The Time Has Come...

TO DANCE! Tonight is the first "official" performance of the competition season. I am actually kind of excited to see all the older girls' dances. Even though tonight is not judged, it is 7 different studios performing all their competition routines as a "showcase" to get ready for the real performances. We do compete against them as well so it is a good time to size up the competition. Mmmmwah ha ha ha! No I don't know. There are some good studios that we will get to see tonight so it will be fun.



I am feeling better about the whole being a Dancer Mom thing this year. Last year it was a bit overwhelming, but by the end I was having a lot of fun and making some good friends with the other moms. I guess when I was young and competing I didn't realize what was involved. We also always wore the same costumes for every dance we did no matter what. I was in STARS. Woo Hoo. But we didn't have lots of costumes either. We had one that we wore for every dance.

More later...

Time to Go GREEN!

March is quickly upon us and in the spirit of St. Patrick's Day I thought I would take a minute and tell you a few ways I have been going GREEN.  

• I try to use these anytime I think about it.  I have found if I put them back in the car as soon as I empty them, they get a lot more use.  I often forget them, or stop by the store without planning ahead.  This way I have them in my vehicle and they are ready to be used.  When I do get plastic ones, they are used in the trash cans OR sent back to school where we are helping earn money for the school by recycling them.  

• We joined Melaluca.  No this is not a sales pitch (unless you are interested than yes we would love to talk to you about it or you can go read this in secret and no one has to bug you about it).  Their products #1) are made here in IF so it helps out tons of our friends and neighbors by providing them a job.  The money stays in our local economy which right now is a GREAT thing.  #2) they use WAY less packaging because they are made and sold here so they don't have to be boxed into little individual boxes with tons of cardboard between them, into bigger boxes and saran wrapped to death on a palette to travel all over the country into stores where that stuff is all just thrown out.  #3) the stuff is very concentrated so you use less bottles than you would buying the other brands.  1 thing of laundry detergent is equal to 6 you would buy in the store.  and #4) the stuff is made from natural ingredients and are all non toxic.  If my kid accidentally drank something, he would probably get a little sick, but it would not threaten his life.  Not to mention I don't have to go to THAT ONE store for all this stuff anymore so I eliminate the temptation to buy clothes, electronics, and cute stuff for my house in the process saving me more of the kind of Green I never have enough of! (I don't really buy cute stuff for my house, but thanks for thinking I did.)
  

• I have started turning off power strips at night and unplugging things when not in use.  Plus my kids think we live in the dark cause I won't let them turn on the lights unless ABSOLUTELY necessary.
   A collection of water bottles and reusable cups
  

• Much to the chagrin of my family members, I have started recycling our garbage.  The only problem is we have no pick up for it so I have to take it to the bins.  Which I happily do when I remember.  Storing it until then is a problem though.  I have not gotten to every little detail yet, but I have to work on them in baby steps or they will rebel completely and nothing will get reused. We use old juice containers instead of buying water bottles.  I make Ry refill his cups at the gas station instead of getting a new one.  I stopped buying paper towels and just use kitchen towels.  Stuff like that.
   My pile of milk jugs waiting to be recycled--collecting snow this morning
  

• I DVR everything I watch so the TV is on less cuz I don't have to watch commercials.  Does that count?  No?  Just checking.  
• I rarely buy books anymore, I check them out at the library.  And the books that we do have, with a few exceptions, I have been selling to the used book store so we have less books just sitting around while more are being printed for people to buy.  (this is also saving me the other kind of Green!)
• And my last thing is actually one I need help with.  I want to start using reusable diapers.  I just am not sure where to go with this.  I know the flat white ones from "back in the day" (I think I am too young to use that phrase--ask Liza) are still out there some where, but there are also a MILLION other options.  Please let me know your thoughts on this.  I think this is our last child, but he will wear them for at least 2 more years so that is worth the trouble to me.  Not to mention the expense(another GREEN).  So help me out.  Any thoughts?  Any suggestions?  Which ones do I want and where is the best place to get them?  

• I appreciate any other green tips you may have.  I am not super environmental, but I am trying to do my part as much as I can.  

