Sami's 26.2 Mile Marathon

Sami's running club at school works in conjunction with a local program called Kids Running America. This program is all about encouraging activity among youth. The kids have to run/bike a total of 25 miles over a short period of time, then come together for a big final event where they run the last mile of the marathon. This year the final 1.2 mile run took place at Elitch Gardens in downtown Denver. Sami has been really excited about the program and has been working super hard to get all her miles. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning she has attended running club before school and has averaged about 2 miles per day. We have also been taking walks/bike rides around the neighborhood after dinner with all the kids to help her reach her goal.
Saturday was the final event at Elitches. Sam was so excited and wanted me to run the final mile with her. There were over 1100 kids participating in the marathon from various schools within the Denver area. They divided the kids into age groups and staggered their start times so the little kids wouldn't get over run by the older kids. The race started in the parking lot and wound all the way through the park, then finished back out in the parking lot so family and friends could watch the kids finish the race. As the kids crossed the finish line they were each given a medal for completing the marathon. Sam was so excited! I am so proud of her! She worked so hard for so many weeks and completed the marathon with a total of 28 miles. She definitely earned that medal and I was so happy to be able to share that fun experience with her. Way to go, baby!
After the marathon we were able to stay and enjoy the park with the kids. We had never taken them to Elitches before, so they were all super excited. Mike's parents were so generous in helping us and watched the babies while the rest of us enjoyed a day at the amusement park. We had a perfect day and the kids loved every second of it! I think we rode just about everything they were tall enough to go on, some even a few times. Of course their favorites were the little roller coaster, and "Ghost Blasters" - a ride where you ride around in little cars and win points for every ghost you shoot. No, I'm not all all surprised that was among their favorites! The park was all decked out for Halloween, so the kids loved the spooky decorations and creepy music. They even got to do a little trick-or-treating in the park. It was so much fun to unwind and spend a fun day with the kids after such a hectic couple of months. Thanks so much for the help, Grandma and Grandpa! We definitely needed that!

Because we just don't do easy

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later - I would have preferred later!

Saturday morning, at about 2 am, I was actually sleeping soundly and hadn't been woken up by babies, when Mike jumped out of bed and rushed to the boys room. I was oblivious to what was going on until Mike came into our room holding Gavin who was crying. When I asked what happened, Mike said he had heard a thud and then crying and found Gavin on his bedroom floor. Gav said his arm was hurting, Mike checked it out and it looked ok, but was just tender when we touched it. We tried to figure out what happened in between the sobs. Gav said he was out of bed checking on Kaden and he fell. Gavin sleeps on the top bunk of their bunk beds, so we were worried that he had fallen off his bed, but he said that he had climbed out of bed and was standing on the side board of Kaden's bed and lost his balance and fell. We were still confused and asked why he was checking on Kaden when he was asleep, and Gavin said "Because, he is my best brother!" Honestly, what can you say to that?
Well, there really wasn't much more we could do, we figured it was just sprained so we gave him some Motrin, pulled his mattress onto the floor, and put him back to bed.
That day was Sam's final mile at Elitches, and although Gav said his arm was still hurting him, he still wanted to come with us to the park. So, he didn't really say much that morning, but said it was hurting pretty bad just before we were getting ready to go into the park. We had some Tylenol with us, so we drugged him up and set out for a day of fun at Elitches. All day he favored his arm and wouldn't really use or move it, but he never complained and had a great time. Well, that night once we got home, it really started to hurt him so we decided to take him over to Children's to have it X-rayed. Yes, you guessed it, he broke his arm! No, not just one bone, but both bones in his left arm right by the wrist.

And let us pause to reflect on the awesome parenting! ... Yep, we took our child with 2 broken bones to an amusement park for a whole day, with no brace, no cast, just drugged up on Tylenol and adrenaline!

