brad's parent's house, his niece Mia asked to use our little point and shoot digital camera. Brad gave her a few quick instructions and turned her loose. The following pictures were taken by a precocious 5 year old.

this is Mia using an old film point and shoot before for conning Uncle Brad out of our camera.


Me and Kat, playing games and eating treats.









The traditional reading of the Christmas story.

Brad's father

sister in law Caroline, and mom of the artistic Mia


Aunt Laurie

Cute little Mia with her adorable glasses and grin.



Christmas afternoon, Brad had to work until 3pm so we opened presents when he got home.

Evidently enjoying the stocking treats.



Checking to see if there is anything left to find.



Tamara gave Brad this adorable Santa hat, doesn't he look cute.

Brad totally faked me out. He had me open this set of presents in a certain order had me totally thinking that he was buying me supplies to clean up and accessorize my camera. The final present was a brand new digital camera Canon rebel T1i, along with a macro lens to play with.

Brad's DVD haul.









Brad's new wool coat that he looks quite dashing in.

Brad insisted I upload this video he shot of me opening my new camera.


Saturday, August 29, 2009

One Crazy Summer

Our computer was in the shop for a couple of months, and then I started a new job that is currently taking a lot of time. I finally managed to find a little free time so I am providing an update of the last few months.



Our landlord and friend spent a week camping (staying in her dad's tricked out fifth wheel) up at Bear Lake, we took a day off and went up to enjoy the scenery and cooler temperatures. Our friends have a couple of the cutest kids. This little guy is the youngest, not only cute but a chunk as well.


Brad and I were given a little handpowered snowcone maker for our wedding along with some snowcone cups and flavoring. We thought this would be something fun to share with the little kids. This is Brad being the snowcone king, and therefore cementing his place in the kids good graces.

Brad and I got the chance to play babysitter after the son of another friend camping with us took a header into the water spigot and had to be run to the clinic to get stitches. The mom was a real trooper, especially since she is a nurse and had to watch calmly while the techs at the clinic fumbled around trying to figure out how to sedate and stitch up her sons head.



My niece Megan got married in May, it was a beautiful day in American Fork. The groom was handsome and bride was beautiful. She chose the colors of yellow and green so everything was very light and summery. Megan's dress was very classy, the best touch was the broach on her sash is from her grandmother.







My handsome brother and handsome husband waiting for the cute ocuple after the wedding.



Elle and her cute green toenails waiting with the flowers for the bride. I really need to start getting cute pedicures too.

Look at those beautiful flowers, and grandmothers broach mentioned earlier.
One of Megan's bridals featured her and a neat vintage yellow truck and these adorable yellow shoes. So cute.
During the ring ceremony a summer storm started to blow in. While the decrease in temperature was much appreciated it did cause some problems with the flower arrangements on the tables. This is a picture of us all holding on to table linens and the flower vases.
The decorations were really cute they had the reception at a park in Orem with theses great pergolas. They had hung chinese lanterns in white yellow and green which as the sun went down made for some great ambiance.
We saw this rainbow from the freeway on our way home. Brad did a great job of taking a picture on the fly.
Spring semester of 1996 I had the opportunity to spend the semester studying in nauvoo. This summer we had a reunion, it was great to be able to catch up with everyone, and see where they are now. Of course no one thought to take a picture until most of the light had gone.
Theses are girls are the ones for the Yearsley house, where I lived. Elizabeth Steed, and Mandi Sorenson were not able to be there but Shannon, Jayna, Michelle, and I all managed to attend. It was good to see these girls.
The next of the event of the summer was Brad's nieces wedding. The cake wasn't real but it was still beautiful so I took a picture. I loved her use of apple green and eggplant purple, it was elegant and fresh all at the same time.
Chelsey's sister did her pictures and these were the ones they chose to enlarge and have the reception. I love her birdcage veil, so vintage and classy. The reception was at a refurbished train depot in historic downtown Logan.
These are some of Brad's nieces and nephews clustered around the buffet table. I don't know about you but this looks like trouble to me. They also look really cute discussing which treats they want.
This is the cute couple.
The next big event of the summer is my nephew Jeff's wedding in Boise. It was really fun because all of his brothers and sisters came into town. So I got the chance to see all of my new grand nieces and nephews. This is adorable little Hannah, Katie's youngest. Not only is she cute but she has really strong jaws.
This adorable little boy is Kristy's little Jacob. He was having fun exploring the temple grounds with Alex trying to keep him corraled.
My two beautiful sisters waiting for the couple outside the temple. I am impressed with their coordinating skills, especially since they also managed to work within the Bride's color scheme of yellow and red.
Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Gibson. I love the red sash.
Mom pinning the boutineer on the groom. I love her gorgeous flowers.
Caitlin getting hugs from Aunt Melanie. It was so fun to see all these cute kids and how they have grown up.
All the little nieces were in the absolutely adorable yellow and red dresses. They all had fun dancing and twirling in their fun skirts.
I am sure the photographers picture was much cuter but I couldn't resist trying to capture all of this cuteness.
Even the mother of the bride gets beautiful flowers. I even go the privlege of pinning them on.
The handsome groom, a college graduate and a new husband all in the same summer, what a lucky guy. Of course he also got lucky enough to snag Melanie, so I guess he really is lucky.
The goodlooking gibson group (how is that for aliteration).
My sister in law has the best style. If only I could manage to achieve a portion of that coolness.
More cuteness
Hanging out with uncle Rodney.
Jeff and Melanie have quite the dancing skills you will notice the gorgeaous red shoes in some of the other shoes. This girl really is a great addition to the family. Cute, smart, funny, and for some reason she likes Jeff so I guess we will keep her.

Aren't those three beautiful women. Rachel, katie, and Elizabeth. I can only hope that I will have equally cute children.
Mom and Dad even got up and danced, haven't seen that one for a long long time. Dad may move slowly but he still has the moves.
Aunt Melinda wanted to get in on the dancing as well, Jeff was good enough to oblige. I think from the smile she was enjoying herself.