French Manicures...

So, last night Chris went to a concert. I thought, hmmm, perfect night to paint my finger nails. Something in which I never do. I gave myself a french manicure. Calvin could smell the polish and finally asked if he could see my nails. I showed him and he says, "why would you paint fingernails on your fingernails?" Cracked me up. Thats how much boys care about that kind of stuff!!

Family

So my sister and I have not seen eachother since my son turned 1-- yes, he is 8 now. However, we communicate all the time. We know what is going on with kids, etc. Always have. She called me last week and said she was driving through and wanted to stop for a short visit. I was stoked!! It's the first time all of our kids have really been together, it was sweet. Wish they lived closer...

The Fourth Of July, 2009

Geez-- I haven't done this in a while!! The 4th of July was GREAT!! We have been doing an annual 4th with great friends for years. It's so fun getting the "cousins" together. Since all of our lives are so crazy, busy this is pretty much the only time we get to hang out. It was soooo fun though. Fun to see the dynamic of our kids together. The guys drank a whole 5th of tequila on the 4th. Hmm, not good. Anyway, good time had by all!!

First Hair Cut

There is a couple of things going on here. First of all Chris' barber has finally retired. He had been going to him since '96. Fred did give the best haircut! Chris has since gone to a couple of other places and has not been satisfied. His Mom has even given him a couple. First Chris can't stand to pay over $10 for a haircut and as you all know, you really can't find a $10 haircut anymore. Secondly, Chris has been giving Calvin a haircut since he was 6 months old. When Chris and Cal talk haircuts they both have a feel for it. Calvin piped in one day and told his Dad he could give him a haircut and Chris decided to give it a try. All went pretty well and I think Chris feels that the price was right! He hasn't had a good haircut in a while and this one is top notch! Way to go Cal!!

Conference

So, we as parents love to go to the whole conference thing. The whole experience of how well your kid is doing in school. I love it. I have expectations for my son, I am the one who makes sure homework is done to a tee. Always making sure it is turned in on time. Always makes way for reading time, etc. So conferences are tomorrow and the next day. I'm stoked! Can't wait to talk with the teacher and find out how Cal is doing! We get the note home-- "There is no reason for you to come in this time. Calvin is doing great and I don't see a future problem." What does that mean? No conference? I guess I just wanted confirmation on how good I was doing, hmmm. Oh, well. I guess we're doing a good job-- with or without a conference!

Boys

So, my kid is going through this very weird stage. Everthing he says is for shock value. He's testing us with words. Like the other day one of my really good friends came over and showed Calvin this weird finger thing. Calvin says, is that supposed to be a penis? He then just walked off. It's definately a 2nd grade boy thing. I'm around these kids enough to know it's what they do and talk about. I don't know if I should laugh, get upset, send him to his room, etc. I have been explaining to him that this is very inappropriate and I don't like it. That seems to be doing the trick but I'm getting to that point where I'm never quite sure what is going to come out of his mouth. Rrrrrr....

THE Pergola

Chris freezing his butt off trying to complete the pergola. Looks Beautiful honey!!

How Is Joey Doing??!!

So, as many of you know, my Best Friends husband has been battling cancer for 2 years, 5 months and 2 days. It's been rough. This is a little update for all of those who keep asking, who keep praying and those of you who are wondering, don't ask and wish I would hurry up and blog~ so here goes. Joe has been in the hospiatl all last week, he just came home. The Dr.'s have again found cancer in Joe's stomach. This is extremely painful. He is getting over an infection. He is still producing fluid in his stomach that they keep having to pump out. After this Joe feels relief. This time and for the first time there was blood in the fluid. This kind-of caught Kristie off guard. Joe, asked the Dr., "In your professional opinion, how much time would you give me?" The Dr. said 6 months. For those of you who know, 6 months for Joe could mean 6 years! He has beat the odds so many times before. TYJ! I often wonder- could I ask that question if I were in the same boat? Could I fathum the Dr. saying "6months"?! Kristie is still her stellar self. It is amazing the way she is. I have told her and my Pastor, If I only had an ounce of her faith... I would be such a great person! As most of you know, I went to see her last October. She is the best nurse, Mother, Wife, Business Owner and mostly, faithful Christian. And she holds it together so well. I'm crying, she is telling me, "God is so giving, Andrea.." Her touch is deep. Her love is so strong, but her faith~ wow, it's something!! I have told her so many times, "Someday you will be so proud of you." Her kids are so great! I wish I could keep them!! She has a way with expressing life when death seems to have been so close numerous times. It's truly fasinating. We've come along way in 20 years!