All I can say, is that is one tough kid! He came home from the hospital in a temporary brace looking good as new - I'm sure the medicine they gave him in the ER helped quite a bit too!Monday we were able to get him his cast, which he will have to wear for 5 weeks. It hasn't even been 1 week, and he is already the same crazy, fearless boy he always has been. The hardest part about all this is reminding him that he does have a broken arm and has to take it easy - yes that includes no wrestling with Kaden!He has been such a trooper, though, and both Sami and Kaden have been so sweet with him and are always helping him out. When I first told them that Gavin broke his arm, immediately Kaden started crying and saying "I don't want my brother to have a broken arm." They both wanted to stay up so they could see Gav when he got home from the hospital, and drew him pictures and notes to help him feel better. When the boys went to Preschool on Monday I was telling Gavin that he would have to take it easy, and Kaden that he needed to help protect his brother and keep his arm safe. I told Gavin that he wouldn't be able to play on the playground and Kaden said, "I'll stay inside with Gavin." Then Gavin said, "No, it's ok, I want you to go out and play." I love those sweet "twin moments"! It makes the difficult "twin moments" all worth it! Kaden will even help Gavin get dressed when he is having a hard time. They really do look out for each other and take good care of each other. I love that they are best buds - even if it leads to breaking a few bones!
I know this is just the first of many, really, with 4 boys how could it not be! But still, I hate to see my little man go through this. Luckily he is a trooper and such a good sport. I love you my sweet Gav!

Happy 1st Birthday Carter and Taylor!

My babies are 1! I can't believe it! Yes, I will even admit I have had my share of a few tears lately. It makes me a little sad to see how quickly they are growing. Knowing they are my last, makes me want to hold on tight to this special time when they are so little. It lasts for such a short time, and I'm just not quite ready for it to end yet. I feel like this past year has just flown by, and often times I wonder where I've been for most of it! I look at my sweet little boys and wonder where the tiny babies went. They have come such a long way from the fragile little 3.7 lb. and 3.12 lb. NICU babies they once where. They are now over 18 pounds each, chubby, sweet, and growing more and more every day! They are always so happy with smiles and giggles ready for whoever is around. Their older brothers adore them, and their sister just can't get enough of them. It is so fun to watch how everyone interacts together and to see how concerned Sami is for the babies. Sometimes she is more of a mother to them than I am! The babies absolutely love her too, and often save some of their best giggles for when she is around. Mike worries that they are becoming "mama's boys", but when I watch their faces get excited when they see me I think that isn't such a bad thing!
Saturday, the 25th was their actual birthday, but since Mike ended up working a night shift Friday night, and slept most of Saturday, we saved the festivities for Sunday. We had Mike's parents over, along with his brother's family for a little party. It's always so fun to get the cousins together, especially since we don't have the chance to see them that often with everyone's busy schedules.After a yummy barbecue, we let the babies open their presents. It was fun to see what caught their attention - the paper and boxes for the most part!
They definitely didn't keep still though, and wanted to see everything, even if that meant crawling on top of each other to do it! After presents it was cake time! They were so cute! I think I took a million pictures of them stuffing themselves with cake. Carter dove right in and got to business, but Taylor needed time to warm up before he really got into it. They both loved it though and had frosting smeared faces to prove it! We decided to put them out on the porch for the big moment, which was a good thing since there was cake everywhere! Mike got a little happy with the hose though, while he was cleaning up and decided mommy needed a wash down too! Oh well, it was all worth it to see these darling little faces!
Although the party was fun, I have to admit, my favorite part of the day was the little gift the babies gave Mike and I that night, and the night before - a full night's sleep! Yes, the night before their birthday, both the babies finally slept through the night! Our first full night's sleep in a year - oh, it was heaven! Thank you for the birthday present boys!