P.S. this is my first post with bullets.  Are you proud of me Amanda?

10-4 Tuesday--Weekend at Maga's

We were lucky to spend the weekend with my parents so here is the recap of all the fun we had!

1- Friday night we left IF late because Ryan caught someone stealing his equipment from his classroom. He had a feeling it was happening, and he just so happened to catch this person RED HANDED with one of the missing items. So instead of leaving after school, he was busting a student. But we left eventually, Ashley met us and we were not late for the dance concert.

2- Molly is a director of a modern dance company called I MOVE at ISU and they had their spring concert Friday night that we were lucky enough to attend. It was not kid friendly, so Ashley took all 4 of my children so we could go. Lets just say that it was not what Ryan expected.

3- We tried to go get ice cream with our friends after the concert, but both places we went to were closed. BUMMER. Tastee Treat is our favorite and we missed out. Ryan was looking forward to the Space Burger. Maybe next time.

4- On Saturday Papa made Mickey Mouse Pancakes for Breakfast. My kids were in heaven.  Sam was there with her kids so we hung out with them until they had to leave.

"Twin" Cousins.  Clark and Avery are only 5 days apart.

There is a drawer full of funny glasses to play with.

5-  I was able to take a much needed and uninterrupted nap for almost 3 hours in the afternoon.  I missed out on the Rhino fun, but the nap was well worth it!

6-  While I slumbered peacefully, the kids went out for sledding behind the Rhino.  Here are a few pics from the fun!

Ally "snowboarding" on the sled

Getting ready for a ride on the Roller Coaster Road

7-  Saturday evening we attended the wedding reception of a family friend.  He has been Carson's best buddy since they were little.  The fun part was seeing lots of friends we  had not seen in a very long time.  Liam got to go with us because Molly had one more performance. There were fish on the tables and we almost spilled them 3 times.  The reception was packed, the line was super long, we left after 15 minutes and went to Taco Bell.

Liam waiting for his shirt to dry

8-  Sunday was another lazy morning, especially since church was not until 12:30.  In my opinion that is a little too late for me.  I like it at 11, how we have it now.  The speakers were from the high council, and again both family friends I had not seen in a while.  The best part about growing up in one place your whole life is going back to visit and  knowing lots of people.  When Ry and I were first married, we were in the same stake as my parents so it is a very familiar area with lots of friends around.

9-  Church seemed to have an underlying theme full of self reliance and food storage.  We have been making a real effort to build up our storage and to get out of debt.  I feel like we have made some great progress and as I listened to the speakers, I had a good "yea we are doing this" kind of feeling rather than the dread of "wow we really need to work on that" like I usually get.  It was nice.

10-  We enjoyed a delicious spaghetti dinner with the parents and Ashley's family after church.  It was all in all a very relaxing and laid back weekend.  We had not been to visit since New Years so it was good to spend some time with my mom and dad without the interruptions of lots of other people or a holiday celebration.  I think we were all happy we went and had lots of fun.  Of course everyone was sad when we had to leave, but we are back to school and the ever looming yearbook deadline!  (24 pages left!)

GREAT Giveaway!

If you would like your chance to win something awesome, HERE it is!  They are giving away tons of neat items at Mormon Mommy Blogs!  

Sign up by Thursday by commenting on their site!  

Good Luck!

10-4 CRAZY Tuesday

K short and sweet...here we go. 

1- Clark got sick again over the weekend so I took him to the Dr. yesterday and ...he has 2 ear infections in his little ears...again.  New antibiotic, hopefully it will NOT make him break out in a rash confirming the "Clark had Roseola and is not allergic to penicillin" theory.

2- It tastes like oranges and is thick and pasty.  But he seems to like this one more than the others.

3- I love Mary Kay.  I went to a meeting tonight for a new director friend and it just reminded me how much I really do love those women.  Not fun being the only family member of 5 in attendance who is NOT a director, but I am used to it by now.