The New Wall

So, I have been wanting to paint the window wall in our bedroom chocolate brown for a long time!! We finally did it yesterday. It looks great! Here is the reveal! That sounds so HGTVish!

This is how cool Calvin thinks it is!! He did help paint, though!

Tub Reading

So I love to take baths. When we built our house I designed the master bath around the tub I wanted. I love to read books and magazines in there. The other night Calvin was going to do his reading, and this is where I found him. Cute, huh?! He loves the "Polk Street School" books. He would kill me if he saw this!!

FaceBook

So, I've discovered FaceBook. Totally been fun!! I have found sooooo many people. It's great. Found a couple of really good friends from highschool that we just lost touch and here they are!! Fun to see everybody's family and especially there kids. Good Times!

Injured Chris

So you know all of those neat pictures I posted of Chris and Calvin skiing? Yeah, Chris had a great time. 2 days later he could barely walk. Kept complaining about his hip. I was a bit concerned due to the fact that he really doesn't complain, well, about those kinds of things anyway! The following day he called me at home and said, "You need to make me a Dr.'s appointment--I can't walk." I freaked out because this is so out of character for Chris. I make the appointment for an hour or so later. Come to find out, skiing with a 8 year old after not skiing since '94 was not such a hot idea. They were out for hours, too. He completely twisted his hip up. He got the pain meds. Was on them for a couple of days. He only complains every once in awhile now. Oh, boy!!

"The" Sleep Over

Calvin preparing his Star Wars cake.

All done and very proud of himself!

The Star Wars table.

The gang!

Calvin being Calvin!

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to Calvin, happy birthday to you!!

Calvin & Dad's 1st Ski Trip Together

Calvin waiting very patiently for his Dad to get ready to go skiing!

Chris fixing his bindings.

READY!!

My 2 Guys!!

A very nervous Chris!

Calvin getting ready!!

First time getting to use his poles.

I wish this picture would have come out better. There were ice crystals on Calvin's eye lashes.

Calvin's 8th Birthday

Good Morning Little Pumpkin!! This is Calvin just as he woke up on his 8th Birthday.

Did you know that on your 8th Birthday Dad lets his kid eat pie for breakfast?! Nice. Bet his teacher appreciated that!

Here is the cake ~ Calvin picked out cherry chip cake with dark chocolate frosting. It was really good!!

Ahhhh, Nana & Papa bought him a penguin comforter. He has been wanting this for a while. Calvin loves penguins, always has! I think it's because his Nana likes them too!

Yeah!! The new comforter is on!! Love it!

Did you know that when you are 8 you no longer need a booster!! Calvin made me pick him up from school with no car seat and drive around so he could see what it was like not to have a car seat. Funny!

Best Friends! Noah & Calvin playing Club Penguin waiting for their favorite dinner-- Carne Asada!

Opening gifts! The best part of the night!

Singing Happy Birthday!

Jerry giving "NOOGIES!"

Carol, Calvin & Jerry, our great neighbors who Calvin adores!

Friends For Life!

As I went to bed after the festivities (3 am comes early) Calvin was putting together one of his gifts. I woke up to the final product this morning! Ahhhh, it's rough being an 8 year old. Or being his parents!!

So, Chris has been taking Calvin up to the Ridge when I am working. Calvin is doing the kids club and it lasts about 3 hours and Chris just hangs out up there. He has been taking the camera with him and taking some really great pictures. Here's yesterdays outing.

Chris LOVES our cat Frenchi. Thinks she is the best cat on the planet. She is the princess of our house. However, He HATES it when she is on the table. I took this just for him. He keeps saying, "Why do you keep showing me that?!" I love to!

The Hanson Grankids, 2009

I Love this picture! When Eric & Pila were here for the holidays we all had our pictures taken and this is the boys. Oli, Parker and Calvin.