I just can't say enough how much I love these two precious angels! These boys are just the sweetest little things! I know the Lord had a hand in sending them when He did, because they were the perfect little spirits to come to our family at this crazy time. They are such troopers and are so easy going compared to our other 3 busy munchkins. Don't get me wrong, they are definitely Hansen's, always on the go and into just about everything, but there is a calmness to them that adds a sweet peace to our chaotic lives. I look at these two and just thank my Father in Heaven every day for sending them to us. It took many prayers to get them here, and now that they are here, I couldn't imagine our family without them. They are such a blessing to us and I couldn't love them any more! Happy Birthday my sweet babies!

Birthdays All Around!

Everyone is having a birthday! Not only did the babies have a birthday, but we also had the chance to celebrate two more birthdays within the past week.
September 17th is special around our house for 2 reasons; one, it is Mike's mother's birthday (we will keep her age a secret), and two, it is my little sister Katie's birthday who would have been 31 this year.
It's amazing how we remember the ones who pass on as eternally the age they were at death, even though our lives continue to move forward. As I was thinking about her the other day, it was so hard for me to think about how her life would be today. How many kids she would have, where she would live, what her husband and family would be like. Of course the more I thought about her, the less I was able to hold back the tears. As hard as it was for me to imagine her in a life similar to mine, the fact that she didn't have those things was also very difficult for me to think about. I have been able to experience so many wonderful things in my life that my sister has missed out on. She was taken at a time when her life was just beginning, and had so many dreams yet to be realized. I miss so much being able to call and talk to her. I miss being able to see our children play together. I miss seeing who she would have become and the journey that would have taken her there. As much as her absence in my life hurts, I feel so comforted in the knowledge that although she wasn't able to experience these things here, in this life, that she won't miss out on having all that and more in the next. I know that she will feel the joy and blessings of family, and I will be with her again. I know the blessing of eternal families is real. I feel it each time I look into the eyes of my children, and feel as if my heart will burst from my chest with the love I hold for them. I feel it each time I think of my sister and feel that sweet peaceful calm that overcomes me. I am so thankful for this knowledge, as it helps me get through each Sept. 17th from one year to the next.

So, as we do every year, we sent a balloon off to Katie to wish her a Happy Birthday, and hope it reaches her in Heaven!

As for our other Sept. 17th celebration, since Mike's mom never wants us to make a fuss, we decided to keep our plans a secret. Last Thursday we headed down to Colorado Springs and surprised Grandma with a few birthday goodies. Mike and the boys arrived first with a few balloons and flowers, then Sam, the babies, and I followed soon after once Sam was out of school with a yummy Lion House peach pie from Deseret Book - one of Grandma and Grandpa's favorite places. Grandma was super surprised, and of course the kids always love being in on a little secret. The boys of course yelled "Happy Birthday" as soon as they walked in the door. We were able to stay for dinner and let Grandma and Grandpa enjoy the kiddos for a little while. They have an old little ride on horse that the kids love to play with, and the babies love to explore the house - as far as Grandma will let them get anyway. :) They are always amazed by how much the babies grow between visits. Just before we left we were heading outside and found a mommy and baby dear right in their front yard! The kids are often able to see deer and foxes at their house, but it's still exciting for them, especially when they come so close to the house.

We love visiting Grandma and Grandpa, and unfortunately just don't get down there as often as we'd like. Thanks so much for letting us invade you for an afternoon! Happy Birthday, Grandma Hansen! We love you both tons and are so grateful for all your love and support!

Then and Now

On Friday, we finally closed on our old house! What a relief to be finished with the whole process! It was many, many months in the making, but so completely worth it to be where we are now. All that's left to do now, is finish unpacking and get settled into our new house...oh, and get the back yard put in...oh, and put the fence up...oh, and find some furniture for the babies' room, oh, and finish the basement...oh, and...well, I guess the list is never ending! At least we have a while get it all done!

So, here is to our first home and wonderful memories ... A walk down memory lane!

Our little family when we bought the home in 2005.
(No, I wasn't exceptionally large, I was pregnant with Gavin and Kaden.)

Our family 5 years later when we sold the home in 2010.