4- My friend Sandi is teaching me how to "coupon" shop.  Cut it out, go to the store, pick up the item, purchase for cheaper RIGHT?  WRONG!  There is WAAAYYY more to it then that.  I am going with her to Albertson's in the morning at 4:30 am (yikes) to "watch and learn" from the pros in action.  I have been told it takes a good 3 months to get good at it.  wow.

5- The things I will do to save money never cease to amaze me.

6- I often wonder what the draw is to facebook. I enjoy it, don't get me wrong.  I still don't know, but my cousin has a pretty good take on it.  (don't read if you live and die by facebook, you will just get offended.)

7- We had a fun Valentines Day.  I have fun pics.  I will do that post tomorrow.

8- Today slipped past me fast.  I usually have time to get stuff done on Tuesday.  Not today.  

9- Clark has a new favorite toy.  It is his tongue.  Cutest thing ever!

10- I am going to sleep now cuz I gotta get up at 4!  

DON"T hate me but...

I WON ANOTHER BLOG CONTEST!  

What are the odds seriously?  

I am getting a taste of why people gamble.  

It is addictive to win!  Amanda, a super scrapper and awesome photographer that I actually KNOW is the wonderful blogger with the prize this time.  

Here is what I won. 

 Try not to turn green with envy!  

My kids are salivating over the gum.  

Thanks again Amanda!

Love on the RUN...

Valentines day has come and gone and we had a CRAZY busy day!  I did not even spend one second on the computer.  THAT is unusual.  Here is my love for the day!

I LOVE my family.  I know you saw that coming, but it is so very true!  I have the best family in the world!  Here are my top 5.

#1 Ryan

for obvious reasons--best choice I ever made

#1 Emma

Super sweet and loving little girl.

#1 Ally

Best helper and big sister around

#1 Luke

So fun and adventurous--love his hugs!

#1 Clark

Best baby in the world.  Some swear he never cries. (we know better)

I also have a lot of other family I love.  

My Grandma Smith

This is my immediate family and their families...a year ago.  4 more babies were born after this picture.

Love...what more can I say

The big day is coming. Tomorrow is going to be all the sappy stuff and the things I REALLY love...so today is about the superficial stuff.

I LOVE TV. Such a time waster. I have always enjoyed television. My weight shows it. I would rather watch TV than almost anything when I was younger. I still enjoyed cooking back then too, and reading...but more about that later.


Here are a few of the items on my MUST SEE TV list that get put on the DVR every week.

I LOVE these people.

(I miss them)

What's Love Got To Do With It?

I LOVE Hawaii. Who doesn't? I lived there for 3 years and fell in love with the local culture as well as the beauty. There is so much more to it than you can discover in a week or two of vacationing on the beach. I LOVE that part too, don't get me wrong. 

In Feb 2007, my parents took us all to Hawaii--the first time I had been back and Ry's first trip there.  It was awesome to go back, but bittersweet to leave again.

Have you ever moved away from your "comfort zone" to a new and exciting adventure? After the initial excitement the reality of how far from that "comfort zone" you are starts to settle in and overwhelms you. So you either find the good or you find the bad. For a while I focused on the bad.

Family at my favorite restaurant on the island, L & L's Drive Inn.  Ono local grinds!

Then I made some good friends who made me forget the bad for awhile and focus on the good. That led to more great people and experiences until one day I woke up and realized I was in love  with my situation and didn't want it to change...ever. 

At the Polynesian Cultural Center.  I worked there for a while and would spend A LOT of time there when I wasn't working "hanging out" with friends and learning more about their culture.  

Local fruit stand on the side of the road on the North Shore.  

The people are what make Hawaii unique and wonderful.

I remember the day I got off the airplane for one of the last times, being unable to control my emotions because although I was back to the comfort and the people I loved, I knew that very soon I would be leaving the island I Loved forever.  That is the kind of LOVE I have for Hawaii.  

I also want to give a LOVE shout out to my wonderful parents.  I LOVE them for the great examples and support that they have been to me my whole life.  I couldn't ask for better.

It's Love, Love, Love...

Today it's all about the food.  I love it.  All of it.  Everything about it.  

I LOVE this website.  It goes great with my even bigger LOVE of cooking (and eating).  

Some of my favorites that I LOVE:

Snickerdoodles

Oranges

My kitchenaid Mixer

New York Cheesecake

Lobster

Girl Scout Cookies--these ones!

(tis the season.  I know where you can order some if you need to know.)

 I LOVE this network.

I LOVE this show!

I also enjoy these shows.  

How Do I LOVE Thee...

Let me count the ways.  For my love post I thought I would combine it with my 10-4 Tuesday and tell you about how much I love my wonderful sweetheart.  

Self portrait of US

R-  Righteous and spiritual.  Ryan knows the scriptures inside and out.  He can remember where a reference is like no one else I know.  He teaches Sunday School and I love listening to his lessons.  He is super insightful and uses the spirit to help him teach.  He is a great example of what a priesthood holder should be.  He takes this role very seriously.  I am so blessed to have that in our home.

Luke and Ryan (I think Luke was 2)

Y- You never wonder where you stand with Ryan.  He is forthcoming with his thoughts and his feelings.  If he has a problem, you bet he will let you know.  It works both ways.  He has strong opinions and he is not afraid to share them with anyone who cares to hear.  I love this about him because I am the same way.  We have some pretty interesting "discussions" because of it, but I would not change that for anything.  He keeps me thinking and I love that.

Baby Luke.  Ryan FINALLY got his boy!

A- Attention to detail.  He is the biggest perfectionist I know.  When it comes to anything he does, it is not worth his time unless he is going to give it 110 %.  This is the biggest reason he excels in the field he has chosen.  Copy editing is very precise and there is a lot of room for mistakes if you don't pay attention to all the variables.  I know that he puts the same effort into all areas of his life and I appreciate his devotion.

The Hansen Boys Adam, Trent, Nick and Ryan.  He is the oldest.  

Christmas 2008

N- Notices the little things.  Ryan loves to notice little things and do special things for me.  He leaves little notes for me everywhere, he can tell if I change my hair and he can read my mood like no one else.  If I have had a hard night with the baby or a bad day, he can tell and provides time for me to be alone or take a nap uninterrupted by the kids.  I love that he cares enough about me to keep my sanity in check!

Ryan with Ally, 2006

H- HOT!  Handsome does not even begin to describe him.  He has a cute crooked smile that melts my heart faster than ice cream on a hot day!  Plus, now that he shaved his head, I think he got hotter!  I didn't think it was possible, but guess what?  IT IS!  

The day after he shaved his head.  Isn't he handsome? 

A- Ambitious.  He goes after the things he wants in life full force.  Another piece of me.  He is strong where I am weak.  We compliment each other very well.  We are on the same wave length a lot of the time so he knows what I am thinking and we can double team a situation.  

Ryan and Emma, 2006

N-  Never a dull moment when Ryan is around.  He is the life of the party.  Not even exaggerating.  The guy telling all the crazy stories across the room that everyone can hear?  Yea he's with me.  

Ryan's birthday, 2005

S-  Superman, because he loves him and he is mine!  Sarcastic, because you have to be to survive in our world.  Sweetheart.  He is mine.  I love him more than I can describe.  He is everything I ever wanted and more in a companion.  I am so blessed to have found him.  (This could also be Stalker, because I stalked him a little when we first met.  But this is about him, Not me!)

Showing off the love of Superman with Jake Rose, 2005

E- EXCITED about everything!  Enthusiastic about life.  Elated to share his latest story!  He is one of those the glass is half full kind of guys.  His optimism is almost sickening, but it keeps me dreaming and thinking of what could be when life gets me down.  This is one of my favorite qualities about him.  When my pessimism creeps in he makes it disappear with overkill optimism.  

Ryan and his dad Neil, Christmas 2008

N-  Never get tired of having him around.  He keeps me on my toes most of the time, but I love that he keeps our life interesting.  It could be easy to get into a routine and schedule and plan out every day of our life.  I try, but he keeps things spontaneous and interesting.  I love him so much and am so happy he is mine!  

US

Thanksgiving 2005

I LOVE YOU RYAN!